_______________________________________________

 

21 years ago Glenn Mistich introduced football analyst John Madden, and by extension the country, to a Louisiana original, the Turducken. Mitstich, who runs Gourmet Butcher Block in Gretna with his wife, was summoned before the December 7^th Rams game by WWL’s Bob Delgiorno to bring the voice of football the frankenbird. Madden immediately fell in love.

Cut 3 (12) “…Madden Team.”

Turduckens are a culinary Russian Easter egg, where a turkey is stuffed with a chicken that’s been stuffed with a duck.

After becoming a holiday staple on FOX Football broadcasts with Madden, the local business took off, and now ships about a thousand birds out nationwide, along with thousands for locals.

Cut 4 (11) “…self.″

The retired Madden may not be broadcasting the tradition on national TV these days, but he still gets a bird sent to him twice a year by the grateful Mistich. The butcher says Madden is the only man on earth who gets the iconic, and now exclusive six legged turducken, and in return…

Cut 5 (13)  “…quite often.” 

Emeril Lagasse will be cooking this year’s FOX NFL feast before the Saints/Falcons game kicks off tomorrow at 7:20PM.

 ______________________________________

With the uptick in travel over the next few days, State Police urge those hitting the roadways to exercise caution and patience when in transit to their destination.  Sgt. Jared Sandifer says with the increase in travel comes an increase in crashes, as was the case for the Thanksgiving holiday in 2017.

Sandifer says it is important to remember to have a plan in place to keep from getting behind the wheel after indulging with alcohol.

Cut 7 (11) “…they need to go.”

Sandifer says when it comes to those long drives, it’s essential for drivers to have the energy to make it through the trip.

Cut 8 (09) “…behind the wheel.”

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Tomorrow, the Lafayette High Marching Band will march in the  Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Over 200 members left the Hub city on Monday for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Assistant band director James Cork told K-L-F-Y TV it’s an absolute honor…

Cut 9 (11) “these students.”

The band is directed by Scotty Walker and has received several national honors under his direction. Lafayette High is one of 12 bands invited to march in this year’s parade and Assistant Drum Major Payton Boutte told KLFY TV came as a complete surprise when they found out a year ago…

Cut 10 (14)   “…really awesome“

Hopefully they have warm clothes, temperatures will be in the low to mid 20s in New York for Thanksgiving Day.

________________________________

Good news for the thousands of motorists who use the Sunshine Bridge in St. James Parish. Governor John Bel Edwards says they hope to open up half of the bridge before Christmas

Cut 11 (13) “…at you”

The Sunshine Bridge was closed last month for repairs after a barge hit the structure built in the 1960s. Edwards says crews have been working 24 hours a day, but it will still be January at the earliest before the entire bridge is open for travel. But he says they are making progress

Cut 12 (12)   “…weather permitting”

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LSU Starting Quarterback Joe Burrow is spending his first Thanksgiving in Louisiana, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll try the oyster dressing. Burrow is surprised there’s such a thing

Cut 13 (06) “…anytime soon”

Coach Ed Orgeron said he’ll invite players who do not have family in the area to his house tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner. Burrow says can eat oysters, but oyster dressing is a bit much…

Cut 14 (09) “…appealing to me”

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Coach O has captivated Tiger Nation, and could be set to wrap up the best regular season in six years for the Purple and Gold. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Louisiana tradition of frying a turkey for Thanksgiving can be disastrous if not done correctly.  The holiday can result in a cornucopia of calls to first responders.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says to make sure your frying pot is on grass or concrete, not on a wooden surface.  Also, that it is far enough away from anything combustible.

Cut 4 (07) “…from any structure.″

Browning says the main reason for a turkey fry turning into a fiery situation is due to the grease overflowing from the frying pot.  So how do you avoid that?

Cut 5 (07) “…frying of turkey experience.” 

Browning says preparation of the area surrounding the fryer can contribute to the prevention of an emergency.

Cut 6 (12) “…turkey frying experience.”

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Governor Edwards, on Ask The Governor, said minimum wage increase successes in other southern states have galvanized his administration and their allies to push for a pay raise for working class Louisianans again in the next legislative session. Corporate lobbies like the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry oppose the increased pay but…

Cut 7 (09) “…meaningful”

Edwards has stuck to his guns on the issue since his 2015 election, where he made raising the minimum a key plank in his platform. While Arkansas jumped to 11 an hour, and Missouri voted in 12 over time, Edwards says he plans to pursue what he calls his modest campaign pledge….

Cut 8 (10) “…25 cents.”

But a legislative leader on minimum wage issues says 8.50 an hour may not cut it this time around. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says after three years of zero progress, he’s looking at a more ambitious plan than what the Governor is proposing.

Cut 9 (08) “…increase.”

________________________________

A Mandeville couple has something additional to be thankful for as they were cleaning house preparing for family coming into town and found a winning lottery ticket, just two weeks shy of expiration.  The ticket was valued at 1.8 million dollars, as it was the sole jackpot-winning ticket from a June drawing.  Louisiana Lottery spokesperson BreAnne Frye says the ticket was found on a nightstand.

Cut 10 (11)   “…the ticket expired.”

Frye says of the couple’s plans with their winnings…

Cut 11 (09) “…many crazy plans.”

Frye says it’s not just the couple that is seeing a nice return on the ticket purchase as the seller will also be receiving a generous kick back.

Cut 12 (09)   “…for $17,948.”

___________________________

Coach O is closing in on ten wins, which would be the best regular season for number 7 ranked LSU in six seasons after opening in August under a cloud of uncertainty as most fans, if they were being honest, really didn’t expect much. Sirius XM College Football Sports Nation host Braden Gall says the Tigers are still rough on one side of the ball, but taken as a whole, they’re rolling.

Cut 13 (09) “…for him.”

Orgeron, if he beats A&M Saturday, and wins his bowl game, could be looking at 20 wins in two seasons. It’s an impressive overall start, but he’s yet to even be competitive in his two games against Alabama. Gall says O’s start has been a great story, but it don’t mean a thing if his failures against Saban persist.

Cut 14 (10) “…LSU fans expect.”

That being said Gall noted there’s few professionals on earth with the same level of passion for the Purple and Gold. The writer and host says Orgeron is a perfect fit in Baton Rouge, and while there’s still certainly plenty of questions, the head coach seems to have won the love of Tiger Town.

Cut 15 (10) “…personal level.”

O looks set to build on that success with the 5th ranked recruiting class according to 24/7 sports.

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UL-Lafayette and ULM will face each other Saturday at Malone Stadium with first place on the line in the Sun Belt West Division. Both teams are 6-5 overall, 4-3 in conference and in a three-way tie with Arkansas State. Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says one of their top priorities in slowing down the Warhawks is to slow down their quarterback Caleb Evans…

Cut 16 (18) “…for you”

The Cajuns have won three of their last four to put them in a position to possibly play in the Sun Belt Conference championship game. Napier likes the development of his team…

Cut 17 (25) “right way”

 

Napier says the pressure is on to win, but it’s been that way for awhile…

Cut 18 (16) “forward to”

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Representative Mike Johnson has been elected as the chairman of the Republican Study Committee for the 116^th Congress.  Johnson appeared on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster to discuss his new role.  With 159 members, it’s the largest caucus of conservatives in Congress.  Johnson says the size of the group makes it quite influential.

Cut 3 (08) “…group agrees upon.”

Johnson says the caucus has been around for 45 years with the goal of leading influence in the legislative agenda.

Cut 4 (09) “…in the house.″

Among the upcoming focuses of a Democrat-controlled House, Johnson says he’s hoping that the desire for further investigation into the President will not be fueled by conspiracy theories from the left.

Cut 5 (12)  “…an impeachment effort.” 

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The Vermilion Parish School board has had their infamous January meeting voided by the courts. That’s the one where a teacher was dragged out of the room by a guard while questioning a Superintendent raise that was ultimately passed. Attorney General Jeff Landry says those actions violated Open Meeting Laws, making the meeting…

Cut 6 (09) “over again”

The educator, Deyshia Hargrave, was questioning Superintendent Jerome Puyau’s 30,000 dollar raise when she was forcibly removed.

Landry says it’s a win for justice and the rule of law, and sends a strong message to other municipalities that free speech must be respected at public meetings. He says this one was one of the most clear-cut violations of Open Meeting Laws he’s seen.

Cut 7 (09) “…agreed.”

So, to try and avoid another dustup like this one, a dustup that drew national attention from media and civil rights organizations, Landry has begun an education campaign.

Cut 8 (11) “…that helps”

The ruling came from Judge David Smith in the 15^th Judicial District Court.

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Two are under arrest in connection to the October 14^th shooting death of a Lafayette area boxer, 28-year-old Brandon Broussard. Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson John Mowell says authorities apprehended 41-year-old Shavis Toby yesterday.

Cut 9 (12) “Center.”

Both suspects are facing Second Degree Murder charges.

Mowell says the second suspect was nabbed by Marshal’s in another state.

Cut 10 (09)   “…been arrested.“

Mowell says they’re withholding that second suspect’s name until he’s transported back to Louisiana.

________________________________

The Saints are making their case as the best team in the NFL. New Orleans has scored 45 points or more in its last three games and the Black and Gold offense is one more impressive performance away from most 40 point games in a single season. Running back Mark Ingram says they are rolling

Cut 11 (13) “…at you”

The Saints have won nine straight for the first time since 2009, the year they won the Super Bowl. Ingram says the team is on an amazing run

Cut 12 (11)   “…each other” (2x)

The Saints defense has also been very impressive in recent games. They’ve held three of their last four opponents to 20 points or less, which is big in today’s offensive minded NFL. Defensive End Cameron Jordan says getting off to a good start is a big key

Cut 13 (12) “…landslide”

_______________________________________________

 

Les Miles is back as a college football coach. The “Mad Hatter” has a five-year deal with the Kansas Jayhawks that will pay the 65-year-old two-point-seven million dollars a year. Miles says he’s been eager to coach again, since LSU fired him in September of 2016

Cut 3 (12) “…10 thousand hour”

Miles has a big task in front of him as Kansas has not had a winning season since 2008. He’ll replace David Beaty, who is 6-and-40 in four seasons. Miles says after watching Kansas play Oklahoma this past weekend, he’s optimistic he can turn the Jayhawks into a winner quickly…

Cut 4 (09) “…special football team.″

Miles won 114 games at LSU and boasted a 77-percent winning percentage. But his critics said his run-oriented offense couldn’t win the big game in today’s college football. Miles defended his offensive philosophy at LSU when asked during his introductory press conference

Cut 5 (14)  “…ten a year” 

 ______________________________________

 

Children who suffer from severe peanut allergies may be in luck, as a new treatment can help mitigate the potentially deadly effects of accidental ingestion. LSU Health New Orleans Allergy expert Dr. Sanjay Kamboj says it’s not for light allergy sufferers, and you won’t be scarfing down PB&J’s, but, you could eat something cooked in peanut oil.

Cut 6 (06) “condition.”

The treatment is still awaiting FDA approval.

It’s an oral medication that builds up peanut tolerance in allergy sufferers over six months. That’s by slowly introducing a non-fatty peanut protein in small batches. Kamboj says they ran the experiment on 372 children.

Cut 7 (11) “…the dose.”

Two thirds of the participants who took the treatments saw positive results, but roughly 20 percent of participants had to drop out, and 14 percent of those taking the treatment had episodes that required epinephrine, vs only 6 percent of those who took the placebo.

Kamboj says it’s a process, but once the immunotherapy hits the half year mark, most allergy suffers should be able to avoid anaphylaxis from ingesting even tiny portions of peanut.

Cut 8 (08) “…desensitization.”

One in 50 Americans is estimated to have a peanut allergy, something patients are usually stuck with for their entire lives.

______________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services is teaming up with the United Way in an effort to expand workforce training for food stamp recipients in seven southeast Louisiana parishes.  DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says the partnership expands who can receive federal dollars to be used to reimburse programs for the cost of training with SNAP recipients.

Cut 9 (11) “…a wide audience.”

Walters says the money is used to reimburse organizations already doing such training for people on the SNAP rolls.

Cut 10 (08)   “…like the technical colleges.“

Walters says this is just another way that DCFS can help SNAP recipients attain more than just a minimum wage job to try and support a family.

Cut 11 (10) “…can sustain them.”

______________________________________________

Louisiana ATC can now enforce a law barring anyone under the age of 21 from working as an erotic dancer in bars and nightclubs. That law, passed in 2016, had been held up after a federal court declared it too vague, but Solicitor General Liz Murrill, with the Louisiana A-G’s office, says that’s no longer the case.

Cut 12 (10)   “…enforce it.”

The law was blocked after a challenge from three women who say the restriction cost them their lucrative dancing jobs, and interfered with their first amendment rights.

A federal judge and the 5^th US Circuit Appellate Court barred enforcement until the specifics of how much nudity was allowed were ironed out. Murrill says after asking for another hearing with the fifth Circuit, the AG’s office made their case and….

Cut 13 (07) “…vagueness standard”

The law was part of a 2016 effort to curb sex trafficking, much of which advocates say was resulting in young women being coerced or forced into dancing at late night clubs. Murrill says the law is justified, and should help curb human trafficking.

Cut 14 (10) “…of that.”

 

_______________________________________________

 

Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham says the battle over work requirements for food stamp recipients continues to prevent the Farm Bill from passing this year. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The American Farm Bureau reports the average cost for Thanksgiving dinner has gone down the past three years. The bureau conducted a survey of grocery stores across 37 states, Louisiana Farm Bureau Representative Avery Davidson says the average price nationwide to feed ten people is $48.90, but the Bayou State is one of the best in regards to cost…

Cut 4 (08) “…twenty two dollars″

Davidson says the turkeys at Louisiana grocery stores are cheaper here than in other parts of the country…

Cut 5 (12)  “cents” 

Davidson says you can beat the survey prices if you do your research…

Cut 6 (08) “…locally”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state has seen job gains for 13 consecutive months. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, non-farm employment increased by 19,400 since October 2017. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says education and health services saw the largest job gains over the last year, but other sectors of the economy are doing well…

Cut 7 (08) “…over the year.”

Dejoie also highlighted that the mining and logging sector saw 2,100 jobs added since October 2017.

Cut 8 (07) “…here in Louisiana.”

Dejoie says they also know workers are making more money too…

Cut 9 (06) “…the bottom line.”

________________________________

Work continues during the lame duck session of Congress on approving a new Farm Bill, but work requirements for food stamp recipients continue to be a major stumbling block. Republican Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish is pushing for work or educational requirements for able-bodied adults, but Democrats want to completely rewrite the bill.

Cut 10 (08)   “…the next congress.”

Abraham is hopeful a new farm bill can be passed before Congress adjourns for 2018…..

Cut 11 (09) “…congress take effect.”

Abraham says it’s time to play hard ball, and he’s ready to do that.

Cut 12 (11)   “…not for anybody.”

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19-year-old Stanley Celestine Junior will be one of the youngest school board members in the country when he begins his term in January. Celestine says he does a lot of work with non-profits and through that work he saw the Avoyelles Parish school system has significant issues that need to be addressed

Cut 13 (05) “…policy problems.”

The district just received a “C” grade from the state department of education. Over half of Avoyelles Parish schools received either a D or F grade. Celestine says one of the first things he wants to look at is the school system’s discipline policies

Cut 14 (11) “…of time”

Celestine received 65-percent of the vote in winning the election over fellow Democrat Carolyn Bonton. He’s pursuing a bachelor’s in sociology through an online program at McNeese State. Celestine says he also works in the mental health field and owns his own consulting company for non-profits

Cut 15 (12) “…one big job.”

Celestine says he’s not sure where his future will take him, but he wants to have an impact in children’s lives.

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The Saints are playing unbelievable football. They smoked the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles yesterday 48-7 for their ninth straight win. It’s the third straight game they’ve scored 40 points or more. Coach Sean Payton on the success of his offense…

Cut 16 (17) “…trying to improve”

The Saints have won nine in a row and they have a three-game lead over Carolina for first place in the NFC South. But Payton knows there’s still six games left and anything can happen…

Cut 17 (16) “(laughter)”

It was another MVP performance for Drew Brees. The future Hall of Famer threw for 352 yards and four touchdowns. Brees says he’s feeling good..

Cut 18 (14) “doing my job”

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The price at the pump continues to decline.  The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.34 in Louisiana today, down nine cents since last week, putting prices just two cents higher than a year ago.  Gas Buddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says some gas stations in the state are selling gas below $2 per gallon.

Cut 3 (05) “…Thanksgiving travel season”

DeHaan says there are two main contributing factors to the continued drop.

Cut 4 (11) “…bite pretty hard.″

So how long will the prices continue to drop?  DeHaan seems optimistic the decline could possibly continue into 2019.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the new year.” 

 ______________________________________

 

The state’s Medicaid program has launched a new enrollment and verification system online that provides instant feedback on eligibility for applicants. Louisiana Medicaid Director Jen Steele says it should cut down on wait times for applicants.

Cut 6 (11) “…that time.”

The new program will also check Medicaid recipients wage eligibility quarterly, instead of every 12 months. Because Medicaid uses your monthly income to determine eligibility that could result in more people being tossed off the program. Steele says if that happens, there is an appeals process in place.

Cut 7 (11) “…the program.”

Medicaid has come under fire in the wake of a Legislative Auditor’s report that showed the service may have paid up to 85 million in healthcare costs for people who were not wage eligible for the program at the time they received coverage. Steele says this should prevent that in the future.

Cut 8 (07) “…a while.”

Recipients will no longer receive phone calls during the renewal process. Official communications will now be sent by mail.

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The Southern Poverty Law Center has released a new report highlighting the lack of recorded data published on police activity in Louisiana in reference to traffic stops.  S-P-L-C attorney Jamila Johnson says even though the records are mandatory, there is a nearly universal disregard for the data throughout Louisiana law enforcement.

Cut 9 (12) “…published its report.”

Johnson says due to a lack of clear punishments for failures to follow the law, it’s difficult to get the compliance that is needed.

Cut 10 (11)   “…an enforcement mechanism.“

Johnson says the goal is put together a structure that can be enforced and to get a better data about policing practices into the community.

Cut 11 (10) “…it wasn’t followed.”

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Two people are dead after being among four men that were shot last night on Gus Young Avenue in Baton Rouge.  The motive and suspects are unknown at this time, but authorities say they believe there were two gunmen.  Baton Rouge Police Department spokesperson Sgt. L’Jean Mckneely describes the scene…

Cut 12 (12)   “…deli meat market.”

Authorities have identified one of the deceased as 42 year old Johnell Davis. The other is a 39 year old whose next of kin have not yet been notified.

Mckneely says the other two victims are expected to survive.

Cut 13 (06) “…all male victims.”

Mckneely says seeing acts like this occur is painful within a community.

Cut 14 (08) “…in Baton Rouge.”

Mckneely says they are reviewing surveillance footage from the incident and are will be interviewing the survivors at a later time.

 

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Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the Shreveport area this morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says even forecasters were surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped.

Cut 3 (06) “…turn into snow.”

The air temp at surface level was 34 this morning.  Davis says the snow didn’t stick…

Cut 4 (04) “…maintain the snow.″

Davis says the state’s coldest temperatures of the week are still to come.

Cut 5 (04)  “…the lowest temperatures.” 

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When temperatures go below freezing in Louisiana, the fire risk increases. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the first priority to keep your family safe is to make sure your home has working smoke alarms.

Cut 6 (08) “…time and escape.”

Browning says the use of space heaters is quite common, saying it’s important to keep them five feet away from anything combustible, don’t overload wall outlets, and do not use them with extension cords.  He adds those with a central heating system, although it may be a safer option, also need to be careful.

Cut 7 (07) “…to be used.”

Browning insists that no one use a kitchen stove top or oven in an attempt to warm their home.

Cut 8 (10) “…cause a fire.”

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71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says its solid progress for programs vital to student’s pre-kindergarten educational preparation.

Cut 9 (07) “…their ratings.”

Six percent of programs were rated excellent, up from 3 percent last year.

But 23 percent of child care providers did not make the cut this year, and Bronfin says even though it’s an 8 point improvement, that’s still not good enough. Bronfin says the state shouldn’t have any non-proficient providers, something that can only be accomplished with better funding.

Cut 10 (08)   “…quality care“

Bronfin says the state is seriously lacking in support for working class families early childcare needs. Their numbers show that two thirds of kids come from single parent households, or households where both parents work, but few of those families qualify for childcare financial assistance.

Cut 11 (08) “…a slot.”

School programs showed the highest levels of proficiency followed by Early and Head Start programs, and then Child Care.

______________________________

The ACLU of Louisiana is looking for answers from authorities after a Winnfield woman lost sight in her right eye due to a police taser.  ACLU spokesperson Bruce Hamilton says Tanisha White had gone to a private residence to speak with someone, and called the Winnfield Police to ask for a ride and upon their arrival she was eventually tased.

Cut 12 (06)   “in the eye”

Hamilton says the open request for policies regarding the use of force, de-escalation and racially-biased policing have been unanswered.

Cut 13 (10) “…to other races.”

Hamilton says often tasers are used in ways that they should not be, and the goal is to make sure this type of incident doesn’t happen again.

Cut 14 (08) “…have severe consequences.”

The department has not yet commented on the case.