Concerns about response times at the DCFS Child Safety Response Center are being addressed. Secretary Rebecca Harris says the processing time for online and phone reports is down significantly. She says the health and welfare of children throughout the state is the top priority at the department.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of that call.”

Lane Kiffin’s coaching future is on the minds LSU fans and they shouldn’t have to wait past Saturday to learn if he’ll be LSU’s next head football coach. Ole Miss says they will announce Kiffin’s future with that school after Friday’s Egg Bowl and one fan says he can read between the lines of Ole Miss’s statement, interpreting that as meaning the Egg Bowl will be Kiffin’s last with the Rebels.

Cut 14 (11) “…coming to LSU.”

We’re fortunate to have great food in Louisiana and the American Farm Bureau Federation says the price for a Thanksgiving dinner here is the second lowest in the U.S. Spokesman Avery Davidson encourages Louisianians to remember farmers this Thanksgiving. Farmers receive just 9-point-one cent of every dollar spent on food.

Cut 6 (13) “…such a meal.”

The Drone Institute announced a 340-thousand-dollar expansion of its Lafayette headquarters set to be complete by June of next year. CEO of the industrial inspection company, George Femmer says the state offered them an incentives package including a performance-based grant to assist in building costs. He says he’s been glad to call Lafayette home and invest in its future.

Cut 12 (12) “…where they live.”

A $5,000 reward is being offered for the missing thousand-year-old cypress board that once hung in the State Capital but was later moved to former house speaker Clay Schexnayder’s office. The family of Walter Stebbins who donated the 6-foot by 20-foot board in the 1950s is offering the reward. Schexnayder is facing felony theft charges of a rare state artifact. He says he left the board hanging in his legislative office when he vacated it.

Rumors and speculation over Lane Kiffin’s future and whether he’ll be LSU’s next head football coach continue to be a hot topic. Friday, Ole Miss said they’ll make a statement on his after the Egg Bowl. At least one fan says the contract LSU is finalizing is way too good for any coach to pass up.

Cut 15 (08) “…kind of suspect.”

Florida is also hot on Kiffin’s trail trying to lure him to Gainesville.

DCFS is taking steps to strengthen operations at its Child Safety Response Center. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We can give thanks for our delicious Louisiana food and we can be grateful to have our thanksgiving dinner costs are the second lowest in the U.S. according to the Farm Bureau Federation. Spokesperson Avery Davidson says the total cost is down three dollars from last year, but the cost of ham, sweet potatoes, and vegetables are up.

Cut 5 (13) “…those items.”

Concerns over response times at the DCFS Child Safety Response Center are being addressed. Secretary Rebecca Harris says the processing time for online reports, which had averaged more than 24 hours earlier this year, is now less than an hour. And hold times on the phone have also gone down significantly.

Cut 8 (08) “…a half minutes.”

She says urgent concerns should always be phoned in and not submitted online.

More economic growth is coming to Acadiana. The industrial inspection company, the Drone Institute is expanding and CEO George Femmer says it is expected to produce nearly 14-hundred new jobs over the next ten years, many of which Femmer says will be high paying.

Cut 11 (11) “…our clients.”

Football season started with LSU fans dreaming of the College Football Playoff. It ends with LSU fans dreaming of Lane Kiffin. Andrew Greenstein talked with some Tiger fans

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana not only boasts some of the best Thanksgiving food but the price for a Thanksgiving dinner in Louisiana is the second-lowest in the U.S. according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Spokesperson Avery Davidson says the average cost for a classic 11-item meal for around ten guests is $44.70.

Cut 4 (10) “…eighteen cents.”

DCFS is addressing concerns about response times at its Child Safety Response Center. Secretary Rebecca Harris says the department has received reports about delays in the ways that it receives complaints about child maltreatment. Harris says while the department strives to handle phone calls and online reports quickly, urgent situations should always be phoned in.

Cut 7 (10) “…to sexual abuse.”

In economic news…the industrial inspection company, The Drone Institute announced a 340-thousand-dollar expansion of its Lafayette headquarters set to be completed by June of next year. CEO George Femmer says the project will consolidate drone operations, data processing and pilot training into one facility.

Cut 10 (14) “…up to snuff.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation found Louisiana is home to the second-cheapest Thanksgiving dinner in the country this year. Kace Kieschnick reports…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Lane Kiffin watch is on in Baton Rouge. Friday, Ole Miss said that an announcement about Kiffin’s future would be made this Saturday after Friday’s Egg Bowl. Later, reports surfaced that LSU was working to finalize a 90-million-dollar offer for Kiffin to lure him to Baton Rouge. Those two developments have LSU fans excited.

Cut 13 (08)  “…Ole Miss coach.”

For the fourth consecutive year, the Department of Education is reporting an increase in Louisiana public school and district performance scores. Superintendent Cade Brumley says beginning next year they will be measured using a straightforward scorecard that raises expectations for student performance.

Cut 9 (14)  “…A-and-B category.”

We’ve had a very dry fall so far. 40-percent of the state is in a drought. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says drought conditions haven’t been this bad in the state in quite a while.

Cut 10 (10) “…November of 2024.”

The odds-on favorite to earn the head coaching job at LSU is Lane Kiffin according to Bookies-dot-com. Kiffin and Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter are scheduled to meet this morning, and Christopher Boan (“Bowen”) with Bookies-dot-com says Ole Miss will pull out all the stops to keep Kiffin in Oxford. Bowen says the second highest odds for the job go to another SEC head coach, Eli Drinkwitz of Missouri.

Cut 6 (08) “…that SEC move.”

Louisiana high school football playoffs are in their second round tonight. In Division Two, the Franklin Parish Patriots host the Lutcher Bulldogs. Spencer Verrett of the LHSAA Network says he could see either team making a run, but he expects the Patriots to come out on top.

Cut 14 (11) “…last year ended.”

Last year the Patriots’ season ended in the quarterfinals, losing 42-28 to Iowa.

Louisiana’s statewide public education performance score has increased for a fourth consecutive year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A little relief from the dry conditions that has about 40 percent of the state in a drought is coming to Northern parts of Louisiana but State Climatologist Jay Grymes says…

Cut 11 (11) “…of the state.”

Ole Miss football may be in a bye week but their head coach, Lane Kiffin is busy and no announcement on whether he stays at Ole Miss or possibly becomes the coach for LSU or Florida. Kiffin is scheduled to meet with his Athletic Director Keith Carter this morning, and Christopher Boan with Bookies-dot-com says Ole Miss will pull out all the stops to keep Kiffin in Oxford.

Cut 5 (11) “…from anybody.”

LSU takes on Western Kentucky tomorrow and LSU sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren is expected to make his second straight start. He says that he’s been soaking everything up from the coaching staff this season, which has allowed him to stay ready.

Cut 16 (15) “…get the victory.”

40 percent of Louisiana is in a drought, but State Climatologist Jay Grimes says there may be a little relief for coming.  Parts of the northern parishes could see at least two inches of rain in the next week.

Cut 11 (11) “…of the state.”

Grymes says we could be in for a dry winter.

The Louisiana Department of Education is reporting an increase in public school and district performance scores for the fourth consecutive year. Superintendent Cade Brumley says this progress shows what’s possible when the state is focused on strong instruction.

Cut 8 (11) “…students in need.”

Overall, 21 percent of schools earned a letter grade of A, 31-percent received a B, 32-percent got a C, and 16-percent received a D or F.

Though his team is on a bye week, the eyes of the college football world are on Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The second round of the Louisiana high school football playoffs kicks off tonight. One of the marquee matchups is Barbe at West Monroe. Spencer Verrett of the LHSAA Network says the Buccaneers have one of the best offenses in Louisiana, led by running back Jordan Griffin and says they will test the Rebels defense.

Cut 13 (08)  “…business against Barbe.”

For the fourth consecutive year, the State Department of Education is reporting an increase in public school and district performance scores. The statewide performance score for this year is 80.9 — up from 75.3 in 2021. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says it’s the highest overall score under the current 150-point system.

Cut 7 (07) “…in our state.”

Overall, 21 percent of schools earned a letter grade of A

This has been a very dry fall so far here in Louisiana – so much so that 40-percent of the state is in a drought. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says drought conditions haven’t been this bad in the state in quite a while.

Cut 10 (10) “…November of 2024.”

The second round of the Louisiana High School football playoffs begins tonight. Andre Champagne looks at some key non-select matchups.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Though they have the weekend off, the eyes of the college football world are on Ole Miss head coach, Lane Kiffin. They’re awaiting his decision on whether he will remain in Oxford or whether he will go to LSU or Florida, should either school offer him their vacant coaching positions. Christopher Boan (“Bowen”) with Bookies-dot-com says as of right now, the odds favor him not needing a real estate agent.

Cut 4 (08) “…goes to Florida.”

Kiffin and Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter are scheduled to meet this morning

250 Boarder Patrol agents are coming to New Orleans next month as part of President Trump’s immigration crackdown and not everyone is happy about it. In other cities protesters have posted video of agents’ activities. Former New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas says agents are wearing masks to conceal their identities for their own safety and the safety of their families.

Cut 7 (10) “…feds are doing.”

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Director Lisa Freeman says many don’t know how to properly install a child seat so the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force is providing child seat safety information cards to the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, which will distribute the cards to its dealers and their customers. Freeman hopes this will result in more properly restrained children.

Cut 12 (07) “…we’re seeing here.”

In honor of the 250^th birthday of these United States, Louisiana high school class of 2026 are receiving a commemorative America 250 seal on their diplomas. And Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says this class will be the first eligible for a new recognition as part of the state’s Freedom Framework initiative adopted in 2022.

Cut 9 (14)  “…honor cords.”

Lainey Wilson from the tiny town of Baskin in Franklin Parish won big at the Country Music Awards last night. She not only hosted the show, she took the honor of Entertainer of the Year, and for the fourth time, she was named female vocalist of the year. Her album Whirlwind took the prize for Album of the Year. It’s the second time Wilson earned that honor.

A LEAP remediation specialist with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System is facing child sex charges. Authorities say 62-year-old Michael Dauzat thought his alleged explicit conversations on social media were with a 15-year-old boy but they were actually with Louisiana State Police and the FBI. Dauzat allegedly arranged to meet the believed the 15-year-old child for sexual activity. He was arrested when he arrived at the meeting location. State Police say Dauzat faces one count each of computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with juveniles.

President Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration is coming to New Orleans as soon as December first. Congressman Troy Carter says Border Patrol strike fear in communities. In prior operations, agents were seen on video detaining U.S. citizens. Former New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas says those may have been instances where someone was interfering with a law enforcement operation.

Cut 6 (09) “…or a warrant.”

The second round of the high school football playoffs is tomorrow night. Andre Champagne looks at who is on upset alert on the select side.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Keeping children safe in a vehicle requires a car seat that is properly installed and is the right type for the child’s age and size but Highway Safety Commission Director Lisa Freeman says many do not know how to properly install a child seat.

Cut 11 (08) “…share that information.”

The Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force is providing child seat safety information cards to the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, which will distribute the cards to its dealers and their customers.