News is spreading fast on social media that a New Orleans Original treat, the Hubig’s pies,  are making a comeback. Whitney Thomas tells the tasty tale…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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The Federal Reserve raised lending rates by three-quarters of a percent this week. What effect might that have on Louisiana’s real estate market…?

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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What’s green, 60-feet-long, can carry a Grammy-winning artist, blast confetti out of its mouth, and bring tourists to the state? Brooke Thorington has the answer.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Hubig’s pie factory in New Orleans burned down 10 years ago leaving residents empty-handed after being sold traditionally since 1921. Now the Pie maker has a new location in Elmwood to bring back the fried fruit-filled hand pies that were baked into the city’s culture.  Jefferson Economic Development Commission CEO Jerry Bologna says the production lines are ready to bake…

Cut 4 (09)  “…years ago.”

News that the pie maker is looking to make a comeback and is hiring surfaced fast on social media. Bologna says workers are in high demand.

Cut 5 (13) “…production side.”

Hubig’s pies were originally sold in a plethora of retail stores across New Orleans and this time will be no different as they prepare to hit shelves. Bologna believes business will be good because of the respect locals hold for the pies.

Cut 6 (08)  “…great anticipation.” 

Hubig’s pie has not announced a final date for the pies to be released but they will be keeping the same original lineup for pie flavors.

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The top-ten matchup between LSU and Alabama this Saturday is a hot ticket if you want to get into Death Valley. With the SEC West on the line, fans of both schools are trying to be there for the unofficial semifinal. StubHub supply manager Ray Clark says demand has really increased over the last week…

Cut 7 (11) “…last week.”

Clark said there are still over 3,500 tickets available on their marketplace, but advises fans not to wait until the last minute for prices to go down. He says the cheapest ticket is currently going for $165 and prices are comparable to last year’s clash in Alabama…

Cut 8 (13)  “…last year.”

With only UAB and two SEC West away games left on the schedule for LSU, this will by far be the biggest game of the season in Death Valley. Clark says Louisiana says this event is one of their top events for the rest of the college football season…

Cut 9 (10)  “…the season.”

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There is some alarm at the news the Federal Reserve has raised the prime lending rate by three-quarters of a percent, but a Baton Rouge realty pro says homebuyers shouldn’t panic. Louisiana REALTORS trade association CEO Norman Morris advises potential buyers to not let such news put off plans to buy property…:

Cut 10 (07) “…according to Freddie Mac.” 

Morris says despite the fed increase, mortgage rates are – on average – a bit lower than they were two weeks ago. He says one can still get into a home at around 6 & ½ to 7 percent interest, which he says is still vastly less than the double-digit mortgage rates of just 34 years ago. Morris reminds potential buyers one can always adjust their mortgage rate later…:

Cut  11 (06)  “…as time goes on.”

Morris says we may not see the super-low mortgage rates (around 3 percent) of a few years ago, but if buyers can settle in on a new purchase, rate relief will come…:

Cut 12 (07) “…before that happens.” 

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Louisiana’s Celebration Gator, the 60-foot-long gator float that premiered at last year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be back for a repeat performance and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s proven to be a great return on investment for state tourism.

Cut 13 (08) “…lagniappe.”

And if the vision of the longest float in the parade, crawling down the street, wagging its tail, and blowing confetti out of its mouth isn’t enough to get the crowd’s attention, Nungesser says Grammy winner Trombone Shorty will be along for the ride.

Cut 14 (10)  “…of New York.”

In addition to the Macy’s parade, Celebration Gator is on tap for a second appearance at the Tournament Roses Parade in Pasadena on January 2^nd. Nungesser says the hardest working gator in show business is bringing home the bacon…

Cut 15 (09)  “…over Louisiana.”

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade will air from 9 AM until noon on NBC and stream on Peacock.

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LSU will host Alabama in a top-ten matchup in Death Valley Saturday night. Both the Crimson Tide and the Tigers have one loss in SEC play at the hands of top-ranked Tennessee. With a potential spot in the SEC Championship up for grabs, Tigers defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo believes the defense will be ready to stop their attack…

Cut  16 (12)  “…we’ll be ready.”

Alabama’s defense ranks second in the SEC in both points and yards allowed, and their struggling secondary comes into Tiger Stadium following a breakout performance from former LSU All-American Eli Ricks. With their offensive efficiency and strength of the run game, preseason All-American receiver Kayshon Boutte says it will be important for LSU to take advantage of the opportunities they get…

Cut 17 (14) “…this week.”

Kickoff is at 6:00 PM.

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Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen announced yesterday that Michael Thomas would miss the rest of the season with a foot injury which has sidelined him since week 3. Although Thomas won’t be able to rejoin the team this year, former LSU receiver Jarvis Landry made his return to practice this week, and quarterback Andy Dalton says he’s getting comfortable in the offense. Now the permanent starter, Dalton has helped the offense to one of the highest scoring in the NFL despite the injuries…

Cut 18 (17) “…that we’ve got.” 

The Saints will host the Ravens Monday night who also lost their starting Wide Receiver Rashod Bateman for the remainder of the year.

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ULM will host Texas State in their first home game since October 8^th Saturday. Both teams will be coming off their bye week and are 1-3 in the Sun Belt Conference. After a hopeful start to the season ULM has lost their last 4 games straight. Head Coach Terry Bowden knows the importance of keeping team morale high…

Cut 19 (17) “….to everyone.”

Texas State has won the last two meetings but bring a different-looking team to Monroe this year. Usually led by their high-powered offense, the Bobcats are rallying behind a stout defense this year. Bowden is confident that ULM is up to the challenge, and hopes their offense, in particular the passing game, can take a step forward this week…

Cut 20 (19) “…the quarterback”

Kickoff in Malone Stadium is set for 4:00 PM

A federal court has ruled conditions at a state prison in Homer are so harsh they violate the inmates’ constitutional rights. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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The LSU AgCenter estimates the annual damage caused by feral hogs to Louisiana farmer is 91-million dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “… I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A federal judge has ruled conditions at the David Wade Correctional in Claiborne Parish are so severe they violate the constitutional rights of men housed in solitary confinement. Melanie Bray’s Disability rights group brought the suit on behalf of a group of inmates. She says in one instance the staff poked fun at a mentally ill inmate.

Cut 3 (08) “…behind the bars.” 

The prison is located in Homer, Louisiana.

Bray says the court found conditions in the prison’s South Compound solitary wing served as a repository for the mentally ill.

Cut 4 (10) “..a day.” 

Despite the ruling, Bray says conditions at the prison are not expected to improve immediately.

She says the next phase of the trial will be the remedy phase in January, where both sides will present experts.

Cut 5 (09) “…constitutional.” 

The Louisiana Department of Corrections has no comment, because the litigation is ongoing.

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A new study from the LSU AgCenter finds that feral hogs cost Louisiana farmers 91-million dollars annually. LSU AgCenter animal scientist Glen Gentry says in 2015 the annual damage figure was 74-million dollars…

Cut 6 (07)  “…in damage”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries estimates nearly one-million feral hogs live in the state. Gentry says annual production losses were greatest for sugarcane, rice, corn, hay and soybeans…

Cut 7 (09)  “…way around.”

The losses ranged from seven-million dollars for the timber industry and nearly 15-million dollars for sugarcane.

Gentry says feral swine generally prefer to stay away from humans, but their rapidly expanding population and constant search for food sources is causing increasing interactions with farmers and foresters….

Cut 8 (09)  “…disease standpoint “

Gentry says it’s estimated that about 70 to 75 percent of the population must be harvested to control the feral swine numbers, but in Louisiana, hunters kill less than half of the population so it continues to grow.

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In just over 48 hours the Bayou Bengals will face off against Alabama at Tiger Stadium and co-owner of the Purple and Gold store in Baton Rouge, Sarah Sanders says sales have picked up and there’s one shirt that’s outselling others.

Cut 9 (07)  “…feels”

And if you’re not looking for a Beat Bama t-shirt, Sanders says there are Beat Bama buttons available.

Sanders says Tiger fans are also showing their support for LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly’s first season and following his fashion trend.

Cut 10 (06) “….their team.” 

And while Alabama is favored by 12 and a half points, there’s a 75-percent chance it will rain in Tiger Stadium Saturday night, but Sanders says believes it won’t dampen any fan’s spirits.

Cut 11 (05)  “…team succeed.  “

Kickoff is at 6 PM, the game will air on ESPN.

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services celebrated National Adoption Day this afternoon with its first in person celebration since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event at the Governor’s Mansion celebrated families who adopted 700 children and youth from foster care during the past year. Dr. Marketa Garner Walters is DCFS secretary.

Cut 12 (07) “….care program.” 

Young adults who are already in the foster care system can elect to stay until they are 21 and get state help with education and job training. She says several hundred young adults are in the new program, which is only three years old.  Walters says 55 young people between the ages of 13 and 17 were adopted from foster care during the past year.

Cut 13 (08) “…your turkey” 

Walters says the hardest groups to adopt are older children and sibling groups.  But she  says 269 siblings were adopted by 122 families over the course of the past year.

Cut 14 (10)  “..their relatives”