Good Morning.

This is your local news ready to bring you all the news, traffic and weather for you on this day before Thanksgiving.

First let’s go out to the airport.  Pretty crowded, eh Darlene?

Yes, Jim.  You know this is one of the busiest travel days of the year and with the new security measures in place, airport staff are gearing up for the rush.  Best advice is to have patience and arrive early so you have plenty of time to get through security and to your gate at least 30 minutes prior to departure.  Darlene Daniels, WTFJ News.

Good advice, Darlene.  Now let’s head over to Laticia Brown who’s reporting from the Speedway gas station at Main and Central.  How about those gas prices, Laticia?

Staggering, Jim.  Just three months ago, the prices were around $2.25 per gallon, but AAA reports that prices this week could reach $3.00 per gallon.  Just in time for the more than 750 million people who will get in their car this weekend and drive to grandmother’s house.  Make sure you appoint a designated driver and give yourself plenty of time to make it to your destination.  We want you around for Christmas.  Laticia Brown, WTFJ News.

We sure do, Laticia.  Don’t we, Erica?  Yes Jim, we certainly do.  It seems as if many more people are taking it to the roads this season than are taking it to the friendly skies.  Here’s Bob Stevens with a report.

Well, Erica, even with the price of gas reaching nearly $3.00 per gallon, AAA estimates that 312 million more people are going by car this season over last year.  This includes my son’s girlfriend, who last year chose to remain in Springfield, but this year is making the trek all the way back here.  Bob Stevens, WTFJ News.

Thanks for that interesting report, Bob.  Are you cooking the turkey this year, Jim?  Fortunately no, Erica, but here is Daphne Whalen to give us some safe cooking tips.  Daphne?

Thanks, Jim.  I’m over at the A&P on Third Street with manager Timothy Butler.  Well, Tim, it certainly looks as if the shelves are teaming with goodies for the Thanksgiving shopper.

Yes.  They are.  Uh.  We have all kinds of the standard Thanksgiving fare, many of which is, um, priced to sell.  We have turkeys, of course, and stuffing.  Uh, we have cranberries and stuff like that.

Expecting a big crowd today, Tim?

Uh, this is one of our busiest days.

Is there anything you can tell us to make sure we are safely cooking our turkeys this year?

Well, um.  I suggest you read the directions.  Give your turkey plenty of time to thaw, but if you are buying a turkey today, just make sure that you keep in a warm bath for a few hours.  When cooking, for sure, uh, wait for the little thing to pop up, um, before serving.

There you have it, Jim.  We’re talking turkey here at the A&P.

The little pop-up thing, eh?  Are turkeys born with that thing, Erica?

Don’t think so, Jim.  After a station break, we will get your holiday forecast from WTFJ triple doppler in HD meteorologist Dirk Snibven.  You make sure to make for easy travel, k Dirk?

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