Holiday shopping is expected to increase in Louisiana. That’s the view of LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice who says households have largely recovered from the 2016 floods and the state’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since 2008…
Cut 13 (11) “intend too.”
The National Retail Federation says they are anticipating a 3-percent increase in shopping over last year.

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson, who has served in the state legislature for 40 years, will undergo surgery next month for prostate cancer. Thompson says he’s never spent a night in the hospital, even when he was born…
cut 3 (09) “…for me”
The 76-year-old Thompson says an MRI discovered the cancer and he’s hoping for a quick recovery.

State Police say they are increasing patrols along our state’s highways during this Thanksgiving holiday. Their main focus is cracking down on impaired driving and making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled up. Sergeant James Anderson says their message is simple, buckle up, every trip, every time….
cut 6 (11) “…seat belt”
Last Thanksgiving Holiday period, 10 people died and over seven-hundred were injured in crashes in Louisiana.

Ben Hanson in Calhoun is putting the finishing touches on his Candy Cane Lane, which is a one-million Christmas light display in Ouachita Parish. Hanson says this year is just a start…
cut 11 (08) “…live entertainment”
The mile-long, drive-through Christmas park will open to visitors on Thursday.

Saints defensive end Alex Okafor will miss the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over Washington. The 26-year-old Okafor has four and a half sacks and Coach Sean Payton says losing him is a difficult loss. Okafor’s injury means Trey Hendrickson will get more playing time. Here’s what Payton had to say about the rookie from Florida Atlantic…

Cut 18 (18) “…his play”

Last night in the NFL, Atlanta held on for a 34-31 win in Seattle. So in the NFC South, New Orleans leads Carolina by one game and they are ahead by two games over Atlanta. The Saints are at the Rams this Sunday.

Just one more regular season game left for LSU, as the Tigers are set to host Texas A-and-M on Saturday. LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron calls the Aggies a strong SEC opponent…

Cut 16 (14) “…this week”

LSU beat Texas A-and-M 54-39 last season in College Station.

Northwestern State has promoted defensive coordinator Brad Laird to be the Demons next head coach.

In basketball…despite a triple-double from Russell Westbrook, the Pelicans beat Oklahoma City 114-107 as Anthony Davis had 36 points and 15 rebounds. DeMarcus Cousins was ejected after swinging an elbow at Westbrook.

In Hawaii, LSU rallied from nine down to beat Michigan 77-75, freshman Tremont Waters had 21 points, while the Ragin Cajuns beat Iowa 80-71 in the Cayman Islands.

Black public school students in Louisiana are more likely to be suspended than white students according to a study done by the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans. Researcher Nathan Barrett says they also found that punishments resulting from fights between a black student and white student are different…
cut 9 (10) “…day difference”

There’s been an increase in opioid abuse in Louisaina, but the Louisiana Orthopedic Specialists in Lafayette, says they are peforming a post-surgical procedure that leads to quicker recovery times and the patients are not as dependenant on oral painkillers for relief…
cut 7 (11) “….60-percdent”
Doctor Judson Penton says they are using a specially designed disposable pump to deliver the medication.

Prices are the lowest they have been in a few years for Thanksgiving dinner….
Voicer 5 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray

A north Louisiana chef who was named the 2016 Louisiana Seafood King has been arrested on a stalking charge. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glen Springfield says 35-year-old William Blake Phillips called and texted the victim 54 times and then went to her house….
cut 3 (07) “…the complianant”
The arrest affidavit says Phillips denies some of the accusations.

A report finds that black students in Louisiana public schools are twice as likely as white students to face suspensions. The study also finds low-income students are likely to face longer suspension than non low-income children. Researcher Nathan Barrett hopes school officials look at the report to reduce discipline disparities based on race and income…
cut 10 (09) “….of school”

A well known north Louisiana chef was arrested after allegedly stalking a woman by calling and texting her 54 times, and showing up at her house. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Glen Springfield says 35-year-old William Blake Phillips was asked several times to quit calling. Phillips denies the allegation of showing up at her house…
Cut 4 (11) “the residence.”
Phillips was named the 2016 Louisiana Seafood King.

Orthopedic specialists in Louisiana say they are using a post surgical procedure to decrease the need for oral painkillers. Doctor Judson Penton, who practices in Lafayette at Louisiana Orthopedic Specialists, says they insert small disposable pain pumps near the incision site next to the nerves in the surgical area. He says the pumps are portable and will only administer an amount of medication approved by a physician…
cut 6 (08) “…throughout the state”
Penton says they’ve seen patients have quicker recovery times and they were not dependent on opioids for relief.

Today in Atlanta, the Georgia Dome was imploded after 25 years in existence. Meanwhile, the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans continues to be one of the top entertainment venues in the country. Alan Freeman, General Manager of the Dome, says when the facility was built, the architects took a long range view.
Cut 11 (10) “practical”

According to the American Farm Bureau, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner is a little cheaper than a year ago. Neil Melancon says the price for a turkey is lower, because of a large surplus of frozen birds…
cut 30 (10) “…that stuff out”
The American Farm Bureau Marketbasket survey estimates it will cost $43.27 on average for a turkey and 15 other items that make up a Thanksgiving feast. That’s three dollars lower than a year ago.

Newly elected State Treasurer John Schroder plans to serve as a fiscal hawk while serving the remainder of John Kennedy’s term as the state’s banker. Schroder says he’ll work with the state legislature and Governor Edwards to come up with a fiscally responsible budget…
cut 27 (10) “…of Louisiana”

Louisiana orthopedic specialists are practicing a method to reduce the need for oral painkillers after surgery…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A well known north Louisiana chef was arrested after allegedly stalking a woman by calling and texting her 54 times. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Glen Springfield says 35-year-old William Blake Phillips was asked several times to quit calling. However the woman claims Phillips went a step farther…
Cut 3 (07) “the complainant.”
Springfield says Phillips, who was the 2016 Louisiana Seafood King, has denied some of the allegations.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation has found the average price for a 16-item Thanksgiving dinner cooked at home should cost about 43-dollars, which is three-dollars cheaper than a year ago. Neil Melancon says turkeys are cheaper this year and that should cost you around 13-dollars…
cut 11 (08) “…dollar range”
Newly elected State Treasurer John Schroder plans to serve as a fiscal hawk while serving the remainder of John Kennedy’s term as the state’s banker. Schroder says he’ll work with the state legislature and Governor Edwards to come up with a fiscally responsible budget…
cut 7 (10) “…of Louisiana”
Schroder defeated Democrat Derrick Edwards this past weekend in a runoff election.

What a victory for the Saints yesterday to improve to 8-and-2 on the season. New Orleans rallied from 15 down to tie it and then they won it overtime over the Redskins. The Saints success on the field is great news for those who sell Black and Gold merchandise…
cut 13 (10) “…it gets”
That’s Pat Randazza with Purple and Gold Sports and Black and Gold sports in Baton Rouge.

Republican John Schroder has been elected as the new state treasurer. Emelie Gunn on Schroder’s plans…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Saints won their eighth consecutive game yesterday a memorable victory over the Redskins in overtime. Their good play on the field, should lead to good holiday sales for those who sell Saints merchandise. Pat Randazza says jersey sales are hot at her store and so are…
cut 15 (08) “…automobile with”

High School students involved with the F-F-A can now receive a 500-dollar scholarship to attend a community college or technical schoool….
cut 5 (09) “…the award”
That’s Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Monty Sullivan.

The American Farm Bureau Marketbasket survey has found that the average price for a 16-item Thanksgiving Dinner is $43.27, which is three dollars lower than a year ago. Neil Melancon with the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, says the cost of a turkey is cheaper this year and you can pay less for locally grown items….
cut 12 (07) “…four cents”
Melancon says a frozen, self-basting young tom turkey should cost around 13-dollars.

Republican John Schroder has been elected to serve as the state’s treasurer for the next two years. Schorder beat Democrat Derrick Edwards in a race that saw a turnout of just 13-percent of registered voters. The Covington businessman says he plans to remain a budget hawk, as he’s did when he served in the state legislature for a decade…
cut 8 (09) “…get done”

What a victory for the Saints in the Superdome yesterday to improve to 8-and-2 on the season. New Orleans rallied from 15 down to tie it and then they won it overtime over the Redskins. The Saints success on the field is great news for those who sell Black and Gold merchandise…
cut 13 (10) “…it gets”
That’s Pat Randazza with Purple and Gold Sports and Black and Gold sports in Baton Rouge.

A chef who was named the 2016 Louisiana Seafood King has been arrested for stalking a woman. Ouachita Parish authorities say 35-year-old William Blake Phillips texted and called a woman a total of 54 times, showed up at her home several times and also threatened to kill her. An affidavit says Phillips told investigators he contacted the woman, but went to her home.

High school students who are in good standing with the FFA now have an opportunity to get a college scholarship. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern.”