Hoppin' John is a tradition in sections of the South when a new year arrives.  We discuss the history of the Lowcountry delicacy; and SouthernLiving.com's Classic Hoppin' John recipe is relayed.  The article "12 Careers For The Chance To Get The Best Job In 2024" is posted on CareerFitter.com.  Also, on this date in history (1521) German theologian Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic church.

First show of 2024.  Jon Rawl is primed for a new year of Southern conversation. Top books are highlighted.  Little Debbie will have a bevy of new Valentine's Day treats to enjoy.  Alabama and Texas both fall in their College Football Playoff semifinal contests.  Plus, a Spalding County (Georgia) sheriff's deputy is killed in the line of duty.

Christmas spectacular. Keifer Engles previews the College Football Playoff and offers his prediction for the national championship.  The Philbrook Museum of Art is hosting a festival the weekend before Christmas.  A new four-part series called "Willie Nelson & Family" debuts today on Paramount+. Also, sausage gravy gets some love.

Colorado's highest court has denied Donald Trump from being on the 2024 primary debate.  Jon Rawl has a lot to say about this, including opinions on the 14th Amendment.  Hare Financial Group's Paul Hare shares financial and investment advice on his last appearance of the year. Also, USAToday.com has a breakdown of the restaurants that will be open on Christmas Day.

Christmas and New Year's are almost here, and "Toccopola Storyteller" Jerry Short has thoughts of holidays past and present.  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs legislation that makes it a state crime to cross into the Lone Star State as an illegal immigrant.  We have some great coffee brews for Christmas to tell you about.  Also, Panmacmillan.com has the helpful article "The 30 Best Books To Gift For Christmas 2023" posted.

iRev returns to discuss electronic gadgets perfect for Christmas 2023.  Arthur Sharpe talks Ray-Ban Meta next generation smart glasses, Apple AirTag, a neat app for identifying stars in the sky, and much more.  A tropical storm-like event in December brings historic flooding and damage to the Florida, Georgia and Carolina coasts.  Plus, Southern states took the lead starting in 1917 to ratify the 18th Amendment, which outlawed alcohol in America.

NASCAR turns 75. We honor the Daytona Beach-born enterprise with the playing of the late country music legend/NASCAR driver Marty Robbins' 1982 hit, "Some Memories Just Won't Die."  Paul Hare shares the basic battles of divorcing couples and their investments.  St. Petersburg, Florida, may consider forcing its name on the resident MLB team that plays there (Rays).  Plus, Staks! Kitchen is serving up Southernness in the Memphis suburbs.

Georgia Southern kicks-off the college football bowl madness Saturday morning in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.  Keifer Engles walks us through the early bowl lineup.  Advent is an important part of the Christian calendar.  Tellico Plains, Tennessee, hosts a horse-themed Christmas parade this weekend, while Fort Towson, Oklahoma, opens its doors for holiday visitors. Also, Hunter Biden taunts GOP members of the U.S. House, on the same day a Joe Biden impeachment inquiry passes.

Jamie Foxx, Taylor Swift and Dick Van Dyke are among the celebs celebrating birthdays.  Money.com has released the Top 10 list of best towns to live in the South. Congrats, Raleigh, North Carolina! Chubby's Restaurant in Sevierville, Tennessee, has the attention of one Southern vlogger.  Also, TheSeasonedMom.com shares an amazing Southern Red Velvet Cake recipe perfect for Christmas.

Mathieu Cailler, author of the new book of short stories "Forest For The Trees & Other Stories," calls to talk about his array of writing.  "The Toccopola Storyteller" returns to review the most-popular and the wise choices for Christmas trees in the South.  Patrick McHenry, the recent Speaker pro tempore of the U.S. House of Representatives, announces that he will not seek reelection to his North Carolina congressional seat. And, we have the Golden Globes nominees.