It’s Small Business Saturday this weekend and many are depending on your business more than ever this year. Jeff Palermo has more.

cut 2 (30) … I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

The SEC has made it official LSU will play rival Alabama December 5^th at 7 pm in Tiger Stadium.  The November 14^th game was postponed due to a COVID outbreak among the Tigers. The LSU-Alabama game is also on election day, the runoffs from the November 3^rd election. The last day to early vote is Saturday, Nov 28^th.

More people are shopping online this year due to the pandemic and keeping those deliveries a surprise until December 25^th can be a challenge. But Amazon is offering a few ways to help. Amazon spokesperson Alysa Bronikowski says if you are having a gift sent directly to a friend follow these steps when checking out so the delivery will remain a surprise until they open it.

Cut 4 (12)   “…the package.”  

This Sunday the Saints are scheduled to play the Broncos at Mile High Stadium 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…

Cut 14 (10) “..so far” 

Kickoff Sunday is at 3 o’clock.

64-year-old home health nurse Gwendolyn Theus is being hailed for her bravery in a heroic, but ultimately fatal effort to save her 71-year-old paraplegic patient from a house fire in Delphi. Theus perished in the effort but the patient ultimately survived. Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the cause of the blaze has not yet been determined that’s largely because the home smoldered and burned for days after the incident.

Cut 8 (08) “..rubble.”

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.

Cut 3 (10)  “…Amazon hub”

State Director of the National Federal of Independent Business Dawn Starns reminds you it’s Small Business Saturday this weekend. She says many small business owners implemented curbside service for a safer customer experience.

Cut 10 (09) “….we were.”

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 businesses as usual for them…

Cut 12 (13) “..speed ahead” 

According to The Advocate it appears that LSU will now play rival Alabama the first weekend in December. The November 14th game was postponed due to a COVID outbreak among the Tigers. LSU will reportedly play Ole Miss on December 19th now. The LSU-Alabama game set for December 5th is also election day for run-offs from the November election. The last day to early vote is tomorrow.
With many working from home and more school-age students back to virtual learning another problem 2020 presents is keeping packages a secret. If you won’t be home to those to keep the gifts you’ve ordered a surprise from family members or you don’t have a secure location for packages, Amazon spokesperson Alysa Bronikowski says they offer also the option to pick up your packages.
Cut 5 (12) “… up package.”

A heroic home health worker dies in a Delphi home fire while trying to save her 71-year-old paraplegic patient. Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says as the house 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 them through the window to the neighbors…
Cut 6 (10) “..that point.”

It was ten years ago when American Express launched Small Business Saturday, a day to bring 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.
Cut 9 (12) “…a movement.”

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

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

According to The Advocate, it appears that LSU will play rival Alabama the first weekend in December this year. The November 14^th game was postponed due to a COVID outbreak among the Tigers. The Alabama LSU game set for December 5^th is also election day for run-offs from the November election. The last day to early vote is tomorrow.

More people are shopping online this year due to the pandemic and keeping those deliveries a surprise until December 25^th can be a challenge. But Amazon is offering a few ways to help. Amazon spokesperson Alysa Bronikowski says if you are having a gift sent directly to a friend follow these steps when checking out so the delivery will remain a surprise until they open it.

Cut 4 (12)   “…the package.”  

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, and 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. Starns says PPP loans have helped keep many small businesses afloat, along with determination during this challenging year.

Cut 11 (11) “…their dream.”

64-year-old home health nurse Gwendolyn Theus is being hailed for her bravery in a heroic, but ultimately fatal effort to save her 71-year-old paraplegic patient from a house fire in Delphi. Theus parished in the effort but he paitent ultimately survived. Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says The cause of the fire has not yet been determined that’s largely because the home smoldered and burned for days after the incident.

Cut 8 (08) “..rubble.”

The National Federal of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns reminds you tomorrow is Small Business Saturday. She says business owners are quickly adopting pickup and delivery options to make for a safer customer experience.

Cut 10 (09) “….we were.”

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.

Cut 3 (10)  “…Amazon hub”

Big news for both LSU and the Saints today. The Black and Gold have received word that two staff members and one player on the Broncos have tested positive for COVID, putting this Sunday’s game in jeopardy. No news on if that game will be impacted yet. LSU is finalizing plans to play Bama in a makeup game December 5^th in Baton Rouge. A COVID outbreak among the Tigers nixed the previous matchup. That December 5^th date is also election day for the November run-offs.

The department of health reports just over 5,000 new COVID-19 cases that number includes cases that weren’t reported on Thanksgiving. 41 fatalities have also been reported today and 1,074 are currently hospitalized.

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, and many are depending on your business more than ever. Jeff Palermo has more.

cut 2 (30) … I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

A heroic home health worker dies in a Delphi home fire while trying to save her 71-year-old paraplegic patient. Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says as the house fire broke out 64-year-old Gwendolyn Theus attempted to assist her patient out of the house and then was overwhelmed with smoke. Rodrigue says it’s a tragic story.

Cut 7 (09) “..workers.”

Modified Phase Two restrictions reduces gatherings from 150 to 75 forcing many couples to alter their holiday wedding plans. New Orleans area wedding planner Samantha Capone says many couples had postponed their weddings to the end of the year already and reduced to 150 guests.

Cut 4 (12) “…adjust plans.”

A heroic home health worker dies in a Delphi home fire while trying to save her 71-year-old paraplegic patient. Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says as the house fire broke out 64-year-old Gwendolyn Theus attempted to wheel her patient out of the house. When that failed she then dragged the patient out of bed and was trying to pass them through the window to the neighbors…

Cut 6, 10 seconds, that point

Firefighters arrived soon after recovering the patient, who was still alive.

It’s been ten years since American Express launched Small Business Saturday. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says they were asked to partner with the promotion and this Saturday it’s more important than ever.

Cut 9 (12) “…a movement.”

Modified Phase Two restrictions are forcing many Louisiana couples to alter their wedding plans. Brooke Thorington gets advice from a local wedding planner

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

This weekend’s Saints game in Denver against the Broncos could be in jeopardy as several players on the Broncos have tested positive for COVID-19. No official announcement has been made on a cancellation or postponement, and Saints coach Sean Payton is expected to address the situation at a press conference later today.

One child is dead and two others remain hospitalized in critical condition after a house fire late Thursday in the Scotlandville area of Baton Rouge. Fire officials said an adult is also hospitalized in stable condition. The Baton Rouge Fire department says the blaze was reported just before 11:30 and remains under investigation.

Louisiana Christmas tree farmers anticipate this could be their biggest year in more than a decade. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (29)  “…Matt Doyle”  

Modified Phase Two Restrictions has forced many couples to reduce their wedding guest list from 150 to 75. New Orleans area wedding planner Samantha Capone says when some couples are forced to uninvite guests they choose to live-stream their nuptials.

Cut 6 (11) “…different way.”

Capone also says most wedding vendors have added new verbiage to contracts because of the pandemic but advises reviewing them carefully before signing.

The National Retail Federation is cautiously optimistic for fourth-quarter sales, and LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice believes retailers with a good online presence and stores like bicycle shops and DIY outlets that have seen an increase in business due in part to the pandemic will continue to do well.

Cut 9 (10) “…really knows.”

Louisiana has been approved for an additional 234 million dollars in BP Oil Spill funds that will be used to facilitate five different coastal projects. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Deputy Director Greg Grandy says the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group’s decision to release the money is fantastic news.

Cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana”

LA TIG has approved 900 million dollars for restoration projects in total for 2020.

LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says more retailers are starting Black Friday sales before Thanksgiving and many are open fewer hours. For example, more stores were closed on Thanksgiving Day ever than before.

Cut 8 (12) “…before.”

Modified Phase Two restrictions has reduced gatherings from 150 to 75, forcing couples who had wedding plans for the holidays to readjust. New Orleans area wedding planner Samantha Capone says having to uninvite guests to your wedding is awkward, but most people are understanding.

Cut 5 (11) “…safety.”

Christmas tree farmers are expecting a banner year as COVID has families desperate to bring a little holiday cheer to their homes. Southern Christmas Tree Association head Kevin Steele Sr. says that expectation is based on early demand and he thinks this could be their best year since 2005.

Cut 13 (12) “…tree.”

234 million dollars of BP Oil Spill settlement money is approved for five coastal and marsh restoration projects in Terrebonne and Plaquemines parishes. 3.1 million dollars will go towards the Terrebonne Houma Navigation Channel Island Restoration. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Deputy Director Greg Grandy says it will provide a habitat for nesting birds that were impacted by the spill.

Cut 12 (02) “.birds”

That’s one of the smallest of the five projects. The biggest is the 157 million dollar Terrebonne Basin Ridge and Marsh Creation Project which will restore 1400 acres of marsh.

It may be Black Friday today but local companies hope you save some money tomorrow for Small Business Saturday. Kevin Steele Sr., owner of Steele Christmas Tree Farm in Angie, asks you to check out your local Christmas tree farm instead of going with plastic from a big-box retailer.

Cut 15 (10)“…this year” 

The pandemic changes shopping trends for the fourth quarter, but will it help retailers end up in the black. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A Venezuelan court sentenced six American CITGO executives, one of them Lake Charles native Tomeu Vadall, to prison on corruption charges. A lawyer representing the group called the charges baseless and politically motivated. The US State Department has been working to free the CITGO Six, but the sentencing at least temporarily ends any hope of a speedy release. The Six have been imprisoned in the country for the last three years.