Baton Rouge news

• Vehicle fire reported on Plank Road near Baton Rouge airport

  17-03-2017 13:47
  
  BATON ROUGE – Firefighters worked to extinguish a vehicle fire on Plank Road near the Baton Rouge Airport Friday afternoon.The fire happened after 12 p.m. Friday. Video from the scene showed dark smoke billowing from the vehicle. First responders closed two the roadway and diverted traffic around the incident.Sources tell WBRZ News 2 that no one was hurt.WATCH: firefighters working to put out a burning truck near the airport. Traffic is backed up in the area, along Plank Rd. @WBRZ pic.
  
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• DOTD: Dalrymple Drive closure continuing I-10 Widening Project set for Monday night, Tuesday morning

  25-08-2025 07:52
  BATON ROUGE — A Dalrymple Drive closure originally scheduled for mid-August will now start Monday night, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development officials said.DOTD said the Monday evening and Tuesday morning closure is to continue work on the I-10 Widening Project between East Lakeshore Drive and March Street. The stretch between Lakeshore and March will be closed from 7 p.m. on Monday to 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The closures, the Louisiana Department of Transportat
  
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• 2une In Previews: Plan Baton Rouge III community survey

  25-08-2025 07:23
  BATON ROUGE — Plan Baton Rouge III is the culmination of a 27-year project aimed at reviving downtown Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Area Foundation's Eric Dexter said Monday on 2une In. "Over 20 or so years, we've had nearly $3 billion in investments, both public and private dollars, take place in downtown Baton Rouge," Dexter said. Dexter added that the continued revitalization of downtown Baton Rouge is a community-led, community-driven process, one that takes input fro
  
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• Amite Community Center continues to house evacuees from Roseland explosion

  25-08-2025 06:58
  AMITE — A mandatory evacuation notice was still in effect for residents of Roseland on Monday, three days after an explosion left the town covered in ash and oil on fire throughout the weekend. Smitty's Supply caught fire and exploded Friday afternoon. Firefighters are still on the scene working the still-burning explosion, but 90% of the fire has been contained.Environmental Protection Agency officials have taken the lead in determining the cause of the fire.Many of the resi
  
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• Pet dies after Springfield trailer catches fire early Monday morning

  25-08-2025 06:42
  SPRINGFIELD — Springfield and Maurepas firefighters put out a travel trailer fire early Monday morningFire crews responded to the West Street fire around 2:26 a.m. The residents of the trailer were able to escape without being hurt, but the family's pet died in the fire. "The American Red Cross has been contacted to provide assistance to the family," fire crews said. Permalink| Comments
  
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• AP freelancer among 4 journalists killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital, health officials say

  25-08-2025 06:35
  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes on a hospital in southern Gaza killed four journalists Monday, including a freelancer who worked for The Associated Press, according to health officials.Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist, freelanced for the AP during the war, as well as other news outlets. The AP said in a statement that it was shocked and saddened to learn of Dagga’s death, along with those of other journalists.Two missiles hit Nasser Hospital in Khan You
  
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• BRAF: Higher rate of heart disease, homicide leads to Baton Rouge's lower-than-average life expectancy

  25-08-2025 06:28
  BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge Parish residents live, on average, four years shorter than the national average, a new study commissioned by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation shows. Baton Rougeians live an average of 74 years, which is also significantly lower than in other Louisiana parishes. The study, from data collected as part of BRAF's Opportunity Data Project, shows that more than half of premature deaths in the parish are caused by cardiovascular disease, accide
  
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• State agencies, local companies open their doors to residents, workers affected by Roseland explosion

  25-08-2025 05:45
  ROSELAND — State agencies and local companies have begun to open their doors to residents and workers affected by the massive explosion that left Roseland covered in ash and oil on fire over the weekend. Smitty's Supply caught fire and exploded Friday afternoon. An evacuation zone remains in effect in the Tangipahoa Parish town. Firefighters are still on the scene working the still-burning explosion, but 90% of the fire has been contained. Environmental Protection Ag
  
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• 'Its all about the kids:' School bus driver recounts evacuating students after Friday's explosion

  24-08-2025 21:38
  ROSELAND - School bus driver LaSundra Self says her job is all about keeping kids safe, something she takes very seriously — especially in the face of an emergency. Students at Roseland Elementary were in the middle of their school day when an explosion happened less than a mile away from their campus on Friday. “My supervisor called—my area manager, and she said, 'There has been an explosion at the Smitty’s Supply and they’re
  
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• Independent expert warns of chemical risks after Smitty's Supply fire in Roseland

  24-08-2025 20:54
  ROSELAND – Concerns continue to grow following the massive fire at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland, not only about the damage left behind at the site, but also about what may be settling into nearby neighborhoods.Scott Smith, a nationally recognized water and soil contamination expert, is now in Tangipahoa Parish conducting independent testing. Smith has investigated disasters ranging from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to chemical leaks in Ohio and Georgia.After seeing
  
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• Tangipahoa River closed from Wilmer to Ponchatoula for cleanup efforts

  24-08-2025 20:38
  ROSELAND - Tangipahoa Parish government issued an emergency closure of the Tangipahoa River from Ponchatoula to Wilmer on Sunday as groups are working on cleanup efforts from an explosion in Roseland. The emergency proclamation said that there should be no marine traffic on the river except from emergency response teams. Anyone caught on the river without permission will be ticketed by LDWF. WBRZ received photos of the Tangipahoa River outside of Independence, where boom opera
  
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• Environmental Protection Agency taking over response efforts for Smitty's Supply fire in Roseland

  24-08-2025 20:02
  ROSELAND - The Environmental Protection Agency has taken the lead on response efforts to a massive explosion that happened Friday and left the town of Roseland covered in ash and oil as the fire still has not been put out three days later. Smitty's Supply caught on fire and exploded on Friday afternoon. Until Sunday evening, the company has been coordinating the multiple agencies in Tangipahoa Parish working to put out the fire and keep residents safe.The EPA released the following sta
  
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• Pentagon says some Guard units in Washington are now carrying firearms as Trump targets more cities

  24-08-2025 19:45
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Some National Guard units patrolling the nation’s capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms, an escalation of his military deployment that makes good on a directive issued late last week by his defense secretary.A Defense Department official who was not authorized to speak publicly said some units on certain missions would be armed — some with handguns and others with rifles. The spokesperson said that all u
  
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• Roseland Elementary closed Monday, campus inside evacuation zone

  24-08-2025 15:52
  ROSELAND - Students at Roseland Elementary will be staying home Monday due to an evacuation order that is still in place following a massive explosion Friday. Superintendent Melissa Stilley said the elementary school is inside the one-mile evacuation zone around Smitty's Supply Inc. in Roseland.Stilley said all students who live in the evacuation zone will be excused from classes until the order is lifted. Displaced students can contact the district for assistance with uniforms and sch
  
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• 'Take the time to document it:' Attorney advises Tangipahoa residents following Roseland explosion

  24-08-2025 15:19
  BATON ROUGE - Attorneys in the capital region are urging those impacted by Friday's explosion in Roseland to document damages as the fallout continues.WBRZ spoke to Misti Bryant, managing attorney at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys. She said their office has already received calls from people in Tangipahoa Parish concerned about property damage."Seek representation as soon as you can. Most of the calls we've received so far have been related to property damage concerns. I would say if you are
  
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• Evacuation order still in place as officials provide update on day 3 of Smitty's Supply fire

  24-08-2025 14:17
  ROSELAND — Officials provided an update Sunday on the fire at Smitty's Supply Inc. in Roseland after an explosion there forced evacuations and environmental impacts.According to Louisiana State Police, the fire remained at 90% contained as of noon on Sunday. Officials put in place a containment barrier around the site, and crews have begun removing structural debris. The mandatory evacuation notice remains in effect within a one-mile radius of the facility, according to polic
  
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• BRPD: Woman dies of multiple gunshot wounds early Sunday morning

  24-08-2025 13:13
  BATON ROUGE — A woman died after she was shot multiple times early Sunday morning, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.Jonique Brown, 36, was found dead just before 4 a.m. with multiple gunshot wounds in the 3400 block of Plank Road, BRPD said.A large fight broke out, leading multiple people to start shooting, according to police.BRPD said they do not currently have a suspect, and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is
  
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• 1 dead, multiple injured in 5 separate Sunday morning shootings in Baton Rouge

  24-08-2025 13:01
  BATON ROUGE — At least one person was killed and five were injured in five separate shootings across the capital city on Sunday morning, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.The violence began just before 1 a.m. when a man was shot at Broadmoor Plantation Apartments on Florida Boulevard, BRPD said. He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Around 2 a.m., two people were shot at Club Emotions on North Acadian Thruway, according to police. One person was ta
  
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• Pro Wrestling 225 to celebrate 100th episode at live show in Houma

  24-08-2025 12:51
  BATON ROUGE — Pro Wrestling 225 brings family-friendly entertainment to the Capital Region with superstar wrestlers. The organization has been entertaining families with body slams and blows for more than 10 years. They are set to celebrate the 100th episode of their weekly YouTube series at the end of August. The next live show and 100th episode of Pro Wrestling 225 Unleashed is on August 30 at the East Park Rec Center in Houma. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the ma
  
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• 77-year-old man found safe after reported missing Sunday morning

  24-08-2025 09:28
  UPDATE: Larry Williams was found and returned home safely, according to the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office. Read the original story below.VACHERIE — The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help finding a 77-year-old man from Vacherie who was reported missing Sunday morning.Larry Williams was reported missing after he didn't come home Saturday night, according to SJPSO. Deputies said Williams was last seen around 6:45 p.m. Saturday when he left his
  
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• How to protect yourself from Vibrio vulnificus, the bacteria found in some coastal waters

  24-08-2025 08:29
  NEW YORK (AP) — States are warning beachgoers about a summertime surge in infections from a frightening, flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters.Vibrio vulnificus are becoming an annual threat along the Gulf Coast and — increasingly — up the Eastern Seaboard.People should listen to the warnings, said Bernie Stewart, a 65-year-old retired bounty hunter in Florida who counts himself lucky to have survived an infection.In August 2019, Stewart's right leg was inf
  
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• At least 5 people, including a police officer, killed in a Manhattan office building shooting

  28-07-2025 20:52
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A shooting at a midtown Manhattan office building on Monday left at least five people dead, including an off-duty New York City police officer, sources told the The Associated Press.The suspect was identified as Shane Tamura, of Nevada, two people briefed on the investigation told the AP. Sources said he fatally shot himself.Law enforcement officials located identification on Tamura’s body, including a concealed carry permit from Las Vegas, the people said. T
  
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• At least 3 people, including a police officer, killed in a Manhattan office building shooting

  28-07-2025 20:52
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A shooting at a midtown Manhattan office building on Monday left at least three people dead, including an off-duty New York City police officer, sources told the The Associated Press.The suspect was identified as Shane Tamura, of Nevada, two people briefed on the investigation told the AP. Sources said he fatally shot himself.Law enforcement officials located identification on Tamura’s body, including a concealed carry permit from Las Vegas, the people said.
  
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• 6-year-old boy from Baton Rouge steals spotlight at Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest in Key West

  28-07-2025 20:03
  
  KEY WEST — A six-year-old boy from Baton Rouge stole the show at the Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest in Key West.Keefer Haynie of Baton Rouge was the youngest contestant to ever compete in the contest, part of the 44th annual Hemingway Days celebration honoring the famed writer who once lived in Key West. Haynie blew away the attendees at Sloppy Joe's Bar when he rolled up his sleeve to reveal a Hemingway-inspired temporary tattoo. The little Baton Rouge native m
  
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• U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields criticizes 'Big, Beautiful Bill' at Press Club of Baton Rouge

  28-07-2025 19:33
  
  BATON ROUGE — U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields spoke Monday at the Press Club of Baton Rouge, where he criticized the Trump administration's Big Beautiful Bill. Fields said that the bill passed by Republicans this year will negatively impact Louisiana residents. "In Louisiana, 260,000 people will lose their health insurance," he said. "In the sixth district, about 36,000 people."Enforcing new work requirements for Medicaid will be more costly than letting people stay on their c
  
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• Louisiana Department of Education honors its outstanding educators

  28-07-2025 18:25
  
  BATON ROUGE— The Louisiana Department of Education honored its outstanding educators and its 19th annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala on Saturday night in New Orleans.Three of the honorees serve children at school districts in the Capital Region. Olivia Francois is heading into her second year teaching at Dutchtown High School in Ascension Parish, where she's preparing to teach U.S. History. Francois was named the Louisiana New Teacher of the Year. &nbs
  
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• 'It's sad my family had to feel that:' Relatives speaking out after pregnant mother was killed

  28-07-2025 18:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - Following a double shooting at the Elevate at Highland apartment complex that killed 29-year-old Kimberlyn Martin and her unborn child and injured her boyfriend, family members are still coming to terms with the loss of the expecting mother.Martin's cousin, Kevin Carter, and his family lived doors away from where the shooting happened. He said she had three kids and was expecting a fourth."She was just so enthusiastic about having her new child and the addition of her new child to
  
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• Louisiana loosens window tint laws for front side windows

  28-07-2025 18:04
  
  BATON ROUGE — For decades, Louisiana drivers have faced strict limitations on how dark they could tint their front side windows. But a new law is changing that, offering more options for motorists and a potential boost for local businesses.Brent Diebold, who's been in the window tinting business for 20 years, remembers when the original law changed in 1993. Now, he believes this updated regulation will not only benefit individuals with light sensitivity but also give the wind
  
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• Cameras will soon be required in some classrooms

  28-07-2025 17:40
  
  BATON ROUGE - A new law will put more eyes in certain public school classrooms.It will require cameras in some special education classrooms statewide, but there are differing opinions on the balance between transparency and unnecessary oversight. Under current state law, parents can request that cameras be installed in their child's self-contained classroom, where all students have IEPs, legal documentation that outlines a student's specific educational needs, among parents, students,
  
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• Baton Rouge mother detained by ICE for two months released

  28-07-2025 17:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - A young Baton Rouge mother has been reunited with her family after she was arrested by ICE agents in New Orleans two months ago.2 On Your Side first reported that Paola Clouatre had an appointment on May 27 at New Orleans USCIS for an interview pertaining to her permanent residence status.The 25-year-old entered the U.S. from Mexico and was legally processed with her family about a decade ago. Days before her interview, Paola learned she had a final order of removal issue
  
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