The Attorney General’s Office is offering safety tips when shopping online deals for Cyber Monday. Press Secretary for the AG’s Office Ruth Wisher says if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. She says consumers should always pay online with a credit card.

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Some of the hottest holiday toys for the season are already in short supply. Michelle Southern speaks with a toy expert..:

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

St. Tammany Parish has set a new high for homicides. 18 is the latest count, according to figures from the coroner, which eclipses the previous high of 17 back in 1996. Drug activity and domestic violence are the main reasons.  15 of the killings were in unincorporated St. Tammany, while two occurred in the city of Slidell, and one in the city of Covington.

West Monroe state representative Frank Hoffmann has been the voice of the ULM Warhawks for the last 42-years but Saturday, he will call his last game against when ULM takes on Arkansas State. Hoffman says it’s bitter sweet to end his long play by play career.

Cut 9 (11)  “doing it”

Some of his career also involves him in the school systems in North Louisiana…

The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program has distributed nearly 92-million dollars to over 31-hundred homeowners affected by last year’s historic floods. The state received one-point-seven billion dollars from Congress to help with the recovery, so Pat Forbes, executive director of the Office of Community Development, says they still have a lot more money to hand out, but they need flood victims to complete the application process…
Cut 15 (10) “done so.”
Forbes says so far Restore Louisiana has served only about 10-percent of the people they hoped to serve.

Traffic is already building on some of the state’s interestates as this is the busiest travel day of the year. AAA estimated 51-million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving weekend, the most since 2005.

Good news for a family in Caddo Parish. Zack Wilson of Keithville is returning home today after he was detained in Guatemala after ammunition was found in his backpack during the screening process at the airport. Wilson forgot the ammunition was in his bag, but he was charged as a terrorist. Louisiana’s congressional delegation worked to bring Wilson back to the United States.

The Alzheimer’s Association Louisiana chapter is offering tips on how to handle holiday gatherings with a person who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Stacey Denham says let guests know what to expect before they arrive….
cut 8 (09) “….that conversation”
Denham it’s also important to keep Azheimer’s sufferers involved in the celebrations.

A grand jury has indicted 56-year-old Mark Owens.  He is accused of attacking his ex-wife 48-year-old Kimberly Owens in front of her home with an ax as she was leaving for work, killing her.  Authorities say Owens attacked the woman in front of her home in Chalmette  in St. Bernard Parish. Police say there was a history of domestic violence.

Nobody wants to be that parent who wasn’t able to get their hands on the most popular toy this holiday season. So what’s hot in 2017? Chris Byrne, aka “The Toy Guy,” plays with toys for a living for the consumer review website TTPM.com. He says arts and crafts are a huge trend this year…:

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He says to hurry and get your gift as some of the hottest holiday toys for the season are already in short supply.

The USDA reminds holiday chefs not to forget food safety when cooking your Thanksgiving turkey. Emelie Gunn has more…

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The holidays can be challenging for families living with Alzheimer’s. Families and friends may be unsure how to handle their loved one suffering from the disease, which can create stress for everyone involved. Stacey Denham with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Louisiana chapter says when you approach someone with the disease, do it in a non-threatening way

Cut 6 (11)  that stress”

AAA predicts nearly 51-million people will travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday, a three-percent increase from last year and it’s the highest number since 2005. AAA spokesman Don Redman says gas prices are about 35-cents higher than last year, but that’s not stopping the expected 45-million that will hit the highways..

Cut 4  (07) “personal economy.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds holiday chefs to be conscious of food safety. Sarah Lichtman with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the first step is cleaning your hands and surfaces before and after touching raw meats. She says the next step is to separate…

Cut 7 (10)  “like that”

She also says to put leftovers away promptly after eating the main meal.

The lines have become blurred between family traditions on Thanksgiving and getting the good deals before everyone else to kick off the holiday shopping season.  National Retail Federation’s Ana Serafin Smith says many stores are opening earlier on Thanksgiving.  It all started with one retail giant…

Cut 10 (11)  “followed suit.”

Some 38 retail giants are expected to open on Thursday.

The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program has offered grant awards totaling nearly 92-million dollars for 31-hundred homeowners from the 2016 flood.  It’s less than 10-percent of the people that need assistance. Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says they have Homeowner Assistance Centers in Baton Rouge, Hammond and Lafayette to help those still in need of funds.

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AAA predicts nearly 51-million people will travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday, a three-percent increase from last year and it’s the highest number since 2005. AAA spokesman Don Redman says planning ahead is the key to making it to your destination safely…

Cut 6 (07) “alternative routes.”

AAA expects to service over 300-thousand due to automotive problems. He says make sure your vehicle is inspected before leaving.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds holiday chefs to be conscious of food safety. Sarah Lichtman with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says after you are done eating the main course it’s important not to forget about leftovers sitting out on the table…

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The holiday shopping season will kick off in full swing tomorrow.  According to best-black-Friday-dot-com, 38 retail chains will be open Thursday, with four Louisiana K-Marts expected to open as early as 6am. National Retail Foundation’s Ana Searfin Smith says the consumer demands it and retail will answer…

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Smith says Thanksgiving shopping has been around for about 10 years.

The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program has offered grant awards for nearly 31-hundred homeowners affected by the floods in 2016, totaling nearly 92-million dollars. Over 38-thousand homeowners have qualified to receive assistance. Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says if you haven’t applied yet, there is no risk of running out of this federal grant money…

Cut 15 (10) “done so.”

Surveys show more consumers are expected to shop for holiday gifts online this year compared to shopping at brick and mortar stores.  But Ana Searfin Smith with the National Retail Federation says for some shoppers there’s a great attraction to shopping on Thanksgiving night…

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Several chain stores are expected to be open tomorrow.

AAA projects that the number of travelers for Thanksgiving holiday will be the highest it’s been in 12 years. Don Molino has more.

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Foodborne illness is a real danger during the Thanksgiving holidays.  Sarah Lichtman with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service debunks the common myth that before cooking your turkey it needs to be washed in the sink.

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Restore Louisiana awards nearly 92-million dollars to 31-hundred homeowners affected by the 2016 floods. Jeff Palermo has more…

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AAA predicts nearly 51-million people will travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Air fares are the lowest since 2013.  AAA’s Don Redman says air passengers they may pay more once they land…

Cut 5  (07)  “an increase.”

Gas is averaging $2.30 a gallon in Louisiana.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds holiday chefs to be conscious of food safety. Sarah Lichtman with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the first step is cleaning your hands and surfaces before and after touching that turkey or any other raw meats. She says the next step is to separate…

Cut 7 (10)  “like that”

According to best-black-Friday-dot-com, 38 retail chains will be open Thursday for early holiday shopping.  Many of the major chain stores, including Best Buy, Gamestop, JcPenney’s and Sears will be open.  The four Louisiana K-Marts are expected to open as early as 6am.  Most other retailers will remain closed until early afternoon.  National Retail Federation’s Ana Searfin Smith says the consumer demands it and retail will answer…

Cut 11 (10) “the holidays.”

Fifth-year senior left tackle K-J Malone would love to play in the regular season finale against Texas A-and-M, but his injured knee may not allow him to do so. Malone hasn’t played since the Florida game and remains very questionable for this Saturday. But the 6-4, 320-pounder from Ruston hopes to at least be in uniform…

Cut 18 (11) “…goes down”

Arden Key did not practice yesterday as it looks like he will not play versus the Aggies. And there’s a report that Texas A-and-M head coach Kevin Sumlin will be fired after this game.

No Maui magic for the LSU men’s basketball team last night as they ran into a very good Notre Dame team. The 13^th ranked Fighting Irish raced out to an early lead and beat the Tigers 92-53. LSU is now 3-and-1 and they finish their trip to Hawaii by playing Marquette tonight at 7 PM.

For Nicholls State to advance in the FCS playoffs, they’ll have to figure out a way to slow down South Dakota senior quarterback Chris Streveler, who has thrown for 32-hundred yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Colonels Coach Tim Rebowe says Streveler is the best quarterback they’ve faced all season

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Kick-off on Saturday at 3 PM.

Back to college basketball…Northwestern State won its first game of the season as the Demons downed ULM 76-61, the Ragin Cajuns lost to an undefeated Wyoming team 70-61, Louisiana Tech improved to 4-0 with a 77-64 win over George Mason and Southeastern Louisiana upset Kent State 70-66. Eddy Polanco completed a four-point play in the final minute for the win.