Early voting for the December 6th runoff election continues across the state. Eric Gill reports…
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It looks like your Thanksgiving meal on Thursday will cost a little more this year, according to an informal survey by the American Farm Bureau Association. The average price for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will cost $49.41; thirty-seven cents more than last year. But, that’s cheaper than it was in 2012.

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State Police are investigating a single vehicle accident involving an alleged drunk driver in Tangipahoa Parish that claimed the life of the driver’s father. Master Trooper Greg Marchand says they call the call about the crash in the Hammond area last night…
CUT 3 (12) “a pine tree”
Twenty-two year-old Amber Holden was charged with DWI and vehicular homicide. Forty-five year-old Douglas Hoyt was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Natchitoches Christmas Fesitval of Lights is now underway, with thousands of lights were turned on Saturday, and they’re expecting big crowds over Thanksgiving weekend…
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That’s Madi Ackel, this year’s Miss Merry Christmas who also says the 88th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Parade is December 6th.

The early voting period for the December 6th runoff election began Saturday and Secretary of State Tom Schedler says turnout on day one was good. He says on the first day of early voting for the November 4th election, about 28,000 voters came out but this past Saturday they had almost 45,000….:
CUT 1 (12) “was very nice”
He predicts about a 35% overall voter turnout. The last day to early vote is this Saturday but polls are closed Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Governor Bobby Jindal announce ClearEdge Wholesale Glass will invest $2.65 million dollars to renovate a 41,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Baton Rouge and relocate their current smaller operations in New Orleans. He says ClearEdge will create 120 new direct jobs at the new facility with an average salary of nearly $40,000 a year plus benefits.

The famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is officially underway. The 300,000+ lights were turned on for the first time on Saturday and will twinkle every night at dusk through January 6th of next year. Madi Ackel is this year’s Miss Merry Christmas. She says Natchitoches is always special, but this is the highlight of the year…:
CUT 9 (10) “special here”
Downtown attractions include carriage tours through the historic district and all shops and restaurants will be open late. The 88th Annual Christmas Festival and parade happens December 6th.

Sports fans are still buzzing over former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham’s one-handed touchdown grab in last night’s game between the Giants and Cowboys. But it wasn’t enough as Dallas won to move into a tie into first place with Philadelphia.

State Police say a 22-year-old woman behind the wheel when she crashed into a tree in the Hammond area last night which caused the death of her father will be charged with vehicular homicide when she gets out of the hospital. Trooper Greg Marchand says 22-year-old Amber Hoyt was driving and her dad, 45-year-old Douglas Hoyt wasn’t buckled up and died on scene. He says it’s vital to be restrained in a vehicle and never drink and drive…:
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A GoFundMe account has been set up for the Hardman Family who lost five in a crash in Ouachita Parish while on their way to their dream Disney World vacation last week. According to the site, the money will be used for the five funeral expenses. Trudi and Michael Hardman died in a crash along with three juveniles age 15, 7 and 4.

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged two gifts to the Pro Football Hall of Fame totaling $11 million. This is the largest individual contribution in the Hall’s 51 year history. Vice President of Communications Pete Fierle (FEAR-ly) says Hall President David Baker approached Benson earlier this season…:
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$10 million of Benson’s donation will be used to renovate Fawcett Stadium, which will now be called Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Thanksgiving will cost a little more this year. An informal survey by the American Farm Bureau Association shows the average price for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will cost $49.41. That’s 37 cents more than last year.

State Police are investigating a single vehicle accident involving an alleged drunk driver in Tangipahoa Parish that claimed the life of the driver’s father. Master Trooper Greg Marchand it happened in the Hammond area last night…:
CUT 3 (12) “a pine tree”
He says they suspect impairment on the part of 22-year-old Amber Hoyt and she will be booked with vehicular homicide when she gets out of the hospital. Her dad, 45-year-old Douglas Hoyt of Holden wasn’t buckled up and suffered fatal injuries in the crash.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating the deaths of two men who they believe killed each other in a fight. They say 19-year-old Lester Reed allegedly stabbed 32-year-old Tevin Crump with a kitchen knife then Crump shot Reed. Crump died at the scene and Reed at a hospital.

A recent State Farm survey found drivers are still texting and driving, even though they know its dangerous. Scott Carwile has more…:
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A District Attorney in northeast Louisiana has reportedly dismissed the careless driving ticket given to a Texas teenager as a result of a crash that killed five members of the teen’s family. DA Jerry Jones told The News Star that there is no need to add to his pain. The teen apparently fell asleep at the wheel which caused the fatal accident.

Even though they know its dangerous, drivers are still texting and driving according to a new State Farm survey. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says 80 percent of crashes are due to distracted driving. State Farm Spokesperson Gary Stephenson says drivers now use their phones to read emails, access social media and use the internet, in addition to texting…

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34 percent of those polled admit to texting while driving.

The Louisiana Film Entertainment Association has met their fundraising goal for a study that will research the economic impact of the movie industry in Louisiana. LFEA Executive Board member Raelyn Loop other states are mimicking our program program so Louisiana needs to remain competitive…

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She says the state has to look at whether the motion picture tax incentive that benefits outside companies coming to do business here is helping Louisiana.

An informal survey by the American Farm Bureau Association shows your Thanksgiving meal will cost a little more this year. Jeff Palermo reports…

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Early voting continues for the December 6th runoff elections, which includes Louisiana’s US Senate election. You can cast your early ballot through Saturday, with the exception of Thursday and Friday. Go online to geauxvote-dot-com for a list of early voting locations in your area.

A new State Farm survey shows drivers are still texting and driving, even though they know its dangerous. But State Farm spokesperson Gary Stephenson says some people acknowledged when road conditions were bad, they reduced their cell phone use…

cut 8 (10) “be distracted.”

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says 80 percent of crashes are due to distracted driving.

Homelessness in Louisiana has declined roughly 63 percent since 2010, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Fred Tombar says they work with local non-profit organizations throughout the state to find people who are on the street and have a need…

cut 11 (11) “work together well”

There are an estimated 4,606 homeless people in Louisiana this year compared to 12,482 four years ago.

The Louisiana Film Entertainment Association has met their Kickstarter goal with money they were raising for a study that will research the economic impact of the movie industry in Louisiana. LFEA Executive Board member Raelyn Loop says the landmark economic impact study is already underway..

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LFEA had a $50,000 gap in funding for the project which is why they launched the “Here’s My Two Bucks” Kickstarter campaign which met its goal with 7 days to go.

According to an informal survey by the American Farm Bureau Association, it looks like your Thanksgiving meal will cost a little more this year. Louisiana Farm Bureau Association’s Avery Davidson says the biggest price hikes you’ll see are your proteins, particularly turkey and beef…

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The average price for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will cost $49.41, 37 cents more than last year.

The Louisiana Film Entertainment Association has met their Kickstarter goal with money they were raising for a study that will research the economic impact of the movie industry in Louisiana. Michelle Southern reports…

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State Police say a 16-year-old Lake Charles girl was killed in a crash in Calcasieu Parish over the weekend. Authorities say it appears Britney Anne Trahan failed to yield at a stop sign while entering US 90 and her vehicle was hit by a pickup truck. Trahan died as a result of her injuries. The driver of the truck was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development reports homelessness in Louisiana has declined nearly 12 percent since last year. Baton Rouge and New Orleans have the largest concentrations of homeless individuals. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Fred Tombar says the ultimate goal is to eradicate chronic homelessness…

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He says the state’s implementation of the $146 million dollar Permanent Supportive Housing Program has been a big help.

The cost of your Thanksgiving meal will be little more this year, according to an informal survey by the American Farm Bureau Association. The average price for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will cost $49.41, 37 cents more than last year. But Louisiana Farm Bureau Association’s Avery Davidson has a suggestion if you’re looking for a deal on sweet potatoes or yams…

cut 6 (06) “grocery store”

He says, although this year’s Thanksgiving meal cost is up, it’s still lower than what we paid in 2012.

According to a report from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness in Louisiana has declined nearly 12 percent since last year. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Fred Tombar says one of the key factors in reducing homelessness in Louisiana has been the state’s implementation of the $146 million dollar Permanent Supportive Housing Program…

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Baton Rouge and New Orleans have the largest concentrations of homeless individuals.

The Louisiana Film Entertainment Association has met their Kickstarter goal with money they were raising for a study that will research the economic impact of the movie industry in Louisiana. LFEA Executive Board member Raelyn Loop says once the study is complete, they will present the findings to lawmakers…

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She says the study is already underway…

A recent State Farm survey found drivers are still texting and driving, even though they know its dangerous. 52 percent of those polled admit they have talked on a cell phone while driving and 34 percent say they have texted while driving. State Farm Spokesperson Gary Stephenson says there has been an increase in the use of hands free cell phones.

cut 7 (14) “much at all”

Stephenson says 77 percent of young drivers say they believe they can safely text while driving.

It looks like Thanksgiving will cost a little more this year. An informal survey by the American Farm Bureau Association shows the average price for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will cost $49.41. That’s 37 cents more than last year.

It’s looking more and more like we’re going to be hit will some pretty severe weather in Louisiana starting tonight and into tomorrow. The National Weather Service says citizens should prepare for the possibility of damaging wings and possibly even tornadoes as the event moves in. Forecaster Robert Ricks says we can also expect 1-3 inches of rain or worse further south…:
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Early voting began this morning for the December 6th runoff elections. You’ll have until Saturday November 29th to cast your ballot ahead of election day but the precincts will be closed tomorrow and Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after. The Secretary of State’s office says state law mandates polls be closed when state offices are closed. Voting Days open at 8:30am and close at 6pm.

State Police say a crash in Jackson Parish with a 15-year-old behind the wheel claimed the life of a 14-year-old passenger last night. They say the juvenile from Jonesboro veered off the road and the Chevy Silverado slammed into a tree. Both occupants, who were unrestrained, had to be extricated. Investigators say the 14-year-old passenger from Quitman died at the scene and the driver has serious injuries. Impairment is unknown at this time.

The Jindal Administration kept it’s promise and left higher ed alone when filling the state’s current $171 million dollar budget deficit. Kristy Nichols said Friday they will reduce spending and eliminate vacant jobs to close the gap. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says the Governor also found $130 million in funds not being used…:
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The deficit was tied to low severance tax and mineral royalties from dropping oil prices, combined with weak growth in personal income taxes.

Brace yourself for more severe weather tonight. We had a winter front last week and that’s moved off now bringing in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico…:
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Robert Ricks from the National Weather Service in Slidell says along with torrential rain, damaging winds and tornadoes will be the main threat; so storms from this evening into early tomorrow morning will need to be watched closely.

The teenager who was driving the vehicle that crashed in Ouachita Parish last week killing 5 of the 8 family member occupants on their way to Disney World was issued a citation for careless operation. State Police say the 16-year-old from Texas is not charged with a crime, but it’s state policy that a ticket be issued regardless of the severity of the crash. Two adults and three juveniles age 4, 7 and 15 died in the crash.

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols announced the state plans to use amnesty money, eliminate 167 unused positions and reduce spending as part of the plan to fill the state’s current $171 million dollar budget shortfall. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says this falls in line with Jindal’s promise higher ed would be spared mid-year cuts…:
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The deficit was tied to low severance tax and mineral royalties from dropping oil prices, combined with weak growth in personal income taxes.

Of course those low oil prices mean the consumer is saving lots of money at the pump ahead of the Thanksgiving travel season. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.65 which is down almost 10 cents from last week according to the American Automobile Association.