SUMMARY: The parade season in the Twin Cities is set to begin with Cruda Rivier on February 8, followed by the crew of Janice on the 15th. The parade routes vary slightly, with festivities including live music, food trucks, and a pet parade. Safety is emphasized, urging attendees to stay clear of floats and adhere to barriers. Both parades feature space-themed events, with details available on the Downtown West Monroe Facebook page. Additionally, a 5K fundraiser will support downtown projects. Other upcoming events include a recycling initiative and a murder mystery in West Monroe. Enjoy family-friendly fun while prioritizing safety!

Louisiana Living: West Monroe Minute

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SUMMARY: President Trump’s Cabinet confirmations are rapidly proceeding, with Senate votes scheduled for various nominees, crucial for implementing his GOP agenda. Recent confirmations include Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, though Hegseth faced controversy over misconduct allegations. Upcoming hearings feature critical nominees: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, and Howard Lutnick for Commerce, with potential scrutiny due to past actions and statements. Notably, Kash Patel’s nomination for FBI director raises concerns among senators. Votes on other nominees, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, are also anticipated.

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SUMMARY: An investigation by SeaD Consulting reveals that only two out of 44 restaurants in Tampa and St. Petersburg serve authentic, wild-caught Gulf shrimp, revealing a 96% fraud rate. Most establishments use imported, farm-raised shrimp from countries such as India and Vietnam. This situation threatens local shrimp businesses and raises concerns over seafood authenticity in the region. Regulations against seafood mislabeling are primarily focused on grouper, leaving shrimp fraud largely unchecked. Similar fraud has been identified in other Gulf Coast states, prompting calls for better transparency and consumer awareness of shrimp sourcing practices.

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