Louisiana ranks 49th in the country when it comes to being comfortable, healthy or happy. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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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.
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The Louisiana Family Forum is honoring the longest married Louisiana couple this Valentine’s Day. Matt Doyle has more…
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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….
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.
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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…
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…
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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…
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.”
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…
The second longest married couple is Wallace and Gladys Menard of Duson married for 79 years.
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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…
Providence Foods was founded after Panola Pepper and Brown decided to take the second business to Lake Providence itself. Amacker says Brown wanted to help people earn a decent living and help his community…
Amacker says Brown’s death leaves a big hole in the community…
Funeral services will be held today at 1pm at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lake Providence.
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