According to a new statewide survey by Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute rates of sexual and physical violence in Louisiana have declined since 2023. Lead researcher Anita Raj says physical violence has decreased slightly among men, but women continue to face higher risks of sexual and intimate partner violence.

Cut 7 (13) “…happening from partners.”

Raj says nearly one in four women report forced sex in their lifetime and more than one in four say a partner had burned, chocked, or used a weapon against them.

A Canadian man is under arrest for allegedly trying to solicit a young girl in Louisiana. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says 35-year-old Eddy Butler was engaging in a lewd conversation.

Cut 10 (09) “…Canada to Louisiana.”

The child that Butler thought he was talking to was a Grant Parish detective. McCain says Canadian authorities have a strong enough case to put him behind bars for a very long time, so he won’t need to be extradited to Louisiana.

Fans going to the Bayou Classic in New Orleans can expect beefed-up security. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Thanksgiving is two days away; and if you have not started thawing your frozen turkey, you need to act soon. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says you’ll need to use the cold-water method.

Cut 4 (06) “…every 30 minutes.”

Strain says never thaw a turkey on the counter and he says when you cook the turkey, set the oven at 350 degrees. the turkey is done once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees which could take one and a half to two hours for an eight to 12-pound turkey and larger turkeys could take over three hours.

A Grant Parish detective helps take down a suspected child predator from Canada. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A new statewide survey by Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute finds rates of sexual and physical violence in Louisiana have declined since 2023. Lead researcher Anita Raj says the study found that adults who lacked money for food or basic needs in the past year were two to six times more likely to experience violence.

Cut 9 (06)  “…forms of violence.”

Fans in New Orleans for the Bayou Classic can expect beefed-up security in the French Quarter this weekend. State Police troopers will join New Orleans Police and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to help keep visitors from Baton Rouge and Grambling safe from Friday through Sunday. Trooper Jacob Pucheu (PEE-shoo) says new for this year, they will be activating the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone which had previously been in place for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras earlier this year.

Cut 13 (12)  “…a certain size.”

If you have not started thawing your Thanksgiving turkey, it’s time. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says use the cold-water method and change the water every half hour and to cook the turkey set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Strain says an eight to 12-pound turkey should take one and a half to two hours.

Cut 5 (12) “…to 3.5 hours.”

The turkey is done once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

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