Time is running out to do your Christmas shopping. Andrew Greenstein has details on what’s out there and at what cost.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Many Americans are missing out on credit card rewards, according to a recent Bankrate survey. About 40-percent of U.S. adults do not have a reward card and the ones who do aren’t using their rewards. Bankrate Senior Analyst Ted Rossman…

Cut 6 (10) “…real money here.”

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The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana is forecasting the state to turn a deficit into a surplus for the next fiscal year.

Cut 9 (05)  “…increase in revenue,”

PAR President Steven Procopio says the changes in the tax code going into effect are expected to erase a 400-million-dollar budget deficit for the new fiscal year that begins in July.

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is coming home.  The former LSU standout who helped lead the team to a 2018 national championship has joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad.  Edwards-Helaire on coming back to Louisiaiana.

Cut 12 (12) “…no better time.”

Time is running out to get your gifts delivered by mail in time for Christmas.  Evelina Ramirez with the Postal Service says the first deadline is today. But if you miss that deadline, your last resort is Priority Mail Express, with a deadline of December 21st – this Saturday. Ramirez says volume is expected to pick up, and the Postal Service is ready.

Cut 9 (11)  “…season to shine.”

Barring an injunction from an appellate judge, most school districts in the state will be given the green light to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms starting on January 1st. Attorney General Liz Murrill says school boards not named in the ongoing lawsuit should have nothing to worry about..

Cut 14 (07) “…a federal lawsuit.”

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A longtime Texas staple will soon be coming to South Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Enhanced seat belt warnings are coming to all new US vehicles in September of 2026.  Based on last year’s statistics Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says seat belts have been proven to save lives.

Cut 11 (09) “…not buckled up.”

Enhanced seat belt warnings are coming to al new vehicles in the U.S in September of 2026. That’s in responst to new NHTSA (NIT-sa) rules.  Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, on how small changes could save lives.

Cut 12 (11) “…the right direction.”

Speaking of new things, Buc-ee’s is coming to Lafayette in 2026.  They’ll be opining a store along 1-10 there sometime early that year.  Mandi Mitchell, the president and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, says along with dozens of new jobs Buc-ee’s brings a golden opportunity to market Lafayette.

Cut 6 (15) “…period of time.”

Construction is slated to get underway early next year.

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If you still need to mail your Christmas gifts to arrive on time, time is running out. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There’s a Dense Fog Advisory in effect for all of Southeast Louisiana. Yesterday morning’s  fog may have contributed to major issues on The Causeway as dozens of vehicles crashed leaving 33 people injured.  This morning’s dense fog advisory is in effect until ten.

Barring an injunction from an appellate judge, most school districts in the state will be given the green light to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms starting on January 1st. Attorney General Liz Murrill says while Judge John DeGravelles blocked the law on constitutional grounds, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals limited the scope of his ruling,

Cut 13 (05)  “…to this injunction.”

We’ve head all the buzz, but now we know it’s true. Buc-ee’s is coming to south Louisiana.  The longtime Texas staple is headed to Lafayette sometime in early 2026.  President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development authority Mandi Mitchell says it’ll bring lots of jobs and a big presence along I-10.

Cut 5 (10) “…120 fuel pumps.”

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Enhanced seat belt warnings are coming soon in all new vehicles in the U.S. Under new NHTSA (NIT-sa) rules, all new vehicles will come equipped with enhanced seat belt warnings for front-seat occupants by September of 2026; and seat belt warnings for rear-seat passengers will come one year later. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says people here are already buckling up.

Cut 10 (11) “…are buckled up.”

Today’s the first deadline to get your gifts delivered by mail in time for Christmas. Evelina Ramirez with the Postal Service says today’s the USPS Ground Advantage deadline. But if you can’t get your package out today, you have until Saturday for Priority Mail Express. And if you’re expecting something.

Cut 8 (09) “…they’ll be safe.”

Enhanced seat belt warnings are coming in all new vehicles in the U.S. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Be careful as you head out this morning.  There’s a Dense Fog Advisory in effect for all of Southeast Louisiana. Tuesday morning fog may have contributed to major issues on The Causeway as dozens of vehicles crashed leaving 33 people injured.  This morning’s dense fog advisory is in effect until ten.

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A longtime Texas staple is coming to South Louisiana. Buc-ee’s will be opening a store along I-10 in Lafayette sometime in early 2026. Mandi Mitchell, the president and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, says this means dozens of new jobs for the region.

Cut 4 (09) “…dollars an hour.”

If you still need to mail your Christmas gifts to arrive before Christmas Day, you’d better get a move on it. Evelina Ramirez with the Postal Service says the first deadline is today.

Cut 7 (10) “…is December 19th.”

And if you miss that deadline, your last resort is Priority Mail Express, with a deadline of December 21st – this Saturday.

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry will oversee the state’s Electoral College meeting today in the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says Landry will administer oaths of office to the eight Republican electors before they cast their official votes for President and Vice President. And it’s not just here.

Cut 5 (07) “…Vice President.”

Law enforcement across the state are mourning the loss of Richland Parish Sheriff Gary Gilley who passed away over the weekend with his family by his side.  Ouachita  Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW) says Gilley’s death is not only a huge loss for Richland Parish, but for all of Louisiana.

Cut 9 (04)  “…one of us.”

Gilley will be laid to rest tomorrow afternoon.

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A new study shows a presence of Fentanyl in dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Andrew Greenstein explains how this could also affect humans.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Frightening day in New Orleans yesterday as a Cox Cable employee was shot and a postal worker was held at gunpoint in two separate incidents.  The shooting happened just noon in New Orleans East.  The victim in that shooting later died.  We’re told the postal worker was the victim of an armed robbery in Hollygrove about an hour later.

Dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico are testing positive for Fentanyl, and experts say humans could be affected. Dr. Dana Orbach, an assistant professor of marine biology at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, it’s likely due to improper disposal of the drug and sadly it’s not a new phenomenon.

Cut 11 (13) “…largely been overlooked.”

Richland Parish is mourning the loss of Sheriff Gary Gilley (JILLY) this morning. He passed away over the weekend at the age of 66. Ouachita (WASH-uh-tuh) Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW), on the man he says dedicated his life to serving others.

Cut 7 (05) “…dedicated public servant.”

Gilly will be laid to rest tomorrow.

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LSU has added a quarterback to its roster who started eight games in the SEC this year. Freshman Michael Van Buren has three years of eligibility left and David Murray, who covers the Mississippi State Bulldogs for 2-4-7 sports says LSU’s NIL dollars helped lure Van Buren to Baton Rouge…

Cut 14 (10) “…offensive linemen.”

After the Saints nearly completed an incredible comeback against the Commanders, falling one point short when a game-ending two-point conversion attempt failed, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said he was proud of his team. On the day after, that didn’t change

Cut 16 (15) “…one play short.”

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry will oversee the state’s Electoral College meeting today in the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says Landry will administer oaths of office to the eight Republican electors before they cast their official votes for President and Vice President.

Cut 4 (11) “…the Electoral College.”

Richland Parish is mourning the loss of Sheriff Gary Gilley (JILLY, ), who passed away over the weekend with his family by his side. Oachita Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW), says Sheriff Gilley was a dedicated law enforcement professional.

Cut 8 (10) “…and the lord.”

Sheriff Gary Gilley was 66 years old.

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A new study shows the presence of Fentanyl in dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Frightening day in New Orleans yesterday as a Cox Cable employee was shot and a postal worker was held at gunpoint in two separate incidents.  The shooting happened just noon in New Orleans East.  The victim in that shooting later died.  We’re told the postal worker was the victim of an armed robbery in Hollygrove about an hour later.

Today, the state’s Electoral College meeting takes place, where electors will officially cast their votes for Donald Trump.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico are testing positive for Fentanyl, and it could affect humans. Dr. Dana Orbach, an assistant professor of marine biology at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, says this likely has nothing to do with the trafficking of Fentanyl from Mexico, but rather the improper disposal of the drug, since wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove those pharmaceuticals from the water.

Cut 10 (06) “…into our system.”

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Richland Parish is mourning the loss of Sheriff Gary Gilley (JILLY). He passed away over the weekend at the age of 66. His family was at his side when he passed away. One of Sheriff Gilley’s contemporaries, Ouachita (WASH-uh-tuh) Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW), remembers his longtime colleague.

Cut 7 (05) “…dedicated public servant.”

Gilley’s funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Mangham Baptist Church.  Visitation is at ten.

LSU has added a quarterback to its roster who started eight games in the SEC in 2024. Freshman Michael Van Buren threw for 1,886 yards and 11 TDs in ten games.  David Murray covers the Mississippi State Bulldogs for 2-4-7 sports and says Van Buren throws a nice deep ball…

Cut 13 (13)  “…five-eleven.”

At the Prep Classic in New Orleans today, Edna Karr will go after its seventh state championship when they face Alexandria Senior High in the Division One select state championship game. The Cougars are undefeated and Coach Brice Brown says his team does a lot of things well…

Cut 9 (13)  “…(laughs),”

It’s Alexandria’s very first state championship game.  Meanwhile Ruston looks to defend its state title against Central.

Archbishop Shaw beat ED White yesterday for the Eagles first state championship since 1987.  In game two, Catholic High of New Iberia held off a strong fourth quarter rally by Dunham to beat the Tigers 31 to 28. And in the nightcap, Ceclia scored a late touchdown to beat Franklinton 35 to 32.

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The FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act, co-authored by Baton Rouge Republican Congressmen Garret Graves has been approved by the house.  Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Meanwhile the anti hazing bill co-authored by Senator Bill Cassidy is on the President’s desk now.  It requires college campuses to post all instances in which an organization has been found guilty of hazing and establishes a hazing education and prevention program.

Cut 4 (13) “…that have violated.”