Baton Rouge news

• Hundreds march across New York bridge for stricter gun laws

  07-05-2016 20:24
  
  NEW YORK - Hundreds of people have marched across a New York City bridge to demand stricter gun laws.Saturday's fourth annual march across the Brooklyn Bridge was organized by the group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. The march started at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn and went to City Hall in lower Manhattan.Participants carried signs and photos of loved ones killed by gun violence. They yelled, "What do we want? Gun sense!"Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore was among the crowd. She ha
  
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• Three injured in boating accident in Livingston Parish

  07-05-2016 18:33
  
  KILLIAN – Emergency responders are on the scene of a boating accident in Livingston Parish Saturday afternoon.According to a spokesperson for Acadian Ambulance, three people suffered minor injuries in a boating accident with 10 people onboard. EMS said the incident happened near Tin Lizzy’s Marina around 6:11 p.m.Those patients were transported to a local hospital.Authorities have not released any more information at this time.This is a developing story, stay tuned to WBRZ Ne
  
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• West Point launches inquiry into cadets' fists-raised photo

  07-05-2016 16:20
  
  WEST POINT, N.Y. - The U.S. Military Academy has launched an inquiry into a photo showing 16 black, female cadets in uniform with their fists raised. The image has spurred questions about whether the gesture violates military restrictions on political activity.Spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Kasker said Saturday that West Point is looking into whether any rules were broken.By campus tradition, seniors often take group photos in traditional uniforms to echo historical portraits of cadets. But the
  
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• Obama: US in 'better place' than when he graduated college

  07-05-2016 16:16
  
  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has told Howard University's Class of 2016 that the country is "a better place today" than it was when he graduated from Columbia University in 1983.He says America is "by almost every measure" better now. Obama also says the country "also happens to be better off than when I took office, but that's a longer story."That line drew cheers and applause from the audience at the historically black college in the nation's capital. Obama then said "that's a different
  
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• Cedar Point debuts newest record-breaking roller coaster

  07-05-2016 16:13
  
  SANDUSKY, Ohio - The "roller coaster capital of the world' is showing off its newest addition this weekend.Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio, is home to the new roller coaster that's opening to the public on Saturday, the same day the park opens for the season.Valravn gives riders a sweeping view of Lake Erie before dropping them over 200 feet on a 90-degree free fall that hits a top speed of 75 mph.It also turns riders upside down three times.The roller coaster has already broken records. It's now
  
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• Trees from George W. Bush ranch part of Chris Kyle memorial

  07-05-2016 16:02
  
  ODESSA, Texas - Four trees from ex-President George W. Bush's ranch will be part of a West Texas memorial to slain Navy Seal and "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle.The Odessa American reports crews worked Thursday to replant the live oaks in Odessa, where Kyle was born.The trees, costing more than $3,000 apiece, were purchased from Bush's ranch near Crawford. Architect Kelly Cook says the trees are symbols of patriotism.Organizers of the project expect the Chris Kyle Memorial Plaza to open in J
  
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• Investigators want to interview doctor about Prince case

  07-05-2016 15:46
  
  CHICAGO - A law enforcement official says investigators want to interview a California doctor and his son about a prescription drug the son brought for Prince before the singer was found collapsed in an elevator at his Minnesota home.The official told The Associated Press investigators also want to know if Dr. Howard Kornfeld and son Andrew Kornfeld had a longer-term medical relationship with Prince. Neither is accused of wrongdoing.The law enforcement official had been briefed on the investigat
  
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• La. plans to use food stamp data in Medicaid expansion

  07-05-2016 14:16
  
  BATON ROUGE - State health department officials say they are confident they will receive federal approval for a plan to use data from food stamp applications to qualify people for Medicaid.The Times-Picayune reports the approach will allow the Department of Health and Hospitals to automatically qualify tens of thousands of people for the state's expansion of Medicaid, the federally funded health care program for the poor.It will also reduce the workload for DHH and its contractors as th
  
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• Seeking sanctuary status to protect a neighborhood peacock

  07-05-2016 14:04
  
  NEW ORLEANS - A New Orleans City Council member says she wants to have a neighborhood added to the list of the city's bird sanctuaries to protect a popular peacock.Nobody knows where "Mr. P" the peacock came from. He's irritated some in New Orleans' West Carrollton area by pecking at the finish on cars.But others like having the bird around and are resisting efforts to have him removed.Council member Susan Guidry has introduced an ordinance that would the area where Mr. P is frequently seen the
  
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• 22-year-old charged with Garden District rape and robbery

  07-05-2016 13:51
  
  BATON ROUGE - An arrest has been made in a Garden District home invasion and rape, police sources told the WBRZ Investigative Unit Saturday morning.A Baton Rouge Police spokesperson confirmed an arrest was made after detectives worked tirelessly to process DNA evidence at the State Police Crime Lab.  The department said Thairie Xavier Robinson, 22, was booked on aggravated burglary and first degree rape charges. The arrest comes about 24-hours after WBRZ.com b
  
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• People share safety tips on social media after home invasion, rape

  07-05-2016 13:15
  
  BATON ROUGE - Neighbors have found calm on the internet, sharing safety tips and conversation as they grapple with the reality that a rapist is loose in their community.The Baton Rouge Garden District Facebook page has been active since word spread about a home invasion and rape Thursday night.  Typically, a center for neighborhood news and chatter the page has become busy with people offering to teach others self defense techniques or ideas on how to make homes more secure.The page has
  
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