It’s Cyber Monday but before you click on that too good to be true sale, Brooke Thorington has some tips on avoiding a scam…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Police in Natchitoches are investigating the shooting death of a teen over the weekend. Officers say the 14-year-old was brought to the emergency room with a gunshot wound and was transported to University Health in Shreveport, where he later died from that injury. Natchitoches Crimestoppers will accept tips or info gladly.

This year’s 12^th annual Small Business Saturday was a hit nationwide with spending hitting an estimated all-time high of 23.3-billion dollars. Dawn McVea, Louisiana Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says the fact that sales went up this year for mom and pop shops during Small Business Saturday can be a precursor to an improved fourth quarter…:

CUT 14(10)      “…strong holiday season.”

A new COVID virus variant, called “omicron” is raising concerns for many, as cases begin turning up in Canada and other countries. So far none in Louisiana, but Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s about par for the course…:

CUT 06(10)      “…more variants.”

He says getting COVID shots and boosters will help with that.

Today is Cyber Monday, a day set aside to do your online holiday shopping, but the Better Business Bureau warns to be wary of where you take to web browser to shop. BBB’s Carmen Million says check for an “S” in the web address which indicates the site is secure. She advises you price check and compare prices from a variety of online retailers, but most importantly, especially this year with supply chain disruptions…:

CUT 10(08)      “…important thing.”

And remember to check the website’s returns policy, they are not all the same and there are some who don’t have any such policy.

More on holiday shopping: Small Business Saturday this past weekend was apparently a pretty big success. Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses…:

CUT 13(11)      “…throughout the year.”

Nationwide, small businesses reported a 2-percent increase in revenues over last year.

Today is the deadline to register for FEMA disaster relief if your main home suffered damage during Hurricane Ida. Nathan Custer with the agency says that damage can range from the minor to the catastrophic, but if you haven’t registered with FEMA for assistance, you only have hours left to do so…:

CUT 03(07)      “…hear from you.”

Visit DisasterRelief.gov or call FEMA at 800-621-3362.

It has sat vacant ever since Hurricane Katrina, but New Orleans’ former Charity Hospital building will soon be revitalized. Tulane University will be the main tenant of the 350-thousand square foot structure – using it for classroom and research space, but it will also be a mixed-use facility; featuring apartments, retail shops and more. Refurbishing will take well over two years, Tulane hopes to be in by 2025.

Today is the deadline to register for FEMA disaster relief if your main home suffered damage during Hurricane Ida. FEMA’s Nathan Custer says more than a half-million property owners have registered with FEMA since Ida hit and at least $1.6-billion in assistance has been paid out by the agency…:

CUT 05(08)      “…in late August.”

Custer says you can claim for damage ranging from the minor to the catastrophic, but if you haven’t registered with FEMA for assistance, you only have hours left to do so.

A holiday weekend child hand-off from one divorced parent to another became violent and ended with one man dead. Shreveport Police say adults meeting in a gas station lot for the exchange argued, and then gunfire erupted.  That was one of four shootings SPD responded to within just five minutes Sunday.

The figures are in and this year’s Small Business Saturday was an apparent record-setter. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brannen.”

A new COVID variant, called Omicron, has some alarmed. Governor John Bel Edwards urges us all to take steps to help slow transmission…:

CUT 07(10)      “…global pandemic.”

Right now, just under half the state has need vaccinated for coronavirus.

It’s Cyber Monday but before you click on that too good to be true sale, Brooke Thorington has some tips on avoiding a scam.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The St. Landry Sheriff is reporting that an ATV accident late Sunday afternoon left a child dead.  A woman reported the five-year-old was riding in the side-by-side vehicle in a field with her husband when the ATV crashed.  The boy, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The crash occurred in the Frilot Cove area. No word on the cause of the accident.

News of the Omicron variant of COVID has health experts concerned as a number of countries have reported cases of the new variant. Governor  Edwards says we should all be concerned about the newest variant and continue to practice mitigation. The governor says he’s hoping and praying the state will not have another surge similar to the one Louisiana experienced in July and August.

Cut 8 (08) “…to use them.”

This year’s 12^th annual Small Business Saturday was a hit nationwide with spending hitting an estimated all-time high of 23.3-billion dollars. Dawn McVea, Louisiana Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says the figure includes a two percent increase in small business online shopping that increased to 58 percent.

Cut 12 (06) “…good positive trend.”  

McVea says six percent more shoppers opted Saturday to support local independent restaurants around the nation than in 2020.

News of the Omicron variant of COVID has health experts concerned as a number of countries have reported cases of the new variant, including Canada. Governor John Bel Edwards says unfortunately it’s par for the course.

 Cut 6 (10) “…more variants” 

He says it’s another reminder the pandemic is far from over and more people need to be vaccinated to slow transmission.

It’s Cyber Monday, and Carmen Million, President of the Better Business Bureau of Baton Rouge says before you click on that sale it is your responsibility to investigate that the retailer is credible, and it’s a secure site before you give them your personal information.

Cut 9 (05) “…for secure.”

She also advises that you check product availability with supply chain disruptions and a retailer’s reputation with the BBB.

Today is the deadline to register for FEMA disaster relief if your home suffered damage during Hurricane Ida. FEMA spokesperson Nathan Custer if you haven’t registered with FEMA for assistance, you only have hours left to do so. He says there is no dollar threshold on the amount of damage you can seek help for.

Cut 4 (11) “…to the catastrophic.”

FEMA assistance is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Natchitoches Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old. Police say they were alerted shortly before 8:30 Saturday night of the juvenile who was brought to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with a single gunshot wound. The teen was transported to LSU-Health Shreveport and died as a result of injuries. The shooting remains under investigation and police are asking for any information concerning the incident that happened in the 600 block Winnona Street.

Today is the deadline to register for FEMA disaster relief if your main home suffered damage during Hurricane Ida. Nathan Custer with the agency says that damage can range from the minor to the catastrophic, but if you haven’t registered with FEMA for assistance, you only have hours left to do so:

Cut 3 (07) “…hear from you.”

To register, call 1-800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov on the web.

It’s early voting time in Louisiana for the December 11^th elections. One of the more noteworthy candidate races is taking place in Orleans Parish where LApolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the long-time sheriff finds himself in a battle with a progressive Democrat.

Cut 13 (07) “…battle down there.”

Early voting continues through this Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM.

News of the Omicron variant of COVID has health experts concerned as a number of countries have reported cases of the new variant, including Canada. Governor Edwards says we should all be concerned about the newest variant and continue to practice mitigation. He’s hoping and praying the state will not have another surge similar to the one Louisiana experienced in July and August.

Cut 8 (08) “…to use them.”

Covington State Representative Mark Wright will be chairing the Louisiana House Transportation Committee as lawmakers figure out how to best spend federal infrastructure dollars heading to the Bayou State. Wright says when it comes to improving the state’s roadways, much of what needs to be spent and where has already been decided.

Cut 5 (12) “…the books already.”

Wright says he doesn’t want the state’s ports to be forgotten in doling out infrastructure dollars.

News of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID has health experts concerned and Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s another reminder the pandemic is far from over and everyone needs to help slow transmission.

Cut 7 (10) “…global pandemic.”  

Omicron is now the dominant COVID variant in South Africa, less than two weeks after it was first reported. There have also been cases reported in Canada.

The loss of smell from COVID is a long-term effect for some and Dr. Kevin McLaughlin, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery Professor at LSU Health New Orleans says while most do recover their sense of smell in a week or two, some regain an altered sense of smell. Instead of pleasant odors like flowers or fresh fruit…

Cut 12 (12) “…is distorted.”

Chair of the Louisiana House Transportation Committee will also be dealing with federal infrastructure dollars recently approved by Congress. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

It’s the holiday shopping season and LSU, U-L Lafayette, Louisiana Tech and Grambling State are all looking for head football coaches. Billy Napier has been named the new head coach for Florida and it’s unclear who LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will land as the Tigers new head coach. He’s known for making big-name hires, but the number of big names available is dwindling.

Early voting is underway for the December 11th election. About half of the state’s 64 parishes have local propositions on their ballot including in St. Tammany Parish, where voters are deciding if they want a casino resort in Slidell. Jeremy Alford of La-Politics-dot-com says the proposition is a controversial one…
cut 14 (08) “….got Drew Brees”
Brees publicly supports the proposed project because it includes a 35-million dollar youth sports complex, while law enforcement officials and religious groups say the casino will just bring more crime to St. Tammany.

News of the Omicron variant of COVID has health experts concerned as a number of countries have reported cases of the new variant, including Canada. Governor John Bel Edwards says we should not be surprised…
Cut 6 (10) “…more variants”

The loss of smell from COVID six months or longer is becoming a growing health concern. Brooke Thorington on the dangers of this annoying side effect.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is relaxing on a Florida beach, while Tiger fans anxiously wait to hear who his replacement will be. A possible candidate, Lincoln Riley, has been hired at USC after a successful run at Oklahoma. Flordia had a vacancy for less than a week as they hired Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier to replace the fired Dan Mullen.

There have been 769-thousand COVID cases in Louisiana and for many patients, they lose the sense of smell for weeks. Doctor Kevin McLaughlin, ear, nose, and throat surgery professor at LSU Health New Orleans says that’s because the cells surrounding the olfactory nerves are damaged…
cut 11 (13) “….and injury”

Covington Representative Mark Wright has been named the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee. As a result of the federal infrastructure bill, the state is set to receive an additional seven billion dollars to improve infrastructure and Wright wants to make sure a good portion of that money will go towards updating our ports…
cut 6 (07) “…to focus on”

Who is LSU athletic director Scott Woodward focusing on to be the next head coach at LSU. Florida and USC moved quickly to fill their vacancies.

Early voting is this week for the December eleventh election at select voting locations from 8:30 to 6 PM through Saturday. 29 parishes have no elections, while 26 parishes have only local propositions and seven parishes have local propositions and candidate races. Louisiana pollster John Covillon of JMC Analytics expects turnout to be light statewide…
cut 15 (11) “….by the holidays”
The highest turnout could be in St. Tammany Parish as voters will decide if a casino-resort will be built in Slidell.

It’s Cyber Monday, which concludes a busy holiday shopping weekend. Jill Gonzales from the personal finance website WalletHub warns against the option of deferred interest on credit cards especially if you don’t think you’ll be able to pay it off in the given time period. Gonzales says for example if you don’t pay off the credit in the allotted time…
Cut 9 (08) “…tricky situation.”
She says sometimes deferred interest can make your holiday purchases up to 27 times more expensive than you anticipated.

It’s the holiday shopping season and LSU, U-L Lafayette, Louisiana Tech and Grambling State are all looking for head football coaches. There was speculation the Tigers would hire Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley, but instead, the 38-year-old Texas native took the U-S-C job. Ragin Cajun fans are wishing Billy Napier the best after leaving U-L Lafayette for Florida. It’s unclear who LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will tab as the Tigers new head coach. He’s known for making big-name hires, but the number of big names available is dwindling.

Now back to holiday shopping which is in full swing and today is Cyber Monday. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says if you have the option of zero-percent financing for a limited time or an immediate discount…
cut 7 (08) “….interest traps”
She also warns against using the option of deferred interest on credit cards.

The man who’ll chair the Louisiana House Transportation Committee will be dealing with those federal infrastructure dollars recently approved by Congress and the President. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Early voting is this week for the December 11th election. Jeremy Alford of La-Politics-dot-com says the hottest candidate race is in Orleans Parish…
cut 13 (07) “….down there”
In Ouachita Parish, Richwood Mayor Gerald Brown is facing a recall effort.