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Consumers are set to spent a record amount of money this year for the holiday season. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

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The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is working on a $34 million project that will use rock-filled sacks to protect the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Cameron Parish.  Authority project manager Bevin Barringer says an aggregate material is being used to keep the so called pillows, about the size of a small car, from sinking in the mucky soil.

Cut 4 (09) “…with armor stone.″

The pillows are being placed by crane along a 3-mile stretch of shoreline.  Barringer says the coastal erosion is a major concern for the area.

Cut 5 (12)  “…200 feet.” 

With erosion rapidly taking its toll on the area, Barringer says the objective is to stabilize the shoreline.

Cut 6 (12) “…constructing this project.”

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The Secretary of State’s run-off pits the now Interim Secretary, against a Democratic political new comer from East Feliciana. Interim Secretary Kyle Ardoin, the Republican in the race was appointed assistant secretary to Tom Schedler in 2010, and says his eight years in a leadership position in that office makes him the most qualified candidate.

Cut 7 (10) “…voter ID”

Ardoin assumed the Interim role after Schedler resigned in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal involving an employee. In and interview with LRN, the victim said Ardoin was aware of the harassment.

The Democrat, Gwen Collins-Greenup, a minister who worked elections at the East Feliciana Clerks Office, says her door to door campaign style reflects her opinion that politicians should do more to connect with the personal needs of constituents.

Cut 8 (11) “…participation up”

Collins-Greenup shocked analysts by making the run-off despite only raising 3,000 dollars and not securing the Democratic Party endorsement.

Ardoin says as a Republican he’s more representative of Louisiana’s values then Collins-Greenup, and he’ll fight against Democratic policies that would relax requirements for voting.

Cut 9 (10) “…liberal organizations”

Several of Ardoin’s Republican opponents criticized his handling of a now canceled voting machine contract process that two of the companies say was rigged.

But Collins-Greenup disagrees, saying after hearing from voters on the campaign trail, her priority would be to make voting more accessible for more people.

Cut 10 (10)   “…a plan“

The run-off will be held December 8^th.

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Six weeks from today it’s Christmas Eve and the National Retail Federation projects a consumer will spend on average, 1,007 dollars this holiday season, up 4 percent over last year. N-R-F spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says we’ve never seen a November and December this big.

Cut 11 (07) “…season.”

21 percent of consumers say they already started their shopping back in October.

On a whole it’s the biggest year on record as the economy is on the up-tick and some customers are finding themselves with a little more cash in their pockets than they used to have. Serafin Smith says 720-billion dollars will be spent this season.

Cut 12 (08)   “…2017”

Gift cards top the popularity list, followed by clothing, then books, movies, music, and electronics.

That thousand dollar average will be split up among your traditional gifts, and party goods you purchase to make that family get-together memorable. Serafin-Smith says folks are even spending a little more on themselves.

Cut 13 (12) “…155 dollars.”

Online shopping is on the rise, with 55 percent of customers saying they plan to both shop online and in store.

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The Saints clobbered Cincinnati 51-14 yesterday for the Black and Gold’s eighth straight win. Quarterback Drew Brees threw as many touchdown passes as incompletions, three. Michael Thomas had two touchdown catches and Alvin Kamara also found the end zone twice. Brees says the long opening drive that ended with six points set the tone…

Cut 14 (12) “…line of scrimmage.”

The victory comes on the heels of two emotional wins over the Vikings and Rams. Some analysts warned this was a trap game, with a home game against Eagles coming up next. But Brees says the players were ready to play…

Cut 15 (09) “…of the season”

The defense sacked Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton four times and picked him off twice. Saints running back Mark Ingram has his first 100-yard game of the season as he averaged eight yards a rush. Coach Sean Payton says it was a well balanced game…

 

Cut 16 (11) “…solid game.”