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.

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

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________________

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…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

______________________________________

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

Cut 3   (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

___________________________________________________

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.

Cut 4  (11) “your neighborhood”

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.

Cut 5  (08)  “baby”

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”

_________________________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________

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…

Cut 14 (12) “forever home.”

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…

Cut 16  (05)  “older youths.”

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

_________________________________________________________

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…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

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.
Cut 7 (11) “its passage”
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…
Cut 13 (10) “Republican state”
That’s ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley.