Unemployment in Louisiana is returning to pre-pandemic claims but some 85,000 have not returned to the workforce. Brooke Thorington has more from the Secretary of Labor.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Consumer prices jumped a whopping 6.8 percent in November, the largest annual increase in 39 years. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott believes inflation is in part a product of supply-and-demand and discounts the possibility of collusion to boost prices and thus stir up the inflationary pot.

Cut 8 (08) “…experiencing right now.”

Fifteen fatal crashes leading to 26 deaths. That is the updated toll for the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The accidents are blamed on a variety of things including distracted driving, driver impairment and speeding. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet asks that if you witness someone behind the wheel who could be impaired or driving aggressively, please call law enforcement.

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Election day is tomorrow in nearly three dozen parishes in Louisiana with ballot questions that include some tax proposals, candidate runoffs and a casino gambling proposal in the lone parish of St. Tammany.  Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says several races will be decided in Orleans Parish.

Cut 14  (12)  “…Orleans Parish.

Polls open at 7 am and close at 8 pm.