UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

August 21, 2007

CenturyTel, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana	1-7784	72-0651161
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

100 CenturyTel Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (318) 388-9000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ]	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240. 14a-12)
[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events

On August 21, 2007, CenturyTel's board of directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $750 million of our common stock.  The board of directors also approved CenturyTel's regular quarterly cash dividend of $.065 per share.  For additional information, please see our press release included as Exhibit 99 herein.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)     Exhibit

99    Press release dated August 21, 2007 announcing $750 million stock repurchase program and regular quarterly cash dividend of $.065 per share.

SIGNATURES

 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	CENTURYTEL, INC.
Dated: August 22, 2007	By:/s/ Neil A. Sweasy
	Neil A. Sweasy
	Vice President and Controller