Baton Rouge news

• Watch the Louisiana House debate the merits of a teen sex survey

  05-05-2016 22:44
  
  The Louisiana House passed a bill that would allow high school students to be asked anonymously about their sexual activity through a national survey. Watch some of the debate here.
  
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• TOPS: What you need to know about the scholarships

  05-05-2016 22:36
  
  Answers to common questions about TOPS funding.
  
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• FBI arrests man on child porn charges

  05-05-2016 21:43
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The FBI in New Orleans arrested a Harvey man Thursday and charged him with 19 counts of child porn possession. Dylan Sarkozy, 20, was taken into custody by the Violent Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking Task Force (VHAC/HT TF) following what's described as a "lengthy" investigation. Sarkozy was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.Permalink| Comments
  
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• BRPD: Robbery victim shoots at would-be thief

  05-05-2016 21:27
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police say things didn't go according to plan for would-be robber in Baton Rouge Thursday night. The victim tried to shoot the suspect.The incident happened in a parking lot near All Star Lane bowling alley on Airline Highway. Police say the thief tried to rob a man, but the robbery victim pulled out a gun and shot at him.The suspect then ran into the bowling alley. Police say one person was detained for questioning, but haven't said if anyone was arrested.No o
  
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• Power shut off at Brandywine complex because of overdue payments

  05-05-2016 19:34
  
  BATON ROUGE - A spokesperson for Entergy says power has been shut off to the Brandywine apartment complex because of overdue payments totaling more than $60,000.News 2 began asking questions after receiving calls from several concerned residents claiming they hadn't had electricity since Wednesday morning. They're concerned about what happens next."We're basically surviving without electricty," Sharon Simmons said. "People can't cook or do anything.""Entergy said it was gonna be turned on at 5:3
  
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• Raw milk bill bottled up in House agriculture committee

  05-05-2016 19:10
  
  The bill was done in by opponents who raised health, food safety and economic concerns.
  
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• Shucker for a day: Oysters, immigrants and an aching back

  05-05-2016 18:49
  
  Jobs so bad that even prison trusties shun them? To find out, we worked shift with Mexican laborers who shuck thousands of oysters every day
  
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• Edwards reaches education compromise after series of failures

  05-05-2016 18:28
  
  BATON ROUGE- School reform advocates, business groups and teacher unions all came to compromise Thursday at the state Capitol over teacher evaluations. The Senate Education Committee passed a bill that will slightly reduce the effect of student test scores on a teacher’s performance. Currently high test scores can earn teachers cash bonuses while low scores can get them fired. It’s a small victory for Governor Edwards who supports the measure but it’s large
  
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• Videos of school yard brawls cause concerns about student safety

  05-05-2016 17:50
  
  BATON ROUGE - Videos of teens in Baton Rouge brawling at school have been posted on the internet and are raising concerns about school safety. The head of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System told The Investigative Unit the videos are "unacceptable".The videos have all been uploaded to YouTube in the past month. Some are even categorized into playlists, broken down by the school and where the fight occurred. EBR Superintendent Warren Drake argues that dates associated with
  
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• Earn at least $120k a year? You may soon pay higher Louisiana income taxes

  05-05-2016 17:35
  
  It's almost official: Increasing income taxes, or at least changing tax rates, so more money flows into the state's coffers will be the headline solution put forward by Gov. John Bel Edwards during a planned June special session to close whatever...
  
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• Downtown Greenway breaks ground on Thursday

  05-05-2016 17:30
  
  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge City-Parish and the Downtown Development District broke ground on the Downtown Greenway on Thursday.The Greenway is a proposed 2.75 mile network of bike and pedestrian pathways that connect Baton Rouge’s parks and recreational facilities, communities and attractions.The North Boulevard phase of the Downtown Greenway runs on the boulevard from 5th Street to East Boulevard and will feature a shared use path and garden walk that will connect to the North
  
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• Mother has questions for former coroner after son's death

  05-05-2016 16:40
  
  CLINTON- The mother of a 19-year-old who died in February is demanding an apology from the former East Feliciana Parish Coroner, Laura DeJohn.It comes one week after the WBRZ Investigative Unit showed you the former coroner kept no written records in her office. State law requires her to turn over any documents to her successor. The current coroner, Dr. Michael Cramer, told WBRZ he hadn't received a single piece of paper from her.Michelle Haygood said after her son's death, her headaches began.
  
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• Watch senator's fiery closing argument for raw milk bill

  05-05-2016 16:35
  
  Sen. Eric LaFleur, a Ville Platte Democrat, delivered this speech on the Senate floor just before lawmakers voted on his bill.
  
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• Edwards rejects calls to revise special session timeline

  05-05-2016 15:51
  
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards says calls to delay a special session on taxes would be irresponsible, allowing damaging cuts to take hold across state services.The Democratic governor is planning a June special session for lawmakers, to consider tax changes that could help stave off deep reductions to education and health care programs.But some lawmakers and others have questioned the timeline.Republican Rep. Cameron Henry, House budget committee chairman, says a June session is too soon be
  
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• Scotlandville High football player in ICU after practice injury

  05-05-2016 15:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - A high school football player remains in the hospital after a serious injury incurred during a practice Wednesday afternoon.Sources said Marcus Thomas, number 37, is in ICU at an area hospital. Thomas, who will be a junior in the fall at Scotlandville High, is listed in serious condition. Thomas is a corner back and wide receiver on the school's football squad. Wednesday, Thomas was rushed to the hospital for what was then described as a "serious" neck injury. WBRZ reporte
  
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• Registration for FEMA recovery assistance extended until June

  05-05-2016 14:34
  
  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana disaster survivors have an extra 30 days to register for FEMA recovery assistance.The Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) requested the extension to provide more time for Louisiana residents with disaster damage that occurred March 8 through April 8, to apply for assistance.Residents can now register until June 13.Homeowners or renters in one of the designated parishes you are eligible to register. Businesses may b
  
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• 'Raw milk' bill killed in House agriculture committee

  05-05-2016 14:23
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana lawmakers have killed an attempt to lift the state's ban on sales of unpasteurized - or "raw" - milk for the third year in a row.The House agriculture committee narrowly voted to halt Ville Platte Sen. Eric LaFleur's proposal to allow limited sales of raw milk from farmers to the public. Lawmakers on the panel voted 8-7 Thursday against the Senate-backed measure.The Democratic senator argued his "freedom of choice" bill curbed any risk with pages of regulations.But Agricu
  
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• Hazardous materials released in Houston warehouse fire

  05-05-2016 14:22
  
  HOUSTON - Emergency officials say hazardous materials have been released into the air from a warehouse complex fire in Houston that's generating towering plumes of black smoke.City officials issued an alert Thursday ordering people in nearby homes and businesses to stay inside, close all windows and shut off any air conditioning.The Houston Fire Department didn't immediately say what hazardous materials may have been released during the fire and explosions that rattled the industrial area. But t
  
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• 2 cited for alleged alligator hunting violations

  05-05-2016 13:19
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two men have been cited for alleged alligator hunting violations.Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' Enforcement Division cited 20-year-old Todd Rivoire Jr., of Youngsville, and 22-year-old Colt Cahanin, of Breaux Bridge on Monday for taking an alligator during a closed season and intentional concealment of illegally taken wildlife.Agents, responding to an anonymous tip, made contact with the two men at Rivoire's father's home in Breaux Bridge where they
  
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• House backs striking jail time from underage drinking law

  05-05-2016 13:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - Underage Louisianans caught with alcohol can face up to six months in jail under current state law, but that will soon change if lawmakers in the state House have their way.A bill from Rep. Franklin Foil, a Baton Rouge Republican, would remove that possibility for jail time if a person under 21 years old is found in possession of an alcoholic beverage. The violation would still carry a fine up to $100.The House supported the proposal Wednesday in a 99-0 vote. It moves next to the S
  
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• 7-year-old girl allowed to go home using fake note

  05-05-2016 13:11
  
  HARRIS COUNTY - A 7-year-old girl was allowed to take a school bus home after forging a fake note.Charlie Dahu’s daughter, Rosabella, forged a note stating that she was allowed to take the bus home from her elementary school instead of going to the after-school program.The school staff accepted the note."You can clearly see she did not even spell the word bus right,"  Dahu said.
  Dahu didn’t know that his daughter was outside of their home on Monday until a neighbor c
  
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• FDA adds e-cigarettes to regulations

  05-05-2016 12:56
  
  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it will now include regulations for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), cigars, hookah tobacco and pipe tobacco.
  Until the announcement, the FDA could only regulate cigarettes and cigarette-related products and smokeless tobacco.The new regulations will forbid the sale of e-cigarettes to children, will allow the government to regulate the contents of the products and will require new health warnings.The agency said manufacturers would have t
  
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• Beyonce adds New Orleans date to Formation tour

  05-05-2016 12:45
  
  NEW ORLEANS- Beyonce has added a stop to the New Orleans Superdome for her Formation World Tour.The concert will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.BeyHive Presale starts May 5 at 10 a.m. until May 6 at 5 p.m. VIP Packages Presale starts May 5 at 10 a.m. until May 12 5 p.m.Ticket sales for American Express card members start May 6 at 10 a.m. until May 11 at 5 p.m.The tickets will go on sale to the general public starting Friday May 13th at 10 a.m.Beyonce’s latest release include
  
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• EBR schools say equipment in compliance after player's injury

  05-05-2016 12:22
  
  BATON ROUGE - A high school football player remains in the hospital after a serious injury incurred during a practice Wednesday afternoon.Sources said Marcus Thomas, number 37, is in ICU at an area hospital. Thomas, who will be a junior in the fall at Scotlandville High, is listed in serious condition. Thomas is a corner back and wide receiver on the school's football squad.Wednesday, Thomas was rushed to the hospital for what was then described as a "serious" neck injury. WBRZ reporter Brett Bu
  
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• 'Back to the Future' DeLorean to get new home

  05-05-2016 09:40
  
  LOS ANGELES - Co-writer and producer of the Back to the Future trilogy, Bob Gale, says the franchise’s iconic time-traveling DeLorean has found a new home at the Petersen Automotive Museum in California.Other historic vehicles housed at the museum include a 1956 Jaguar XKSS formerly owned by Steve McQueen, the Batmobile from Batman Returns and the Ferrari piloted by Tom Select in Magnum, P.I.Check out the video below for more on the move.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Final necropsy results for BREC zoo's Malayan tiger released

  05-05-2016 09:29
  
  BATON ROUGE - BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo has released the final necropsy results for the facility’s juvenile Malayan tiger that died last month.“Gastric dilatation is what we initially suspected as the cause of death based on the video footage we had from her den, but we couldn’t say that conclusively without further testing,” said Dr. Gordon Pirie, Zoo Veterinarian. “Technically the definitive cause of death is still unknown, but gastric d
  
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• Walker lane closures start Monday for roundabout work

  05-05-2016 09:21
  
  WALKER - Roundabout construction starts Monday on La. 447 at I-12 as crews close travel lanes to prepare for the new traffic feature.DOTD first announced it was considering a roundabout for the interchange in 2013. Then, the state said ten miles of La. 447 between La. 16 and Keith Street were being evaluated for as many as ten roundabouts, j-turns and further lane widening projects. Specific areas include roundabouts at the entrance to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, at the north and south ends o
  
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• Final audit report details reasons behind LSU Band Director's firing

  05-05-2016 08:50
  
  BATON ROUGE - LSU has released the final results of the university’s internal audit that investigated alleged misconduct by now former Director of Athletic Bands Roy King.The audit was initiated after allegations of inappropriate distribution of athletics bands scholarship funds to non-instrument playing students and non-students surfaced. Specifically, King was accused of awarding scholarships to members of the LSU Golden Girls and LSU Color Guard without approval, according to the au
  
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• Anticipate possible delays with partial road closure at College Drive

  05-05-2016 08:16
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge officials are closing lanes on College Drive southbound from S Foster Drive to Westdale Drive due to sewer maintenance.The city will close the lanes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. instead of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The northbound lanes of College Drive will turn into a two-way street. According to city officials, the closure is neccesary to complete a sewer tie-in near the golf cart crossing for BREC's Webb Memorial Park. This is one of the final tie-ins on the Govern
  
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• May 5, 2016 Morning News Pop

  05-05-2016 07:47
  
  Here are today's top stories:Commuters can expect delays on College DriveFEMA extends proof of loss form filing deadlineNo Powerball Winner; jackpot now $425 millonSunshine with a sweet slice of limeUpdates all day, every day:FACEBOOK | TWITTERPermalink| Comments
  
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• Accident on La 1 South causing major early morning delays

  05-05-2016 06:19
  
  BATON ROUGE - Early morning commuters may want take an alternate route on their drive this morning due to an accident on LA 1 south.The left lane of LA 1 South at the Intercoastal Bridge in Port Allen is closed. Congestion has reached I-10 west at College Drive and I-10 east to LA 415.ACCIDENT ON LA1 SB. Left lane blocked. Delays on I10 over the bridge westbound. Backed up to College. pic.twitter.com/JjzHDymDQH— WBRZ Traffic (@WBRZtraffic) May 5, 2016Accident on LA1 SB now causing dela
  
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• Accident on La 1 South caused major morning delays

  05-05-2016 06:19
  
  BATON ROUGE - Commuters may want take an alternate route on their drive this morning due to an early morning accident on LA 1.All lanes at LA 1 South at the Intercoastal Bridge in Port Allen are opened. Congestion has reached I-10 west at Bluebonnet Blvd. and I-10 east to LA 415. I-110 South has congestion reached to Government Street. I-12 is facing major delays from Drusilla Lane to the I-10/I-12 merge.Accident on LA1 SB now causing delays on I10 EB to LA 415. pic.twitter.com/eCuOhBQuCo&md
  
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• Louisiana House backs bills to punish 'sanctuary cities' including New Orleans

  05-05-2016 04:16
  
  The Louisiana House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed two pieces of legislation Wednesday (May 4) aimed at punishing New Orleans and other cities with liberal policies toward policing immigrants.
  
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• Louisiana House passes bill to ban funding for 'sanctuary' cities like New Orleans

  05-05-2016 01:20
  
  House Bill 1148 would ban New Orleans and other places the Louisiana Attorney General deems "sanctuary" cities from using the state to borrow money for public building projects.
  
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• Bill to limit body camera footage release passed by full Senate

  05-05-2016 00:20
  
  The bill makes exemptions for when someone in footage would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
  
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