The Senate Ag Committee approved and expanded a bill that would require “truth in labeling” for food products like Almond “milk”, “riced” cauliflower, and “sugar” substitutes.
It’s legislation brought by Delhi Senator Francis Thompson who says while most of these “fake” products are not made in the Bayou State, they shouldn’t be outlawed, just forced to be upfront about what’s in the package.
Cut 10 (11) “…not true.”
Legislation has advanced to the House floor that seeks to lower auto insurance rates. Louisiana reportedly has the second-highest average auto insurance rates in the nation and River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says his bill would create a legal environment that would reduce the costs for insurance companies…
Cut 3 (11) “…costs up.”
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Lawmakers are seeking to bring back sales tax holidays. They were accidentally suspended for seven years when legislators crafted new tax laws last June. The school supply sales tax weekend would occur in August, hurricane preparedness would be in May and the second amendment sales tax weekend would take place in September. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says businesses also like the sales tax holidays…
Cut 7 (12) “…out of state.”
The latest results from the 2019 Louisiana Survey show 70 percent support the state’s criminal justice reforms championed by Governor Edwards and passed by bipartisan majorities in the legislature.

The Senate Ag Committee approved and expanded a bill that would require “truth in labeling” for food products like Almond “milk”, “riced” cauliflower, and “sugar” substitutes.
Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s the governments job to keep advertisers honest, and prevent misleading products from tricking customers.
Cut 9, 11 seconds, responsibility
Legislation has advanced to the House floor that seeks to lower auto insurance rates. Louisiana reportedly has the second-highest average auto insurance rates in the nation and River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says his bill would would lower the state’s threshold for requiring a civil trial to $5,000 from the current $50,000, take away the ability to sue an insurance company directly and extend the time limit to file a suit from one year to two…
Cut 4 (07) “…drive costs down”

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Campaign numbers for the 2019 governor’s race have been updated. Jeff Palermo looks at what the candidates are reporting…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”
Fundraising efforts are beginning to spread to help the three historically black churches that were torched in St. Landry Parish get back on their feet. A GoFundMe has raised 50,000 dollars of a 1.8 million dollar goal, Iberia Bank has promised to match donations up to 50,000 dollars along with an initial 6,000 dollar donation, and former Saints tight end Ben Watson has hit the trail to assist in fundraising efforts.

Today at the Capitol, lawmakers will be faced with a crucial question… just what exactly counts as milk? Matt Doyle has the story.

 Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A Pineville man has been charged with 100 counts of first-degree rape. On April 1^st, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputies received a complaint of possible criminal sexual conduct involving juveniles. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in the early 1970s and continued into the 80s. On April 9^th, the suspect, 71-year-old Harvey Joseph Fountain, was located and taken into custody. The investigation is on-going.

Lawmakers are seeking to bring back sales tax holidays. They were accidentally suspended for seven years when legislators crafted new tax laws last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris’ measure would benefit consumers by reinstating a tax holiday for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness, and hunting supplies

Cut 6 (08) “…for the like.”

The school supply sales tax weekend would occur in August, hurricane preparedness would be in May and the second amendment sales tax weekend would take place in September.

The newspaper the Advocate that covers Acadiana, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans has been awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting of Louisiana’s law that allowed non-unanimous jury verdict for felony cases. Advocate President Judi Terzotis says the staff put in tremendous amounts of effort to achieve the award.

Cut 13 (11) “…the Washington Post.”

At the state capitol this morning, the House Ag Committee debates a bill that would prohibit the labeling of non-dairy products as milk. For instance when you go to the grocery store, you can purchase products called coconut, soy or almond milk. But Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says…
cut 5 (08) “…proteins”
But a spokesperson for a company called Silk says the legislation is unnecessary because people know the difference between plant and animal milk.

The Advocate newspaper has won its first Pulitzer Prize for its series of reports on the state’s former non-unanimous juries law that was later changed, when voters approved a constitutional amendment in November. Advocate President Judi Terzotis says the paper was able to tell the story of racial impacts of the former law on multiple platforms….
cut 15 (10) “…of the story”
It’s only the sixth time a Louisiana publication has won a Pulitzer.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is working to create a new statewide Civil Rights Trail. Nungesser is holding a series of meetings that will help establish locations for the trail and he wants to establish a civil rights museum in New Orleans…
cut 12 (09) “….Civil Rights trail”
Alabama and Mississippi are also developing a civil rights trail.

Many are saddened that a massive fire has destroyed the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Former Alliance Francaise de Lafayette (ah-lee-ans Frahn-says duh Lafayette) President Sabrina Benazzouz (ben-ah-zooz) tells us the first brick was laid in 1163 and “Our Lady” was the sight of numerous historic moments such as the crowning of English King Henry 4th, made famous by Shakespeare, to the beatification of Joan De Arc.
Cut 8 (09) “…those years.”
The Cathedral housed the most famous, and largest stained glass piece on earth, the Rose Window.

The Senate Agriculture Committee is considering legislation today that would strictly define what can and cannot be labeled as “milk”. This comes in response to the rising popularity of products like almond, coconut, and soy “milk”.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the definition would be strict.

Cut 4 (09) “…ect…”

If approved the Department of Health would be tasked with enforcement.

The Advocate Newspaper has received the prestigious Pultizer Prize, for its coverage of Louisiana being one of only two states that allowed non-unanimous guilty verdicts. Advocate President Judi Terzotis says the newspaper had a team dedicated to covering the story for eight months and knew their reporting was making an impact when it landed the constitutional amendment in the hands of voters.

Cut 14 (10) “…communities deserve.”

It’s not a total loss, but the devastating fire that ripped through the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has many Francophile Louisianans in mourning today. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

A federal appeals court has agreed with the lower courts in the removal of a Confederate Monument at the Caddo Parish Courthouse. The monument known as “Bloody Caddo” was erected in 1906 and the court has ruled it is on public property.

The 5^th U.S. Courts of Appeals in New Orleans have rejected the claims from the United Daughters of Confederacy Shreveport’s Chapter that the monument is on private property. Caddo Parish Commissioners are now offering the Chapter an opportunity to move the monument to another location that is not in front of the current courthouse.

The Notre Dame Cathedral, it’s one of the most famous Catholic landmarks on earth,and the burning has traumatized many of Louisiana’s nearly 1.4 million Catholics.

Former Alliance Francaise de Lafayette (ah-lee-ans Frahn-says duh Lafayette) President Sabrina Benazzouz says restoring the icon’s former glory might not be possible.

Cut 9 (10) “…anymore″

The newspaper the Advocate that covers Acadiana, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans has been award a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting of Louisiana’s law that allowed non-unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases. Advocate President Judi Terzotis (Ter –Zo-Tis) says the staff put in a tremendous amount of work to achieve the award.

Cut 13 (11) “…the Washington Post.”

A Pineville man is now facing one-hundred charges of first degree rape. 71-year old Harvey Joseph Fountain was taken into custody last week after Rapides Parish Sheriff Deputies received a complaint of possible criminal sexual conduct involving juveniles. Parish officials say the crimes allegedly began in the early 1970s and continued in the 1980s. Initially he was charged with only 50 counts of rape but that increased to 100 when additional victims were identified. Detectives say the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible.

Tourism officials are hoping The Louisiana Civil Rights Trail will be a big draw for the state.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris suffered extensive damage after a portion of the landmark caught fire yesterday during a mass

Former Alliance Francaise de Lafayette (ah-lee-ans Frahn-says duh Lafayette) President Sabrina Benazzouz (ben-ah-zooz) says it’s heartbreaking.

Cut 7 (08) “…tower”

The French government is opening in investigation into the fire, calling it “involuntary destruction by fire.”

Louisiana will be one of several states to participate in a Civil Rights trail. Nine meetings will be held throughout the state in an effort to get input from citizens across the state. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says Alabama has a huge draw with their portion of the Civil Rights trail.

Cut 10 (08) “…Civil Rights movement.”

Nungesser anticipates that some of the crucial landmarks to the era may be gone, but they would be recognized with a plaque.

Today at the Capitol, lawmakers will be faced with a crucial question… just what exactly counts as milk? Matt Doyle has the story.

 Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Today at the Capitol, lawmakers will be faced with a crucial question… just what exactly counts as milk? Matt Doyle has the story.

 Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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 It’s not a total loss, but the devastating fire that ripped through the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has many Francophile Louisianans in mourning today. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Tourism officials are hoping The Louisiana Civil Rights Trail will be a big draw for the state.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

The Senate Agriculture Committee is considering legislation today that would strictly define what can and cannot be labeled as “milk”. This comes in response to the rising popularity of products like almond, coconut, and soy “milk”.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the definition would be strict.

Cut 4 (09) “…ect…”

If approved the Department of Health would be tasked with enforcement.

Despite it’s creamy white liquid appearance, Strain says milk substitutes do not include many of the vital health benefits that come from the real deal.

Cut 5 (08) “…proteins.”

If the bill passes retailers would be given a grace period in which to change the labeling on their non animal based “milk” products.

Strain says along with a ten percent drop in consumption nationwide of animal milk products, there’s a growing number of children who being robbed of the nutritional benefits of real milk.

Cut 6 (07) “…milk”

A spokesman for the company that owns Silk, a soy based milk substitute, says the legislation is unnecessary because people know the difference between plant and animal milk.

___________________________________________________
The famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris suffered extensive damage after a portion of the landmark caught fire yesterday during a mass. French President Emmanuel Macron says thankfully the worst has been avoided, but the over 800-year-old monument suffered extensive damage.

Former Alliance Francaise de Lafayette (ah-lee-ans Frahn-says duh Lafayette) President Sabrina Benazzouz (ben-ah-zooz) says it’s heartbreaking.

Cut 7 (08) “…tower”

The French government is opening in investigation into the fire, calling it “involuntary destruction by fire.”

The first brick was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163, beginning a 200 year construction process. “Our Lady” was the sight of numerous historic moments such as the crowning of English King Henry 4th, made famous by Shakespeare, to the beatification of Joan De Arc.

Cut 8 (09) “…those years.”

The Cathedral housed the most famous, and largest stained glass piece on earth, the Rose Window.

It’s one of the most famous Catholic landmarks on earth, and the burning has traumatized many of Louisiana’s nearly 1.4 million Catholics. Benazzouz says restoring the icon’s former glory might not be possible.

Cut 9 (10) “…anymore″

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Louisiana will be one of several states to participate in a Civil Rights trail. Nine meetings will be held throughout the state in an effort to get input from citizens across the state. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says Alabama has a huge draw with their portion of the Civil Rights trail.

Cut 10 (08) “…Civil Rights movement.”

Nungesser anticipates that some of the crucial landmarks to the era may be gone, but would be recognized with a plaque. However, there are other significant structures that will likely play a role in the trail.

Cut 11 (09) “…that things happen.”

Alabama and Mississippi are also participating in the trail, with Alabama already making a big investment in marketing their state. Nungesser says the state has been working with a Civil Rights team to find a home for a museum to be a big part of the attraction in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (09) “…Civil Rights trail.”

________________________

The newspaper the Advocate that covers Acadiana, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans has been award a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting of Louisiana’s law that allowed non-unanimous jury verdict for felony cases. Advocate President Judi Terzotis says the staff put in tremendous amounts of effort to achieve the award.

Cut 13 (11) “…the Washington Post.”

Louisiana was one of only two states that allowed non-unanimous guilty verdicts. Terzotis says the newspaper had a team dedicated to covering the story for eight months and knew their reporting was making an impact when it landed the constitutional amendment in the hands of voters.

Cut 14 (10) “…communities deserve.”

Terzotis also credits the papers ability to tell the story for its audience on multiple platforms for it to have the impact that it did.

Cut 15 (10) “…of the story.”