Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Planning for the governor’s office has stepped down after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced. Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Carbo says Johnny Anderson turned in his resignation notice yesterday, within 24-hours of first learning of the accusations. Carbo says an investigation is underway. It’s reported that this is not the first time Anderson has been accused of sexual harassment.

On his monthly call in radio show yesterday, Governor Edwards did not mention Anderson’s resignation but did comment on the recent wave of sexual misconduct allegations in politics, the workplace and in entertainment. Edwards has two daughters and says it would be painful for him if they were victims of this type of harassment. He says he’s surprised by the number of allegations made recently, including those made against TV journalist and talk show host Charlie Rose.
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There’s been a national shortage in Christmas Trees this year due to the financial recession a few years ago but that’s not stopping Louisianans from buying fresh trees. Kevin Steele of Steele’s Christmas Tree Farms near Angie in Washington Parish says after years of a stagnant economy, people are looking to go back to familar traditions and it all starts with a tree.
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Waitr, the food delivery app, is delivering more than two-thousand hot Thanksgiving meals across Louisiana and five other states. Waitr’s Director of New Market Growth Whitney Savoie says customers donated money through the app to help needy families. She says they also asked restaurants to get involved, as well.
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The Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Planning for the governor’s office has resigned after being accused of sexual harassment. Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Carbo says Johnny Anderson stepped down within 24 hours of the allegations surfacing.

Expect to spend more for a fresh Christmas tree this year, as the supply is down. Michelle Southern has the story….
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How do you know if you’re getting a good deal on Black Friday? LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says it’s important to take some time and do research the items you are looking to get before shopping.
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Black Friday is starting early in some stores and 38 retail chains plan to open today.
Governor John Bel Edwards held his monthly “Ask the Governor” show yesterday but did not say anything about the allegations made against his former Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Planning Johnny Anderson, but the subject of sexual harassment at work came up. Edwards says in many of these cases the common theme is a man who is in a position of power and prestige.
cut 13 (08) “…they like”

Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Planning for Governor John Bel Edwards, Johnny Anderson, has resigned after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced. Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Carbo says the investigation continues and Anderson left his position within 24 hours of the allegations.

On the Governor’s monthly call in radio show, Edwards addressed the recent wave of sexual misconduct allegations in politics, entertainment and in the workplace. Edwards hopes this discussion will result in H-R departments implementing solid policies that will help victims of sexual harassment come forward.
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Anderson has been accused of sexual harassment in the past, while working as the chairman of the Southern University Board of Supervisors, according to a report by WAFB-TV.

What electorinic items are a good buy this holiday season?
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The food delivery app Waitr has begun delivering two-thousand hot Thanksgiving meals across Louisiana and 5 other states. The app’s Director of New Market Growth Whitney Savoie says CEO Chris Meaux wanted a unique way to help the less fortunate.
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The Attorney General’s Office is offering safety tips when shopping online deals for Cyber Monday. Press Secretary for the AG’s Office Ruth Wisher says if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. She says consumers should always pay online with a credit card.

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Some of the hottest holiday toys for the season are already in short supply. Michelle Southern speaks with a toy expert..:

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St. Tammany Parish has set a new high for homicides. 18 is the latest count, according to figures from the coroner, which eclipses the previous high of 17 back in 1996. Drug activity and domestic violence are the main reasons.  15 of the killings were in unincorporated St. Tammany, while two occurred in the city of Slidell, and one in the city of Covington.

West Monroe state representative Frank Hoffmann has been the voice of the ULM Warhawks for the last 42-years but Saturday, he will call his last game against when ULM takes on Arkansas State. Hoffman says it’s bitter sweet to end his long play by play career.

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Some of his career also involves him in the school systems in North Louisiana…

A grand jury has indicted 56-year-old Mark Owens.  He is accused of attacking his ex-wife 48-year-old Kimberly Owens in front of her home with an ax as she was leaving for work, killing her.  Authorities say Owens attacked the woman in front of her home in Chalmette  in St. Bernard Parish. Police say there was a history of domestic violence.

Nobody wants to be that parent who wasn’t able to get their hands on the most popular toy this holiday season. So what’s hot in 2017? Chris Byrne, aka “The Toy Guy,” plays with toys for a living for the consumer review website TTPM.com. He says arts and crafts are a huge trend this year…:

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He says to hurry and get your gift as some of the hottest holiday toys for the season are already in short supply.

The USDA reminds holiday chefs not to forget food safety when cooking your Thanksgiving turkey. Emelie Gunn has more…

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The holidays can be challenging for families living with Alzheimer’s. Families and friends may be unsure how to handle their loved one suffering from the disease, which can create stress for everyone involved. Stacey Denham with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Louisiana chapter says when you approach someone with the disease, do it in a non-threatening way

Cut 6 (11)  that stress”

AAA predicts nearly 51-million people will travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday, a three-percent increase from last year and it’s the highest number since 2005. AAA spokesman Don Redman says gas prices are about 35-cents higher than last year, but that’s not stopping the expected 45-million that will hit the highways..

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds holiday chefs to be conscious of food safety. Sarah Lichtman with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the first step is cleaning your hands and surfaces before and after touching raw meats. She says the next step is to separate…

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She also says to put leftovers away promptly after eating the main meal.

The lines have become blurred between family traditions on Thanksgiving and getting the good deals before everyone else to kick off the holiday shopping season.  National Retail Federation’s Ana Serafin Smith says many stores are opening earlier on Thanksgiving.  It all started with one retail giant…

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Some 38 retail giants are expected to open on Thursday.

The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program has offered grant awards totaling nearly 92-million dollars for 31-hundred homeowners from the 2016 flood.  It’s less than 10-percent of the people that need assistance. Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says they have Homeowner Assistance Centers in Baton Rouge, Hammond and Lafayette to help those still in need of funds.

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AAA predicts nearly 51-million people will travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday, a three-percent increase from last year and it’s the highest number since 2005. AAA spokesman Don Redman says planning ahead is the key to making it to your destination safely…

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AAA expects to service over 300-thousand due to automotive problems. He says make sure your vehicle is inspected before leaving.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds holiday chefs to be conscious of food safety. Sarah Lichtman with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says after you are done eating the main course it’s important not to forget about leftovers sitting out on the table…

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The holiday shopping season will kick off in full swing tomorrow.  According to best-black-Friday-dot-com, 38 retail chains will be open Thursday, with four Louisiana K-Marts expected to open as early as 6am. National Retail Foundation’s Ana Searfin Smith says the consumer demands it and retail will answer…

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Smith says Thanksgiving shopping has been around for about 10 years.

The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program has offered grant awards for nearly 31-hundred homeowners affected by the floods in 2016, totaling nearly 92-million dollars. Over 38-thousand homeowners have qualified to receive assistance. Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says if you haven’t applied yet, there is no risk of running out of this federal grant money…

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Surveys show more consumers are expected to shop for holiday gifts online this year compared to shopping at brick and mortar stores.  But Ana Searfin Smith with the National Retail Federation says for some shoppers there’s a great attraction to shopping on Thanksgiving night…

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Several chain stores are expected to be open tomorrow.

AAA projects that the number of travelers for Thanksgiving holiday will be the highest it’s been in 12 years. Don Molino has more.

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Foodborne illness is a real danger during the Thanksgiving holidays.  Sarah Lichtman with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service debunks the common myth that before cooking your turkey it needs to be washed in the sink.

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Restore Louisiana awards nearly 92-million dollars to 31-hundred homeowners affected by the 2016 floods. Jeff Palermo has more…

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AAA predicts nearly 51-million people will travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Air fares are the lowest since 2013.  AAA’s Don Redman says air passengers they may pay more once they land…

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Gas is averaging $2.30 a gallon in Louisiana.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds holiday chefs to be conscious of food safety. Sarah Lichtman with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the first step is cleaning your hands and surfaces before and after touching that turkey or any other raw meats. She says the next step is to separate…

Cut 7 (10)  “like that”

According to best-black-Friday-dot-com, 38 retail chains will be open Thursday for early holiday shopping.  Many of the major chain stores, including Best Buy, Gamestop, JcPenney’s and Sears will be open.  The four Louisiana K-Marts are expected to open as early as 6am.  Most other retailers will remain closed until early afternoon.  National Retail Federation’s Ana Searfin Smith says the consumer demands it and retail will answer…

Cut 11 (10) “the holidays.”