Briefs
May 7, 2007La. officials to test Chinese seafood
Chinese seafood will be tested for a banned antibiotic before it can be sold in Louisiana, the state Department of Agriculture and Forestry says.
Alabama's agriculture commissioner alerted Louisiana officials about the possibility of fluoroquinolones in Chinese catfish last week.
Fluoroquinolones were previously found in Vietnamese seafood in 2005 and seafood from Vietnam is screened before it is sold in Louisiana, the department said.
State Farm Mutual to lower auto rates
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., the largest auto insurer in Louisiana, is lowering its overall rates by 0.6 percent effective June 7.
The rate decrease will save State Farm's Louisiana customers $4.5 million. With the latest rate cut, State Farm's overall rate level in Louisiana will be 1.7 percent lower than it was 4 1/2 years ago.
Customers' rates will vary depending on a variety of factors, including types of coverage, where a person lives and the type of vehicle. State Farm said premiums for medical payments fell the most.
Smokey Bones set to close in BR
Darden Restaurants Inc is closing its Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill on Siegen Lane and one in Shreveport, with 56 restaurants sharing the same fate. Darden will sell its 73 locations.
The Orlando, Fla.-based company said Smokey Bones has lagged behind its 1,400 Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52 brand restaurants.
Compiled from Advocate staff and new services
(c) 2007 Advocate; Baton Rouge, La.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
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