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Louisiana Crawfish Festival vendor sells Chinese mudbugs without required signage: report

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lailluminator.com – Louisiana Illuminator – 2025-03-21 17:32:00

Louisiana Crawfish Festival vendor sells Chinese mudbugs without required signage: report

by Louisiana Illuminator, Louisiana Illuminator
March 21, 2025

A food vendor at the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in St. Bernard Parish has served Chinese-sourced crustaceans and failed to disclose it as required under state law, organizers have confirmed.

WVUE-TV Fox 8 reports organizers were made aware of the infraction when an attendee sent them pictures of a vendor using packages of foreign crawfish. Louisiana law requires fair food vendors, restaurants, seafood markets, grocers and other retailers to display signs that detail the origin of any foreign crawfish they sell. 

Crawfish Festival secretary Cisco Gonzales Jr. confirmed to Fox 8 that the visitor told organizers the vendor had no such signage.

“We know how important supporting local seafood is in St. Bernard Parish,” Gonzales said. “You know, I come from a family of fishermen. A lot of my uncles and cousins are still down there doing that, and we want to respect that and we wanna make sure that our vendors are respectful of that, too.”

The crawfish for all festival vendors are being checked, and they are being asked to display signage if they’re serving foreign catch, Gonzales said. 

The Louisiana Crawfish, held annually for 50 years in Chalmette, started Wednesday and ends Saturday.

The origin of seafood sold and served in Louisiana is under heightened scrutiny after Louisiana strengthened its source disclosure law, effective Jan. 1. Optional fines for offenses start at $15,000 for a first offense to $50,000 for third and subsequent offenses.

Spot genetic testing from the Texas-based firm SeaD Consulting has revealed most merchants, eateries and vendors sampled are purveying local catch, but some are either knowingly selling foreign seafood or aren’t aware of the labeling law. 

SeaD found four Lafayette restaurants out of 24 sampled were selling foreign shrimp passed off as local in a study it conducted last month. It conducted similar testing in New Orleans in January, when three of 24 restaurants sold undisclosed imported shrimp.

In November, a joint investigation from Fox 8 and the Illuminator used SeaD testing and found that the large majority of vendors at a local festival and seafood market were providing catch from the Gulf of Mexico and area waters.

SeaD Consulting does not disclose the names of businesses it discovers selling undisclosed foreign seafood, preferring instead to raise awareness of the state labeling law.

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Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.

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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Living with Alzheimer’s Conference

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Living with Alzheimer's Conference

www.youtube.com – WWLTV – 2025-04-22 08:17:15

SUMMARY: The Living with Alzheimer’s Conference, taking place in New Orleans this week, aims to educate the public and support caregivers. Nearly 15 million people are impacted by Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease. Dr. Anne Foundus, executive director of the Brain Institute of Louisiana, highlighted the state’s high risk for cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, causes memory loss, communication issues, and spatial problems. The conference will provide valuable resources for caregivers, who often spend over 22 hours weekly in unpaid care. The event is open to all and runs from 10 AM to 1 PM at Embassy Suites.

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Talking about the Alzheimer’s Conference coming to Louisiana.

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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Morning Forecast – Tuesday, April 22nd

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Morning Forecast - Tuesday, April 22nd

www.youtube.com – KTVE – 2025-04-22 08:10:07

SUMMARY: Tuesday’s forecast includes light showers and fog across parts of Northeast Louisiana and Southeast Arkansas, with temperatures in the mid-60s. Visibility may be reduced, especially along the I-20 corridor, so drivers should be cautious. A frontal boundary is bringing moisture, with thunderstorms expected in the afternoon, possibly causing high winds and hail, particularly south of the I-20 corridor. The unsettled weather pattern will continue through the week, with chances of showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures will remain warm and muggy, reaching near 90°F by early next week.

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Areas of fog have started to develop this morning. Even a few patchy showers and thunderstorms are trying to develop just south of I-20. A very warm and muggy airmass will stay in place the next few days where showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop. Kind of a summertime type feel as storms will be patchy and scattered during the afternoon and evening hours. There is a threat of high winds and possible hail with a few storms that could pop up this afternoon south of I-20. Very warm and moist air will remain in place for the rest of the week. Chances of rain and storms will continue through at least Saturday.

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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Stephon Castle reflects on season, rookie of the year nomination

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Stephon Castle reflects on season, rookie of the year nomination

www.youtube.com – KSAT 12 – 2025-04-21 20:36:52

SUMMARY: Stephon Castle, nominated for NBA Rookie of the Year, reflects on his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the team’s failure to reach the playoffs, Castle sees significant personal and team growth, highlighting the development of chemistry and his own improvement. He credits his progress to consistent opportunities and mentorship from Chris Paul. Looking ahead, Castle aims to refine his game, particularly in making efficient plays and creating shots for both himself and teammates. He is confident in the Spurs’ future and is focused on learning from the upcoming NBA playoffs.

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The San Antonio Spurs may not be in the playoffs this season, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be in the headlines for one of the NBA’s top awards.

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