The 44th Bayou Classic is tomorrow in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, as Grambling State takes on Southern. Media Director for the Bayou Classic Angela Young says there are some great events today like the BizTech Challenge at the Hyatt Regency and then the famous Battle of the Bands tonight in the Dome
cut 6 (10) “….Sheryl Underwood”
The winner of the football game will play in the SWAC Championship.

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday and a National Federation of Independent Business survey found 82-percent of respondents plan to shop and eat at a small independently owned business. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says Small Business Saturday is gaining in popularity…
cut 10 (08) “…previous year”
An estimated 93-thousand jobs are a result of small businesses in Louisiana.
Sexual harassment allegations have made their way into the governor’s office as Deputy Chief of Staff for Programming and Planning, Johnny Anderson, has resigned because he’s accused of sexual harassment. The governor’s office says they were made aware of the allegations on Tuesday, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards neglected to say anything on his call-in radio show on Wednesday…
cut 5 (09) “…he didn’t”
Pinsonat expects political action committees will remind voters about this incident when Edwards runs for re-election in two years.

Sasol says it is no longer economical to construct a 15-billion dollar gas-to-liquids plant in the Lake Charles area, because of the low price of oil and volatile marketplace. The project was announced in 2012 when the price of oil was well above 90-dollars a barrel. Sasol still plans on finishing its 11-billion dollar ethane cracker complex, which is about 80-percent done.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses expect 82 percent of those surveyed will participate in Small Business Saturday tomorrow. The special shopping day was created in a joint partnership by American Express and the NFIB. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says shopping small businesses is a great way to keep your dollars in your community…
Cut 9 (08) “corporate headquarters.”
BlackFriday.com surveyed Louisiana residents to see what shopping trends they are most interested in this holiday season…
voicer 1 (30) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

For many this weekend, they’ll be busy putting up the outside Christmas decorations. For some it’s a big chore, but Doctor Michelle Moore with LSU Health New Orleans says studies show it can actually help improve your mood…
cut 30 (09) “…house happen”

Sasol says it is no longer economical to build a 15-billion dollar gas-to-liquids plant in the Lake Charles area, because of the low price of oil and volatile marketplace. The project was announced in 2012 when the price of oil was well above 90-dollars a barrel. Sasol still plans on finishing its 11-billion dollar ethane cracker complex, which is about 80-percent done.

For many this weekend, they’ll busy putting up the outside Christmas decorations. For some it’s a big chore, but Doctor Michelle Moore with LSU Health New Orleans says studies show it can actually help improve your mood…
cut 10 (09) “…house happen”
Moore says the outside decorations can also help bring neighbors together and bring back happy childhood memories.

It’s the biggest shopping day of the year, but unfortunately there will be some who will take advantage of the craziness by stealing recently purchased gifts. Lt. Brennan Matherne, with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office, says it’s important to remain vigilant of your surroundings and to do that minimize distractions…
cut 13 (09) “…your vehicle”

Some will choose to just shop online. Carson Yarbrough with Black-Friday-dot-com says there’s a certain holiday perk that most Louisiana consumers will definitiely take advantage….
cut 5 (10) “…advantage of”
Yarbrough says the top-desired products for Louisiana shoppers on Black Friday is clothing, followed by tablets, laptops, computers and T-Vs.

It’s the biggest shopping day of the year as many stores are offering deep discounts. Internet sales are also expected to be big today and Lt. Brennan Matherne with the LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office says when shopping on the internet, make sure the site is secured….
cut 14 (11) “…online purchases”

A survey from BlackFriday.com finds 68-percent of Louisiana shoppers will check Amazon before looking or buying somewhere, which is higher than the national percentage of 55-percent. And retail analyst Carson Yarbrough says Bayou State buyers are not big on jewelry this year…
cut 4 (10) “…house gadgets”
Yarbrough says free shipping is also the most popular holiday perk.

Almost half of U-S adults are considered to have high blood pressure as a result of updated guidelines that have been approved on what constitutes hypertension. Tulane epidemiology professor Doctor Paul Whelton led a team that redefined the blood pressure guidelines and says it’s his hope that adults will talk with their doctor about the new guidelines, to see if lifestyle changes or medication is needed…
cut 8 (08) “…adult population”

Some say putting up outside Christmas decorations is a pain, but pyschologist, Doctor Michelle Moore with LSU Health New Orleans, says their are studies that show the hanging of outside lights can help bring back happy childhood memories. She says outside decorations can also help bring neighbors together…
cut 11 (06) “…the holiday”

A new survey from BlackFriday.com shows Louisiana shoppers actually prefer buying online for Cyber Monday rather than fighting the crowds on Friday. But Retail Expert Carson Yarbrough says over 60-percent of consumers in the Bayou State still plan to catch some deals in stores today.
Cut 3 (10) “Black Friday”
Yarbrough says the survey also finds that more than 68-percent of Louisiana shoppers will check Amazon before looking or buying somewhere.

The holiday shopping season unfortunately attracts criminals. Lt. Brennan Matherne, with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office, says be smart about parking, as you should park in well-lit, well-traveled areas and keep purchases out of sight…
Cut 12 (10) “multiple stores”
He says when shopping on the internet, be sure to make secure online transactions.

A sexual harassment claim has resulted in the resignation of an aide to Governor John Bel Edwards. Johnny Anderson resigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Programming and Planning. Anderson told the Advocate he’s innocent, but decided to step down, so he’s not a distraction. Anderson was accused of harassment in 2007 by two Southern University employees while he served as chair of the Board of Supervisors.

New guidelines are in place for what constitutes hypertension and so now almost half of U-S adults are considered to have high blood pressure. Tulane epidemiology professor Doctor Paul Whelton led the team that redefined the blood pressure guidelines and the goal is to help patients more accurately understand the consequeences of high blood pressure, so they can addres it sooner…
cut 7 (08) “….approaches”

18th ranked LSU wraps up the regular season on Saturday when they host Texas A-and-M. Twenty seniors will play their final home game in an LSU uniform. Defensive lineman Christian LaCouture is one of those players
Cut 15 (10) “on A&M”
A win and LSU can finish 6-and-2 in the SEC for the first time since 2012.

The Saints will look to improve to 9-and-2 on the season when they visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Both teams lead their respective divisions. And both teams are dealing with injuries at the cornerback position. Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley did not practice for the Saints yesterday and Kayvon Webster and Nickell Robey-Coleman were both injured in the Rams loss to the Vikings last week. Kick-off from L-A on Sunday is at 3:25.

Louisiana Tech closes out the regular season on Saturday with a home game against U-T-S-A, who has a 6-and-4 record. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says the Roadrunners are outstanding on defense, which keeps them in every game…
Cut 17 (13) “being undefeated”
The Bulldogs need a win in order to be eligible for a bowl game for a fourth straight season.

It’s a 4:00 kick-off at Cajun Field on Saturday as the Ragin Cajuns host Georgia Southern. A win and U-L Lafayette moves to 6-5. ULM hosts Arkansas State. Saturday night in Ruston it’s Louisiana Tech versus UTSA. Tulane has an early 11 AM kick-off on Saturday at SMU and Saturday at 4 PM it’s the Bayou Classic as Grambling faces Southern. And there’s an F-C-S playoff game in Thibodaux as Nicholls hosts South Dakota.

BlackFriday.com surveyed Louisiana residents to see what shopping trends they are most interested in this holiday season…
voicer 1 (30) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU closes out its regular season tomorrow against Texas A-and-M. It will be senior day as 20 seniors will play their final game in Tiger Stadium. Defensive lineman Christian LaCouture is one of them…
cut 15 (10) “….on A-and-M”

Almost half of U-S adults are considered to have high blood pressure as a result of updated guidelines for what constitutes hypertension. Tulane epidemiology professor Doctor Paul Whelton led the team that redefined the blood pressure guidelines and his hope is that it leads to lifestyle changes for some patients…
Cut 6 (09) “in take
Previously, about one-third of Americans were estimated to have hypertension, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Can decorating your home for Christmas improve your mood? Psychologist with LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Michelle Moore says studies show it actually can. She says putting up lights or decorating your Christmas tree brings back happy childhood memories and typically gives people a better demeanor.
Cut 9 (09) “their life”

Johnny Anderson is out as Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Planning in the governor’s office over allegations of sexual harrassment. Deputy Chief of Staff Richrd Carbo says Anderson resigned within 24 hours of the allegations coming to the surface and the investigation continues.

A Caddo Parish man is back with his family after he was detained by Guatemalan authorities in March. Emelie Gunn has the story…
Voicer 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

In some cases, Black Friday starts today, as dozens of stores will open to kick off the holiday shopping season. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says brick and mortar stores are feeling the pinch due to increasing internet sales, but they are putting up a fight…
Cut 7 (08) “late October.”

It’s also time to buy that fresh Christmas tree. Gray Anderson of Grant Christmas Tree Farm and Syrup Mill in Allen Parish says keep the tree well moisturized once you get it home…
cut 10 (11) “…after Christmas”

It was a cold start to the morning. A record low was set at Alexandria International Airport as the thermometer hit 27-degrees, breaking the record of 28-degrees set in 1898.

A member of the governor’s staff has resigned over sexual harassment allegations. LaPolitics was the first to report that Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Planning Johnny Anderson resigned from the governor’s office soon after the allegations became known.

Governor Edwards held his monthly call-in radio show yesterday and did not say about Anderson, but did say he’s surprised by the numerous allegations made in recent weeks against individuals in politics, entertainment and television journalist and talk show host Charlie Rose…
cut 15 (12) “…a person”
Anderson has been accused of sexual harrassment in the past. WAFB-TV reported several years ago that Anderson was accused of sexual harassment of female employees at Southern University when he was the chairman of the Southern University Board of Supervisors.

A tree from one of Louisiana’s Christmas Tree farms may cost a little more this year. Kevin Steele of Steele’s Christmas Tree Farms in Washington Parish says that’s because fewer trees were planted when the economy went through the Great Recession and so now there’s fewer trees available…
cut 11 (11) “…they closed”
Steele says now that the economy has improved, the demand for trees is up.

The food delivery app Waitr has delivered hundreds of hot Thanksgiving meals to needy families this week. Director of new market growth Whitney Savoie says a good portion of the meals were paid for by their customers, who had the ability to donate money when making an order….
cut 6 (07) “…our customers”
Savoie says several participating restaurants also helped by providing food.