U-S-C and Florida have filled their college football head coaching vacancies, while LSU’s search continues. The Gators named Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier as their new head coach and the Trojans pulled off a shocker by hiring Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley as their new head coach. Rumorville had Riley leaving the Sooners for LSU.

Besides the shopping and mailing, the holiday season is also bringing us another election. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Covington State Representative Mark Wright was recently named the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee. He takes over the panel at a time when the state is set to receive just over seven billion dollars from President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill…
Cut 4 (09) “…then it’s doubled. “
It remains to be seen where all of the money will go. As Wright understands it, there are three pots of money that will help address roads, bridges, and even the state’s ports.

The loss of smell from COVID for six months or longer is a growing public health concern. Dr. Kevin McLaughlin, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery Professor at LSU Health New Orleans says a majority of people do recover their sense of smell in a week or two.
Cut 10 (07) “…sense of smell.”
McLaughlin says that’s because your olfactory nerves were damaged by COVID.

A big shopping weekend continues today as merchants are advertising big sales. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says do your research before you shop…
cut 6 (05) “…getting into”
Rice says the Labor Department has shown price increases over the last year of 13% for TVs, furniture 11% and appliances 7%.

It’s early voting time in Louisiana for the December 11th 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”
In Ouachita Parish, voters in Richwood can recall their mayor Gerald Brown.

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.”

Today is the Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling inside the Superdome at 4 PM. There’s also a rivalry game in Lafayette today as the 23rd ranked Ragin Cajuns host ULM. Tonight is most likely Ed Orgeron’s final game as head coach for the LSU Tigers and speculation is growing Oklahoma’s head coach Lincoln Riley could replace him.

Today is Small Business Saturday and retailers hope to exceed last year’s profits even with a few hurdles. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Early voting for the December 11th election begins today. 38 of the state’s 64 parishes have a local race or issue on their ballot. There’s a run-off election for sheriff in Orleans and voters in St. Tammany will vote on whether a casino can re-locate to Slidell. In Ouachita Parish, Richwood Mayor Gerald Brown is facing a recall effort.

Ed Orgeron is likely coaching his final game as head coach of the LSU Tigers today. ESPN college football writer Chris Low believes LSU athletic director Scott Woodward’s first choice is Texas A-and-M coach Jimbo Fisher…
cut 13 (11) “…who knows”
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley could be plan B and LSU basketball coach Will Wade and baseball coach Jay Johnson are now following Riley on Twitter and so are current players and recruits.

In other coaching news, Louisiana Tech announced today will be Skip Holtz’s final game as head coach of the Bulldogs after nine seasons.

The Bayou Classic kicks off today at 4 PM in the Superdome. Southern and Grambling both have losing records. But the schools’ bands plan to put on a great show at halftime. Bayou Classic organizer Dottie Belletto…
cut 12 (08) “…on game day”

We have entered the second Holiday shopping season while in the COVID pandemic, and with record-high inflation. How will that affect your holiday shopping? LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says store shelves could look a bit sparse, with supply chain issues. He feels online shopping will be huge again this year but says, even so, it pays to get started now.
Cut 4 (11) “…into the stores. “
Today is Small Business Saturday and State director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Dawn McVea says this year it’s more important than ever to shop locally. Last year $19.8 billion was spent at small retailers and they hope to exceed that this year.
Cut 7 (07) “…shop small.”
Small Business Saturday is an initiative that began in 2010 by American Express.

Early voting for the December 11th election begins today at 8:30. For voters in 29 parishes there are no elections but Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics-dot-com says there are some races to keep an eye on even though it’s a small ballot for the other 34 parishes…
voicer 3 (23) “…I’m Dave Brannon”

Today is the final day of the college football regular season. Could be Ed Orgeron’s last game as head coach of the LSU Tigers when they host Texas A-and-M tonight. It will be Skip Holtz’s final game as head coach of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Holtz is out after nine seasons. And the Bayou Classic is today at 4 PM between Southern and Grambling.

It’s Small Business Saturday this weekend and retailers are hopeful to exceed last year’s profits even with a few hurdles. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

We’re now in the second Holiday shopping season while in the COVID pandemic, and with record-high inflation. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says merchants started their Holiday shopping deals earlier than normal this year, with some advertising Black Friday specials as early as Halloween. Rice says inflation has driven the cost of everything up, so expect the dollars spent to increase accordingly for merchants.

Cut 5 (08) “…the board.”

Rice says holiday shoppers looking for great deals can still find them, but it may take a little research to find them.

State Police continue to investigate a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 90 east of Raceland Thursday evening that claimed the lives of four people. Troopers say two people survived with injuries in the crash at an intersection where the driver of a Kia Optima, 54-year-old Barbara Guidry of Wiggins, Mississippi failed to yield to a westbound pickup truck, the subsequent collision causing the truck to rollover. Also killed were 35-year-old Caitland Leboeuf of Wiggins, and two Raceland residents, 31-year-old Dustin Moore and 30-year-old Michelle Moore.

With tomorrow being the final LSU football game of the season, speculation will begin to really ramp up on who the next coach will be. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The holiday shopping season begins with record-high inflation. How will that affect your holiday shopping? Kevin Gallagher has that.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday and State director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Dawn McVea says this year it’s more important than ever to shop locally. Last year $19.8 billion was spent at small retailers and they hope to exceed that this year.

With COVID cases decreasing, along with government restrictions and mandates being lifted, McVea says small retailers are hopeful things will return to pre-pandemic levels.

Cut 9 (04)  “…out there.”

If you prefer to shop online McVea encourages you to seek out small retailers as many added online shopping to their business during the pandemic.

Three teenage boys are back with their families after being tossed into Vermilion Bay early today when their boat capsized while on a duck hunting trip. When the water became too rough they tried to return to shore but the boat’s motor failed and the vessel started taking on water. They managed to contact the sheriff’s department by cellphone who arrived at the scene about 6:45. The two 17-year-olds and 18-year-old were found clinging to the boat, checked out by medical personnel and reunited with the families.

The Bayou Classic is back in New Orleans and Dottie Belletto, CEO of N-O-C-C-I, the management company of the event, says they are thrilled to be in the newly renovated Ceasars Superdome. She says besides the game between Southern University and Grambling State there’s plenty to do like…

Cut 10 (10)  “…thrown for that.”

The parade will be followed by Fanfest with bands performing on Champion Square before kickoff which is free to the public.

A Thanksgiving Day crash kills four people in Lafourche Parish. State Police say the two-vehicle collision happened at the intersection of US Highway 90 and Louisiana Highway 182 east of Raceland shortly after 5 PM. Killed in the crash were 54-year-old Barbera Guidry and 35-year old Catlin Leboeuf both of Wiggins, Mississippi, and 31-year old Dustin Moore and 30-year old Michelle Moore both of Raceland. The crash remains under investigation.

The holiday shopping season is officially underway, and LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says the Labor Department has shown price increases over the last year of 13% for TVs, furniture 11% and appliances 7%. He says holiday shoppers looking for great deals can find them, but it may take a little research.

Cut 6 (05) “..getting into.”

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday an initiative to remind shoppers to support local small retailers. State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Dawn McVea says and like large retailers, small ones are also feeling the impacts of supply chain disruptions. She says about half of their members report they are feeling the effects of shipping delays.

Cut 8 (09) “…to everybody.”

The Bayou Classic is back in New Orleans and the festivities get underway tonight, like Battle of the Bands. Kickoff Saturday for the match between Grambling and Southern is at 4 tomorrow and Dottie Belletto, CEO of N-O-C-C-I, the management company that puts on the event says you’ll definitely want to be in your seats for the halftime show.

Cut 12 (08) “…on game day.”

Proceeds from the game fund scholarships for both schools.

We have entered the second Holiday shopping season while in the COVID pandemic, and with record-high inflation. How will that affect your holiday shopping? LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says store shelves could look a bit sparse, with supply chain issues. He feels online shopping will be huge again this year but says, even so, it pays to get started now.

Cut 4 (11) “…into the stores. “

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday and State director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Dawn McVea says this year it’s more important than ever to shop locally. Last year $19.8 billion was spent at small retailers and they hope to exceed that this year.

Cut 7 (07) “…shop small.”

Small Business Saturday is an initiative that began in 2010 by American Express.

With tomorrow being the final LSU football game of the season, speculation will begin to really ramp up on who the next coach will be. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Early voting begins tomorrow for the December 11^th elections. Early voting continues through Saturday, December 4^th, daily from 8:30 AM until 6 PM with the exception of Sunday, November 28^th. Voters in only 35 of the state’s 64 parishes will need to go to the polls.

The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales will break a record this year with total sales of 850-million dollars. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says inflation has driven the cost of everything up, so expect the dollars spent to increase accordingly for merchants…
cut 5 (08) “…the board”
Rice says the Labor Department has shown price increases over the last year of 13% for TVs, furniture 11% and appliances 7%.

The Bayou Classic is back in New Orleans and organizer Dottie Belletto says besides tomorrow’s game between Southern and Grambling State there’s plenty to do, like…
Cut 10 (10) “…thrown for that.”
Tonight it’s the Battle of the Bands inside the Superdome.

It’s Small Business Saturday tomorrow and local retailers hope to exceed last year’s profits even with a few hurdles. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A woman was shot at a Walmart in Opelousas on Thanksgiving Day during a child exchange. Authorities says the suspect, 22-year-old Jordan Sereal was arrested in Lafayette, while the female victim was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to her upper torso. Police say the Walmart was closed at the time and there was no danger to the community.

The holiday shopping season begins with record-high inflation. How will that affect your holiday shopping? Kevin Gallagher has that.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A multi-agency manhunt is underway for an inmate that escaped the Dixon Correctional Center in East Feliciana Parish. Authorities say 23-year-old Shwilliam Cheevis fled from the facility Thanksgiving morning. The trustee is serving a ten-year sentence out of Caddo Parish for aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

It was not a good Thanksgiving night for Saints fans as Buffalo put a 31-6 beat down on the Black and Gold for New Orleans fourth straight defeat.

Bayou Classic Events get underway today in New Orleans. The Black Chamber Business Showcase is today at the Hyatt and after a one-year absence, the Battle of the Bands returns tonight. Bayou Classic organizer Dottie Belletto expects one heck of a show…
cut 11 (11) “…Battle of the Bands”

Ragin Cajun fans are concerned head football coach Billy Napier may leave for another job. Florida is reportedly very interested in Napier and his name has also been connected to the LSU opening. Napier says he has not made a decision on his future and the rumors of him leaving come with the territory of having a winning program…
cut 15 (12) “….tail off”