Southwest Louisiana celebrates the end of what was the worst hurricane season for the region in recent memory. Lake Charles and surrounding areas were hammered by Hurricane Laura in late August and then Hurricane Delta six weeks later. Mayor Nic Hunter says residents are still fighting to put the pieces back together.

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Laura and Delta both slammed Cameron Parish making landfall just miles apart. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that was just one of several peculiar incidents of “dual landfalls” this year.

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Laura was tied for the most powerful storm to make landfall in Louisiana in recorded history.

ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says retiring Congressman Ralph Abraham’s former Chief of Staff Luke Letlow is favored to win the race for the 5^th Congressional District this Saturday, but warns not to count state lawmaker Lance Harris out. He says this race is likely to come down to geography with Harris being from Alexandria and Letlow hailing from Ouachita Parish.

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In Kenner, a gas station clerk was brutally murdered early this morning after cooperating with two men that robbed the store. Kenner PD Lt. Michael Cunningham says surveillance video shows two men entered the station on Williams Boulevard at 2:10, walked around as if they were shopping, then approached the clerk with a gun and demanded cash.

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Matt Doyle checks in with ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley for the state of the 5^th Congressional District run-off race ahead of Saturday’s election…

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LDH reports hospitalizations in Monroe and parishes surrounding Ouachita Parish are the highest they’ve recorded since the pandemic began. Over Thanksgiving weekend 124 residents remained in the hospital with COVID as of Saturday night, on Friday it was a record-setting 129. Statewide hospitalizations are at 1,196

According to Zillow, more homes are changing hands now than in the last 15 years, something that is hard to believe in a year of economic downturn. CEO of Louisiana Realtors Norman Morris says historically low mortgage rates are allowing many to become homeowners for the first time and existing homeowners to upgrade.

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A difficult 2020 Atlantic hurricane season ends today as the year produced a record 30 named storms and 12 named storms made landfall in the United States, also a record. The most impactful storm was Hurricane Laura, State Climatologist Barry Keim says Laura tied for the most powerful storm to make landfall in Louisiana

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A historic 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season ends today, one Louisiana residents will remember for a long time. State Climatologist Barry Keim notes the 30 total named storms broke the record of 28 set in 2005, and of those 30, five made landfall in Louisiana, another record.
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12 named storms made landfall in the United States, also a record.

On the day the hurricane season ends, Winter arrives in Louisiana as we’ll see the coldest temperatures of the season tonight with low temperatures dipping into the upper 20s. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says if you are using a space heater, make sure it’s at least three feet away from combustible objects and plugged directly into wall outlets…
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Saturday is election day and voters in central and northeast Louisiana will select a new Congressman for the fifth district. Two Republicans are in the run-off, Lance Harris and Luke Letlow. Democratic candidates secured about a third of the vote in the primary, but ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says many of those voters will not cast a ballot in this election…
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To check to see what’s on your ballot, go to geaux-vote-dot-com.

The COVID pandemic has not slowed down the housing market, in fact, home purchases are up this year and according to Zillow, more homes are changing hands now than in the last 15 years. Louisiana Realtors Association CEO Norman Morris says many home buyers are purchasing homes after taking a virtual tour of the home…
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A historic 2020 hurricane season ends today. It will take years for southwest Louisiana to rebuild following the double punch of Hurricanes Laura and Delta. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we had a highly unusual number of dual landfalls…
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A record five named storms made landfall in Louisiana this year.

Saturday is election day and the biggest race on the ballot is the fifth district congressional race that covers northeast and central Louisiana. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this race will likely come down to geography where Lance Harris hails from Alexandria and Luke Letlow lives in Ouachita Parish….
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One sector that has seen an increase in sales this year despite COVID is the real estate industry, Brooke Thorington tells us how things are in the Bayou State
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Many homeowners will need to turn on the heater for the first time in months as the coldest air of the fall has arrived. Most of the state will see temperatures fall below the freezing mark tomorrow morning and it will also be windy. The southern half of the state is under a freeze warning, so protect your plants and pipes.

A difficult 2020 Atlantic hurricane season ends today as the year produced a record 30 named storms and 12 named storms made landfall in the United States, also a record. The most impactful storm was Hurricane Laura, which tied for the most powerful storm to make landfall in Louisiana…
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Five named storms made landfall in Louisiana, also a record.

The race for the open 5th District Congressional seat will be decided Saturday with state lawmaker Lance Harris up against retiring Congressman Ralph Abraham’s former Chief of Staff Luke Letlow. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says Letlow is the favorite given his substantial fundraising lead…
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Harris has raised half a million dollars to Letlow’s 1.1 million.

Louisiana’s housing market has been busy. Louisiana Realtors Association CEO Norman Morris says several regions of the state are reporting a double-digit percentage increase in home sales compared to last year…
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Morris says many buyers are looking for additional space to create a home office now that more employers are allowing workers to work from home.

It wasn’t much of a football game, but it goes down as a Black and Gold victory as New Orleans defeated the quarterback less Denver Broncos 31-3. Because of COVID issues involving the Broncos QBs, Denver was forced to use a practice squad receiver and running backs as their quarterbacks. Saints Coach Sean Payton summed it up well…
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New Orleans has won eight in a row and they are 9-2 on the season.

Today marks the end of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Matt Doyle spoke with State Climatologist Barry Keim about this record-breaking year…
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So as the hurricane season ends, winter arrives as it’s a brisk and chilly start to the day. Tomorrow morning temperatures will fall below freezing for most of the state. The southern half of the state is under a freeze warning as temperatures will fall into the upper 20s.

According to Zillow, more homes are changing hands now than in the last 15 years, despite the economic downturn. Louisiana Realtors Association CEO Norman Morris credits historically low mortgage rates…
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Denver completed just one pass yesterday as the Saints won their eighth in a row beating the Broncos 31-3. None of Denver’s quarterbacks could play because of COVID concerns, so the team had to use running backs and a practice squad receiver instead. Saints Q-B Taysom Hill only threw for 78 yards, but Coach Sean Payton says the game plan was to keep the ball on the ground…
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This strange season continues next Sunday when the Saints host Atlanta.

While so many are working from home and more school-age students are back to virtual learning another problem 2020 presents is keeping packages a secret this holiday. Amazon spokesperson Alysa Bronikowski says they are offering a variety of ways to receive packages for the holidays.

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If you have sneaky children or roommates, don’t worry about Alexa giving away a description on your order either, she’ll only give delivery notifications if you mark the order as a gift during the holidays.

It was ten years ago when American Express launched Small Business Saturday, a day to bring about awareness of the small mom and pop shops of Main Street. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says they were asked to partner with the promotion and this year it’s more important than ever.

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LSU will take on the fifth ranked Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday in College Station.  While the Aggies are known for their efficient offense led by quarterback Kellen Mond and running back Isaiah Spiller, the Aggie defense has done a good job of stopping the run.  LSU center Liam Shanahan says he’s excited for the challenge.

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The LSU basketball team will take on Saint Louis Saturday as they look to go 2-0 on the young season.  The Tigers won their season opener on Thanksgiving 94-81 against SIU-Edwardsville.  Freshman Cam Thomas had 27 points, while junior Darius Days added 24.

Tragedy in Delphi as a selfless healthcare worker dies in a house fire attempting to save her paraplegic patient. Matt Doyle has the story.

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Louisiana State Police began investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 612 east of Highway 71.  The crash killed 18-year-old Wyatt Ricks and 28-year-old John Wuest.  Both Ricks and Wuest were unrestrained and sustained fatal injuries in the crash.  Two passengers in Rick’s vehicle were taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

In order to stay afloat during the pandemic, many small businesses have become inventive and added new ways for customers to shop, via online, thru Instagram and other social media outlets, and provide curbside service. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says many have had to think out outside the box in 2020.

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The Saints will play the Denver Broncos on Sunday and Taysom Hill is also set to make his second straight start at quarterback. Offensive tackle Ryan Ramcyzk says Hill is doing a good job of leading the offense in Drew Brees’ absence.

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It was ten years ago when American Express launched Small Business Saturday, a day to bring about awareness of the small mom and pop shops of Main Street.  NFIB State director Dawn Starns says many small businesses in the past two months report foot traffic back to almost pre-pandemic levels and are hopeful it continues despite Modified Phase Two adjustments reducing capacity. Starns says PPP loans have kept many small businesses afloat along, with determination.

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It can be hard to keep surprises a secret with so many people working and schooling from home.  Amazon spokesperson Alysa Bronikowski says if you are having a gift sent directly to a friend or family member follow these steps when checking out online so the gift will remain a secret until they open it.

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The Saints will travel to Denver to take on the Broncos on Sunday in Mile High stadium.  The Saints bring a seven-game winning streak to Denver and the defense is playing its best football of the season. Linebacker Kwon Alexander has been a nice addition. Payton says Alexander’s ability and personality allowed him to fit in well.

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The LSU Tigers are on the road as they will take on the number five ranked Texas A&M Aggies tonight as they look to get above .500 and grab their second straight win.  The Ragin Cajuns will take on ULM today and quarterback Jeremy Hunt will get his first start of the season for the Warhawks.  The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team won its season opener last night over Texas-Arlington 76-71.  JaColby Pemberton led the way with 19 points.  The Ragin Cajuns will be on the road today to take on the number two ranked Baylor Bears on the hardwood.  LSU is looking to improve to 2-0 on the young season as they take on Saint Louis Saturday afternoon.

The LSU football team will travel to College Station as they take on the number five ranked Texas A&M Aggies tonight at 6:00.  The Tigers are looking to get above .500 for the first time this season.  The LSU defense will certainly need to bring their A-game because A&M has the most experienced quarterback in the conference in Kellen Mond, and a strong running game led by Isaiah Spiller. If LSU pulls out a victory, it will be their second straight win.  The 7-1 Ragin Cajuns will take on the 0-8 ULM Warhawks on the road today.  Quarterback Jeremy Hunt will get his first start for the Warhawks since former starter Colby Suits opted out for the remainder of the season.

The Saints are set to play Denver on Sunday, but the Broncos closed their practice facility today after one player and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. As of now, the game is still set to be played. Coach Sean Payton says it’s business as usual for them.

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A heroic home health worker dies in a Delphi home fire while trying to save her 71-year-old paraplegic patient.  When the fire broke out 64-year-old Gwendolyn Theus attempted to wheel her patient out of the house.  When that failed, she dragged the patient out of bed and was trying to pass her through a window to the neighbor.  The patient is expected to make a full recovery.  Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says, Theus put her patient’s life before her own when she could’ve saved herself.

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While so many are working from home and more school-age students are back to virtual learning another problem 2020 presents is keeping packages a secret this holiday.  If you won’t be home to keep the gifts you’ve ordered a surprise from family members or you don’t have a secure location for packages to de dropped off, Amazon spokesperson Alysa Bronikowski says Amazon also offers a pick-up option.

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