A state appeals court rules Governor John Bel Edwards is unable to put an executive order in place that protects LGBT individuals who work for the state from discrimination, harassment or dismissal. It’s a legal victory for state Attorney General Jeff Landry. Landry has argued the governor exceeded his authority. Edwards says there’s no place for discrimination in Louisiana.

Open enollment is underway for those indivduals who need to purchase or change a health insurance policy with the online marketplace that was set up by the Affordable Care Act. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon offers these tips…
cut 8 (11) “….expenses”
Open enrollment ends 45 days earlier this time, so on December 15th. For more information visit healthcare.gov.

The 24-billion-dollar acquisition of Level 3 Communications by Monroe based CenturyLink is now complete. CenturyLink Spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says this merger will allow them to expand in the US, and overseas:
Cut 4 (06) “for us”
CenturyLink’s corporate headquarters will remain in Monroe as they must do so based on a state contract that runs through 2020.
According to a poll from Morning Consult, Louisiana’s junior US Senator John Kennedy ranks as the 39th most popular Senator in the country, while Bill Cassidy ranks 62nd. Both have approval ratings around 50-percent. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley is not surprised Republican Caucus leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was ranked least popular…
cut 14 (10) “…mentions in Tweets”
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders ranked as the most popular.

The 24-billion-dollar acquisition of Level 3 Communications by Monroe based CenturyLink is now complete, expanding the largest public trading company in.   CenturyLink Spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says the merger allows them to continue leading the telecommunications industry…

Cut 3 (09) “technology solutions.”

They have a state contract that keeps their headquarters in Monroe through at least 2020.

On the day Louisiana is releasing 19-hundred non-violent offenders, a state Legislative Audit finds the Department of Corrections are not able to track offenders or know their exact release date.  The DOC has been notified of their findings and Auditor Kristen Jacobs says they are willing to work on streamlining very complex procedures…

Cut 11 (12) “very complicated.”

Open enrollment for health insurance policies through the Affordable Care Act runs until December 15^th. Over 122-thousand Louisianans are covered through the online marketplace. In 2017, 86-percent of Marketplace enrollees received a subsidy. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon credits the 18 and a half percent increase in premiums to the uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act.

Cut 7 (11) “its passage”

When it comes to popularity in Congress, both of Louisiana’s US Senators rank right about in the middle, according to a new Morning Consult poll.  Bill Cassidy received a 47% approval rating, while John Kennedy had 50%. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley feels the Baton Rouge Senator is still more popular…:

Cut 13 (10)  “Republican state”

Cassidy is about three years away from re-election.

Open enrollment for health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act begins today and runs until December 15th. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The 24-billion-dollar acquisition of Level 3 Communications by Monroe based CenturyLink is now complete. CenturyLink Spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says this merger will allow them to expand in the US, and overseas:
Cut 4 (06) “for us”

A state appeals court has upheld a ruling that says governor John Bel Edwards can’t stop state contractors from discriminating against LGBT people. This is a significant victory for Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry who argued that the Democratic governor’s executive order was unconstitutional. The feud between the two began when Landry refused to approve state contracts that contained gender identity protection.

On the day Louisiana is releasing 19-hundred non-violent offenders, a state Legislative Audit finds the Department of Corrections is not able to track who is getting out and when. Auditor Kristen Jacobs says the DOC doesn’t have accountability policies in place when it comes to reporting by local jails…:
Cut 9 (06) “next month”
She says the DOC is now willing to work on streamlining the process.

Open enrollment for health insurance policies through the Affordable Care Act begins today and runs until December 15th. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says most policy holders will see a double digit increase in premiums…:
Cut 6 (11) “last year”
Over 122-thousand Louisianans are covered through the online marketplace.

When it comes to popularity in Congress, both of Louisiana’s US Senators rank right about in the middle, according to a new Morning Consult poll. US Senator John Kennedy is ranked 39th out of 100 Senators, and Sentaor Bill Cassidy was number 62. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the approval numbers are essentially the same, however..:
CUT 12 (11) “Affordable Care Act”
Cassidy received a 47% approval rating, while Kennedy had 50%.

The FCC has approved Monroe based CenturyLink’s 24-billion-dollar acquisition of Level 3 Communications, making it the largest public company in Louisiana. Kelley Ray has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Monroe headquartered CenturyLink’s acquisition of Level 3 Communications is now complete. 24-billion-dollar deal expands the largest publicly traded company in Louisiana to more than 350 metropolitan areas. CenturyLink Spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says even though they are growing, the number one priority remains the customer…:
Cut 5 (06) “for communications.”
The company believes this will allow CenturyLink to compete with AT&T and Verizon.

Louisiana’s new criminal justice reform legislation goes into effect today meaning more than 1900 non-violent offenders will be released from jail. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says with savings this will create, they will better be able to help educate inmates…:
Cut 13 (06) “need attention”
Others feel like Louisiana made this move too quickly.

The SEC matchup of the year is this Saturday when LSU takes on Alabama. Emelie Gunn checks the secondary ticket market…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

November marks the final month of Hurricane Season, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana has never seen tropical activity this month since record keeping began. But he says the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season ranks among the top 10 most active in history..:
Cut 25 (06) “major hurricanes”
This was the first year in four that Louisiana was impacted by storms.

Over 19-hundred non-violent offenders will be released throughout the day as part of the state’s approved changes in criminal justice reform. Kelley Ray has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

President Donald Trump has nominated Brandon Fremin to be the next U-S Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana. Fremin is currently the director of the criminal division for the Attorney General’s office and he previously worked as a state and federal prosecutor. Fremin also served in the U-S Marine Corps.

The 24-billion-dollar acquisition of Level 3 Communications by Monroe based CenturyLink is now complete, expanding the largest public trading company in Louisiana to more than 350 metropolitan areas. CenturyLink Spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says the merger allows them to continue leading the telecommunications industry…
Cut 3 (09) “technology solutions.”
CenturyLink has a state contract that keeps its headquarters in Monroe through at least 2020.

A teenager has been arrested for burning down St. Paul Baptist church in Richland Parish. Sheriff Gary Gilley says they were able to make a quick arrest, because witnesses told investigators they saw a young white male at the church in an Entergy truck….
cut 16 (06) “….this time”
The suspect is also accused of stealing two Entergy trucks. The building that burned down was four months old, but a 137-year-old church remains standing on the property.

Over 19-hundred prisoners will be released today as part of the state’s criminal justice reform legislation enacted this year. But Winn Parish Sheriff Cranford Jordan says Louisiana needs to take a cue from Texas and begin rehabilitation before prisoners are released…:
Cut 11 (11) “them out”
Supporters say the reforms will save the state millions and help with recidivism.

There’s now a month to go in the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not likely Louisiana will see tropical activity as we never have before in November. But he says even though Louisiana hadn’t seen a storm in four seasons, Mother Nature made up for it this year..:
Cut 6 (09) “early October”
He says 2017 will go down as one of the top 10 most active seasons ever.

Tickets are going fast for the LSU versus Alabama game in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, as the secondary ticket market reports it’s one of the hottest games every year in college football. But Stub Hub spokesman Cameron Papp says there’s still time to get a seat in Bryant-Denny Stadium…:
Cut 9 (07) “game time”
Kickoff is 7pm.

A Caldwell Parish juvenile is in custody after allegedly destroying a building that belonged to St. Paul Baptist church in nearby Richland Parish. Richland Sheriff Gary Gilley says they are still working to determine why anyone would want to burn down a building belonging to a church that’s been around for 137 years…:
Cut 15 (08) “this happened”
Gilley says the suspect was taken into custody early Tuesday afternoon and will be charged with arson.

More than 1900 prisoners are slated to be released today before their sentences are complete – the first step in a criminal justice reform package approved in the last legislative session. State Department of Corrections’ Jimmy LeBlanc says those getting out will still be monitored…:
CUT 12 (10) “control of”
Those who oppose the new laws believe this will put a bigger burden on law enforcement.

Tickets sales for the LSU versus Alabama game in Tuscaloosa Saturday are the biggest for the Crimson Tide this season on the secondary market. That’s according to Stub Hub’s Cameron Papp…:
Cut 7 (08) their calendars”
He says the average ticket price is going for about 300 bucks.

A Caldwell Parish teen is in police custody after he allegedly burned down a building that belonged to a historic church in Rayville…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Exxon Mobil in Baton Rouge caught fire early this morning, but officials say the blaze is now under control. They say there were no injuries and there is no off-site impact.

The steakhouse at Harrah’s in New Orleans has been renamed BH Steak, instead of Besh Steak. The move comes a week after the casino broke ties with celebrity chef John Besh amid reports of sexual harassment within the company he operates. The name BH Steak honors Bill Harrah, who founded the Harrah’s gambling empire.

19-hundred non-violent offenders will be released starting today as part of approved changes in criminal justice reform…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

LSU takes on the Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and ticket sales are on fire. Cameron Papp with Stub Hub says the average ticket price is going for about 300 bucks…:
Cut 8 (11) “college football”

November marks the final month of Hurricane Season, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana has never seen tropical activity this month since record keeping began. But he says the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season ranks among the top 10 most active in history..:
Cut 5 (06) “major hurricanes”
This was the first year in four that Louisiana was impacted by storms.

A Caldwell Parish juvenile is in custody for allegedly destroying a building that belonged to St. Paul Baptist church in nearby Richland Parish. Richland Sheriff Gary Gilley says the suspect is also accused of stealing an Entergy truck before setting fire to the church’s new sanctuary..:
Cut 14 (12) “Caldwell Parish”
Gilley says the juvenile will be facing arson in his parish.

Over 19-hundred non-violent prisoners will be released today as part of the state’s new criminal justice reform. The governor says this will lower the incarceration rate in Louisiana, and produce better outcomes for non-violent offenders. Winn Parish Sheriff Cranford Jordan (jer-dun) opposes:
Cut 10 (11) “job properly”
But supporters say the reforms will save the state money and reduce the recidivism rate.

The hurricane season ends after this month, but a named storm has never struck Louisiana in November in 167 years of record keeping. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the state dodged a bullet in 2009 when Tropical Storm Ida formed on November 4 then churned in the Gulf..:
Cut 4 (08) “was spared”
But he says the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season ranks among the top 10 most active in history.

The SEC matchup of the year is this Saturday when LSU takes on Alabama. Emelie Gunn takes a look at ticket sales on the secondary market…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards will travel to New Orleans for a tour of NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, and to announce new job creation projects while highlighting the recovery of New Orleans East.