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.

A St. Landry parish judge has denied bond for 21-year-old Holden Matthews, who is accused of burning down three historically black churches. Matthews had his first court appearance today since he was arrested on Wednesday night. Legal analyst Tim Meche is not suprised Matthews remains in jail without bail…
cut 12 (07) “…denied bond”
Matthews was arrested Wednesday on arson charges. Prosecutors have also added three hate crime charges.

Will Wade is back as LSU basketball’s head coach. Athletics director Joe Alleva says Wade answered all questions and denied any wrongdoing when he met with university and NCAA officials last Friday. Tiger Rag Assistant editor Tyler Nunez…
Cut 4 (09) “…get him back”
Wade says he’s humbled and grateful to back and he regrets the circumstances that prevented him from meeting with LSU sooner.

Saturday’s severe weather is responsible for two deaths in Ouachita Parish. Deputies say a 13-year-old drowned in a drainage canal that filled up with water during a flash flood. Patsy Meeks of Calhoun also died. Her body was found in a submerged vehicle on a rural road. Another round of severe weather could hit the state Wednesday night.

It’s four months into 2019 and the crawfish season still hasn’t quite taken off. Matt Doyle talked to a mudbug expert about why that is.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Two days after meeting with school and NCAA officials, LSU made the decision to reinstate head basketball coach Will Wade. Wade had been suspended since March 8th. Athletics director Joe Alleva says Wade’s explanations and clarifications offered during the meeting, absent actual evidence of misconduct, satisfy his contractual obligation to LSU.

The second week of the legislative session begins today and soon lawmakers will debate whether the death penalty should be repealed. President of the ACLU of Louisiana Alanah Odoms Hebert brought Shareef Cousins to the capitol. Cousins was on death row for three years, before he was exonerated. Hebert says Cousins story can convince lawmakers to get rid of the death penalty…
cut 6 (12) “….for repeal”
Louisiana’s Attorney General Jeff Landry opposes any effor to abolish the death penalty.

The U-S House passed Violence Against Women Act has an uncertain future in the Republican Controlled Senate. The NRA opposes the legislation because it would lower the threshold for banning gun ownership to those with misdemeanor convictions of domestic abuse or stalking, among other concerns. Current law only applies to felonies. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves believes that provision may infringe on the constitution…
Cut 14 (12) “…rights.”
Senate leaders say they are seeking to pass a bill that has more bipartisan support.

NOAA has placed the Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s (Brood-dus) whales on the Endangered Species List. Marine Mammal biologist Laura Engleby says experts estimate less than 100 of these whales are left…
cut 11 (09) “….ashore’
Now that the listing has been announced, NOAA will develop a recovery plan.

LSU has reinstated basketball coach Will Wade. The university says during a meeting on Friday, Wade answered all questions and denied any wrongdoing about contents of an FBI wirtetap conversation in which Wade reportedly discussed a strong offer for a recruit with a convicted recruiting middleman. Wade was suspended for about five weeks.

The Bryde’s (BROO-dus) whale in the Gulf of Mexico is now listed as an endangered species. Connor Ferrill has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”

Advocates who are attempting to end domestic violence are disappointed Louisiana’s House Republican delegation voted against the Violence Against Women Act, which seeks to limit gun rights for those convicted of misdemeanor crimes involving domestic abuse or stalking. Sexual Trauma Awareness Response President Racheal Hebert says…
cut 16 (09) “…think”
Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he voted against the bill because it included protections for transgender individuals.

Today, begins week two of the legislative session and soon lawmakers will begin debating whether the state should repeal the death penalty. Shareef Cousin of New Orleans will be there to support a repeal. He spent three years on death row in the 1990s for a murder he did not commit and he says there maybe other innocent people on death row…
cut 5 (10) “…mental health disorders”

LSU basketball coach Will Wade’s suspension is over as the 36-year-old has been reinstated. Wade met with LSU and NCAA officials on Friday and A-D Joe Alleva says Wade answered all questions and denied any wrongdoing in connection with recently reported allegations of irregularities in college basketball recruiting.

Death row exoneree Shareef Cousin is teaming up with the ACLU of Louisiana in an effort to persuade lawmakers to repeal the death penalty.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

D.C. lawmakers are tangling over the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act as it heads to the Senate after clearing the House on a mostly party line vote. Republican Congressman Garret Graves says he voted against the legislation…
Cut 13 (11) “…scrutiny”
Senate leaders are trying to come up with their own version that’s more bipartisan.

Former Louisiana Congressman John Fleming is now an assistant secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Fleming says they are working on a program that allows private investment into a distressed community and the money can be multiplied when combined with federal and local dollars…
cut 9 (12) “….of that”

It seemed unlikely that Will Wade would ever coach at LSU again, but the school has reinstated the 36-year-old basketball coach. Athletics director Joe Alleva says during a meeting on Friday with university and NCAA officials, Wade answered all questions and denied any wrongdoing in connection with recently reported allegations of irregularities in college basketball recruiting. Alleva says actual evidence of misconduct was also not found.

Lawmakers will once again consider repealing Louisiana’s death penalty in the ongoing legislative session. Shareef Cousin of New Orleans spent three years on death row for a fatal shooting that occurred in the 90s in the French Quarter before his name was cleared. Cousin says his message for legislators is simple.
Cut 4 (10) “…that is flawed.”
There are two bills in the legislative session that seek to abolish the death penalty, but the measures are expected to receive opposition from Louisiana’s Attorney General.

The Violence Against Women Act re-authorization could bog down in the Senate after House Democrats passed a version that prohibits gun ownership for those with misdemeanor convictions of domestic abuse or stalking.
voicer 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”