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.”

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…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jim Shannon.

Three Cenla restaurant managers were cited after allegedly using swai fish as catfish.  Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says Robert Fant, Mollie McDowell and Michael Rhodes all of Pineville, used the swai fish at Rosie Joe’s and Debarges’s Crawfish in Alexandria and Crazy Cajun in Tioga.

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.”

The LSU Vet School is providing care for a goose who was pierced with an arrow.  The wounded goose was found near the LSU Lakes and captured by Wildlife and Fisheries crews. Since there is no identification on the goose, they will not give the goose out for adoption.  Spokesperson Julie Thomas says once he has recovered, he will live in the wild again…

Cut 14 (10) “release it.”

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 (more-a-pa). Sheriff Jason Ard says they’ve arrested Justin Scivique (Suh-vick), Derek Williford and John Cowart….

Cut 9 (05) “ended her life”

Cowart has been charged with second degree murder.

A goose is being well cared for by LSU Vets after it was found with an arrow piercing it’s wing.   The wounded goose was found near the LSU Lakes and captured by Wildlife and Fisheries.  After an initial checkup, LSU Vet School spokesperson Julie Thomas says doctors feel the goose shouldn’t be grounded too long…

Cut 14 (10) release it.

Fishermen are kicking into high gear to satisfy the big desire for seafood in the Lenten season. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Due to widespread flu activity, the Louisiana Department of Health continues to offer free flu shots at Parish Health clinics.  Reported flu cases in the state are twice the activity we see in a normal flu season.    Almost four-thousand flu vaccines have been administered in the last 2 weeks and several thousand doses remain.

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…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jim Shannon.

Three Cenla restaurant managers were cited after allegedly using swai fish as catfish.  Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says Robert Fant, Mollie McDowell and Michael Rhodes all of Pineville, used the swai fish at Rosie Joe’s and Debarges’s Crawfish in Alexandria and Crazy Cajun in Tioga.

Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board member Chalin Delaune says there’s a good supply of seafood this Lenten season.  That means Wildlife and Fisheries can bar crabbers from removing any females for 60 days.  Delaune says that means crab lovers may have to stick to eating males for the time being.

Cut 5  (10)  “harvest females”

The prognosis for a goose found with an arrow in his wing near the LSU campus is good.  The vet school is providing care after it was captured by Wildlife and Fisheries crews.  Vet school spokesperson Julie Thomas says the gooses’ wing is pierced, but there doesn’t appear to be other injuries…

Cut 12 (08) “the wing.”

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.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jim Shannon.

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.

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.

Cut 3 (:30) q…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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.