Senator Bill Cassidy finds himself on the defensive after the CDC changes its website to say that the claim of vaccines not causing autism is not based on evidence. This, after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assured him during his confirmation hearing that he would not push any such conspiracies. Jake Tapper confronted Cassidy about that on CNN’s “State of the Union,” saying that Kennedy lied to him.

Cut 6 (08) “…it at that.”

Drone Institute announced a 340-thousand-dollar expansion of its Lafayette headquarters. CEO George Femmer says the project will consolidate drone operations, data processing and pilot training into one facility.

Cut 10 (14) “…up to snuff.”

DCFS is addressing concerns about response times at its Child Safety Response Center. Secretary Rebecca Harris says throughout the year, the department has made great strides in reducing both call center hold times and online submission response times. Harris says the health and welfare of children throughout the state is the top priority at the department.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of that call.”

The Lane Kiffin watch is on in a big way in Baton Rouge. Ole Miss said Friday that an announcement on his future will come this Saturday; then over the weekend, reports surfaced that LSU is finalizing a 90-million-dollar deal to lure Kiffin to Baton Rouge. Those two developments have LSU fans excited.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Ole Miss coach.”

Ole Miss’ announcement will come one day after the team’s Egg Bowl matchup against Mississippi State.

Concerns over response times at the DCFS Child Safety Response Center are being addressed. That’s according to Secretary Rebecca Harris who says the processing time for online reports, which had averaged more than 24 hours earlier this year, is now less than an hour. And hold times on the phone have also gone down significantly.

Cut 8 (08) “…a half minutes.”

She says urgent concerns should always be phoned in and not submitted online.

Here in Louisiana, the cost to buy all the items needed for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is the second lowest in the U.S. That’s according to the Farm Bureau Federation. Spokesperson Avery Davidson…

Cut 5 (13) “…those items.”

According to Farm Bureau’s survey, the average cost of a frozen 16 pound turkey is $15.48.

The season started with LSU fans dreaming of the College Football Playoff. It’s ending with LSU fans dreaming of Lane Kiffin. Andrew Greenstein talked with Tigers fans to gauge their confidence in LSU’s ability to lure the Ole Miss head coach to Baton Rouge.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Southeastern Louisiana is in the F-C-S playoffs. The Lions are a 16-national seed, and they will host Illinois State this Saturday at Strawberry Stadium at 1 PM.

Concerns about response times at the DCFS Child Safety Response Center are being addressed. Secretary Rebecca Harris says the processing time for online and phone reports is down significantly. She says the health and welfare of children throughout the state is the top priority at the department.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of that call.”

Lane Kiffin’s coaching future is on the minds LSU fans and they shouldn’t have to wait past Saturday to learn if he’ll be LSU’s next head football coach. Ole Miss says they will announce Kiffin’s future with that school after Friday’s Egg Bowl and one fan says he can read between the lines of Ole Miss’s statement, interpreting that as meaning the Egg Bowl will be Kiffin’s last with the Rebels.

Cut 14 (11) “…coming to LSU.”

We’re fortunate to have great food in Louisiana and the American Farm Bureau Federation says the price for a Thanksgiving dinner here is the second lowest in the U.S. Spokesman Avery Davidson encourages Louisianians to remember farmers this Thanksgiving. Farmers receive just 9-point-one cent of every dollar spent on food.

Cut 6 (13) “…such a meal.”

The Drone Institute announced a 340-thousand-dollar expansion of its Lafayette headquarters set to be complete by June of next year. CEO of the industrial inspection company, George Femmer says the state offered them an incentives package including a performance-based grant to assist in building costs. He says he’s been glad to call Lafayette home and invest in its future.

Cut 12 (12) “…where they live.”

A $5,000 reward is being offered for the missing thousand-year-old cypress board that once hung in the State Capital but was later moved to former house speaker Clay Schexnayder’s office. The family of Walter Stebbins who donated the 6-foot by 20-foot board in the 1950s is offering the reward. Schexnayder is facing felony theft charges of a rare state artifact. He says he left the board hanging in his legislative office when he vacated it.

Rumors and speculation over Lane Kiffin’s future and whether he’ll be LSU’s next head football coach continue to be a hot topic. Friday, Ole Miss said they’ll make a statement on his after the Egg Bowl. At least one fan says the contract LSU is finalizing is way too good for any coach to pass up.

Cut 15 (08) “…kind of suspect.”

Florida is also hot on Kiffin’s trail trying to lure him to Gainesville.

DCFS is taking steps to strengthen operations at its Child Safety Response Center. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We can give thanks for our delicious Louisiana food and we can be grateful to have our thanksgiving dinner costs are the second lowest in the U.S. according to the Farm Bureau Federation. Spokesperson Avery Davidson says the total cost is down three dollars from last year, but the cost of ham, sweet potatoes, and vegetables are up.

Cut 5 (13) “…those items.”

Concerns over response times at the DCFS Child Safety Response Center are being addressed. Secretary Rebecca Harris says the processing time for online reports, which had averaged more than 24 hours earlier this year, is now less than an hour. And hold times on the phone have also gone down significantly.

Cut 8 (08) “…a half minutes.”

She says urgent concerns should always be phoned in and not submitted online.

More economic growth is coming to Acadiana. The industrial inspection company, the Drone Institute is expanding and CEO George Femmer says it is expected to produce nearly 14-hundred new jobs over the next ten years, many of which Femmer says will be high paying.

Cut 11 (11) “…our clients.”

Football season started with LSU fans dreaming of the College Football Playoff. It ends with LSU fans dreaming of Lane Kiffin. Andrew Greenstein talked with some Tiger fans

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana not only boasts some of the best Thanksgiving food but the price for a Thanksgiving dinner in Louisiana is the second-lowest in the U.S. according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Spokesperson Avery Davidson says the average cost for a classic 11-item meal for around ten guests is $44.70.

Cut 4 (10) “…eighteen cents.”

DCFS is addressing concerns about response times at its Child Safety Response Center. Secretary Rebecca Harris says the department has received reports about delays in the ways that it receives complaints about child maltreatment. Harris says while the department strives to handle phone calls and online reports quickly, urgent situations should always be phoned in.

Cut 7 (10) “…to sexual abuse.”

In economic news…the industrial inspection company, The Drone Institute announced a 340-thousand-dollar expansion of its Lafayette headquarters set to be completed by June of next year. CEO George Femmer says the project will consolidate drone operations, data processing and pilot training into one facility.

Cut 10 (14) “…up to snuff.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation found Louisiana is home to the second-cheapest Thanksgiving dinner in the country this year. Kace Kieschnick reports…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Lane Kiffin watch is on in Baton Rouge. Friday, Ole Miss said that an announcement about Kiffin’s future would be made this Saturday after Friday’s Egg Bowl. Later, reports surfaced that LSU was working to finalize a 90-million-dollar offer for Kiffin to lure him to Baton Rouge. Those two developments have LSU fans excited.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Ole Miss coach.”

It’s a mere formality at this point, but the LSU Board of Supervisors is moving to authorize new President Wade Rousse to fire football coach Brian Kelly. The board made that move during a special called meeting in response to a lawsuit Kelly filed against the school. Following an executive session that lasted almost an hour, John Carmouche made the motion in open session.

Cut 9 (11)  “…his employment agreement.”

Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter says an announcement on Lane Kiffin’s future at Ole Miss will be made AFTER next Friday’s Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. On3.comis reporting that Ole Miss, LSU and Florida are all set to offer Kiffin 13-million a year. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports is reporting that LSU’s total contract package is worth nearly 90-million dollars. The deal reportedly includes 35 million plus in roster cash.

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Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be back in New Orleans this weekend for the Saints game against the Falcons — but not just to watch the game. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Twenty-six vet clinics and spay-neuter providers around the state will divide 24-thousand dollars raised by the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council. The council raised the money through the sale of special Animal Friendly license plates. Jeff Dorson, chairman of the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council…

Cut 11 (07) “…desperately needed.”

Drew Brees will be on the mic for FOX in tomorrow’s Saints versus Falcons game from the Caesars Superdome.  And Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough will be starting for the Black and Gold again after his first career win in the NFL.  Brees says he’s impressed with Shough, who he says has an elite ability to evade sacks while finding ways to extend plays in the pocket.

Cut 8 (07) “…bring him down.”

Kickoff in New Orleans is tomorrow at 3:25.

Tonight, a football game will be played in Tiger Stadium as LSU closes out the home portion of its schedule by hosting Western Kentucky. Michael Van Buren will make his second consecutive start at quarterback.

In other action today, Louisiana Tech hosts Liberty, ULM is at Texas State, McNeese visits Lamar, Tulane is at Temple as the Green Wave have a chance at making the college football playoffs.

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The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association is hailing the Trump administration’s draft plan to hold seven lease sales off Louisiana’s Gulf coast. The plan would open more than 1.2-billion acres to oil and gas exploration. President Tommy Faucheux (FOE-shay) says the companies which will compete for the leases operate with the utmost of integrity.

Cut 4 (12) “…to get stronger.”

The five-year plan proposed by the Trump administration would replace the five-year plan enacted under the Biden administration which curtailed oil and gas exploration as part of Biden’s efforts to combat climate change. Faucheux says thanks to modern technology, it’s possible to explore for oil and gas while protecting the environment.

Cut 5 (13) “…and Louisianans safe.”

There will be a 60-day public comment period before the Department of the Interior issues its final plan.

The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association is hailing the Trump administration’s draft plan to hold seven lease sales off Louisiana’s Gulf coast. The plan would open more than 1.2-billion acres to oil and gas exploration. President Tommy Faucheux (FOE-shay) says it’s a welcome commitment to furthering America’s energy dominance.

Cut 3 (12) “…for the future.”

Twenty-six vet clinics and spay-neuter providers around the state will divide 24-thousand dollars raised by the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council. The council raised the money through the sale of special Animal Friendly license plates, which cost about 50 dollars more than regular plates. Chairman of the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council, Jeff Dorson…

Cut 12 (10) “…pet overpopulation.”

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Drew Brees will be on the call for FOX for tomorrow’s Falcons and Saints game. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is coming off his first career win in the NFL after throwing for 282 yards and a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers. Brees says Shough impressed him.

Cut 7 (08) “…avoiding tackles.”

Don’t expect to hear any news about whether Ole Miss Lane Kiffin will be changing jobs until after Friday.  Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter announced Kiffin and his team are focused on winning Friday’s Egg Bowl against Mississippi State and an announcement about the coach’s future at Ole Miss will be made on Saturday.

A couple of big upsets in Louisiana High School’s Division One non-select football last night in the second round of the high school football playoffs. 26^th seeded Barbe defeated West Monroe 42-35 as the Buccaneers had nearly 400 yards of rushing. Barbe will advance to play second seeded Neville. The Tigers took down Mandeville 31-14.

The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association is hailing the Trump administration’s draft proposal for a new five-year oil and gas exploration plan. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board provides new details in a plane crash that killed a top corrections official near Ruston last month.  According to the report, the pilot 64-year-old Rodney Cooper, reported having problems with the plane’s auto pilot as he was trying to land.  Cooper, who was executive director of LaSalle Corrections, was flying  from Huntsville, Texas, when he crashed less than three miles from the Ruston airport.

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It’s just a formality now, but the LSU Board of Supervisors is moving to authorize new President Wade Rousse to fire football coach Brian Kelly. The board made that move during a meeting in response to a lawsuit Kelly filed against the school. Board Chair Scott Ballard announced the unanimous passage of Carmouche’s motion.

Cut 10 (06) “…motion is approved.”

Meanwhile Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter announced Lane Kiffin is focused on winning Friday’s Egg Bowl against Mississippi State and an announcement about the coach’s future at Ole Miss will be made on Saturday.

Drew Brees will be on the call for FOX for Sunday’s Falcons and Saints game. Brees says no matter how poorly both teams are doing, the NFC South rivalry between New Orleans and Atlanta will continue to remain strong.

Cut 6 (06) “…meaning of the rivalry.”