A Morning Consult poll finds Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating among voters is 52-percent. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says that’s a solid number for a Democrat in a red state. Hogan says Edwards has done well to stay awary from partisan disputes…
cut 11 (10) “…approval rating”
Edwards is closing in on two years in office.

The head of a veterans advocates group in Slidell will not go to this Sunday’s Saints game to accept an award, because some NFL players kneel during the National Anthem. Retired Navy Commander John Wells understands that some players want to protest racial injustice, but doing so during the national anthem is not the time…
cut 5 (05) “…conversation”
Wells was set to recieve the Peoples Health Champion Award.

Another legal battle is brewing between Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry. The A-G filed a motion in court this week to take control of the Edwards administration suit that accuses pharmaceutical companies of worsening the opioid crisis. Landry says it only makes sense for the AG to handle this litigation…:
Cut 6 (08) “Attorney General’s office”
The state filed its lawsuit on September 27th claiming drug manufacturers intentionally flooded Louisiana with highly addictive opioids.

Lafayette Police say no charges will be filed against a man who fatally shot another man in a Home Depot parking lot on Evangeline Thruway. Authorities say a violent struggle occurred when an owner of a vehicle saw the now deceased male trying to break into his car. Detectives say during that struggle the vehicle owner shot and killed the subject and they are ruling it a justifiable homicide.

A retired Navy commander, who serves as an advocate to get better benefits for military veterans has declined an invitation to receive a special award at a Saints game. John Wells says he will not go to an NFL game, because of the anthem protests. He understands there is a reason to protests interactions between police and the public, but the Anthem is not the time to do it…
cut 4 (11) “…disrespecting that”
Louisiana’s GOP Congressional delegation supports the tax plan that was unveiled by House Republicans today. Clay Higgins from St. Landry Parish says all Americans will benefit…
cut 14 (12) “…and not penalized”
But analysts say the plan could mean tax increases for many upper middle-income families.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is not happy the Edwards administration has filed a lawsuit against drug manufacturers over the opioid crisis and he’s asked a state judge to take over the suit. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (29) “…reporting”

A Morning Consult poll has Governor Edwards approval rating at 52-percent. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says that’s a solid number for Democratic governor in a red state, but Edwards faces some big challenges in the coming months…
cut 10 (07) “….is facing”

GOP leaders on Capitol Hill unveiled today the key details in a new tax plan. The proposal lowers the number of tax brackets from seven to four, and increases the standard deductions. Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says this is major reform which is pro citizen and pro economic growth…:
CUT 12 (07) “virtually doubled”

A Navy veteran has chosen not to accept the Peoples Health Champion Award at the next Saints home game…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A poll from Morning Consult finds in his second year in office, Governor John Bel Edwards has an approval rating of 53-percent. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the governor has received high marks when it comes to dealing with the number of natural disasters in Louisiana:
Cut 9 (09) “other states”
He says any time a governor has an approval of over 50-percent that’s good news.

Another legal battle is brewing between the governor and Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry. Landry is confident a state judge will rule that his office can supersede the governor’s opioid lawsuit, and the AG plans to expand it once his office takes control:
Cut 8 (08) “particular issue”
The department of health filed its lawsuit on September 27th claiming drug manufacturers intentionally flooded Louisiana with highly addictive drugs.

A United States Navy veteran has declined to accept the Peoples Health Champion Award during this Sunday’s New Orleans Saints game in the Superdome. Commander John Wells says he was very honored and excited when he was named a recipient. But he says the anthem protests by NFL players are a slap in the face to veterans…:
Cut 3 (08) “for years”
He believes in a good conversation, but doesn’t agree with disrespecting the flag that gives us the right to have that conversation.

November is Adoption Awareness month, and DCFS reports a record number of kids got permanent homes in a one year period ending September 30. Child Welfare manager Shannon Catanzaro (cat-an-zaro) says there are still children waiting to be adopted…:
Cut 14 (12) “forever home”
764 children were adopted up from the record of 735 the previous year.

Another feud is brewing between Governor John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry. The AG believes his office should be handling the lawsuit against opiod companies; not the administration. The state Department of Health claims in a suit that drug manufacturers intentionally flooded Louisiana with highly addictive. Landry says his office is working on its own litigation…:
Cut 7 (09) “I’ll say”
The AG won a legal battle this week over the governor’s office on an executive order dealing with discrimination of LGBT state workers.

There are now 14 former LSU Tigers who are World Champions. The latest two are third baseman Alex Bregman and relief pitcher Will Harris, who helped the Astros win their first world series title in franchise history.

Another legal battle is brewing between Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry. The A-G filed a motion in court this week to take control of the Edwards administration suit that accuses pharmaceutical companies of worsening the opioid crisis. Landry says it only makes sense for the AG to handle this litigation…:
Cut 6 (08) “Attorney General’s office”
The state filed its lawsuit on September 27th claiming drug manufacturers intentionally flooded Louisiana with highly addictive opioids.

A veteran from Slidell has declined to accept an award that was to have been presented during Sunday’s Saints game. Retired Navy Cmdr. John Wells, who is the head of a local military veterans’ organization, was named a Peoples Health Champion, awarded to citizens over 65 who have made significant accomplishments after reaching “senior citizen” status. Wells declined the award saying he was unable “in good conscience, to enter an NFL stadium” where some players disrespect the flag.

UL Lafayette has fired its highly successful softball coach, claiming that Michael Lotief created a hostile learning and working environment. His attorney, John McElligott feels Lotief wasn’t liked by higher ups because he fought for more support for women athletics…:
Cut 11 (12) “federal law”
The university says Lotief subjected students and coworkers to violent, vulgar language.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services reports a record number of kids were adopted form the state’s foster care system in a one year period ending September 30. Child Welfare manager Shannon Catanzaro says many of these children are getting forever homes from relatives…:
Cut 15 (09) “as well”
November is Adoption Awareness Month.

UL Lafayette has fired its highly successful softball coach, claiming that Michael Lotief created a hostile learning and working environment. Lotief holds a record of 729-174 and led the Lady Cajuns to the Women’s College World Series three times. While speaking from his lawyer’s office, his former players surrounded him and said the allegations against him are unfounded…

Cut 13 (10) “not around.”

In a news release, the university says Lotief violated school policies by subjecting student-athletes and coworkers to violent, vulgar language and verbal and physical assault…

Louisiana earned an ‘F’ grade on the latest March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card.  The state pre-mature birth rate is 12.6-percent.  Dr. Martha Whyte with the State Health Department says African American women also have more premature babies in the Bayou State.

Cut 5  (08)  “baby”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services wants to increase it’s efforts to help children who are in need of a permanent home.  Last year, a record number of 764 foster children were adopted, up from 735 the previous year.  But there are many more still needing adoption.  Child welfare manager Shannon Catanzaro says there are 140 children available for adoption now…

Cut 16  (05)  “older youths.”

DCFS will honor their advocates in an awards show November 16 at the Governor’s Mansion…

A Metairie man has been sentenced to nine months in prison after throwing a rock through a Social Security Administration office window.  A building surveillance video showed 38-year-old Bobby Joseph Hammond getting out of his car and throwing the rock through the second floor window then driving away.  People identified Hammond from the video.  He pleaded guilty to destruction of government property…

Governor Edwards suffered a loss in the courtroom Wednesday as a state appeals court ruled against his executive order that sought to project LGBT state workers from discrimination. President of Louisiana Trans Advocates Dylan Waguespack says the ruling is disappointing, but there has been progress in getting laws adopted to protect the LGBT community:
Cut 8 (09) “to happen”
Attorney General Jeff Landry argued the governor didn’t have the constitutional authority to implement this policy.

Louisiana earned an ‘F’ grade on the latest March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. Dr. Martha Whyte with the state Department of Health says 60-percent of births in Louisiana are unplanned, and their goal is to work to make sure women are healthy before getting pregnant…:
Cut 6 (11) “as possible”
She says the preterm birth rate in Louisiana is 12.6-percent.

UL Lafayette has fired its highly successful softball coach Michael Lotief, claiming he created a hostile learning and working environment:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A former sergeant with the Walker Police Department is suing the city and chief for defamation and wrongful termination, after supervisors say Mark Fruge hung a noose in the department’s squad room. Fruge is arguing that the incident was misrepresented as racist, and that the department was looking for a reason to fire him. The chief called the act deplorable.

A three-judge panel of Louisiana’s 1st Court of Appeal has ruled against Governor Edwards’ non-discrimination executive order protecting the LGBT community from discrimination in state employment. Attorney General Jeff Landry argued lawmakers make laws, not the governor’s executive orders and the court agreed…:
Cut 10 (08) “the legislature”
Governor Edwards says discrimination in state government is bad for business and economic development.

Louisiana received an F letter grade on the latest March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

UL Lafayette has fired its highly successful softball coach Michael Lotief, citing claims of vulgar language and assault. Speaking after his termination, Lotief denied the allegations, but admits he has a loose tongue in competitive situations…:
Cut 12 (11) “it’s a lie”
UL-Lafayette says they won’t tolerate such behavior.

November is Adoption Awareness month, and DCFS reports a record number of kids got permanent homes in a one year period ending September 30. Child Welfare manager Shannon Catanzaro (cat-an-zaro) says there are still children waiting to be adopted…:
Cut 14 (12) “forever home”
764 children were adopted up from the record of 735 the previous year.

A state appeals panel has sided with Attorney General Jeff Landry over Governor John Bel Edwards’ executive order seeking to protect the LGBT community from discrimination in state employment. The President of Louisiana Trans Advocates Dylan Waguespack says it’s sad LGBT people can’t be protected at work…:
Cut 7 (08) or expression”
Landry applauds the ruling saying Edwards overstepped his bounds…:
Cut 9 (06) “of power”
Edwards says discrimination in state government is wrong and bad for business.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a man was shot and killed by a homeowner after allegedly forcing his way into the residence. Police believe 33-year-old Micha West may have been under the influence and wasn’t aware it was someone else’s house. But the homeowner still has a right to protect himself.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services reports a record number of kids were adopted form the state’s foster care system in a one year period ending September 30. Child Welfare manager Shannon Catanzaro says many of these children are getting forever homes from relatives…:
Cut 15 (09) “as well”
November is Adoption Awareness Month where the state increases efforts to find homes for 140 children up for adoption.

UL Lafayette has fired its highly successful softball coach, claiming that Michael Lotief created a hostile learning and working environment. His attorney, John McElligott feels Lotief wasn’t liked by higher ups because he fought for more support for women athletics…:
Cut 11 (12) “federal law”
The university says Lotief subjected students and coworkers to violent, vulgar language.

Louisiana’s 1st Circuit Court of Appeal strikes down Governor Edwards’ executive order that sought to protect LGBT people in state contracts. Kelley Ray has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Two former LSU Tigers are World Champions, after the Astros won against the Dodgers in Game 7 last night, 5-1 — it’s the first World Series win for Houston in franchise history. Third baseman Alex Bregman posted phenomenal numbers for the ‘Stros in the World Series, running in 5 to score, blasting 7 hits; 2 home runs and 5 RBIs. Will Harris, a relief pitcher, threw two scoreless innings in the series.

Louisiana earned an ‘F’ grade on the latest March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. Dr. Martha Whyte with the state Department of Health says the preterm birth rate in Louisiana is 12.6-percent. She contributes this trend to high levels of poverty…:
Cut 4 (11) “your neighborhood”
She also says 60% of births in Louisiana are not planned which is a problem.

UL-Lafayette has fired head softball coach Michael Lotief saying he violated university policies by subjecting student-athletes and coworkers to violent, vulgar language and verbal and physical assault. Lotief responded to the allegations saying he’s never been in a physical confrontation in his life.