Baton Rouge news

• House committee struggles to keep peace in construction budget fight

  09-06-2016 21:08
  
  Lawmakers were at odds over attempts to introduce competing versions of the state's construction budget.
  
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• Fire extinguished at LSU Student Health Center, fire investigators called

  09-06-2016 20:53
  
  BATON ROUGE - Firefighters have extinguished a fire that broke out at the LSU Student Health Center on the school's campus Thursday night.#BREAKING: Firefighters working blaze at LSU Student Health Center. @WBRZ— Hunter Robinson (@hunterWBRZ) June 10, 2016
  Crews received the call around 8:24 p.m. When they arrived on-scene fire was coming from the windows of one of the offices. Fire at @lsu student health center. pic.twitter.com/auYSxnC1tT— Brittany Weiss WBRZ (@MsBW
  
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• Dead zone along Louisiana-Texas coast seen as size of Connecticut

  09-06-2016 19:59
  
  Low-oxygen area disrupts fisheries, kills bottom-living organisms
  
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• Man previously accused of rape wanted for burglarizing home

  09-06-2016 18:07
  
  ASCENSION – Deputies in Ascension Parish are looking for a man they say burglarized a home in Prarieville Wednesday night.According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, Myron Turner is wanted for kicking in a door at a home on Lauren Drive and stealing a 42-inch television and $800. No one was inside the home at the time of the burglary.Deputies say surveillance video captured Turner leaving the home in a gray vehicle. Turner was arrested in 2015 for charges of s
  
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• Man facing BR rape charge now wanted for burglarizing home

  09-06-2016 18:07
  
  ASCENSION – Deputies in Ascension Parish are looking for a man they say burglarized a home in Prarieville Wednesday night.According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, Myron Turner is wanted for kicking in a door at a home on Lauren Drive and stealing a 42-inch television and $800. No one was inside the home at the time of the burglary.Deputies say surveillance video captured Turner leaving the home in a gray vehicle. Turner was arrested in 2015 for charges of s
  
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• House backs tax bills, but far short of Edwards' request

  09-06-2016 16:58
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers in the Louisiana House have agreed to a package of tax bills that would raise more than $220 million for next year's budget.That reaches slightly more than one-third of the $600 million sought by Gov. John Bel Edwards to stop what he describes as deep cuts to health care, education and public safety programs.The majority-Republican House tax committee has stalled many other measures sought by the Democratic governor, particularly income tax changes that could hit middle-
  
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• Photo of teen with autism sitting alone at birthday party goes viral

  09-06-2016 16:38
  
  BANGOR, Maine – A photo of a Maine teen with autism sitting alone at her own 18th birthday party has gone viral.The photo was taken at Hallee Sorenson's birthday party last year. The Facebook post states that Hallee was excited to celebrate her 18th birthday party with her friends, however no one showed up to the party.Hallee's cousin, posted the photo of Hallee on Facebook on June 7th.Rebecca is now asking Facebook to send Hallee birthday cards for this year. She describes he
  
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• Republicans defend display of Confederate imagery in Capitol

  09-06-2016 16:17
  
  WASHINGTON - House Republican leaders have blocked a Democratic congressman from Mississippi from offering legislation to ban Confederate imagery from the House side of the Capitol complex.Congressman Bennie Thompson had sought the opportunity to ban display of the Mississippi state flag and statues of Confederate icons such as Jefferson Davis. Mississippi's state flag incorporates the Confederate battle flag in its top inner corner.The move by House Republican leaders comes a day after House Sp
  
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• 1 arrested after kitten shot with arrow

  09-06-2016 16:13
  
  LULING - The Humane Society of Louisiana has set up a crowd funding account to cover veterinary fees after an eight to nine-month-old kitten was found shot and injured by a hunting arrow.St. Charles Parish residents Dolly and John Dicken contacted the Humane Society after they found the black short-haired cat wounded in front of their house around 8:30 p.m. Monday. The cat was wounded by an arrow that had pierced the fur and soft tissue of his chest cavity.After making the gruesome disc
  
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• Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump: 'Delete your account'

  09-06-2016 15:41
  
  WASHINGTON - Hillary Clinton is hitting another campaign milestone: Most retweeted tweet."Delete your account," her campaign wrote, in response to a message from Donald Trump mocking President Barack Obama's endorsement of the presumptive Democratic nominee on Thursday.Delete your account. https://t.co/Oa92sncRQY— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 9, 2016
  The message quickly went viral, getting retweeted 130,000 times in about an hour. "Delete your account" is a typical j
  
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• Lawmakers file 5 versions of construction budget after bill fails

  09-06-2016 15:26
  
  Lawmakers aren't taking any chances when it comes to money for major projects.
  
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• Police: Woman poured vodka into boy's eyes at hotel pool

  09-06-2016 14:09
  
  CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla.- A North Carolina woman has been arrested after police say she poured vodka in a 7-year-old boy's eyes at a hotel pool in Florida.WFLA-TV reports Clearwater police say 23-year-old Roseanna Marie Kiser of Huntersville, North Carolina, was arrested Tuesday and charged with child abuse and battery on a law enforcement officer.Police say Kiser was intoxicated at the Sheraton Sand Key Hotel in Clearwater Beach when she became upset with the boy because he splashed wate
  
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• Some questions about Donald Trump for Louisiana's congressional Republicans

  09-06-2016 13:48
  
  Let's get right to it: Your national party will nominate an unabashed racist, Donald Trump, for president. Why do you support that racist? I know you've been lying low lately, but you cannot slink away from your endorsement of Trump....
  
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• Arrest made in Natalbany double murder case

  09-06-2016 13:43
  
  NATALBANY – Investigators in Tangipahoa Parish confirm that an arrest has been made in connection with a double murder in Natalbany last week.Deputies say a 15-year-old male was arrested made in connection with the shooting deaths of 31-year-old Randy Darnell Bickham and 31-year-old Charleston Mitchell.Earlier this month, deputies found both men unresponsive in the front seat of a car on the side of the road.Neighbors heard gunshots on Haynes Lane and North Oak around 3:40 a.m
  
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• Valedictorian barred from graduation to get own ceremony

  09-06-2016 13:28
  
  AMITE - After Amite High School’s valedictorian was denied the right to walk across the stage because of his facial hair, some state leaders have come together to give the young man a graduation of his own.Andrew Jones had a 4.0 GPA and was top of his class at Amite High, however teachers wouldn’t let him walk at the 2016 spring graduation ceremony because administrators said his facial hair violated school policy.A statement from state leaders including Rep. Katrina Jackson
  
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• Man crashes in bayou after high-speed chase, attempts to swim away

  09-06-2016 13:21
  
  LABADIEVILLE - The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office arrested a man after they say he led officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen car before crashing into Bayou Lafourche in Labadieville. According to deputies, the chase began when they saw a car speeding on LA-1 late Monday night. Two deputies turned on their lights and sirens and gave chase but say the car did not stop while traveling at a high-rate of speed.The pursuit seemed to have ended when the driver, identified as Drake Dom
  
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• Obama calls on Democrats to unify behind Clinton

  09-06-2016 13:18
  
  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is announcing his formal endorsement of Hillary Clinton.In an online video, Obama calls on Democrats to unify behind his former secretary of state's bid and "build on the progress" of his eight terms in the White House."I want you to be the first to know that I'm with her," he says.Obama is also praising Democratic primary candidate Bernie Sanders for engaging young voters and highlighting the issues of income inequality and money in politics. "Embracing that
  
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• La., 20 other states suing Delaware over abandoned money orders

  09-06-2016 13:16
  
  WASHINGTON - Twenty-one states, including Louisiana, are suing Delaware to give back more than $150 million in uncashed money orders.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Thursday the states are suing Delaware at the U.S. Supreme Court over an escalating dispute involving uncashed money orders from Dallas-based MoneyGram.MoneyGram has been submitting unclaimed money to Delaware, where the company is incorporated. The other states argue that the money should go back to the state where purchased.
  
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• Thibodaux man arrested for attempted bank fraud and drug charges

  09-06-2016 13:15
  
  THIBODAUX – The Thibodaux Police Department arrested a man for attempted bank fraud and drug charges.On Monday, June 6 around 9:40 a.m., Police say 37-year-old Robert Rouse went to a bank in the 200 block of North Canal Boulevard and attempted to cash a check for $960.The bank personnel became suspicious because of inconsistencies and decided to contact the account holder who was a family member of Rouse.The account holder told the bank employee that he did not write the check.When pol
  
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• Governor signs law raising stripping age to 21 and over

  09-06-2016 13:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana strip clubs will be barred from hiring dancers under the age of 21, under a new law signed by the governor.Gov. John Bel Edwards' office announced Wednesday that the governor has signed the bill to raise the age for the dancers from 18. The change takes effect Aug. 1.Bill sponsor Sen. Ronnie Johns, a Lake Charles Republican, says the provision will help to fight human trafficking in Louisiana. New Orleans already enforces a similar ordinance.Each chamber unanimously suppo
  
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• Tinder to block minors from using app

  09-06-2016 13:06
  
  Tinder users under the age of 18 will no longer be able to use the dating app, according to company officials.Since the founding of Tinder in 2012, the app has allowed users from ages 13 to 17 to use its app for matches within their age groups.However, starting next week, Tinder is going to be closing down its app for users under the age of 18."On a platform that has facilitated over 11 billion connections, we have the responsibility of constantly assessing our different user experiences," Tinde
  
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• Police investigate shooting of man shot in the face on Polk Street

  09-06-2016 13:00
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating a shooting that took place Thursday around midnight that left a man injured.According to BRPD, the shooting happened in the 600 block of Polk Street around 12: 30 a.m. on Thursday.BRPD says that the victim a 37-year-old man and was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries.
  According to sources, the man was shot in the face.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Pierre Part boy goes viral after sneaking into neighbor's garage to hug dog

  09-06-2016 12:56
  
  PIERRE PART -A Pierre Part boy was captured on his neighbor’s home security cameras as he sneaked his way into their garage to give their family dog a hug.Josh Breaux was identified after the neighbor, Hollie Mallet, noticed the boy’s visit while reviewing the security footage last month and posted the clip to Facebook. The video would go on to get nearly 2 million views since its posting. Josh’s mother, Ginger Breaux, was notified of the video, and she commented to
  
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• Passionate debate over Lee High School name change continues

  09-06-2016 12:54
  
  BATON ROUGE - The controversial potential name change for Lee High School was dicussed again at a community meeting Thursday night.Another meeting to talk about changing the name of Lee High School. It's the 3rd in just over a week. Starts at 6. pic.twitter.com/vz28SixzgC— BrettBuffingtonWBRZ (@BrettBuffington) June 9, 2016Some believe the new multi-million dollar school should be separated from the name "Lee," which refers to Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Others believe
  
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• Bills to increase cellphone fees await governor approval

  09-06-2016 12:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana cellphone users could face millions of dollars in increased 911 service charges, under two measures sent to the governor's desk.The Legislature has given final passage to measures from two Republican lawmakers that would raise as much as $20 million a year for local emergency call systems.Hammond Rep. Chris Broadwater's bill could levy a maximum 40-cent increase for nearly 2.9 million Louisiana wireless customers, according to a fiscal analysis of the measure.Shreveport R
  
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• Man drowns trying to get out of water with son in Grand Isle

  09-06-2016 12:37
  
  GRAND ISLE - Officials say a man has drowned in Grand Isle while trying to rescue his child, making him the town's second drowning victim this week.Multiple news outlets report Grand Isle Police Chief Euris DeBois says the body of Diogenes Zuniga was found off the beach Wednesday morning.Police say Zuniga drowned on Tuesday trying to get out of the water while holding his 9-year-old son. A woman came and safely took the child, but Zuniga did not resurface.The Coast Guard searched for him that ni
  
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• Fired BRPD officer arrested for using badge to access courthouse

  09-06-2016 12:35
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police said they arrested a man after he attempted to fraudulently use a Baton Rouge Police Department badge to gain access to the 19th Judicial Courthouse downtown.33-year-old Melvin Cosey, of Hammond, was booked by BRPD on a charge of fraudulent portrayal of a police officer after he was taken into custody on Wednesday.Police said Cosey entered the 19th JDC building and presented a BRPD badge to several East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office deputies that were present. The m
  
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• 3 sentenced in New Orleans sex-trafficking case

  09-06-2016 12:33
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Federal authorities have announced three sentences handed down in an ongoing sex-trafficking case centered on a New Orleans motel.Three Tennessee men were sentenced Wednesday to prison terms ranging from eight to nearly 21 years. The case dealt with prostitution at the Riviera Motel in New Orleans.A Justice Department news release says 31-year-old Duane Phillips was sentenced to 20 years and 11 months; 27-year-old Anthony Ellis was sentenced to 15 years; and 23-year-old Zacchaeus T
  
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• Medical marijuana patients exempt from prosecution under law

  09-06-2016 12:27
  
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards has agreed to match Louisiana's drug laws to conform with its medical marijuana program, so someone who gets the therapeutic drug legally can't be prosecuted.The governor's office announced this week that Edwards signed the bill by Republican Sen. Fred Mills into law. It takes effect Aug. 1.The measure aims to protect patients of the state-sponsored medical marijuana program from laws that penalize people for possession or distribution of marijuana. It also ex
  
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• Michigan man accused of stealing and using BR woman's debit card info

  09-06-2016 12:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - Sheriff’s deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish say they arrested a Michigan man after he allegedly used a local woman’s debit card information to make an unauthorized purchase.20-year-old Keith Black, of Detroit, was booked on charges of access device fraud, theft and forgery.Deputies said on Apr. 17, an East Baton Rouge Parish resident reported that her banking card information had been used to make an unauthorized transaction in the amount of $505. The suspect
  
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• Red snapper season extended for 2 days in Gulf of Mexico

  09-06-2016 12:02
  
  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Federal officials are extending the red snapper recreational fishing season for private anglers in the Gulf of Mexico because of Tropical Storm Colin.NOAA Fisheries announced the extension Wednesday. The private angler component's federal-water fishing season was scheduled to run through Thursday but will now run through Saturday. The agency made the decision following requests from concerned anglers.This extension applies only to Gulf of Mexico federal waters, which are s
  
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• The Pledge of Allegiance: A.C. Lewis YMCA Summer Camp

  09-06-2016 09:59
  
  BATON ROUGE- Today's Pledge of Allegiance comes from the 4 & 5 year olds from the A.C. Lewis YMCA Summer Camp. 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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• Detention OK for 6th-grader who called vegetarians 'idiots'

  09-06-2016 09:06
  
  MONTGOMERY, N.J. - New Jersey education officials say a school was allowed to give detention to a sixth-grader who told a student who doesn't eat meat that "vegetarians are idiots" and that "he should eat meat because he'd be smarter and have bigger brains."The Courier News of Bridgewater reports the state education commissioner's office ruled the Montgomery school district was allowed to discipline the student.It happened in the Lower Middle School in 2014. School officials found the comments w
  
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• EPA's plan to boost ethanol use in gasoline gets hearing

  09-06-2016 09:02
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - All sides of the ethanol and biofuels debate are getting the chance to weigh in on a federal agency's proposal to boost the amount of renewable fuels blended into gasoline.
  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is holding its only hearing Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri, on its announcement last month to boost output of biofuels next year, as well as biomass-based diesel levels for 2018.
  The EPA's final rule is expected by the end of the year.
  Next year's target of 18.8 b
  
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• Missing children out of West Baton Rouge Parish found, safe

  09-06-2016 04:02
  
  PORT ALLEN - The search for two missing children out of West Baton Rouge Parish has been canceled on early Thursday morning.State police issued a Level II Endangered/Missing Child alert for two children and their mom out of Port Allen around 1:30 a.m.Jocelynn Mullen, 16 months old, and her sister Dixie Mullen, 6 weeks old, have been located safely after 3:30 a.m. The mother, Victoria Mullen, is also believed to be safe.According to police, they were believed to be with 30-year-old Brand
  
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