Black Friday may not have the same look this year, but it will still be the busiest shopping day of the year. Jeff Palermo has what you need to know.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Thanksgiving has come and gone, and that can mean only one thing — Christmas is right around the corner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The SEC’s most eligible bachelor will hand out his final rose tomorrow. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Black Friday spending is expected to be up 4-percent from last year, but individual budgets have reportedly decreased. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says higher prices and numbers of shoppers could be driving up the numbers.

Cut 4 (08) “…to spend.”

The Black Friday deals also may not be the door busters you’re used to. Rice says just because something is on sale doesn’t make it a good deal and expect those discounts to be a little smaller this year.

Cut 5 (07) “…years past.”

Consumer sentiment is shifting away from in person shopping, and only 11-percent of shoppers are more interested in Black Friday shopping this year than years past. Despite all the negative trends Rice says today will still easily be the busiest shopping day of the year.

Cut 6 (11) “…people shopping.”

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Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday began in 2010 to help local shops and restaurants bring in more customers after the Great Recession. NFIB state director Leah Long says last year, shoppers spent an estimated 22 billion dollars at locally owned businesses nationwide and that’s great for the local economy…

Cut 7 (05) “…in the community.”

Long says this support means more than ever as many small business owners are dealing higher interest rates and other factors…

Cut 8 (11) “…spent this year.”

Long says the Big Beautiful Bill signed by President Trump this summer made the 20-percent Small Business Deduction permanent and that was a big relief for small business owners. But she says NFIB’s latest survey shows small business optimism has slipped as owners grow more cautious about the months ahead…

Cut 9 (10)  “…small businesses.”

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Thanksgiving has come and gone and the tryptophan has worn off, so that can mean one thing — stores will be packed with Christmas shoppers. But you won’t find these people roaming the aisles hunting for doorbuster bargains.

Cut 10 (07) “…Fortnite.”

For some, Christmas shopping can be a real hassle

Cut 11 (07) “..because she’s crazy.”

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The winner of the Lane Kiffin Sweepstakes will be announced tomorrow as the Ole Miss Head coach takes the podium to reveal his decision. LSU, Florida, and Ole Miss have been the three destinations to watch but ESPN Baton Rouge’s Matt Moscona says it may be down to a two-horse race.

Cut 12 (12) “…sort of conceded.”

Moscona believes relations in Oxford may have soured enough to prevent Kiffin’s return.

Kiffin has been the obvious number one candidate for the Tigers since firing head coach Brian Kelly. Last week Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported LSU offered him a 7-year $90 million contract with a promise to invest at least $25 million into his roster each year. Moscona says there’s no such thing as a sure thing in coaching searches.

Cut 13 (12)  “…over the years.”

If Kiffin decides against coming to Baton Rouge, Moscona says things get a little more hazy. He says LSU’s first target would have been Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, but support for his call to Baton Rouge has dwindled.

Cut 14 (13) “…Blake Baker.”

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LSU will close out the season at 8th-ranked Oklahoma tomorrow. Despite a disappointing season, the Tigers are looking to play spoiler for a new SEC rival on the edge of the College Football Playoffs. Linebacker Whit Weeks says the first step will be dealing with experienced Sooners quarterback John Mateer.

Cut 15 (10) “…stop him.”

Weeks has been sidelined much of the second half of the season with what he just revealed was a broken ankle, not the bone bruise initially reported. Weeks says he broke the ankle in the week 5 loss to Ole Miss. He returned in a limited capacity last week and says the pain won’t stop him from taking the field against a top ten team.

Cut 16 (10) “…worst games.”

The regular season finale will give the Tigers a chance to reach eight wins this season, the lowest mark for LSU since 2021. Weeks, though, says a bad record won’t stop the Tigers from giving their best each and every week.

Cut 17 (13)  “…get a victory.”

Kickoff is at 2:30.

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Louisiana Tech will close out the season at Missouri State tomorrow. The Bulldogs already clinched a bowl appearance, but head coach Sonny Cumbie says his team still has a lot to play for. LA Tech is just 1-and-4 on the road this season, and he says this is their last chance to play road spoiler.

Cut 18 (18)  “…on the road.”

The Bulldogs have been led by their dominant defense all season, but they gave up nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to Liberty last week. Missouri State and running back Shomari Lawrence have another potent rushing attack they’ll need to stop.

Cut 19 (19) “…answers defensively.”

Kickoff is at 1:00.

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Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo spoke to WWL’s Mike Detillier about the Lions’ outstanding season and FCS playoff matchup with Illinois State tomorrow. The 9-and-3 lions are led by a dominant defense featuring lineman and Southland Conference Player of the Year Kaleb Proctor and Southland Defensive Player of the Year linebacker KK Reno. Scelfo says this is a special team.

Cut 20 (14) “…part of this.”

Kickoff in Strawberry Stadium is at noon. The winner between the Lions and Cardinals will head to North Dakota State to face the top-seeded Bison.

Tomorrow is the biggest shopping day of the year. Kace Kieschnick has some tips from WalletHub

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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It’s Thanksgiving, and our own Andrew Greenstein got some opinions from some people on their impressions of the holiday.

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The Louisiana High School football quarterfinals are on Friday night, and Andre Champagne has more on what is expected to be a top matchup in Division 4 select…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Black Friday deals have already arrived to many stores, and WalletHub’s recent holiday shopping studies have revealed not all discounts are created equally. Analyst Chip Lupo says JCPenney, Belk, and Kohl’s rank as this year’s best Black Friday destinations with an average discount of at least 45-percent.

Cut 4 (06) “…biggest discounts.”

Lupo warned that discounts this year may not be as potent as they seem. Some retailers will raise prices before discounting them while prices on other items like many electronics have increased due to tariffs and a lackluster economy. Lupo says it’s important shoppers do their homework.

Cut 5 (11) “…favorite retailer.”

Despite higher prices, Lupo still expects to see a lot of spending this holiday season. He says this is the time of year budgets tend to go out the window and wallets get thinned quickly.

Cut 6 (10) “…specific item.”

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Thanksgiving is a holiday of traditions. This man looks forward to seeing siblings he doesn’t get to spend a whole lot of time with these days.

Cut 7 (07) “…time with them.”

Family time is a Thanksgiving tradition for this man too.

Cut 8 (09) “…with the family”

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A classic Louisiana holiday favorite for the holiday is oyster dressing. It’s just like corn bread dressing, but way more unique as it features fresh domestic oysters, tasty herbs, vegetables, bread crumbs and seasonings. Chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, Mitch Jurisich, says the holidays and the cool weather lead to an increase oyster sales…

Cut 9 (08)  “…oyster dressing.”

Jurisich says if you’ve never had oyster dressing, you do not know what you’re missing. He says most people who try it, want it to be a holiday staple…

Cut 10 (08) “…oyster dressing.”

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It’s Bayou Classic weekend in New Orleans as Southern University will face Grambling State on Saturday in the Caesars Superdome. The event is more than just a football game as there are several activities surrounding the matchup of the two HBCU Schools. Dottie Belleto with the Bayou Classic says tomorrow two student teams each from Southern and Grambling will compete each other as they present innovative business concepts…

Cut 11 (12) “…the public.”

Beletto says a Black Small Business showcase will also take place from 10:30 AM to 4 PM at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans…

Cut 12 (14) “…they provide.”

The game between Southern and Grambling will kick off at 1 PM on Saturday. Beletto says the Bayou Classic Fan Festival will begin four hours before game time..

Cut 13 (12)  “…local arists.”

More than 200-thousand people come to New Orleans for the Bayou Classic weekend.

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The Louisiana High School Football quarterfinals are tomorrow night. Today, we look at the select matchups. LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett says the most intriguing matchup in Division 1 is between Catholic and Alexandria. Verrett says the winner could face top-seeded Edna Karr.

Cut 14 (09) “…against Edna Karr.”

In Division II, the defending state champion Archbishop Shaw Eagles travel to Shreveport to face the Loyola Prep Flyers. Verrett says Loyola Prep has a dangerous pass attack, but believes the Eagles’ secondary could cause problems for junior quarterback Bryce Restovich and his offense.

Cut 15 (08) “…up there.”

In Division III, the top-seeded Lafayette Christian Academy Knights will host Catholic High of New Iberia, who are the defending state champions. Verrett says Catholic has had a great year, but he thinks the end of the road is near for the Bears.

Cut 16 (10) “…worst games.”

A national college football reporter is reporting it’s looking more likely that Lane Kiffin ends up at LSU. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The holiday season is here, and that means turkey, mistletoe – and the flu. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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College football writer Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports says the signs are pointing toward Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss and heading to LSU. But Dellenger says there are no guarantees Kiffin will be the next head coach at LSU…

Cut 3 (10) “…Lane Kiffin.”

Dellenger reports Florida officials have started to pursue other candidates and Ole Miss administrators have begun to reach out to potential replacement coaches.

Kiffin has been at Ole Miss for six seasons, winning 10 or more games in four of those seasons. This year, he has the Rebels on the cusp of making the College Football playoffs. Dellenger says he spoke with Kiffin two weeks ago and Kiffin said he loves it in Oxford, but it’s also believed he wants to coach for a Blue Blood…

Cut 4 (10) “…that was torn.”

Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said last week a decision on Kiffin’s coaching future will be announced on Saturday. Dellenger says if Kiffin does not sign a contract extension with the Rebels, he’ll likely be suspended or placed on leave, which will result in Kiffin leaving Oxford…

Cut 5 (05) “…for him.”

Kiffin’s record at Ole Miss is 54-and-19.

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With Thanksgiving being one of the worst times of the year for serious crashes, State Police remind you to make an extra effort to drive safely. You hear it time and time again – don’t drive distracted. Trooper Ryan Davis says not only does that mean putting down your cell phone and removing your focus from your infotainment system, but that also includes making sure your kids are on their best behavior.

Cut 6 (14) “…duty of driving.”

It should be common knowledge by now that speed kills. But Davis also reminds you that the roads are not to be treated as NASCAR racetracks – do not follow the vehicle in front of you too closely!

Cut 7 (10) “…stop in time.”

And as always, never take the wheel after you’ve had too much to drink. Davis says if you plan on having a good time – perhaps TOO good of a time – have a plan beforehand.

Cut 8 (08) “…a great option.”

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With the holidays upon us, that means flu activity is ramping up. Dr. Julio Figueroa with LSU Health New Orleans says Louisiana has some of the highest prevalence of flu in the country right now.

Cut 9 (10)  “…our surrounding states.”

Dr. Figueroa says if you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms, the very best thing you can do is to stay home and to stay away from people who are susceptible to illness.

Cut 10 (10) “…individuals as well.”

Figueroa says your very best defense against the flu is to get vaccinated – and it’s not too late to get your flu shot.

Cut 11 (10) “…January and February.”

Figueroa points out that this year’s H-3 strain of the virus has a slightly different variant than what’s in the vaccine, although the extent of the mismatch is unclear at this time. The vaccine, however, will protect against all other strains currently circulating.

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. taps Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham to be the new principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s the number-two job at the agency. Mark Ballard, the Washington, DC, correspondent for The Advocate, says the move solidifies the CDC’s newly-found skepticism on vaccines.

Cut 12 (09) “…and his thoughts.”

During his time as the state’s first surgeon general, Abraham worked to end the promotion of vaccination clinics in the state. Ballard says Abraham will use his new role to take that mission national.

Cut 13 (12)  “…a national level.”

During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy assured Senator Bill Cassidy that he would not push any conspiracies on connections between vaccines and autism. This month, the CDC’s website was altered to say that the notion that vaccines do not cause autism is not based on evidence, despite scores of clinical studies proving otherwise.