Monroe-area Congresswoman Julia Letlow is added to the powerful House Republican Steering Committee. The committee is tasked with selecting chairs for all standing committees and deciding on the strategy for the Republican caucus. Letlow says she’s looking forward to serving on the committee.

Cut 6 (07) “…that they desire.”

Letlow says this powerful committee will have a major say in shaping the 119^th Congress

The very active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ended Saturday. LSU Public Health Climatologist, Barry Keim says after a mid-season lull, we saw lot of activity in September and October with Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Cut 13 (08)  “…Hurricane Harvey.”

Hurricane Francine impacted Southeast Louisiana.

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie will return for a fourth season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (26) “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Saints are now 4 and 8 after falling to the Los Angeles Rams yesterday. New Orleans visits the Giants on Sunday without one of their best offensive playmakers. Taysom Hill was carted off the field in the fourth quarter and is out for the rest of the season. Quarterback Derek Carr…

Cut 15 (11) “…part of it.”

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State Police says the man shot by an Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s deputy in Marksville on Monday has died. L-S-P says the deputy fired his weapon when he was investigating several previous shootings near the Bethune Community Center. Authorities say multiple subjects approached the deputy and that’s when the officer fired his weapon, killing one person.

.The hurricane season ends on Saturday. Colorado State Univeristy Research Scientist Phil Koltzbach says an average season has 14 named storms and in 2024 there were 18 named storms. Klotzbach says they are already working on it, but they also understand a lot of the conditions can change during the winter…

Cut 8 (08) “…active seasons.”

Tomorrow is arguably the biggest shopping day of the year – Black Friday. And especially with Black Friday falling on the latest possible date, retailers are rolling out huge discounts in an all-out effort to drive foot traffic into their stores. WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says if you’re looking for huge bargains, your best bets will be the major department stores like JCPenney, Belk and Macy’s.

Cut 3 (07) “…57-percent.”

64 high school football are preparing for their quarterfinal matchup tomorrow night.  Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen says one of the best quarterfinal matchups will take place in Stonewall as Cecilia will visit North Desoto

Cut 11 (12) “…the game.”

Five hurricanes made U.S. landfall, tied for the second most in history, with major hurricanes Helene and Milton causing significant damage. The season caused approximately 250 fatalities and 100 billion dollars in damages. The record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures and cool neutral conditions contributed to low vertical wind shear, fostering hurricane development. Klotzbach says despite these factors, a mid-season lull occurred due to dry air

Cut 7 (05) “…peak of the season.”

Ready  or not, Black Friday is tomorrow, and retailers are rolling out the discounts. Wallet Hub Analyst Chip Lupo says the most discounted items are

Cut 5 (14) “…JC Penny’s for example.”

It’s the quarterfinal round of the high school football playoffs and there are several teams in central Louisiana looking for their first state championship. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Saturday is the 51st annual Bayou Classic. The 7-and-4 Jags have already clinched a spot in the SWAC Championship against Jackson St. The Tigers are playing for pride at 5-and-6, but Grambling Coach Mickey Joseph says neither team will phone it in…

Cut 13 (1o)  “…be a battle (2x)”

Kickoff in the Superdome is at 1:00.

Tomorrow is Black Friday – the day that retailers pull out all the stops in offering their biggest discounts of the year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The hurricane season ends on Saturday and it was extremely active, though slightly below forecasts issued by Colorado State University. CSU Research Scientist Phil Koltzbach says an average season has 14 named storms and in 2024 there were 18 named storms, slightly less than the 25 predicted in July…

Cut 6 (07) “…over forecast that.”

It’s Thanksgiving Day but 64 high school football teams get to practice today as they are preparing for their quarterfinal matchup tomorrow night. Vermilion Catholic is the top seed in Division Four select and they are led by quarterback Jonathan Dartez who has rushed for 21-hundred yards and 34 touchdowns. He also has 19 passing touchdowns. Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen says Dartez is a dynamic player…

Cut 9 (09)  “…in Louisiana.”

Southern and Grambling will face off in the 51st annual Bayou Classic in the Superdome Saturday. Jaguars Coach Terrence Graves says this is the unofficial state championship…

Cut 12 (17) “…New Orleans.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois is hailing the tax reform package. She says simplifying the tax code is about being attractive for re-investment in addition to being attractive to new investment.

Cut 4 (08) “…they can create.”

Bourgeois said Louisiana was one of a small handful of states that still have a franchise tax, but that will go away on January 1st.

President Biden has signed into law the legislation that designates the U.S. Post Office on Benedette Street in Rayville as the Luke Letlow Post Office. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says her family is deeply touched by the honor that her late husband has received…

Cut 12 (05) “…about it.”

Luke Letlow died of COVID-19 complications in 2020, just days before he was to be sworn into office.

It’s time to find that perfect Christmas tree. Sean Richardson spoke with a Christmas tree farmer…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

If you’re planning to bring food for your Thanksgiving feast with you on an airplane, you will not be able to take certain items through TSA security. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says some items will need to be in your checked baggage.

Cut 9 (07)  “…smear or pour.”

Those include cranberry sauce, gravy, beverages, canned fruits and vegetables, maple syrup and soup. On the other hand, baked goods, meats, stuffing, casseroles and fresh produce can go into your carry-on bag.

Flying with some of your Thanksgiving feast is possible but you will not be able to take certain items through TSA security. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says if it can be sprayed, smeared, or poured, it will have to be in checked baggage but there are items you can take in your carry-on.

Cut 11 (08) “…fresh fruit.”

International flights have other restrictions.

President Biden has signed into law the legislation that designates the U.S. Post Office on Benedette Street in Rayville as the Luke Letlow Post Office. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says having a post office named after her late husband in his home community is a meaningful tribute to his dedication to public service and his enduring impact on Louisiana.

Cut 14 (09) “…who Luke was.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the new tax reform package is transformative. And She says good riddance to the franchise tax.

Cut 3 (08) “…tax was dramatic.”

Bourgeois says simplifying the tax code is attractive for re-investment and new investment.

There are a few things to consider when making a choice between a real or artificial Christmas tree. Co-owner of Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Washington Parish, Kevin Steele Sr.  says one thing to consider is artificial trees are made from PVC, which generates pollution during production and is challenging to recycle. In contrast, real Christmas trees are a renewable resource.

Cut 7 (08) “…and it’s biodegradable.”

The newly passed tax reform package is a game-changer, says Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois. She says it positions Louisiana more competitively to take advantage of everything Louisiana offers.

Cut 5 (13) “…years and generations.”

President Biden has designated the Rayville Post Office on Benedette Street as the Luke Letlow Post Office commemorating the life and legacy of the congressman-elect, who passed away from COVID-19 complications in 2020, days before being sworn into office.  His widow, Congresswoman Julia Letlow…

Cut 13 (11)  “…finding connections.”

If you’re planning on flying with food this Thanksgiving holiday, there are some important things you’ll need to know. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Whether you put your Christmas tree up early or leave it up till January 6^th, it’s time to choose a real fragrant tree or a convenient artificial. Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm Co-Owner Kevin Steele Sr. says by choosing a locally grown tree over an artificial one you’re not just making a sustainable choice for the planet, but creating memories…

Cut 8 (10) “…the memories we’re creating.”

Two bills have been approved by the Louisiana Legislature to make temporary pay raises for public K-12 teachers and support staff permanent, pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment in March. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill, requires school districts to use the savings created by eliminating the retirement debt payment in Emerson’s Bill to fund the permanent raise.

Cut 8 (12) “…on the local side.”

After three seasons, McNeese Football’s head coach Gary Goff has been fired. He was 10-and-23 and had one year left on his contract. He arrived in Lake Charles in 2022 after leading Valdosta State to the Division Two national championship game in 2021. Jim Gazzolo covers McNeese for the American Press and says despite inheriting a program that was not in good shape, he didn’t win enough games fast enough

Cut 14 (12) “…up to that.”

Business groups are applauding the tax reform package approved by the legislature in the just-ended special session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Starting January 1^st, Governor Jeff Landry says the state’s three-tiered income tax system will be replaced by a flat three-percent tax and the standard deduction will be increased to $12,500 in 2026.

Cut 9 (11)  “…working poor.”

The special legislative session is done and starting January 1st, most Louisiana residents will pay lower income taxes as the new 3 percent flat tax and $12,500 standard deduction becomes effective. In exchange, the state sales tax rate will increase to five percent. But Governor Landry says in the end, Louisiana residents will pay less taxes…

Cut 10 (15) “…against you.”

Will Green, the president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says Louisiana’s lower income tax rate will make it a more attractive state for people to move.

Cut 5 (08) “…jobs and talent.”

Legislation to make temporary pay raises for K-12 teachers and support staff permanent passed, pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment. The legislation allocates funds from protected education trusts to reduce nearly $2 billion in teacher retirement system debt. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala (back-a-la) says this free up around $287 million annually for local school districts, enabling a $2,000 raise for teachers and $1,000 for support staff.

Cut 6 (12) “…give pay raises.”

Head coach Gary Goff didn’t win enough football games at McNeese and after three seasons he was fired today. The Cowboys went six and six this season after failing to win a game on the field last year. Jim Gazzolo covers McNeese for the American Press and says there were many who thought Goff won enough games this season to keep his job…

Cut 12 (06) “…little surprised.”