Baton Rouge news

• Listen to two black holes collide

  15-06-2016 20:13
  
  Scientists produced audio from data indicating passage of gravitational wave, caused by merger of two black holes
  
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• Spacetime ripples

  15-06-2016 19:36
  
  This artist's animation shows the merger of two black holes and the gravitational waves that ripple outward during the event. The black holes--which represent those detected by LIGO on Dec. 26, 2015--were 14 and 8 times the mass of the sun, until they merged, forming a single black hole 21 times the sun's mass. One solar mass was converted to gravitational waves. In reality, the area near the black holes would appear highly warped, and the gravitational waves would be difficult to see directly.
  
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• Louisiana LIGO scientists, for second time, hear black holes merge

  15-06-2016 19:15
  
  Confirming big facet of Einstein's 1915 general theory of relativity, another gravitational wave signal is detected after 1.4 billion years
  
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• Pass the Thin Mints: Girl Scout cookies aren't being taxed in Louisiana

  15-06-2016 19:05
  
  We're trying to clear up some confusion over this matter.
  
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• Livingston Sheriffs Office seize over $8k in drugs

  15-06-2016 18:04
  
  LIVINGSTON - Deputies in Livingston Parish announced multiple drug arrests that took place this week and resulted in $8,500 worth of drugs seized.On Monday, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office arrested Deangelo Williams of Denham Springs after deputies learned he was selling drugs out of a motel room in the area.According to Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard, deputies received information about the illegal activity at the Highland Inn Motel in Denham Springs.Through investigation, a search
  
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• Two men caught on camera stealing four-wheelers in Zachary

  15-06-2016 17:35
  
  ZACHARY – Zachary Police are following leads regarding four-wheelers that were stolen last week near Plank Road.Surveillance video captured what appears to be two men taking the four-wheelers from the home near Plank Road. Zachary Police Chief David McDavid said they are using the video along with the help of residents to locate the four-wheelers and the thieves.NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME ALERT: Police in Zachary are looking for two men, they believe took off with a few 4-wheelers. pic.twitter
  
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• 3 ways John Bel Edwards, Louisiana Senate might look to raise taxes

  15-06-2016 17:12
  
  Edwards has said $600 million more will be needed. Alario has said an extra $450 million has to be raised. Meanwhile, the Louisiana House has only agreed to $222 million.
  
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• Official: Gunman in Disney area before attack

  15-06-2016 17:11
  
  ORLANDO - A U.S. official says the FBI has determined that nightclub shooter Omar Mateen was in the area of Disney World at some point before the attack unfolded, though it's unclear for what purpose.The official briefed on the investigation who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity.Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said Mateen drove around the Orlando area Saturday evening, going from one place to another, before he opened fire at the ga
  
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• AR-15 owners explain why they have their guns

  15-06-2016 16:33
  
  The Orlando nightclub shooter's use of a legally purchased AR-15-type rifle, which President Barack Obama likened to "weapons of war," has rekindled the debate about the sale and use of a civilian gun model often associated with the military.Shooter Omar Mateen had two guns on him Sunday when he opened fire in the Pulse nightclub: a Glock 9 mm handgun and a Sig Sauer MCX .223-caliber rifle, which the U.S.Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives classified as an AR-type rifle.Though gu
  
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• Man charged in murder for hire wants cell phone records suppressed

  15-06-2016 16:29
  
  BATON ROUGE- For the first time in a year, WBRZ heard from the son of a murdered woman who is stuck overseas.There's a new twist, the attorneys representing the man accused of hiring the hit wants cell phone records that led to his arrest suppressed. His attorney claims the cell phone records were obtained unconstitutionally. The District Attorney's Office maintains that's not the case. Meanwhile, the victim's son Hamed Ghassemi hasn't been back home since he flew to Iran to bury his mother."Evi
  
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• Egypt says it has found plane wreckage

  15-06-2016 15:57
  
  CAIRO - Egypt says it has spotted the wreckage of the EgyptAir plane that crashed into the Mediterranean last month, killing all 66 people on board.
      
  The committee said in a statement late Wednesday that a vessel contracted by the Egyptian government to join the search efforts for the data recorders and the wreckage of the doomed A320 " had identified several main locations of the wreckage, accordingly the first images of the wreckage were provided to the investiga
  
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• Sources: Marshalls, Walmart looking to build in Zachary

  15-06-2016 15:07
  
  ZACHARY - Last October, some Zachary citizens breathed a sigh of relief when city council members denied a plan by Walmart to build a version of its store called Neighborhood Market. At the time, residents didn't want commercial areas impeding their community, off Church St. Some homes had signs in their front yards saying, "Save Church St. Keep it residential."But last week, Marshalls developers met with city officials about bringing a 60,000 sq. ft. building to the same spot on the land next t
  
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• Proposal to take taxes off high school games, homeless shelters moving again

  15-06-2016 14:34
  
  The bill was designed to fix several tax mistakes lawmakers made earlier this year.
  
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• Third suspect still at large in Hammond murder, carjacking

  15-06-2016 14:18
  
  HAMMOND - Police say two men have been arrested in New Orleans and a third suspect remains at large in connection with a murder and carjacking that happened in Hammond on Monday night.34-year-old William Davis was shot during an alleged drug deal in the 200 block of South Scanlan Street. Several shots were fired, and Davis fled to a nearby residence where he died.An arrest warrant was issued for 24-year-old Tremayne Sandifer, who was later taken into custody by authorities in New Orleans.A secon
  
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• Surrogacy regulations bill signed into law by Gov. Edwards

  15-06-2016 14:14
  
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards has reversed course from his predecessor and agreed to create regulations governing surrogacy births in Louisiana.Surrogacy isn't illegal in Louisiana, but contracts between a couple and its surrogate haven't been enforceable in court. The woman who gives birth is presumed to be the child's mother.The bill by Rep. Stuart Bishop, a Republican from Lafayette, sets out the legal rights of parents, child and surrogate mother when a woman carries and gives birth to
  
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• 5-year-old girl bitten by shark in Galveston

  15-06-2016 14:06
  
  GALVESTON, Texas - A young girl is recovering in Texas after she was bitten by a shark in the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday evening.KIAH-TV reported Galveston EMS responded to the scene near Pirates Beach on the west side of Galveston Island to find a 5-year-old girl with significant soft tissue damage to her lower leg. She was rushed to the hospital where she was listed in stable condition at the time of this writing.The girl was swimming between sandbars with her father and older brother when the att
  
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• 1 injured in stabbing at Neighborhood Walmart on Coursey

  15-06-2016 13:59
  
  BATON ROUGE - Medical personnel are on the scene of a reported stabbing at the Neighborhood Walmart on Coursey Boulevard.Sheriff's deputies said they are still looking for a suspect in connection with the incident. EMS confirmed that one person was transported from the scene to an area hospital where the victim is listed in stable condition.The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office confirmed that the stabbing was part of an altercation involving two employees at the store. Deputies said the one of t
  
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• Heat advisory in effect for north Louisiana through Thursday

  15-06-2016 13:47
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for north Louisiana.Forecasters say a strong upper level ridge of high pressure will expand northward from central Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley through Thursday.Meteorologist Mario Valverde in Shreveport says this will result in the hottest temperatures so far this year as they climb into the upper 90s by Thursday afternoon.Combined with the high humidity, Valverde says the heat index, or the "feels like" temperatur
  
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• ESPN adds Craig Sager to NBA Finals coverage for Game 6

  15-06-2016 13:43
  
  CLEVELAND - Craig Sager is going to work his first NBA Finals game.The longtime sideline reporter has been added to ESPN's broadcast team for Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Sager, who has worked for Turner Sports for 34 years, will share sideline reporting duties with Doris Burke on ABC's broadcast.Sager, who has long been one of the league's most revered personalities, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2014. He says the invitat
  
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• Official: State's refusal to cool death row isn't politics

  15-06-2016 13:42
  
  BATON ROUGE - The head of Louisiana's prison system says politics isn't a factor in the state's refusal to install air conditioning on death row, even though a lawsuit over the facility's heat levels already has cost taxpayers more than $1 million.
  Jimmy LeBlanc, the state's corrections secretary, attended a hearing Wednesday in federal court on whether the state is adequately protecting three death row inmates from dangerous heat and humidity levels.
  During an interview, LeBlanc said air condit
  
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• Bill would lessen tax breaks for manufacturers

  15-06-2016 13:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - Senators are advancing a bill that would force large manufacturing facilities to choose between two property tax breaks they enjoy, to boost revenue for the state's budget.
  The bill by Republican Sen. Rick Ward, of Port Allen, would prohibit businesses from receiving both an exemption from paying local property taxes for their facility and from paying property taxes charged on inventory.
  Ward said the measure would "level the playing field" for small businesses that don't receive t
  
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• Rapper Lil Wayne leaves hospital; he's called 'all good'

  15-06-2016 13:31
  
  OMAHA, Neb. - A publicist says rapper Lil Wayne has left an Omaha hospital and intends to perform Saturday night as scheduled.The 33-year-old New Orleans native was hospitalized after his private jet was forced by a medical emergency to land Monday at Omaha's Eppley Airfield. He was later described in stable condition after suffering what his publicist says were two minor seizures.Publicity director Derek Sherron of The Chamber Group said Wednesday that Lil Wayne, whose real name is Wayne Carter
  
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• Deputies: Man used phone in cast to record up women's skirts at Target

  15-06-2016 13:31
  
  BATON ROUGE - Sheriff's deputies say they arrested a man at the Target on Siegen Lane after he was accused of hiding a cellphone in his leg cast to record upskirt video of women in the store.31-year-old Brian Burliegh, of Wilson, was booked into the parish prison on a video voyeurism charge after deputies arrested him Tuesday evening.Deputies said they were dispatched to the scene in reference to a man taking pictures of women with his cellphone at the Target located in the 6800 block of Siegen
  
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• Heating up: More heat advisories could be issued Thursday

  15-06-2016 13:15
  
  BATON ROUGE - Some heat advisories were posted Wednesday in Louisiana and more are anticpated Thursday and Friday.For a heat advisory to be issued, the heat index has to rise to greater than 108 degrees for at least 2 hours. During that time, overheating and dehydration are possible and its recommended to wear light, loss clothes, drink plenty of fluids and do minimal activity.In the Baton Rouge-area Thursday, highs are projects in the mid-90's with a heat index around 104 degrees. On Friday it
  
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• Edwards signs cursive writing mandate for schools into law

  15-06-2016 13:14
  
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards has agreed to a mandate that cursive writing must be taught in Louisiana's public school classrooms.The governor's office announced Tuesday that Edwards had signed the requirement bill by Republican Sen. Beth Mizell, of Franklinton, into law.The measure requires public schools, including charter schools, to introduce cursive writing instruction by third grade. Instruction will have to continue through 12th grade.The mandate will take effect on July 1, 2017, to
  
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• Lee High name change to be discussed again Thursday

  15-06-2016 13:09
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board is scheduled to once again discuss a potential name change for Lee High School Thursday evening.This will be the fourth time the issue has been discussed in the past three weeks, and each time there has been plenty of emotional testimonies both for and against the switch.Supporters of the name chance believe the school needs to be distanced from its namesake, Confederate General Robert E. Lee, while opponents argue the name represents more t
  
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• Florida Democrats call for emergency gun bill

  15-06-2016 13:05
  
  ORLANDO - Democratic state lawmakers want to pass emergency legislation requiring a ban on gun purchases by people on watch lists.The Florida lawmakers called on Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday to hold a special session on the legislation in the wake of the massacre of 49 people at an Orlando nightclub in what is the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.The proposal would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct an extensive background check on individuals who
  
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• $50,000 reward in California serial killer cold case

  15-06-2016 13:02
  
  SACRAMENTO - Authorities announced a $50,000 reward Wednesday as they renewed their search for an elusive serial killer they say committed at least 12 homicides, 45 rapes and dozens of burglaries across California in the 1970s and 1980s.The case has grown cold for the killer known by at least four nicknames over the decades.He was dubbed the East Area Rapist after his start in Northern California. The Original Night Stalker after a series of Southern California slayings. The Diamond Knot Killer
  
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• Fed leaves key interest rate unchanged, noting jobs slowdown

  15-06-2016 13:01
  
  WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates unchanged in light of an uncertain job market, while offering no specifics about when its next rate hike might occur.The Fed says in a statement after its latest policy meeting that the pace of job growth has slowed, even as the overall economy has picked up speed.The Fed indicates it needs a clearer picture of economic developments before raising rates again. It notes that effects of a slowdown in exports have lessened.The Fed raised it
  
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• Man who was arrested after crashing into a bayou briefly escapes jail

  15-06-2016 12:58
  
  NAPOLEONVILLE - A man accused of leading law enforcement on a high speed chase in Assumption Parish before crashing into Bayou Lafourche in Labadieville now faces new charges after deputies say he attempted to escape from jail..Deputies say Drake Domangue scaled the jail yard fence last Thursday and escaped into a canefield. His taste of freedom was brief: the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office says they caught him within 5 minutes.3 days earlier, Domangue was arrested on a littany of charges&am
  
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• Judge to hear testimony on Louisiana death row's heat levels

  15-06-2016 12:51
  
  BATON ROUGE - A federal judge is set to hear testimony on whether Louisiana prison officials are adequately protecting death-row inmates from dangerous heat and humidity levels in a facility where the state refuses to install air conditioning.Three death-row inmates who sued three years ago over the sweltering conditions in their cells at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola are expected to attend Wednesday's hearing in U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson's courtroom.Jackson ruled more than two
  
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• Beat the press: Trump's contempt for media is calculated

  15-06-2016 12:49
  
  NEW YORK - Donald Trump's favorite nickname for the news media is the "dishonest press." He swaps in "disgusting press" from time to time.And sometimes, he puts it all together: "disgusting, dishonest human beings."The presumptive Republican presidential nominee has a whole menu of takedowns for individual reporters and news organizations. In recent weeks, he's used his microphone and his tweets to label them "third-rate," ''not nice," ''disgraceful," "phony," ''low-life," ''very unprofessional"
  
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• Investigators casting wide net in club shooting probe

  15-06-2016 12:46
  
  ORLANDO - Investigators trying to find out what motivated nightclub killer Omar Mateen are casting a wide net.The FBI is checking reports that Mateen frequented a gay dance club in Orlando before going on a murderous rampage there. Investigators also are looking at whether his wife knew anything beforehand about the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. The attack left Mateen and 49 victims dead.On Tuesday, a U.S. official said the FBI was looking into news reports quoting patrons of Pul
  
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• Experts: Time good, but rumored fantasy deal challenging

  15-06-2016 12:44
  
  BOSTON - Daily fantasy sports experts suggest the time's right for a deal to merge DraftKings and FanDuel as the rivals fight for survival amid greater regulatory scrutiny.Media reports say the companies have spoken about making a deal, though officials at both companies have dismissed the reports as speculation.Daniel Etna, a New York sports lawyer, says a merger would allow the companies to end their costly rivalry, save on operational costs and consolidate mounting legal and lobbying expenses
  
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• Critical tax vote planned Wednesday in House committee

  15-06-2016 12:38
  
  BATON ROUGE - Pressure is being put on members of the House tax committee, who are deciding whether to scale back a tax deduction for upper-income earners.The Ways and Means Committee meets Wednesday afternoon to consider the legislation by Bogalusa Rep. Malinda White, to raise more than $100 million for next year's budget.Groups for and against the tax measure are flooding social media websites and email with calls for people to bombard committee members ahead of the vote.The Republican Party o
  
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• Walmart, Zachary residents could be headed for another battle

  15-06-2016 12:30
  
  BATON ROUGE - Walmart could have another fight on their hands with residents of Zachary.Just outside of the Live Oak Trace subdivision is a plot of land that has been center of debate in the past. In 2015, Walmart wanted to build a neighborhood market there, but the plan ultimately failed. Now there's talk about the idea resurfacing."We let our voices be heard once before in this matter," Richard Morales, who lives in the subdivision, recalls.Morales wasn't alone. People for and against the big
  
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• Lawmaker calls proposed tax policy 'worst ever'

  15-06-2016 12:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - Some lawmakers are calling a tax bill that passed through the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday as some of the worst tax policy ever.The tax hike would mainly impact wealthy people when they file their state return. It will only take effect if the state thinks it needs money, and go away after two years, at which point the state will reimburse taxpayers everything they paid."Contingent revenue back on REC and the taxpayers don't know and you might get all this money back lat
  
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• Man shot during armed robbery attempt on N. Acadian

  15-06-2016 09:51
  
  BATON ROUGE - A man is in police custody after he was shot in the leg when gunfire was exchanged during an attempted armed robbery in a North Acadian Thruway parking lot.17-year-old Ja’Andrea Sherman was booked into the parish prison on charges of attempted armed robbery and attempted first degree murder after his release from a Baton Rouge hospital.Police said Sherman approached the victim in the parking lot of Acadian Food Mart on Monday at around 9 a.m. and pulled out a silver handg
  
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• Naked man tries to force his way into Georgia Waffle House

  15-06-2016 08:32
  
  NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Police in Georgia say visitors to a Waffle House restaurant likely lost their appetites after they saw a naked man attempt to force his way into the restaurant.Officers responded to the scene of the Waffle House in Sandy Springs after an employee called 911 to report a naked man was urinating outside the windows where customers were eating on June 7.“This is the Waffle House. A gentleman just got out of his car and is naked standing in front of my do
  
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• Stalled vehicle causes major delays on I-10

  15-06-2016 07:26
  
  BATON ROUGE - Commuters might want to take an alternate route this morning as a stalled vehicle forced the closure of the center lane of I-10 at the Mississippi River Bridge.Conjestion has reached to I-10 at South Acadian Thruway. Motorist are encouraged to use US 190 as an alternate route.All lanes were announced back open just minutes after the 8 o'clock hour started. Congestion remained stacked up to South Acadian Thruway at that time.Watch Ashley Fruge's traffic updates during Good Morning A
  
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• Charles Boustany's staff accidentally broadcasted private campaign conversation over Facebook

  15-06-2016 05:04
  
  They talked about two of his rivals in the U.S. Senate race -- State Treasurer John Kennedy and U.S. Rep. John Fleming.
  
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• Rep. Charles Boustany - Facebook Live

  15-06-2016 04:13
  
  Staff for Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, accidentally broadcast a private conversation about political rivals State Treasurer John Kennedy and Rep. John Fleming, R-Minden, on Thursday (June 14).
  
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• Rep. Charles Boustany - Facebook Live Part 2

  15-06-2016 03:55
  
  Staff for Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, accidentally broadcast a private conversation over Facebook on Tuesday afternoon (June 14).
  
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• Rep. Charles Boustany - Facebook Live Part 1

  15-06-2016 03:14
  
  Staff for Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, appear to have accidentally broadcasted a private conversation about his U.S. Senate campaign through Facebook Tuesday (June 14).
  
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