Baton Rouge news

• Solving Louisiana's budget crisis ... WWTD (What Would Texas Do)? JR Ball

  23-02-2016 21:49
  
  Louisiana clearly wants to be Texas when it grows up. We send our best and brightest young people to cities like Austin, Dallas and Houston -- after giving them a TOPS-aided college education -- to enjoy the Lone Star way,...
  
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• Tax hikes move forward in Louisiana House but final decisions avoided

  23-02-2016 20:05
  
  A Louisiana House committee avoided making decisions on many potential tax increases Tuesday morning (Feb. 23), meaning it's still not clear who will be paying what to deal with the state's financial crisis.  It appears likely that those decisions will...
  
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• LSU chat with Jim Kleinpeter, Rewind

  23-02-2016 19:53
  
  Spring football is two weeks out.
  
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• BRAF to side-step Metro Council in setting up health district in south Baton Rouge

  23-02-2016 18:36
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has apparently decided to go around the Metro Council with its plans to build a health district in Baton Rouge.Councilwoman and Planning Commissioner Tara Wicker told WBRZ News 2 that BRAF pulled the item from the Metro Council's agenda.
  This comes after a lot of outrage at the Feb. 17th Planning and Zoning meeting about the plan to build the health district in south Baton Rouge, while North Baton Rouge is still without emergency care.  BRAF
  
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• Public schools to be closed Wednesday in tornado-stricken Assumption Parish

  23-02-2016 18:27
  
  ASSUMPTION PARISH - All public schools in Assumption Parish will be closed Wednesday as clean up efforts begin in the parish that was rattled by high winds, storms and tornadic activity Tuesday afternoon.A State of Emergency was already declared earlier in the evening by the Assumption Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness. A shelter is to be opened at Belle Rose Middle School for any residents that need it in the parish. The entire parish is also under a precautionary boil order after a torna
  
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• LSU classes resume Wednesday

  23-02-2016 18:14
  
  BATON ROUGE - Classes will resume Wednesday morning at Louisiana State University.A spokesperson for LSU said that classes will resume at 7:30 a.m. All university operations will open at 8 a.m., and university operations and services will resume at normal times.LSU is directing students and staff to check www.lsu.edu for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 2 confirmed dead, 30 hurt after tornado rips through St. James Parish RV park

  23-02-2016 16:50
  
  CONVENT - Two people have been confirmed dead and 30 people were injured at the scene of a trailer park in St. James Parish that was hit by a tornado Tuesday afternoon.UPDATE: There are people unaccounted for after storm kills people in St. James Parish Tuesday.— WBRZ News (@WBRZ) February 24, 2016The manager of the Sugar Hill RV Park confirmed that hundreds of trailers were damaged during the tornado, and many people have been seriously injured. The local sheriff's o
  
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• Storms destroy dozens of homes, businesses in Assumption Parish

  23-02-2016 16:44
  
  PAINCOURTVILLE - About a dozen homes and businesses were destroyed in Assumption Parish during Tuesday’s bout of severe storms that brought tornadoes to the area.The intersection of La 70 and La 1 remains closed following the weather event. People were trapped in homes, but they’ve been rescued by the fire department as of early Tuesday evening.Building debris, downed power lines and utility poles still cover the highway until crews can clear them.The above
  
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• Scalia suffered from many health problems

  23-02-2016 16:29
  
  DALLAS - A letter from the Supreme Court's doctor says Antonin Scalia suffered from coronary artery disease, obesity and diabetes, among other ailments that probably contributed to the justice's sudden death.Presidio County District Attorney Rod Ponton cited the letter Tuesday, when he told The Associated Press there was nothing suspicious about the Feb. 13 death of the 79-year-old jurist. He said the long list of health problems made an autopsy unnecessary.Ponton had a copy of a letter from Rea
  
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• Mississippi lawmakers not erasing Confederate emblem on flag

  23-02-2016 16:07
  
  JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippi legislators this year won't attempt to redesign the last state flag that features the Confederate battle emblem because leaders say they can't reach consensus on removing the symbol.Tuesday was the deadline for legislative committees to act on general bills, and flag proposals are among hundreds of measures dying without debate.Some bills proposed redesigning the flag to remove the rebel cross, while others would have stripped state money from colleges and local gove
  
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• GOHSEP's Crisis Action Team activated in wake of storms

  23-02-2016 16:03
  
  BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards urged extra caution to state residents after Tuesday’s strong storms and clean up begins.The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness say they’re closely monitoring the conditions. GOHSEP’s Crisis Action Team has been activated to coordinate any requests that come for state support from local agencies.The National Weather Service continues to update GOHSEP and other state agencies about chang
  
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• LSU spring football, NFL Scouting Combine, let's chat about it Tuesday, noon

  23-02-2016 16:00
  
  Spring football is two weeks out.
  
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• Apple to tell judge in California case: Congress must decide

  23-02-2016 15:56
  
  WASHINGTON - The Associated Press has learned that Apple Inc. will tell a judge this week in legal papers that its fight with the FBI over iPhone encryption should be kicked to Congress, rather than decided by courts.Apple will also argue that a court order to help it hack into an iPhone in a terrorism case is improper under an 18th century law that's been used to compel companies to provide assistance to law enforcement in investigations.A lead attorney for Apple, Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., prev
  
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• Louisiana colleges threatened with credit rating downgrade

  23-02-2016 14:27
  
  BATON ROUGE - A number of Louisiana's public colleges face the threat of a credit rating downgrade because of state budget problems.National credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service announced this week it put several campuses on review for possible downgrade, because of possible budget cuts.Credit ratings determine how much it costs to borrow money. A downgrade could boost debt repayment costs and make it more difficult to borrow.The schools whose ratings will be reviewed are: LSU, the Uni
  
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• CDC: 14 more US reports of possible Zika spread through sex

  23-02-2016 14:04
  
  NEW YORK - U.S. health officials are investigating more than a dozen possible Zika infections that may have been spread through sex.The 14 cases all involve men who visited areas with Zika outbreaks, and who many have infected their female sex partners, who had not traveled.Zika virus is mainly spread by mosquito bites. But there have been at least two reported cases of sexual transmission, including a recent case in Texas.On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the 14 ca
  
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• 4 LSU players tackle NFL Combine this week

  23-02-2016 14:00
  
  See what the experts say about LSU's foursome at the Combine.
  
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• Roads closed after heavy winds knock down power lines

  23-02-2016 13:31
  
  LIVINGSTON – High winds moving into our area is causing damage and knocking over several power poles in our area.Officials told WBRZ News 2’s Troy Gaulden that sections of Highway 190 in Livingston have been closed due to a downed telephone pole.Highway 190 is closed in town of Livingston for a downed telephone poll. Damage pics below. @WBRZ @LivParish pic.twitter.com/uB3heFGRmI— Troy Gaulden WBRZ (@TroyGaulden) February 23, 2016Around 1:25 p.m. DOTD officials warne
  
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• Cigarette, alcohol taxes among bills passed by House Ways & Means Committee

  23-02-2016 12:42
  
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards' tax proposals have started moving in the Louisiana House, though it remains unclear which ones can win enough support from House Republicans and which ones will hit roadblocks.The House Ways and Means Committee advanced more than 30 tax measures Tuesday - including many pushed by the Democratic governor - to the full House for consideration.The committee didn't put its stamp of approval on each, however. Instead, lawmakers backed some measures and indicated t
  
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• Pre-filled sandbags available to Ascension Parish residents

  23-02-2016 12:30
  
  GONZALES - Ascension Parish officials announced pre-filled sandbags are available to residents at various locations across the parish Tuesday.While major flooding isn’t expected during this afternoon’s weather event, flash flooding could be possible. Over 25,000 pre-filled sandbags have been prepared and can be obtained from seagoing containers positioned at the following locations:Prairieville Fire Department  
  14517 LA-73, Prairieville, LA 707695th Ward Fi
  
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• Southern University campuses in BR, NO to close at noon

  23-02-2016 11:57
  
  BATON ROUGE - Southern University’s campuses in Baton Rouge and New Orleans have announced early closures and class cancellations to keep staff, faculty and students safe during likely strong storms that are on the approach.The campuses will close at noon Tuesday, according to the Southern University System.The Southern University Law Center and Southern University Ag Center will also close at noon.The Southern University Lab School will be closed for the entire day.Permalink| Comments
  
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• City employees dismissed early, shelter to open in BR ahead of storm

  23-02-2016 11:40
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge city employees will be dismissed early at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and a storm shelter will be open ahead of anticipated severe weather moving into the area.The Mayor’s Office announced the early dismissal at around 10 a.m. Tuesday, saying employees should follow the same policies or procedures that were in place for past early dismissal of employees. Employees that are essential to storm-related activities should seek direction from their appointing authority, acco
  
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• WBRZ weather information is everywhere you are today

  23-02-2016 11:21
  
  BATON ROUGE - During severe weather, stay up-to-date with potentially hazardous situations even when you are not near a TV.Here is a summary of what may unfold through the day. #LaWX #MsWX pic.twitter.com/Xl3GjayQao— Josh Eachus WBRZ (@Josh_Eachus) February 23, 2016Download the WBRZ Weather app for Apple and Android devices. Make sure your "ringer" is on and you'll hear Pat Shingleton's voice in English or Robert Gauthreaux's in Spanish alerting you to severe weather
  
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• State Police will handle deadly deputy-involved shooting investigation

  23-02-2016 11:21
  
  BATON ROUGE - State Police took over the investigation into a deadly deputy-involved shooting that happened overnight Tuesday.Investigators were set to release specific information about the incident later Wednesday morning.Deputies opened fire on a suspect around 10 p.m. Tuesday, killing the unidentified man in a vehicle.  Shots were fired when the suspect started ramming sheriff's office cruisers and attempted to drive a vehicle into a building.  The deputies feared
  
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• Tornadoes, 80 mph winds, hail, frequent lightning likely across area Tuesday

  23-02-2016 10:23
  
  "Main threats will be damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, with some potential for stronger and/or long track tornadoes."
  
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• Pentagon's Guantanamo closing plan lays out costs, savings

  23-02-2016 09:44
  
  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says the detention center at Guantanamo Bay undermines America's national security and needs to be closed.Obama says the detention center is counterproductive in the fight against terrorism because it's used as propaganda to recruit terrorists and drains military resources.The White House released Obama's plan to close the facility on Tuesday, but the plan faces stiff opposition from the GOP-led Congress.The plan calls for transferring remaining detainees to t
  
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• The Pledge of Allegiance: GEO Prep Academy

  23-02-2016 09:34
  
  BATON ROUGE-  Today's Pledge of Allegiance comes from the Kindergarten class at GEO Prep Academy.Be sure to watch The Daily Pledge every weekday on 2une In at 5:58 a.m. to see if your child's school is featured!Permalink| Comments
  
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• Ahead of severe weather, meeting to address I-10 traffic canceled

  23-02-2016 09:21
  
  BATON ROUGE - Weather appears to have scared off a discussion about finding ways to solve traffic problems on I-10.A Tuesday meeting in West Baton Rouge was canceled. The meeting had been scheduled for the evening. It was not immediately clear if it will be rescheduled.DOTD said the meetings will address possible ways to improve the flow of traffic on I-10 between Essen Lane and La 415 in Port Allen. Engineers hope to present new options to improve the stretch of highway and hear from people who
  
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• US home sales climbed in January despite weaker economy

  23-02-2016 09:14
  
  WASHINGTON - U.S. home sales crept upward in January, a sign that demand for housing remains strong amid signs of slower growth across the broader economy.
  The National Association of Realtors says sales of existing homes rose 0.4 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.47 million. The gains build on a strong 2015 that ended with a 12.1 percent surge in December sales, as new regulations had delayed closings in November.
  Job growth and low mortgage rates have fueled demand a
  
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• Some state government offices, parks, libraries closing early due to severe weather threat

  23-02-2016 09:03
  
  BATON ROUGE- Some state government offices are closing early Tuesday due to the possibility of extreme weather.Damaging winds are also a significant threat. Almost half of the forecast area could deal with this. #LaWX #MsWX pic.twitter.com/R8xEpjuEIg— Josh Eachus WBRZ (@Josh_Eachus) February 23, 2016
  State government offices in 15 parishes will close at noon.Officials said agency heads will be in charge of determining who needs to stay on duty and who is able to leave early.Mid-morning
  
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• February 23, 2016 Morning News Pop

  23-02-2016 07:13
  
  Here are today's top stories:Most area schools are closed Tuesday due to weather threatBudgets, taxes and baseball: This week at the Capitol Mental health conversation in Baton Rouge Severe storms likely along Central Gulf Coast Tuesday Updates all day, every day:FACEBOOK | TWITTERPermalink| Comments
  
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• Audit: Safety issues at Southern University's main campus

  23-02-2016 07:01
  
  BATON ROUGE- A state audit finds Southern University's leaky roofs, moldy walls, sewage backups and broken smoke detectors and sprinkler systems plague many of the buildings that thousands of students and faculty inhabit every day.
      
  A new report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor finds many of the deficiencies were documented years ago, but the vast majority of problems continue to go unresolved.
      
  It's not for lack of effort. Sout
  
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• Nevada provides new test of Trump's unorthodox campaign

  23-02-2016 05:13
  
  LAS VEGAS- Donald Trump's efforts to build a get-out-the-vote effort in Nevada don't appear to match those put together by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who won Iowa's lead-off caucuses on the strength of his ground game.
      
  Nevada's caucus model demands more of a time commitment from voters, takes place on a Tuesday night and requires participants to have gotten their registration in order more than a week ago.
      
  Bec
  
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• LSU with 7 first-round picks in 2017 NFL mock draft, website says

  23-02-2016 04:00
  
  The way-too-early NFL Draft.
  
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• Camp Minden to burn millions of pounds of explosive material

  23-02-2016 03:57
  
  MINDEN- A series of explosions at a north Louisiana National Guard complex terrified nearby residents, prompted some evacuations and led authorities to discover 16 million pounds of improperly stored artillery propellant.
      
  Now, nearly 3½ years later, the privately contracted cleanup of the site once operated by Explo Systems Inc. is about to begin.
      
  The National Guard has hired Explosive Service International based in Baton
  
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