Black Friday officially kicks off the Christmas shopping season.  And the National Retail Federation predicts shoppers will spend almost ten percent more money this year than they did last year. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice emphasizes trends shaping 2024’s holiday shopping, including online purchasing growth, early-season sales, and the gift of visiting loved ones.

Cut 4 (11) “…a consumer good.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is looking to make sure we’re all vigilant on this, the busiest shopping day of the year.  Murril says you should use caution when shopping this Black Friday and throughout the holidays.

Cut 10 (11) “…over merchandise.”

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As you get your Christmas shopping underway for this year, don’t forget about your small businesses. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain encourages residents to consider getting a Louisiana-grown live Christmas tree this holiday season. He says going to a tree farm is wonderful family experience and there’s nothing better than the smell of a live tree.  As for where to get yours.

Cut 13 (08)  “…association website”

Shoppers and retailers both face unique challenges this holiday shopping season.  Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (30)“…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Today may be Black Friday, but tomorrow is Small Business Saturday. State director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Leah Long says the holiday season is something that small business owners look forward to every year.

Cut 8 (09) “…kind of thing.”

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Attorney General Liz Murrill is advising shoppers to be vigilant on the busiest shopping day of the year. And she’s warning us all to be aware of scams this holiday season.

Cut 11 (12) “…and appliances.”

Shoppers can find more consumer safety tips at aglizmurrill.com

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain encourages residents to consider getting a Louisiana-grown live Christmas tree this holiday season. He says going to a tree farm is more than just buying a tree…

Cut 12 (12) “…absolutely incredible.”

Strain says you can find the names and locations of local Christmas tree farms around the state at the southern Christmas Aree Association’s website.

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State Police says the man shot by an Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s deputy in Marksville on Monday has died. L-S-P says the deputy fired his weapon when he was investigating several previous shootings near the Bethune Community Center. Authorities say multiple subjects approached the deputy and that’s when the officer fired his weapon, killing one person.

.The hurricane season ends on Saturday. Colorado State Univeristy Research Scientist Phil Koltzbach says an average season has 14 named storms and in 2024 there were 18 named storms. Klotzbach says they are already working on it, but they also understand a lot of the conditions can change during the winter…

Cut 8 (08) “…active seasons.”

Tomorrow is arguably the biggest shopping day of the year – Black Friday. And especially with Black Friday falling on the latest possible date, retailers are rolling out huge discounts in an all-out effort to drive foot traffic into their stores. WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says if you’re looking for huge bargains, your best bets will be the major department stores like JCPenney, Belk and Macy’s.

Cut 3 (07) “…57-percent.”

64 high school football are preparing for their quarterfinal matchup tomorrow night.  Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen says one of the best quarterfinal matchups will take place in Stonewall as Cecilia will visit North Desoto

Cut 11 (12) “…the game.”

Five hurricanes made U.S. landfall, tied for the second most in history, with major hurricanes Helene and Milton causing significant damage. The season caused approximately 250 fatalities and 100 billion dollars in damages. The record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures and cool neutral conditions contributed to low vertical wind shear, fostering hurricane development. Klotzbach says despite these factors, a mid-season lull occurred due to dry air

Cut 7 (05) “…peak of the season.”

Ready  or not, Black Friday is tomorrow, and retailers are rolling out the discounts. Wallet Hub Analyst Chip Lupo says the most discounted items are

Cut 5 (14) “…JC Penny’s for example.”

It’s the quarterfinal round of the high school football playoffs and there are several teams in central Louisiana looking for their first state championship. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Saturday is the 51st annual Bayou Classic. The 7-and-4 Jags have already clinched a spot in the SWAC Championship against Jackson St. The Tigers are playing for pride at 5-and-6, but Grambling Coach Mickey Joseph says neither team will phone it in…

Cut 13 (1o)  “…be a battle (2x)”

Kickoff in the Superdome is at 1:00.

Tomorrow is Black Friday – the day that retailers pull out all the stops in offering their biggest discounts of the year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The hurricane season ends on Saturday and it was extremely active, though slightly below forecasts issued by Colorado State University. CSU Research Scientist Phil Koltzbach says an average season has 14 named storms and in 2024 there were 18 named storms, slightly less than the 25 predicted in July…

Cut 6 (07) “…over forecast that.”

It’s Thanksgiving Day but 64 high school football teams get to practice today as they are preparing for their quarterfinal matchup tomorrow night. Vermilion Catholic is the top seed in Division Four select and they are led by quarterback Jonathan Dartez who has rushed for 21-hundred yards and 34 touchdowns. He also has 19 passing touchdowns. Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen says Dartez is a dynamic player…

Cut 9 (09)  “…in Louisiana.”

Southern and Grambling will face off in the 51st annual Bayou Classic in the Superdome Saturday. Jaguars Coach Terrence Graves says this is the unofficial state championship…

Cut 12 (17) “…New Orleans.”

Tomorrow should be a busy Black Friday as retailers pull out all the stops to get customers late into the holiday season. Shoppers can expect big savings, but WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says surprisingly, electronics aren’t being discounted this year as much as he would expect.

Cut 4 (09) “…Black Friday.”

The hurricane season ends on Saturday and it was extremely active, though slightly below forecasts issued by Colorado State University. CSU Research Scientist Phil Klotzbach says an average season has 14 named storms and in 2024 there were 18 named storms, slightly less than the 25 predicted in July…

Cut 6 (07) “…over forecast that.”

It’s the quarterfinal round of the high school football playoffs and there are several teams in central Louisiana looking for their first state championship. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Fire Marshall Chief Bryan J Adams is reminding Louisiana residents to stay safe when heating their homes during this holiday cold front and into December. He says place space heaters 3-to-5 feet away from flammable items and plug them directly into wall outlets rather than extension cords and power strips.

That cold front we were expecting is making its way through the state. Temperatures are already in the 50s in north Louisiana and they will stay there for the day. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says in south Louisiana, expect temperatures to drop throughout the day….

Cut 16 (05) “…mild day”

Keim says it will be a dry, but chilly holiday weekend.

Tomorrow is arguably the biggest shopping day of the year – Black Friday. And especially with Black Friday falling on the latest possible date, retailers are rolling out huge discounts in an all-out effort to drive foot traffic into their stores. WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says if you’re looking for huge bargains, your best bets will be the major department stores like JCPenney, Belk and Macy’s.

Cut 3 (07) “…57-percent.”

Lupo says the most discounted items this year are jewelry and appliances.

The high school football playoffs continue tomorrow night with quarterfinal action and the Franklin Parish Patriots are in the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. They will be hosting Iowa tomorrow night and Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen says Franklin Parish will be tough to beat…

Cut 10 (07) “….talent now”

In Division four non-select…Franklin is a 19 seed and they will visit Logansport. The Hornets have lost six straight quarterfinal games. Also in Division Four non-select, 12^th seeded General Trass is at Jeanerette.

LSU football will honor 21 seniors for Senior day on Saturday when the Tigers host Oklahoma, but Coach Brian Kelly expects receiver CJ Daniels to return for a sixth and final year of eligibility…

Cut 27 (13) “…next year”

Kick off is at 6 PM.

It’s rivalry weekend in college football. The SEC is hoping LSU and Oklahoma becomes a rivalry. The two teams will meet for the first time ever in the regular season on Saturday.

The 51^st annual Bayou Classic is Saturday as Southern battles Grambling. The Jaguars are Western Division champs in the SWAC while Grambling is trying to finish the season with a 6-and-6 record. Tigers Coach Mickey Joseph…

Cut 13 (10) “….be a battle”

U-L Lafayette will try to win a Sun Belt West Title on Saturday when they visit ULM. There are some in Lafayette who do not look at the Warhawks as a rival, but don’t tell that to Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux…

Cut 29 (11) “…good rival”

ULM needs to win to be bowl eligible.

It’s Thanksgiving Day but 64 high school football teams get to practice today as they are preparing for their quarterfinal matchup tomorrow night. Vermilion Catholic is the top seed in Division Four select and they are led by quarterback Jonathan Dartez who has rushed for 21-hundred yards and 34 touchdowns. He also has 19 passing touchdowns. Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen says Dartez is a dynamic player…

Cut 9 (09)  “…in Louisiana.”

Vermilion Catholic hosts St. Edmund tomorrow night in what is expected to be a high scoring game.

The 7^th ranked LSU women’s basketball team took down 20^th ranked North Carolina State in the Bahamas yesterday, 82 to 65. Aneesah Morrow recorded her sixth straight double-double, 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Louisiana Tech is now 7-and-0 after beating Eastern Kentucky 78 to 69 at the Gulf Coast Showcase. Daniel Batch had 19 points.

State Police says the man shot by an Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s deputy in Marksville on Monday has died. L-S-P says the deputy fired his weapon when he was investigating several previous shootings near the Bethune Community Center. Authorities say multiple subjects approached the deputy and that’s when the officer fired his weapon, killing one person.

Tomorrow is Black Friday – the day that retailers pull out all the stops in offering their biggest discounts of the year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The 2024 hurricane season comes to an end Saturday and Colorado State hurricane forecast researchers say while it was an active season, it was not as active as predicted. In July, C-S-U upped its prediction to 25 named storms, but the season produced 18 named storms. Research Scientist Phil Klotzbach says dry air during the middle of the season kept the number down…

Cut 7 (05) “….peak of the season”

Five hurricanes made U.S. landfall, tied for the second most in history, with major hurricanes Helene and Milton causing significant damage.

Southern and Grambling will face off in the 51st annual Bayou Classic in the Superdome Saturday. Jaguars Coach Terrence Graves…

Cut 12 (17) “…New Orleans.”

Kick off Saturday is at 1 PM.