Louisiana has seen the statewide average for gas prices remain steady for the last few weeks, holding around $2.22 a gallon. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says gas inventories are starting to build, mitigating a holiday spike.
Cut 4 (08) “…the prices upward.”
Redman expects more price drops on the horizon, but it won’t be in time to be beneficial to the estimated 12 million motorists of the Gulf States region for the holiday weekend.
It was three years ago today that LSU announced Ed Orgeron would be the next head coach of the Fighting Tigers. There were many who were skeptical Orgeron would lead LSU back to the SEC Championship game, but Football analyst Mike Detillier says Coach O knew that if they opened up the offense and got a great quarterback it could happen. He says bringing Joe Burrow on was critical
Cut 7 (06) “…players do.”

Toy shopping is top of mind for many ahead of the holiday.  Known as the Toy Guy, Chris Byrne says there is a shift in the way parents are buying toys as to not overwhelm them with too many toys.

Cut 9 (12) “…again and again.”

Byrne says the best time to buy is when you see the toy you need so you don’t have to stress about finding the item later.

Officials say ticket sales for Saturday’s Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling State are ahead of where they were last year and they expect a sell-out when the two schools take the field Saturday afternoon in the Superdome. Grambling President Rick Gallot says demand for tickets is high

Cut 12 (08) “…600 level” 

Bayou Classic organizers also expect the Battle of the Bands show on Friday night will also sell out.

The Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association is calling on the governor to lead the discussion at the state capitol that will result in more dollars to improve roads and bridges. Increasing the state’s gasoline tax is one possible way. Association President Ken Perret understands no one wants to pay higher taxes, but….
cut 12 (11) “….and everything else”

Today marks the three-year anniversary of Ed Orgeron being named as the head coach for the LSU Tigers. Orgeron has the Bayou Bengals in contention to win a national championship. Football Analyst Mike Detllier says Joe Burrow is a big reason why and his record-breaking season has grabbed the attention of recruits…
cut 8 (11) “…to play”

The state has not seen a spike at the gas pump ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Kevin Barnhart tells us why.
cut voicer 1 (31) “…reporting”

More OMV offices re-opened today following last week’s cyberattack on state computers. 14 locations statewide are now open.

Motorists can expect to fill their tanks in Louisiana for a few pennies cheaper per gallon compared to last year’s Thanksgiving weekend.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says we’ve seen the statewide average for gas prices remain steady for the last few weeks, holding around $2.22 a gallon.

Cut 3 (10) “…continue to drop.”

Redman says gas inventories are starting to build, mitigating a holiday spike.

It was three years ago today that LSU announced Ed Orgeron would be the next head coach of the Fighting Tigers. Who would have thought three years later, LSU would be ranked number one? Football analyst Mike Detillier says Coach O did

Cut 6 (12) “ national championship.”

LSU looks to complete a perfect regular season on Saturday when they host Texas A-and-M.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute releases a survey that finds 80-percent of parents believe schools should be required to offer sex education. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Following last week’s closure of the OMV due to an attempted ransomware attack, six more Office of Motor Vehicles locations are reopened today, bring the statewide total to reopen this week to 14. Services are still expected to be limited with some locations unable to accept credit card payments.

There’s been a long debate in Louisiana on whether schools should be required to offer sex education. A survey released by the Louisiana Public Health Institute finds 80-percent of parents believe it should be a requirement.

L-P-H-I managing director, Kristie Bardell says school-based sex education provides young people with facts on topics they will likely encounter and reinforces the conversations families may already be having at home…

Cut 5 (07) “…human development.”

Before LSU can prepare for the SEC Championship game against Georgia, the Tigers will have to take on Texas A-and-M this Saturday in Tiger Stadium.

These two teams battled through seven overtimes last year with the Aggies eventually winning, 74 to 72 in College Station, Texas. Coach Ed Orgeron says playing the contest this year in front of and LSU home stadium crowd should help…

cut 14 (13) “….there’s no looking back”

The National Retail Federation expects more than 35 million people to shop both online and in-stores on Thanksgiving Day. That’s an increase of about 3.5 million more shoppers than last year.

NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says over the course of the weekend, more than 165 million will likely get some holiday shopping done.

Cut 7 (09) “…on turning out..”

The Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association is calling on Governor John Bel Edwards to initiate the discussion with the new legislative leadership on increasing infrastructure funding.

President of Louisiana Good Roads, Ken Perret recommends adjusting the gas tax, which he says hasn’t been adjusted in over 30 years.

Cut 11 (13) “…highway trust fund.”

The non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the transportation system.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute releases a survey that finds 80-percent of parents believe schools should be required to offer sex education. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The reason more than 46 thousand people in the state lost their Medicaid coverage this month was because they did not respond to warning letters, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

The agency said over 50 thousand letters to were sent to Medicaid recipients telling them they had to prove eligibility for the program by October 31st. Children were reportedly exempted from the automatic removal from the Medicaid program.

The National Retail Federation expects over 165 million people to shop over the five-days from Thanksgiving Thursday though Cyber Monday.

NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says the shopping at physically located stores should be about 47 percent while the online shopping figures for the period is close to 41 percent. Cullen says…

Cut 9 (08) “…something with family..”

Top-ranked LSU is spending this Thanksgiving week getting ready for Texas A-and-M. This a game the Tigers have been waiting for, ever since they lost to the Aggies in seven overtimes last year.

Coach Ed Orgeron doesn’t want his team thinking about what happened last year

Cut 13 (12) “..this team.”

LSU lost that away-game last year in College Station, Texas.

The National Retail Federation expects over 165 million consumers to get shopping done over the holiday weekend. Michael Farrar has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Michael Farrar.”

The Office of Motor Vehicles plans to re-open a few more offices today as the state agency continues to get its computers back online after a ransomware attack.

And there’s a slight risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight for northeast Louisiana.

The Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association is encouraging Governor Edwards to lead the discussion with the new legislative leadership team about how the state can increase funding for better roads and bridges. President Ken Perrett says Louisiana deserves an honest debate on increasing infrastructure, even if that means raising the gasoline tax…
cut 11 (13) “…highway trust fund”

The Louisiana Public Health Institute releases a survey that finds an overwhelming percent of Louisiana parents support sex education in schools. Sex ed is currently not a requirement for public schools L-P-H-I managing director Kristie Bardell says the new legislature will be presented with this survey…
cut 6 (09) “….sex education”

The National Retail Federation expects over 35 million consumers to shop online and in-stores on turkey day, up 3.5 million from last year. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says over the course of the five-day weekend, which includes Cyber Monday, 165 million Americans will shop.
Cut 7 (09) “…on turning out..”

The Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association is calling on Governor John Bel Edwards to initiate the discussion with the new legislative leadership on increasing infrastructure funding. President of Louisiana Good Roads Ken Perrett says it is vital to come up with a plan that everyone can support.
Cut 10 (08) “…to work together.”
Perret recommends adjusting the state’s gasoline tax.

There’s been a long debate in Louisiana on whether schools should be required to offer sex education. A survey released by the Louisiana Public Health Institute finds 80-percent of parents believe it should be a requirement. L-P-H-I managing director Kristie Bardell says sex-ed could lead to healthier lives…
Cut 4 (11) “…contraceptive use.”
Louisiana’s legislature has not been willing to pass legislation requiring sex ed in public schools.

After opening eight regional main offices on Monday, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles plans to open ten other offices today as the O-M-V continues to recover from last week’s ransomware attack. Other state government agencies are up and running.

Senator John Kennedy is working to get $10 billion for rural broadband infrastructure through the “Clearing Broad Airwaves for New Deployment, or C-Band, Act.” Kennedy filed the measure in part because there are many people in less populated areas do not have reliable internet service.

Cut 3 (10) “don’t have broadband.”

It’s a historic debut today as Mississippi residents could purchase Louisiana Lottery scratch-off tickets for the first time in their home state.

Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the Louisiana Lottery transferred more than 184-million dollars to the state treasury for K-through-12 public education. She credits their creative scratch-off games.

Cut 11 (07) “…Mardi Gras themed game”

The Louisiana Lottery reports that 2019 is coming its most successful fiscal year ever in their 28-year existence.

The Transportation Security Administration expects nearly 27-million people will fly from November 22nd to December 2nd. T-S-A Spokesperson Sari Koshetz says T-S-A agents confiscated at least 72 guns at security checkpoints at Louisiana airports in 2019. She says you can travel with a gun, but it must go in your checked luggage…

Cut 14 (06) “…check in”

Louisiana State Parks will soon reduce the 3-night minimum to book weekday stays at state campgrounds and cabins. The change begins December 9th. State Parks Director Brandon Burris says the repeal sends an encouraging message to those that want to explore sportsman’s paradise.

Cut 8 (07) “ …open for business”

For more info on booking a Louisiana State Parks stay, head to L A State Parks dot com.

The FCC is holding a public auction for airwaves to be used in 5G wireless technology that should result in improved access to broadband internet in rural communities. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana State Parks will soon end its 3-night minimum requirement for weekday stays at state campgrounds and cabins. The change starts December 9th. State Parks Director Brandon Burris says they’ve heard the feedback from visitors to get rid of the minimum weeknight stay policy that has been in place for the last few years.

Cut 6 (10) “the weekdays only.”

Burris expects an uptick in reservations due to the policy change.

Approximately 12-hundred convenience stores in the across Mississippi began selling Louisiana Lottery scratch off tickets today. It marks the first time Bayou State scratch off games were available in Mississippi. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says Texas and Arkansas have popular lottery games, but residents in those states also play in Louisiana…

Cut 10 (09) “some time”

Chopin says Louisiana Lottery is coming off its most successful fiscal year ever.
The Transportation Security Administration is getting the word out, make sure you don’t pack anything firearms in carry-on bag. Spokesperson Sari Koshetz says T-S-A agents confiscated at least 72 guns at security checkpoints at Louisiana airports. She says you can travel with a gun, but it must go in your checked luggage…

Cut 14 (06) “…check in”