We are waiting to hear the autopsy results on 19-year-old Emily Rodgers. Her body was found in a wooded area in Maurepas yesterday and three men are facing charges in connection with her death. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says they learned Rodgers, who is originally from Ponchatoula, was missing on February 9th….
cut 11 (09) “…Livingston Parish”
A motive has not been established. Ard says Rodgers knew the three suspects, but they were not linked romantically.

New Orleans Police will provide an update this afternoon on the three separate shootings that left three people dead and five people wounded on Fat Tuesday. One of the fatal shootings occurred along a parade route after a fight had broken out. A suspect in that shooting has been identified as Eddie Dingle and a warrant for his arrest has been issued. Two people were killed in a separate shooting in the Lower Ninth ward.

Fishermen are kicking into high gear to satisfy the big desire for seafood in the Lenten season. Matt Doyle has more.
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A nice dinner out is considered a traditional Valentine’s Day date, but Lake Charles-based Waitr CEO Chris Meaux says they were very busy last year and they expect more of the same today….
cut 8 (12) “…for that”

Three men are in jail charged in connection with the death of a 19-year-old girl found in a wooded area in Livingston Parish. Jim Shannon has more.

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New Orleans police are asking for public’s assistance in locating 18-year-old Eddit Dingle, the alleged Mardi Gras shooter responsible for the death of a man along St. Charles Avenue. Dingle has been charged with second degree murder. NOPD alleges Dingle was involved in a verbal altercation with the victim, and after the dispute, Dingle fired several shots into him.

Catholics are cutting back on eating meat for the Lenten season, in most places, that’s a sacrifice, but for spoiled bayou Catholics, it’s not too tough. Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board member Chalin Delaune says there’s a good supply of seafood, but the cold weather could keep crawfish prices high.

Cut 3 (10) “the year.”

Delaune says if you don’t want to pay big prices for crawfish, grab some peak season oysters instead.

The LSU Vet School is providing care for goose who was pierced with an arrow.  The wounded goose was found near the LSU Lakes and captured by Wildlife and Fisheries crews. Following an initial checkup, Vet school spokesperson Julie Thomas says veterinarians feel the goose shouldn’t be grounded too long…

Cut 13 (08) “term effects.”

Officials do not know by whom or where the goose was shot.

Livingston Parish deputies have arrested three men in connection with the death of a 19-year-old female. The body of Emily Rodgers was found Tuesday in a wooded area off Catfish Landing Road in Maurepas. Sheriff Jason Ard says they’ve arrested Justin Scivique, Derek Williford and John Cowart….
cut 9 (05) “…ended her life”
Ard says they are still awaiting autopsy results to determine how Rodgers died. The sheriff says all they know at this point is that Rodgers knew the three suspects, but they were not linked romantically.

The LSU Vet School is helping an injured goose who was pierced with an arrow. The goose was found near the LSU Lakes. The goose was finally captured by Wildlife and Fisheries crews. The goose’s wing is pierced, but school spokesperson Julie Thomas says the goose doesn’t appear to have any other injuries…
Cut 12 (08) “the wing.”
Following an initial checkup, Thomas says veterinarians feel the goose shouldn’t be grounded too long.

Business optimism is high in Louisiana. But the proposal from Governor John Bel Edwards to raise taxes on service related businesses may squash it. Kelley Ray has more.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Typically, Valentine’s Day is one in which lovers shower each other with gifts, flowers and a nice dinner out.  But Lake Charles based Waitr is hoping for a big day with in home deliveries.  CEO Chris Meaux (MO) says they were pleasantly surprised at the amount of orders they got last year which was an 1100-percent spike over a normal weekday…

Cut 6 (10)  “a year.”

A survey ranks Louisiana 49th in well-being. The Bayou State only finished ahead of West Virginia in the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index.

Researcher Dan Witter’s says they asked Louisiana residents if they felt safe and secure in their community and most said no…

Cut 5  (09)  “pretty high”

Louisiana was one of several southern states that saw a decline in well-being in 2017.

New Orleans police are searching for a subject they believe is responsible for killing a man on St. Charles Ave during Mardi Gras.

Eddie Dingle Jr., 21, is wanted on suspicion of second-degree murder after the shooting near the parade route about 4:35 p.m. in the 2100 block of St. Charles Avenue. The gunfire left a 30-year-old man dead; officials have not released his name.Three people were killed yesterday throughout the crescent city.

The Louisiana Family Forum is honoring the top ten Louisiana couples married the longest on this Valentine’s Day.  For the third year in a row, the longest married couple is Lawrence and Varrie (Very) Player of Benton, married for 83 years.   Family Forum President Gene Mills says it’s no surprise that this couple hails from Louisiana…

Cut 10 (07) “and marriage.”

The second longest married couple is Wallace and Gladys Menard of Duson married for 79 years.

A survey ranks Louisiana near the bottom for well-being ranking 49^th in the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index. Researcher Dan Witters says  they asked Louisiana residents if they felt safe and secure in their community and most said no…

Cut 6 (08)  “50th in the nation”

Louisiana was one of several southern states that saw a decline in well-being in 2017.

Three persons are under arrest in the alleged murder of a young woman from Ponchatoula.  Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says the body of 19-year-old Emily Rogers was found in a wooded area near Maurepas (More-a-pa).  As police interviewed persons close to the investigation, conflicting stories made it apparent she was killed.  John Cowart, Justin Scivique (Suh-vick) and Derek Williford all of Maurepas (More-a-pa) were arrested.  The motive is unclear and the investigation is continuing.

Panola Pepper and Providence Foods founder Grady Wyly “Bubber” Brown Sr. will be laid to rest today.  The 83-year-old from Lake Providence died Saturday.  Panola Pepper was founded in 1983 so that Brown’s farmhands would have work through the winter.  Lake Providence Mayor Bobby Amacker says he made the first batch on his mother’s stovetop…

Cut 13 (09)  “is today.”

Funeral services will be held at 1pm at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lake Providence.

The Louisiana Family Forum is honoring the longest married couple on this Valentine’s Day.  Lawrence and Varrie (Very) Player of Benton have been married for 83 years.  The couple met when they were 21 and 16 respectively.  Family Fourm President Gene Mills says besides being the longest married couple in the state…

Cut 12 (05) “as well.”

It’s the third year in a row they have won the state title.

The head of a non-partisan education group says the state school system needs to tap into more federal funds to improve state schools. John Warner Smith with New Horizon’s said Tuesday that “no child left behind” federal funds are available for Louisiana schools because of where our state ranks in public school spending. Governor John Bel Edwards has already indicated that the state will remain at last year’s spending for the 2018-19 school year.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses says the Small Business Optimism Index set a record in January, with small business owners saying now is a good time to expand.  Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn Starns agrees it might be a good time to expand because of less federal taxes and regulations…but proprietors are concerned about finding qualified workers for open positions…

Cut 8 (08) “their certification.”

The Louisiana Family Forum is honoring the top ten Louisiana couples married the longest on this Valentine’s Day.  For the third year in a row, the longest married couple is Lawrence and Varrie (Very) Player of Benton, married for 83 years. Family Forum President Gene Mills says,

When asked about how they have been able to stick together, 98-year-old Varrie has advice that can be applied for all married couples…

Cut 11 (06) “forgive quickly.”

Lawrence Player is 104.  The couple met and married when Lawrence was 21 and Varrie was 16.

Panola Pepper and Providence Foods founder Grady Wyly “Bubber” Brown Sr. will be laid to rest today.  The 83-year-old from Lake Providence died Saturday.  Panola Pepper was founded in 1983 so that Brown’s farmhands would have work through the winter.  Lake Providence Mayor Bobby Amacker saysBrown’s death leaves a big hole in the community…

Cut 15 (07) “tell ya.”

February 14^th means candy and cards for our loved ones. Our Matt Doyle looks at the longest married couple in Louisiana on this Valentine’s Day.

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A new survey ranks Louisiana 49^th in Well being Researcher Dan Witters says their survey found many in Louisiana ar not proud of where they live or believe they are living in a perfect place.

Cut 4 (:09) q…”that statement.”

The National Federation of Independent Businesses says the Small Business Optimism Index set a record in January, with small business owners saying now is a good time to expand.  Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn Starns says they have found owners are enthusiastic about investing the extra money they are getting from federal tax reform into their business…

With the start of the special session Monday, Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed increasing taxes on some service based businesses to help bridge a one-billion-dollar budget gap.

Starns says Edwards proposal could hamper the optimism in the business community

Cut 9 (09)  “federal level.”

Three people have been arrested in connection with a body found near maurepas yesterday. Livingston parish sheriff Jason Ard says the investigation is on-going despite the three arrests. 19-year old Emily Rodgers had been missing almost a week and Ard says foul play was immediately suspected.

According to a Business think tank optimism is high in Louisiana.  But a proposal from Governor John Bel Edwards to raise taxes on service related businesses could put a damper on commerce.  Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Three people have been arrested in connection with a body found near maurepas yesterday. Livingston parish sheriff Jason Ard says the investigation is on-going despite the three arrests. 19-year old Emily Rodgers had been missing almost a week and Ard says foul play was immediately suspected. 35 year old John Cowart is accused of being involved in Rodgers death.

Panola Pepper and Providence Foods founder Grady Wyly “Bubber” Brown Sr. will be laid to rest today.  The 83-year-old from Lake Providence died Saturday.  Panola Pepper was founded in 1983 so that Brown’s farmhands would have work through the winter.

Providence Foods was founded after Panola Pepper and Brown decided to take the second business to Lake Providence itself.  Lake Providence Mayor Bobby Amacker says Brown wanted to help people earn a decent living and help his community…

Cut 14 (13) “sales taxes.”

Amacker also says Brown made his first batch of Panola on his mother’s stove-top.

The Louisiana Family Forum is honoring the top ten Louisiana couples married the longest on this Valentine’s Day.  For the third year in a row, the longest married couple is Lawrence and Varrie (Very) Player of Benton, married for 83 years. Lawrence Player is 104.  The couple met and married when Lawrence was 21 and Varrie was 16.  Mills says not only are the Players the longest married couple in Louisiana, but are in contention for another title

Lawrence Player is 104.  The couple met and married when Lawrence was 21 and Varrie was 16.