Welcome, everyone.
And Happy Thanksgiving.
I'm Frank Malloy.
Leah Johnson has the day off.
It's hyped as one of the biggest shopping days of the year for consumers and retailers. But by most accounts, the majority of Americans won't hit the malls on Friday. With more options for consumers than ever, Karin Caifa (prono: KAY-fuh) looks at whether Black Friday is still that big a deal.
I think Black Friday has been a good experience for us so far.
I start early and then I go on Black Friday just to pick up a little extra stuff.
OTHERS JUST STEER CLEAR.
It's definitely really crazy so it's not something I feel like subjecting myself to.//
It took like three hours and the sales weren't even that great. They were just three hours to get through the line.
DESPITE THE TRADITIONAL FLURRY OF T-V ADS, A CONSUMER REPORTS SURVEY FINDS ROUGHLY TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICANS WILL SIT OUT THE BLACK FRIDAY FRENZY.
If you're into that, great. You know, a lot of people are. But a lot of people aren't, and they've learned that there are other ways to get good deals.
ONE OF THOSE OTHER WAYS --
I don't like the crowds. I don't like all that stuff. I do most of my shopping online anyway.
RETAILERS BEST OFFERINGS' AREN'T LIMITED TO EARLY-MORNING IN-STORE DOORBUSTERS ANYMORE. MANY CAN BE ACCESSED FROM ONE'S COUCH.
You're seeing retailers actually have the same pricing whether you go in-store or online, which is big for consumers because they're really looking for reliability, convenience.
AND WITH STORES MINDFUL OF INVENTORIES, THE BEST DEALS MAY NOT ARRIVE UNTIL MUCH LATER.
STILL, 147 MILLION AMERICANS ARE EXPECTED TO SHOP DURING THE BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND. AND IN THAT PERIOD LAST YEAR, SHOPPERS RANG UP ABOUT 52-POINT-FOUR BILLION DOLLARS, ABOUT ONE-TENTH OF THE SEASON'S TOTAL SALES, MEANING THE BIG DAY, IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.
As Black Friday creeps into Thursday...camping out for bargains may be starting earlier too!
Last night, 13WMAZ stopped at Best Buy on Presidential Parkway in Macon and found this miniature tent village... With shoppers passing the time socializing with each other... And playing video and board games.
Some told us... They were after iPads... 32" inch screen LCD Tv's...and new laptops...either for gifts...and to satisfy their own holiday wishes.
Some, however, say they'll pass on the holiday hype in favor of a day with family.
Among them...Macon's Mayor, Robert Reichert.
<I am not a shopper, I'm a quiet Thanksgiving afternoon kind of guy, so I look forward to being with my family on Thanksgiving>
Now for some... Holiday shopping is a part of a yearly tradition.
For others...it's traveling to see out of town family and friends.
If you're fueling up in Macon today,
a gallon of regular unleaded gas will cost you about three twenty-three.
That's up about four cents from last week...
But still down from the three forty-six it cost a month ago.
Now if you're headed up to Atlanta... You'll want to get your gas in Central Georgia first, and you'll save a few cents. A gallon there runs about three twenty-seven.
Macon-Bibb firefighters fried up some Thanksgiving cheer this morning.
The third annual Gary Mann MDA Turkey fry...
offered smoked and fried turkeys to families in central Georgia.
The deadline for orders was yesterday.
They had over 200 birds ready for pickup.
All proceeds from the Turkey fry went to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The truce between Israel and Hamas appears to be holding, more than 24 hours after the cease-fire began.
The cease-fire allowed Palestinians to hold funerals in Gaza City for those killed during 8 days of Israeli airstrikes.
In Tel Aviv commuters are once again boarding buses. Wednesday, a bomb ripped through one, injuring more than two dozen people.
Israel's army spokeswoman says an Israeli Arab who is a member of Hamas has since been arrested.
Under the cease-fire agreement, Hamas promises to stop firing rockets. Israel says it will end air strikes... and will ease border restrictions that have crippled Gaza's economy for years.
The Obama administration is also going to ask Congress to increase funding for Israel's Iron Dome defense system that intercepted more than 80-percent of Hamas rockets headed toward crowded cities.
U.S. tax dollars also help the Palestinians.
<"WE ARE A BIG AID PROVIDER TO THE PALESTINIANS. WE ARE A LEADING PROVIDER OF ASSISTANCE TO THE UN ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT THE PALESTINIANS."
Egypt will work to enforce the cease-fire that it played a major role brokering.
The Egyptian President's help may prompt Congress to release 450 million dollars in emergency cash for the country that it froze back in September.
Today... November 22nd...marks the 49th anniversary of a major moment in American history.
It's the day the country lost President John F. Kennedy.
He was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas.
Shortly after noon, the cheering crowd lining the streets heard shots and then watched their president slump in the seat of the convertible carrying him.
Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for his murder. Two days later Oswald himself was shot to death.
Over the past week...John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline has been in California...teaching civil rights lessons.
She says they advance the same message of tolerance that was the cornerstone of her father's legacy.
Whether it's family... Friends... A job.... many central Georgians will reflect on what they're thankful for today.
Katelyn Heck spoke to some people... Who say they're just grateful for a little company this holiday.
For some people... Thanksgiving means spending time with family.
<you certainly look like you're in the holiday mood today... 'i'm trying to be'>
But this year... A knee replacement surgery left Carrie Bloodsworth sitting in a hospital instead of at a dinner table.
<it could be a whole lot worse, but I'm thankful for the things that I do have... A nice home... Good friends... And a brand new knee>
Volunteers like Joyce Norris want to see all patients have that same spirit.... So she's going room to room... Delivering over 20 fruit baskets... And a little company.
<I thought I would come in on Thanksgiving because I thought, not only would it be good for me to get out and help people, I thought I could bring a little cheer to the patients, because I can't imagine being in a hospital for any holiday, but Thanksgiving is such a family day that if someone is in here and they don't have any visitors, it would be a very sad occasion for them.>
And after a day of making new friends....
<so, you take care and I hope you get discharged soon!>
Norris and Bloodsworth say... Even though they aren
't with their loved ones this year... they still have a lot to be thankful for... Including each other.
Katelyn Heck 13WMAZ Eyewitness News
Norris says she also plans to spend Christmas day with patients at the hospital.
<i'm thankful for the ability to live in a country wher we can serve God without the constraints of government looking over our shoulder and telling us who we should serve>
Thanks for joining us. We'll be back tonight at 11.
But remember... The news is always on at 13WMAZ.com.
As we leave you... A look at some of the sights from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade earlier today... From the Rockettes...to Sesame Street...to Kris Kringle himself.
The evening news is up next.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.