Baton Rouge news

• Louisiana Senate looks to limit lame duck state pay raises from governors

  28-03-2016 22:10
  
  During Jindal's last days in office, at least $8 million in state government worker pay raises were granted by his cabinet members and some other statewide elected officials. T
  
  Read more

• UPDATE: St. Mary Parish lifts shelter advisory following spill

  28-03-2016 19:47
  
  ST. MARY PARISH - Louisiana State Police Haz Mat lifted the shelter advisory in place for residents after an oil spill  in Bayou Teche near the Adeline Bridge occurred on Monday night. Highway 87 is now open, accoriding to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office.The portion of Bayou Teche affected by the spill is off limits and is closed to vessel traffic. Residents are advised to stay out of the bayou.The U.S. National Coast Guard said that a contractor is cleaning about 11,500 gallons of
  
  Read more

• 7 million at risk this year from man-made earthquakes, USGS says

  28-03-2016 19:10
  
  U.S. Geological Survey map and report indicate parts of central U.S. face shaking hazard equal to parts of California
  
  Read more

• State to list travel times on some congested roads

  28-03-2016 18:47
  
  BATON ROUGE - A new digital traffic sign will be in place sometime in the next month on the west side of the river, DOTD said.The sign on La. 1 will list travel times for drivers. State traffic monitors will use data to determine how long it will take to get across the river using either the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge or the Old Bridge where Highway 190 crosses the river. DOTD hopes the signage, on northbound La. 1 will help drivers determine which route is better - sometimes changin
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Mosquitoes could be worse this season, EBR started spraying

  28-03-2016 18:15
  
  BATON ROUGE - Evening mosquito spraying just started in East Baton Rouge.East Baton Rouge Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control officials said just recently they've seen the mosquito population increase and started spraying for the first time Easter weekend.  They say the problem areas are in the southern parts of the parish from Hooo Shoo Too Road to Highland Road.Experts say this past warmer winter could bring even more mosquitoes this summer."Last fall, we had huge numbers (
  
  Read more

• FEMA: What to expect when the disaster damage inspector visits

  28-03-2016 18:13
  
  Know What to Expect When the Inspector VisitsOnce Louisiana homeowners register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a FEMA housing inspector will call to schedule an inspection for those living in designated parishes. Here’s what survivors need to know about the inspection process:Everyone should know:The FEMA inspector will show a photo ID badge.If you are not shown photo identification, then do not allow the inspection.If you suspect someone is posing as a FEMA ins
  
  Read more

• Flood assistance office opens Tuesday in Livingston Parish

  28-03-2016 17:54
  
  SATSUMA - Tuesday, FEMA opens a disaster recovery center.The office will help victims of recent flooding get answers to questions about low-interest disaster loans and apply for federal disaster assistance. It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. And, people are asked to register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emerge
  
  Read more

• FBI unlocks San Bernardino gunmans iPhone without Apple

  28-03-2016 17:09
  
  WASHINGTON - The FBI has unlocked the phone of the terrorist responsible for the San Bernardino attacks without the help of Apple.
   The Justice Department is expected to withdraw its legal action against apple.A federal magistrate in California ordered the company in mid-February to assist the FBI in unlocking San Bernardino terrorist Syed Farook's iPhone, which the company refused to do.The official, who is not authorized to comment publicly, said the method to unlocking the phone was
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• LSU, SU grad appointed to U.S. Department of Education

  28-03-2016 16:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Department of Education announced the appointment of LSU and Southern university graduate Kim Hunter-Reed as deputy undersecretary Monday.Hunter-Reed received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the E.J. Ourso College of Business.Hunter-Reed replaces Jamienne Studley, who left the department last year, and will work with undersecretary Ted Mitchell on the Obama administration’s high
  
  Read more

• LSU grad appointed to U.S. Department of Education

  28-03-2016 16:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Department of Education announced the appointment of LSU graduate Kim Hunter-Reed as deputy undersecretary Monday.Hunter-Reed received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the E.J. Ourso College of Business.Hunter-Reed replaces Jamienne Studley, who left the department last year, and will work with undersecretary Ted Mitchell on the Obama administration’s higher education priorities.
  
  Read more

• Juvenile detention center's future in the hands of voters

  28-03-2016 16:24
  
  LIVINGSTON - The Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center's future is in the hands of voters once again as a property tax renewal appears on the Apr. 9 ballot.The tax renewal was previously shot down by voters in five parishes in November. The detention center that is located in Tangipahoa Parish serves Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, St. Tammany and Washington parishes.  The detention center typically houses around 60 offenders between the ages of 10-16. The center also employs 1
  
  Read more

• Woman arrested after DWI car crash near Barringer Foreman leaving 5 injured

  28-03-2016 15:00
  
  BATON ROUGE - State Police arrested  27-year-old Whitney Wilson for driving while intoxicated with children in her car, causing serious injuries.
  According to State Police, a crash occurred on Sunday around 8:50 p.m. causing East Baton Rouge EMS and St. George Fire Department to shut down the intersection.According to State Police, one car was going south on US 61, about to turn on Barringer Foreman Road while a second car was going north. The car turned, directly into the path of the s
  
  Read more

• UPDATE: Capitol shooter identified after lockdown

  28-03-2016 14:05
  
  WASHINGTON - The U.S. Capitol is partially reopened after a man with a gun was shot. The suspect was identified as Larry Dawson from Tennessee and was transported to a local hospital. Police told staff in the Capitol complex to shelter in place after a report of gunshots being fired in the Capitol Visitors Center. The White House also was put on lockdown because of the report. The situation was apparently contained to the Visitors Center but no further information was immediately availa
  
  Read more

• 3-car crash on Aster Street and Nicholson Drive Monday morning

  28-03-2016 14:01
  
  BATON ROUGE - BRPD responded to a three car crash on Monday morning near the intersection of Aster Street and Nicholson Drive.The crash happened around 11 a.m.
  According to BRPD, three cars were involved in the crash.
  EMS said there were no injuries resulting from the crash.There are no reports of the crash impacting traffic in the area.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Two schools close as area deals with losses due to oil price free fall

  28-03-2016 13:42
  
  MORGAN CITY - An elementary school in this onetime oil rich St. Mary Parish city will close because of a significant loss in sales taxes.M.D. Shannon Elementary is one of two schools slated for closure recently. The other, J.A. Hernandez Elementary in Franklin, will also close its doors. The closures will save the St. Mary Parish school district about $3.6 million a year.The closures won't force layoffs, though. Students at J.A. Hernandez will attend nearby Foster Elementary or LaGrange Elementa
  
  Read more

• LSU mock draft: OG Vadal Alexander to the Saints

  28-03-2016 13:30
  
  Light year for Tigers, but lots of Day 2 action.
  
  Read more

• Witness says car was driving erratically before crashing into pole; 1 injured

  28-03-2016 13:25
  
  BATON ROUGE - One person was transported to the hospital Monday night after a car crashed into an electric pole.The accident happened on Geronimo St. in Baton Rouge. Few details are known at the time of this post, but a News 2 Crew was on scene when one person was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A witness says the car was driving erratically."They went into the ditch and cam out flying," he says. "They were going so fast, I just took off running. I'm trying to stay alive."Check back fo
  
  Read more

• LWF issues warning about invasive snail species

  28-03-2016 13:22
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking people to be on the lookout for an invasive snail species that is causing problems along waterways in Louisiana.The species is the Apple Snail. It's the largest freshwater snail on Earth. One warning sign they could be in your area is the unique pink eggs they lay.Call LWF at (225)765-3977 if you've seen the snail in your area.IMAGE: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesPermalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Police: Woman attempted to stab boyfriend during altercation

  28-03-2016 13:16
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police say an investigation is underway after a woman attempted to stab her boyfriend Monday night in Baton Rouge.The incident happened at an apartment complex on West Chimes Street.  According to police, she swung a knife at her boyfriend during at altercation. The victim only suffered minor injuries.A News 2 Crew was on scene as the woman was loaded into the back of a police cruiser. Police haven't released her identity or said if she has been charged with a crime. Check
  
  Read more

• More after school activities sought to keep kids out of trouble

  28-03-2016 13:11
  
  BATON ROUGE - People in North Baton Rouge discussed ways to reduce crime at a community meeting Monday night. One of the topics: more safe activities for kids outside of school.That discussion came less than 24-hours after six kids were arrested. Police say they shot and injured a man on North 18th Street using BB guns.Jerome Merricks, who lives nearby, says that situation could have ended much worse.
  "Would not buy your child a BB gun, it looks real," he told News 2's Brittany Weiss. "Some peop
  
  Read more

• Active weather expected for later this week

  28-03-2016 12:55
  
  BATON ROUGE - The WBRZ Weather Team is expecting a storm system to bring severe weather later this week, beginning Wednesday.According to Meterologist Josh Eachus, Wednesday will bring the threat for severe storms with both damaging winds and tornadoes possible.Our team believes the most likely spots in the WBRZ Forecast area for severe weather will be north of I-10 where winds in the atmosphere are expected to be more favorable for development.This represents a "possible, TOTAL" accumulation in
  
  Read more

• Georgia Governor vetoes religious exemptions bill

  28-03-2016 09:29
  
  ATLANTA - Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has vetoed legislation, allowing clergy to refuse performing gay marriage and protecting people who refuse to attend the ceremonies.
      
  The Republican rejected the bill on Monday.
      
  Republican majorities passed the bill to broadly protect people acting on their religion. It also would have protected clergy who won't perform gay marriages and people who won't attend a wedding for religious reasons.
  &
  
  Read more

• Tangipahoa residents can apply for potential home elevation

  28-03-2016 09:22
  
  TANGIPAHOA - Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller released information for flood victims and residents interested in elevating their homes.The applications will be kept on file should the parish receive Hazard Mitigation Funds from FEMA in the future.Those interested in the elevating their homes can go to tangipahoa.org to fill out a preliminary application.According to the parish office, the time to get projects like these funded can be lengthy, but the information collected is important fo
  
  Read more

• BRPD arrest man for stealing beers more than 10 times from Circle K

  28-03-2016 08:56
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department arrested 45-year-old James Singleton for stealing beers from a convenience store cooler multiple times and threatening the manager.
  According to BRPD, between Feb. 28 and Mar. 14, Singleton committed simple burglary 11 times this year at the Circle K gas station on Brightside Drive.Singleton entered the store, went into the beer cooler, and picked up 3-4 cases of beer each time and ran out of the store without paying.Singleton has been banned from
  
  Read more

• Renewal of tax for health center on West Baton Rouge ballot

  28-03-2016 08:20
  
  PORT ALLEN - Local voters are deciding whether to renew a property tax for the West Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit in Port Allen.  The tax has been in place since 1956. Parish finance director Phillip Bourgoyne says it will generate nearly $634,000 a year from 2017 to 2026.
      
  The health office receives some money from the state, but Bourgoyne says the local tax covers most of the cost of salaries, maintenance and equipment.
     &am
  
  Read more

• Gov. John Bel Edwards on his time in office

  28-03-2016 08:20
  
  BATON ROUGE- In the first two months since his inaguration, La. Gov. John Bel Edwards has been busy tackling the state budget, record-breaking weather and his gubernatorial duties. Edwards joined 2une In on Monday morning to talk with Kylie Dixon and John Pastorek about his time at the Governor's Mansion.Despite facing the largest budget deficit in Louisiana history, Edwards spoke openly about what needs to be done moving forward."You have to either cut spending, raise
  
  Read more

• Mississippi River levee repairs limit high water problems

  28-03-2016 07:57
  
  BATON ROUGE- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the $450 million spent on repairing levees after the 2011 Mississippi River flood has paid dividends this year, allowing the 2016 winter flood to come and go with little damage expected.
      
  Mark Wingate, deputy district engineer for project management with the Corps' New Orleans district, says about half of the estimated $250 million of repairs needed in the New Orleans Corps district after the current high water
  
  Read more

• March 28, 2015 Morning News Pop

  28-03-2016 06:24
  
  Here are today's top stories:Fire breaks out at McDonald's on Florida Blvd. near N. Foster State officials clear Donaldsonville water for consumptionDisaster food stamps available in Ascension Parish this week A quiet start to the week Updates all day, every day:FACEBOOK | TWITTERPermalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Law blocking anti-discrimination ordinance heading to court

  28-03-2016 05:51
  
  RALEIGH, NC- Gay-rights groups and others who say they'll be wronged by North Carolina's new law preventing Charlotte and other local governments from passing anti-discrimination rules are wasting little time trying to stop it in court.
      
  The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and Equality North Carolina scheduled a Monday news conference in Raleigh to announce federal litigation challenging the law, approved last week by the legislature and signed by Gov.
  
  Read more

• Fire breaks out at McDonald's on Florida Blvd. near N. Foster

  28-03-2016 04:29
  
  BATON ROUGE- Firefighters are on the scene of a fire that broke out at McDonalds in the 5000 block of Florida Blvd. across from Melrose Blvd.Emergency crews responded to the call just after 4 a.m. Monday morning. When firefighters arrived on scene they found the building fully engulfed in flames.According to Mark Miles with the Baton Rouge Fire Department, while crews were battling the blaze firefighters had to be called back outside the building after the roof became compromised by the flames.M
  
  Read more

• Several injured as fire rages in a Denver apartment building

  28-03-2016 03:51
  
  DENVER- Authorities say a fire raging in a Denver apartment building trapped some residents and left several people injured.
      
  Denver Health Medical Center said early Monday that two patients are in critical condition, while three are serious, and six are fair.
      
  Firefighters rescued some trapped residents from the second-floor blaze late Sunday night, after others jumped.
      
  Denver Fire Department spokesman
  
  Read more

• White House adds fun run to annual Easter Egg Roll

  28-03-2016 02:50
  
  WASHINGTON- Thousands of children will descend upon the White House Monday for the annual Easter Egg Roll. And if they have energy to spare after finding the wooden eggs, about 250 of them will join first lady Michelle Obama for a run.
      
  The "fun run" is the latest addition to an event that began in 1878 and now includes storytelling, musical performances and tips from professional athletes on how to play basketball, tennis and other sports. There are even cooking d
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!