Marco’s Pizza is rapidly growing with new stores opening across the United States and a plan to increase its presence internationally by late 2020. More than two years ago, the pizza chain made its Louisiana debut and is a testament to the corporation’s development rate. The third Marco’s Pizza in northwest Louisiana opened this month at 1701 Jimmi...

Sister Concetta Scipione was a young nun in her native Italy working with orphans, troubled young women and boarding students when her life changed forever. "I was asked to come to America,'' Scipione said in a 1997 Times story. "I wanted to help. What we do is for God's glory." Scipione came to America -- Clarks, Louisiana, to be exact -- to care...

La Divina Italian Cafe is mixing up delightful gelatos and sorbet mimosas, paninis and lasagna and serving them up with artwork and live music. And the combination of food and fun seems to be paying off. Like other eateries, the cafe at 3535 Perkins Road in Baton Rouge has had to overcome its share of challenges during the state's pandemic lockdown...

These are difficult times for Italian Americans, but maybe they always have been. Ever since they arrived, Italians who emigrated to America have very often been treated with contempt, and have worked very hard to earn the respect that is due to them, sacrificing their lives, giving hard work and talent and beauty and excellence to the United State...

COVID-19 restrictions have prompted many restaurants to close temporarily and some to shutter. Roseann Rostoker and Lou Lombardo split the difference — in a way that gives their restaurant Red Gravy a fresh start in a space on Magazine Street, which opens Sept. 2. The couple ran their homey Italian joint just off Canal Street from 2010 until this p...

In July, Charles Geno Marsala, the President of the American Italian Federation of the Southeast and a District National Vice-President the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), was one of eight chosen for the 2020 Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum Grants.   The program was started by Anthony and Joseph Russo who have a cinematic r...

The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation marked its 14th year of giving by granting $5,000.00 to support Gendusa’s Italian Market, a locally-owned restaurant located in Kenner, LA. The restaurant was destroyed by fire before dawn on Tuesday, June 16, which was determined a complete loss but no one was hurt. The grant from the Louisiana Hospitality Foun...

Leon Cannizzaro’s announcement that he's not running for reelection heralds the end of an era at the district attorney’s office on South White Street that officially began 12 years ago. Critics argue it dates back much further, to the early 1970s, when Connick began a tenure marked by a no-holds-barred mindset, and a slew of convictions that would...

Former McNeese softball All-American and Olympian Erika Piancastelli is one of the 56 best players in the world that will make up Athletes Unlimited, a newly formed professional softball league. Besides Piancastelli who have signed to play are AJ Andrews, Kelly Barnhill, Kylan Becker, Jessica Burroughs, Caleigh Clifton, Amanda Chidester, Emily Cran...

Luna Piena Italian Bistro opened Thursday in West Monroe. The new eatery is in the former Roma location across from Miss Kay's Sweets & Eats. Manager Kenny Gashi said he'd contracted to secure the building before COVID-19 closures affected businesses throughout the country. He said he's glad to be opened, and said they've received postie responses...