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”

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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.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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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.”

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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….

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.

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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…

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.”

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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…

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 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.

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. It will be a while before normal operations can resume in the Baldwin Police Department.  Browning says the building sustained quite a bit of damage…

Cut 5  (10)  “into service.”

Browning says they will continue to interview those who were there, including the jailed man once he has sufficiently recovered.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s department is trying to find the owner of what appears to be a very friendly goat.  Authorities picked up “Rowdy” after he was found wandering on Dianne Street in Shreveport.  Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says it appears to be someone’s pet. If the owner doesn’t claim “Rowdy”, Chadwick says he may get a new start somewhere else…

Cut 8 (06) “at auction.”

If the owner wants to reclaim their goat, they can contact the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Department at 318-681-1120.

In New Orleans the Krewe’s of Zulu and Rex are making their way throughout the crescent city streets. By order of the King of Carnival… Rex… all “normal activities” are suspended for the day. Outside of New Orleans…Houma will display some of the more impressive celebrations. The city’s visitor bureau spokesperson, Joey Pierce says their floats are worth the drive.

Cut 12 (:11) q…”New Orleans.”

Pierce says part of the Houma Mardi Gras charm is the “lack” of huge crowds.

Could a group of South American Snails put the brakes on an otherwise promising crawfish season? Lsu Ag officials say it’s possible and already one crawfish farmer is pulling his nets. The South American Apple Snail clogs crawfish nets and is particularly hard to exterminate. So for now there’s only one thing to do.

Cut 15 (:10) q…”getting in.”

Louisiana food trucks are canvassing cities like Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta, today passing out King Cakes. It’s part of Lt. Governor Billy Nunguesser’s new tourism slogan “Louisiana: feed your soul.” While hundreds of thousands are in New Orleans for Mardi Gras…nunguesser want’s to attract more visitors to the state.

Cut 9 (:07) q…in Louisiana.”

In Baton Rouge a golfing complex will be breaking ground to attract both hackers and scratch players alike. A multi-level digital driving range will feature chef driven menu’s and top-shelf beverages. “TOPGOLF”, The sports and entertainment venue will employ 325 positions. It’s expected to open late this year.

Patchy rain is expected throughout the morning, putting a damper on some parade goers. But according to the state climatologist Barry Keim warmer temperatures are headed our way.

Cut 6 (:10) q…warm pattern.”

High’s in the 70’s tomorrow.

An invasive water species known as the ‘apple snail’ shut down a 220 acre crawfish farm in Acadia Parish. Problem is the snail clogs the crawfish trap creating a harvesting problem. Jeff Palermo on the threat posed by this South American crustacean.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Officials say the snail can carry a fatal disease called “rat lungworm.’

Grab an umbrella if you’re heading to the mardi gras parades. Forecasters are calling for showers throughout the day but fortunately the temps will be in the high 60’s.

The new state tourism slogan “Feed Your Soul” is being debuted around the country as part of Mardi Gras celebrations.  Kelley Ray spoke with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser in Washington D.C….

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Over a million visitors are estimated to be at Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year, but it’s not the only place to celebrate the eve of Lent. The town of Iowa (I-O-Way) will keep a decade’s old tradition alive this year, the chicken run starting at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Chief Chicken Run Organizer Rodney Victorian says the town not only has a unique way of celebrating Fat Tuesday.

But says it’s tradition, started by his family, that brings the community together to celebrate the season.

Cut 11 (06) “Mardi Gras”

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s the rural areas of the state that stand to benefit the most from President Trump’s infrastructure plan. Edwards has already proposed three projects, all in urban areas, prior to the meeting with Trump. Afterwards however Edwards endorsed the presidents’ rural Block grant development portion.

Of course today is fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras 2018 is about to roll. New Orleans though isn’t the only place to pass a good time. Matt Doyle explains.

Cut 2 (:30) q…”matt doyle.”

If you’re loading up to head for today’s mardi gras parade’s it’s a good idea to pack some rain gear. Parades in New Orleans and as far north as Shreveport could see some significant rain. State climatologist Barry Klien says watch out for the wet stuff.

Cut 4 (:06) q…”bear it.”

The state’s top tourist cheerleader is on the road this mardi gras to promote tourism in the bayou state. Lt. Governor Billy Nunguesser is hawking a new tourism slogan…”Feed your soul.”

Cut 7 (:12) q…”the world.”

Food trucks and King Cakes are being distributed all over, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta as part of the promotion.

The new state tourism slogan “Feed Your Soul” is being debuted around the country as part of Mardi Gras celebrations.  Kelley Ray spoke with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser in Washington D.C….

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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New Orleans isn’t the only place getting down for Mardi Gras. Matt Doyle takes a look at two other long running Louisiana Fat Tuesday traditions.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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An invasive species known as the apple snail shut down a 220 acre crawfish farm in Acadia Parish. Jeff Palermo on the threat posed by this South American crustacean.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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It’s Fat Tuesday and there’s big parades in south Louisiana and Mardi Gras activities in Shreveport as well, but unfortunately there’s a chance of rain. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you might need a poncho…

Cut 4  (06) “bear it” 

Keim says temperatures are expected to reach in the upper 60s in New Orleans, but it will be a little cooler in southwest Louisiana for their Mardi Gras festivites…

Cut 5  (07)  “actually is”

Keim says after today we’ll see high temperatures get into the 70s…

Cut 6 (10)  “warm pattern”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is celebrating Mardi Gras, he’s just not in Louisiana.  He’s helping to promote Louisiana’s new travel tourism slogan “Louisiana: Feed Your Soul.”  The new brand is being promoted in several states, including the Nation’s capital…

Cut 7 (12)  “the world.”

Nungesser says the new branding perfectly typifies the kind of activities travelers can expect to do when they come to Louisiana…

Cut 8 (09) “Gras week.”

Nungesser says the reaction to the new slogan has been positive and hopes that the internet can be used to further spread the idea of making travel plans to Louisiana…

Cut 9 (07)  “in Louisiana.”

Atlanta, Dallas and Houston are also participating in helping to roll out the new brand with food trucks and King Cake.

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Over a million visitors will be enjoying Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year, but it’s not the only place to celebrate the last day before Lent. The town of Iowa (I-O-Way) will keep the chicken run tradition alive this year, starting at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Chicken Run Organizer Rodney Victorian says the town has a unique way of celebrating Fat Tuesday.

Cut 10 (10) “chasing it”

Victorian says it’s a generations old tradition, started by his family, that brings the community together to celebrate the season with food and family.

Cut 11 (06) “Mardi Gras”

After the run is done, gumbo will be served and zydeco will be played to close out the day.

Houma will see some of the biggest celebrations outside of the Crescent City. Four different parades will roll in and around the city, and Houma Visitors Bureau Communications Director Joey Pierce says the quality of floats will be top notch.

Cut 12 (11) “New Orleans”

Pierce says Houma offers the fun of a New Orleans parade, minus the massive crowds. But while there may not be as many people, there may be just as many beads.

Cut 13 (08)  “Gras throws”

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An invasive species of snail is posing a threat to crawfish harvests. The apple snail is indigenous to South America, and can devour vegetation crucial to the development of Louisiana crawfish. An abundance of apple snail shut down a 220 acre farm in Acadia Parish. LSU Ag Center Agent Mark Shirley says so far, there is no solution to the problem.

Cut 14 (06) “just yet”

The invasion is being blamed on aquarium owners who decided to dump the snails into the water way. Shirley says at the moment, there’s only one thing farmers can do.

Cut 15 (10) “getting in”

The snails can survive drought, host a poisonous parasite, and lay eggs filled with toxins. Shirley says the resilient and slimy snails can rapidly infect a large area.

Cut 16 (11) “larger snails”

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The LSU Tigers have another tough test on the road tonight in the SEC as they visit Alabama. The Crimson Tide is coming off a 28-point win over at the time 15th ranked Tennessee. Tigers Coach Will Wade says Bama is playing great….

Cut 17 (19) “statistically”

LSU is coming off an 82-66 victory over Ole Miss. Duop Reath led the way with 26 points. The Tigers lost to Alabama by eight points earlier this season in the PMAC. Reath had five turnovers in that game and Wade says Reath can expect double teams tonight….

Cut 18 (15) “it was a disaster”

Wade says LSU’s best chance to win tonight is to shoot well from the outside…

Cut 19 (19)   make 3s”