According to Business Insider, Louisiana now has the 3^rd most expensive homeowner’s insurance in the country. The average cost of homeowner’s policies in Louisiana is more than five thousand dollars, up 27% in just one year according to Policy Genius. Executive Director of Real Reform Louisiana, Ben Riggs says he’s concerned about the direction the new insurance commissioner seems to be signaling and…

Cut 9 (11)  “…more frequently.”

If you’re looking to buy a fresh Louisiana Christmas tree, the average six foot tree will run you about eighty dollars. That’s according to Incoming President of the Southern Christmas Tree Association Kevin Steele, who says the supply is there to meet the demand despite the drought and extreme heat we saw this year.

Cut 6 (12) “…to come.”

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A 15 year old and a forty year old woman have now been arrested in connection to the murder of a man in New Iberia last month. You may recall, an eleven year old girl was arrested November 28^th. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s officials say the latest arrests were made by the Houston Police Department. They’ve both been charged with first-degree. The 15 year old is being held in the Jackson Parish Juvenile Detention Center

The actor’s strike is officially over and while the majority are pleased with the three-year agreement, the growing use of Artificial Intelligence is concerning. Here’s Brooke Thorington..

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The actors’ strike is officially over after members voted to ratify a three-year deal with studios. The four-month strike not only kept actors out of work, but other professionals like camera operators, caterers, and electricians to name a few. Baton Rouge actor Jason Bayle says the first-year raise they’ll get under the likely won’t make up for the money they lost on strike.

Cut 11 (11) “…had to.” 

After Louisiana’s record-breaking drought and extreme heat, many have wondered whether a fresh Christmas tree will set you back too much this year. Well, it looks like prices are about the same.Incoming President of the Southern Christmas Tree Association Kevin Steele says the average price of a six-foot fresh tree is around eighty dollars. And if height matters…

Cut 5 (11) “…look right.”
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 Louisiana now has the 3^rd most expensive homeowner’s insurance in the country according to Business Insider and Executive Director of Real Reform Louisiana, Ben Riggs says it’s threatening residents’ livelihood…

Cut 7 (11) “…shutter their business.”

 The 2023 Prep Classic begins today in the Caesars Superdome. Tonight’s non-select Division 4 matchup features two teams that know a lot about winning state championships as Oak Grove faces Haynesville. Oak Grove is led by quarterback Jackson Bradley. Tigers Coach Ryan Gregory

Cut 13 (12) “…from him.”

Oak Grove has won seven state championships, while Haynesville has won 17. Kick off for that match-up is set for seven.

Louisianans pay three times the national average for homeowner’s insurance, the 3^rd most expensive in the nation according to Business Insider. Colleen Crain takes a look…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Will the fresh Christmas tree scent cost you more this year in the Bayou State? Despite the state’s record-breaking drought and extreme heat, tree prices have remained steady. Incoming President of the Southern Christmas Tree Association Kevin Steele…

Cut 4 (07) “…or Alabama.”

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The actors’ strike is officially over after members voted to ratify a three-year deal with studios. Streaming has drastically changed the economics of show biz and Baton Rouge actor Jason Bayle says it’s harder for middle-class actors like himself to make money. He voted to end the strike, but …

Cut 10 (11) “…eye out.”

The 2023 Prep Classic begins today in the Caesars Superdome as over the next three days eight champions will be crowned in high school football. The first game of the day is Riverside versus Southern Lab. The Kittens won their fifth state title in 2021 but last year Coach Darrell Asberry’s team lost in the quarterfinals…

Cut 15 (11) “…this point.”

Kick-off is set for 3:30.

Alexandria’s favorite Winter Festival is back for the seventh year and there’s plenty of free-family-friendly entertainment. There’s plenty to keep the kids busy and of course, lots of shopping. AlexWinterFete event manager Cathy Spiller says the ice-skating rink is a crowd favorite and you can buy a $10 fast pass that allows you to wait in a shorter line.

Cut 7 (12) “…don’t get” 

Since 2018, Louisiana has an 11% decrease in new cases of HIV. That’s after leading the nation in cases for years. Close to 23,000 Louisianans are living with HIV and Sam Burgess with the Louisiana Department of health says the key to living healthy is sticking to the right plan.

Cut 5 (09) “…anymore.”

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You may have heard Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles is now offering “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or “Needs Accomodation” decals at no cost to those who qualify. Spokesperson Matt Boudreau says it will let law enforcement know an individual has a disability.

Cut 9 (13) “…the stop.” 

High School Football playoffs are in the books and The Prep Classic will kick off next Thursday in the Caesars Superdome. The Opelousas Tigers will be there, playing for a state championship for the first time in 67 years after upsetting top seeded North Desoto 28-20.

St. Charles Catholic will play for a state title for a fifth consecutive season after beating University High 10 to seven in overtime.

The Union Parish Farmers knocked off Jena and will play in the Prep Classic for the fourth straight year as they take on St. James.

Accommodation” decal for their vehicle at no cost from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. The decal will indicate to law enforcement that an individual has a disability. Spokesperson Matt Boudreaux says the indicator can removed at any time without documentation, which will have a big effect on people on both sides.

Cut 11 (07) “…huge impact.”

To make an appointment with OMV, visit expresslane.org.

No appointment required for AlexWinterFete, going on this weekend in downtown Alexandria. The annual festival attracts an average of 30 thousand people each year with something for everyone. And AlexWinterFete event manager Cathy Spiller says that means rain or shine.

Cut 8 (10) “…F-E-T-E.” 

The festival runs through ten o’clock tonight.
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A judge is expected to rule sometime next week in a lawsuit looking for a new run-off election in the race for Caddo Parish Sheriff. Candidate John Nickelson lost to Henry Whitehorn by a single vote after a re-count…and Nickleson’s attorney has presented some pretty compelling evidence to make their case. Political analyst Scott Hughes says if the judge rules in favor of a new election, it would happen in March.

Cut  14 (09) “…very difficult.”

For the first time in 67 years Opelousas will play for a state championship in football as the 12th seeded Tigers upset top seeded North Desoto 28-20.

Cecilia will play for a state title in football for the first time in 28 years as the Bulldogs knocked off Northwest 55-18.

St. Charles Catholic will play in a state championship game for a fifth consecutive season after beating University High 10 to seven in overtime. The Prep Classic kicks off in the Ceasars Superdome next Thursday.

Louisiana is showing promise in the care of people with HIV. Colleen Crain has the details.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The betting odds have LSU’s Jayden Daniels as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy after last night’s Pac-12 championship game. Washington defeated Oregon 34-31. Ducks quarterback Bo Nix threw three touchdown passes, but he only threw for 239 yards. If Nix and the Ducks won, the former Auburn quarterback might have been the favorite to win the Heisman.

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A ruling is not expected until next week in Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate John Nickelson’s lawsuit challenging the result of the November election. Nickelson lost by one vote, to Henry Whitehorn. Political analyst Scott Hughes says Nickelson’s attorneys presented the judge with some compelling evidence…

Cut 12 (12)  “…proper form”  

Alexandria’s favorite Winter Festival is back for the seventh year and there’s plenty of free-family-friendly entertainment. AlexWinterFete event manager Cathy Spiller says they even have an ice-skating, Santa, a petting zoo, plenty of inflatables for the kids, and more….

Cut 6 (09) “…shopping vendors.”

A ruling is not expected until next week in Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate John Nickelson’s lawsuit challenging the result of the November election. Political analyst Scott Hughes says Henry Whitehorn believes he’s the undisputed winner, by a single vote,  but Nickelson’s attorneys believe they’ve uncovered some questionable ballots…

Cut 13 (12) “…determine the winner.”

Louisiana residents can now request an “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or a “Needs Accommodation” decal for their vehicle at no cost from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says individuals must provide a statement from a qualified health professional verifying their diagnosis. But if your drivers license already identifies you as someone who qualifies…

Cut 10 (09) “…the decal.”  

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If you’re looking for the perfect festival to get you in the holiday spirit and knock out some of your shopping, you need to head to downtown Alexandria. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Louisiana has seen an 11% decrease in new cases of HIV in the last five years…after once leading the nation in HIV cases. Sam Burgess with The Louisiana Department of Health says the improvements happened thanks to the efforts of many…

Cut 4 (11) “…public health partners.”

All-American forward Angel Reese will be back in time for the 7th ranked Lady Tigers ahead of their match up with 9th ranked Virginia Tech. LSU head Coach Kim Mulkey says having Angel Reese back is a big plus for the Tigers.

Cut 16 (10) “ … the country.”

The Tigers will face the Hokies tonight with tip off at 8 pm on ESPN.

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In other basketball news, the New Orleans Pelicans got star Shooting Guard CJ McCollum back after he was out for a couple of weeks with a right collapsed lung injury. McCollum scored 20 points in the Pelicans game against the Sixers last night and New Orleans Head Coach Willie Green is happy to have McCollum back on the court.

Cut 20 (12) “… healthy.”

The Pelicans will battle the Spurs tomorrow in New Orleans with tip off at 7 pm.

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Northwestern State is excited to start a new chapter in their program history as they introduced Blaine McCorkle to be their new Head Coach yesterday. McCorkle coached Belhaven College, a Division III program in Jackson, Mississippi for the last six seasons where he took the losing program to a 24 and 7 record over the last three years and their first ever Division III playoff appearance. McCorkle says that he wants to build a championship culture at Northwestern State.

Cut 15 (15) “ … to do.”

The Demons have not had a winning season since 2008.

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The Saints are banged up heading into their big matchup against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. Defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Keandre Miller, Safety Marcus Maye, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, and linebacker Pete Werner are all listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup and did not practice yesterday. Wide Receiver Chris Olave did practice after suffering a concussion in the Atlanta game.

The coaching carousel has begun in Louisiana as Grambling State fired their head coach Hue Jackson after just 2 seasons. Jackson had a combined 8 and 14 record at Grambling and never won a Bayou Classic. Northwestern State has hired Blaine McCorkle to be their new head coach. Before accepting the Northwestern job, McCorkle successfully turned around Division III program Bellhaven going 24 and 7 in the past three seasons.

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In other Head Coaching news, ULM Athletics Director John Hartwell is also searching for a new head coach and wants to remind players and recruits who might look elsewhere that …

Cut 19(18) “ … to that.”

Hartwell is hoping to find and hire ULM’s next head coach within the next 10 days.

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The Saints are coming off of a disappointing nine point loss to the Falcons this Sunday. Frustrations are rising within the organization as Saints running back Alvin Kamara says this team is consistently inconsistent. New Orleans Head Coach Dennis Allen acknowledges that the team has struggled at times this season, but Allen has an optimistic perspective on the team’s performance this season.

Cut 17 (19) “ …defense.”

The Saints will face a big challenge when they battle the Detroit Lions in the Superdome this Sunday at noon on FOX.

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In other football news, Jayden Daniels has been announced as a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. The promotion makes Daniels a finalist for four national awards and possibly five when the Heisman Trophy announces its finalists on Monday. Malik Nabers was also named a Biletnikoff finalist today along with his top competitor in Marvin Harrison Junior of Ohio State.

The National Retail Federation predicted a three to four percent growth online…but this year’s numbers nearly doubled that. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says many large retailers marketing used to excite shoppers to begin Black Friday shopping at midnight for the best prices. But that’s a thing of the past.

Cut 8 (11) “…one day.” 

After losing to Southern Illinois on Saturday, the Nicholls State football team was stranded in a small airport for 22 hours. Nicholls’ Athletic Director Jonathan Terrell said first it was a pilot issue with the chartered flight, then the next flight was canceled. But he says they made the best of it and finally made it home Sunday night.

Cut 4 (11) “…that happened.”

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He won’t be sentenced until January, but 18 year old John Honore has been convicted of second degree murder in the dragging death of 74 year old Linda Frickey last year. An Orleans Parish returned the conviction, which carries a mandatory life sentence, after a three hour deliberation last night.

It could be a while before Caddo Parish residents know who their next Sheriff will be now that a lawsuit has been filed in the race that’s already involved a one vote win and a re-count. A district court judge is set to take a look at Republican John Nickelson case calling for a new recall election against Democrat Henry Whitehorn. Political Analyst Scott Hughes on how it’s all gone so far…

Cut 12 (11) “…Mr. Whitehorn.”