Are you comfortable, healthy or happy? If you live in Louisiana then, according to a new survey, you shouldn’t be.. in this state. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

By the way….West Virginia is last.

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 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…

Cut 7 (08)  “third location.”

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 years spending for the 2018-19 school year.

Commodities

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.”

Louisiana ranks 49th in the country when it comes to being comfortable, healthy or happy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

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.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

_______________________________________

The Louisiana Family Forum is honoring the longest married Louisiana couple this Valentine’s Day.  Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________________________

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 Witters says their survey found many in Louisiana are not proud of where they live or believe they are living in the perfect place…

Cut 4  (09) “with that statement” 

Witters says the Bayou State also ranks low in their index, because about a quarter of those surveyed admit not having enough money to buy food for their family….

Cut 5  (09)  “pretty high”

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.

____________________________________________

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…

Cut 7 (08)  “third location.”

Starns says while it might be a good time to expand because of less federal taxes and regulations, small business owners are concerned about finding qualified workers for open positions…

Cut 8 (08) “their certification.”

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 it would unravel the optimism the businesses are feeling now…

Cut 9 (09)  “federal level.”

__________________________________________

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.”

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

Cut 11 (06) “forgive quickly.”

The Baldwin Police Department is damaged and one inmate is injured following a fire.  Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon.”

A survey by offers-dot-com finds the average consumer will spend 55-dollars on Valentine’s Day this year. Spokesperson Sarah Hollenbeck says consumers in Louisiana are more traditional when it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts…

Cut 6 (07)  “diamond rings”

Chronic wasting disease in deer has been detected in Mississippi near the Louisiana border and state wildlife officials are concerned the fatal disease will end up in the Bayou State.  C-W-D is similar to mad cow disease and L-D-W-F is working with Mississippi wildlife officials on sampling and containment. State Wildlife Vet Dr. Jim LaCour says there are concerns about eating deer that had the disease…

Cut 14 (10) “in an area”

Global sports entertainment leader Topgolf is coming to Baton Rouge in late 2018.  The ten-million-dollar entertainment venue will feature 15-hundred square feet of private event space and 72 climate controlled hitting bays.  Spokesperson Caroline Jerome says it is the ultimate family experience…

Cut 9 (07) “moments together.”

It will bring 325 jobs to Baton Rouge.

Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in a Mississippi deer near East Carroll and Madison parishes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.

A Louisiana State Penitentiary inmate serving a life sentence for second degree murder, died three days after being involved in a fight with his cell mate.  36-year-old Gamarus Everett was found unresponsive after the fight with 41-year-old Jessie Grace.  Everett was revived and taken to a Baton Rouge hospital where he died last night.  Officials say Grace may be charged following an investigation.

The Baldwin Police Department was heavily damaged and a prisoner was injured after a fire yesterday afternoon.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says it will be a while before normal operations can resume as the police department sustained quite a bit of damage…

Cut 5  (10)  “into service.”

Browning says they continue to conduct interviews and will talk with the jailed man when he has sufficiently recovered.

Global sports entertainment leader Topgolf has broken ground in Baton Rouge, slated to open in late 2018. With 41 venues around the world, the company is looking to bring their entertainment complexes to other areas.  Spokesperson Caroline Jerome says they can’t reveal any information now, but when asked about other Louisiana locations, she said…

Cut 11 (10) “you guys.”

The Mardi Gras party in New Orleans will soon end. Based on the amount of grills along the St. Charles parade route everyone was fed well…
cut 16 (09) “…fish too”
In New Roads, nine people went to the hospital after a float in a parade crashed into a telephone pole. Officials say the pole crashed down on the roof of the float, causing it to collapse. Some of the riders were thrown off. One report says a person suffered a head injury, while another injured a leg.

The investigation continues into a fire that destroyed much of the Baldwin Police Department in St. Mary Parish. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his deputies are still trying to determine how the blaze started….
cut 4 (11) “…that soon”
Browning says a prisoner in a holding cell suffered severe injuries from burns. There have been reports an inmate set himself on fire, but Browning can’t confirm that.

Chronic wasting disease in deer has been detected in Mississippi and Louisiana wildlife officials are concerned the fatal disease will end up in the Bayou State. A four-year-old buck was found dead of C-W-D near the Louisiana border. State Wildlife Veterinarian, Doctor Jim LaCour says East Carroll, Madison and Tensas parish landowners should curtail supplemental feeding of deer…
cut 12 (07) “…our infected”
C-W-D is similar to mad cow disease and deer infected with it can spread the disease even before symptoms develop.

Don’t forget tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Offers-dot-com spokesperson Sarah Hollenbeck says based on their survey, many Louisiana couples do not have big plans tomorrow night…
cut 7 (10) “….romantic restaurant”

A deer buck that died from Chronic Wasting Disease in Mississippi has Louisiana wildlife officials concerned. State Wildlife Veterinarian, Doctor Jim LaCour says C-W-D is similar to mad cow disease and although there’s no evidence it affects humans, there are concerns about eating deer meat with the disease.

Cut 14 (10) “…in an area.”

LaCour says a case of C-W-D has never been documented in Louisiana… but cautions that landowners in East Carroll, Madison and Tensas parish should curtail supplemental feeding of deer.

A survey by offers-dot-com finds the average consumer will spend 55-dollars on Valentine’s Day this year. Spokesperson Sarah Hollenbeck says 27-percent of Louisiana shoppers admitted they wait until the week of Valentine’s Day to buy their gifts. She says many will get their sweetheart something for their sweet tooth…

Cut 8 (05) “this year”

A quick reminder that Valentine’s Day is tomorrow if you need to find a gift for someone.

The Baldwin Police Department is damaged and one inmate is injured following a fire. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon.”

Global sports entertainment leader Top-Golf has a 10 million dollar venue planned in Baton Rouge and it’s set to open later this year. Spokesperson Caroline Jerome says the Baton Rouge location will be a first of a kind in Louisiana…

Cut 10 (10) “a whole.”

The Baton Rouge operation is projected to create 325 full time and part time jobs.

The Baldwin Police Department was heavily damaged in a fire yesterday afternoon.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says a person in a holding cell was severely injured…

Cut 3 (07) “burn injuries.”

Browning says they continue to conduct interviews and will talk with the jailed man when he has sufficiently recovered.

A survey by offers-dot-com finds the average consumer will spend 55-dollars on Valentine’s Day this year. Spokesperson Sarah Hollenbeck says consumers in Louisiana are more traditional when it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts…

Cut 6 (07)  “diamond rings”

Some wait until the last minute.  Some 27-percent of Louisiana shoppers admit they wait until the week of Valentine’s Day to buy their gifts.

Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in a Mississippi deer near East Carroll and Madison parishes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.

A big part of Mardi Gras is food and family. On St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, many people there are celebrating Fat Tuesday with blood relatives and a few strangers…

Cut 15 (04) “what we do”

The partying will all end at midnight tonight.  Parades are currently underway in the Big Easy.

Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in a Mississippi deer near East Carroll and Madison parishes. State Wildlife Veterniarian Dr Jim LaCour says, C-W-D has never been documented in Louisiana, but infected deer can spread the disease even before symptoms develop and its something they don’t want in the Bayou State…
cut 13 (08) “….of the deer”
L-D-W-F is working with Mississippi wildlife officials on sampling and containment.

There’s a big party in New Orleans this afternoon as the Mardi Gras celebration is reaching its peak. And when you are spending time outside all day with family, catching throws, you also need plenty of food. But the parade goers on St. Charles Avenue are prepared
cut 16 (09) “…fish too”
So far the rain has held off too.

The investigation continues into the fire that destroyed a good portion of the Baldwin Police Department in St. Mary Parish. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his deputies are still trying to determine the exact location of where the fire started….
cut 4 (11) “…that soon”
Browning says a prisoner in a holding cell suffered severe injuries from burns. There have been reports an inmate set himself on fire, but Browning can’t confirm that.

Louisiana is getting a Topgolf. Ground has been broken to build one off of I-10 near Seigan Lane in Baton Rouge. Spokesperson Caroline Jerome…
cut 10 (10) “”…as a whole”
It’s basically a bowling alley for golfers and those who just want to swing a club for fun.