LRN AM Newscall November 28

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.”

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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.”

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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.”

Lupo says surprisingly, electronics aren’t being discounted this year as much as he would expect.

Cut 4 (09) “…Black Friday.”

Lupo says the most discounted items this year are jewelry and appliances.

Cut 5 (14) “…JC Penny’s for example.” 

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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.”

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.”

With the 2024 Hurricane season ending, Klotzbach says next year’s forecast won’t be out until next April, but 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.”

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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.”

Vermilion Catholic hosts St. Edmund tomorrow night in what is expected to be a high scoring game.

Franklin Parish is in the quarterfinals for the first time in school history and the Patriots will host Iowa. Brecheen says Franklin Parish will be tough to beat

Cut 10 (07) “…talent now.”

Brecheen says one of the best quarterfinal matchups will take place in Stonewall as Cecilia will visit North Desoto

Cut 11 (12) “…the game.”

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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.”

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.

17:30 LRN Newscast

Today is the busiest travel day of the year and Louisiana’s airports were packed with travelers. At Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, this woman said the airport has greatly improved the screening process.

Cut 12 (06) “…this time.”

Expect big crowds again on Sunday.

LSU football’s final regular season game is Saturday as the Tigers will honor 21 seniors before their game against Oklahoma. Linebacker Greg Penn says he’ll miss wearing the Purple and Gold…

Cut 28 (14) “…I went here”

The Tigers are trying to finish off the regular season with an 8-and-4 record.

The National Federation of Independent Business says the legislation approved in the tax reform special session will help small businesses drive economic growth and create jobs. And NFIB State Director Leah Long says small business owners are grateful the Legislature chose not to expand sales taxes on services currently not taxed.

Cut 11 (11) “…economy with inflation.”

It’s a warm Thanksgiving Eve, but LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front arrives tonight and after it moves through Louisiana tomorrow, temperatures will drop….

Cut 4 (10) “….mild day”

Keim says this front will bring a little bit of rain and then chilly temperatures for the weekend.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints will try to win their third in a row on Sunday when they host a 5-and-6  Los Angeles Rams team. Quarterback Derek Carr says the Rams have a young, hungry defense…

Cut 15 (15) “…moving the front”

Despite the glowing praise from Carr, the Rams rank 26th in the NFL in points allowed and total yards.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball won all three games at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero Florida. Today the Bulldogs defeated Eastern Kentucky 78-69 as Daniel Batcho had 19 points.

The seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team beat NC State 82-65. Mikayla Williams led the way with 24 points. Aneesah Morrow had 20 points and 15 rebounds.

The marquee game in the SEC this Saturday is the Texas-Texas A-and-M matchup in College Station. The winner will face Georgia in the SEC Title game. CBS Sports college football reporter Dennis Dodd says the Aggies can still earn a spot in the College Football Playoff despite three losses…

Cut 17 (21) “….all at the same time”

The four and seven Louisiana Tech football team will look to finish off another disappointing season with a win as they host Kennesaw State. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie says the team wants to finish on a high note…

Cut 20 (15) “…for our guys’

Kick off is at 3 PM.

16:30 LRN Newscast

It’s the busiest travel day of the year. Our own Andrew Greenstein is at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The LSU Tigers are getting ready for their regular season finale this Saturday at home against Oklahoma. Linebacker Greg Penn says the team feels good after snapping its three game losing streak with a win over Vanderbilt last week…

Cut 30 (06) “…right way”

LSU is seeking its eighth win of the season. Kick off is at 6 PM.

It’s warm today, but a cold front will move through the state during the overnight hours and into tomorrow morning, bringing fall like weather to the Bayou State. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the front will also bring us a little bit of rain, but chilly temperatures through the weekend and into early next week is the big story

Cut 3 (09) “…cooler temperatures.”

Keim says if you have outdoor activities Thanksgiving Day, plan on temperatures dropping as the day goes along.

Louisiana small businesses are thankful for what legislators accomplished in the recently completed tax reform special session. NFIB state director Leah Long….

Cut 9 (09) “…here in Louisiana”

Long says a flat 3% individual income tax rate, a flat 5.5 percent corporate income tax rate and the elimination of the franchise tax are all good things.

3:30 LRN Newscast

When traveling this holiday weekend, be sure to wear your seatbelt.  The nationwide “Click It Or Ticket” enforcement period runs through Sunday. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says not wearing a seatbelt can have very dire consequences.

Cut 14 (12) “…wearing a seatbelt.”

Seatbelt violators in Louisiana face a fine of 50-dollars for a first offense.

A cold front will push through the state overnight and into tomorrow night. LSU public health climatologist Barry Keim says there’s only a slight chance of a shower, but we will see cooler temperatures and you should be prepared if your are spending a long time outdoors…

Cut 5 (09) “…out there”

Small businesses support what lawmakers did in the tax reform special session.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Small businesses are gearing up for Small Business Saturday. Bankrate’s Ted Rossman says a recent survey they conducted found that younger shoppers are more into Small Business Saturday…

Cut  8 (13) “….of Boomers

1:30 LRN Newscast

It’s the busiest travel day of the year and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is bustling with activity. Louis Armstrong’s new terminal turned five years old earlier this month and most travelers like it, but one person we spoke with is not happy with the convenience of getting or dropping off a rental car…

Cut 13 (06) “…rental cars”

It’s a warm Thanksgiving Eve, but LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front arrives tonight and after it moves through Louisiana tomorrow, temperatures will drop….

Cut 4 (10) “….mild day”

Keim says this front will bring a little bit of rain and then chilly temperatures for the weekend.

The National Federation of Independent Business says the legislation approved in the tax reform special session will help small businesses drive economic growth and create jobs. NFIB state director Leah Long says the passage of a flat 3% individual income tax rate, a flat 5.5 percent corporate income tax rate and the elimination of the franchise tax will help small businesses.

Cut 10 (10) “…and LLC’s too.”

Long says she’s also glad legislators did no touch the inventory tax credit for unincorporated businesses.

Small businesses are gearing up for Small Business Saturday. Bankrate’s Ted Rossman says a recent survey they conducted found that younger shoppers are more into Small Business Saturday…

Cut  8 (13) “….of Boomers

12:30 LRN Newscast

Small businesses support what lawmakers did in the tax reform special session.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

This Saturday is Small Business Saturday as small businesses will have deals to get holiday shoppers in their stores on Saturday. Bankrate analyst Ted Rossman says their survey shows around half of the country will be buying something over the next few days…

Cut 7 (08) “…Small business Saturday”

It’s warm today, but a cold front will move through the state during the overnight hours and into tomorrow morning, bringing fall like weather to the Bayou State. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the front will also bring us a little bit of rain, but the chilly temperatures through the weekend and into early next week is the big story

Cut 3 (09) “…cooler temperatures.”

Keim says if you have outdoor activities tomorrow, plan on temperatures dropping as the day goes along.

And law enforcement is urging motorists to wear their seat belts over this holiday weekend. It’s a Click it or Ticket It weekend so officers are doubling down on seat belt enforcement. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fisher says if you’re caught not buckled up, it will cost you…

Cut 15 (05) “….75 for consecutive”

Fisher says the Click It or Ticket it campaign aims to promote safety during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

11:30 LRN Newscast

This holiday season, many Americans are tightening their budgets as they face lingering inflation and elevated costs for goods compared to pre-pandemic levels. But Bankrate Analyst Ted Rossman says this weekend will still see a lot of shoppers.

Cut 6 (15) “…it is still growth.”

Bankrate has found that a higher percentage of U-S Adults will shop on Cyper Monday over Small Business Saturday and Black Friday.

Louisiana small businesses are thankful for what legislators accomplished in the recently completed tax reform special session. NFIB state director Leah Long….

Cut 9 (09) “…here in Louisiana”

Long says a flat 3% individual income tax rate, a flat 5.5 percent corporate income tax rate and the elimination of the franchise tax are all good things.

 

When preparing your Thanksgiving feast, be sure to practice proper food safety. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

Grocery stores will be packed today with shoppers getting those last minute items for their Thanksgiving feast. UNO Economics professor Walter Lane on grocery store prices…

Cut 12 (09) “….substantial”

Thanksgiving Eve is usually big a revenue generator for restaurants.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Ranked as the 10th most expensive state for grocery prices, with Louisiana residents spending an average of 283-dollars per week in 2023, compared to the national average of 270-dollars.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Jeff Landry is calling on LSU to censure a law professor over his alleged comments about Donald Trump a day after the election. Professor Nicholas Byner’s comments were directed at students who supported Trump and told them there are black students who feel uncomfortable. Landry says a professor or instructor imposing their politics onto a student is strictly prohibited by state law.

As you prepare your Thanksgiving feast, make sure you’re practicing food safety. By now, you should be thawing your frozen turkey. But Jennifer Duhon, a registered dietician at the LSU Agricultural Center, says if you didn’t give your turkey enough time to completely thaw out, you do have another option.

Cut 4 (13) “…to be cool.”

It’s Bayou Classic weekend in New Orleans as Southern and Grambling meet in their annual showdown on the football field in the Caesars Superdome on Saturday afternoon. Candace Brock with the Bayou Classic says the festivities kick off at three Thursday afternoon with a Thanksgiving parade starting at the Superdome…

Cut 8 (12) “…parade as well”

6:45 LRN sportscast

The Saints are back at work following their bye week as they get ready for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. New Orleans is 4-and-7, and just two games back of Atlanta for first place in the NFC South. But interim head coach Darren Rizzi says his team should not be focused on the standings…

Cut 22 (18) biggest focus”

Saints center Erik McCoy did not practice yesterday after re-injuring his groin in the win over the Browns on November 17th.

The LSU women’s basketball team faces its first ranked opponent of the year today when they take on 20th ranked North Carolina State in the Bahamas. The Lady Tigers are undefeated while N-C State has two losses.

Louisiana Tech men remain undefeated after beating Richmond 65-62. Kaden Cooper had 16 points.

Louisiana Tech will close out its regular season on Saturday by hosting Kennesaw State. The Bulldog are 4-and-7, despite being ranked 22nd in the country in total defense. Last year Tech ranked 110th in total defense. Coach Sonny Cumbie gave his thoughts on the 2024 campaign…

Cut 19 (13) “…whatever reason”

Kick off is at 3 PM.

The latest College Football Playoff rankings are out. Oregon is one, Ohio State is two, Texas is three. Georgia is seven, Tennessee is eight and Alabama is 13th. CBS Sports College Football reporter Dennis Dodd says there’s still a chance for the Crimson Tide to get in the 12 team playoff…

Cut 16 (13) “…years”