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