If you’re hitting the road for Thanksgiving, AAA says it’s expected to be the third busiest travel period on record since 2000. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Once again this year, Louisiana will have its Celebration Gator float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Tickets for the 49th Annual Bayou Classic are selling fast bringing many fans to the City of New Orleans Whitney Thomas tells that story..
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas”
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According to AAA, just under 55 million people will travel for the Thanksgiving holidays, either by plane, train, or automobile but the majority will be on the road. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says that’s up 2 percent from last year.
Cut 4 (07) “…busy time. ”
Redman estimates just under 49 million motorists will be traveling in the US for Thanksgiving, and he says to expect about 5 million of them to be in the Louisiana region which includes Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. So if you’re driving to grandmother’s today…
Cut 5 (03) “…8 o’clock in the morning.”
Or wait until after 8 PM, he says the hours of 11 AM to 8 PM are the worst hours to travel by car.
If you’re traveling by air, arrive at the airport two hours early and pack a change of clothes and any medicines in your carry-on in case your flight is delayed.
Redman says if you’re driving for a long distance, take a break every couple of hours to walk around to prevent road fatigue.
Cut 6 (11) “…every two hours.”
And because chances are you’ll get stuck in traffic for prolonged periods Redman says never let your fuel get below a quarter of a tank.
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For the second year in a row, Louisiana will be on display to the world this week, as part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Lt. Governor Bill Nungesser says the 60-foot Celebration Gator is a huge and elaborate animated float…:
Cut 7 (08) “…represent Louisiana.”
The Celebration Gator from Louisiana appeared in the Macy’s parade last year, and also had a Feed Your Soul float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. Nungesser says it’s a great way to get people thinking about visiting Louisiana…:
Cut 8 (08) “…is incredible.”
The Celebration Gator float will feature New Orleans’ own Trombone Shorty and a host of Louisiana good will ambassadors. Nungesser says this is the 2nd of 3-year agreement for Louisiana to be in the parade. He said any float from HAD to have a “wow factor”…:
Cut 9 (09) “…of this gator.”
You can watch the parade on your local NBC station, starting at 8 am Thanksgiving Day.
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As folks are preparing for their Thanksgiving feast, there are some tips to make sure you don’t overdo it when it comes to overeating. LSU AgCenter Registered Dietitian Jennifer Duhon says when fixing your plate make sure at least half of your plate is fruits and vegetables.
Cut 10 (07) “…decrease those calories”
And with plenty of delicious food to consume, Duhon says to go easy on the sauces…
Cut 11 (10) “…sodium as well.”
One way to cut calories is it use plan-Greek yogurt as a replacement for those cream-based recipes. And instead of having everything on the buffet, Duhon says to choose two to three of your all-time favorites.
Cut 12 (09) “…calorie options.”
And another way to spend time with the family is to take a few walks around the block before or after your meal and monitor your steps while you’re out shopping on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
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The 49th Annual Bayou Classic is this weekend and President and CEO of New Orleans Convention Company, Inc. Dottie Belletto says more than 200,000 people will travel to New Orleans for the weekend and more than 50,000 – 60,000 people will attend the Bayou Classic game and events.
Cut 13 (12) “…the billions.”
Traditionally fans expect The Battle of the Bands, Fan festival, and a Classic parade, but this year Belletto says they are kicking it up a notch by giving out scholarships and hosting different new events that cater to the students and are free to the public.
Cut 14 (14) “…inspirational speakers ..”
Tickets for the 49th Annual Bayou classic can be purchased at www.mybayouclassic.com, Ticketmaster, and the New Orleans Arena Box Office. Kick-off is at 1 PM.
Grambling State, who has a losing record, is playing for bragging rights, but a win for Southern and they will play in the SWAC Championship game against Jackson State. First year Jaguars coach Eric Dooley was a wide receiver at Grambling and knows what this rivalry is all about…
Cut 15 (12) “.opposite shirts..”
The Bayou Classic rivalry is tied at 24 since the series began in 1974.
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ULM closes out the season on Saturday by hosting Southern Miss at Malone Stadium. The Warhawks are four and seven and Coach Terry Bowden says a win on Saturday will give them one more victory than they had last season…
Cut 16 (20) “…football game ever.”
The Golden Eagles will come to Monroe on a three-game losing streak. They are one win away from becoming bowl eligible. Bowden says he’s impressed with Southern Miss and how they do not give away points…
Cut 17 (15) “…well coached”
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The Saints will return to the practice field today to prepare for Sunday’s game at San Francisco. The 49ers have won three in a row and Coach Dennis Allen says they are a physical team…
Cut 18 (18) “…extremely hard.”
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Texas A-and-M does not have much to play for when the Tigers visit the Aggies on Saturday. But last week Aggies wide receiver Jalen Preston said he’s looking forward to ruining LSU’s chances of getting into the college football playoff. LSU Coach Brian Kelly says he’s not paying attention the possible bulletin board material…
Cut 19 (25) “…on that”
Texas A-and-M Coach Jimbo Fisher says he’s been impressed by the play of Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels…
Cut 20 (17) “…critical moments”