Black Friday may not have the same chaos or luster that it used to as prices increase and discounts decrease. 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 passed. Despite all the negative trends LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says today will still easily be the busiest shopping day of the year.

Cut 6 (11) “…people shopping.”

Rice Says Black Friday spending is expected to be up 4-percent this year.

Not all consumers plan to join the hordes of shoppers today, though. For some, Christmas shopping can be a real hassle, especially on the busiest shopping day of the year.

Cut 11 (07) “..because she’s crazy.”

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin will finally announce where he plans to coach next year tomorrow. Many college football analysts think he’ll end up at LSU, but if Kiffin decides against coming to Baton Rouge, ESPN Baton Rouge’s Matt Moscona says things get a little hazier.

Cut 14 (11) “…Blake Baker.”

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.”

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.”

Tulane is ranked 24^th in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings and just two wins away from a playoff berth as the top ranked group of five school. A win at home over 1-and-10 Charlotte Saturday means the Green Wave will host an American Conference Championship game. Their most likely opponent is one-loss North Texas.

The busiest travel week of the year is here, and State Police are reminding drivers to stay safe. Trooper Ryan Davis says always, never take the wheel after you’ve had too much to drink. If you plan on having a good time – perhaps TOO good of a time – have a plan beforehand.

Cut 8 (08) “…a great option.”

Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham has been selected as the new principal deputy director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. During his time as the state’s first surgeon general, Abraham worked to end the promotion of vaccination clinics in the state. The Advocate’s D.C. correspondent Mark Ballard says Abraham will use his new role to take that mission national.

Cut 13 (12)  “…a national level.”

A death row inmate is granted bail, but he won’t be walking out a free man anytime soon. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Saints signed former LSU and Browns kicker Cade York to the practice squad after releasing former starter Blake Grupe today, Grupe ranked 38^th in the league in field goal percentage and missed two kicks in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. York joins second-year placekicker Chalie Smyth on the practice squad and seemingly landed the spot over form Ravens kicker Justin tucker who also worked out with the team yesterday.

Death Valley is set to host multi-platinum artist Zach Bryan March 28 next year. It will be the first show in Tiger stadium since Garth Brook’s 2022 performance. Opened by Caamp and J.R. Carroll, the concert will be the fourth stop on his With Heaven On Tour which LSU Deputy Athletics Director Clay Harris says features multiple college football stadiums.

Cut 6 (08) “…the community.”

Willis Knighton Health’s Progressive Care Center in Shreveport earned a Best Nursing Home Award for 2026 by the U.S. News and World Report. Administrator Debra Crump says all glory goes to her staff.

Cut 12 (09) “…that we do.”

U.S. News evaluated nearly 15=thousand centers on their patient and resident outcomes, staffing ratio, and inspection results. Of the nearly 15-thousand, Progressive Care Center was near the top.

A Grant Parish detective helps take down a suspected child predator from Canada. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase apologized for spitting on steelers corner Jalen Ramsey during the fourth quarter of their matchup two weeks ago. Chase addressed the Steelers, his team, and the NFL community on social media and took full responsibility saying the circumstances and his passion for the game are not excuses

Thanksgiving is just two days away; and if you have not started thawing your frozen turkey, you’d better act soon. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says, at this point, you’ll need to use the cold-water method.

Cut 4 (06) “…every 30 minutes.”

Strain warned to never thaw a turkey on the counter.

Fans in New Orleans for the Bayou Classic this weekend can expect beefed-up security in the French Quarter. State Police troopers will join New Orleans Police and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to help keep visitors from Baton Rouge and Grambling safe. Trooper Jacob Pucheu (PEE-shoo) says new for this year, they will be activating the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone which had previously been in place for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras earlier this year.

Cut 13 (12)  “…a certain size.”

The area covers Canal to St. Ann Streets between Royal and Dauphine. In addition to vehicles, coolers and ice chests will not be permitted.

It’s a mere formality at this point, but the LSU Board of Supervisors is moving to authorize new President Wade Rousse to fire football coach Brian Kelly. The board made that move during a special called meeting in response to a lawsuit Kelly filed against the school. Following an executive session that lasted almost an hour, John Carmouche made the motion in open session.

Cut 9 (11)  “…his employment agreement.”

Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter says an announcement on Lane Kiffin’s future at Ole Miss will be made AFTER next Friday’s Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. On3.comis reporting that Ole Miss, LSU and Florida are all set to offer Kiffin 13-million a year. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports is reporting that LSU’s total contract package is worth nearly 90-million dollars. The deal reportedly includes 35 million plus in roster cash.

————————

Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be back in New Orleans this weekend for the Saints game against the Falcons — but not just to watch the game. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Twenty-six vet clinics and spay-neuter providers around the state will divide 24-thousand dollars raised by the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council. The council raised the money through the sale of special Animal Friendly license plates. Jeff Dorson, chairman of the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council…

Cut 11 (07) “…desperately needed.”

Drew Brees will be on the mic for FOX in tomorrow’s Saints versus Falcons game from the Caesars Superdome.  And Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough will be starting for the Black and Gold again after his first career win in the NFL.  Brees says he’s impressed with Shough, who he says has an elite ability to evade sacks while finding ways to extend plays in the pocket.

Cut 8 (07) “…bring him down.”

Kickoff in New Orleans is tomorrow at 3:25.

Tonight, a football game will be played in Tiger Stadium as LSU closes out the home portion of its schedule by hosting Western Kentucky. Michael Van Buren will make his second consecutive start at quarterback.

In other action today, Louisiana Tech hosts Liberty, ULM is at Texas State, McNeese visits Lamar, Tulane is at Temple as the Green Wave have a chance at making the college football playoffs.

——————————

The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association is hailing the Trump administration’s draft plan to hold seven lease sales off Louisiana’s Gulf coast. The plan would open more than 1.2-billion acres to oil and gas exploration. President Tommy Faucheux (FOE-shay) says the companies which will compete for the leases operate with the utmost of integrity.

Cut 4 (12) “…to get stronger.”

The five-year plan proposed by the Trump administration would replace the five-year plan enacted under the Biden administration which curtailed oil and gas exploration as part of Biden’s efforts to combat climate change. Faucheux says thanks to modern technology, it’s possible to explore for oil and gas while protecting the environment.

Cut 5 (13) “…and Louisianans safe.”

There will be a 60-day public comment period before the Department of the Interior issues its final plan.

The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association is hailing the Trump administration’s draft plan to hold seven lease sales off Louisiana’s Gulf coast. The plan would open more than 1.2-billion acres to oil and gas exploration. President Tommy Faucheux (FOE-shay) says it’s a welcome commitment to furthering America’s energy dominance.

Cut 3 (12) “…for the future.”

Twenty-six vet clinics and spay-neuter providers around the state will divide 24-thousand dollars raised by the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council. The council raised the money through the sale of special Animal Friendly license plates, which cost about 50 dollars more than regular plates. Chairman of the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council, Jeff Dorson…

Cut 12 (10) “…pet overpopulation.”

——————————

Drew Brees will be on the call for FOX for tomorrow’s Falcons and Saints game. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is coming off his first career win in the NFL after throwing for 282 yards and a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers. Brees says Shough impressed him.

Cut 7 (08) “…avoiding tackles.”

Don’t expect to hear any news about whether Ole Miss Lane Kiffin will be changing jobs until after Friday.  Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter announced Kiffin and his team are focused on winning Friday’s Egg Bowl against Mississippi State and an announcement about the coach’s future at Ole Miss will be made on Saturday.

A couple of big upsets in Louisiana High School’s Division One non-select football last night in the second round of the high school football playoffs. 26^th seeded Barbe defeated West Monroe 42-35 as the Buccaneers had nearly 400 yards of rushing. Barbe will advance to play second seeded Neville. The Tigers took down Mandeville 31-14.