LRN AM Newscall November 23

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”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Sixth ranked LSU is getting ready to play a struggling Texas A-and-M team that’s probably anxious for the end of the season. The Aggies are a disappointing four and seven, but Coach Brian Kelly calls A-and-M a very talented team that lacks experience…
cut 18 (19) “….all together”
Texas A-and-M has failed to score more than 30 points against a Power Five opponent this season.

The Saints will face a 49ers team in San Francisco on Sunday that’s won three in a row. San Fran defeated the Cardinals 38-10 last night to improve to six and four.

The Pelicans are now ten and seven after beating Golden State 128-83 last night. The Pels are at San Antonio tomorrow.

UL-Lafayette will visit Texas State after their 49-17 loss to Florida State University last weekend. The Cajuns will need to win their final game of the season for bowl eligibility. Head Coach Michael Desormeaux says the team is treating this game like a playoff game…
Cut 19 (13) “…want to do.”
Cajuns quarterback Ben Woolridge will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, suffered in practice last week. Chandler Fields is back as the starter and he threw for 159 yards and a touchdown against Florida State last Saturday.

Northwestern State announces Brad Laird will be back as head coach of the Demons football program this season. Northwestern went four and two in the Southland this year, the first time they finished league play with a winning record since 2010.

Big upset in the World Cup today as Saudi Arabi defeated Argentina.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll run a poll next month and then announce on January 10th if he’ll run for governor. Attorney General Jeff Landry is running and already has the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party and Senator John Kennedy will make a decision soon. Nungesser says he plans to meet with Kennedy…
cut 14 (09) “…plans are”
Senator Bill Cassidy announced last week he’s not running.

If you are cooking a turkey for Thanskgiving, remember to allow at least one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey if refrigerator thawing. USDA specialist Kenneth King says for those using cold water to thaw their bird, it will take 30 minutes of thawing per pound of turkey and thaw the turkey breast side down and change the water every 30 minutes…
cut 10 (05) “…after thawing”

Flu-like illnesses in Louisiana are at a five-year high according to the C-D-C. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert Doctor Fred Lopez says two-thirds of flu activity is occurring in people younger than 25 years of age. So Lopez advises staying home if sick, washing hands frequently, and getting the flu vaccine…
Cut 11 (09) “…hospitalization.”
Lopez says health officials are concerned about influenza spreading even more with people getting together for Thanksgiving.

If you’re looking for a fresh-cut Christmas tree, they are plentiful in Louisiana this year, that’s according to Kevin Steele of Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Washington Parish. Steele says while growers have faced an increase in supply and fuel costs you’ll save if you buy your tree locally
Cut 6 (07) “…the lots.”
Steele says the dry weather this fall did not affect the Christmas trees ready for sale, because they are most vulnerable as a seedling and we were not in a drought then.

10:30 LRN Newscast

The U-S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says flu-like illness is at a five-year high. Kace Keischnick has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

Sad story out of southwest Louisiana. The body of a missing Lake Charles woman was found inside a submerged vehicle in Bayou d’Inde. 32-year-old Stephany Fong was last seen leaving the Wagin Cajun casino in Sulphur early Saturday morning and then stopped at a nearby gas station.

This Thanksgiving the National Wildlife Federation wants you to know wild turkeys were almost wiped out. The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says after World War Two Louisiana’s population was down to just 15-hundred wild birds. Wildlife Federation Scientist John Kanter says it wasn’t easy to bring them back.
Cut 4 (10) “…weren’t surviving. ”
Kanter says when breeders started separating members of turkey flocks to reduce the fighting the populations grew and now nationally the population for wild turkeys has exceeded seven million.

With Thanksgiving Day two days away, getting that frozen turkey thawed is a top priority for the chef in your household. USDA expert Kenneth King says there’s a tip for cooks to follow when it comes to thawing…
cut 9 (07) “…of turkey”
So if you have a ten-pound turkey, you should have started thawing it this morning in the refrigerator.

9:30 LRN Newscast

As the holiday season begins the flu bug is making the rounds. According to the CDC, flu-like illnesses are at a five-year high. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert Doctor Fred Lopez says many people have a decreased immunity against the flu.
Cut 10 (08) “…against the flu”
Lopez says two-thirds of flu activity is occurring in people young than 25 years of age.

Here’s an update on Next year’s governors’ race, US Senator John Kennedy says he’s highly considering it. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s not running, and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he will conduct a poll next month and announce his decision in January.
Cut 13 (06) “…of the year.”
The 63-year-old Nungesser has seved as Lt. Governor since 2016 and is also the former president of Plaquemines Parish.

Click It Or Ticket is underway for those traveling on Louisiana roadways. Whitney Thomas has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Opelousas attorney and former state senator Elbert Guillory is facing a first-offense DWI charge. State Police say he received the charge after he was involved in a minor crash over the weekend where he exchanged information with the over vehicle involved in the wreck. Troopers tracked down Guillory’s vehicle after the wreck and he refused to submit a breath test.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll run a poll next month and then announce on January 10th if he’ll run for governor. Attorney General Jeff Landry is running and already has the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party and Senator John Kennedy will make a decision soon. Nungesser says he plans to meet with Kennedy…
cut 14 (09) “…plans are”
Senator Bill Cassidy announced last week he’s not running.

According to the C-D-C, flu-like illnesses are at a five-year-high in Louisiana, which is well above the national average. LSU Infectious Disease Expert Doctor Fred Lopez says the flu bug is not the only virus going around…
cut 12 (08) “….COVID still”
Lopez is concerned about viruses spreading even more with people getting together for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Law enforcement is paying close attention to whether everyone inside a vehicle is buckled up as part of a Click It or Ticket it campaign. Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday period, 18 people lost their lives on Louisiana roadways. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says it was the second deadliest holiday period of 2021.
Cut 8 (09) “…properly wearing it.”
Louisiana law says everyone in the vehicle including the backseat must be properly restrained.

Many of us will be enjoying turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Did you know that the wild turkey population was nearly wiped out. After World War Two, Louisiana’s wild turkey population was down to just 15-hundred, now the population has reached seven million nationally. National Wildlife Federation Senior Scientist John Kanter says Louisiana has a limited wild turkey hunting season…
cut 6 (06) “…do so”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll make an announcement in early January on whether he’ll run for Governor….
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana National Guard has fired the commander of its 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. An investigation determined Colonel Scott Desormeaux sent inappropriate text messages to other service members. The Army Times reports Desormeaux presided over the 256th’s 2020-21 deployment to Iraq and Syria.

Flu-like illnesses in Louisiana are at a five-year high according to the C-D-C. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert Doctor Fred Lopez says two-thirds of flu activity is occurring in people young than 25 years of age. So Lopez advises staying home if sick, washing hands frequently, and getting the flu vaccine…
Cut 11 (09) “…hospitalization.”
Lopez says health officials are concerned about influenza spreading even more with people getting together for Thanksgiving.

Law enforcement has a Click It or Ticket It campaign to coincide with a busy travel week for Thanksgiving. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says they will also be making sure kids are restrained properly, especially small ones who should be in a car seat. Lambert says it might be cold outside, but children wearing heavy coats in car seats is not a good match…
cut 9 (11) “…your seatbelt”
The first fine for not wearing a seatbelt is 50-dollars, subsequent fine is 75-dollars.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The SEC West Champion Tigers will close out the regular season Saturday in College Station. Coach Brian Kelly has led the Bayou Bengals to a 9-2 record with a chance at the College Football Playoffs in his first season. Kelly, who said he came to the SEC for the chance to win a national championship, says the conference lived up to his expectations…
Cut 16 (12) “…lived up to that.”
LSU will visit Texas A-and-M on Saturday at 6 PM. The Aggies, who entered the season ranked sixth in the A-P Top poll, are 4-and-7 on the year and have failed to score more than 30 points against a Power five opponent.

The Saints won their 400th game in franchise history on Sunday when they defeated the Rams 27-20. Now its on to San Francisco. The 49ers rolled past the Cardinals 38-10 last night in Mexico City. San Fran has won three in a row and they are 6-and-4 on the season.

For the second time this season, the Warriors visited New Orleans and rested their top guys and the Pelicans took advantage. New Orleans easily won last night 128-83. The 45-point margin was the second largest in franchise history as the Pels closed out a six-game homestand with a four and two record. Zion Williamson returned after missing three games with a foot injury to score nine points in 23 minutes. Coach Willie Green on how Zion looked….
cut 28 (16) “…he’ll be fine”
Brandon Ingram led the way with 34 points.

Forward K-J Williams had a season-high 33 points as LSU easily defeated Illinois State 77-61 in the Cayman Islands on Monday. The Tigers face Akron today at 2:30.

Louisiana Tech downed ULM 79-58. Isaiah Crawford had 17 points for the bulldogs.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, a potential candidate for governor next year, has some strong words for the leaders of the Louisiana Republican Party. Nungesser says state party chair Louis Gurvich should resign for already endorsing Jeff Landry in next year’s governor’s race…
cut 15 (10) “…should resign”
Nungesser says he’ll announce a decision on whether he’ll run by January 10th.

Law enforcement officers are ready to pass out fines for those not wearing their seatbelts during “Click It or Ticket” during the Thanksgiving traveling period. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the campaign wraps up Sunday.
Cut 7 (08) “…fifty dollar fine.”
Lambert says during last year’s Thanksgiving week, 18 people lost their lives on Louisiana roadways.

The U-S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says flu-like illness is at a five-year high. Kace Keischnick has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

Visitation will begin Sunday for former First Gentleman of Louisiana and longtime U-L Lafayette administrator Raymond Coach Blanco. The funeral is set for Monday.

3:30 LRN Newscast

State Police has released the name of the man who witnesses say attacked a DOTD worker with a knife killing him on Interstate Ten yesterday, before West Baton Rouge Sheriff Deputies shot and killed the suspect. He’s been identified as 31-year-old Ruben Ernesto Dorado of Miami, Florida. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is mourning the death of 66-year-old Darrell Guillory of Youngsville….
cut 3 (09) “….service mission”
Guillory was a DOTD Motorist Assistance Patrol worker.

Gas prices are falling as we get closer to the Thanksgiving holiday. According to Gasbuddy-dot-com petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan the price at the pump is down 11-cents in the last week to $3.09 a gallon statewide for regular gasoline…
cut 13 (11) “…a barrel”

Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump says footage of the fatal arrest of Derrick Kittling confirms what they suspected the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, Rodney Anderson, used unnecessary force during a traffic stop on November 6th in Alexandria. State Police released video of the physical altercation between the deputy and Kittling and Colonel Lamar Davis was asked what Kittling’s family thought…..
cut 15 (11) “…to comment on”
Kittling was pulled over because of his vehicle’s window tint and modified exhaust.

Former first gentleman and the husband of former governor Kathleen Blanco, Raymond “Coach” Blanco, has passed away at the age of 87. Coach Blanco was the vice president of student affairs at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for decades. Current school president, Doctor Joe Savoie, says Coach felt it was his moral obligation to listen to students…
Cut 6 (10) “…exists today.”
Coach Blanco served as the school’s vice president of student affairs from 1974 to 2009.