Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain says your Thanksgiving meal is expected to cost about 14 percent more than last year.

Cut 3 (08) “…sixteen point seven” 

Strain says prices of everything from flour to canned corn to butter and cranberry sauce are higher. He and the supply of turkeys is also smaller due to an outbreak of Avian flu.

With Thanksgiving Day two days away, getting that frozen turkey thawed is a top priority for the chef in your household. USDA expert Kenneth King says there are a few tips for cooks to follow when it comes to thawing and cooking.

Cut 9 (07)  “…of turkey” 

Experts say to thaw the turkey breast side up with the wrapper unopened. And it’s vital the fridge be forty degrees or below.

Hopefully, you’ll only be passing plates of food around the dinner table and no germs this Thanksgiving as flu cases are at an all-time him. And LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert Doctor Fred Lopez says the flu isn’t the only virus going around this season.

Cut 12 (08) “…COVID still.”

He advises getting your flu shot, update your COVID vaccines, and to frequently wash your hands, and if you’re sick stay home.

Christmas tree sales are already brisk according to Kevin Steele of Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Washington Parish. And depending on if you’re looking for a full tree or you prefer one that’s more open, Steele says there’s plenty to choose from this year.

Cut 8 (09)  “…into the tree.“

Steele says you’ll save money if you go to a tree farm versus at tree lot.

So far, the state GOP has endorsed Jeff Landry for governor in 2023 but Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who’s also considering a run says party chairman Louis Gurvich and others should step down. Nungesser says his own father helped build the state Republican party and he’s disgusted at how the party’s evolved.

Cut 15 (10)  “…should resign.”

If you’re looking for a fresh-cut Christmas tree in Louisiana this year, according to Kevin Steele of Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Washington Parish there are plenty. Even though much of the state experienced a fall drought, he says it didn’t affect the Christmas trees ready for sale, because they are most vulnerable as a seedling.

Cut 7 (07)  “…no trouble.”

He says you’ll save money if you visit a tree farm versus picking one up for a lot.

Click It Or Ticket is underway for those traveling on Louisiana roadways. Whitney Thomas has more.

Cut 30 (30) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

State police are investigating the death of a teen who died in a fiery crash in Calcasieu Parish last night. The victim is 16-year-old Philip Michael Conner of Homewood.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll run a poll next month and then announce on January 10th if he’ll run for governor. Attorney General Jeff Landry is running and already has the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party and Senator John Kennedy will make a decision soon. Nungesser says he plans to meet with Kennedy…
cut 14 (09) “…plans are”
Senator Bill Cassidy announced last week he’s not running.

If you are cooking a turkey for Thanskgiving, remember to allow at least one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey if refrigerator thawing. USDA specialist Kenneth King says for those using cold water to thaw their bird, it will take 30 minutes of thawing per pound of turkey and thaw the turkey breast side down and change the water every 30 minutes…
cut 10 (05) “…after thawing”

Flu-like illnesses in Louisiana are at a five-year high according to the C-D-C. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert Doctor Fred Lopez says two-thirds of flu activity is occurring in people younger than 25 years of age. So Lopez advises staying home if sick, washing hands frequently, and getting the flu vaccine…
Cut 11 (09) “…hospitalization.”
Lopez says health officials are concerned about influenza spreading even more with people getting together for Thanksgiving.

If you’re looking for a fresh-cut Christmas tree, they are plentiful in Louisiana this year, that’s according to Kevin Steele of Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Washington Parish. Steele says while growers have faced an increase in supply and fuel costs you’ll save if you buy your tree locally
Cut 6 (07) “…the lots.”
Steele says the dry weather this fall did not affect the Christmas trees ready for sale, because they are most vulnerable as a seedling and we were not in a drought then.

The U-S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says flu-like illness is at a five-year high. Kace Keischnick has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

Sad story out of southwest Louisiana. The body of a missing Lake Charles woman was found inside a submerged vehicle in Bayou d’Inde. 32-year-old Stephany Fong was last seen leaving the Wagin Cajun casino in Sulphur early Saturday morning and then stopped at a nearby gas station.

This Thanksgiving the National Wildlife Federation wants you to know wild turkeys were almost wiped out. The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says after World War Two Louisiana’s population was down to just 15-hundred wild birds. Wildlife Federation Scientist John Kanter says it wasn’t easy to bring them back.
Cut 4 (10) “…weren’t surviving. ”
Kanter says when breeders started separating members of turkey flocks to reduce the fighting the populations grew and now nationally the population for wild turkeys has exceeded seven million.

With Thanksgiving Day two days away, getting that frozen turkey thawed is a top priority for the chef in your household. USDA expert Kenneth King says there’s a tip for cooks to follow when it comes to thawing…
cut 9 (07) “…of turkey”
So if you have a ten-pound turkey, you should have started thawing it this morning in the refrigerator.

As the holiday season begins the flu bug is making the rounds. According to the CDC, flu-like illnesses are at a five-year high. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert Doctor Fred Lopez says many people have a decreased immunity against the flu.
Cut 10 (08) “…against the flu”
Lopez says two-thirds of flu activity is occurring in people young than 25 years of age.

Here’s an update on Next year’s governors’ race, US Senator John Kennedy says he’s highly considering it. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s not running, and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he will conduct a poll next month and announce his decision in January.
Cut 13 (06) “…of the year.”
The 63-year-old Nungesser has seved as Lt. Governor since 2016 and is also the former president of Plaquemines Parish.

Click It Or Ticket is underway for those traveling on Louisiana roadways. Whitney Thomas has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Opelousas attorney and former state senator Elbert Guillory is facing a first-offense DWI charge. State Police say he received the charge after he was involved in a minor crash over the weekend where he exchanged information with the over vehicle involved in the wreck. Troopers tracked down Guillory’s vehicle after the wreck and he refused to submit a breath test.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll run a poll next month and then announce on January 10th if he’ll run for governor. Attorney General Jeff Landry is running and already has the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party and Senator John Kennedy will make a decision soon. Nungesser says he plans to meet with Kennedy…
cut 14 (09) “…plans are”
Senator Bill Cassidy announced last week he’s not running.

According to the C-D-C, flu-like illnesses are at a five-year-high in Louisiana, which is well above the national average. LSU Infectious Disease Expert Doctor Fred Lopez says the flu bug is not the only virus going around…
cut 12 (08) “….COVID still”
Lopez is concerned about viruses spreading even more with people getting together for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Law enforcement is paying close attention to whether everyone inside a vehicle is buckled up as part of a Click It or Ticket it campaign. Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday period, 18 people lost their lives on Louisiana roadways. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says it was the second deadliest holiday period of 2021.
Cut 8 (09) “…properly wearing it.”
Louisiana law says everyone in the vehicle including the backseat must be properly restrained.

Many of us will be enjoying turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Did you know that the wild turkey population was nearly wiped out. After World War Two, Louisiana’s wild turkey population was down to just 15-hundred, now the population has reached seven million nationally. National Wildlife Federation Senior Scientist John Kanter says Louisiana has a limited wild turkey hunting season…
cut 6 (06) “…do so”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll make an announcement in early January on whether he’ll run for Governor….
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana National Guard has fired the commander of its 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. An investigation determined Colonel Scott Desormeaux sent inappropriate text messages to other service members. The Army Times reports Desormeaux presided over the 256th’s 2020-21 deployment to Iraq and Syria.

Flu-like illnesses in Louisiana are at a five-year high according to the C-D-C. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert Doctor Fred Lopez says two-thirds of flu activity is occurring in people young than 25 years of age. So Lopez advises staying home if sick, washing hands frequently, and getting the flu vaccine…
Cut 11 (09) “…hospitalization.”
Lopez says health officials are concerned about influenza spreading even more with people getting together for Thanksgiving.

Law enforcement has a Click It or Ticket It campaign to coincide with a busy travel week for Thanksgiving. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says they will also be making sure kids are restrained properly, especially small ones who should be in a car seat. Lambert says it might be cold outside, but children wearing heavy coats in car seats is not a good match…
cut 9 (11) “…your seatbelt”
The first fine for not wearing a seatbelt is 50-dollars, subsequent fine is 75-dollars.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, a potential candidate for governor next year, has some strong words for the leaders of the Louisiana Republican Party. Nungesser says state party chair Louis Gurvich should resign for already endorsing Jeff Landry in next year’s governor’s race…
cut 15 (10) “…should resign”
Nungesser says he’ll announce a decision on whether he’ll run by January 10th.

Law enforcement officers are ready to pass out fines for those not wearing their seatbelts during “Click It or Ticket” during the Thanksgiving traveling period. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the campaign wraps up Sunday.
Cut 7 (08) “…fifty dollar fine.”
Lambert says during last year’s Thanksgiving week, 18 people lost their lives on Louisiana roadways.

The U-S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says flu-like illness is at a five-year high. Kace Keischnick has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

Visitation will begin Sunday for former First Gentleman of Louisiana and longtime U-L Lafayette administrator Raymond Coach Blanco. The funeral is set for Monday.