Baton Rouge news

• Amite High valedictorian barred from high school graduation due to 'Mustached American Heritage?'

  23-05-2016 23:38
  
  If there is such a thing as the perfect high school student, Andrew Jones, a graduating senior at Amite High, would appear to be that person: 4.0 grade-point average, three-sport star athlete (track, football and basketball) and valedictorian of his...
  
  Read more

• House panel rejects bill to undo 'Hire NOLA'

  23-05-2016 23:01
  
  "Anytime the city sticks its nose into private business, people run," said bill author Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie.
  
  Read more

• Behind the scenes: What's in store for Mike VI

  23-05-2016 21:06
  
  BATON ROUGE - LSU's mascot, Mike VI will undergo radiation treatment at Mary Bird Perkins Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center after being diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma.WBRZ got a tour in the treatment vault, where Mike the Tiger will receive radiation therapy.Doctors at the cancer center, along with veterinarians will work together to bring Mike VI to the facility on Essen Ln. in the near future.Mike the Tiger will receive treatment by a Versa HD, a high precision radiation therapy
  
  Read more

• Resignations sought after school officials block grad from ceremony

  23-05-2016 18:08
  
  AMITE - The NAACP's Tangipahoa chapter wants the parish's school superintendent and three School Board members to resign after the Amite High School valedictorian was blocked from participating in graduation for refusing to shave his beard.
      
  At a Monday rally in support of Andrew Jones, the group's president, Patricia Morris, said Superintendent Mark Kolwe and board members Walter Daniels, Brett Duncan and Rose Dominguez should step down.
     &
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Angola death row heat lawsuit is a waste of taxpayer money

  23-05-2016 18:01
  
  The state needs to drop its nearly three-year legal fight on a lawsuit regarding dangerous -- and unconstitutional -- heat and humidity levels on Angola's death row and install some air conditioners.
  
  Read more

• Pedestrian struck and killed by motorcycle on Burbank Drive

  23-05-2016 17:58
  
  BATON ROUGE- A fatal car crash took the life of a pedestrian on Burbank Drive over the weekend.The crash happened on Sunday, May 22 around 9 p.m. on Burbank Drive at the intersection on Gardere Lane.The crash took the life of 53-year-old Karen Tullier of Baton Rouge.The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred after 23-year-old Devin Alleman of Plaquemine was traveling westbound on a Kawasaki motorcycle. For unknown reasons, Tullier was walking in the westbound lane
  
  Read more

• Donaldsonville councilman dies at age 68

  23-05-2016 17:30
  
  DONALDSONVILLE- Donaldsonville Councilman Emile Spano unexpectedly passed away this weekend.
  According to the city’s website, Spano passed on Sunday, May 22 at the age of 68. He was serving as the District 5 Councilman for the city.He was a native of Donaldsonville and retired from the Ascension Parish Assessor’s Office after 23 years.Due to the unexpected passing of Councilman Spano, the council meeting scheduled for this week has been postponed to May 31.Visitation will be
  
  Read more

• Nine arrested after rash of burglaries in Tangipahoa

  23-05-2016 16:52
  
  BATON ROUGE- Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office have arrested nine people in connection to 17 recent burglaries.According to TPSO, there have been a rash of burglaries in the past two weeks in the southern portion of the parish.The Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office Burglary Unit, the Street Crimes Unit and the Narcotics Unit all assisted in the efforts.The arrests are as follows:At the end of March, 55-year-old Joseph Robertson was arrested in connection to a business burglary on Hwy. 22
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Baker Councilman calls his arrest over moon pie theft "ridiculous"

  23-05-2016 16:11
  
  BATON ROUGE- The trial for a councilman in Baker who was arrested for allegedly stealing a moon pie, hit a snag today.It happened when John Givens' attorney was a no show for the trial. In court, Judge Bonnie Jackson asked Givens to locate a phone number for her so her office could find out why she didn't show up. Jackson even threatened to hold his attorney in contempt.Givens is accused of eating a banana moon pie and hiding the wrapper. When he got caught, he allegedly flashed a badge
  
  Read more

• Superintendent releases details about Amite graduation controversy

  23-05-2016 15:54
  
  AMITE - The Tangipahoa Parish School Superintendent sent out a letter Monday to clear up the recent incident of a valedictorian denied to walk at graduation because of his facial hair.Student and valedictorian of Amite High School’s 2016 graduating class, Andrew Jones, was not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony because facial hair went against school policy.Superintendent Mark Kolwe sent out a letter giving an explanation following the incident.Kowle starts off the lette
  
  Read more

• Shoplifter wanted after pepper spraying Walmart employee

  23-05-2016 15:21
  
  PRAIRIEVILLE - Deputies say they’re searching for a shoplifter accused of pepper spraying a Walmart employee after stealing several bottles of alcohol from the Prairieville store on Sunday.Investigators say the woman was captured on security camera footage wearing a yellow shirt, dark-colored jacket and dark jeans as she walked into the store and stole around $220 worth of alcohol.When an employee tried to stop her, the woman pulled out a can of pepper spray and sprayed the employee in
  
  Read more

• Deputies arrest woman who pepper sprayed Walmart employee, shoplifted

  23-05-2016 15:21
  
  PRAIRIEVILLE - Deputies say a shoplifter accused of pepper spraying a Walmart employee after stealing several bottles of alcohol from the Prairieville store on Sunday was arrested Monday afternoon.Deputies say Rekisha Reed, 38, was undeterred after deputies released security video they say shows her shoplifting. Gonzales Police arrested her Monday at the Walmart in Gonzales after they say they caught Reed stealing again.She was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on Felony Theft of Go
  
  Read more

• Man arrested for punching four people at fast food restaurant

  23-05-2016 14:57
  
  THIBODAUX- Thibodaux Police have arrested a man for randomly punching four people at a fast food restaurant.On Saturday, May 21, around 11:20 a.m., 29-year-old James Woolens went into a fast food restaurant in the 800 block of North Canal Boulevard, where he was an employee, and punched four victims.When Thibodaux Police arrived, Woolens was still on the scene and was taken into custody.
  According to witnesses, Woolens suddenly became angry for no reason, according to Thibodaux Police, and struc
  
  Read more

• Final suspect arrested in Port Allen home invasion

  23-05-2016 14:51
  
  PORT ALLEN - The final suspect wanted in connection with a Port Allen home invasion that happened last Wednesday has been arrested, according to authorities.Sheriff’s deputies in West Baton Rouge Parish say 17-year-old Darius Bell was arrested early Monday afternoon before he was booked on a felony charge of principal to armed robbery.Deputies said Bell was with 32-year-old Kelly Cline and 23-year-old Daquan Washington when they tried to break down a door at a residence in the 2000 blo
  
  Read more

• Interim director of USS KIDD named

  23-05-2016 14:41
  
  BATON ROUGE- The USS KIDD named an interim director following the resignation of the former director, Alejandra Juan earlier this month.
  Mark A. Tullos, Jr. was named the interim director of the USS KIDD Veterans Museum by the Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission.
  Tullos was named to the position at a recent Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission executive committee meeting.Monday marks Tullos’ first day of the job and will be meeting with staff members and getting acclimated with
  
  Read more

• Bill to require pet store record-keeping nears final passage

  23-05-2016 14:23
  
  BATON ROUGE - People buying dogs and cats in Louisiana pet stores often don't know where the animals were bred.A state senator is attempting to change that, with a bill nearing final passage to require pet store record-keeping.The proposal from Sen. Danny Martiny, a Kenner Republican, would require stores to post breeders' names and addresses, as well as federal and state licensing information, for each animal sold. Supporters said the bill could help track disease outbreaks that may originate i
  
  Read more

• Report: NFL sought to improperly influence study on brain injuries

  23-05-2016 14:13
  
  WASHINGTON - A senior House Democrat has found that National Football League officials improperly sought to influence a government study on the link between football and brain disease.
      
  The report by New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone says the league tried to strong-arm the National Institutes of Health into taking the project away from a researcher that the NFL feared was biased.
      
  The NFL had agreed to donate $30 million to the NIH to fun
  
  Read more

• Woman stabbed, transported Monday in Baton Rouge

  23-05-2016 13:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police are investigating following a stabbing that injured one person Monday evening.The stabbing occurred on Elgin St. off Winbourne Ave. Police say their preliminary investigation revealed that a group of people were arguing in the street when the matter escalated and someone threw a knife and lodged itself in a 43-year-old woman's back.Her injuries are described as non-life threatening.Any suspects or arrests made in this case haven't been released at the time of thi
  
  Read more

• Police: Woman stabbed, transported Monday in Baton Rouge

  23-05-2016 13:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police are investigating following a stabbing that injured 1 person Monday evening.The stabbing occurred on Elgin St. off Winbourne Ave. Police say their preliminary investigation revealed that a group of people were arguing in the street when things escalated and someone threw a knife which lodged itself in a 43-year-old woman's back.Her injuries are described as non-life threatening.Any suspects or arrests made in this case haven't been released at the time of this po
  
  Read more

• New Orleans delays bid process for Confederate monument removal

  23-05-2016 13:38
  NEW ORLEANS - The city of New Orleans has cancelled the start of the monument relocation bid process that was scheduled Monday as the matter continues to be stayed by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.WWL-TV reports the decision to remove four monuments that celebrate Confederate era figures or events and the bid process to have them removed has been marked by controversy and court hearings.The city council voted late last year to have the Robert E. Lee statue at Lee Circle, The P.G.T.
  
  Read more

• 1 transported following shooting Monday night

  23-05-2016 13:32
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police and EMS responded an apparent shooting Monday night in Baton Rouge.First responders were dispatched just after 10 p.m. to the scene BREC's Longfellow Park off Lorraine St. near Plank Rd. A News 2 Crew was on scene as a victim was loaded into the back of the ambulance.Ambulance just left scene with lights and siren on.. Crime Scene investigators pulling up now. Working to get info pic.twitter.com/YqizsR1tGm— BrettBuffingtonWBRZ (@BrettBuffington) May 24,
  
  Read more

• Ascension Parish names candidates for Superintendent's job

  23-05-2016 13:23
  
  GONZALES - The Ascension Parish School Board announced six candidates for its superintendent position.In a press release Monday evening, the following finalists were announced:Rita B. Hernandez (Ed.D. - University of Houston) Area Assistant Superintendent for Middle and Elementary Schools, Brownsville Independent School District (Texas)Alonzo "Lonnie" Ray Luce (Ph.D. - Louisiana State University) Superintendent of Schools, St. James Parish SchoolsA. Katrise Perera (Ed.D. - Virginia Tech) Nationa
  
  Read more

• Deputies investigate Prairieville vehicle burglaries

  23-05-2016 13:22
  PRAIRIEVILLE - Sheriff’s deputies in Ascension Parish took to Facebook Monday morning to look for leads in a string of vehicle burglaries that happened in Prairieville last week.Deputies say they’re searching for man who appears in surveillance footage breaking into cars in the Parker Road/Fountainbleau area of Prairieville.They say the vehicle burglaries happened in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 18.Anyone with information is urged to contact APSO at (225) 621-463
  
  Read more

• Florida Planned Parenthood clinic evacuated; 6 treated

  23-05-2016 13:05
  
  SARASOTA, Fla. - A Planned Parenthood clinic in Florida has been evacuated because of an unknown substance, and six people have been taken to a hospital for evaluation.Sarasota Police Department spokeswoman Genevieve Judge said in a news release that 38 people inside were evacuated at 10:45 a.m. Monday. Two hazardous materials teams responded.Officials aren't sure what the substance is, and they said people are being decontaminated at the scene.A nearby school is on lockdown but police said the
  
  Read more

• Man paid $50,000 in interest after taking $25,000 in payday loans

  23-05-2016 12:58
  
  KANSAS CITY - Small payday loans are touted as quick, short-term access to money, but people like Elliott Clark of Kansas City, Missouri, call them "debt traps."A retired and disabled Marine, Clark still has a hard time talking about the more than 5 years in which he says he struggled to pay $50,000 in interest which began with $2,500 of these loans, sometimes called "cash advances" or "check loans.""It was hard for me to talk about it without breaking down in tears," Clark told ABC News. "If yo
  
  Read more

• Houma man booked on murder charge in 2015 overdose death

  23-05-2016 12:30
  
  HOUMA - Terrebonne Parish sheriff’s deputies say they’ve arrested a Houma man accused of second degree murder charges in connection with a 2015 drug overdose investigation.18-year-old Charles L. Hammonds was arrested on a search warrant Friday evening and booked into the Terrebonne Parish Jail.The victim, Christy Hurst, was found dead inside of a room located at the Economy Inn Hotel in Houma on Dec. 3, 2015. Hurst died as a result of a narcotics overdose, according to invest
  
  Read more

• 1 injured during possible fire in Plaquemine

  23-05-2016 12:16
  
  PLAQUEMINE - Fire brigade crews are on the scene of a reported fire with injury at Air Liquide in Plaquemine.The industrial gas company’s building is located in the 57800 block of Evergreen Road at Highway 405.One person was transported from the scene with injuries, according to authorities.More details are expected soon.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Officer acquitted in Freddie Gray case

  23-05-2016 12:05
  
  BALTIMORE - A Baltimore police officer has been acquitted of assault and other charges in the arrest of Freddie Gray, a young black man who died a week after he was critically injured in police custody.A judge found Officer Edward Nero not guilty of misconduct in office and reckless endangerment. The judge announced his verdict on Monday.Nero was one of six Baltimore police officers charged in the case. He waived his right to a jury trial, opting instead to argue his case before Circuit
  
  Read more

• $1.3 million in red light camera fine refunds now in State Treasury

  23-05-2016 09:44
  
  BATON ROUGE - Motorists who paid a ticket through the Jefferson Parish red light camera program are advised to the check the Louisiana Department of the Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program to see if they are owed a refund.State Treasurer John Kennedy says thousands of motorists were ticketed in the red light camera program. Now, a class action litigation has resulted in refunds, though not every motorist cashed the check."We just deposited nearly $1.3 million in uncashed refund check
  
  Read more

• High court ruling helps federal workers file job bias claims

  23-05-2016 09:08
  
  WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court is making it easier for federal workers to file employment discrimination lawsuits after quitting their jobs over conditions they consider intolerable.The justices ruled 7-1 Monday that workers who bring so-called "constructive discharge" claims have 45 days from the time they resign to begin the process. The court rejected the Justice Department's position that the clock should start running when the alleged abuse occurs.The ruling gives employees more time to bri
  
  Read more

• Attempted heroin hand-off in court nets arrest

  23-05-2016 08:59
  
  OSYKA, Miss. - A woman who allegedly tried to pass off a bag of heroin to a Pike County jail inmate inside a courtroom finds herself in jail.The Enterprise-Journal reports 28-year-old Carrie McClendon, of McComb, was arrested in Osyka Municipal Court Thursday and charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance.Pike County Sheriff's Department Chief Investigator Greg Martin said McClendon allegedly brought heroin in her purse to the courthouse.He said inmates being held at the Pike C
  
  Read more

• Chewbacca Mom's infectious laugh draws more than 135M views

  23-05-2016 08:29
  
  NEW YORK - A Texas woman who spontaneously donned a Chewbacca mask she bought for a Facebook video says she "feels like she deserves a gold medal" after the post garnered more than 135 million views.Candace Payne tells ABC's "Good Morning America" that the mask that emits the Star Wars creature's distinctive roar "was just calling from the bag" before she made the video Thursday in her car. The video posted on Payne's Facebook page on Thursday shows the mother of two laughing wildly as she wears
  
  Read more

• Study for Livingston Parish airport nears completion

  23-05-2016 08:11
  
  LIVINGSTON - A master plan and site selection study for a proposed airport in Livingston Parish could be completed by June, just in time for the first meeting of the newly created parish Airport Board.
  Parish officials have been discussing the possibility of building a general aviation airport for the better part of a decade. In 2012, a study determined one would be highly feasible.
  Parish President Layton Ricks says an airport could enhance economic development by allowing business owners to fl
  
  Read more

• May 23, 2016 Morning News Pop

  23-05-2016 06:31
  
  Here are today's top stories:Dead body found in vehicle on Wenonah StreetFive arrested after Tunica Trace double murderConvent residents still without powerGetting into the ol' standardUpdates all day, every day:FACEBOOK | TWITTERPermalink| Comments
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!