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A 71-year-old Louisiana man has been charged with 100 counts of first-degree rape over allegations of criminal sexual conduct involving minors.

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A girl in New jersey starts a go fund me claiming it is to raise money for a homeless man. She raised over 400,000 dollars but kept the money for herself. The whole thing was a scam. She is now facing 4 years in prison for theft by deception.

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She collected $400,000 in a GoFundMe scam. Now she faces 4 years in prison | CNN

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A New Jersey woman faces four years in state prison for her role in scamming more than $400,000 from GoFundMe donors, claiming to be collecting money for a homeless man in Philadelphia.

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measles accelerates to second-highest level in us in 25 years and over 100

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Measles surges to second-highest level in US in 25 years and over 100,000 global cases

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The number of measles cases in the United States made its biggest jump of the year, with 90 new cases reported in just one week, according to numbers released Monday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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A 4-year-old accidentally shoots himself in the head. He's the 5th family member to fall victim to guns

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a 4-year-old accidentally shoots himself in the head. he's the 5th family member to fall victim to guns - cnn

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A 4-year-old accidentally shoots himself in the head. He's the 5th family member to fall victim to guns

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Na'vaun Jackson, 4, is fighting for his life after accidentally shooting himself in the head with a gun that was left unattended.

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The hour is upon us. Mississippi has been sent a divine message in the form of mashed potatoes. These ominous and awfully mysterious potatoes have made their presence known through appearing in random spots; mailboxes, cars, porches... Nobody is safe.

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It's a mashed Mississippi mystery.

Jackson residents were mystified after bowls of mashed potatoes suddenly appeared on their cars, porches and mailboxes.

Jordan Lewis described the Belhaven neighborhood as a quirky one, with residents decorating road signs and putting Christmas trees in potholes.

But the probe into the puzzling potato problem is even new for them.

Lewis told WLBT-TV she spotted her first bowl of mashed potatoes on her car's windshield.
BRAZEN THIEVES TARGETING MISSISSIPPI POLICE DEPARTMENT SWIPE CRUISER TIRES - TWICE
"I walked outside yesterday morning at 7 a.m. and I got in my car and that's when I noticed a white bowl on my windshield. It was full of rainwater. I threw it away and I was grossed out by it," she said. "I just thought this is a harmless prank by some kids or college students in the area."

Michaela Lin said she found a bowl of mashed potatoes on her mailbox. She said some of the potato-finders have connections to Belhaven University, a local private Christian university, which may be a clue.

"So far I have realized some of the 'victims' of the mashed potatoes are actually staff or Belhaven students or alumni. I feel like there has to be a connection there!" Lin told WLBT-TV.
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However, Sebastian Bjernegard said some residents fear there's a more sinister message behind the potatoes.

"Some people were thinking maybe the mashed potatoes were poisoned to kill animals," he told WJTV, noting he almost stepped into a bowl of potatoes Tuesday. "I didn't taste it. I have a three-second rule, so I didn't touch it. But some people were worried."

It was not immediately clear if anyone has eaten the potatoes. News outlets reported residents have not alerted law enforcement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Mississippi community left confused after bowls of mashed potatoes mysteriously keep appearing

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It's a mashed Mississippi mystery. Jackson residents were mystified after bowls of mashed potatoes suddenly appeared on their cars, porches and mailboxes. Jordan Lewis described the Belhaven neighborhood as a quirky one, with residents decorating road signs and putting Christmas trees in potholes. But the probe into the puzzling potato problem is even new for them.

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The  Notre Dame fire is now out. Paris firefighters had succeeded after a 12-hour long battle to extinguish the Notre Dame Cathedral blaze

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CLOSE

PARIS - A massive fundraising campaign was being launched Tuesday to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral, hours after a massive fire engulfed the iconic 800-year-old house of worship in the French capital.

The Paris Fire Service announced that firefighters "came to grips with" the blaze at about 3 a.m. local time Tuesday, more than nine hours after they began the effort. It said nearly 400 firefighters had battled the inferno, and two policemen and one firefighter had been slightly injured.

"The worst has been avoided, although the battle is not yet totally won," said French President Emmanuel Macron who rushed to the scene of the blaze Monday. Announcing the fundraising effort, he vowed to reconstruct the church.

"We'll rebuild this cathedral all together and it's undoubtedly part of the French destiny and the project we'll have for the coming years," said Macron.

French billionaire Francois Henri Pinault pledged $113 million towards reconstructing the cathedral, while fellow billionaire Bernard Arnault and his LVMH group pledged $226 million.

People stop to see and photograph the Notre Dame cathedral after the fire in Paris, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Experts are assessing the blackened shell of Paris' iconic Notre Dame cathedral to establish next steps to save what remains after a devastating fire destroyed much of the almost 900-year-old building. With the fire that broke out Monday evening and quickly consumed the cathedral now under control, attention is turning to ensuring the structural integrity of the remaining building. (Photo: Kamil Zihnioglu, AP)

"The Arnault family and the LVMH group would like to show their solidarity at this time of national tragedy, and are joining up to help rebuild this extraordinary cathedral, which is a symbol of France, of its heritage and of French unity," their statement said Tuesday.

More: Views of the Notre Dame Cathedral before, after, and during blaze

More: 'Worst has been avoided': Notre Dame Cathedral's structure is saved; French president vows to rebuild

The Vatican said Pope Francis was "praying for French Catholics and for the people of Paris in face of the terrible fire which has ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral," the Agence France-Presse news agency reported.

The blaze collapsed the cathedral's spire and spread to one of its rectangular towers in a spectacle watched by throngs of horrified spectators. However Paris Fire Chief Jean-Claude Gallet said the church's main structure had been saved after firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to the northern belfry. Gallet said the emergency response had evolved into a monitoring and clean-up operation.

Salvage efforts had been underway to recover precious artifacts, and city prosecutors announced they were opening an investigation. Arson was ruled out as well as possible terror-related motives, officials said. Officials said the blaze could be linked to renovation work. The cathedral was in the midst of a $6.8 million renovation project.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said in a tweet that historically significant artifacts and sacred items were saved from the fire.

"Thanks to the @PompiersParis, the police and the municipal agents," Hidalgo tweeted, "the Crown of Thorns, the Tunic of Saint Louis and several other major works are now in a safe place."

More: Cathedral resurrection: A look at famous houses of worship reborn after destruction

More: Donald Trump draws criticism over suggestion of fighting Notre Dame fire with 'flying water tankers'

The damage to the building, however, was extensive. "Two-thirds of the roofing has been ravaged," Gallet said.

It was a dramatic shift from earlier Monday when officials predicted the structure would burn to the ground.

"Everything is burning. Nothing will remain from the frame," Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot had told French media. The 12th-century cathedral is one of the world's most famous tourist attractions, immortalized by Victor Hugo's 1831 novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

The blaze comes during Holy Week, an important event for the Catholic Church with Easter days away.
Contributing: Jane Onyanga-Omara in London
More: 850-year-old Notre Dame survived the French Revolution. Here are 4 other things to know

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/04/16/notre-dame-cathedral-fire/3481868002/

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Millions pledged to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral after devastating fire

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CLOSE PARIS - A massive fundraising campaign was being launched Tuesday to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral, hours after a massive fire engulfed the iconic 800-year-old house of worship in the French capital. The Paris Fire Service announced that firefighters "came to grips with" the blaze at about 3 a.m.

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A few California highschooler's decided that for their senior prank, they would Mandate Genital Inspection day. They had received some positive feedback from parents but administration shut down the whole operation. Is this not a sign that the government tries to shut down free thought? Isn't anywhere safe from this purge of freedom. I believe that this is once again a sign of the apocalypse dawning upon us.

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A senior "prank" drew the attention of California high school officials earlier this week when a letter - apparently with official school letterhead - stated that all seniors would be inspected in a "highly inappropriate" manner.

The letter circulated among students at North Monterey County High School in Castroville through Snapchat, the school wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. It was made to look official and even included the superintendent's signature, officials said.
ENGLISH ANIMAL RESCUERS JUMP TO RESCUE OF 'SICK' FOX THAT'S ACTUALLY TAXIDERMIED ANIMAL
Senior male students, per the letter, were required to undergo "mandatory 'genitalia' inspections," KION-TV reported. It allegedly stated the students would be separated into two categories: circumcised and uncircumcised.

School officials wrote online that they're investigating the letter.

However, the "prank" seemingly received some positive reviews.
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One Facebook user called it "impressive" and said she "[doesn't] even think I'd be mad at my kid" for the letter, noting that it was "grammatically correct."

"Got to give who ever did it a little credit for being creative," another user wrote.

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California high school's senior 'prank' reportedly involved letter mandating genital inspection

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A senior "prank" drew the attention of California high school officials earlier this week when a letter - apparently with official school letterhead - stated that all seniors would be inspected in a "highly inappropriate" manner. The letter circulated among students at North Monterey County High School in Castroville through Snapchat, the school wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.

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A Marine who ran the Boston Marathon in honor of three men he served alongside crawled across the finish line on Monday as his body almost gave up — but his mind didn't.

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A Marine who ran the Boston Marathon in honor of three men he served alongside crawled across the finish line on Monday as his body almost gave up - but his mind didn't.

Micah Herndon, 31, ran the race in 3 hours and 38 minutes, according to race results. But to hit that mark, he had to physically drag his body along the pavement to finish the race.
PAUL BATURA: HOW 23 FAILURES LED ME TO WINNING AT THE BOSTON MARATHON
Herndon, of Ohio, served several deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Record-Courier reported. During a tour in Afghanistan in 2010, three people he was with were killed when they were targeted by an IED.

Marines Mark Juarez and Matthew Ballard, and Rupert Hamer, a British journalist, died. He said he ran the Boston Marathon on Sunday for them.

"I run in honor of them. They are not here anymore. I am here, and I am able," Herndon told the news outlet. "I am lucky to still have all my limbs. I can still be active. I find fuel in the simple idea that I can run. Some cannot."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He said that despite his small plights - whether his feet hurt or he's tired from running - he reminds himself why he continues.

"I just keep saying their names out loud to myself. They went through much worse, so I run for them and their families."

In a Facebook post, Herndon shared a photo of a pair of orange Nike sneakers, but with a sentimental detail: three small golden plates featuring the names of Juarez, Ballard and Hamer are weaved in with the shoelaces. The plates served as a reminder to Herndon of why he keeps running.

Videos posted online Monday show Herndon kept his word. Close to the end, he crawled to the finish line, finishing the race 11,334 overall.

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Marine running Boston Marathon for fallen comrades crawls across finish line

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A Marine who ran the Boston Marathon in honor of three men he served alongside crawled across the finish line on Monday as his body almost gave up - but his mind didn't. Micah Herndon, 31, ran the race in 3 hours and 38 minutes, according to race results.

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“We recently realized we had no clue who first had the idea for us to start producing a thick, rectangular, fig-filled cookie covered in some kind of dense crust-type stuff. With the public’s help, we’d really like to get to the bottom of this,” announced the snack food giant in a statement from Dirk Van de Put, CEO of Nabisco’s parent company Mondelez.

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Here's an exciting proposal from a company that is clearly getting desperate for some vital information: Nabisco is offering $25,000 to anyone who can tell then who the hell came up with the idea for Fig Newtons.

This sounds like an amazing opportunity! If you have any leads about who thought up Fig Newtons, now's the time to call in and let the people at Nabisco know!

"We recently realized we had no clue who first had the idea for us to start producing a thick, rectangular, fig-filled cookie covered in some kind of dense crust-type stuff. With the public's help, we'd really like to get to the bottom of this," announced the snack food giant in a statement from Dirk Van de Put, CEO of Nabisco's parent company Mondelez. "Our first thought was that it must've been someone named Newton, because otherwise what the fuck is a 'Newton,' but it seems that we don't have any Newtons on payroll. If someone came to us with the idea for Fig Newtons today, we honestly probably wouldn't give it the green light because on paper the concept of that cookie sounds completely unappetizing and absolutely unhinged, but apparently we did that at some point, and we hope a $25,000 reward will be enough to incentivize someone with information on the situation to come forward."

Looks like Nabisco is really in the weeds on this one, so if you came up with Fig Newtons or know the person who did, this could be your chance to help them out and get compensated in the process. You could be the person who helps Nabisco figure out just who the hell dreamed up their famous flat fig cookies. Don't wait-if you know something, write in today!

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Desperate For Info: Nabisco Is Offering $25,000 To Anyone Who Can Tell Them Who The Hell Came Up With The Idea For Fig Newtons

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Here's an exciting proposal from a company that is clearly getting desperate for some vital information: Nabisco is offering $25,000 to anyone who can tell then who the hell came up with the idea for Fig Newtons. This sounds like an amazing opportunity!

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The Notre-Dame Cathedral was ablaze yesterday, resulting in the collapse of the spire and damage to the roof, windows and other structures. However, the main building has been saved from the flame's destruction. People across the world have gathered together in mourning the damage. French officials have stated that the fire was an accident and now are working to repair the damaged.

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What we covered here

What happened: A massive blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris devastated large parts of the 850-year-old church. The fire is now out, but the cathedral's iconic spire fell during the hours it took to battle the blaze. French President Emmanuel Macron, in an address to the nation, promised Parisians that they will "rebuild this cathedral together."

11:23 a.m. ET, April 17, 2019
Our live coverage of the destructive fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral is ending, but you can follow the links below to read more:

2:58 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
University of Notre Dame donates $100,000 to renovation of the cathedral

The University of Notre Dame in Indiana is donating $100,000 toward the renovation of the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, according to a statement post on the school's website today.

"At the direction of Father Jenkins, the University will donate $100,000 toward the renovation of the cathedral. In addition, the bells of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus will toll 50 times - representing the 50 Hail Marys of Our Lady's rosary - at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, to mark the start of the rebuilding process for the cathedral," the statement reads.

There is no direct connection between the cathedral and the university.

2:32 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
Macron says he wants the Notre Dame Cathedral rebuilt in 5 years

From CNN's Simon Cullen and Samuel Quashie-Idun in London

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in a televised address to the nation, said he wants the Notre Dame Cathedral to be rebuilt in five years.

"We will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautiful and I want that to be done in the next five years," he said.

He continued: "Throughout our history, we have built towns, ports, churches. Many have been burnt due to revolutions, wars, due to mankind's mistakes. Each time we have rebuilt them.

"The fire of Notre Dame reminds us that our story never ends. And that we will always have challenges to overcome. What we believe to be indestructible can also be touched," Macron said.

2:10 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
NOW: French president addresses the nation after Notre Dame fire

From CNN's Simon Cullen and Samuel Quashie-Idun

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the cathedral of Notre Dame "even more beautiful."

In a televised address to the nation, Macron said he shared in the nation's sorrow and hope for the future.

"We will make the Cathedral of Notre Dame even more beautiful. We can do this," he said.

Macron said there will be time for reflection and then action.

1:56 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
Paris terror attack hero helped save Notre Dame artifacts, mayor says

From CNN's Rob Picheta

A Paris chaplain who tended to victims of the 2015 terror attack in the city has been hailed as a hero once more, after he reportedly entered the burning Notre Dame cathedral to rescue priceless relics from the blaze.

Jean-Marc Fournier, the chaplain of Paris fire service, entered the cathedral with firefighters to help salvage some of the priceless artifacts held in the building, the Paris 15th district mayor Philippe Goujon told reporters on Tuesday.

Fournier had previously held prayers and assisted victims after terrorists killed 130 people in attacks throughout the French capital in November 2015.

A number of relics were rescued during Monday's devastating fire, which tore through and destroyed parts of the 850-year-old church.

They include the Crown of Thorns, which some believe was placed on the head of Christ and which the cathedral calls its "most precious and most venerated relic."

He has been praised as a hero throughout social media for his bravery after Etienne Loraillère, the director of the French Catholic television network KTO, posted a picture of Fournier and commended the chaplain.

1:45 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
Restoration expert says it will take 10 to 15 years to fully restore Notre Dame Cathedral

From CNN's Samuel Quashie-Idun in London

The full restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral will take between "10 to 15 years," according to Frédéric Létoffé, the head of the group of companies for the Restoration of Historic Monuments.

Létoffé, speaking at a news conference in Paris on Tuesday, said the site will need to be secured before any restoration work can take place.

"This will require a lot of work since, beyond shoring and reinforcement, it will be necessary to build a scaffolding with an umbrella to be able to cover the entire roof that went missing, to ensure protection against weathering" he said.

12:27 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
How one artist responded to the cathedral fire

As Notre Dame Cathedral burned, Cristina Correa Freile channeled her own emotion by imagining how the church's most famous fictional denizen - its hunchbacked bell ringer - might have responded to the calamity.

She drew Quasimodo, the Disney cartoon version, embracing the iconic Paris landmark - complete with twin towers. She posted her drawing Monday on Instagram, where it quickly went viral and earned more than 160,000 social media supporters.

"I made (this) because of what's happening right now," said the architect and illustrator, who lives in Ecuador. "The world embraces Notre Dame right now."

The physically deformed Quasimodo is the central character of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," which tells the tale of his obsession with the beautiful Esmeralda. The story was told on the big screen in 1939, then Disney remade it in 1996 as a cartoon.

1:22 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
Trump calls Macron after the fire

President Trump spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call this morning to offer condolences for the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

"The United States stands with French citizens, the city of Paris, and the millions of visitors from around the world who have sought solace in that iconic structure," she said.
Sanders added:

"The Cathedral has served as a spiritual home for almost a millennium, and we are saddened to witness the damage to this architectural masterpiece. Notre Dame will continue to serve as a symbol of France, including its freedom of religion and democracy. France is the oldest ally of the United States, and we remember with grateful hearts the tolling of Notre Dame's bells on September 12, 2001, in solemn recognition of the tragic September 11th attacks on American soil. Those bells will sound again. We stand with France today and offer our assistance in the rehabilitation of this irreplaceable symbol of Western civilization. Vive la France!"

1:17 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
There are no trees in France that are big enough to rebuild Notre Dame's roof

From CNN's Arnaud Siad

There are not any trees in France that are large enough to replace the ancient Beachwood beams that burned in the Notre Dame fire, Bertrand de Feydeau, vice president of the French Heritage Foundation (Fondation du Patrimoine), told CNN.

"The roof was made of beechwood beams over 800 years ago. There are no longer trees of that size in France," he said.

Asked if any trees in Europe were big enough for the beams and could be imported to Paris, he said, "I don't know."

What we covered here

What happened: A massive blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris devastated large parts of the 850-year-old church. The fire is now out, but the cathedral's iconic spire fell during the hours it took to battle the blaze. French President Emmanuel Macron, in an address to the nation, promised Parisians that they will "rebuild this cathedral together."

11:23 a.m. ET, April 17, 2019
Our live coverage of the destructive fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral is ending, but you can follow the links below to read more:

2:58 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
University of Notre Dame donates $100,000 to renovation of the cathedral

The University of Notre Dame in Indiana is donating $100,000 toward the renovation of the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, according to a statement post on the school's website today.

"At the direction of Father Jenkins, the University will donate $100,000 toward the renovation of the cathedral. In addition, the bells of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus will toll 50 times - representing the 50 Hail Marys of Our Lady's rosary - at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, to mark the start of the rebuilding process for the cathedral," the statement reads.

There is no direct connection between the cathedral and the university.

2:32 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
Macron says he wants the Notre Dame Cathedral rebuilt in 5 years

From CNN's Simon Cullen and Samuel Quashie-Idun in London

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in a televised address to the nation, said he wants the Notre Dame Cathedral to be rebuilt in five years.

"We will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautiful and I want that to be done in the next five years," he said.

He continued: "Throughout our history, we have built towns, ports, churches. Many have been burnt due to revolutions, wars, due to mankind's mistakes. Each time we have rebuilt them.

"The fire of Notre Dame reminds us that our story never ends. And that we will always have challenges to overcome. What we believe to be indestructible can also be touched," Macron said.

2:10 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
NOW: French president addresses the nation after Notre Dame fire

From CNN's Simon Cullen and Samuel Quashie-Idun

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the cathedral of Notre Dame "even more beautiful."

In a televised address to the nation, Macron said he shared in the nation's sorrow and hope for the future.

"We will make the Cathedral of Notre Dame even more beautiful. We can do this," he said.

Macron said there will be time for reflection and then action.

1:56 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
Paris terror attack hero helped save Notre Dame artifacts, mayor says

From CNN's Rob Picheta

A Paris chaplain who tended to victims of the 2015 terror attack in the city has been hailed as a hero once more, after he reportedly entered the burning Notre Dame cathedral to rescue priceless relics from the blaze.

Jean-Marc Fournier, the chaplain of Paris fire service, entered the cathedral with firefighters to help salvage some of the priceless artifacts held in the building, the Paris 15th district mayor Philippe Goujon told reporters on Tuesday.

Fournier had previously held prayers and assisted victims after terrorists killed 130 people in attacks throughout the French capital in November 2015.

A number of relics were rescued during Monday's devastating fire, which tore through and destroyed parts of the 850-year-old church.

They include the Crown of Thorns, which some believe was placed on the head of Christ and which the cathedral calls its "most precious and most venerated relic."

He has been praised as a hero throughout social media for his bravery after Etienne Loraillère, the director of the French Catholic television network KTO, posted a picture of Fournier and commended the chaplain.

1:45 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
Restoration expert says it will take 10 to 15 years to fully restore Notre Dame Cathedral

From CNN's Samuel Quashie-Idun in London

The full restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral will take between "10 to 15 years," according to Frédéric Létoffé, the head of the group of companies for the Restoration of Historic Monuments.

Létoffé, speaking at a news conference in Paris on Tuesday, said the site will need to be secured before any restoration work can take place.

"This will require a lot of work since, beyond shoring and reinforcement, it will be necessary to build a scaffolding with an umbrella to be able to cover the entire roof that went missing, to ensure protection against weathering" he said.

12:27 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
How one artist responded to the cathedral fire

As Notre Dame Cathedral burned, Cristina Correa Freile channeled her own emotion by imagining how the church's most famous fictional denizen - its hunchbacked bell ringer - might have responded to the calamity.

She drew Quasimodo, the Disney cartoon version, embracing the iconic Paris landmark - complete with twin towers. She posted her drawing Monday on Instagram, where it quickly went viral and earned more than 160,000 social media supporters.

"I made (this) because of what's happening right now," said the architect and illustrator, who lives in Ecuador. "The world embraces Notre Dame right now."

The physically deformed Quasimodo is the central character of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," which tells the tale of his obsession with the beautiful Esmeralda. The story was told on the big screen in 1939, then Disney remade it in 1996 as a cartoon.

1:22 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
Trump calls Macron after the fire

President Trump spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call this morning to offer condolences for the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

"The United States stands with French citizens, the city of Paris, and the millions of visitors from around the world who have sought solace in that iconic structure," she said.
Sanders added:

"The Cathedral has served as a spiritual home for almost a millennium, and we are saddened to witness the damage to this architectural masterpiece. Notre Dame will continue to serve as a symbol of France, including its freedom of religion and democracy. France is the oldest ally of the United States, and we remember with grateful hearts the tolling of Notre Dame's bells on September 12, 2001, in solemn recognition of the tragic September 11th attacks on American soil. Those bells will sound again. We stand with France today and offer our assistance in the rehabilitation of this irreplaceable symbol of Western civilization. Vive la France!"

1:17 p.m. ET, April 16, 2019
There are no trees in France that are big enough to rebuild Notre Dame's roof

From CNN's Arnaud Siad

There are not any trees in France that are large enough to replace the ancient Beachwood beams that burned in the Notre Dame fire, Bertrand de Feydeau, vice president of the French Heritage Foundation (Fondation du Patrimoine), told CNN.

"The roof was made of beechwood beams over 800 years ago. There are no longer trees of that size in France," he said.

Asked if any trees in Europe were big enough for the beams and could be imported to Paris, he said, "I don't know."

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how it happened: notre dame cathedral fire

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By Brian Ries, Veronica Rocha, Rob Picheta, Euan McKirdy, Jessie Yeung, Gianluca Mezzofiore and Paul P. Murphy, CNN

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How it happened: Notre Dame Cathedral fire

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A massive blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris devastated large parts of the 850-year-old church. The fire is now out, but the cathedral's iconic spire fell during the hours it took to battle the blaze. See how it happened.

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Two french billionaires have promised money to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Salma Hayek has promised almost $113 million, and Bernard Arnault has promised to give $226 million.

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Salma Hayek's husband, the French billionaire François-Henri Pinault, pledged almost $113 million to rebuild Paris' historic Notre Dame Cathedral after Monday's devastating fire.

Pinault announced Tuesday that he will draw almost $113 million in funds from his family's investment firm, Artemis, "to participate in the effort that will be necessary for the complete reconstruction of Notre-Dame," the French newspaper Le Figaro reported.
THE LATEST: FRENCH LEADER VOWS TO REBUILD DAMAGED NOTRE DAME
Pinault, 56, who is the chairman and CEO of Kering, a Paris-based luxury group behind brands including Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, married the Mexican and American actress Salma Hayek in Paris in 2009, Yahoo News reported. The couple owns a residence nearby the destroyed 12th-century medieval Catholic cathedral.

"As many others I'm in deep shock and sadness to witness the beauty of Notre-Dame turn into smoke. I love you Paris," Hayek said on Instagram, sharing an image of the cathedral ablaze.

Pinault's father, the 82-year-old Francois Pinault, is worth $37.3 billion, according to Bloomberg's Billionaire Index. The family's contribution is the first major donation to reconstruction efforts after the fire engulfed the historic structure, leading to the collapse of the structure's main spire.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
A public fundraising drive for reconstruction efforts kicked off Tuesday. French President Emmanuel Macron addressed a sorrowful crowd at the site. He vowed to rebuild the cathedral for the French people, describing it as the "epicenter" of their lives, The New York Post reported.

"It is what our history deserves," Macron said. "It is, in the deepest sense, our destiny."

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Notre Dame Cathedral: Salma Hayek's French billionaire husband pledges more than $100M for rebuild

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Salma Hayek's husband, the French billionaire François-Henri Pinault, pledged almost $113 million to rebuild Paris' historic Notre Dame Cathedral after Monday's devastating fire. Pinault announced Tuesday that he will draw almost $113 million in funds from his family's investment firm, Artemis, "to participate in the effort that will be necessary for the complete reconstruction of Notre-Dame," the French newspaper Le Figaro reported.

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A meteorologist in Atlanta is receiving death threats via social media because on Sunday, The Masters broadcast was interrupted for around 5 minutes to let people know of a tornado watch and severe thunderstorms in the coming hours.

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A meteorologist in Atlanta said she received death threats from viewers for interrupting the Masters tournament that featured the historic and improbable win by Tiger Woods.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that CBS 46's Ella Dorsey took to Twitter to defend herself and the broadcast that only took up half the screen during the tournament.

"To everyone sending me death threats right now: you wouldn't be saying a damn thing if a tornado was ravaging your home this afternoon. Lives are more important than 5 minutes of golf. I will continue to repeat that if and when we cut into programming to keep people safe."

Severe weather moved through north Georgia Sunday, leaving scattered damage across the area, Fox5Atlanta.com reported. A Tornado Watch that covered most of north Georgia ended at 2 p.m.

The paper quoted her news director who called some of the comments "insane."

Woods' 13-under was enough to defeat Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffle, and Brooks Koepeka by one stroke.

In addition to Woods' fifth Masters championship and 15th major title (trailing only the great Jack Nicklaus in both categories), Sunday marked his 81st victory on the PGA Tour, one away from the career record held by Sam Snead. It was also the first time Tiger had won one of golf's four major championships when not entering the final round with at least a share of the lead.

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Atlanta meteorologist says she received death threats for interrupting Masters with tornado updates

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A meteorologist in Atlanta said she received death threats from viewers for interrupting the Masters tournament that featured the historic and improbable win by Tiger Woods. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that CBS 46's Ella Dorsey took to Twitter to defend herself and the broadcast that only took up half the screen during the tournament.

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300 million euros have been pledged to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral. A French billionaire has pledged 200 million euros, while another French billionaire will donate 100 million more euros. The Cathedral started to be built in 1163 and was finished in 1345. It has lasted many wars, plague, and many moments in history. Most of the Cathedral is built out of wood, so the fire caught quickly and spread very quickly. The fire was extinguished early Tuesday morning. They do not know how long it will take it to rebuild, but the French president says it will be rebuilt.

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At least 300 million euros ($339 million) have been pledged so far to help rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral, which nearly burned to the ground on Monday.

French billionaire Bernard Arnault and his conglomerate LVMH have pledged 200 million euros, according to The Associated Press, and François-Henri Pinault, another French billionaire, said he and his family would donate 100 million euros, according to Buzzfeed.

Before the fire, an estimated investment of 150 million euros over three decades likely would've been required for restoration work on the massive church, a group called Friends of Notre Dame told ABC News. Authorities in Paris had been concerned about raising the funds. Total repair costs following the devastating fire aren't yet known.

Construction on Notre Dame began in 1163 and lasted about a century. It officially was completed in 1345.

An architecture professor at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, told ABC News it may take five to seven years for the cathedral just to recover from the blaze.

"The original building took over 100 years to actually come together, piece by piece," Krupali Krusche said in an interview. "It will be done. But a recent project in Europe of that scale has taken up to 10 years to produce."

Although largely famous for its ornate exterior stonework, most of the cathedral's interior was wood, which fed the flames like a "cooker," she added. But even masonry that survived the fire may be terribly damaged.

"Once a fire starts in the center or the heart of the building, it's pretty easy to, you know, completely take away the core of the building," Krusche explained. "And this situation was that of a cooker, basically, where you're getting the fire in the heart of the plate, and it starts growing and growing. The flames went very high yesterday ... and engulfed the whole heart of the of the church."

The fire, reported to be extinguished early Tuesday, was battled by some 500 firefighters.

"They are fighting with courage and determination. Your country thanks you," French President Emmanuel Macron said late Monday. The fire, he added, is a "terrible tragedy," and he vowed, "This cathedral ... we will rebuild it."

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$339 million pledged to rebuild Notre Dame after fire nearly destroys Paris landmark

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At least 300 million euros ($339 million) have been pledged so far to help rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral, which nearly burned to the ground on Monday. French billionaire Bernard Arnault and his conglomerate LVMH have pledged 200 million euros, according to The Associated Press, and François-Henri Pinault, another French billionaire, said he and his family would donate 100 million euros, according to Buzzfeed.

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The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, one of the most iconic symbols of beauty and history in Paris, was engulfed in flames on Monday, leading to the collapse of part of its spire. The fire that roared through Notre-Dame has been extinguished. President Emmanuel Macron of France vowed to rebuild the cathedral, a beloved symbol of the city for more than eight centuries, and prosecutors began investigating what caused the blaze that badly damaged a world-renowned jewel of Gothic architecture.

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The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, one of the most iconic symbols of beauty and history in Paris, was engulfed in flames on Monday, leading to the collapse of part of its spire. Credit Credit Veronique De Viguerie/Getty Images

PARIS - President Emmanuel Macron of France has vowed that Notre-Dame cathedral will be rebuilt, as prosecutors begin investigating what caused a fire that badly damaged the 850-year-old symbol of Paris and caused its thin spire to collapse in smoke and flames.

Mr. Macron said an international effort to raise funds for reconstruction would begin Tuesday.

"We will rebuild Notre-Dame," he said as he visited the site on Monday night. "Because that is what the French expect."

The billionaire Pinault family of France has already pledged 100 million euros, or $113 million, to the effort, Agence-France Presse reported.

Notre-Dame, which was built in the 12th and 13th centuries on the foundations of an earlier church and Roman ramparts on an island in the Seine, is a globally recognized symbol of France, visited by about 13 million people a year.

Stunned Paris residents and visitors watched as the cathedral, with its famous flying buttresses built to support the relatively thin and tall walls of its era, burned six days before Easter Sunday services were to be held.
[As a French landmark went up in flames, the symbolism for the troubled country was hard to miss, our architecture critic writes.]
Officials released new details of the fire late Monday, with the Paris fire chief, Jean-Claude Gallet, saying it started in the attic at 6:30 p.m. More than nine hours later, the authorities said the fire was "under control," but that a hole in the timber roof left by the cathedral's fallen spire continued burning into Tuesday morning.

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The fire started in the attic at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. More than nine hours later, officials said it was "under control." Credit Francois Mori/Associated Press

The cathedral's rector, Msgr. Patrick Chauvet, said the fire appeared to have started in an interior network of wooden beams, many dating to the Middle Ages and nicknamed "the forest."

In addition to damaging the building itself, the fire tore through the cathedral's roof, and put at risk its relics and stained-glass windows, with panes held together by lead that melts at high temperatures. While one treasure, a relic of the crown of thorns said to have been worn by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion, was saved, the status of other historic items is unclear.
[The blaze threatened the cathedral's vast collection of Christian art and relics.]
The architect who oversaw work on the cathedral in the 1980s and 1990s said he believed much of the building and its furnishings could be saved. "The stone vaulting acted like a firewall and it kept the worst heat away," said the architect, Bernard Fonquernie.

But the roof, a vast wooden framework covered with sheets of lead, appeared to be largely gone, he said. Earlier tests on the roof showed that the wooden frame was for the most part the same oak and chestnut structure constructed by the very first builders, Mr. Fonquernie said.

It lasted so long because the roof was regularly repaired and watertight. But that meant the wood beneath was very dry and could burn easily, he said.

Officials said they did not yet know what had caused the fire, which is now under investigation. One firefighter was seriously injured, but no one was killed, officials said.

[Here's what we know and don't know about the fire.]
Two years ago, a spokesman for the cathedral said it was badly in need of an extensive makeover estimated to cost nearly $180 million. Much of the limestone exterior was eroded, with pieces dislodged by the wind, said the spokesman, André Finot.

The cathedral is covered in scaffolding while undergoing restoration work, which fire experts said can expose aging houses of worship to risky open flames or sparks from equipment.

"And now it's gone, perhaps due to carelessness," Mr. Fonquernie said. "Working with heat, as they did, next to so much old dry wood requires extreme care."

The cathedral on Tuesday morning. The cause of the fire is still unknown. Credit Zakaria Abdelkafi/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images

Aurelien Breeden reported from Paris, and Austin Ramzy from Hong Kong. Elian Peltier contributed reporting from Paris.

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Notre-Dame Will Be Rebuilt, Macron Says, as Fire Investigation Begins

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PARIS - President Emmanuel Macron of France has vowed that Notre-Dame cathedral will be rebuilt, as prosecutors begin investigating what caused a fire that badly damaged the 850-year-old symbol of Paris and caused its thin spire to collapse in smoke and flames. Mr. Macron said an international effort to raise funds for reconstruction would begin Tuesday.