Modified Phase Two restrictions are forcing many Louisiana couples to alter their wedding plans. Brooke Thorington gets advice from a local wedding planner
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The pandemic changes shopping trends for the fourth quarter, but will it help retailers end up in the black. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Louisiana Christmas tree farmers anticipate this could be their biggest year in more than a decade. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (29) “…Matt Doyle”
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When Governor Edwards announced Modified Phase Two restrictions this week, gatherings were reduced from 150 to 75. Many couples had already chosen to delay their weddings to the end of the year while others postponed until 2021. New Orleans area wedding planner Samantha Capone says the new restrictions are forcing some couples to alter their plans again.
Cut 4 (12) “…adjust plans.”
While many couples had to shrink their guest list down to 150 already, the latest restrictions cut that in half and some couples are being forced to uninvite wedding guests. Capone says it’s awkward, but most guests are understanding.
Cut 5 (11) “…safety.”
Capone says some catering contracts will allow you to change your menu, for example, if you have a required minimum to be spent, you can add more types of food for the event, just alter the amount.
Another alternative for couples who must reduce the guest list is live-streaming their nuptials. Capone says many companies now offer this service and it helps when you’re forced to uninvite loved ones.
Cut 6 (11) “…different way.”
Capone says most wedding vendors have added verbiage to contracts as a result of the pandemic but advises reviewing them carefully before signing.
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Holiday shopping presents a unique situation with the pandemic this year. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says online sales increased 32 percent in the second quarter of 2020 whereas overall sales for all retail are down for the first few quarters of the year. Rice says it’s difficult to predict end of year sales.
Cut 7 (11) “…their stores.”
Rice said a retail trend that has been spurred by the pandemic this year is starting Black Friday sales before Thanksgiving along with retailers hoping to get the most out of sales or better sales by being open fewer hours. For example, more stores were closed on Thanksgiving Day than before.
Cut 8 (12) “…before.”
While the National Retail Federation is cautiously optimistic for fourth-quarter sales, Rice believes retailers with a good online presence and stores like bicycle shops and DIY outlets that have seen an increase in business due in part to the pandemic will continue to do well.
Cut 9 (10) “…really knows.”
Rice says Small Business Saturday is this weekend where many local businesses offer incentives for shoppers.
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Louisiana has been approved for an additional 234 million dollars in BP Oil Spill funds that will be used to facilitate five different coastal projects.
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Deputy Director Greg Grandy says the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group’s decision to release the money is fantastic news.
Cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana”
LA TIG has approved 900 million dollars for restoration projects in total for 2020.
Two of the biggest projects are the Plaquemines Parish Grand Chenier Marsh Creation Ridge, which will create over 600 acres of marsh, and the Terrebonne Basin Ridge and Marsh Creation Project…
Cut 11 (08) “..habitat”
The Grand Chenier and Terrebonne Basin projects will cost 65 and 157 million dollars respectively.
3.1 million dollars will go towards the Terrebonne Houma Navigation Channel Island Restoration. Grandy says it will provide a habitat for nesting birds that were impacted by the spill.
Cut 12 (02) “.birds”
The other project included is the Birds Foot Delta Hydrologic Restoration, a six million dollar dredging project.
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Christmas tree farmers are expecting a banner year as COVID has families desperate to bring a little holiday cheer to their homes.
Southern Christmas Tree Association head Kevin Steele Sr. says that expectation is based on early demand and he thinks this could be their best year since 2005.
Cut 13 (12) “…tree.”
Steele is confident the supply is there to meet the huge expected demand. He recommends going with the iconic Leyland cypress.
Cut 14 (09) “…growers”
Up north of the Mason-Dixon Steele says growers are facing Christmas tree shortages due to a decision to reduce supply during the economic downturn a few years ago. That shouldn’t be an issue in the warmer, wetter south, however.
Steele asks you to check out your local Christmas tree farm instead of going with plastic from a big-box retailer.
Cut 15 (10)“…this year”
Steele also owns and operates Steele Christmas Tree Farm in Angie.
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The LSU Tigers look to pull off the upset on Saturday when they visit 5th ranked Texas A-and-M. The Aggies rank number one in the SEC in total defense and second in rushing defense, holding opponents to 96 yards on the ground. LSU Center Liam Shanahan says they ran the ball well last week at Arkansas and they want to establish the rushing attack tomorrow…
Cut 16 (16) “..this Saturday.”
The Aggies are 5-1 and they rank second in the SEC in rushing the football as Isaiah Spiller is averaging over 100 yards a game. A&M Coach Jimbo Fisher says the run game has been a key to their offensive success..
cut 17 (17) “….good to have.”
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The 23rd ranked Ragin Cajuns head to Monroe to face the winless ULM Warhawks. Louisiana-Monroe is 0-8 and they’ve yet to hold a lead in any of their games. Cajuns offensive tackle Max Mitchell on trying to avoid the upset…
cut 18 (18) “…rivalry game.”
ULM has made a change in quarterback as Jeremy Hunt has taken over for Colby Suits who has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Cajuns safety Kam Pedescleaux says they’ll be ready for Hunt, even though they don’t have much tape on him….
cut 19 (16) “…we’ll be ready”
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The Saints will visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday as they look for their eighth straight win. Playing in Denver means playing at a higher altitude, but Coach Sean Payton says leaving early would not help them…
cut 20 (20) “…rather than Friday”