It was a hot and extremely dry this summer, but that shouldn’t keep you from finding the perfect fresh Christmas tree. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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It’s the golden anniversary of the Bayou Classic. Brooke Thorington has more on how organizers are marking the special occasion.
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Black Friday gets all of the attention nationally but Small Business Saturday is important too. Colleen Crain has more
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Despite the hot and extremely dry summer, there are enough fresh Christmas trees to go around. LSU AgCenter research associate Joe Nehlig says there is a little bit of a shortage, but nothing to worry about…
Cut 4 (13) “…the drought”
Nehlig says the combination of fungus and the drought affected Leyland Cpyress growers the most. He grows over 500 Carolina Sapphire trees near Bogalusa, they are more resistant to a fungus that attacks Christmas trees…
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Nehlig says many tree farmers irrigated this summer to minimize crop losses….
Cut 6 (06) “…this year.”
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It’s the 50th Annual Bayou Classic Saturday but there’s plenty going on today before Southern and Grambling face off in the Proctor & Gamble Historically Black Colleges and Universities football game. Bayou Classic producer and Director Dottie Belletto says the golden anniversary matchup is calling alums far and wide to join the celebration.
Cut 7 (09) “…(x2) so many.”
Today’s events include Business at the Bayou, a Black Small Business Showcase at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans. And for the evening hours, it’s the traditional Battle of the Bands and Step Show at the Superdome. Belletto says it’s supersized this year…
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The annual step show’s theme this year is “Future” and Belletto says the fraternities and sororities have come up with some clever ways to incorporate the theme into the competition.
Before the game Saturday they’ll also have a family fitness fun walk, a Special Olympics Flag Football game, and a fan festival with a dance party and music. Belletto says they are kicking it up a notch for their 50th anniversary.
Cut 9 (11) “…really enjoy.”
The game kicks off at one. Southern won the classic last year. The Jaguars have won 25 games and Grambling has had 24 wins in the series. Southern will either retain bragging rights of the series or will be evened up tomorrow night.
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Black Friday is about the big national stores finally making a profit and while Small Business Saturday also helps local businesses get into the black, Dawn McVea, state director of the the National Federation of Independent Business says Small Business Saturday is about community…
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Small Business Saturday began in 2010 as a way to help local businesses after the Great Recession.
McVea says it’s been a tough year for everyone. Inflation and labor shortages have been especially tough but that means you’re more likely to see business owners while you’re shopping and expect great deals…
Cut 11 (08) “…in a big box.
McVea also says, that when you shop locally Sixty-Seven Cents out of every dollar stays in the community.
McVea says, that in 2022, Small Business Saturday brought in seventeen point nine billion dollars for small businesses across the nation and since then local businesses have grown. During the pandemic, many began offering services that made them more competitive with large online retailers
Cut 12 (06) “…purchases now.”
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While Black Friday is considered the pinnacle of shopping holidays, the National Retail Federation says many consumers are not waiting late in the year to find bargains for Christmas gifts. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says when retailers are getting a jump on Black Friday discounts it’s a win-win.
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Rice says even artificial tree retailers are having Christmas in July sales, and online giant Amazon has Prime Days in July and October to motivate consumers.
Inflation plays a big role as to how much individuals will spend on the holidays and Rice says one survey indicates consumers plan to spend more this year than last but not on as many gifts…
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During the pandemic, the term supply chain issues became a common phrase and a real frustration for retailers and consumers. But is it still an issue this far out from the pandemic? Rice says there are still some isolated incidents of shipping disruptions…
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The NRF says the average person will spend $875 on gifts, decorations, food, and other seasonal items this year. That’s up $42 from last year.
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The Saints will visit their biggest rival on Sunday when they take on the Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans is 5-and-5 and thankfully in first place in the NFC South. Atlanta and Tampa Bay are one game back at 4-and-6. Defensive end Cam Jordan says they understand the importance of this game…
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Kick-off on Sunday is at noon.
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The 14th-ranked LSU Tigers close out the regular season on Saturday by hosting Texas A&M. The Aggies have a seven and-four record and they are unranked. Coach Brian Kelly’s team is 8-and-3 and a win on Saturday and a victory in a bowl game, gets them to their goal of 10 wins….
Cut 17 (10) “…for them.”
Kelly is trying to complete his second season in Tiger Town with back-to-back ten-win seasons. Saturday also marks the final time Jayden Daniels can impress the Heisman voters before a vote is taken. Daniels has numbers to win the Heisman, but Kelly also hopes the voters take a look at how he can dominate a game…
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