Louisiana

Louisiana legislators pass bills for local seafood industry

Published

1 month ago

May 26, 2026

Louisiana legislators pass bills for local seafood industry

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Memorial Day typically signals the start of summer for many across the U.S., but in South Louisiana, the holiday rings in something extra: the end of crawfish season and the start of inshore shrimp season.

For the influx of hungry customers at the Westwego Shrimp Lot, the vendors at the open-air market fully stocked up on the delicacy, including Amy’s Seafood.

“Fresh shrimp season just opened a few weeks ago, so we have shrimp all across our tables,” staffer Bridgette Wilson said.

The holiday sales are just a snapshot of the $2.4 billion that the Louisiana seafood industry rakes in each year, according to the LSU AgCenter.

But with the threat of imported, foreign seafood undercutting local fishermen’s prices, Louisiana lawmakers set out to pass legislation to keep the state’s crucial industry afloat.

State Rep. Tim Kerner, Sr. (R-Lafitte) introduced HB 857 this legislative session. The measure cracks down on co-mingling seafood, which is when a vendor, market or restaurant sells a product that is mixed with both domestic and foreign seafood.

Kenner’s bill requires that all co-mingled products have to be labeled as such, and if anyone is caught passing mixed seafood as fully, locally-caught seafood, there will be a $15,000 fine for the first offense, a $25,000 fine for the second offense and a $50,000 fine for the third.

“The best way would be to catch [co-mingling] at the processing plant, where they are doing millions of pounds of it,” Kerner said in front of the legislature.

While HB 857 waits for Governor Jeff Landry’s signature, he already signed HB 121 into law. It now allows the Agriculture Commissioner to seize and destroy illegal seafood, including improperly labeled products.

It was one of several bills from State Rep. Jessica Domangue (R-Houma) pushing for more transparency from the state’s seafood industry and stricter penalties for violators.

“We’re looking at combating bad actors at every level, from the dock to the fishermen, to the restaurant to the grocer,” Domangue said in front of the Louisiana House.

The measures are ones that Dave Williams, the founder of SeaD Consulting, supports.

For years now, Williams has led a team of scientists and testers that go to local restaurants and markets to see if the local seafood they are advertising were actually caught in Louisiana waters.

He said he supports the seafood bills coming out of the legislature this year since they provide more guidelines and oversight into the state’s industry and continues promoting local fishermen, dock workers and vendors.

“[The bills are] based on everything being authentic throughout the distribution chain,” Williams said. “I just want a leveled playing field, and I want people to enjoy what people come to Louisiana and live in Louisiana for.”

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Louisiana

Looking for a luxurious place to stay? These are Louisiana’s 6 best resorts

Published

4 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Looking for a luxurious place to stay? These are Louisiana’s 6 best resorts

When you think of resorts, you probably think of hotels with expansive grounds, upscale amenities and all-inclusive packages.

While these types of resorts can surely be found in major-destination cities and foreign countries, Louisiana has its own resorts that are just as nice.

At Louisiana’s resorts, you can enjoy all the same amenities and stay at locations that are just as luxurious.

Plan your stays with Booking.com

Why these 6 resorts are the best in Louisiana for 2026

Travel US News has ranked the six best resorts in Louisiana based on hotel class rating, property type and guest reviews.

1. L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles

L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles is the best resort to stay in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 8.7 out of 10. More than just a nice place to stay, this resort offers premiere casino games, plenty of shopping, golfing opportunities, a spa, relaxing cabanas and upscale restaurants. The hotel also has business and fitness centers, and the rooms are in the modern arts and crafts style.

2. Caesars in New Orleans

Caesars in New Orleans is the second-best resort in Louisiana and has a guest rating of 7.9 out of 10. This resort has a great location within the Central Business District, making it near all the top attractions in the Crescent City. Here, there are plenty of dining and gambling opportunities. The rooms are equipped with standard amenities and are in a Louisiana-inspired style.

3. Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City

Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City is the third-best resort in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 8.7 out of 10. Strategically located across the Red River from Shreveport, this resort offers plenty to do, like testing your luck at the casino, spending a day by the pool, relaxing at the spa, eating delicious food at one of the restaurants or enjoying live entertainment at the performance hall.

4. Bally’s Casino & Hotel in Shreveport

Bally’s Casino & Hotel in Shreveport is among the best resorts in Louisiana and has a guest rating of 7.6 out of 10. Bally’s offers plenty of casino games and dining opportunities, and you can keep the night going with drinks and dancing at one of the lounges. The hotel offers business and fitness centers and the rooms come with standard amenities, like flat-screen TVs and minifridges.

5. Nottoway Plantation Resort in White Castle

Nottoway Plantation Resort in White Castle is one of the best resorts in Louisiana, as it is among the 4.0 star hotel class. This historic antebellum plantation, originally constructed in 1859, includes nine Acadian-style cottages, a salon, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and tennis courts. Visitors can tour the plantation house itself and embark on a guided tour of the on-site museum.

6. Cypress Bend Resort, a Wyndham Hotel in Many

Cypress Bend Resort, a Wyndham Hotel in Many is among the best resorts in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 7.7 out of 10. This hotel features two restaurants, a golf course, fitness center indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a bar and lounge. Belonging to the 3.0 star hotel class, this casual resort is the perfect spot for a quick getaway, as it’s set on 600 acres on Toledo Bend Lake.

Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for July 6, 2026

Published

15 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 6, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 6 drawing

17-44-63-66-67, Powerball: 04, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 6 drawing

8-7-1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 6 drawing

5-9-3-6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from July 6 drawing

0-3-3-5-6

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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