10:30 LRN Newscast

The holiday shopping season is underway. How is the retail picture stacking up against record inflation? Kevin Gallagher has more…
cut 1 (33) “…Kevin Gallagher”

And today is Small Business Saturday. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says the day has become a big winner for consumers and small businesses…
cut 8 (10) “…during small business Saturday”
American Express started Small Business Saturday in 2010.

An Alexandria man is convicted of planting bombs at three businesses in Monroe and Alexandria in 2019 and 2020. A federal jury found 40-year-old Daniel Aikens guilty of 3 counts of Making a Destructive Device, 3 counts of possession of bombs and more. Brandon Brown is the U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District. Brown says he’ll push for a long sentence…:
Cut 4 (08) “…as long as possible.”
Aikens is set for sentencing in March and faces up to 40 years. He also faces a murder charge in Grant Parish from a 2017 homicide.

Another solar farm is coming to the state, this one will be in St Landry Parish. Lightsource BP development manager Jack Steele says Louisiana’s flat agricultural land is ideal for installing solar panels.…
Cut 11 (10) “…that industry”
The one near Opelousas is expected to be completed in 2024.