Baton Rouge news

• Metairie senator laments 'plague of violence' in New Orleans area

  20-05-2016 20:14
  
  State Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie, doesn't see Louisiana's high incarceration rate coming down anytime soon.
  
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• Is BREC Zoo delay careful consideration or avoiding controversy before tax renewal time?

  20-05-2016 19:24
  
  No matter how hard BREC officials try, it seems the parks and recreation department just won't be able to decide whether or not to relocate the Baton Rouge Zoo until well after the November election. Wait ... what ... seriously? That's...
  
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• Clean up begins in Assumption after severe storms

  20-05-2016 18:39
  
  ASSUMPTION- Assumption Parish residents have their hands full with cleaning up following severe storms that cut through the area.One resident, Shawn Coker, came into town Thursday night for a visit, but that trip turned into a clean up effort quickly at his in-laws' home.An uninhabited trailer next door flipped over and onto his father-in-law's storage shed."Just the amount of damage is unbelievable," Coker said.A blow torch had to be used to cut the remains of the storage area apart."This is pr
  
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• Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie, rants about New Orleans crime

  20-05-2016 17:49
  
  Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie, rants about violent crime in New Orleans during a Department of Corrections budget hearing.
  
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• Elderly woman survives, after tree crashes into home

  20-05-2016 17:09
  
  BATON ROUGE - An 86-year-old woman is lucky to be alive today, after a tree crashed into her home during last night's storm.Rose Mary Hill was in her bedroom, when strong winds and rain, caused a massive tree in her back yard, to fall."Nobody would ever understand what it's like to see your mother under the debris," said Darlene Robillard, her daughter.Darlene was able to rescue her mother and both made it out with no major injuries.At least two other people were inside the home and they too mad
  
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• EBRSO: Deputy fired over Battle of the Bands pepper spray use

  20-05-2016 16:27
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Sheriff’s Office says a prison employee was fired Friday as a result of an investigation into the misuse of pepper spray.EBRSO reports the employee was accused of misusing the FREEZE+P handheld chemical agent while working a private extra-duty detail assignment at the Battle of the Bands function at Southern University in April.Reports indicated the worker sprayed his pepper spray on the ground in close proximity to people as they were exiting the stadium w
  
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• Man charged with murder after woman's body is found in the woods

  20-05-2016 16:23
  
  GREENWELL SPRINGS- The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office says the man in custody after a body was found Friday afternoon off of Greenwell Springs Road has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, Daine Bueche's sister contacted the Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office Thursday to report she believed her brother had killed someone.She told deputies that the 37-year-old Bueche was covered in blood when he told her he picked up a female in Baton Rou
  
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• ATV rider killed after crash with train in Plaquemine

  20-05-2016 16:07
  
  PLAQUEMINE - Sheriff’s deputies in Iberville Parish confirm a 24-year-old man died at the scene of a crash involving an ATV and a train Friday morning in Plaquemine.Police have yet to identify the victim of the wreck who was pronounced dead at the scene by the parish coroner.The crash happened around 11 a.m. at the railroad crossing on Barrow Street. Deputies said the ATV collided with the fourth car of the passing train.Permalink| Comments
  
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• La. governor to oil industry: pay for coastal restoration

  20-05-2016 15:43
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Gov. John Bel Edwards is pushing to get the oil and natural gas industry to pay for restoring Louisiana's fragile coast by encouraging them to settle lawsuits alleging they caused extensive damage to coastal lands.The governor met with industry leaders on May 13 and asked them to settle the numerous lawsuits, filed by local governments, and help pay for coastal restoration, according to letters obtained by The Associated Press on Friday.Industry leaders have rejected his request. B
  
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• Judge to decide if death-row inmates need air conditioning

  20-05-2016 14:58
  
  BATON ROUGE - As summer approaches in Louisiana, prison officials insist that ice, fans and cold showers are enough to protect death-row inmates from dangerous heat and humidity.If not, a federal judge may insist on air conditioning for inmates awaiting execution at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson questioned Friday why prison officials won't spend roughly $1 million to install the air conditioning, since the state has already spent much more money fightin
  
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• Trump gets endorsement of National Rifle Association

  20-05-2016 14:49
  
  LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Donald Trump slammed Hillary Clinton as "heartless" for backing restrictions on gun ownership that he said would leave Americans in high-crime areas unable to protect themselves. He also challenged Clinton to follow his lead and release a list of potential Supreme Court nominees.Trump's remarks came at the National Rifle Association convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The gun rights' organization endorsed the presumptive Republican nominee ahead of his remarks, despite Trump's
  
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• White House on lockdown after reported shooting nearby

  20-05-2016 14:32
  
  WASHINGTON- ABC News reports that the White House is currently on lock down after U.S. Park Police reported a shooting.
  According to ABC News, there was a shooting on W. Executive Drive near the White House.President Obama was not at the White House at the time of the shooting.
  This is a developing and more information will be released soon.Permalink| Comments
  
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• White House on alert after shooting on street outside

  20-05-2016 14:32
  
  WASHINGTON - The White House has been placed on a security alert after a shooting on a street outside.U.S. Park Police said on Twitter that the shooting happened on West Executive Drive on Friday afternoon.District of Columbia Fire and EMS spokesman Doug Buchanan says one patient was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition shortly after 3 p.m.A D.C. police spokesman said the Secret Service was investigating. The White House grounds were shut down to pedestrian traffic, locking
  
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• Red Cross gives safety tips after storms

  20-05-2016 14:20
  
  BATON ROUGE- Red Cross disaster workers across south Louisiana are assisting residents whose homes have been damaged by Thursday night’s storms.Disaster workers are also coordinating with parish officials and emergency management leaders to assist in the recovery efforts.Residents in need of assistance because of storm-related damage, can call their local Red Cross or dial (800) 256-4733. Red Cross has issued several safety tips for residents to keep in mind. They are as follo
  
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• 2 more convicted in multi-state heroin distribution ring

  20-05-2016 14:20
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Department of Justice reports two more men have been convicted in connection with a the operation of a multi-state heroin distribution ring.32-year-old Justin Scott, of Baton Rouge, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, and 36-year-old Keenan Harris, of Denham Springs, pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin.Scott admitted that between Jan. 1, 2014 and Feb. 18, 2015, he conspired with individuals in California and Louisiana to
  
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• WATCH: Tree falls on on Baton Rouge home

  20-05-2016 14:16
  
  BATON ROUGE - A family was emotional when speaking with News 2's Brett Buffington after a tree fell on their home, knocking pieces of the ceiling, roof and other debris onto an 86-year-old woman.This happened on Mayfair Hill Drive off Staring Lane. Watch the interview for more:Permalink| Comments
  
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• WATCH: Family emotional after tree falls on home, debris lands on elderly woman

  20-05-2016 14:16
  
  BATON ROUGE - A family was emotional when speaking with News 2's Brett Buffington after a tree fell on their home, knocking pieces of the ceiling, roof and other debris onto an 86-year-old woman.This happened on Mayfair Hill Drive off Staring Lane. Watch the interview for more:Permalink| Comments
  
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• Suspected drunk driver arrested after passenger killed in crash

  20-05-2016 14:08
  
  ST. AMANT - A Prairieville man was arrested after a passenger in his vehicle died following an early morning crash in Ascension Parish.27-year-old Jot Willeford was booked on charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injuring, no seat belt and operating a vehicle with an expired driver’s license.State Police say just before 3 a.m. Friday, Willeford was traveling westbound on LA 429 in a pickup truck. When he entered the intersection of LA 429 and LA 22, he lost control of the
  
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• The Pledge of Allegiance: Dorseyville Elementary School

  20-05-2016 14:01
  
  BATON ROUGE- Today's Pledge of Allegiance comes from the Pre-K 3 class at Dorseyville Elementary School.Be sure to watch The Daily Pledge every weekday on 2une In at 5:58 a.m. to see if your child's school is featured!Permalink| Comments
  
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• Slidell home destroyed after lightning strike causes fire

  20-05-2016 13:55
  
  SLIDELL- A home in Slidell went up in flames after a lightning strike during Thursday night thunderstorms.
  St. Tammany Fire District #1 responded to a house fire in the 300 block of W. Honors Point Ct. in Slidell. Firefighters arrived to the scene in less than seven minutes to find the home completely engulfed in flames.The fire was extinguished in an hour and 20 minutes.A neighbor called 911 after discovering the roof was on fire. Other neighbors reported seeing multiple lightning strikes befor
  
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• Habitual offender gets 60-year prison sentence

  20-05-2016 13:52
  
  AMITE - A Hammond man will spend 60 years in prison after he was convicted of fourth offense felony theft.47-year-old Maurice Anderson’s criminal history extended back to June of 1989 when he was convicted of felony theft under two docket numbers. He was sentenced to serve two years and seven years in prison on the charges to be served concurrently.In the years to follow, Anderson would be convicted and serve prison time for several offenses including simple burglary, theft, unauthoriz
  
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• Livingston man sentenced to 12 years for juvenile sex offenses

  20-05-2016 13:41
  
  LIVINGSTON - The Livingston Parish District Attorney says a Livingston man will serve 12 years in prison without parole for a range of juvenile sex offenses.35-year-old Tony Willbanks, of Livingston, was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile, video voyeurism, two counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and pornography involving juveniles.Willbanks was arrested as a result of a joint investigation by Livingston Parish and Blount County, Tennessee authorities. A search warrant was execute
  
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• Why no GOP demand for budget cuts and efficiencies when Jindal was governor?

  20-05-2016 13:28
  
  "A hypocrite is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation." - Adlai E. Stevenson II There are days I wish that David Vitter were governor. It's...
  
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• LSU softball opens Regional play on Friday

  20-05-2016 13:05
  
  BATON ROUGE- The LSU softball team, the tenth overall national seed, will open the NCAA Division I Softball Championship on Friday night at Tiger Park.The Tigers will play against the Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn Blackbirds at 6 p.m. on Friday.
  This is the second consecutive year LSU will be hosting its own regional. The team will be hosting the Arizona Sun Devils, LIU Brooklyn and McNeese State in the double-elimination tournament.The Sun Devils and Cowgirls will kick off the tournamen
  
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• Teacher charged with hanging child by belt on chalkboard

  20-05-2016 12:27
  
  CONYERS, Ga. - A former Atlanta-area elementary school paraprofessional who's accused of hanging a child by his belt from the classroom's chalkboard has been charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct.Media outlets report that Antonio Cammon, who worked as a paraprofessional at Shoal Creek Elementary School in Conyers, must report to jail by 6 p.m. Friday.The school's principal, Tiwon Tony, said he found the 5-year-old child "hanging by himself" after hearing screams from teacher Tiffany Thomas's
  
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• Brief hearing reveals little in Will Smith case

  20-05-2016 12:14
  
  NEW ORLEANS - A brief hearing in the case of the man charged in the death of retired New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith has ended with little new revealed about the case.Prosecutors and defense lawyers for suspect Cardell Hayes agreed on a new hearing date of June 1.Attorneys said they are still waiting for a final autopsy report on Smith, as well as a supplemental police report still in the works.Hayes was indicted last month on a second-degree murder charge in Smith's slaying.Police h
  
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• Expert: No credible claims for downing EgyptAir

  20-05-2016 12:01
  
  CAIRO - A terror analyst who is in contact with members of the Islamic State group and other jihadist groups says there have been "no credible or even semi-credible" claims of responsibility for the crash of EgyptAir Flight 804.Shiraz Maher at the International Center for the Study of Radicalisation in London says IS on Thursday released a 20-minute video about how they planned to conquer India. He says "if they had been involved in the crash, it would be very odd for them to have sent
  
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• Woman accused of smoking pot in BREC park near school

  20-05-2016 09:36
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police reported the arrest of a woman accused of smoking marijuana in a BREC park in close proximity to a Baton Rouge school.Kiawanna Moore was booked on charges of possession of marijuana, obstruction of justice, resisting an officer and possession of a CDS in a drug free zone following her Thursday arrest.BRPD says an officer was working a special assignment at a BREC park located on Tams Drive when he observed Moore smoking a suspect marijuana cigar while sitting on a bench in t
  
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• Registered sex offender caught using social media

  20-05-2016 09:26
  
  BATON ROUGE - Sheriff’s deputies say a man was taken into custody after he was accused of using social media despite his registered sex offender status.33-year-old Daniel Allen Smith, of Baton Rouge, was booked on charges of unlawful use of social media and knowingly providing false information to a law enforcement officer after his arrest on Thursday.Deputies said Smith was convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile on June 11, 2012 in Acadia Parish. After he was released from prison
  
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• 1st grader draws 46 million Facebook video views with dribbling skills

  20-05-2016 09:11
  
  BELLE CHASSE - A six-year-old girl from Belle Chasse has captured the nation’s attention as videos of her amazing basketball skills go viral on social media.Jaliyah Manuel’s dribbling skills have garnered millions of views and even captured the attention of the UConn basketball program and a handful of WNBA stars.One of her videos has been viewed more than 47 million times on Facebook. She says she begs her dad to let her practice every single day."It makes me better, and whe
  
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• LSU research could lead to safe drinking water

  20-05-2016 08:42
  
  BATON ROUGE - LSU researchers will investigate the use of sunlight to create safe drinking water at the school's BASF Sustainable Living Lab.
  BASF selected Kevin McPeak as the first researcher at the lab, created with a $1 million donation from the company. With the lab, BASF wanted to foster problem-based teaching and research focused on sustainable solutions.
  McPeak and his research group will use the lab to develop a portable water-disinfection system using visible light from the sun. Traditi
  
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• Pension increase for retired state workers signed into law

  20-05-2016 08:40
  
  BATON ROUGE - Monthly pension checks will grow on July 1 for thousands of retired state employees, public school workers and teachers.
  Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the cost-of-living increase into law Thursday.
  The pension hike, sponsored by Republican Sen. Barrow Peacock, of Shreveport, is tied to adjustments in how the retirement systems pay for raises and administrative costs, aimed at lessening long-term debts.
  The governor signed all three bills.
  Nearly 125,000 retirees over the age of 60 w
  
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• Assembly of Bell Helicopter Jet Ranger X leaving Louisiana

  20-05-2016 08:37
  
  LAFAYETTE - Bell Helicopter says it will assemble its 505 Jet Ranger X in Canada, and abandon plans to build the new-model aircraft at a $26.3 million Lafayette facility.
  Louisiana financed the facility and was promised 115 jobs.
  Bell CEO and President Mitch Snyder said in a conference call Thursday an undetermined number of employees at the Lafayette plant will handle some of the cabin assembly for Bell's 505 Relentless helicopter, work that is being transferred from a plant in Amarillo, Texas.
  
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• May 20, 2016 Morning News Pop

  20-05-2016 07:25
  
  Here are today's top stories:Your Photos: Viewers pictures of storm damagesAssumption Parish damages and school closureRain causes re-shuffling of LSU-Florida baseball series with game 1 delayed until SaturdayDaylight reveals storm damage, is there more to come?Updates all day, every day:FACEBOOK | TWITTERPermalink| Comments
  
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• Corrections chief says budget cuts would make prisons more dangerous

  20-05-2016 00:48
  
  Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc said the $39 million cut his agency would have to absorb under the current budget would put the safety of his prisoners and employees at risk.
  
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• Kenny Havard won't apologize for controversial stripper amendment

  20-05-2016 00:28
  
  The state representative stopped short of an apology, saying, "I don't know if I'll ever apologize for being politically correct."
  
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