Baton Rouge news

• Gulf Shores bans alcohol on beaches during Spring Break

  18-03-2016 21:35
  
  GULF SHORES – The City of Gulf Shores decided to ban alcohol on its beaches during the spring break season.Starting March 1st through April 17th all alcoholic products will be banned from the beaches, no matter how old the person consuming the beverage is. This ban prohibits any person from having alcohol in their possession too.
  During the spring break season, college-aged visitors visit the beaches in large numbers, and the city said the consumption of alcohol this year is directly a
  
  Read more

• Storage tank fire extinguished overnight; inferno likely caused by lightning strike

  18-03-2016 21:22
  
  BATON ROUGE – Firefighters extinguished a burning oil tank fire overnight after it was likely struck by lightning."A resident on a nearby street reported hearing a loud boom and something hit their roof," St. George Fire Department Spokesperson Eldon Ledoux said.The tank exploded and became a raging inferno that burned for hours off Nicholson Drive near Bluebonnet around 8 p.m. Friday as heavy thunderstorms moved through the region.  On WBRZ weather
  
  Read more

• Yes, LSU has a QB battle; no, it's not a controversy: Podcast

  18-03-2016 20:54
  
  LSU coaching staff salaries also on the menu.
  
  Read more

• Baton Rouge could follow New Orleans' suit with smoking ban

  18-03-2016 20:15
  
  An ordinance that would ban smoking in Baton Rouge's casinos and bars is coming before the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• LSU OT Chidi Okeke once thought 'I can't play this game; it's too rough'

  18-03-2016 19:04
  
  Redshirt freshman from Nigeria riding long learning curve in only his fourth year playing football.
  
  Read more

• Red Cross to raise money for flood victims at LSU doubleheader Saturday

  18-03-2016 18:50
  
  BATON ROUGE - The American Red Cross will collect donation's at Saturday's LSU-Alabama baseball game, a doubleheader since weather canceled the first game Friday night.Donations will be collected starting at 4 p.m., between the first and second games. The Red Cross has a part in seven shelters that are still open since severe weather caused wide-spread flooding. In the Baton Rouge area, a shelter remains open in Tangipahoa Parish at the National Guard Armory on E. Railroad Ave. in Independence.S
  
  Read more

• Worker died after being crushed by barge on river dock Friday

  18-03-2016 18:14
  
  BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Coast Guard was on the scene of a deadly industrial accident on the Mississippi River until late Friday.A person died on a barge upriver of the Old Mississippi River Bridge. The USCG Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge was called to the scene to investigate, a Coast Guard spokesperson told WBRZ.The barge was docked near a riverside gravel yard Friday evening. The Coast Guard was on the barge, investigating.The name of the deceased has not been released. Investigators s
  
  Read more

• I-10 westbound lanes open near Texas border

  18-03-2016 18:14
  
  BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State Police announced I-10 westbound has reopened at the Louisiana-Texas border. State Police say the eastbound remains closed. Anyone traveling from Texas to Louisiana will have to take alternate routes. This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WBRZ News 2 for updates as new information becomes available. I10 westbound now open at Louisiana/Texas state line— Louisiana DOTD (@La_DOTD) March 18, 2016Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• I-10 opened in both directions at Louisiana-Texas border

  18-03-2016 18:14
  
  BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State Police announced I-10 is now open in both directions at the Louisiana-Texas border.The westbound direction reopened first, followed by the eastbound lanes a couple of hours lateI10 westbound now open at Louisiana/Texas state line— Louisiana DOTD (@La_DOTD) March 18, 2016Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Last gasp of winter? A chilly Sunday night, Monday morning

  18-03-2016 18:12
  
  Monday at 7 a.m. could find temperature at 48 in New Orleans, 37 in Baton Rouge
  
  Read more

• Jeremy Brown convicted of beating another man to death in 2013

  18-03-2016 18:02
  
  BATON ROUGE - A jury convicted Jeremy Brown of second-degree murder Friday. Police say Brown beat Shaun Hartley to death with a two-by-four at an abandoned house in 2013. Hartley was the sole witness in another murder and had told authorities he feared for his life. Police placed Hartley in witness protection but he lost contact with investigators before his death.Hartley was supposed to testify in a murder trial against Shingo Edwards. Police accused Edwards of shooting another man, Ke
  
  Read more

• Snakes out and about after flooding

  18-03-2016 17:26
  
  PORT VINCENT - You may notice more snakes slithering around after flooding and warmer weather in Livingston Parish.The warmer weather means snakes are roaming around to bread, and flooding has pushed the snakes out of their usual habitat. Snake experts say most of Louisiana's snakes are harmless and are only aggressive when defending themselves. However, Port Vincent resident Pat Dan says she'll still be on the lookout."Now they're going to find things to get up under like boards, and as we pick
  
  Read more

• Teacher sues district after student spread nude photos

  18-03-2016 17:13
  
  COLUMBIA, S.C. - A South Carolina teacher who resigned after a student spread nude pictures of her through text messages and social media has sued her former employer, saying she wants her dignity back after being forced to quit.Attorneys for Leigh Anne Arthur sued the Union County school district Friday for breach of contract and slander. She is seeking unspecified damages for her lost income, lost opportunities and harm to her reputation.Arthur told The Associated Press she's been struggling e
  
  Read more

• John K. Pierre named chancellor of Southern University Law Center

  18-03-2016 16:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - Officials named a new chancellor for the Southern University Law Center Friday.The SUS Board named John K. Pierre to become the seventh chancellor of the Southern University Law Center. Pierre is currently serving as interim SULC chancellor. He was one of four finalist selected by the 14-member search committe.SU System President-Chancellor Ray L. Belton said Pierre is ably prepared to lead teh law center."I am truly honored and humbled by the opportunity presente
  
  Read more

• Ascension Parish man sentenced to 50 years for child molestation

  18-03-2016 16:27
  
  ASCENSION - An Ascension Parish man was sentenced Friday to 50 years for child molestation in 2013, according to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.
  On Sept. 18 2015, 45-year old Henry Lewis of Prairieville, was found guilty by an Ascension Parish jury for the above charge.Two years earlier, Lewis committed the crime when a relative’s two children told their parents about incidents that occurred while at their uncle’s home when spending the night.According to the
  
  Read more

• Plaintiffs' Attorney: Town of White Castle loses court battle over public records

  18-03-2016 16:20
  
  PLAQUEMINE- Attorneys representing plaintiffs suing the Town of White Castle say the Town was dealt a big blow today, by an Iberville Parish Judge. Attorney Seth Dornier said a Judge ordered the Town to turn over the public records, pay the plaintiffs' attorney fees, and face a fine.
  Attorneys defending the town said in court, everything has been turned over. However, today, Judge Batiste ordered Town Leaders to go back to Town Hall this afternoon to find information pertaining to the case.
  "No
  
  Read more

• Man arrested for attempted kidnapping of a woman near Southeastern Thursday

  18-03-2016 16:00
  
  HAMMOND - Hammond Police Department arrested a 37-year-old, Harold Shelton, for attempted kid napping of a woman that occurred at a home on Pecan Street near Ford Drive Thursday morning.
  According to police, the suspect was wearing a mask and holding a knife when he jumped out of a bush near the residence.
  He then grabbed a woman and began pulling her away, however after a brief struggle, the woman was able to escape and fled.The victim was not injured during the incident, according to police.Po
  
  Read more

• Crash on Highland Rd. leads to flipped SUV

  18-03-2016 15:24
  
  BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State Police are currently working a wreck on Highland Road which ended in a SUV flipped over.The accident happened Friday afternoon near the Siegan Lane intersection on Highland Road. State Police have not released any information about the wreck at this time.The incident is causing slight delays on Highland Rd.This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WBRZ New 2 online and on Facebook and Twitter for updates as new information becomes available.Permal
  
  Read more

• Wet weather brings more traffic delays in Baton Rouge

  18-03-2016 14:54
  
  BATON ROUGE – Traffic officials say drivers should expect heavier than normal delays Friday as wet weather passes through the Capital City area.DOTD officials expect heavier than normal delays on I-10, I-110, and I-12. Scattered thunderstorms are widespread and are expected to linger through the weekend. Officials later extended that delay notice to I-10 West from Prairieville to before Highland.To view live traffic cameras as well as a traffic map with current conditions, visit the WB
  
  Read more

• Personnel at nuke base probed for drug use

  18-03-2016 14:32
  
  WASHINGTON - Defense officials say the Air Force is investigating about a dozen airmen at a nuclear missile base for alleged use of illegal drugs. At least some cases involve alleged cocaine use.The airmen are mainly or entirely members of a security force at the 90th Missile Wing, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, the officials said.The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter because details have not been announced and so spoke on condition of anonymity.Officials said those
  
  Read more

• Official's Facebook post said he wished he'd shot Tamir Rice

  18-03-2016 14:26
  
  CLEVELAND - An emergency medical services supervisor has been fired for a Facebook post saying he was glad a 12-year-old black boy fatally shot by a white Cleveland officer was dead.The city confirmed the termination of EMS Capt. Jamie Marquardt on Friday. WJW-TV first reported Marquardt's Facebook post about Tamir Rice last month. A city spokesman called the post "egregious."The post on Marquardt's Facebook page said he wished he'd had the chance to have shot "the little criminal." A follow-up
  
  Read more

• Mom arrested after stealing safe while child was missing

  18-03-2016 14:25
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police arrested a 33-year-old woman after they say she stole a safe from her father, and deserted her 3-year-old son.Police say the the incident occurred on Thursday around 10:30 p.m. when Lauren Futrell unlawfully entered her father’s home located in the 5800 block of Hyacinth Avenue.According to police, Futrell stole a white safe from the home and took it across the street to her home. Futrell’s father said that she is only allowed in his residence
  
  Read more

• Threatening letter sent to Trump son's home

  18-03-2016 14:07
  
  NEW YORK - A law enforcement official says New York City police and the FBI are investigating a threatening letter sent to the Manhattan apartment of Donald Trump's son, Eric.The official says the envelope sent to Eric Trump's apartment Thursday contained a suspicious white powder and a threatening letter. There were no injuries and the official said preliminary tests indicated that the white substance was not hazardous.The law enforcement official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of a
  
  Read more

• 500 Red Cross volunteers respond to La. flooding

  18-03-2016 13:57
  
  NEW ORLEANS - More than 500 American Red Cross disaster workers have responded to Louisiana, with hundreds more responders active across the Gulf South where devastating flooding has impacted thousands of people.Thursday night, about 200 people stayed overnight at seven Red Cross and community-run shelters across the state.Kay W. Wilkins, chief executive of the Red Cross in Louisiana, says this is one of the largest disasters to hit the state in recent years.Wilkins says as many as 12,0
  
  Read more

• Paris terror attack suspect captured

  18-03-2016 13:13
  
  BRUSSELS - Two French police officials have told The Associated Press that Salah Abdeslam, the main fugitive from Islamic extremist attacks in Paris in November, has been arrested in Belgium's capital after four months at large.They say he was arrested in a major police operation in the Brussels neighborhood of Molenbeek.Authorities have said Abdeslam was among several attackers who targeted cafes, a rock concert and a stadium in Paris' deadliest attacks in decades, which killed 130 people.Perma
  
  Read more

• Is voting for Donald Trump unchristian?: Robert Mann

  18-03-2016 12:50
  
  Is voting for Donald Trump a morally defensible act? Can a person of faith justify supporting him? "Yes," you might say, noting that many people of faith, particularly evangelicals, are wildly attracted to Trump and his blunt, sometime-profane messages. And...
  
  Read more

• High school basketball coach arrested on molestation charges

  18-03-2016 12:43
  
  SLIDELL – Police in Slidell say a high school basketball coach is now facing multiple molestation charges after they say he solicited nude photos and had sex with a student in his classroom.Slidell Police say 34-year-old Raymond Winzy was arrested Thursday on molestation and child porn charges. Winzy was a teacher at Slidell High School and also served as the girl's basketball coach. Police say they received a complaint on March 9 about Winzy having inappropr
  
  Read more

• Ascension, Livingston waterways to reopen Saturday

  18-03-2016 12:37
  
  ASCENSION - Boaters in Ascension and Livingston Parishes can return to waterways this weekend.Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa announced on Friday that all Ascension Parish waterways will be re-open to recreational boat traffic starting at Midnight Saturday. Waterways were closed to boaters last week after sever weather battered the parish and caused waterways to swell. Officials in Livingston Parish also announced that waterways will also at
  
  Read more

• LSU football assistant coaches 2016 salaries, contracts

  18-03-2016 12:25
  
  Cam Cameron, Ed Orgeron, Jeff Grimes gets raises and extensions.
  
  Read more

• Tips to avoid scams as cleanup & repairs begin

  18-03-2016 12:22
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness released a list of tips from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office to residents impacted after the severe weather about scams that might be attempted during clean up and repair work, as there is an increased risk for scams after severe weather or disasters have occurred.The La. Attorney General advises residents not to donate any charity for cash or wired donations that does not provide proo
  
  Read more

• Lawmakers to hold hearing on response to terror attack

  18-03-2016 11:47
  
  SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -The terror attack that killed 14 people in California in December showed police need a protected radio channel and ambulance personnel need safety gear, emergency responders said Friday.Police, fire and medical personnel lauded interagency working relationships during a state legislative hearing convened to learn what worked in the hours after a husband and wife inspired by Islamic extremists opened fire on a luncheon for county health inspectors.But they underscored the
  
  Read more

• Metro Council to consider smoking ban in Baton Rouge businesses

  18-03-2016 11:18
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Metro Council is getting ready to discuss a smoking ban in casinos and bars in Baton Rouge.A smoke-free campaign in the community caught the council's attention and they decided to consider extending the ban to all businesses. Joe Hall owns Phil Brady's Bar in Baton Rouge and is an advocate for the smoking ban. He started hosting "No Smoking" nights at his bar 10 years ago with one night a month, then two. Now he cuts smoking off at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday."It allo
  
  Read more

• Baton Rouge council to take up smoking ban

  18-03-2016 11:02
  
  BATON ROUGE- An ordinance that would ban smoking in Baton Rouge's casinos and bars is finally headed to the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council.The council should vote on the ordinance in April, and it already has five of the seven votes it will need to pass.
      
  While smoking is already banned by Louisiana law in places of employment and public venues, Stasha Rhodes, manager for the Smoke-Free Baton Rouge campaign says the local proposal is designed to close the ga
  
  Read more

• LSU Baseball vs Alabama delayed due to lightning

  18-03-2016 09:30
  
  BATON ROUGE - The first game in the SEC opening series between LSU Baseball and Alabama has been delayed due to lightning.LSU Baseball in an indefinite delay due to lightning in the area, must start game before 10pm tonight. Decision to be made by 9:15 @WBRZ— Michael Cauble (@MichaelCauble) March 18, 2016LSU Baseball announced earlier Friday that they were optimistic for a 7 p.m. start time against the University of Alabama. SEC rules say that the game must be started by 10 p.
  
  Read more

• Leonard Fournette breaks 50-yard run to start LSU scrimmage Thursday

  18-03-2016 00:53
  
  Tigers work for 50 plays, take off 11 days for spring break.
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!