Single-spaced lines become double-spaced when copying and pasting into Essential Graphics text box

In the past, I copied and pasted text from Word or a .txt file into Premiere Pro's Essential Graphics text box without issue.  Now, when I do the same, the line spacing goes from single to double.  This occurs whether I copy and paste from Word or from a .txt file.

I've tried replacing the relevant paragraph marks with manual line breaks, and adjusting the line spacing in the paragraph settings in Word.

The text is a graduation scroll; it comprises a person's name on the first line, followed by the person's job and location on the second line -- everything single-spaced.  Then there is a double space, followed by another person's name and info.  Here is what the text is supposed to look like (somewhat -- I can't use single spacing here): 

Joe Smith

President, X Corporation blah blah

Cindy Jones

Graphic Designer, B Company blah blah

Henry Davis

blah blah blah

Instead, every paragraph mark or manual line break results in double spacing.

I would appreciate any assistance from the community.  Thank you in advance!

Mary