LSU All-American forward Angel Reese returned to the court last night after a two-week hiatus scoring 19 points and nine rebounds last night as the Lady Tigers defeated Virginia Tech 82-64. Reese says it felt good to be back.

Cut 3 (11) “….with them.”

For unknown reasons, Reese missed a home game against Texas Southern. She also missed games at SLU and two contests in the Cayman Island Classic. Reese also made 9 of 16 free throws

Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is now offering eligible Louisiana residents an “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or a “Needs Accommodation” sticker for their vehicle for free. Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says the decal will indicate to law enforcement that an individual has a disability.

Cut 9 (13) “…the stop.” 

Customers must provide a statement from a qualified health professional verifying their diagnosis

If you’re looking for the perfect festival to get you in the holiday spirit and knock out some of your shopping, you need to head to downtown Alexandria. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A ruling is expected next week on Caddo Sheriff candidate John Nickelson lawsuit challenging election results after a judge has allowed attorneys more time to file briefs to argue the case. Nickelson’s request for another runoff election in response to his allegations of voting irregularities after a recount still had him losing by one vote against Caddo Sheriff-Elect Henry Whitehorn.

This year’s drought and historic wildfires have cost the state over 1.7 Billion Dollars. Dr. Kurt Guidry with the LSU Ag Center says the economic impact on some agricultural industries is not included in the figure. For the livestock industry, Guidry says it’s more than just the necessary sale of cattle…

Cut 8 (10) “…calves next year.” 

Nearly 50 thousand people intentionally committed suicide last year reaching a record high in the country. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey…

Cut 10 (07) “…with pills.”

The CDC says the country’s gun suicide rate increased by almost two percent compared to 2021.

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard will lead the House Democratic Caucus when the legislature meets next month for a special redistricting session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A ruling is expected next week on Caddo Sheriff candidate John Nickelson lawsuit challenging election results after a judge has allowed attorneys more time to file briefs to argue the case. Nickelson’s request for another runoff election in response to his allegations of voting irregularities after a recount still had him losing by one vote against Caddo Sheriff-Elect Henry Whitehorn.

State lawmakers have extra time to redraw the election map to include two majority-minority districts to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

51-year-old Willard Purkel Jr. and his son 27-year-old Colby Purkel of Covington have been arrested for their involvement in the January 6 breach of the U-S Capitol in 2021 that disrupted a congressional session to confirm the 2020 election results. Both face felony charges of civil disorder and several misdemeanors.

Next year, Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain will ask lawmakers to approve 43 million dollars for new firefighting equipment and personnel after the worst wildfire season on record. He says his wish list of equipment includes air tankers.

Cut 4 (13) “…these fires.”

Strain says crews from other states would bring their forestry bulldozers and other special equipment.

LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says rain will blanket the Bayou State today as a wet weather pattern begins. He says flash flooding in central and southwest Louisiana is possible…

Cut 6 (06) “…embedded thunderstorms”

Southwest Louisiana is also under a slight risk for severe weather.

All-American forward Angel Reese will be back in time for the 7th ranked Lady Tigers ahead of their match up with 9th ranked Virginia Tech. LSU head Coach Kim Mulkey says having Angel Reese back is a big plus for the Tigers.

Cut 16 (10) “ … the country.”

The Tigers will face the Hokies tonight with tip off at 8 pm on ESPN.

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In other basketball news, the New Orleans Pelicans got star Shooting Guard CJ McCollum back after he was out for a couple of weeks with a right collapsed lung injury. McCollum scored 20 points in the Pelicans game against the Sixers last night and New Orleans Head Coach Willie Green is happy to have McCollum back on the court.

Cut 20 (12) “… healthy.”

The Pelicans will battle the Spurs tomorrow in New Orleans with tip off at 7 pm.

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Northwestern State is excited to start a new chapter in their program history as they introduced Blaine McCorkle to be their new Head Coach yesterday. McCorkle coached Belhaven College, a Division III program in Jackson, Mississippi for the last six seasons where he took the losing program to a 24 and 7 record over the last three years and their first ever Division III playoff appearance. McCorkle says that he wants to build a championship culture at Northwestern State.

Cut 15 (15) “ … to do.”

The Demons have not had a winning season since 2008.

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The Saints are banged up heading into their big matchup against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. Defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Keandre Miller, Safety Marcus Maye, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, and linebacker Pete Werner are all listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup and did not practice yesterday. Wide Receiver Chris Olave did practice after suffering a concussion in the Atlanta game.

Governor-Elect Jeff Landry will announce State Police appointments and other Safety and Security Appointments during a press conference today in New Orleans. LA Politics Dot Com Publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s a reason for that…

Cut 7 (07) “…in New Orleans.”

Alford says Landry has been open about his opinion of the issues he sees in the state’s largest city. Alford believes Landry will make his plans clear…

Tickets to see Rock legends The Rolling Stones at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz Festival go on sale today at 1 pm and Louisiana residents get the satisfaction of purchasing tickets first. After being rebooked several times, Festival producer Quint Davis says the Stones will play on Thursday, May 2^nd.

Cut 6 (09) “…real one.”

There will be a limited number of one-day tickets and Louisianans can purchase up to six tickets. To purchase tickets, visit N-O-Jazz-Fest dot com.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s working with lawmakers to pass the Disaster Mitigation legislation which would help reduce the impact of future storms on the Bayou State and elsewhere in the country.

Cut 13 (13) “…next disaster.”

He says it’s part of his broader commitment to make sure Louisiana is as prepared as possible for future natural disasters.

Louisiana Department of Health Deputy Secretary Tonya Joiner says they have made 91 percent progress toward their goals for the Fiscal Year 2023.  She says the objective is to concentrate on specific health issues for the year including improving early childhood nutrition.

Cut 11 (08) “…WIC program.” 

The family of 73-year-old Linda Frickey, who was killed last year in a violent carjacking in New Orleans, feels a guilty verdict for 18-year-old John Honore will finally help bring closure. Her sister-in-law, Kathy Richard hopes Honore will remember the horrific crime for the rest of his life.

Cut 5 (12) “ …don’t come.”  

Honore’s sentencing is set for January.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced the Lowering Costs For Caregivers Act to make it more affordable for adult children to support aging parent’s medical expenses by lowering costs for caregivers.

Cut 12 (11)  “…not all can.”  

Today is Giving Tuesday, a worldwide day of giving to non-profit organizations. The Humane Society of Louisiana is in need of your help. Director Jeff Dorson…

Cut 6 (12) “…public shelters.”

Dorson says the society does not receive any type of federal funding but relies on contributions from the public. To donate, visit www.humanela.org.

A mystery respiratory disease among dogs that starts with a cough that can last for weeks, runny eyes, and sneezing is raising concern among animal doctors. New Orleans veterinarian Dr. Claire Guichard says your dog has to come in contact with another to catch it.

Cut 10 (08) “…than worry.”   

No cases have been reported in the Bayou State but there have been cases in Florida and Georgia.

The coaching carousel has begun in Louisiana as Grambling State fired their head coach Hue Jackson after just 2 seasons. Jackson had a combined 8 and 14 record at Grambling and never won a Bayou Classic. Northwestern State has hired Blaine McCorkle to be their new head coach. Before accepting the Northwestern job, McCorkle successfully turned around Division III program Bellhaven going 24 and 7 in the past three seasons.

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In other Head Coaching news, ULM Athletics Director John Hartwell is also searching for a new head coach and wants to remind players and recruits who might look elsewhere that …

Cut 19(18) “ … to that.”

Hartwell is hoping to find and hire ULM’s next head coach within the next 10 days.

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The Saints are coming off of a disappointing nine point loss to the Falcons this Sunday. Frustrations are rising within the organization as Saints running back Alvin Kamara says this team is consistently inconsistent. New Orleans Head Coach Dennis Allen acknowledges that the team has struggled at times this season, but Allen has an optimistic perspective on the team’s performance this season.

Cut 17 (19) “ …defense.”

The Saints will face a big challenge when they battle the Detroit Lions in the Superdome this Sunday at noon on FOX.

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In other football news, Jayden Daniels has been announced as a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. The promotion makes Daniels a finalist for four national awards and possibly five when the Heisman Trophy announces its finalists on Monday. Malik Nabers was also named a Biletnikoff finalist today along with his top competitor in Marvin Harrison Junior of Ohio State.

The National Retail Federation predicted a three to four percent growth online…but this year’s numbers nearly doubled that. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says many large retailers marketing used to excite shoppers to begin Black Friday shopping at midnight for the best prices. But that’s a thing of the past.

Cut 8 (11) “…one day.” 

After losing to Southern Illinois on Saturday, the Nicholls State football team was stranded in a small airport for 22 hours. Nicholls’ Athletic Director Jonathan Terrell said first it was a pilot issue with the chartered flight, then the next flight was canceled. But he says they made the best of it and finally made it home Sunday night.

Cut 4 (11) “…that happened.”

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He won’t be sentenced until January, but 18 year old John Honore has been convicted of second degree murder in the dragging death of 74 year old Linda Frickey last year. An Orleans Parish returned the conviction, which carries a mandatory life sentence, after a three hour deliberation last night.

It could be a while before Caddo Parish residents know who their next Sheriff will be now that a lawsuit has been filed in the race that’s already involved a one vote win and a re-count. A district court judge is set to take a look at Republican John Nickelson case calling for a new recall election against Democrat Henry Whitehorn. Political Analyst Scott Hughes on how it’s all gone so far…

Cut 12 (11) “…Mr. Whitehorn.” 

A recount, a one vote win, and now a lawsuit…it’s all part of the political landscape in the race for Caddo Parish Sheriff. Republican John Nickelson wants a new runoff against Democrat Henry Whitehorn, who won after the recount by a single vote. Hughes says mail-in votes did not arrive until the Friday before election day He says at least two voters who voted absentee went to check on Election Day and they were allowed to vote a second time…

Cut 11 (13) “…legal challenge.”

A district court judge is set to hear the case on Thursday.

If you have a Google account you haven’t logged into in a while, you should log into it this week –IF you want to keep it. Google starts getting rid of inactive accounts on Friday. Haggi Davis, of Tech Gumbo says it’s all about security.

Cut 14 (09) “…security risk.”

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Black Friday holiday shopping has ended and numbers show shoppers spent nearly $10 billion in online sales in the U.S. on Black Friday. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Interstate 59 northbound near the Honey Island Swamp exit is closed northbound after an 18-wheeler involved in an accident with another vehicle overturned. Responders say one person was hurt and was transported to a nearby hospital. Authorities also say that the 18-wheeler was hauling live chickens. Northbound traffic is being diverted to Exit 3 at Military Road.

If you have an old Google account, make sure to log in this week. Colleen Crain has the details…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Black Friday sales show online holiday shopping increased by seven percent this year.. But LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says more shoppers still enjoy the hands-on shopping experience.

Cut 9 (09)  “…bigger online.”

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Republican John Nickelson, a candidate for Caddo Parish Sheriff, has filed a lawsuit seeking a new runoff election against Democrat Henry Whitehorn, who won after a recount by one vote. Political Analyst Scott Hughes says a district court judge is set to hear the case Thursday and a ruling could be made the next day.

Cut 10 (10) “…in court.”

After a bad loss on the road to Atlanta, the hot seat is getting warmer for Saints Coach Dennis Allen. New Orleans is 5-and-6 on the season and fans are expecting more and they would like to see more emotion from Allen, especially after the team plays poorly

Cut 16 (20) “..sense of urgency.”