AM Newscall February 15

Three Central Louisiana restaurants have been caught selling swai (Suh-why) fish, passing it off as catfish.  Jeff Palermo says they were all owned by the same people…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The state is extending its public health center free flu shot drive. Matt Doyle talked to the Louisiana Department of Health on its recent success.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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New Orleans police are calling this year’s Mardi Gras a rousing success despite a violent Fat Tuesday. Kelley Ray has the story.

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Kelley Ray”

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Three central Louisiana restaurants have been caught selling swai (Suh-why) fish, passing it off as catfish. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says the managers at Rosie Joe’s and Debarge’s Crawfish in Alexandria and Crazy Cajun in Tioga were cited after the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was tipped off…

Cut 4  (08) “back there.” 

Einck says Pineville residents Robert Fant, Mollie McDowell and Michael Rhodes were cited for selling swai fish as catfish…

Cut 5  (11)  “as well.”

The swai fish comes from Asia and is also known as shark catfish. Einck says some restaurants choose to use swai fish because it’s cheaper to buy than catfish…

Cut 6 (10)  “yearly costs.”

None of the stores were shut down.  Selling swai fish as catfish can bring a fine of up to 950-dollars and up to four months in jail.

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The Louisiana Department of Health is extending its free flu shot drive after initially planning to end the program Monday. Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says they were excited to extend the program after a very successful two week run.

Cut 7 (08)  “2800 people”

The shots are available at LDH parish health clinics, and free to the public, but Welch says before showing up you might want to call ahead.

Cut 8 (10) “to you.”

This year’s flu shot has been criticized for having a potentially lower than normal effectiveness. Welch says despite some claims to the contrary, getting the flu shot is still a great idea.

Cut 9 (10)  “rather do.”

From January 29th to February 10th, 4,000 free flu shots were administered.

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A series of Mardi Gras day shootings in New Orleans left three dead and five injured. None of the shootings occurred on an active parade route. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says the shootings shouldn’t mar an otherwise positive carnival season.

Cut 10 (11) “greater intensity.”

One of the shootings getting the most attention occurred on St. Charles Avenue after two men got caught up in an altercation. Harrison says it’s the kind of incident that could happen at any time of the year.

Cut 11 (11) “good time.”

Harrison says despite Tuesday’s shootings, there’s been a decrease in violence in the city thanks to increased police efforts.

Cut 12 (12) “just that.”

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Shreveport Police are looking for a man who is robbing elderly women and assaulting them with a baseball bat.  The robberies started in late January and have continued since.  Detective Richard Turpen says since the attacks started, police have become more concerned since the suspect has been acting more aggressive…

Cut 13 (08)  “on foot.”

Turpen says a few of the victims have been able to describe their attacker, but the description police are working with isn’t much since the attacks are from behind…

Cut 14 (10) “their purses.”

Turpen says until this perpetrator is caught, women, especially the elderly that he is targeting, need to be extra aware and to not become distracted…

Cut 15 (09) “do that.”

Anyone with information leading to the arrest of the robber can call Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373 or use their app P-3-Tips.

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After a very successful week in the Peach State last week with victories over Georgia Southern and Georgia, ULM basketball retuns home tonight to face Texas-Arlington. Warhwaks Coach Keith Richard says knocking down the three point shot was the key in those two victories…

Cut 16 (16) “17 3s”

With the two victories last week, ULM is 11-12 overall, 5-7 in the Sun Belt. Richard says senior guard Sam McDaniel has become a big threat from beyond the three-point line…

Cut 17 (19) “at it”

ULM currently sits in ninth place in the Sun Belt. But Richard says if they keep winning, they’ll quickly move up the standings…

Cut 18 (21) “about that”

Lights out shooter Jacobi Boykins leads Louisiana Tech against UAB tonight. Tech sits at 8th in C-USA standings with and UAB sits at 7th with five conference games remaining. The Bulldogs are looking to rebound after a tough night against Old Dominion where they coughed up the ball an incredible 20 times in route to an 82-69 loss. ‘Dogs head coach Eric Konkol says they got bull rushed from the tipoff.

Cut 19 (16)   “with it” 

UAB started conference play hot, grabbing four wins in their first five games, but have run up a three and five C-USA record since. If the Bulldogs want to run level with UAB in conference standings, Konkel says they’ll have to take better care of the ball.

Cut 20 (15) “the basketball”

The game starts at 8PM.