Thanksgiving means it’s Bayou Classic Weekend as Grambling and Southern go head to head this Saturday in the 51st Bayou Classic. Candace Brock with the Bayou Classic says says the festivities kick off at three Thursday afternoon with the Thanksgiving Day parade, and it will be a spectacle.

Cut 8 (12) “…parade as well.”

Wherever you’re traveling this holiday weekend, be sure to wear your seatbelt.  The nationwide “Click It Or Ticket” enforcement period started last weekend and runs through Sunday. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reminds us all that not wearing your seatbelt can have very dire consequences.

Cut 14 (12) “…wearing a seatbelt.”

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Louisiana is the 10^th most expensive state for grocery prices right now.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

As you prepare your Thanksgiving feast, make sure you’re practicing food safety. Jennifer Duhon, a registered dietician at the LSU Agricultural Center says you should never thaw your turkey at room temperature…and be sure to store leftovers.

Cut 6 (07) “…be concerned about.”

Law enforcement has a warning for you as you hit the road for your Thanksgiving travels – wear your seatbelt, or else. The nationwide “Click It Or Ticket” enforcement period started last weekend and runs through Sunday. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says there are more officers on the road, and they’re specifically looking for people not wearing their seatbelts.

Cut 13 (12)  “…for traffic enforcement.”

Louisiana ranks as the 10th most expensive state for groceries.  Thanksgiving serves as a key indicator of grocery trends. This year, a 15-item Thanksgiving meal costs 65 dollars on average. That’s three percent lower than last year, but still 42 percent higher than in 2019.  UNO Professor of Economics Walter Lane says

Cut 11 (08) “…last couple of years.”

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When preparing your Thanksgiving feast, be sure to practice proper food safety. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The 51st Bayou Classic between Grambling and Southern takes place at the Superdome Saturday afternoon. Candace Brock with the Bayou Classic says the event goes far beyond just football.

Cut 7 (10) “…colleges and universities.”

Louisiana is the 10th most expensive state for groceries, with residents spending an average of 283 dollars per week in 2023, compared to the national average of 270 dollars. UNO Professor of Economics Walter Lane says despite a slowdown in inflation over the past year, it still feels like prices are rising for many in Louisiana since costs are still higher than they were before 2021.

Cut 10 (07) “…gone away.”

As you get ready to cook all that food for Thanksgiving, be sure you’re practicing food safety. By now, you should be thawing your frozen turkey. But Jennifer Duhon, a registered dietician at the LSU Agricultural Center, says if you didn’t give your turkey enough time to completely thaw out, you do have another option.

Cut 4 (13) “…to be cool.”

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The 51st annual Bayou Classic is this Saturday at the Superdome. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Whether you’re headed to the game, grandma’s, or anywhere else, be aware the Click it or Ticket campaign is underway this holiday weekend. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission  says if you’re caught not wearing your seatbelt, it will cost you.

Cut 15 (05) “…75 for consecutive.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the tax reform package is a game-changer for the state. She says it positions Louisiana more competitively to take advantage of everything that the state has to offer naturally.

Cut 5 (13) “…years and generations.”

President Biden makes it official – the U.S. Post Office on Benedette Street in Rayville is now known as the Luke Letlow Post Office. Letlow’s widow, Congresswoman Julia Letlow, says she is flooded with emotion

Cut 13 (11)  “…finding connections.”

Luke Letlow died of COVID-19 complications in 2020, just days before he was to be sworn into office.

Many Louisiana residents are opting for a real Christmas tree rather than an artificial one. Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm Co-Owner Kevin Steele Sr. says beyond their environmental benefits, real trees offer the season’s sights, smells, and tactile joy.

Cut 6 (09) “…Washington Parish.”

Steele says artificial trees, on the other hand, are made from PVC, which generates significant pollution during production and is challenging to recycle, whereas real Christmas trees are a renewable resource.

If you’re flying with food this Thanksgiving, be aware that some of those items will need to go into your checked baggage. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says those are foods that you can smear or pour.

Cut 10 (12) “…syrup and soup.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois is hailing the tax reform package. She says simplifying the tax code is about being attractive for re-investment in addition to being attractive to new investment.

Cut 4 (08) “…they can create.”

Bourgeois said Louisiana was one of a small handful of states that still have a franchise tax, but that will go away on January 1st.

President Biden has signed into law the legislation that designates the U.S. Post Office on Benedette Street in Rayville as the Luke Letlow Post Office. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says her family is deeply touched by the honor that her late husband has received…

Cut 12 (05) “…about it.”

Luke Letlow died of COVID-19 complications in 2020, just days before he was to be sworn into office.

It’s time to find that perfect Christmas tree. Sean Richardson spoke with a Christmas tree farmer…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

If you’re planning to bring food for your Thanksgiving feast with you on an airplane, you will not be able to take certain items through TSA security. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says some items will need to be in your checked baggage.

Cut 9 (07)  “…smear or pour.”

Those include cranberry sauce, gravy, beverages, canned fruits and vegetables, maple syrup and soup. On the other hand, baked goods, meats, stuffing, casseroles and fresh produce can go into your carry-on bag.

Flying with some of your Thanksgiving feast is possible but you will not be able to take certain items through TSA security. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says if it can be sprayed, smeared, or poured, it will have to be in checked baggage but there are items you can take in your carry-on.

Cut 11 (08) “…fresh fruit.”

International flights have other restrictions.

President Biden has signed into law the legislation that designates the U.S. Post Office on Benedette Street in Rayville as the Luke Letlow Post Office. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says having a post office named after her late husband in his home community is a meaningful tribute to his dedication to public service and his enduring impact on Louisiana.

Cut 14 (09) “…who Luke was.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the new tax reform package is transformative. And She says good riddance to the franchise tax.

Cut 3 (08) “…tax was dramatic.”

Bourgeois says simplifying the tax code is attractive for re-investment and new investment.

There are a few things to consider when making a choice between a real or artificial Christmas tree. Co-owner of Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Washington Parish, Kevin Steele Sr.  says one thing to consider is artificial trees are made from PVC, which generates pollution during production and is challenging to recycle. In contrast, real Christmas trees are a renewable resource.

Cut 7 (08) “…and it’s biodegradable.”

The newly passed tax reform package is a game-changer, says Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois. She says it positions Louisiana more competitively to take advantage of everything Louisiana offers.

Cut 5 (13) “…years and generations.”

President Biden has designated the Rayville Post Office on Benedette Street as the Luke Letlow Post Office commemorating the life and legacy of the congressman-elect, who passed away from COVID-19 complications in 2020, days before being sworn into office.  His widow, Congresswoman Julia Letlow…

Cut 13 (11)  “…finding connections.”

If you’re planning on flying with food this Thanksgiving holiday, there are some important things you’ll need to know. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Whether you put your Christmas tree up early or leave it up till January 6^th, it’s time to choose a real fragrant tree or a convenient artificial. Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm Co-Owner Kevin Steele Sr. says by choosing a locally grown tree over an artificial one you’re not just making a sustainable choice for the planet, but creating memories…

Cut 8 (10) “…the memories we’re creating.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois is hailing the tax reform package. She says simplifying the tax code is about being attractive for re-investment in addition to being attractive to new investment.

Cut 4 (08) “…they can create.”

Bourgeois said Louisiana was one of a small handful of states that still have a franchise tax, but that will go away on January 1st.

President Biden has signed into law the legislation that designates the U.S. Post Office on Benedette Street in Rayville as the Luke Letlow Post Office. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says her family is deeply touched by the honor that her late husband has received…

Cut 12 (05) “…about it.”

Luke Letlow died of COVID-19 complications in 2020, just days before he was to be sworn into office.

Many Louisiana residents are opting for a real Christmas tree rather than an artificial one. Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm Co-Owner Kevin Steele Sr. says beyond their environmental benefits, real trees offer the season’s sights, smells, and tactile joy.

Cut 6 (09) “…Washington Parish.”

Steele says artificial trees, on the other hand, are made from PVC, which generates significant pollution during production and is challenging to recycle, whereas real Christmas trees are a renewable resource.

If you’re flying with food this Thanksgiving, be aware that some of those items will need to go into your checked baggage. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says those are foods that you can smear or pour.

Cut 10 (12) “…syrup and soup.”

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the tax reform package is a game-changer for the state. She says good riddance to the franchise tax.

Cut 3 (08) “…tax was dramatic.” 

Bourgeois says simplifying the tax code is about being attractive for re-investment in addition to being attractive to new investment.

If you’re planning on bringing food for your Thanksgiving feast with you on the airplane, keep in mind that you will not be able to take certain items through TSA security. Sari Koshetz with the TSA says those items will need to be in your checked baggage.

Cut 9 (07)  “…smear or pour.”

Those include cranberry sauce, gravy, beverages, canned fruits and vegetables, maple syrup and soup. On the other hand, baked goods, meats, stuffing, casseroles and fresh produce can go into your carry-on bag.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and many people are going out and finding that perfect Christmas tree. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

More groups are praising the tax reform package that the legislature agreed to. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein

The special session also resulted in legislators paying down about two-billion dollars in debt to the teachers’ retirement system and using those savings to fund a permanent two-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala…

Cut 27 (10) “….making it permanent”

Triple-A projects a record 71-million people will travel by car over the Thanksgiving holiday, a two percent increase over last year. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says gas prices are about ten-cents cheaper than a year ago…

Cut 9 (06) “…a gallon”

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.71.

Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to set a record as Triple-A projects nearly six million people will fly domestically this holiday. The Transportation Safety Administration says its doing what it can to get travelers to their gate as fast as possible and that includes what is called CAT-2 technology. Sari Koshetz with TSA says with CAT-2 technology, there will be no need to show your ticket while going through security…

Cut 14 (09) “…flying that day”