Baton Rouge news

• Louisiana Senate increasing taxes beyond what House approved

  08-03-2016 22:04
  
  The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, one of the state's most powerful lobby groups, vehemently opposed the changes made by the Senate.
  
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• LSU DB Jalen Mills 'a second-round pick, Mel Kiper Jr. says

  08-03-2016 21:50
  
  Can improve 40 time at LSU Pro Day Monday.
  
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• Who could pay? Another look at tax bills approved by lawmakers

  08-03-2016 18:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers in the state House and Senate have supported varying measures to change Louisiana's tax laws. Several have made it to final passage in a special legislative session that must end Wednesday. But the Legislature remains short of enough revenue to rebalance the budget without steep cuts.Here's a look of what some of the proposals would do and where they stand:SALES TAX HIKE (House Bill 62)Increase Louisiana's 4-cent sales tax by another penny on every dollar spent, starting
  
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• Officials warn residents of more mosquitoes to come after severe rain

  08-03-2016 18:08
  
  BATON ROUGE - As the severe rain approaches, officials are warning residents to take precautionary measures for dealing with mosquitoes in standing water.Ascension Parish Mosquito and Rodent Control Director, David Matassa, says that the parish will begin evening mosquito spraying next month, but it depends on how hot temperatures get after what is forecasted to be a week of soaking rain.“How much water that comes down, the temperatures involving and what time they come down and how go
  
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• LABI is running the show at Louisiana Legislature: JR Ball

  08-03-2016 17:14
  
  If nothing else during this very special session of the Louisiana Legislature, we're learning who actually runs state government. And if you think the answer is Gov. John Bel Edwards ... or state Sen. John Alario ... or the Republican horde...
  
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• A Dearman's return to Bocage is months away, if a new lease is granted

  08-03-2016 16:44
  
  BATON ROUGE - It could be months before sodas and burgers can be ordered from Dearman's following a devastating fire at the popular eatery last week, though, the exact fate of the business remains unclear. Property owners don't expect to have renovations complete on the restaurant space until June, which is also when the lease for the restaurant ends, a source told WBRZ Tuesday. The owners of Dearman's lease space in Bocage Village on Jefferson Highway. The area leased by Dearman's was heavily d
  
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• APSO: Tip from public and DNA evidence leads to Gonzales burglary arrest

  08-03-2016 16:32
  
  BATON ROUGE - A tip received from the public and DNA results assembled by the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab helped detectives make an arrest in connection with a burglary in Gonzales that happened last fall.23-year-old David Holcombe Jr. was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on charges of simple burglary, criminal trespass, theft and probation violation after his arrest last Tuesday.On Monday, Oct. 19 detectives responded to a home on Bayou Narcisse Road near Highway 431 when a suspect br
  
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• Trump University plaintiff seeks to withdraw from lawsuit

  08-03-2016 15:21
  
  SAN DIEGO - Tarla Makaeff has had enough of Donald Trump after spending six years fighting him in court.The Southern California yoga instructor wants to withdraw from a federal class-action lawsuit that claims Trump University fleeced students with an empty promise to teach them real estate. Her lawyers say the Republican presidential front-runner and his team have put her "through the wringer" and made the prospect of a trial unbearable.A judge will consider the request Friday, four days before
  
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• DOTD: Scenic Highway to have one lane closed on Thursday

  08-03-2016 15:11
  
  BATON ROUGE - North Scenic Highway (LA 3164) will have one lane closed in each direction from the overpass bridge to Fuqua Street on Thursday.The closure will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.According to the Department of Transportation and Development, the closure is necessary for sewer improvement construction.No detours are necessary. DOTD reminds drivers to please drive with caution through the work zone and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.Permalink| Comments
  
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• BRFD: Honeywell reports leak inside of plant; no offiste impact

  08-03-2016 14:25
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Honeywell plant located on Lupine Avenue near Chippewa Street reported a leak inside the plant on Tuesday afternoon.Baton Rouge Fire and Hazmat responded to the situation but was not needed and crews returned to service.  Honeywell reported the leak was contained and there was no offsite impact.Honeywell did not immediately release what was leaking. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Senators blast business for seeking to protect tax breaks

  08-03-2016 13:33
  
  BATON ROUGE - Senators grilled business lobbyists on the second-to-last day of the special legislative session, saying companies aren't doing their fair share to help close Louisiana's budget gap.
      
  Lobbyists for the oil and gas industry, chemical plants and other companies urged the Senate tax committee Tuesday against shrinking sales tax breaks they receive.
      
  That prompted a blistering rebuke from several members of the committee who
  
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• LSU springs into passing game, let's chat Tuesday at noon

  08-03-2016 13:20
  
  LSU working hard to bring improve passing game.
  
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• BRPD: Men shoplifted more than $1,400 worth of jeans

  08-03-2016 12:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - Detectives are looking to identify the three suspects accused of shoplifting more than $1,000 in merchandise from a North Sherwood Forest Blvd clothing store last Friday.Baton Rouge Police say three men entered Best Buy Fashion, located at 1295 North Sherwood Forest Blvd, on Feb. 4 at around 6:45 p.m. and stole 12 pairs of jeans, valued at around $1,440.Anyone who is able to identify the suspects is urged to contact the BRPD Felony Theft Division at (225) 389-3824.Permalink| Commen
  
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• Wet weather arrives Wednesday

  08-03-2016 12:16
  
  BATON ROUGE - Southeast Louisiana is bracing for some wet weather over the next few days, but norther portions of the state are already being hit hard.Flash flood warnings are in effect for Bienville, Jackson and Lincoln Parishes until 2 a.m. Wednesday morning. Similar warnings in De Soto, Natchitoches and Sabine Parishes expire an hour earlier. The same can be expected for our area beginning Wednesday. Widespread rain is anticipated through Friday, including 5-8 inches of rain. That ma
  
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• WW2 Museum's patrol torpedo boat nearly restored; rides on lake planned

  08-03-2016 12:09
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The National World War II Museum has nearly finished restoring a patrol torpedo boat that sank two armored German supply barges and carried U.S. commandos to the south of France. Officials hope to have PT-305 back on the water in about a year, carrying tourists and history buffs on the lake where it was first tested in 1944.
      
  Restoration manager Tom Czekanski (chuh-KAN'-skee) says 45-minute rides will enhance people's understanding of the boat.
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• Former Jefferson Parish president moved to halfway house

  08-03-2016 12:02
  
  BATON ROUGE - Former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard has been moved to a halfway house, with about six months left on the nearly four-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges in 2012.The 67-year-old Broussard was in the custody of a federal residential re-entry management field office based in Grand Prairie, Texas, as of Monday.  He had been an inmate at a minimum-security prison camp in Pensacola, Florida.
  His release date is still scheduled
  
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• Last-minute financing maneuver could boost Medicaid funding

  08-03-2016 11:59
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers think they have found a way to tap into more money for Louisiana's Medicaid program, without more taxes.A little-noticed financing maneuver added to legislation Monday night by senators is estimated to bring in at least $250 million more annually for Medicaid.The maneuver, sponsored by Republican Sen. Fred Mills, would allow insurance companies that manage medical care for thousands of Medicaid patients to pool more of their money and draw down additional federal Medicaid
  
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• Check out Airbnb's most popular rental of all time

  08-03-2016 11:51
  
  REDWOODS, Calif. - While most local rental properties on Airbnb are fairly pedestrian, the most popular rental on the service is an extraordinary looking geodesic dome loft in the Redwoods of California.The dome/loft/cabin hybrid, nicknamed the “mushroom dome,” rents for $110 with amenities including a futon, double bed, small kitchen and a composting toilet.Owner Kitty Mrache says the space is popular on the Airbnb site that even her kids have to make a reservation far in ad
  
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• Florida Blvd. closed at Sharp Road due to wreck

  08-03-2016 11:11
  
  BATON ROUGE - Florida Boulevard is closed to traffic at Sharp Road following an wreck involving multiple vehicles Tuesday morning.Just after 10 a.m., congestion related to the crash was building. Injuries have been reported in connection with the accident. Traffic was being diverted onto the eastbound service road at Sharp Road. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route if they need to travel in the area.Check back with this story for updates as they are released from traffic o
  
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• Baton Rouge woman claims Easy 5 jackpot

  08-03-2016 11:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge woman almost didn't stop at her normal spot to buy a lottery ticket, but now she's glad she did.
      
  Betty Farlow won the March 2 $70,000 Easy 5 jackpot, which she claimed last week at Louisiana Lottery headquarters. The 65-year-old received $49,000 after state and federal taxes were withheld.
      
  The winning ticket was purchased at Romero's Food Mart #2 in Baton Rouge. The store will receive a one-time selling b
  
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• The Pledge of Allegiance: Delmont Dedicated Pre-K/K Center

  08-03-2016 09:24
  
  BATON ROUGE- Today's Pledge of Allegiance comes from the Kindergarten class at Delmont Dedicated Pre-K/K Center.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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• Ascension Parish expected to announce school superintendent candidates

  08-03-2016 09:12
  
  DONALDSONVILLE- Later today, education leaders will announce the names of the candidates hoping to take over as the Ascension Parish School District superintendent.
  Earlier this year, current superintendent Patrice Pujol announced she would be retiting in the spring after working in the district for more than three decades. According to a spokesperson for the school district, Pujol has accepted a position as President of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching.
  The school district hire
  
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• Heavy rains, 4-7 inches or more, possible through Saturday

  08-03-2016 09:02
  
  Scattered showers are expected Tuesday, but the heaviest rains are expected to begin on Wednesday and last into Thursday, forecasters said.
  
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• Cool Schools: Denham Springs Elementary Super Tuesday

  08-03-2016 08:00
  
  BATON ROUGE- Our Cool School this week is Denham Springs Elementary where a group of students got to spend Super Tuesday learning about the 2016 presidential race. The fun lesson was part of a nationwide vote from students around the country.
  A group of 12 fourth graders at the school cast their ballots for the next president of the United States on Super Tuesday.
  "We've been learning all year long, especially about the Executive Branch and the President being the leader of the Executive Branch,
  
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• LSU scientists receive grant to further Antarctic research

  08-03-2016 07:29
  
  BATON ROUGE- LSU scientists have secured nearly $3 million in NASA funding to develop a cryobot that will use lasers to melt through miles-thick Antarctic ice to search for life in lakes and oceans below.
      
  Research from the Sub-glacial Polar Ice Navigation, Descent and Lake Exploration crybot, known as SPINDLE, will help develop a system that could be used in life-detection missions to one of the ice-covered ocean worlds of the outer solar system.
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• March 8, 2016 Morning News Pop

  08-03-2016 07:03
  
  Here are today's top stories:Crisis Action Team to activate Tuesday due to flooding threatDenham Springs home destroyed by fire, mom & 2 daughters unharmed Police dispatcher delivers baby in parking lot Several days of soaking ahead Updates all day, every day:FACEBOOK | TWITTERPermalink| Comments
  
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• Louisiana House, John Bel Edwards at a standstill in budget negotiations with less than 2 days to go

  08-03-2016 03:48
  
  "We still have some work to do," said House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia.
  
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• Nike suspends ties with Sharapova after failed drug test

  08-03-2016 03:13
  
  LOS ANGELES- Tennis star Maria Sharapova says she failed a drug test at the Australian Open. 
  A five-time major champion and 7th-ranked player in the world says she tested positive for meldonium, which she has been taking for 10 years for health issues. Meldonium became a banned substance this year.Less than 24 hours after Sharapova's announcement, Nike announced it would be suspending its contract with the Russian tennis star during the investigation. 
  Sharapova could face a l
  
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• LSU freshman Devin White entrenched at linebacker

  08-03-2016 02:19
  
  White also a powerful running back but will start out on defense.
  
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• LSU comes out throwing on first day of spring

  08-03-2016 01:39
  
  Tigers working to improve passing game that finished 105th in the nation in 2015.
  
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• Louisiana has the most 'derogatory' tweets in U.S., report says

  08-03-2016 00:27
  
  Study by rental listing website Abodo looked at more than 12 million tweets
  
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