Related Sites:
 False Disparagement Of Perishable Food Products Statute
 Texas Cattle Feeders Association
 The Oprah Winfrey Show
 U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
 King World
 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Fact Sheet
 Cactus Feeders, Inc.
 National Cattlemen's Beef Association
 Oprah's report on Mad Cow Disease
 Howard Lyman

We have moved some of the older stories to Stories Feb. 7-14, 1998, Stories Jan. 31-Feb. 6, 1998, Stories Jan. 26-30, 1998, Stories Jan. 22-25, 1998, Stories Jan. 19-21, 1998, Stories Jan. 11-17, 1998, Stories before 1/11/98. This page will always contain the most up-to-date coverage of the trial.

Oprah reminisces about Amarillo Last Updated 6:21 a.m.CT on 3/5/98   Oprah Winfrey's first television show since she returned to Chicago focused on Amarillo.

Life after Oprah Last Updated 6:26 a.m.CT on 3/1/98   Everyone around her said she was crazy to come here.

Oprah speaks out Last Updated 5:59 a.m.CT on 2/28/98   The kindness of strangers is what Oprah Winfrey will remember most about Amarillo. Especially the kindness of the 12 jurors who vindicated her.

Federal courthouse returning to normal Last Updated 6:01 a.m.CT on 2/28/98   A two-page order closes out the Oprah Winfrey trial.

Other plaintiffs react to Oprah verdict Last Updated 5:49 a.m.CT on 2/28/98   Round one of the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial may be over, but the plaintiffs are already talking about round two - in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and possibly Ochiltree County District Court.

`Veggie libel' laws debated Last Updated 5:49 a.m.CT on 2/28/98   The outcome of the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey case has advocates of the nation's food-disparagement laws and their critics looking toward the future.

Winfrey wins one for free speech Last Updated 3:30 p.m.CT on 2/27/98   Trumpeting a victory for free speech, Oprah Winfrey exited Amarillo's federal district courthouse on Thursday a relieved woman after jurors unanimously said she was not liable for statements made on a 1996 talk show.

Reactions on verdict mixed Last Updated 3:16 p.m.CT on 2/27/98   For the beef industry and Texas agriculture, the cattlemen v. Oprah Winfrey trial had always been about the economics of making a living while producing an abundant, affordable and safe food supply, according to a statement from Rick Perry, Texas Agriculture Commissioner.

Winfrey wins one for free speech Last Updated 5:54 a.m.CT on 2/27/98   Trumpeting a victory for free speech, Oprah Winfrey exited Amarillo's federal district courthouse on Thursday a relieved woman after jurors unanimously said she was not liable for statements made on a 1996 talk show.

'Veggie-libel' factor uproots plaintiffs' case Last Updated 10:17 a.m.CT on 2/27/98   U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson hurt the cattlemen in their lawsuit against Oprah Winfrey more than any other factor with the elimination of Texas' Disparagement of Perishable Food Products law, disappointed plaintiffs said on Thursday.

Talk of the town Last Updated 10:17 a.m.CT on 2/27/98   Throughout her trial, Oprah Winfrey maintained that she was stating opinions during the "Dangerous Foods" show segment that landed her in an Amarillo courtroom.

Homebound Oprah has no hard feelings against cattlemen Last Updated 10:17 a.m.CT on 2/27/98   One word said it all.

Jurors: Defendants said what they believed was true Last Updated 10:17 a.m.CT on 2/27/98   Not all jurors said they believed everything aired on the now-famous episode of ``The Oprah Winfrey Show.''

Judge says plaintiffs were unable to prove product is perishable Last Updated 10:17 a.m.CT on 2/27/98   U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson's Feb. 17 decision to throw out claims under Texas' Disparagement of Perishable Food Products law came after plaintiffs in the cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey case failed to show that their product is perishable, according to a written order issued Thursday.

Eye On Oprah Last Updated 10:17 a.m.CT on 2/27/98   There is honor among media, at least when they're in Amarillo.

Jurors exit without reaching verdict Last Updated 5:56 a.m.CT on 2/26/98   It's not over yet.

Charges to jury Last Updated 2:00 p.m.CT on 2/26/98   Following is a summary of charges given the jury by U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson:

Winfrey harboring no hard feelings Last Updated 2:00 p.m.CT on 2/26/98   Oprah Winfrey emerged from the federal building this afternoon and declared that "free speech not only lives, it rocks."

Jurors exit without reaching verdict Last Updated 5:56 a.m.CT on 2/26/98   It's not over yet.

EYE ON OPRAH Last Updated 6:34 a.m.CT on 2/26/98   This is it, folks.

No verdict reached Last Updated 7:45 p.m.CT on 2/25/98   It's not over yet. After an afternoon of deliberation in the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial, jurors left the courthouse about 5:20 p.m. with no verdict. Deliberations will resume around 9 a.m. today.

Plaintiffs speak first Last Updated 1:30 p.m.CT on 2/25/98   "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that aired April 16, 1996, was meant to be scary, was meant to drive up ratings and totally disregarded the truth, according to plaintiff attorneys who began making closing statements this morning in the cattlemen vs. Winfrey lawsuit.

Jurors to begin deliberations Last Updated 7:11 a.m.CT on 2/25/98   After listening to more than five weeks of testimony, about two dozen witnesses and countless repetitions of evidence, the jurors in the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial are expected to begin deliberations today.

EYE ON OPRAH Last Updated 7:01 a.m.CT on 2/25/98   It was a case of Tuesday night fever for guests at Tuesday night's taping of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Rebuttal witnesses are called Last Updated 1:17 p.m.CT on 2/24/98   The defense rested its case and rebuttal witnesses were called this morning in the cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial, signaling the end is near.

Witness says cattlemen made money when prices fell Last Updated 5:47 a.m.CT on 2/24/98   Cattlemen who are suing Oprah Winfrey for causing a cattle market crash actually made money when prices fell, a defense witness theorized in an abbreviated court session Monday.

Defense witness contends cattlemen made money when prices fell Last Updated 7:18 p.m.CT on 2/23/98   Cattlemen who are suing Oprah Winfrey for causing a cattle market crash actually made money when prices fell, a defense witness theorized in an abbreviated court session Monday.

Videotaped testimony, exhibits introduced Last Updated 12:52 p.m.CT on 2/23/98   The National Cattlemen's Beef Association considered the mad cow issue serious, one that needed to be handled by creditable people, according to testimony by an NCBA public affairs director this morning in the cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial.

Oprah: Week Five Last Updated 5:42 a.m.CT on 2/23/98   AMARILLO - Five weeks into Oprah Winfrey's beef disparagement trial, it's little wonder why her talk show ticket remains so hot while the clamor to get into her courtroom has disappeared.

Eye On Oprah Last Updated 6:06 a.m.CT on 2/23/98   Just call it an up-close and personal interview.

Witness says 'shock' claim unscientific Last Updated 7:20 a.m.CT on 2/21/98   A report that said Oprah Winfrey's April 16, 1996, talk show was the "dramatic shock" that led to crashes in the cattle markets was invalid, unscientific and poorly conceived, a defense witness said Friday.

Defense witness calls plaintiffs' witness testimony `invalid' Last Updated 7:32 p.m.CT on 2/20/98   A report that said Oprah Winfrey's April 16, 1996, talk show was the "dramatic shock" that led to crashes in the cattle markets was invalid, unscientific and poorly conceived, a defense witness said Friday.

Economist says price drop not due to show Last Updated 2:12 p.m.CT on 2/20/98   Cattle prices declined during the week of the "Dangerous Foods" show aired by Oprah Winfrey, not because of the show, but because of increasing beef supplies, a weak export market and widening packer margins, according to an agriculture economist.

Witness: Show didn't affect prices Last Updated 5:59 a.m.CT on 2/20/98   A defense witness testified Thursday that he sees no direct evidence that "The Oprah Winfrey Show" caused a drop in cattle prices in April 1996.

Eye On Oprah Last Updated 5:58 a.m.CT on 2/20/98   Oprah watchers want to know: What's with all of the dark outfits?

No evidence tv show caused drop in cattle prices Last Updated 7:00 p.m.CT on 2/19/98   A defense witness testified on Thursday that he sees no direct evidence that "The Oprah Winfrey Show" caused a drop in cattle prices in April 1996.

Producer, lawyer sparring Last Updated 1:17 p.m.CT on 2/19/98   A producer of the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and a plaintiff's attorney jousted verbally again this morning in the continuation of a trial pitting area cattlemen against the popular talk show host.

Defense opens case Last Updated 5:32 a.m.CT on 2/19/98   The defense opened its case in the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial with two witnesses disputing that false statements were made on the show.

Eye On Oprah Last Updated 5:54 a.m.CT on 2/19/98   A menu choice you may have overlooked: Mad Cow pizza is the featured item at Pizza Planet on Paramount, said Ed Todd, assistant manager.

False statements made on Winfrey show Last Updated 7:35 p.m.CT on 2/18/98   The defense opened its case in the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial with two witnesses disputing that false statements were made on the show.

Graphic pictures greet Winfrey jury Last Updated 2:03 p.m.CT on 2/18/98   Pictures of sheep heads, euthanized pets and roadkill greeted jurors this morning as they returned to the continuation of the cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey lawsuit.

Winfrey gains partial triumph Last Updated 5:56 a.m.CT on 2/18/98   U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson on Tuesday gave a partial victory to the defense in the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial.<

Partial victory for Winfrey Last Updated 7:27 p.m.CT on 2/17/98   U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson on Tuesday gave a partial victory to the defense in the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial.

Judge hearing arguments Last Updated 12:45 p.m.CT on 2/17/98   U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson this morning began hearing arguments for and against the dismissal of the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey lawsuit, as proposed by defendants in motions Friday.

Eye On Oprah Last Updated 6:03 a.m.CT on 2/17/98   We call that true love.

Hanson makes a splash on Oprah Last Updated 7:57 a.m.CT on 2/16/98   Last Wednesday I found out my school, Bivins Elementary, was going to get to go to the Oprah show with Hanson. I've loved them since last summer.

Attorneys debate judge's actions Last Updated 6:50 a.m.CT on 2/15/98   Standard operating procedure in Amarillo's federal court: The plaintiffs rest; the defendants ask the judge to dismiss the case; the judge rules quickly.

Judge to hear arguments for dismissal Last Updated 6:43 a.m.CT on 2/15/98   Though defense attorneys have not officially begun their case in the cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial, jurors by now likely have a pretty clear understanding of why the lawyers argue that their clients are innocent.

Plaintiffs rest case Last Updated 6:49 a.m.CT on 2/15/98   Plaintiffs in the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey lawsuit have spent 18 days arguing that statements made in the mad cow segment of the April 16, 1996, "Oprah Winfrey Show" were not factual, not based on science, and caused them monetary losses.