Louisiana’s unemployment rate has fallen slightly over the year to 4.7 percent as the state as a whole continues to add jobs…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The federal government is raising the minimum smoking and vaping age to 21 nationwide. Brooke Thorington has more on what that means for Louisiana

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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LSU fans return to Atlanta later this week for the semifinal matchup against Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “ I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission says total private employment has seen an increase in jobs over the year for 21 consecutive months. Also, seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment is at its highest level since 2015, and Workforce Commission Chief Economist Ali Bustamante says the state added 41-hundred jobs from October to November.

Cut 4 (09) “year”

The state’s unemployment rate fell slightly over the year to 4.7 percent in November.

New Orleans and Baton Rouge led the state in gains at 13,100 and 4,600 respectively, but Bustamante says Hammond was a surprise third-place finisher with 1,200 jobs…

Cut 5 (09) “…area”

Shreveport, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Houma all lost jobs over the year, but Shreveport saw a substantial 1,000 job gain between October and November. Bustamante knows why…

Cut 6 (04) “…The Area”

Those markets combined to lose 2,500 jobs.

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Congress has raised the minimum smoking and vaping age to 21 nationwide. The provision was added to a year-end spending bill signed by President Donald Trump. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebecca Gee says it’s welcomed news considering, most people get addicted to nicotine in their teens.

Cut 7 (06) “…the public.”

Gee says any hurdle to keep tobacco products out of the hands of teens could help prevent them from becoming smokers and, also save the state money in future medical care.

Cut 8 (05) “…these products.”

The measure also raises the minimum age on purchasing chew tobacco to 21. Gee is glad Congress acted, because an effort to raise the minimum age in Louisiana failed earlier this year at the State Capitol…

Cut 9 (06) “…other challenges”

The new age requirement is expected to go into effect in nine months.

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Gilead Sciences awards 245,000 dollars in grants to four Louisiana organizations to help combat HIV as part of 2.3 million dollars in grants administered across the south.  Corporate Contributions Director Arun Skaria says HIV is still a serious problem in America, but we’re near epidemic levels in the south…

Cut 10 (10) “…right now”

It’s the third year California-based Gilead has administered the COMPASS funds. Skaria says the South’s disproportionate representation in HIV numbers comes down to its persistent struggles with health issues, and history of discrimination.

Cut 11 (10) “…challenge.”

Skaria says the Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services, Louisiana Public Health Institute, Brotherhood Inc., and 504 Health Net will receive the funds.

Cut  12 (10) “leadership” 

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LSU and Oklahoma hold their first practices in Atlanta today as they prepare for their semifinal game in the Peach Bowl. Peach Bowl C-E-O Gary Stokan says they are expecting a bunch of points inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday…

Cut 13 (11) “…December 28”

The two teams will also tour the College Football Hall of Fame today. They will have a go-kart outing tomorrow and then it’s all business for the two teams. But Stokan says for fans, there will be a fan night at the Georgia Aquarium on Friday and a fanfest Saturday, plus many other activities

Cut 14 (12) “…Olympic Park.”

Stokan says a record number of tickets have been purchased for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. He says it seems like sports fans are really excited about the matchups in the college football playoff

Cut 15 (11) “…two better games”

The winners of these two games will play for the national championship in New Orleans on January 13th.

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The Saints rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat Tennessee 38-28 to keep alive their chances of getting the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. Drew Brees threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns and Michael Thomas he broke the NFL record for most receptions in a season, as he had 12 catches for 136 yards on the day. Thomas has 145 catches on the year, but he’s more worried about winning a title

Cut 16  (27)  …break more records” 

Alvin Kamara also had a big game as he rushed for two touchdowns. It was the first time he’s reached the end zone since Week 3, but he’s more worried about winning

Cut 17  (12) “I’m good” 

Coach Sean Payton is happy with the win, but not happy about the slow start or the 11 penalties, nine were in the first half

cut 18  (17)  areas”  

AAA tows an average of 850-thousand motorists over the holiday season but there are steps you can take ahead of the drive to get your destination without a hitch. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington 

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Isle of Capri gets approval from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to be the first riverboat casino to crawl up out of the water and set up shop on land. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The National Retail Federation Estimates nearly 148-million U-S consumers will shop on super Saturday. That’s up from 134-million last year. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says the last Saturday before Christmas has become the biggest shopping day of the year

Cut 3 (11) “…retailer.”

Rice says on this final weekend before the Christmas holiday, retailers do a good job marketing themselves to procrastinators

Cut 4 (11) “…more male”

Rice says there are some good deals to be had in the final shopping days before Christmas. But he says do a little research beforehand to make sure you are truly getting a great deal…

Cut 5 (08) “smart phone”

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According to AAA a third of the country will be in transit over the holidays, either by plane, trains or automobiles.  AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says that’s the most ever predicted in the last twenty years by the association and the majority of travelers will take to the roadways.

Cut 6 (07) “…patience.”

Redman says the top three reasons AAA tows during the holidays are flat tires, dead batteries, and lockouts, so have your car checked before you leave and take an extra set of keys.

In addition to patience on the roadways, Redman says be prepared to pay more at the pump this year if you’re traveling by car.

Cut 7 (07) “…several days”

However, after Christmas, Redman says gas prices should drop going into the New Year.

Airports will be packed in addition to the roads, AAA estimates a 5 percent increase in air travelers this year. Redman recommends arriving at the airport at least two hours before departure.

Cut 8 (05) “the holidays.”

Redman says the busiest travel day in the skies will be December 26^th.

The official traffic season begins this weekend and ends January 1^st.

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The Louisiana Gaming Control Board approves plans for Lake Charles based Isle of Capri riverboat casino to move on land, the first facility to make the jump 18 months after the Legislature ok’d such moves.

The plan is to shutter the riverboat and build a 112.7 million dollar facility right nearby. L-G-C-B Chairman Ronnie Jones says the plan is a major expansion in food offerings…

Cut 9 (10) “…steakhouse”

Capri is just off I-10 west of Lake Charles.

Jones says the project is a significant investment for the company even as gaming revenues have stayed flat in Louisiana. He says this shows the Legislature’s decision is paying off.

Cut 10 (09) “…running”

The new facility will have 72,000 square feet of gaming space.

Considering how hard the industry pushed to allow riverboats on land, some are surprised it’s taken one this long to announce a move, but Jones says more are likely soon to follow.

Cut 11 (12) “follow suit”

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St Tammany Parish is about to see major job growth. Medline Industries will build a distribution center that will create more than 460 new jobs near Covington. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the $53-million-dollar medical supply facility will be a major boon for the state.

Cut 12 (11) “…facility” 

Pierson says Medline might not be a household name, but they do business in more than 90 countries.

Cut 13 (09) “…company.”

Pierson says a strong workforce for companies to draw from and Interstates 12 and 55 near the area make the location very attractive for industry.

Cut 14 (06) “…distribution.”

Also in St Tammany, Ampirical, is expected to create 400 new jobs over the next decade with an average salary of $85-thousand, as they construction corporate headquarters in the parish.