Baton Rouge news

• 2 Jefferson Parish lawmakers at odds with GOP leadership leaving Legislature

  16-05-2016 23:57
  
  The lawmakers are closely associated with Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand, who endorsed Edwards over Sen. David Vitter in the gubernatorial election.
  
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• Louisiana House budget vote: Winners and losers

  16-05-2016 23:39
  
  A rundown of who got funded -- and who didn't -- along with the political victors and casualties from the Louisiana House vote state budget last week.
  
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• Medical marijuana: What's next for Louisiana?

  16-05-2016 21:25
  
  The governor's signature will kick off a long sequence of events that could result in medical marijuana being dispensed in the next 18 months.
  
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• Wet, stormy week for New Orleans, Baton Rouge areas

  16-05-2016 18:54
  
  Between 3 and 4 inches of rain are expected Tuesday through Friday, in addition to a chance of rain on Monday.
  
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• Wet, stormy week ahead for New Orleans, Baton Rouge areas

  16-05-2016 18:54
  
  3 to 4 inches of rain expected Tuesday through Friday
  
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• State Capitol and Hollywood Casino being evacuated after bomb threats

  16-05-2016 18:37
  
  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana State Capitol and the Hollywood Casino are being evacuated as authorities are responding to bomb threats at each of the locations.A call went out about the threat at the Capitol around 6:30 p.m. to dispatchers. It is unclear at this time where the threat came from.Louisiana State Police were notified of the threat and are assessing the situation. The Baton Rouge Fire Department is on the scene as well.Minutes later a separate call went out to dispatch
  
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• Person detained following bomb threat at State Capitol

  16-05-2016 18:37
  
  BATON ROUGE- One person is in custody following bomb threats Monday evening at the State Capitol and Hollywood Casino in downtown Baton Rouge, State Police say.A bomb threat was called into the State Capitol just before 6:30 p.m. Minutes later, a similar threat was called into the Hollywood Casino. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson said the swift response shows that the threats are taken seriously."It's not a game," he explains. "To make a phone call that threatens a school, a mall, the S
  
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• Benson wins a court round in future of sports franchises

  16-05-2016 18:17
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson has won a round in federal court in his fight to leave ownership of his NFL and NBA team to his wife, rather than his estranged daughter and grandchildren.
      
  A federal judge in New Orleans ruled Monday that Benson has authority to substitute assets in trusts established for the estranged relatives. That means he can substitute stock in the teams with promissory notes and other assets.
      
  
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• Abuse suvivor shares story amid Cadillac Street shooting

  16-05-2016 18:02
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police say that no arrest has been made in a shooting where a woman shot and killed her boyfriend on Cadillac Street on Saturday.Detectives say there were signs of physical abuse on the 24-year-old victim, but it's still under investigation if it was self-defense. 35-year-old Louis Williams died from a gunshot wound to the chest after a domestic fight between him and his girlfriend turned violent Saturday, May 14, around 5:30 p.m.News 2 spoke with a survivor of domestic abuse who s
  
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• Baby zebra born at BR zoo

  16-05-2016 17:44
  
  BATON ROUGE- BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo announced the birth of a baby zebra.
  According to zoo officials, the zebra was born on Friday, May 13 and is now on exhibit with its mother.The baby whose gender is still unknown, according to zoo officials, is the first zebra born at the zoo since 2012.The birth comes amid 18 animal deaths that have happened this year at the zoo.
  “It’s great to have a new zebra baby again since it’s been several years since we had a suc
  
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• Mayor Holden to announce candidacy for congress

  16-05-2016 17:31
  
  BATON ROUGE- Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden will hold a press conference to announce his candidacy for Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives race this week.Holden said back in March that he was “90 percent” sure he was running.
   
  Currently democrat Cedric Richmond holds the position, who has first elected in 2010. The election for that seat will be held on Nov. 8.Holden previously lost to former
  
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• Three arrested after robbery investigation in Thibodaux

  16-05-2016 17:14
  
  THIBODAUX- Three people have been arrested after a robbery investigation in Thibodaux that also lead to the recovery of weapons and drugs.On Tuesday, May 10, 48-year-old Robert Silverii drove 49-year-old Junior Benoit to the victim’s home in the 1100 block of Canal Boulevard because Benoit believed the victim had his cell phone.Benoit approached the victim and struck him in the face, knocking him unconscious. Bailea Sterling, 23, Silverii and Benoit’s roommate, was with the v
  
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• Ban on fetal tissue sales from abortions gets final passage

  16-05-2016 17:09
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers have agreed to ban selling or transporting fetal tissue from an abortion.
      
  With a 33-0 vote Monday, the Senate gave the bill by Republican Sen. Ryan Gatti, of Bossier City, final passage and sent it to the governor's desk.
      
  The measure stems from outcry over undercover videos, released by an anti-abortion group, which purported to show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted fetal body parts
  
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• Medical marijuana expansion bill headed to governor's desk

  16-05-2016 17:08
  
  BATON ROUGE - çPassage was spurred by personal stories of people with seizures and severe pain that bill advocates say would be eased with medicinal-grade pot.Lawmakers created the framework for a medical marijuana program in Louisiana last year, but regulatory hurdles built into the law have slowed its start.The bill by Republican Sen. Fred Mills will broaden the program to cover more diseases and make regulatory changes aimed at getting marijuana into patients' hands more quickly. S
  
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• Paralyzed woman waits nearly 45 mintues for help after fall

  16-05-2016 16:20
  
  NEW ROADS- A dispatcher in Pointe Coupee Parish is being retrained and reprimanded after a situation that occurred less than 24 hours ago.Emma Faure is paralyzed on one side. She was being pushed along the side of the road by her son-in-law Sunday night, when a driver of a truck hit him with the side view mirror. It caused Faure to spill out of her wheelchair into a ditch."Flipped clean head over heels," Faure said. "My foot was in the air, my head was on the ground."Calls to 911 were m
  
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• Dogs participate in trial of new drug that could lengthen life span

  16-05-2016 15:56
  
  SEATTLE - Dogs in the Pacific Northwest are being inducted into trials for a new drug that has shown to significantly lengthen the lives of lab mice.The drug, rapamycin, improved heart health and seemed to delay the onset of some diseases in older mice. Scientists aren’t sure if the same results will translate for canines. There’s even a chance it could do more harm than good.Even so, the potential side effects aren’t stopping some pet owners from embracing a chance
  
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• Latest police academy beginning; City on track to have its largest squad ever

  16-05-2016 15:28
  
  BATON ROUGE - The first of possibly two police academies started Monday, police reported in a news release.The Baton Rouge Police Department's P.O.S.T. academy class began this week. Cadets will graduate in June. The class is made up of police officers from other agencies that have decided to transfer to the Baton Rouge Police force. Cadets are already certified police officers, so the class does not last as long as a class for rookies. It is the 7th such course, the department said.The P.O.S.T.
  
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• 3 men arrested in LSU parking lot with pot, guns

  16-05-2016 14:48
  
  BATON ROUGE - LSU Campus Police reported the arrest of three men accused of smoking marijuana in a vehicle in a university parking lot.21-year-old Chad Williams, 24-year-old Randy Martin and 23-year-old Demetrius Blanton were all booked on charges of simple possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm with a CDS after they were arrested early Sunday morning.LSU PD said an officer was patrolling the Hard Hall parking lot area at around 3 a.m. Sunday when he observed an SUV parked in the ea
  
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• Scientists head out to study Shell spill in the Gulf

  16-05-2016 14:46
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Scientists are heading out to study the latest oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a release of about 88,200 gallons from a Shell oil field about 90 miles off the coast of Louisiana.Last Thursday a leak from a pipeline at the Shell oil production field was spotted and clean-up vessels began to skim oil off the Gulf on Friday. The cleanup continues.The leak was contained after wells flowing into the pipeline were shut in.Now, a group of scientists hope to learn more about what effect o
  
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• Zoetis launching new doggy med for noise-related anxiety

  16-05-2016 14:40
  
  TRENTON, N.J. - Fido and Spot may not have to cower under the bed this summer when fireworks and thunderstorms hit, thanks to the first prescription medicine for treating anxiety over loud noises - a widespread problem linked to property destruction, terrified dogs running away and even life-threatening injuries to some. Veterinary medicine maker Zoetis of Florham Park, New Jersey, says recently approved Sileo (SILL'-lee-oh) will be available through U.S. veterinarians within a week.It gives dog
  
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• House wants to divert fee money to help pay for TOPS

  16-05-2016 14:29
  
  BATON ROUGE - To come up with another $100 million to help pay for the TOPS college tuition program next year, House leaders decided to divert money that people pay for services away from the agencies providing them.
  Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration and state senators are raising concerns about the legality of the idea, their ability to use the dollars if they're diverted and the wisdom of an across-the-board cut that falls heavily on transportation, public safety and health agencies.
  The g
  
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• Two dead following car crash in Metairie

  16-05-2016 14:22
  
  METAIRIE- Two women have died following a car crash on the I-10 Service Road near Causeway Boulevard in Metairie.The car crash occurred on Monday around 8 a.m.According to traffic fatality investigator Anthony Cannatella, a Ford Mustang was involved in a hit-and-run accident on I-110 at the Causeway Blvd exit ramp. The car exited the interstate and went on the service road. Witnesses said that the car was traveling at a high speed.The Mustang then struck a Volkswagon Jetta car that was trying to
  
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• Judge refuses to set bond for women, girls charged in graduation fight

  16-05-2016 14:01
  
  GONZALES - A judge refused to set bail Monday for two women and two girls who were arrested following a fight that broke out during last week’s graduation ceremony at East Ascension High School.Judge Alvin Turner Jr. of the 23rd Judicial District Court called the females’ involvement in the brawl “ludicrous” and “just unbelievable” in court as he discussed whether or not he would set bail for 17-year-old Destiney Thompson, 17-year-old D
  
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• Fire truck crash on Airline Highway, one transported to hospital

  16-05-2016 13:47
  
  BATON ROUGE- Authorities are responding to a car crash involving a fire truck on Monday around 11: 30 a.m.
  Initial reports say that a St. George Fire Department truck crashed with possibly two vehicles.The crash is on Airline Highway at Old Jefferson Highway. One person has been transported to the hospital with minor injuries, according to authorities.
  WBRZ is on the scene to get more details.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Library vandalized in Belle Chasse

  16-05-2016 13:26
  
  BELLE CHASSE- The Belle Chasse library was vandalized earlier this month and has resulted in more patrols in the area.On May 7th and 8th, the library’s courtyard book drop was smeared in the inside with what appeared to be whipped cream cake icing, according to library staff.The same icing was thrown on the front entrance of the building as well.According to assistant library director, Patricia Walker, the act could have caused major damage to library equipment.“If items were
  
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• 'Possible' white supremacist arrested in New Jersey with gun cache

  16-05-2016 13:10
  
  TRENTON, NJ - Police in New Jersey arrested a suspected white supremacist who was wearing combat gear and toting numerous firearms on Sunday afternoon.42-year-old Bruce Post was taken to police headquarters and charged with first degree unlawful possession of weapons along with other weapons-related charges. Charges are still pending for a second 39-year-old man who was also taken into custody.A police task force was combing the woods Sunday in a New Jersey wildlife management area when they cam
  
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• Former VA nurse arrested for falsifying records in patient death

  16-05-2016 12:24
  
  BATON ROUGE -  A Veterans Affairs nurse was arrested on a felony warrant after she was accused of falsifying records following a patient death at a veterans home in Reserve.58-year-old Cheryl Poirrier, of LaPlace, is charged with four counts of filing false public records and one count of malfeasance in office. She was booked into the St. John Parish Prison by members of the Louisiana Department of Justice Fugitive Apprehension Unit.The Office of the Investigator General began its inves
  
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• Pointe Coupee resident to see proposed home rule charter

  16-05-2016 08:48
  
  NEW ROADS - Pointe Coupee Parish residents this week will get their first look at a preliminary draft of a home rule charter.
  Jimmy Lyles, chairman of the parish's Home Rule Charter Commission, says the group is seeking public input on key issues. Lyles says the 11-member commission continues to toil over in its attempts to shift the parish from a Police Jury system to a parish president/parish council form of government.
  Some of those issues include whether to set term limits for elect
  
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• Man arrested for child cruelty after burning girl's feet in bath

  16-05-2016 08:42
  
  BATON ROUGE - Deputies arrested a man accused of child cruelty after he reportedly burned a 16-month-old girl’s feet in a hot bath.30-year-old Joey Anderson was booked into the EBR Parish Prison after his arrest Sunday on charges of second degree cruelty to juveniles along with a traffic warrant for speeding.East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office deputies said they responded to a local hospital on Sunday where a father brought his girl to be treated for burns to the feet.The fathe
  
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• Decisions on fate of Baton Rouge Zoo not expected until fall

  16-05-2016 08:19
  
  BATON ROUGE - A possible move for the Baton Rouge Zoo has been at the forefront of discussions about a proposed $110 million rebuild of the 46-year-old attraction. But it could be as much as a year from now until final decisions are made.
  Philadelphia-based zoo consultants Schultz and Williams unequivocally told the East Baton Rouge Parish Recreation and Park Commission in late March that the zoo would be able to attract many more visitors if it relocated to the south part of East Baton Rouge Pa
  
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• May 16, 2016 Morning News Pop

  16-05-2016 07:05
  
  Here are today's top stories:Edwards names May 15 start of Hurricane Preparedness WeekTermites are swarming, as you've probably noticedQuintuplets graduate from high school together Stormy days to comeUpdates all day, every day:FACEBOOK | TWITTERPermalink| Comments
  
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• Manchester bomb scare blamed on training device

  16-05-2016 02:41
  
  The discovery forced an evacuation of the stadium before a Manchester United game.
  
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• LSU Health Sciences Center faces $15M budget shortfall

  16-05-2016 01:56
  
  The chancellor of LSU Health Sciences Center says that size of a shortfall will result in cutting big programs, such as nursing and dental hygiene.
  
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