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”

_______________________________________________

 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”  

_______________________________________________

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″

__________________________

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.”

Death row exoneree Shareef Cousin is teaming up with the ACLU of Louisiana and LA Repeal in an effort to persuade lawmakers to repeal the death penalty.
Cut 1AM (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
The accused St. Landry church arsonist is now set to face hate crime charges, but Legal analyst Tim Meche says in Louisiana, our hate crime laws aren’t particularly intimidating.
Cut 13 (07) “…five years”
Holden Matthews social media content indicated an interest in white power music.
__________________________________
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.

LSU has reinstated basketball coach Will Wade after a five week long suspension. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
The severe weather that impact Louisiana on Saturday resulted in two deaths. The first was a 13-year-old boy, who fell into a flooded drainage canal in West Monroe. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Glenn Springfield says a call for help came just before 5 o’clock Saturday afternoon.
Cut 6 (04) “…he fell in.”
_____________________________
The crawfish supply remains limited this season and experts cannot pin down an exact cause. LSU Ag Center Aquaculture Specialist Greg Lutz says so far they have two leading theories as to why the mudbug class of 2019 appears to be smaller in both size and number. One of them is the irregularly long winter that featured some bursts of brutally cold weather.
Cut 10 (09) “…their growth.”
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 trial on state charges is set to begin in September. Federal prosecutors are also considering charges against Matthews and Legal analyst Tim Meche expects this case be prosecuted federally…
Cut 14 (06) “…will end up”
Holden has been charged with state hate crimes, and posted and shared Facebook content suggesting an interest in white power movements.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade’s suspension is over as the 36-year-old has been reinstated, after meeting with LSU and NCAA officials. Athletics director Joe Alleva says Wade answered all questions and denied any wrongdoing in connection with the reported allegations of recruiting violations. Tiger Rag Assistant editor Tyler Nunez says Wade could have possibly avoided the five-week long suspension
Cut 3 (09) “…he’s back.”
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 nighton three arson charges. Prosecutors have also added three hate crime charges. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the hate crime charges are not that significant

Cut 13 (07) “…five years”

Two people are dead following the severe weather that impact Louisiana on Saturday.  Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Glenn Springfield says flooding has also resulted in infrastructure damage that leaves some roads closed today.  In West Monroe, Highway 546, which is one of the major state highways in that part of the parish, sustained a severe washout under the roadbed.
Cut 8 (10) “…of the road.”
The potential for more severe weather is in the forecast Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

The crawfish supply remains limited this season and experts cannot pin down an exact cause. A theory is the white spot virus, which is a fatal disease for mudbugs. LSU Ag Center Aquaculture Specialist Greg Lutz says white spot has become a bigger problem since it was first discovered in Louisiana ponds about 10 years ago.

Cut 11 (11)   “…harvested”
Lutz reiterated that the virus does not effect humans, or even fish, it’s restricted solely to crustaceans.

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.”

LSU basketball coach Will Wade’s suspension is over as the 36-year-old has been reinstated, after meeting with LSU and NCAA officials. Athletics director Joe Alleva says Wade answered all questions and denied any wrongdoing in connection with the reported allegations of recruiting violations. Tiger Rag Assistant editor Tyler Nunez says Wade returns to a team that looks much different than the one that just won the SEC regular season championship. Five players have declared for the NBA draft, but have the option of returning to LSU. Wade also needs to build up a recruiting class that’s rated near the bottom in the SEC…
Cut 5 (09) “…April 20th”
A federal appeals court rules a judge was right when he cleared the way to remove a Confederate monument at the Caddo Parish Courthouse.   The 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals turned back claims from the United Daughters of the Confederacy who said it has a private property interest and says officials have violated rights to free speech and equal protection.

The severe weather that impact Louisiana on Saturday resulted in two deaths.  The first was a 13-year-old boy, who fell into a flooded drainage canal in West Monroe.  Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Glenn Springfield says a call came in around 10:15 PM of a vehicle being taken over by floodwaters on a rural road in Calhoun.  When first responders arrived, the vehicle was still underwater.
Cut 7 (06) “…of the vehicle.”
Deputies say the victim was identified as 80-year-old Patsy Meeks.
The crawfish supply remains limited this season and experts cannot pin down the exact cause of this year’s disappointing harvest so far. LSU Ag Center Aquaculture Specialist Greg Lutz says this late in the season we could be looking at a mixed bag when it comes to size and quantity of the crop.

Cut 9 (11) “…so long”