It’s the busiest travel day of the year. If you rented a vehicle to get to your Thanksgiving destination and thought the rental was a little high. You’re probably right. AAA says car rentals have reached their highest prices on record for Thanksgiving. But Spokesperson Don Redman says many people can handle the higher cost…
cut 6 (06) “…out that moneY’
Redman says rates at Two Diamond hotels are up slightly, while the costs for a three-diamond hotel has fallen five-percent.

LSU Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Joe Burrow will play in his final game in Tiger Stadium on Saturday. Burrow, who has been on campus for less than a year and a half, wishes he had one more year…
Cut 13 (12) “..last one”
LSU fell to number two in the new college football playoff rankings, Ohio State jumped to number one.

Would you know the difference between a natural diamond and one cultivated in a lab? Kevin Barnhart speaks to a diamond expert to get the details.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A New Iberia man has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s camper trailer in July. 43-year-old Jerome Romero faces one count of simple arson and two counts of simple assault.

And tonight at the Smoothie King Center Anthony Davis makes his return to New Orleans. Davis brings his new team, the L-A Lakers, to the Crescent City for the first time since the big trade in the offseason.

People are hitting the road in near record-breaking numbers for Thanksgiving. Michael Farrar has the story.
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

A line of thunderstorms is making its way through south Louisiana this morning. The National Weather Service says possible tornadoes produced damage in Franklin and Madison Parishes. No immediate reports of injuries. November is an active month for tornadic activity in the Gulf South.

Many people are defrosting their turkey today. The U-S-D-A is once again warning cooks not to wash the turkey in the sink, because that could lead to cross-contamination. Food safety expert Janice Lopez-Munoz says also make sure you do not leave your chilled items out of the refrigerator too long…
cut 11 (07) “…two hours”
For more food safety practices go to food-safety-dot-gov.

Imagine buying a diamond for a loved one this holiday and finding out later that you bought a stone that isn’t from the earth, it’s from a lab. Diamond expert Grant Mobley says while the products look similar to the naked eye, they have drastically different values.
Cut 7 (11) “…totally different products.”
Mobley says ask your jeweler about the origin of a diamond and the retailer will likely be truthful about the source of the stone.

It’s one of the busiest travel days of the year as AAA estimates more than 55-million people will travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving. The Gulf South Region is seeing a three-percent increase in air travelers and AAA’s Don Redman says if you are flying out of the newly-opened terminal at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, give yourself plenty of time…
cut 5 (09) “….flight departure”

Many people will shop for diamonds during this holiday shopping season. Diamond expert Grant Mobley says ask the retailer about the origin of a diamond…
cut 8 (07) “….when buying online”
Mobley says avoid buying diamonds that are laboratory grown. He says you want a natural diamond that will maintain and increase its value over time.

24-year-old Cory Hannon has received a 39-year prison sentence for the 2016 manslaughter death of his 13-month-old son. Prosecutors in Bossier Parish say Hannon admitted to be responsible for his child’s death and blamed his action on years of drug abuse. An autopsy found the infant died from massive internal injuries from blunt force trauma.

If you’re prepping the bird for tomorrow’s feast don’t forget to follow proper food safety guidelines. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Across the nation, AAA forecasts over 55 million people are traveling for the holiday weekend, about a 3% increase over last year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says in the Gulf States region, about 13 million will be traveling, many of them opting for driving over flying.
Cut 4 (08) “…on the roadway.”

The U-S-D-A estimates 46-million turkeys will be cooked during this holiday. Food safety expert Janice Lopez-Munoz asks cooks to wash their hands before you start preparing your turkey, but there is no reason to wash the turkey…
cut 10 (10) “….prepared”
Lopez-Munoz says cooking your turkey thoroughly is the best way to make sure your bird is free of bacteria.

LSU fell to number two in the latest college football playoff rankings, despite a 36 point win over Arkansas last Saturday. Ohio State is the new number one after beating 10th ranked Penn State.

Saturday is the regular-season finale and it is the final home game for the Tigers and quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow says he’s really enjoyed his time in Tiger Town…
cut 14 (13) “…on Saturday”

Anthony Davis will not get a warm reception tonight when his Lakers take on the Pelicans tonight at the Smoothie King Center. It’s A-D’s first game in the Big Easy since his much-publicized trade to Los Angeles. Tip-off is at 7.

People are hitting the road in near record-breaking numbers for Thanksgiving. Michael Farrar has the story.

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

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Would you know the difference between a natural diamond and one cultivated in a lab? Kevin Barnhart speaks to a diamond expert to get the details.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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If you’re prepping the bird for tomorrow’s feast don’t forget to follow proper food safety guidelines. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Across the nation, AAA forecasts over 55 million people are traveling for the holiday weekend, about a 3% increase over last year.  AAA spokesperson Don Redman say in the Gulf States region, about 13 million will be traveling, with many of them opting for driving over flying.

Cut 4 (08) “…on the roadway.”

Nationally, air travel will see the biggest increase in volume with a nearly 5% growth as 4.5 million will take to the skies.  Redman says those choosing to fly out of the newly-opened terminal of Louis Armstrong Airport in New Orleans need to pack their patience and get to the airport much earlier than might be expected.

Cut 5 (09) “…the flight departure.”

The statewide average for a gallon of gasoline is $2.22, just a few cents cheaper than last year.  But Redman says travelers should budget more for rental cars as the average price is $75 per day, a new record for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Hotel rates are also up.

Cut 6 (06) “…out that money.”

AAA is expecting to respond to over 368,000 roadside assistance calls over the holiday with dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts leading the list of car troubles.

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Imagine buying a diamond for a loved one this holiday and finding out later that you bought a stone that isn’t from the earth, it’s from a lab.  Diamond expert Grant Mobley says while the products look similar to the naked eye, they have drastically different values.

Cut 7 (11) “…totally different products.”

Mobley says it is important to ask questions about the origin of a diamond adding that a local retailer will likely be truthful about the source of the stone.

Cut 8 (07) “…when buying online.”

Mobley says natural diamonds are inherently valued because they are a finite product and they maintain and increase in value over time.  But Mobley compares a lab-grown diamond to a plasma TV that cost a grand a decade ago.

Cut 9 (10) “…continue to grow.”

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More than 46-million turkeys will be cooked this week for Thanksgiving according to the USDA. The Department of Agriculture wants to encourage food safety so leftovers are all that linger after the traditional meal. USDA Food Safety Expert Janice Lopez-Munoz says always clean your hands and surfaces while prepping, but don’t clean the turkey.

Cut 10 (10) “…prepared.”

When it comes to your chilled items on the menu you want to take precautions with them as well. Lopez-Munoz says to watch the clock on how long they are out of the refrigerator.

Cut 11 (07) “…two hours.”

Raw meat and poultry can be a culprit of foodborne illness so Lopez-Munoz recommends that you carefully trace the path of raw meat while prepping and clean accordingly.

Cut  12 (09) “…ready to eat.” 

If you have any food safety questions you can call the USDA hotline weekdays from 9-5 and on Thanksgiving Day 7 am until 1 pm at 1-888-674-6854 or visit online at Food-Safety-dot-gov

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LSU Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Joe Burrow will play in his final game in Tiger Stadium on Saturday. Burrow, who has been on campus for less than a year and a half, wishes he had another season left to play at LSU…

Cut 13 (12) “..last one”

Burrow will likely get a huge ovation when he’s introduced prior to the Texas A-and-M game when he jogs on the field for the senior day ceremony. Burrow says he and his family have been treated great by Tiger Nation…

Cut 14 (13) “…on Saturday” 

During Burrow’s time at LSU, he’s thrown for six-thousand yards, 57 touchdowns. He’s also 21 and 3 as a starter. He’ll face a defense on Saturday that ranks in the middle of the pack in the SEC in defense

Cut 15 (20) “..picked up”

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ULM heads into Saturday’s game against the Ragin Cajuns as a three-touchdown underdog. Last year, the Warhawks lost to U-L Lafayette by three points. ULM Coach Matt Viator says the Cajuns are a better team on defense this year

Cut 16  (19)  … Ron can do” 

If the Warhawks pull off the upset, they would be bowl eligible. Viator says he hasn’t spent any time thinking about bowl possibilities…

Cut 17  (19)  have time” 

It was three years ago today, Ed Orgeron was named as head coach of the LSU Tigers. Jeff Palermo reports the hiring looks to be former athletic director Joe Alleva’s best move…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”    

A Boy Scout leader is in jail and charged with 500 counts of possession of child pornography according to Livingston parish authorities.

Fifty year old, Randy Miller Jr. was booked today and is being held on a 50 million dollar bond. Many regional law enforcement agencies took part including, the Louisiana State Police, Livingston parish and East Baton Rouge parish Sheriff offices.

On the federal level, the ATF, the FBI and the Office of Homeland Security also were involved.

The trash-talking has begun between sports rivals Southern and Grambling State Universities. The pair of H-B-C-U schools face off in the annual Bayou Classic on Saturday afternoon in the Superdome.

The last time the schools squared off the Southern Jaguars defeated Grambling Bulldogs and Southern University President Ray Belton says the Jaguars plan on winning again…

Cut 14 (09) “…here to stay”

The Bayou Classic winner will head to the SWAC Championship game for a chance to play in the Celebration Bowl.

Chris Byrne, is dubbed the Toy Guy, says there is a shift in the way parents are buying toys. Byrne says many parents carefully select toys to avoid overwhelming their children with too many toys.

Cut 9 (12) “…again and again.”

Byrne says toys such as Legos and dolls will always score highly after the wrapping paper is removed to reveal the given toy.

Louisiana motorists may be able to fill their tanks for a few pennies less per gallon compared to last year’s Thanksgiving weekend. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says we’ve seen the statewide average for gas prices remain steady for the last few weeks, holding around $2.22 a gallon.

Cut 3 (10) “…continue to drop.”

Claiming the title of “the Toy Guy” Chris Byrne has advice for toy shopping. Classic toys such as Legos and dolls will always do great and adds any toy to gets a laugh is always a solid find.

Cut 11 (13) “…burst out laughing.”

This week kicks off the traditional holiday shopping season beginning on Thanksgiving Thursday rolling along through for five days to Cyber Shopping Monday.

Three years after Ed Orgeron was tapped to lead the LSU Tigers football team, his overall recruiting efforts paved the way for the Bayou Bengals to be currently ranked at number one.

Football analyst Mike Detillier says Joe Burrow’s record-breaking season will attract other great quarterbacks and skill position players to LSU, which should help the program remain as one of the best in the country

Cut 8 (11) “ to LSU and play”

Tickets for Saturday’s Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling State are hot commodities and expected to sell-out. The two H-B-C-U schools take the field Saturday afternoon in the Superdome. Grambling President Rick Gallot says demand for tickets is high.

Cut 12 (08) “…600 level”

The Bayou Classic is expected to draw over 200,000 visitors and produce an economic impact of 50-million dollars.

The state has not seen a spike at the gas pump ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Kevin Barnhart tells us why.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Boy Scout leader is charged with 500 counts of possession of child pornography according to Livingston parish authorities.

Fifty year old, Randy Miller Jr. was booked today and is being held on the charges. Many regional law enforcement agencies took part including, Louisiana State Police, Livingston parish and East Baton Rouge parish Sheriff offices.

On the federal level, the ATF, the FBI and the Office of Homeland Security also were involved.

This Saturday’s Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling State is a hot ticket event with official ticket sales out-stripping of where they were last year, at this time. Organizers also expect the Battle of the Bands show on Friday night will also sell out.

Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs says he’s been attending the Bayou Classic since he was a kid and this game means a lot to him…

Cut 13 (10) “…possibly are.”

The winner of Saturday’s football game will advance to the SWAC Championship game.

Toys are big on many Christmas shopping lists but timing is critical when hunting for great toy gifts. Claiming the title of ‘the Toy Guy’, Chris Byrne says while the best time to buy is when you see the toy you must get.

This strategy saves you the stress of desperately searching for it later. However, a later shopping season could give advantages to a more cost-conscious shopper…

Cut 10 (09) “…incentive to purchase.”