Baton Rouge news

• Medical marijuana expansion passes Louisiana Senate on 2nd try

  20-04-2016 23:43
  
  The bill expands the conditions available for doctors to recommend the drug to patients.
  
  Read more

• Voluntary teen sex survey will be considered by Louisiana House, but faces an uphill battle

  20-04-2016 23:01
  
  The new questions on sexual behavior would be included in an annual youth risk behavior survey that was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  
  Read more

• Louisiana House committee OKs ban on common type of second-trimester abortion

  20-04-2016 23:01
  
  The bill has been pitched as banning a "barbaric" practice, but opponents said it will face a certain constitutional challenge.
  
  Read more

• Conflicting TOPS proposals sent to Louisiana House floor

  20-04-2016 22:23
  
  The governor has already announced the state will not be able to fund 66 percent of the scholarship, which is expected to cost $300 million, next year.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• John Bel Edwards wants new taxes, John Kennedy says there's enough money: Something doesn't add up

  20-04-2016 21:51
  
  Gov. John Bel Edwards, saying Louisiana government doesn't have enough money to fund critical programs, wants to hold a special session in June so lawmakers can consider some $750 million in new, unspecified taxes. State Treasurer John Kennedy says the...
  
  Read more

• LSU football APR worst in SEC, matches previous low

  20-04-2016 21:21
  
  Tigers drop from 947 to 941.
  
  Read more

• QB Danny Etling is a factor in LSU passing game: Podcast

  20-04-2016 19:52
  
  Also, the impact of Dameyune Craig and Dave Aranda molding the defense.
  
  Read more

• These Louisiana water systems had too much lead in past 3 years

  20-04-2016 18:33
  
  See interactive map for details; search database for all water systems
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Travel time sign up, now being tested on La. 1

  20-04-2016 18:29
  
  PORT ALLEN - State traffic managers are testing a new, partly digital road sign that will provide drivers with commute times.The sign has been installed on northbound La. 1 but is not provided real-time information. A DOTD spokesperson said there is no date on when the sign will be fully operational. The sign will list travel times for drivers to help them 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 cr
  
  Read more

• Drug related home invasion suspects, part of overnight arrests

  20-04-2016 17:41
  
  ASCENSION- Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office reported nine arrests in three separate cases within a 24-hour time frame.Tuesday morning shortly after midnight, deputies arrested five men involved in a home invasion, including the homeowner.Deputies responded to Murphy’s Gas Station in Gonzales in reference to an armed robbery that occurred at a home on Laurel Ridge Road in St. Amant.Deputies learned that 21-year-old Brandon Mungia, 25-year-old Matthew Everett and 24-year-old N
  
  Read more

• APSO makes 9 arrests in 24-hours

  20-04-2016 17:41
  
  ASCENSION- Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office reported nine arrests in three separate cases within a 24-hour time frame.Tuesday morning shortly after midnight, deputies arrested five men involved in a home invasion, including the homeowner.Deputies responded to Murphy’s Gas Station in Gonzales in reference to an armed robbery that occurred at a home on Laurel Ridge Road in St. Amant.Deputies learned that 21-year-old Brandon Mungia, 25-year-old Matthew Everett and 24-year-old N
  
  Read more

• New 911 center under construction in Ascension Parish

  20-04-2016 17:22
  
  GONZALES - As Ascension Parish grows, the sheriff's office is expanding with it.Construction crews have already broken ground for a state-of-the-art facility for first responder operations. Dispatchers and administrative staff are currently based out of the Ascension Parish courthouse in Gonzales."We have the best trained employees, but the facility just wasn't conducive with its cramped spaces," said Sheriff Jeff Wiley.The current 911 center is divided into two rooms,
  
  Read more

• Cruz says he can't win GOP nod before convention

  20-04-2016 17:02
  
  WASHINGTON - Ted Cruz is conceding he cannot win the Republican presidential nomination before the party's national convention this summer.But the Texas senator insists that GOP front-runner Donald Trump can't clinch the nomination before the convention either.Cruz addressed reporters on Wednesday at the site of the Republican National Committee's spring meeting in Florida.He says, "What's clear today is that we are headed to a contested convention."Party leaders are convening this week
  
  Read more

• Deputies seeking info on eagle shot in Pointe Coupee

  20-04-2016 16:52
  
  POINTE COUPEE- Wildlife and Fisheries is asking for the public’s assistance in finding information about the shooting death of a young bald eagle.The eagle was shot within the last two days in the vicinity of the 8000 block of Island Road in Ventress.
  Anyone with information about this, please call Operation Game Thief at 1(800)442-2511 or Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office (225)694-3737.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Deputies seeking info about bald eagle shot in Pointe Coupee

  20-04-2016 16:52
  
  POINTE COUPEE- Wildlife and Fisheries is asking for the public’s assistance in finding information about the shooting death of a young bald eagle.The eagle was shot within the last two days in the vicinity of the 8000 block of Island Road in Ventress.
  Anyone with information about this, please call Operation Game Thief at 1(800)442-2511 or Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office (225)694-3737.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Medical marijuana proposal wins Senate support

  20-04-2016 16:51
  
  BATON ROUGE - A day after falling one vote short, backers of a proposal to expand Louisiana's medical marijuana law to cover more diseases found success in the Senate.Senators voted 21-16 Wednesday for the proposal from Republican Sen. Fred Mills. It needed 20 votes to pass.Louisiana hasn't yet started its medical marijuana program, which will eventually get medical-grade pot to people suffering from cancer, glaucoma and a severe form of cerebral palsy.Mills wants to add seizure disorders, HIV,
  
  Read more

• Medical marijuana expansion proposal wins Senate support

  20-04-2016 16:51
  
  BATON ROUGE - A day after falling one vote short, backers of a proposal to expand Louisiana's medical marijuana law to cover more diseases found success in the Senate.Senators voted 21-16 Wednesday for the proposal from Republican Sen. Fred Mills. It needed 20 votes to pass.Louisiana hasn't yet started its medical marijuana program, which will eventually get medical-grade pot to people suffering from cancer, glaucoma and a severe form of cerebral palsy.Mills wants to add seizure disorders, HIV,
  
  Read more

• UK alerts LGBT travelers to North Carolina, Mississippi laws

  20-04-2016 16:48
  
  RALEIGH, N.C. - The British government is advising lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens to pay special attention when traveling to North Carolina and Mississippi.The travel advice update was posted on the British government's website Tuesday.The British advisory says new laws in North Carolina and Mississippi may affect LGBT travelers and directs those seeking more detail to the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization. The advisory adds that attitude
  
  Read more

• Social media uproar caused by 4/20 Bob Marley Snapchat filter

  20-04-2016 16:33
  
  Snapchat has contributed what most of the web seems to consider the most “tone-deaf” celebration of the informal hippie holiday known as 4/20 with a photo filter that attempts to make users look like reggae legend Bob Marley.Apr. 20 has been associated with the use of marijuana for decades, yet the actual origins of the event remain shrouded in mystery. In practice, the day typically consists of individuals who smoke marijuana smoking more marijuana than usual.Snapchat's half
  
  Read more

• Mayor Holden nixes north Baton Rouge development idea

  20-04-2016 16:11
  
  BATON ROUGE - The mayor vetoed a proposal to create an economic development district in north Baton Rouge.Mayor Kip Holden denied the request Wednesday, citing vague language in how the development district would be organized and concern over the state's budget. Previously, the Metro Council approved the economic development district - which would provide tax incentives for people to establish businesses in northern communities.READ THE MAYOR'S VETO LETTER HERE  The economic development
  
  Read more

• Man caught stealing batteries off tractors

  20-04-2016 15:50
  
  ROSEDALE - The Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office arrested a man they say is behind a series of battery thefts in the Rosedale-area.Deputies began investigating after receiving several reports batteries were being stolen off of tractors. They say their investigation led them to arrest Derek Gaudet, 42.Gaudet is charged with felony theft, as well as 3 counts of misdemeanor theft.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Alleged drug dealers busted in WBR roundup

  20-04-2016 15:36
  
  PORT ALLEN - Nearly 20 suspected drug dealers are behind bars after a drug roundup in West Baton Rouge Parish Wednesday morning.It was part of Operation 4-20. Investigators say the alleged dealers sold drugs to undercover deputies while being recorded with a camera.  "It's your local people generally that are embedded and are not as easy as going out and making a stop on the interstate or something," said Col. Richie Johnson. "It's a little harder to do. They're a little particular with
  
  Read more

• CATS report reveals issues with bus involved in crash

  20-04-2016 15:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - A maintenance history for the CATS bus that was involved in a crash last week involving a house reveals a slew of issues.The maintenance report dates from Mar. 15 to Apr. 11 for the bus, Bus 130. Issues that were continously reported include the bus’ horn not working, the check engine light on, a broken wheel chair lift, one bike restraint missing, the right side view mirror missing and a cracked windshield.Some of the daily reports did not list any issues, while
  
  Read more

• CATS bus that crashed into home was in violation of state law

  20-04-2016 15:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - A maintenance history for the CATS bus that was involved in a crash last week involving a house reveals a slew of issues.The maintenance report dates from Mar. 15 to Apr. 11 for the bus, Bus 130. Issues that were continously reported include the the check engine light on, a broken wheel chair lift, one bike restraint missing, the right side view mirror missing and a cracked windshield.The report also indicated the bus spent 12 days on the road without a working horn. That'
  
  Read more

• Child hospitalized after being hit by car on Sycamore St.

  20-04-2016 15:04
  
  BATON ROUGE - A child was taken to the hospital after being hit by a car in Baton Rouge, according to first responders.The incident happened in a driveway in the 4300 block of Sycamore Street at around 2:30 p.m. An EBR Parish ambulance was called to the scene after 911 received a call reporting a young child had been struck by a car.The child was taken to an area hospital with unknown injuries.We’re still awaiting details about the condition and age of the child so check back for updat
  
  Read more

• Nicholson Drive at Brightside to get new left-turn signals

  20-04-2016 14:38
  
  BATON ROUGE- The City-Parish unveiled plans to change a traffic signal operation at the busy intersection of Nicholson Drive and Brightside Drive with West Lee Drive.The intersection will soon include left-turn arrows for Nicolson with the change made to both the north and southbound directions.According to Chief Traffic Engineer Ingolf Partenheimer, the changes will be monitored over a 30-day period to determine if they will help until more extensive improvements are made to the heavily traffic
  
  Read more

• Three dead after Wednesday morning crash on LA 182

  20-04-2016 14:25
  
  HOUMA- An early morning crash on LA 182 left three people dead, according to Louisiana State Police.
  Around 2:30 a.m. Troopers from the Louisiana State Troop C responded to a crash on LA 182 near Coteau Road involving three vehicles.The crash occurred when a Honda Civic was driving westbound on LA 182 near Lucky’s Casino.Three people were in the car, 29-year-old Christopher Rately of Abita Springs, 22-year-old Stephen Buck of Folsom and 31-year-old Rafael Fandino of Metairie.
  For unkno
  
  Read more

• Trump wins 89 of NY's 95 delegates; Kasich: 4

  20-04-2016 14:22
  
  WASHINGTON - Donald Trump picked up 89 of New York's 95 delegates, putting him on a narrow path to clinch the nomination by the end of the primaries - if he keeps winning.John Kasich won four delegates and Ted Cruz was shut out.The last two delegates will have to wait until the absentee votes are counted.Trump has won 47 percent of the delegates awarded so far. He has to win 57 percent of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination and avoid a contested convention.Cruz and Kasich can only h
  
  Read more

• Planned Parenthood defunding bill heads to La. House floor

  20-04-2016 14:14
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers seeking to strip taxpayer funding from Planned Parenthood, if its New Orleans clinic starts providing abortions, have won support for the effort from the House health committee.Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards is pushing the bill by Republican Rep. Frank Hoffmann that would ban public funding for any organization that performs abortions.Supporters acknowledge the legislation is aimed at Planned Parenthood, which has indicated it wants to offer abortions at its new clinic
  
  Read more

• McDonald's quashes all-you-can-eat fries reports

  20-04-2016 14:14
  
  ST. JOSEPH - McDonald's Corp. is quashing reports that a coming Missouri restaurant will test all-you-can-eat fries, saying the endless spuds will be available for a limited time only to promote the site's scheduled July grand opening.The buzz is around a reported "test" of unlimited fries for customers at the pending location in St. Joseph, north of Kansas. But McDonald's spokeswoman Lisa McComb says no such test is in the works.McComb says the 6,500-square-foot Missouri restaurant will be uniq
  
  Read more

• 'Ban the box' employment bill passes La. House committee

  20-04-2016 14:00
  
  BATON ROUGE - A bipartisan push to prevent state employers from asking job applicants about criminal histories until after interviews has received House committee backing.Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, a Baton Rouge Democrat, says her "ban the box" bill joins a national movement to employ former inmates.The proposal applies to the state's politically-appointed "unclassified" employees and not the rank-and-file "classified" state workers subject to Louisiana's civil service system.The House and Governm
  
  Read more

• 'Ban the box' bill passes House committee

  20-04-2016 14:00
  
  BATON ROUGE - A bipartisan push to prevent state employers from asking job applicants about criminal histories until after interviews has received House committee backing.Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, a Baton Rouge Democrat, says her "ban the box" bill joins a national movement to employ former inmates.“We need to look at ways that we can get people back into the workforce and they become tax payers like the rest of us,” Marcelle said.The proposal applies to the state's politicall
  
  Read more

• Spring flinging improves LSU passing game

  20-04-2016 13:57
  
  Tigers move on to off-season workouts.
  
  Read more

• After hotly contested election, outgoing chief meeting with incoming top cop

  20-04-2016 13:57
  
  BAKER - Police Chief Mike Knaps and chief-elect Carl Dunn have started talking about transitioning the department to its new leadership.Dunn was elected chief of police last month. Dunn defeated Daryl Rainwater in a hotly contested runoff election.Knaps reported to the city council recently, he and Dunn have met once and will continue to meet ahead of Dunn's swearing-in later this summer. Knaps said he understood there was some concern about he and Dunn not having spoken about department operati
  
  Read more

• Harriet Tubman to replace Andrew Jackson on $20 bill

  20-04-2016 13:56
  
  US- The $20 bill will soon have a new face.According to ABC News, Harriet Tubman will replace Andrew Jackson as the face of the $20 bill.A Treasury Department spokesman announced the change on Tuesday.Harriet Tubman escaped slavery to become a leading abolitionist during the American Civil War.A grass roots group, Women on 20s, had been pushing to get a woman's portrait on the $20 bill, which currently features Andrew Jackson. They had conducted an online poll that gathered over 600,000 votes. A
  
  Read more

• Man arrested after using 911 to report police search

  20-04-2016 13:44
  
  BATON ROUGE - Authorities say a man was arrested after he called 911 to report police were searching his residence.Police say 22-year-old Demetrius Smith was booked on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm with Controlled Dangerous Substances, felon in possession of a firearm and illegal use of 911 following his arrest Tuesday night.The arrest report shows officers were in the 2700 block of Amarillo Street
  
  Read more

• Matt Flynn talks about journey from LSU through NFL in website feature

  20-04-2016 13:34
  
  Thought about transferring.
  
  Read more

• Puff Daddy & The Family, Common, Andra Day added to Essence

  20-04-2016 13:24
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The Essence Festival has added three artists to its summer lineup:, award-winning rapper Common, Puff Daddy & The Family and new artist Andra Day.Organizers said Wednesday that Puff Daddy & The Family, a mix of past and present Bad Boy Records artists, will perform Sunday, July 3, on the mainstage of the Superdome along with Kendrick Lamar, Ciara and Day.Common will perform Saturday, July 2, as will first-timers Mariah Carey and Jeremih, Estelle and veteran festival enterta
  
  Read more

• 5 ex-cops plead guilty in post-Katrina shootings

  20-04-2016 13:00
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Five former police officers have pleaded guilty to reduced charges in the deadly shootings on the Danziger Bridge in the days following Hurricane Katrina.In exchange for the pleas, the ex-officers will see drastically less prison time.The officers were convicted in 2011 but U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt set aside the jury's verdict two years later because of federal prosecutors' misconduct - including anonymous online comments about the case.Four of the former officers have b
  
  Read more

• Former Denham Springs Police Chief to appeal firing

  20-04-2016 12:59
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - The Denham Springs Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board has confirmed that the former police chief plans to appeal his termination.Ex-Police Chief Scott Jones and a second officer were put on administrative leave in February after the mayor raised questions about an investigation into a domestic violence call involving a city councilman. Jones and Captain Steve Kistler were both fired on Apr. 7.The letter issued by Jones' attorney on Wednesday morning attempts 
  
  Read more

• Clinton on path to clinch before California

  20-04-2016 12:39
  
  WASHINGTON - With her New York win, Hillary Clinton's support among superdelegates puts her on track to clinch the Democratic nomination outright before the national convention - even before results from the California primary, which Bernie Sanders was counting on winning to stand a chance.Clinton added 33 new endorsements over the past month, according to an Associated Press survey, expanding her overwhelming support among the party officials who can back any candidate, despite Sanders
  
  Read more

• Couple accused of bestiality appear in court today

  20-04-2016 12:22
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - A husband and wife were scheduled to appear before a judge later Wednesday to be arraigned on a significant amount of crimes against nature charges.Minton and Nina Morris were arrested in September on 250 counts of crimes against nature and several drug charges. Minton also faces charges for possession and distribution of child pornography.Investigators said they found evidence of bestiality during a raid on the Morris' home after an undercover child pornography sting.
  
  Read more

• Man admits to mailing bomb threat to Baton Rouge courthouse

  20-04-2016 12:21
  
  BATON ROUGE - A 34-year-old Baton Rouge man, who served prison time for threatening to blow up the downtown state courthouse in 2009, has admitted he made additional bomb threats in 2013.U.S. Attorney Walt Green said in a news release Brian Cavalier pleaded guilty Tuesday before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson to two counts of making threats by mail.Green says Cavalier was scheduled to stand trial next month on those federal charges.Cavalier faces up to 10 years in prison for the 2013 bo
  
  Read more

• OSHA: Riding mowers overturn on slopes, kill 3 in 1 month

  20-04-2016 09:15
  
  NEW ORLEANS - In the past month, three landscape company employees have died in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas when riding mowers or tractors overturned into water or a stream bed - equaling the total in the previous six years, a federal safety official says.Eric Harbin, the acting regional administrator for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said there had been one such fatal accident in each of the years 2015, 2014, and 2010 in OSHA's Southwest Region, which also includes Oklaho
  
  Read more

• Ohio boy electrocuted while conducting YouTube experiment

  20-04-2016 08:46
  
  VERMILION, Ohio - Authorities say a 15-year-old Ohio boy has been electrocuted while apparently attempting to conduct an experiment he saw on YouTube.The Sandusky Register reports that Erie County sheriff's officials say authorities were called to the boy's home in Vermilion Township at about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Emergency crews administered treatment and took the boy to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Erie County deputies say the boy apparently was trying to perform an experiment called Jac
  
  Read more

• Six years on: What's ahead for restoring Gulf after oil spill

  20-04-2016 08:33
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Today marks the sixth anniversary of the explosion of BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig. Now, a $20 billion settlement has funded what will be the largest environmental restoration project in U.S. history.The Environmental Defense Fund in New York posted a Q&A Wednesday morning with the EDF Chief Oceans Scientist Douglas N. Rader about what’s ahead for the Gulf of Mexico as the process moves forward. An excerpt of that interview follows:Q. April 2
  
  Read more

• Mitsubishi Motors finds falsified fuel mileage tests

  20-04-2016 08:11
  
  TOKYO - Mitsubishi Motors Corp. says it found evidence its employees falsified fuel mileage test data for several models of vehicles.
  The maker of the eK wagon and Outlander sports-utility vehicle says the inaccurate tests involved 157,000 of its own-brand light passenger cars and 468,000 vehicles produced for Nissan Motor Co.
  The problem was found after Nissan pointed out inconsistencies in data. Mitsubishi conducted an internal probe and data was falsified.
  Mitsubishi Motors struggled for year
  
  Read more

• Fire crews respond to early morning fire in Baker

  20-04-2016 07:34
  
  BATON ROUGE- Fire investigators are looking into an early morning blaze that destroyed a house in Baker.
  According to Baker Fire Department, crews responded to the scene on Hovey Avenue around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. The house is considered a total loss. No one was injured in the blaze.
  Authorities say people were inside the home when the fire broke out, but they were all able to get out safely. Red Cross is assisting the family.
  Fire investigators are still trying to figure out what sparked the fi
  
  Read more

• 9 people escape from Baker home destroyed by morning fire

  20-04-2016 07:34
  
  BATON ROUGE - Fire investigators say nine people, ranging from adult to infant, were in a house in Baker that was the scene of an early morning fire.According to Baker Fire Department, crews responded to the scene on Hovey Avenue around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. The house was destroyed in the blaze and is considered a total loss. Authorities say the nine occupants of the residence, including two adults, were able to exit the house safely during the fire. The Red Cross is assisting the family
  
  Read more

• Funeral services to be held for two kids killed in bizarre Livingston crash

  20-04-2016 07:22
  
  BATON ROUGE - Funeral services for two children killed in a car crash in Livingston Parish, will be held on Wednesday morning.4-year-old Samuel Shropshire and 6-year-old Khaiden Ramsey died in the crash on LA 447 south of I-12 on Sunday.It happened when one driver lost his load, and two other drivers pulled over to removed it.  Another driver crashed into the parked cars,  killing the children and injuring others. T
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!