Nexstar’s KTVE/KARD did a story about how the former Mayor of the City of Bastrop had passed away.

In the first line of the story, the station writes, “According to reports, former Mayor of the City of Bastrop, Henry Cotton, has passed away. Cotton was elected as the mayor of Bastrop, La. in 2017, and served in the position until 2021.”

“According to reports”, but the next line of the story says “Bastrop Mayor Betty Alford-Olive released the following statement in response to Cotton’s death:

On behalf of the City of Bastrop, I express condolences to the family of former Mayor Henry Cotton. May we stay united in prayers for his family to feel God’s comfort and his promise of being with us always even to the end of the world.
MAYOR BETTY ALFORD-OLIVE, CITY OF BASTROP

So, if the current Mayor confirms that the former Mayor died, why wouldn’t you attribute the information to her and not to random reports?

Is the current Mayor known to lie and make up stories? Can they not be trusted?

Screen shot of the station’s story below: