Baton Rouge news

• LSU student found dead in off-campus apartment

  16-10-2017 16:06 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE – The coroner is investigating the cause of death of an LSU student who died at an off-campus apartment, WBRZ learned Monday.Benjamin Balser was found in an apartment on E. Boyd recently. LSU confirmed Balser was a student and had previously been a member of a fraternity.“We do not know at this time what the cause of death is as there was no apparent cause observed at the scene,” the coroner's office said in a statement to WBRZ.An autopsy is scheduled f
  
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• Gang Intelligence Unit arrests suspected drug dealer, recovers multiple drugs and $70,000

  26-04-2024 12:51 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The EBRSO Gang Intelligence and Enforcement Unit arrested a suspected drug dealer and seized multiple types of drugs. Deputies enacted a search warrant Wednesday at an address on Aliquippa Street. The home was reportedly being used by K-Shon Ringo to conceal and distribute narcotics. During the course of the warrant, agents seized fentanyl, crack cocaine, marijuana, amphetamine, and hydrocodone, as well as drug paraphernalia and over $70,000 from his residence on
  
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• Fresh off national championship, LSU considers major increase for gymnastic ticket prices

  26-04-2024 09:33 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Fresh off the school's first national championship in gymnastics, LSU's leaders on Friday will consider raising season ticket prices twice over the next three seasons, and do away with special pricing for most youths.The financial plan going before the Board of Supervisors also would mandate a raise in the mandatory donation to the school's athletic foundation. LSU last weekend defeated California, Utah and Florida to win its first title.The ticket price increas
  
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• Dancing for Big Buddy takes the floor Saturday night to raise money for children in need

  26-04-2024 09:23 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Tomorrow is the day - local celebrities will be paired with experienced dancers during Dancing for Big Buddy, an event designed to raise money for an organization providing support for children in the capital area. The event starts 7:30 p.m. at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Saturday. Dancers will be judged by a panel, but you can also cast your vote by making a donation to Big Buddy, a local non-profit providing mentorship and support to children in need.&
  
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• Disney On Ice Presents: Magic in the Stars at the River Center

  26-04-2024 08:24 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Disney on Ice returns to the capital city this weekend to present its new program "Magic in the Stars."There will be figure skating, high-flying acrobatics, innovative lighting, and some of your favorite iconic Disney stars—plus a few new ones.The show features performances from Princess Tiana, Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Elsa and Anna, Lightening McQueen, and the cast of Encanto preforming the popular song "We Don't Talk about Bruno."The show runs on Friday at 7 p.m.
  
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• Baker mayor re-elected as chairman of Capital Region Planning Commission

  26-04-2024 07:32 via wbrz.com
  
  BAKER - The mayor of Baker has been re-elected for his second term as the chairman of the Capital Region Planning Commission, a group designed to provide planning for facets of the region such as transportation and drainage. Mayor Darnell Waites was elected by a majority of the commissioners, who come from Ascension, EBR, Iberville, Livingston, and WBR Parishes. Waites will preside over CRPC meetings and lead initiatives for the development of the region. "I am honore
  
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• The U.S.S Kidd heads to Houma for much needed repairs

  25-04-2024 17:29 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - After 41 years of sitting in her cradle in downtown Baton Rouge, the USS Kidd is headed to Houma for some much needed repairs.“She was never designed to go up and down on a cradle like she's been sitting in for 41 years, and the plates where they join and that has to be strengthened form the inside," former Louisiana Congressman Henson Moore said.The Kidd was the 661st destroyer built by the U.S. Navy and launched in 1943, serving in both WWII and the Korean War. She was
  
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• See Malik Nabers' unique jacket giving love to LSU prior to the 2024 NFL Draft

  25-04-2024 17:12 via wbrz.com
  
  DETROIT, MI - Despite most likely learning of his new team tonight, LSU's all-time leader in receiving yards, Malik Nabers, decided to show his love for the school prior to the 2024 NFL Draft.It’s Forever LSU @whyguard13 pic.twitter.com/HajZssl26V— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) April 25, 2024Highlights of Nabers' time at LSU are stitched into his suit jacket, as seen in a picture from LSU Football's Twitter. Nabers is also rocking sunglasses and a chain that says "LEEK".Nabers
  
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• Lawmaker proposes resolution that could eliminate an I-10 exit at Washington Street

  25-04-2024 16:51 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A series of resolutions filed by a Louisiana State Representative aims to nudge LaDOTD to take action against traffic issues in the Capital Area.Dixon McMakin (R-Baton Rouge) said he filed three traffic resolutions in the legislature Wednesday. If passed, one of the resolutions could lead to the elimination of the Washington Street exit on I-10 eastbound."Our traffic is horrendous, it is so bad. What we're trying to do is get people in and out of Baton Rouge, and around Baton Roug
  
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• State Inspector General: Ware Youth Center a safe, secure environment suitable juvenile detention center

  25-04-2024 16:47 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Office of State Inspector General concluded that the Ware Youth Center, the Red River Parish youth detention center with inmates from across the state, to be "a safe and secure environment suitable to house juveniles who have entered Louisiana’s juvenile justice system" in a report released Thursday."During nine different visits to Ware, OIG investigators observed clean, safe and secure facilities and professional staff. Over the past three years, as part o
  
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• West Baton Rouge to vote on quarter cent sales tax to fund new law enforcement initiative

  25-04-2024 16:45 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Saturday, voters in Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge decide on a quarter cent sales tax to fund a new law enforcement initiative.District Attorney Tony Clayton says the money is meant to keep the streets safe and help the fight against street gangs. Law enforcement is in need of tools and technologies that enhance their ability to fight crime.Clayton believes this will allow officers to work with artificial intelligence and monitor criminal behavior. Use their social
  
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• Iberville, Pointe Coupee, WBR to vote on quarter-cent sales tax to fund new anti-crime effort

  25-04-2024 16:45 via wbrz.com
  
  PORT ALLEN — Saturday, voters in Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge parishes will decide on a quarter-cent sales tax to fund a new law enforcement initiative.District Attorney Tony Clayton says the money is meant to keep the streets safe and help the fight against street gangs. Law enforcement is in need of tools and technologies that enhance their ability to fight crime, he says.Clayton believes this will allow officers to work with artificial intelligence and monitor cri
  
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• BRPD union gives chief 'A' for first 100 days

  25-04-2024 16:43 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Bill Profita with the Baton Rouge Union of Police was a vocal critic of former Police Chief Murphy Paul when he was in charge, but says new Chief 'TJ' Morse is getting the job done."From the union standpoint on the basis of his communication with the public, with the officers, with the union, his willingness to talk to everybody, the increased presence of police officers in troubled areas, the number of arrests -- he's right at the top of the scale. I think we have to give him an
  
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• Elaborate land sale scheme captures multiple victims, home in process of being built

  25-04-2024 16:40 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - One woman tells 2 On Your Side a piece of property owned by her and her brother has been sold without their knowledge. Sam Glasper Pleasant only learned about the sale when she drove by the lot to check on a Mardi Gras float being stored there and saw a crew working to build a house.It's a story with several victims, including a home builder who now has thousands of dollars in limbo.Glasper Pleasant spoke about the bizarre series of events with Brittany Weiss and said the sale cou
  
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• Former LSU basketball player Naz Reid earns NBA Sixth Man of the Year award

  25-04-2024 16:30 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Former LSU basketball player Naz Reid earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors after having a career year on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Reid averaged career highs of 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 81 games, allowing him to edge out Sacramento's Malik Monk for the award.Reid was undrafted out of LSU in 2019, originally joining the Timberwolves with a two-way contract that summer. Afterward, he earned a multiyear contract extension last summer. He then rewarded the
  
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• Baton Rouge Police searching for woman who stole from multiple pawn shops

  25-04-2024 16:08 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Police are attempting to identify a woman responsible for multiple pawn store thefts.The woman responsible for stealing from multiple local pawn shops on April 15, the Baton Rouge Police Department said.She is believed to be travelling in a white Mercedes Benz SUV.Permalink| Comments
  
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• NBA YoungBoy's Baton Rouge trial could be delayed

  25-04-2024 16:04 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Defense attorneys for Kentrell Gaulden, or NBA YoungBoy, are asking to delay the start of a July 15 trial.Gaulden is facing a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm tied to a music video shoot in Baton Rouge.A pre-trial hearing is scheduled to take June 25, but both dates would be delayed if Shelly Dick, chief judge for the U.S. Middle District Court of Louisiana, signs off on the delay. She has not signed it yet.Gaulden is currently in custody in Cache County, Utah an
  
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• Woman accused of ramming police cars in station parking lot, booked on hate crimes, impaired driving

  25-04-2024 15:57 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A woman was booked by Baton Rouge Police on hate crime and drunk driving charges after allegedly driving head-on into police cruisers in a police headquarters parking lot.Nicole Sanford, 33, was arrested Wednesday on hate crimes, aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated criminal damage to property, reckless operation of a vehicle and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, among other charges.Sanford was reportedly driving an unlicensed Chevrolet Malibu into occupied
  
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• Saints prepare to fill key holes with 2024 NFL Draft

  25-04-2024 15:35 via wbrz.com
  
  The New Orleans Saints head into the 2024 NFL Draft with some glaring needs on both sides of the ball. They have only one pick currently in the 1st round of the draft with the 14th overall pick. The Saints are in need of finding depth in the trenches, especially after offensive lineman James Hurst retired from the NFL on Wednesday. Current betting odds from Draftkings Sportsbook have the position of the 1st drafted player for the Saints to be an offensive lineman at -
  
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• Saints fill key hole in 1st round 2024 NFL Draft

  25-04-2024 15:35 via wbrz.com
  
  DETROIT, MI - The New Orleans Saints went into the 2024 NFL Draft with some glaring needs on both sides of the ball. The team drafted OT Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State with their 14th overall pick in the 1st round. The Saints were in need of finding depth in the trenches, especially after offensive lineman James Hurst retired from the NFL on Wednesday. The 1st round began on Thursday night at 7 p.m. and is being aired on WBRZ. Saints 2024 draft picks (9):Rou
  
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• Police searching for man who tried to steal utility vehicle, use forklift to free vehicle

  25-04-2024 15:21 via wbrz.com
  
  WEST BATON ROUGE - The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is seeking information on a man who tried to steal a utility vehicle from a local business Tuesday.According to police, the man walked onto the property of local business along the 1200 block of U.S 190. He then occupied a utility vehicle, drove it off the premises and became stuck.He then returned to the business, occupied a forklift, and drove toward the stranded vehicle. This resulted in both the forklift and vehicle becoming stuck.Any
  
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• One arrested for felony hit-and-run after Central big rig crash last week

  25-04-2024 15:09 via wbrz.com
  
  CENTRAL - One person was arrested for causing an 18-wheeler to overturn on Hooper Road Friday night.Police arrested Joseph Montgomery for a felony hit-and-run after his vehicle crossed the center line into oncoming traffic, causing the driver of the 18-wheeler to swerve into a ditch.The Central Police Department responded to a crash on April 19 that left an 18-wheeler overturned with the driver trapped inside.It took hours for first responders to get the driver out of his vehicle, and police sa
  
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• Man who fatally shot Saints' Will Smith sentenced to 25 years for manslaughter

  25-04-2024 14:59 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The man who fatally shot retired NFL star Will Smith during a confrontation following a car crash in 2016 received a 25-year prison sentence Thursday in a New Orleans courtroom.It was the second time Cardell Hayes, 36, had faced sentencing in Smith’s death. He was convicted of manslaughter in December 2016 and later sentenced to 25 years. But the jury vote had been 10-2 and the conviction was later tossed after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed such non-unan
  
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• Overturned crane shuts down major Livingston Parish road

  25-04-2024 14:58 via wbrz.com
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - A major roadway in Livingston Parish will likely be shut down for hours as crews remove an overturned crane. The crane overturned in a ditch at Buddy Ellis Road and John L Lane. The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said the road would be closed for an extended period of time, possibly hours, while the crane is removed. Use an alternate route at this time. Permalink| Comments
  
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• EBRSO searching for woman who allegedly broke into, stole from a car at Highland Road Park

  25-04-2024 14:03 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is searching for a woman connected to a vehicle burglary at the Highland Road BREC Park.On April 18, the suspect reportedly broke into a car parked at the Highland Road park through a damaged front door and stole the car's owner's purse, wallet, medication and cash. Deputies said the suspect attempted to use a debit card stolen from the car on two separate occasions at a local store.The woman is also reportedly a suspect in another c
  
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• Miss LSU gymnastics' national championship celebration? Here's how, when to watch it

  25-04-2024 14:00 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — If you couldn't make it to LSU's campus to celebrate the newly crowned gymnastics national champions or missed WBRZ's coverage of the parade and festivities, WBRZ+ will be re-airing the event over the weekend.WBRZ+ will be streaming the parade at 2:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, as well as on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. WBRZ+ is available here.WBRZ's full coverage is also available on YouTube.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Woman arrested in connection to Pierre Part check forgery scheme

  25-04-2024 13:48 via wbrz.com
  
  NAPOLEONVILLE — A Morgan City woman was arrested Thursday for an alleged check cashing scheme at a Pierre Part store that dated back months.Kristy Rulf, 46, turned herself in and was booked by the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office on identity theft, bank fraud, access device fraud, forgery and monetary instrument abuse charges. Deputies have been investigating the forgery ring since Feb. 9.Rulf was reportedly one of three individuals deputies identified entered the outlet store and c
  
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• Police arrest Hammond man and alleged accomplice for Tuesday homicide

  25-04-2024 13:30 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND - Deputies announced that a man has been arrested for the shooting death of a 28-year-old as well as a 39-year-old woman for being an accessory after the fact. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said the shooting happened Tuesday at Tangi Village Apartments in Hammond. Tyrell Brister, 21, was arrested for his alleged connection to the shooting death of 28-year-old Malcolm Toney. Brister was booked for several charges including second-degree murder, aggravated assau
  
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• Hammond man arrested for Tuesday homicide; deputies searching for alleged accomplice

  25-04-2024 13:30 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND - Deputies announced that a man has been arrested for the shooting death of a 28-year-old and that a woman is being sought for accessory after the fact. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said the shooting happened Tuesday at Tangi Village Apartments in Hammond. Tyrell Brister, 21, was arrested for his alleged connection to the shooting death of 28-year-old Malcolm Toney. Toney was booked for several charges including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, home
  
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• Deadline approaching for small business owners to apply for Delta, Laura relief

  25-04-2024 13:27 via wbrz.com
  
  ALEXANDRIA — The deadline for small businesses to apply for recovery aid from Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020 is next month.Small business owners have until May 31 to apply for $50 million in funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from its Community Development Block Grant. The funding is being administered by the Louisiana Office of Community Development through its Restore Louisiana Small Business Loan Program and South Central Planning and Develo
  
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