Baton Rouge news

• 'Pastor Protection,' LGBT rights have New Orleans CVB talking progressive values

  24-05-2016 23:36
  
  The organization was under pressure from companies and organizations to take a harder position on the "Pastor Protection" bill championed by state Rep. Mike Johnson.
  
  Read more

• Attorney General Jeff Landry sets himself up as John Bel Edwards' political foe

  24-05-2016 22:46
  
  The highest-profile elected Republican in the state, Landry has emerged as Edwards' most formidable political foe.
  
  Read more

• Person in custody following situation at Port Allen apartment complex

  24-05-2016 20:06
  
  PORT ALLEN - Port Allen Police tell News 2 they have a suspect in custody following a standoff at an apartment complex Tuesday evening.This happened at the Katherine Square Apartments on South 14th Street in Port Allen. Details about what the person was wanted for were not immediately available. Port Allen Police also have not released the identity of the suspect. A News 2 Crews is on scene gathering details.#BREAKING one person detained after police standoff at Port Allen apartment com
  
  Read more

• Bernie Sanders asks recanvass of Kentucky primary results

  24-05-2016 19:34
  
  Bernie Sanders trails Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton by less than half of 1 percent of vote in May 17 primary.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Why are some protesters admired, others declared rabble-rousers?

  24-05-2016 19:22
  
  The case of Andrew Jones, the Amite High valedictorian barred from graduating with his class May 18 for refusing to shave his goatee, has drawn heavy public comment.
  
  Read more

• Senate rejects 'Pastor Protection' bill as discrimination concerns raised

  24-05-2016 19:00
  
  The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau testified against the bill after earlier working on the bill's language with sponsor Rep. Mike Johnson.
  
  Read more

• Bill to ease gun permit process for abuse victims

  24-05-2016 18:58
  
  BATON ROUGE- Receiving a concealed gun permit could get easier for domestic violence abuse victims.
  Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley recommended that domestic abuse victims should get a concealed gun permit for protection."Go get a concealed weapon permit, get a gun learn how to use it. Find a safe place to store it and use it," Sheriff Wiley said.However, according to State Representative Valerie Hodges, the time it takes to get a concealed gun permit may be not be quick enough for some vict
  
  Read more

• Central schools crack down on residency requirements

  24-05-2016 18:53
  
   CENTRAL - With just a day away until school is out for the summer, the central school board is cracking down on what some call "education freeloaders.""We have a responsibility to the taxpayers ... to ensure that the children we are educating live in Central," Central Superintendent Michael Faulk said.School officials said between 30 to 50 students are dropped each year for not providing proper residency documentation. On May 16th, the school board sent out this survey to all parents a
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Senate kills LGBT anti-discrimination hiring bill

  24-05-2016 17:45
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Senate has killed a New Orleans senator's bid to ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, with no debate from lawmakers against the bill.
      
  The chamber voted 25-8 against advancing the measure to the House for debate. Only one Republican senator voted Tuesday in support of the bill.
      
  Democratic Sen. Troy Carter's proposal would have applied to public and private business
  
  Read more

• March to be held for one of slain Southern University students

  24-05-2016 17:18
  
  BATON ROUGE- The mother of one of the Southern University students killed during a shooting at The Cottages Apartment Complex is holding a march in honor of her slain daughter.The mother of LaShuntae Benton, will be holding a peaceful march on Thursday. The march called #JUSTICEFORTAE'BEE is also to help bring awareness to “Stop Black on Black Violence.”The march will be held on the State Capitol steps on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Benton was a sophomore student at Southe
  
  Read more

• Disturbing details emerge over EFP School Board Member's murder

  24-05-2016 16:30
  
  BATON ROUGE- At least four different witnesses on Wenonah Street said East Feliciana Parish School Board Member Broderick Brooks was naked when the coroner picked up his body.The Coroner conducted an autopsy on his body Tuesday, and are still waiting on those results.Questions remain about what he was doing nearly an hour away from his home. The area where Brooks was murdered is plagued with crime."This is one of the worst areas in the City of Baton Rouge," one neighbor said. "He only had a shir
  
  Read more

• Hell hath no fury: Ex-lover repeatedly rams home of child's father

  24-05-2016 16:27
  
  BATON ROUGE - A woman is in police custody after she allegedly stole an SUV to go on a crash-filled rampage with terrorizing the father of her child as the ultimate goal.25-year-old Rachel Myles was booked on charges of attempted second degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, criminal damage to property, battery of a police officer, resisting an officer and auto theft after her arrest Tuesday.Police said Myles stole a Mercury Mountaineer just after midnight Tuesday. Shortly after
  
  Read more

• Third suspect arrested in Kindletree Drive shooting

  24-05-2016 16:09
  
  PORT ALLEN - A third suspect has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that took place on Kindletree Drive last Wednesday.Deputies arrested 22-year-old Kaleb Rainey on charges of principal to first degree murder and principle to armed robbery.
  According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, Jesse Trejos, 20, died as a result of the shooting that occurred in the 9400 block of Kindletree Drive.During the investigation, a suspect vehicle description was obtained by a witne
  
  Read more

• PETA calls for Mike VI to be last live tiger mascot at LSU

  24-05-2016 15:36
  
  BATON ROUGE - PETA and LSU Animal Advocates have sent a letter to the university Tuesday calling for Mike VI to be the final live tiger mascot at LSU.On Monday, LSU released a statement and held a press conference reporting that the school’s sixth tiger mascot has been diagnosed with a rare form of terminal cancer.In the letter, PETA says all captive big cats suffer psychologically when they are subjected to confinement, discomfort and stress. They also say LSU further damages the tige
  
  Read more

• Mother gives up newborn at Baton Rouge safe haven facility

  24-05-2016 15:15
  
  BATON ROUGE - State officials say an infant has been handed over to an employee at a Baton Rouge-area fire station under Louisiana's Safe Haven law after the child's mother said she was no longer able to care for the child.Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters in a statement commended the child's mother for making a "very difficult decision" instead of abandoning the baby.The baby was transported Tuesday to Woman's Hospital, where it was found in good health
  
  Read more

• Woman wanted for cashing stolen check in Port Allen

  24-05-2016 15:02
  
  PORT ALLEN- Port Allen Police Department is looking a woman wanted for felony theft after cashing a stolen check.
  On May 19 around 3 p.m. a woman entered the Easy Mile Convenient Store located in the 400 block of N. Alexander Avenue where she cashed a $1,200 check belonging to someone else.Anyone with information about the woman picture is encouraged to contact the Port Allen Police Department at (225) 343- 5525.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• New Orleans loses to Atlanta in bid for 2019 Super Bowl

  24-05-2016 14:40
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The 2019 Super Bowl will be held in Atlanta after the city beat New Orleans in a majority vote on Tuesday.New Orleans made it to the fourth round before losing to Atlanta, who will host the Feb. 3, 2019 Super Bowl LIII in a new stadium.The Superdome and Crescent City were similarly defeated in voting for the site of the 2018 Super Bowl when New Orleans lost out to Minneapolis, another place where a new stadium would play host to the big game.While the NFL was handing out the sites
  
  Read more

• Man arrested after Thibodaux home invasion

  24-05-2016 14:34
  
  THIBODAUX- Thibodaux Police have arrested a man in connection to a home invasion and domestic abuse involving a child.On Monday, May 23 around 7:50 a.m. 43-year-old Frederick Gray called the victim from different numbers for several hours and left threatening voice mails.Around 2 p.m., Gray went to the victim’s home in the 1300 block of South Barbier Avenue and forced his way inside.
  Once inside, Gray became physical with the victim, however the victim was able to get Gray out of the h
  
  Read more

• Cosby ordered to stand trial in sex assault case

  24-05-2016 14:20
  
  NORRISTOWN, Pa.- Bill Cosby has been ordered to stand trial in the lone criminal case lodged amid dozens of accusations that he molested women.
      
  The 78-year-old actor faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of violating the accuser while she was impaired, unconscious or could not give consent.
      
  Cosby insists their sexual encounter at his home was consensual and that she never told him to stop.
      
  He ha
  
  Read more

• Ban on abortions for genetic abnormality nears final passage

  24-05-2016 14:18
  
  BATON ROUGE - An effort to ban abortions performed in cases where the fetus is determined to have a genetic abnormality is steps from final passage.The Senate Health and Welfare Committee delayed a vote last week to try to devise compromise language, in response to concerns the proposal runs afoul of court decisions upholding a woman's right to an abortion.On Tuesday, without a rewrite, the panel voted 3-1 for the House-approved bill, sending it to the full Senate.The sole vote against the bill
  
  Read more

• License plate reader program refused by House lawmakers

  24-05-2016 14:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers in the House have spurned a proposed program that would allow law enforcement agencies to automatically scan motorists' license plates.The House and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 7-3 Tuesday to kill the Senate-backed bill by Lake Charles Sen. Ronnie Johns, a Republican.Johns had previously tried to launch the program, only to have former Gov. Bobby Jindal veto the bill.Supporters said the pilot program - with nine parishes participating - was aimed at catching car
  
  Read more

• FBI releases new version of app to help ID missing children

  24-05-2016 14:11
  
  The FBI announced recently the reboot of an app that provides parents with a way to store their children’s pictures and information in case their children go missing.The app, called Child ID App, allows users to store images and physical descriptions that could help responders in the event of an emergency. The information is stored only on the user's mobile device and is not shared with any other entity unless sent out by the user.The latest version of the app includes high-resolution
  
  Read more

• BR real estate broker announces candidacy for EBR Mayor-President

  24-05-2016 13:43
  
  BATON ROUGE- A local real estate broker has announced to run as a candidate for Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish.Darryl Gissel announced his candidacy Tuesday morning.Gissel will run as a citizen-candidate and will be running as an Independent-No Party candidate.His three campaign co-chairs, who represent different areas of the community, will be announced.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Sen. Blunt calls on VA secretary to resign after Disney comment

  24-05-2016 13:32
  
  WASHINGTON - A Republican senator on Tuesday called for Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to resign after McDonald compared long wait times at VA health care sites to waiting in line at a Disney amusement park.Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said McDonald's "preposterous statement is right out of Never-never land" and said the VA leader has shown he cannot ensure that veterans receive health care in a timely manner."Dismissing wait times when veterans can often wait months for an appointment
  
  Read more

• Overturned vehicle causes lane closure on I-12 West in Livingston

  24-05-2016 13:25
  
  LIVINGSTON- An accident has caused bumper to bumper traffic on I-12 West in Livingston.An overturned vehicle in the median of the interstate caused for the right lane to be blocked by emergency responders.As a result, the traffic is backed up from I-12 West at South Frost Road to Albany (LA 43).According to data from Waze, the driving time to get past the accident is 27 minutes at the time of this post.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Louisiana set to expand hate crimes law to include police

  24-05-2016 13:25
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana is poised to become the first state in the nation to expand its hate-crime laws to protect police, firefighters and emergency medical crews.The move could stir the national debate over the relationship between law enforcement and minorities.If signed by the governor this week, the new law would allow prosecutors to seek additional penalties against anyone convicted of intentionally targeting first responders because of their profession.Louisiana law already provides for a
  
  Read more

• Religious objections bill rejected by La. Senate committee

  24-05-2016 13:22
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's state senators have refused to enact a new law declaring pastors and churches don't have to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies or allow them in their facilities.The Senate Judiciary B Committee voted 3-2 Tuesday to shelve the House-approved bill.Opponents of the proposal by Republican Rep. Mike Johnson of Bossier City said existing law offers the protections sought and the measure was unnecessary.Sen. J.P. Morrell, a New Orleans Democrat, says the bill would put "disc
  
  Read more

• Day 1 of fired police chief's hearing ends with no decision

  24-05-2016 13:21
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Day 1 of an appeals hearing for the former Denham Springs Police chief who was fired last month ended without a decision.Scott Jones and Captain Steve Kistler were fired in April at a special council meeting. The pair were accused of mishandling a domestic violence involving Denham Springs Councilman Chris Davis. That occured January 15th at Davis' home. Both he and his wife have since said what occurred was an accident and misunderstanding.Documents obtained by The Inv
  
  Read more

• Mayor to launch digital platform for public safety

  24-05-2016 13:03
  
  BATON ROUGE- Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden and officials are set to announce a digital platform on Thursday that supports public safety.The platform is called the Baton Rouge Public Safety Common Operational Platform, or PSCOP, and is aimed to transform how area public safety agencies respond to and monitor operations and emergency situations.The Mayor’s Office, Baton Rouge Police Department and the Department of Information Services have developed the interactive digit
  
  Read more

• Audubon Zoo, Aquarium to celebrate World Otter Day

  24-05-2016 12:03
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas are set to celebrate World Otter Day on Wednesday, and you otter be there.The Zoo and Aquarium will host feed and chats as they offer visitors lessons on how they can help protect the playful and completely adorable animals.Three different species of otter call the Audubon Nature Institute home: Southern Sea Otters at the Aquarium, North American River Otters at the Zoo’s Louisiana Swamp Exhibit and Asian Small-Clawed Otter
  
  Read more

• 1 arrested in illegal marijuana grow operation in Verdunville

  24-05-2016 09:35
  
  VERDUNVILLE - Sheriff’s deputies in St. Mary Parish say they arrested a man and disassembled an illegal marijuana grow operation over the weekend.64-year-old Charles Adams, Jr., of Verdunville, was arrested Sunday night and booked on charges of cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of CDS and transactions involving drug proceeds.Deputies said they were conducting a follow-up
  
  Read more

• GOP governors ask FCC to address illegal prison cellphones

  24-05-2016 09:19
  
  COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is among 10 Republican governors urging the Federal Communications Commission to give states more autonomy in combatting cellphone use by inmates who have them illegally in prison.Haley on Monday wrote to FCC Chairman Thomas Wheeler encouraging him to give states "flexibility and authority" to deal with the issue, universally seen as a security threat.States need FCC permission to block cell signals, and Haley has been vocal in her opposition to r
  
  Read more

• 2 Miss. men dead in early morning Highway 19 crash

  24-05-2016 08:07
  
  NORWOOD - Two Mississippi men lost their lives in a head-on collision just south of Norwood on Highway 19 in East Feliciana Parish shortly after midnight early Tuesday morning.35-year-old Julius Packnett and 39-year-old Adam McKey of Centreville, Miss. were pronounced dead at the scene.According to State Police, Packnett was traveling southbound in a Ford Crown Victoria on the highway, while McKey was traveling northbound in a Chevrolet Silverado. It is unknown how Packnett's vehicle cr
  
  Read more

• 2 dead in early morning Highway 19 crash

  24-05-2016 08:07
  
  NORWOOD - Two people lost their lives in a head-on collision just south of Norwood on Highway 19 in East Feliciana Parish early Tuesday morning.35-year-old Julius Packnett and 39-year-old Adam McKey of Centreville, Miss. were pronounced dead at the scene.According to State Police, Packnett was traveling southbound in a Ford Crown Victoria on the highway, while McKey was traveling northbound in a Chevrolet Silverado. It is unknow how Packnett's vehicle crossed the median into the northbo
  
  Read more

• May 24, 2016 Morning News Pop

  24-05-2016 07:19
  
  Here are today's top stories:2 people died from a crash in East Feliciana New Orleans in the bid for the Super BowlBehind the scenes: What's in store for Mike VIQuiet locally, a tropical noteUpdates all day, every day:FACEBOOK | TWITTERPermalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Senate passes bill to bar public funding to abortion providers

  24-05-2016 02:02
  
  The bill is headed to the desk of Gov. John Bel Edwards.
  
  Read more

• TOPS funding could drive state discussion of taxes

  24-05-2016 00:19
  
  It's thought lawmakers will be more willing to consider tax increases and corporate tax break eliminations next month if a large cut to TOPS remains after the state budget passes in June.
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!