Across the nation, AAA forecasts over 55 million people are traveling for the holiday weekend, about a 3% increase over last year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says in the Gulf States region, about 13 million will be traveling, many of them opting for driving over flying.
Cut 4 (08) “…on the roadway.”

The U-S-D-A estimates 46-million turkeys will be cooked during this holiday. Food safety expert Janice Lopez-Munoz asks cooks to wash their hands before you start preparing your turkey, but there is no reason to wash the turkey…
cut 10 (10) “….prepared”
Lopez-Munoz says cooking your turkey thoroughly is the best way to make sure your bird is free of bacteria.

LSU fell to number two in the latest college football playoff rankings, despite a 36 point win over Arkansas last Saturday. Ohio State is the new number one after beating 10th ranked Penn State.

Saturday is the regular-season finale and it is the final home game for the Tigers and quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow says he’s really enjoyed his time in Tiger Town…
cut 14 (13) “…on Saturday”

Anthony Davis will not get a warm reception tonight when his Lakers take on the Pelicans tonight at the Smoothie King Center. It’s A-D’s first game in the Big Easy since his much-publicized trade to Los Angeles. Tip-off is at 7.

People are hitting the road in near record-breaking numbers for Thanksgiving. Michael Farrar has the story.

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

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Would you know the difference between a natural diamond and one cultivated in a lab? Kevin Barnhart speaks to a diamond expert to get the details.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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If you’re prepping the bird for tomorrow’s feast don’t forget to follow proper food safety guidelines. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Across the nation, AAA forecasts over 55 million people are traveling for the holiday weekend, about a 3% increase over last year.  AAA spokesperson Don Redman say in the Gulf States region, about 13 million will be traveling, with many of them opting for driving over flying.

Cut 4 (08) “…on the roadway.”

Nationally, air travel will see the biggest increase in volume with a nearly 5% growth as 4.5 million will take to the skies.  Redman says those choosing to fly out of the newly-opened terminal of Louis Armstrong Airport in New Orleans need to pack their patience and get to the airport much earlier than might be expected.

Cut 5 (09) “…the flight departure.”

The statewide average for a gallon of gasoline is $2.22, just a few cents cheaper than last year.  But Redman says travelers should budget more for rental cars as the average price is $75 per day, a new record for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Hotel rates are also up.

Cut 6 (06) “…out that money.”

AAA is expecting to respond to over 368,000 roadside assistance calls over the holiday with dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts leading the list of car troubles.

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Imagine buying a diamond for a loved one this holiday and finding out later that you bought a stone that isn’t from the earth, it’s from a lab.  Diamond expert Grant Mobley says while the products look similar to the naked eye, they have drastically different values.

Cut 7 (11) “…totally different products.”

Mobley says it is important to ask questions about the origin of a diamond adding that a local retailer will likely be truthful about the source of the stone.

Cut 8 (07) “…when buying online.”

Mobley says natural diamonds are inherently valued because they are a finite product and they maintain and increase in value over time.  But Mobley compares a lab-grown diamond to a plasma TV that cost a grand a decade ago.

Cut 9 (10) “…continue to grow.”

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More than 46-million turkeys will be cooked this week for Thanksgiving according to the USDA. The Department of Agriculture wants to encourage food safety so leftovers are all that linger after the traditional meal. USDA Food Safety Expert Janice Lopez-Munoz says always clean your hands and surfaces while prepping, but don’t clean the turkey.

Cut 10 (10) “…prepared.”

When it comes to your chilled items on the menu you want to take precautions with them as well. Lopez-Munoz says to watch the clock on how long they are out of the refrigerator.

Cut 11 (07) “…two hours.”

Raw meat and poultry can be a culprit of foodborne illness so Lopez-Munoz recommends that you carefully trace the path of raw meat while prepping and clean accordingly.

Cut  12 (09) “…ready to eat.” 

If you have any food safety questions you can call the USDA hotline weekdays from 9-5 and on Thanksgiving Day 7 am until 1 pm at 1-888-674-6854 or visit online at Food-Safety-dot-gov

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LSU Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Joe Burrow will play in his final game in Tiger Stadium on Saturday. Burrow, who has been on campus for less than a year and a half, wishes he had another season left to play at LSU…

Cut 13 (12) “..last one”

Burrow will likely get a huge ovation when he’s introduced prior to the Texas A-and-M game when he jogs on the field for the senior day ceremony. Burrow says he and his family have been treated great by Tiger Nation…

Cut 14 (13) “…on Saturday” 

During Burrow’s time at LSU, he’s thrown for six-thousand yards, 57 touchdowns. He’s also 21 and 3 as a starter. He’ll face a defense on Saturday that ranks in the middle of the pack in the SEC in defense

Cut 15 (20) “..picked up”

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ULM heads into Saturday’s game against the Ragin Cajuns as a three-touchdown underdog. Last year, the Warhawks lost to U-L Lafayette by three points. ULM Coach Matt Viator says the Cajuns are a better team on defense this year

Cut 16  (19)  … Ron can do” 

If the Warhawks pull off the upset, they would be bowl eligible. Viator says he hasn’t spent any time thinking about bowl possibilities…

Cut 17  (19)  have time” 

It was three years ago today, Ed Orgeron was named as head coach of the LSU Tigers. Jeff Palermo reports the hiring looks to be former athletic director Joe Alleva’s best move…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”    

A Boy Scout leader is in jail and charged with 500 counts of possession of child pornography according to Livingston parish authorities.

Fifty year old, Randy Miller Jr. was booked today and is being held on a 50 million dollar bond. Many regional law enforcement agencies took part including, the Louisiana State Police, Livingston parish and East Baton Rouge parish Sheriff offices.

On the federal level, the ATF, the FBI and the Office of Homeland Security also were involved.

The trash-talking has begun between sports rivals Southern and Grambling State Universities. The pair of H-B-C-U schools face off in the annual Bayou Classic on Saturday afternoon in the Superdome.

The last time the schools squared off the Southern Jaguars defeated Grambling Bulldogs and Southern University President Ray Belton says the Jaguars plan on winning again…

Cut 14 (09) “…here to stay”

The Bayou Classic winner will head to the SWAC Championship game for a chance to play in the Celebration Bowl.

Chris Byrne, is dubbed the Toy Guy, says there is a shift in the way parents are buying toys. Byrne says many parents carefully select toys to avoid overwhelming their children with too many toys.

Cut 9 (12) “…again and again.”

Byrne says toys such as Legos and dolls will always score highly after the wrapping paper is removed to reveal the given toy.

Louisiana motorists may be able to fill their tanks for a few pennies less 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.”

Claiming the title of “the Toy Guy” Chris Byrne has advice for toy shopping. Classic toys such as Legos and dolls will always do great and adds any toy to gets a laugh is always a solid find.

Cut 11 (13) “…burst out laughing.”

This week kicks off the traditional holiday shopping season beginning on Thanksgiving Thursday rolling along through for five days to Cyber Shopping Monday.

Three years after Ed Orgeron was tapped to lead the LSU Tigers football team, his overall recruiting efforts paved the way for the Bayou Bengals to be currently ranked at number one.

Football analyst Mike Detillier says Joe Burrow’s record-breaking season will attract other great quarterbacks and skill position players to LSU, which should help the program remain as one of the best in the country

Cut 8 (11) “ to LSU and play”

Tickets for Saturday’s Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling State are hot commodities and expected to sell-out. The two H-B-C-U schools take the field Saturday afternoon in the Superdome. Grambling President Rick Gallot says demand for tickets is high.

Cut 12 (08) “…600 level”

The Bayou Classic is expected to draw over 200,000 visitors and produce an economic impact of 50-million dollars.

The state has not seen a spike at the gas pump ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Kevin Barnhart tells us why.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Boy Scout leader is charged with 500 counts of possession of child pornography according to Livingston parish authorities.

Fifty year old, Randy Miller Jr. was booked today and is being held on the charges. Many regional law enforcement agencies took part including, Louisiana State Police, Livingston parish and East Baton Rouge parish Sheriff offices.

On the federal level, the ATF, the FBI and the Office of Homeland Security also were involved.

This Saturday’s Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling State is a hot ticket event with official ticket sales out-stripping of where they were last year, at this time. Organizers also expect the Battle of the Bands show on Friday night will also sell out.

Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs says he’s been attending the Bayou Classic since he was a kid and this game means a lot to him…

Cut 13 (10) “…possibly are.”

The winner of Saturday’s football game will advance to the SWAC Championship game.

Toys are big on many Christmas shopping lists but timing is critical when hunting for great toy gifts. Claiming the title of ‘the Toy Guy’, Chris Byrne says while the best time to buy is when you see the toy you must get.

This strategy saves you the stress of desperately searching for it later. However, a later shopping season could give advantages to a more cost-conscious shopper…

Cut 10 (09) “…incentive to purchase.”

It was three years ago today, Ed Orgeron was named as head coach of the LSU Tigers. Jeff Palermo reports the hiring looks to be former athletic director Joe Alleva’s best move…
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

AAA says the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.22. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says that’s a little less than last year…
cut 5 (10) “…of people travel”

With the holiday shopping season upon us that’s many are in the market to buy toys. Chris Byrne is known as the Toy Guy and says Legos and dolls are some of the most popular items and any toy that gains a laugh is always a solid fine…
cut 11 (13) “….burst out laughing”

The trash-talking is underway between Southern and Grambling State, who will meet in the annual Bayou Classic on Saturday in the Superdome. The winner will head to the SWAC Championship game for a chance to play in the Celebration Bowl. Southern beat Grambling last year and Southern University President Ray Belton says the Jaguars plan on winning again…
Cut 14 (09) “…here to stay”
The Bayou Classic is expected to draw over 200,000 visitors and produce an economic impact of 50-million dollars.

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.