The Bayou State received an F letter grade on the latest March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Louisiana’s 1st Circuit Court of Appeal strikes down Governor Edwards executive order that sought to protect LGBT individuals who work for state government from discrimination.  Kelley Ray has more…

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UL Lafayette has fired its highly successful softball coach Michael Lotief, claiming he created a hostile learning and working environment. Jeff Palermo has more….

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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 says this is a trend we’ve seen in Louisiana for some time and contributes it to the high levels of poverty.

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Caddo Parish has the highest number of premature births in the state with 17 out of every 100 babies born preterm. Whyte says African American women also have more premature babies in the Bayou State.

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60-percent of births in Louisiana are unplanned. Whyte says changing this failing grade starts with addressing chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. She says they have made it a goal to make sure women are healthy before getting pregnant and start planning their reproductive life.

Cut 6 (11) “as possible”

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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. The President of Louisiana Trans Advocates Dylan Waguespack says the ruling is disappointing because gays and transgendered people are discriminated in the workplace at an alarming rate…

Cut 7 (08)  or expression.”

Waguespack says even though he is disappointed by the ruling, he notes there has been progress in getting laws adopted to protect the LGBTQ community…

Cut 8 (09) “to happen.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry applauds the ruling.  He says his concern is with Governor Edwards and how he is overstepping his bounds…

Cut 9 (06)  “of power.”

Landry says any change in law needs to come from the state legislature, not Governor Edwards and the Court of Appeals upheld the law as he interprets it…

Cut 10 (08)  “the legislature.”

Edwards released a statement that said, “Discrimination in state government and by state contractors is wrong, makes us weaker and is bad for business and economic development.”  He also cites President Trump’s executive order that remains in place and was identical to his order.

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UL Lafayette has fired its highly successful softball coach, claiming that Michael Lotief created a hostile learning and working environment. Lotief was placed on administrative leave in early October. Attorney John McElligott says university administrators didn’t like how Lotief fought for more support for women athletics

Cut 11 (12) “federal law.”

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. Lotief admits he has a loose tongue in compeititve situations, but it shouldn’t result in his firing…

Cut 12 (11) “it’s a lie”

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.”

Lotief has not made a decision on whether he’ll sue the university. Athletics Director Doctor Bryan Maggard says a national search for a new head softball coach will begin immediately.

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services reports a record number of children were adopted form the state’s foster care system in a one year period ending September 30.  764 children were adopted up from the record of 735 the previous year.  Child Welfare manager Shannon Catanzaro (cat-an-zaro) says even with the record numbers there are children waiting to be adopted…

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So why the increase in adoptions?  Catanzaro says it starts with better awareness of what is involved in adopting and some family members are making the decision to adopt their own kin…

Cut 15 (09) “as well.”

November is Adoption Awareness Month so the state will increase it’s efforts to help 140 children who are in need of a permanent home…

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DCFS will host a statewide advocate awards show on November 16 at the Governor’s Mansion.

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Governor Edwards suffered a loss in the courtroom today as a state appellate court ruled against his executive order that sought to project LGBT state workers from being discriminated against. Edwards says discrimination is wrong, but attorney general Jeff Landry argued the governor didn’t have the constitutional authority to implement this policy.

CenturyLink’s 24-billion-dollar acquisition of Level 3 Communications has been completed, making it the state’s largest public company. Kelley Ray has more…
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The open enrollment period began today for those who would like to purchase change or renew their health insurance policies through the Affordable Care Act. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says policyholders can anticipate an 18 and a half percent increase in premiums, because of an uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act.
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The enrollment period ends December 15.

When it comes to popularity in Congress, both of Louisiana’s US Senators rank in the middle, according to a new Morning Consult poll. John Kennedy’s approval rating is at 50-percent, while Bill Casssidy’s is at 47-percent. Cassidy is up for re-election in three years…
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That’s ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley.

The Louisiana First Circuit Appellate Court ruled against Governor Edwards non-discrimination Executive order protecting LGBT people who work for state government.  Members of Louisiana Trans Advocates are in discussions with the administration to decide how best to handle the next move and decide whether or not to hear more arguments in the case.  AG Jeff Landry says the Governor overstepped his bounds in making the order…

Open enrollment for health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act begins today and runs until December 15^th. Emelie Gunn has more…

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On the day Louisiana is releasing 19-hundred non-violent offenders, a state audit finds the Department of Corrections is not able to track offenders or did not have proper methods in place to calculate correct prisoner release dates. Auditor Kristen Jacobs says the DOC tried to plug up the holes in the records system.  They spent 3.6-million-dollars a few years ago on a computer data system that was quickly abandoned…

Cut 10 (07) “and testing.”

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 Senator Bill Cassidy was number 62. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the approval numbers are essentially the same..:

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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…
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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:
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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…
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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.

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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…:

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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…:
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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…:
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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…:
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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..:
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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…:
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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…:
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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…:
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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…:
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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..:
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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…
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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..:
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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…:
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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…:
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Gilley says the suspect was taken into custody early Tuesday afternoon and will be charged with arson.