Baton Rouge news

• House agrees to study legalizing industrial hemp

  26-04-2016 23:52
  
  Opponents say it's a step toward legalizing marijuana.
  
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• Does Gov. John Bel Edwards or Louisiana legislators have any idea what they're doing?

  26-04-2016 20:30
  
  If Gov. John Bel Edwards or any state legislator wonders why Louisiana residents hold them in such little regard, look no further than what's happening at the State Capitol right now.
  
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• Do Gov. John Bel Edwards or Louisiana legislators have any idea what they're doing?

  26-04-2016 20:30
  
  If Gov. John Bel Edwards or any state legislator wonders why Louisiana residents hold them in such little regard, look no further than what's happening at the State Capitol right now.
  
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• Louisiana lawmakers compromise on body cam footage release

  26-04-2016 19:32
  
  The bill now makes all body camera footage subject to release if there are no concerns over privacy.
  
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• Lawmakers looking to make video poker for truck stops easier

  26-04-2016 19:11
  
  BATON ROUGE- Lawmakers are proposing to make it easier for truck stops to do business.For a truck stop to have video poker, it matters how much fuel it sells.
  It is the responsibility of the truck stop to keep an eye on their fuel sales and report them, however it can be burdensome for some.Lawmakers are now looking to require those fuel reports less often.It’s a good thing administratively,” Tiffany Rivet, of Grand Isle Truck Stop in Port Allen, said.
  “It might mak
  
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• 'Ban the box' employment bill passes La. House, advances to Senate

  26-04-2016 18:26
  
  BATON ROUGE - State representatives cheered as a bid to block state employers from asking about job applicants' criminal histories before interviews cleared the Louisiana House.
      
  Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, a Baton Rouge Democrat, says her "ban the box" proposal is a bipartisan push aimed at employing former inmates, reducing recidivism and reforming the state's criminal justice system.
      
  The proposal applies to the state's politically-ap
  
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• How will LSU players fare in the draft? Let's chat Tuesday at noon

  26-04-2016 17:00
  
  As many as five former Tigers expected to go in 2016 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday.
  
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• Plans to drill for brine cause fears about sinkhole in Iberville Parish

  26-04-2016 16:38
  
  WHITE CASTLE- More than 150 residents in Iberville Parish are on edge, fearing an environmental disaster. This comes after they received letters in the mail recently saying a company is planning to drill wells for brine production.Many are having flashbacks to the Bayou Corne sinkhole that emerged not far from the proposed drilling site.Tim Richard has spent the past 22 years in his home just outside the White Castle City limits. He had a flashback of fear, after reading a letter he received fro
  
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• Bill giving teen killers chance at parole advances in Senate

  26-04-2016 15:10
  
  BATON ROUGE - Under pressure from a Supreme Court ruling, Louisiana senators are advancing a proposal that would give teenage murderers a chance at parole after serving 35 years of a life sentence.
      
  In January, the high court extended its ruling striking down automatic life terms for crimes committed by people under the age of 18 to include those convicted long ago.
      
  A bill from Sen. Danny Martiny, a Kenner Republican, aims to conform
  
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• Pro-voucher group hits governor for cut proposal in TV ad

  26-04-2016 15:02
  
  BATON ROUGE - A pro-voucher group is striking at Gov. John Bel Edwards in a new TV ad, criticizing him for a proposal to cut the program next year.The ad from the Louisiana Federation for Children, released Tuesday, accuses the Democratic governor of taking away school choice.Edwards is proposing a $6 million reduction in state spending on the voucher program in the financial year that begins July 1, as Louisiana grapples with a deep budget shortfall.The pro-voucher group says the cut would boot
  
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• Women say Kay Jewelers lost or ruined their engagement rings

  26-04-2016 14:47
  
  Kay Jewelers is in hot water as more women come forward to claim the retailer lost or ruined their engagement rings while being repaired.The company’s Facebook page is filled with stories from women saying they dropped their rings off for repair or resizing and then never saw them again.Others say their rings were returned to them after supposedly being repaired in worse shape than before, sometimes missing stones or with less diamonds.Nicole Largent told USA Today that she learned her
  
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• Regulators relax monitoring of decade-old Gulf oil leak

  26-04-2016 14:24
  
  BATON ROUGE - Federal regulators have relaxed a pollution monitoring requirement for a company responsible for a decade-old oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico that could last another century.In 2008, the Coast Guard ordered Taylor Energy Company to conduct daily flights over the leak site to monitor chronic oil sheens that often stretch for miles off Louisiana's coast.That requirement remained in effect until December, when the Coast Guard amended the order to reduce the minimum number of required o
  
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• Bill aims to cut meeting costs that reach thousands annually

  26-04-2016 14:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - State senators are trying to trim the costs of a legislative agency that spends thousands of dollars each year on meetings at a swanky New Orleans hotel.The Louisiana State Law Institute, which studies legal issues for the Legislature, regularly holds meetings of its decision-making council at the Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans.A financial tally of expenses for seven meetings within the last nine months show they have cost nearly $175,000.Port Allen Sen. Rick Ward wants two-thirds
  
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• LSU CB Jalen Mills getting hometown look from Cowboys

  26-04-2016 14:05
  
  Mills is expected to go as a Day 2 pick.
  
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• Reworked police body camera footage bill advances in Senate

  26-04-2016 14:03
  
  BATON ROUGE - Senators have rewritten a proposal to exempt police body camera footage from Louisiana's public records laws to instead allow members of the public to access some recordings.A Senate judiciary committee advanced the proposal from Sen. Ronnie Johns, a Lake Charles Republican, with changes that align it with current public records law.The measure would require a court order for video that may violate a "reasonable expectation of privacy." No one on the panel objected Tuesday after th
  
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• Study: Disciplinary spanking increases childhood defiance, mental health issues

  26-04-2016 13:43
  
  Researchers at the Universities of Texas and Michigan have found that spanking as a form of punishment only makes children more likely to be defiant and aggressive.The results of extensive analysis were published in the April edition of the Journal of Family Psychology. It was based on five decades worth of research involving more than 160,000 individual children. Researchers say it is the most extensive of scientific investigations into the spanking issue, along with being one of the few to loo
  
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• Union Tank Car Company to have layoffs at Alexandria facility

  26-04-2016 13:41
  
  BATON ROUGE- Houston-based Union Tank Car Company plans to layoff more than 200 of its employees this summer at its Alexandria facility.
  The company expects 224 permanent employee layoffs beginning on or within 14 days June 24, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) issued by the company on Tuesday.
  The layoffs are expected due to “projected business needs" and as a result of a drop in demand for railcars.The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid
  
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• Ripa, on 'Live,' says uproar over exiting co-host settled

  26-04-2016 13:26
  
  NEW YORK - Kelly Ripa says all has been discussed and all is forgiven.
      
  Returning to "Live" on Tuesday after several days' absence, Ripa addressed the uproar that erupted last week when she was blindsided by the announcement that her co-host, Michael Strahan, is headed to "Good Morning America" full-time.
      
  Ripa said the episode sparked an important discussion with her bosses over communication and "respect in the workplace."
  &nbsp
  
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• Prince's sister says he had no known will

  26-04-2016 13:23
  
  MINNEAPOLIS - Prince's sister says the superstar musician had no known will and she's filed paperwork asking to be appointed executor of his estate.Tyka Nelson filed the paperwork Tuesday in Carver County probate court in Minneapolis. Prince died at age 57 on Thursday at his estate in suburban Minneapolis. No cause of death has yet been released.Nelson is his only surviving full sibling.Nelson says in her filing that an emergency exists because immediate action is necessary to manage Pr
  
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• Lawyer: Dividing Prince estate may be difficult

  26-04-2016 13:23
  
  MINNEAPOLIS - A top Minnesota probate lawyer says resolving Prince's estate may get extremely complicated if his siblings and half-siblings can't agree how to do it.Prince's sister, Tyka Nelson, filed court documents Tuesday saying she knew of no will and asked the court to appoint a corporate trust company to oversee his estate.Susan Link is head of the estate planning group at the Maslon law firm. She says that if Prince left no will or trust, it's going to be important for lawyers to
  
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• Trump, Clinton closer to nomination after victories Tuesday

  26-04-2016 13:22
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. - Donald Trump is more than three-quarters of the way toward clinching the Republican nomination for president.With 950 delegates, Trump has 77 percent of the delegates needed to win the nomination. He needs to win slightly more than half of the remaining delegates to get there.Trump had a big night on Tuesday, collecting at least 105 of the 118 delegates at stake in five states.John Kasich will win at least five delegates and Ted Cruz will win at least one.Seven delegates are l
  
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• Heavy congestion on I-10 W following crash on Mississippi River Bridge

  26-04-2016 13:21
  
  BATON ROUGE - Traffic officials are reporting heavy backups on I-10 Westbound as the noon our draws to a close on Tuesday.LA DOTD reported on Twitter that the center lane is blocked on 10 West on the Mississippi River Bridge due to a wreck. Crews are currently working to clear it with congestion reaching the I-10/110 split.We'll update this story with more details as the situation develops.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Entergy 1Q adjusted profit tops analysts' estimates

  26-04-2016 13:12
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Entergy's first-quarter adjusted profit topped analysts' expectations and it reaffirmed its full-year profit outlook.The power company earned $235.2 million, or $1.28 per share, for the quarter.Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were $1.35 per share. That easily topped the $1.17 per share that analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research forecast.Revenue totaled $2.61 billion in the period.Entergy Corp. said Tuesday that it still expects full-year earnings in a range of
  
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• LSU to host McNeese Tuesday

  26-04-2016 13:02
  
  BATON ROUGE- The LSU softball team will host McNeese State on Tuesday afternoon in their final non-conference midweek game of the season.Fans that have made it to Tiger Park for the season-long Turn Up Tuesday’s promotion will receive their final stamp and be given an LSU softball visor when entering the gates.LSU goes into the game against the Cowgirls with a 36-13 record for the season and 10-11 record in league play. The Tigers earned a sweep against the South Carolina Gamecocks ove
  
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• LSU softball to host McNeese Tuesday

  26-04-2016 13:02
  
  BATON ROUGE- The LSU softball team will host McNeese State on Tuesday afternoon in their final non-conference midweek game of the season.Fans that have made it to Tiger Park for the season-long Turn Up Tuesday’s promotion will receive their final stamp and be given an LSU softball visor when entering the gates.LSU goes into the game against the Cowgirls with a 36-13 record for the season and 10-11 record in league play. The Tigers earned a sweep against the South Carolina Gamecocks ove
  
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• LSP: Missing kid from Mamou in danger

  26-04-2016 12:43
  
  MAMOU - Louisiana State Police issued an alert for a missing child who they believe is in "imminent danger". Investigators say Jalon Bradley, 12, was taken from Mamou High School Tuesday afternoon. He's around 5 feet tall and weighs around 95 pounds. When he was last seen, he was wearing a navy blue school uniform shirt, khaki shorts and black and white Nike shoes. State Police say he was taken by his mother Elaine Freeman, 34, who does not have custody. State Police describe F
  
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• LSP find missing kid from Mamou, mother in custody

  26-04-2016 12:43
  
  MAMOU - Louisiana State Police have located a twelve-year-old boy safely after he went missing Tuesday afternoon.Investigators issued an alert Tuesday night that Jalon Bradley, 12, was taken from Mamou High School Tuesday afternoon after he was taken by his mother, 34-year-old Elaine Freemean.Both Bradley and Freeman were located in Jackson, MS. Freeman was taken into custody.Troopers believed Freeman was en route to Jackson, Mississippi in a white SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC crew cab
  
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• LSP continue search for missing kid from Mamou in danger

  26-04-2016 12:43
  
  MAMOU - Louisiana State Police continue to seek information about a missing child who they believe is in "imminent danger" Wednesday morning.Investigators issued an alert Tuesday night that Jalon Bradley, 12, was taken from Mamou High School Tuesday afternoon. He's around 5 feet tall and weighs around 95 pounds. When he was last seen, he was wearing a navy blue school uniform shirt, khaki shorts and black and white Nike shoes. State Police say he was taken by his mother Elaine Freeman,
  
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• Council could overturn mayor's veto of NBR economic development

  26-04-2016 12:35
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Metro Council will vote Wednesday to possibly override Mayor-President Kip Holden's veto for a proposal to create an economic development district in north Baton Rouge.Holden denied the request last week, after the Metro Council unanimously approved the district, sponsored by council member John Delgado. The district, encompassing an area north of Florida Blvd. within the city limits, would provide tax incentives for people to establish businesses.The council needs eig
  
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• Johnny Manziel indicted on assault charge

  26-04-2016 12:32
  
  DALLAS - A Texas grand jury has indicted ex-Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel on an assault charge after his ex-girlfriend accused him of domestic violence.
      
  The Heisman Trophy winner and former Texas A&M star was indicted Tuesday on a charge of misdemeanor assault related to family violence. The Class A misdemeanor carries up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
      
  Manziel's ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, told Dallas p
  
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• Cool Schools: St. Jude the Apostle School

  26-04-2016 12:31
  
  BATON ROUGE - St. Jude Cougars packed the gym last week to see their Community Cougar Project come to fruition.The students has been bringing in piggy bank, birthday and Christmas money to raise money for new bikes. The students were raising money for one bike, but they raised more than enough. They raise over $5000 to buy bikes for three children.The bikes were bought through the McLindon Family Foundation, which provides adaptive bikes to special needs children.The McLindon family was blown aw
  
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• La. Senate advances bill to allow separate courtroom seating

  26-04-2016 12:27
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's Senate has approved a proposal allowing crime victims, crime witnesses or their family members to request courtroom seating separate from defendants, defendants' family members or defense witnesses.
      
  Sen. J.P. Morell, a New Orleans Democrat, says his bill is meant to protect the people "most vulnerable to intimidation."
      
  In particular, he says the measure would protect victims of domestic violence, who must t
  
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• Police searching for suspects in armed robbery on Jennifer Jean Dr.

  26-04-2016 09:48
  
  BATON ROUGE- An armed robbery occurred Tuesday morning in a Tiger Land neighborhood where two suspects got away with a yellow Suzuki dirt bike.The incident took place in the 700 block of Jennifer Jean Drive around 6 a.m. where shots were fired, but no one was injured, according to police.Police are looking for two black male suspects who they believe is responsible for the incident.According to police, one of the two black male suspects is tall with a slim build and has dreadlocks. The other is
  
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• Deadly Erika, Joaquin dumped with Patricia as storm names

  26-04-2016 09:03
  
  MIAMI - The organization that names tropical storms and hurricanes says it will retire the names Erika, Joaquin and Patricia following the 2015 season.The World Meteorological Organization announced Monday that Elsa and Julian will be used for future storms in the Atlantic, while Pamela will be used in the eastern North Pacific. The organization reuses storm names every six years, meaning the new names might first be used in 2021. Names are retired when a storm is so deadly or costly that its fu
  
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• Lawmakers look to regulate drone use with handful of bills

  26-04-2016 08:22
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana lawmakers are making a bipartisan push to regulate drones, an area where developing technology meets privacy concerns.
  A number of proposals under consideration would criminalize drone trespassing, outline surveillance and privacy laws and establish registration and licensing guidelines.
  Baton Rouge Sen. Dan Claitor, a Republican, has tried unsuccessfully to enact drone regulations. He's back again this year, saying drones are "showing up on people's radar better now" as
  
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• Alexandria student accused of threats involving school prom

  26-04-2016 08:19
  
  ALEXANDRIA - A Louisiana high school student is facing three charges, including terrorizing, following an investigation of threats made on social media about a potential incident at the school prom.
  The Town Talk reports the 17-year-old, who lives in Alexandria, was arrested by Rapides Parish sheriff's detectives over the weekend on one count each of terrorizing, stalking and obstruction of justice.
  Alexandria Senior High's prom was Saturday night.
  Detectives were able to trace a user of a fake
  
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• Crawfish stolen from Houma business, 2 arrested

  26-04-2016 08:12
  
  HOUMA - Houma police say two men are accused of stealing several sacks of crawfish worth about $250 from a gas station.
  The Courier reports 45-year-old Richard Buck and 34-year-old Joshua Robichaux face a charge of unauthorized entry of a business.
  Police Chief Dana Coleman says the stolen crawfish were recovered Monday.
  After securing surveillance video footage, Coleman said police were able to identify the men from information provided during an earlier traffic stop.
  Online jail records do not
  
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• Rescue pup Vincent crowned 'Beautiful Bulldog' in Iowa

  26-04-2016 08:07
  
  DES MOINES, Iowa - The owners of Vincent, a rescued 60-pound English bulldog, aren't quite sure how old he is.All they know is that their young pup is now a pageant king, having won the 37th annual Beautiful Bulldog contest at Drake University on Sunday.The tongue-in-cheek contest is the opening event of the Drake Relays, a prestigious track and field meet to be held next week at Drake Stadium. Vincent, a brown-and-white pup who lives just up the road from the stadium, will serve as the meet's m
  
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• State Police looking for vehicle involved in fatal hit and run

  26-04-2016 07:49
  
  HAMMOND - Louisiana State Police are looking for the white GMC 2500 pick-up truck involved with a fatal hit and run on LA 443.Troopers are currently on the scene of the crash. According to police, the vehicle was last seen traveling southbound on LA 443 towards WS 190.Anyone with information about the vehicle should contact Louisian State Police at 985-893-6250.Permalink| Comments
  
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• April 26, 2016 Morning News Pop

  26-04-2016 06:55
  
  Here are today's top stories:Iberville deputies head west, look for clues in woman's murderEBR Substitute Teacher fired pulling student's hair at schoolActress and activist Gabrielle Union will speak at LSU TuesdaySome sun and spotty showersUpdates all day, every day:FACEBOOK | TWITTERPermalink| Comments
  
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• Walt Disney cruise ship rescues fugitives off coast of Cuba

  26-04-2016 03:59
  
  NEW ORLEANS - A Walt Disney Co. cruise ship has rescued three fugitives off the coast of Cuba who were wanted in New Orleans.U.S. Marshal Amos Rojas Jr. said in a news release that last Thursday, the Disney Fantasy cruise ship found the fugitives clinging to a capsized boat. He says all three were wanted for violating their supervised release on federal credit card fraud charges in New Orleans.Twenty-six-year-old Luis Rivera-Garcia, 23-year-old Juliet Estrada-Perez and 23-year-old Enrique Gonzal
  
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• Hunters may be able to wear 'blaze pink' if John Bel Edwards signs bill

  26-04-2016 01:02
  
  Louisiana hunters will have a new color option -- blaze pink -- if Gov. John Bel Edwards signs legislation allowing both pink and orange to be worn while hunting.
  
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• Louisiana House passes bill to let human remains be used in search dog training

  26-04-2016 00:22
  
  Coroners would be able to donate abandoned or unclaimed bodies for dog training for search and rescue missions, under this Louisiana House bill.
  
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• Louisiana Medicaid recipients urged to update addresses

  26-04-2016 00:21
  
  Automatic enrollees include people in Take Charge Plus and Greater New Orleans Community Health Connection.
  
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