Baton Rouge news

• Debris trucks causing extra stink in quiet community

  01-09-2016 21:14
  
  BATON ROUGE - Residents in north Baton Rouge are just about fed up with the debris clean-up. Residents along New Rafe Mayor Road say their once quiet community has gotten noisy and smelly and a nearby landfill is to blame.The city-parish says it's picked up about 200,000 cubic yards of debris and a lot of that has been taken to Ronaldson Field Landfill, also on New Rafe Mayor Road.Lately, truck after truck filled with debris has passed through the community on the way to the landfill."We've been
  
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• FEMA urges St. James, West Baton Rouge flood survivors to register for assistance

  01-09-2016 20:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - St. James and West Baton Rouge parish disaster survivors may now be eligible for federal disaster assistance, according to FEMA.They join the list of 22 parishes in which survivors may be eligible for FEMA assistance.FEMA lists three ways to apply for assistance:Log onto DisasterAssistance.gov on any computer, smartphone or tablet.Download FEMA's mobile app.Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-621
  
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• Green Bay preps for thirsty Tigers Fans

  01-09-2016 19:05
  
  GREEN BAY - As Wisconsin businesses prepare for Saturday's LSU-Wisconsin game, many are in for something they've never experienced before.In Green Bay Thursday, it's far beyond business as usual. Party tents have popped up in a party row, a block from Lambeau Field. Parking lots have been blocked off for fans of two of the biggest party teams in college football."On a Packer game, we'll do about a thousand cases," on bar employee said. "This game, we don't have any idea what to expect."Stadium V
  
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• Chris Blair ready for LSU season-opener as new 'Voice of the Tigers'

  01-09-2016 18:45
  
  BATON ROUGE – Chris Blair has only been living in Baton Rouge for nine months, but he has been busy getting ready for the biggest play-by-play of the year as the new "Voice of the Tigers."Blair is filling the shoes of a broadcast legend, but has had plenty of practice since falling into the family business at just 14 years old."I was doing weather reports sign-on Saturday and Sunday mornings for my father's company," Blair said.Blair had aspirations of becoming a lawyer, graduating fro
  
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• How do they make those famous Wisconsin cheeseheads

  01-09-2016 18:23
  
  MILWAUKEE – Just two hours away from Green Bay, Wisconsin’s famous “cheeseheads” are made.While the material used to make the cheesehead looks like actual cheese, you certainly wouldn’t want to eat it.Aside from the signature Green Bay Packer’s green jerseys, the cheesehead is the signature headgear for Lambeau Field faithful.“The demand for them this time of year is high, especially with the season right around the corner,&am
  
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• Homeowners in Sherwood Forest selling flood-damaged homes

  01-09-2016 17:51
  
  BATON ROUGE – Stuck without flood insurance, some homeowners in the Sherwood Forest area are putting their flood-damaged homes up for sale.Many of the homeowners do not want to start over by rebuilding homes that are already paid for. Throughout the neighborhood are signs lying in the middle of piles of debris with the hand-written words "House for Sale."Jim Miller, 82, has lived in his Sherwood Forest home for 25 years."You pretty much think you are pretty well off for retirement, the
  
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• More than 14,000 residents sign up for Shelter at Home program

  01-09-2016 17:48
  
  BATON ROUGE – Governor John Bel Edwards announced Thursday that registration information for the Shelter at Home Program is now available to victims of last month’s historic flooding.The Shelter at Home Program is a new program that helps residents who were affected by the floods to shelter at their home while they continue to rebuild.According to Edward’s office, more than 14,782 survivors have registered to participate in the program. Home inspections are underway
  
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• Take a tour of Usinger's in Milwaukee, Wis.

  01-09-2016 17:34
  
  MILWAUKEE – From the processing, to the casing and packaging, one might think that Usinger's is just a normal sausage shop. But according to the owners, there's a little bit of magic happening at night.Usinger's is the product of a 136-year-old family business started by Fred Usinger in 1880."My great-grandfather was a young sausage maker in Germany," Fritz Usinger said. "He immigrated and got a job making sausage here in Milwaukee." The same recipie that Usinger mast
  
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• Tourists help local flood victims rebuild

  01-09-2016 17:31
  
  BATON ROUGE - Volunteers have crossed states and even countries to help those who have lost everything in the recent historic flood.Gutting out flooded homes is not exactly what one would call a vacation, but some French tourists are adding that to the list of things to do while in the state. Louisiana was only supposed to be a pit stop for the tourists, but the damage they heard about while in France was hard to ignore.Even though it's the travelers' first time in the United States and only hav
  
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• Police confirm third victim dead following I-10 bus crash near Laplace

  01-09-2016 17:01
  
  LAPLACE – Louisiana State Police confirm that a third person has died as the result of crash involving a party bus and a fire truck on I-10 that injured dozens on Sunday.According to State Police, 33-year-old Vontarous Kelly of Moss Point, MS succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning while in being treated in an area hospital. Two others, St. John the Baptist Fire Department District Chief Spencer Chauvin and 32-year-old firefighter Nicholas Saale were previously confirmed dead.Gov
  
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• Hiring illegal contractors has its risks

  01-09-2016 16:46
  
  BATON ROUGE- Paying workers under the table for home repairs may be the quickest option for flood victims but it can be costly in the long run. Louisiana requires contractors be certified to protect customers from shaddy work or outright theft.The state keeps a list of qualified contractors for the public.However it's not just homeowners who take a chance in the labor black market. Workers run the risk of doing a job just to have the employer not pay.The day laborers are often immigrants from La
  
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• Obama says he supports veterans' health care recommendations

  01-09-2016 16:27
  
  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says he supports a congressional panel's recommendation to create a veterans' health care system that coordinates government and private care.The recommendation is among a total of 18 issued in July by the Commission on Care. Congress created the panel following a scandal over long wait times for veterans who sought care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Obama told Congress in a letter sent Thursday that he strongly supports 15 of the panel's 18 reco
  
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• 'Step Up All In's' Trish Sie to direct 'Pitch Perfect 3'

  01-09-2016 15:42
  
  LOS ANGELES - "Step Up All In" director Trish Sie is stepping up to direct "Pitch Perfect 3." Producer and "Pitch Perfect 2" director Elizabeth Banks tweeted the news Thursday.Banks, who has produced the "Pitch Perfect" films since the beginning, in addition to playing a small part in the a cappella series, was originally slated to direct the third installment after the latest performed so well at the box office. Earlier this year Banks backed away from the role.Sie has a background in music and
  
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• 'Side friend' of Senator Troy Brown asks DA to drop battery charge

  01-09-2016 15:39
  NEW ORLEANS - The woman New Orleans Police dubbed the ‘side friend’ of La. Sen. Troy Brown is asking the Orleans Parish District Attorney to drop the battery charge against him.Brown is accused of punching the woman, Katasha Willis, his girlfriend of 10 years, in the face at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown New Orleans the weekend of the Bayou Classic football game.Willis signed an affidavit to drop the charges on August 2, 2016, and it was filed into the court record last
  
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• Friend of Senator Troy Brown asks DA to drop battery charge

  01-09-2016 15:39
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The woman New Orleans Police dubbed the ‘side friend’ of La. Sen. Troy Brown is asking the Orleans Parish District Attorney to drop the battery charge against him.Brown is accused of punching the woman, Katasha Willis, his girlfriend of 10 years, in the face at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown New Orleans the weekend of the Bayou Classic football game.Willis signed an affidavit to drop the charges on August 2, 2016, and it was filed into the court record last
  
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• Increased law enforcement on roadways for Labor Day weekend

  01-09-2016 15:27
  
  BATON ROUGE – An increased law enforcement presence will be seen through the Labor Day weekend as Louisiana State Troopers will work closely with local law enforcement to remove drunk drivers from the roadways.Last year, five Louisiana families lost loved ones that were killed in drunk driving crashes. With the increase in holidays plans and traffic, drivers are urged to plan ahead, designate a sober driver, always ensure all passengers are wearing their seat belts and exercise patienc
  
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• DOTD awarded $40 million to I-10 corridor improvements

  01-09-2016 14:41
  
  BATON ROUGE – Governor John Bel Edwards announced Thursday that DOTD received $40 million in additional federal funding that will be put towards improvement to parts of I-10.Edwards said the money will be used to improve I-10 from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge in Lafayette and St. Martin parishes.With the additional $40 million, Edwards said his FASTLANE grant application has been awarded a total of $100 million in federal highway funding for projects along I-10. He and DOTD Sec
  
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• Attorney General warns of mold-free certificate

  01-09-2016 14:30
  
  BATON ROUGE – Attorney General Jeff Landry is warning residents to beware of so-called “mold certificates” as recovery begins after August’s historic flooding.Landry said “there is no such thing as a government required ‘mold-free’ certificate.” He is also urging residents to only hire contractors with the necessary skills, licenses and insurance to legally do mold remediation work.General Landry also offers the foll
  
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• Blue Bell announces new Camo 'n Cream flavor

  01-09-2016 14:16
  
  BRENHAM, TX – The newest flavor of Blue Bell Ice Cream may be a little hard to spot on shelves on your next trip to the store. The company announced its new flavor, Camo 'n Cream, on Thursday.Camo 'n Cream is a combination of ice cream flavors Pistachio Almond, and Milk Chocolate and includes cream cheese all swirled into a camouflage pattern and comes in a carton decorated with a camouflage design."We are having a little fun with this flavor," Carl Breed, director of marketing for Blu
  
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• Dallas chief who oversaw response to sniper attack to retire

  01-09-2016 13:58
  
  DALLAS - Dallas Police Chief David Brown, who oversaw the response to a July sniper attack that killed five officers, has announced his retirement.Brown issued a statement Thursday saying he will retire Oct. 22 after 33 years with Dallas police. He was not immediately available for additional comment.Brown says he was prompted to become an officer in 1983 by a crack cocaine epidemic in a Dallas neighborhood. He was named police chief in 2010.He's drawn criticism from Dallas police unions for not
  
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• For Tiger fans going to Green Bay, traveling with crawfish is essential

  01-09-2016 13:57
  
  GREEN BAY - LSU fans are arriving in Wisconsin ahead of Saturday's game with all the essentials: spirit, excitement, fan gear and crawfish!"We've brought 31 pounds of crawfish tails for Étouffée on Friday night," Lisa Francise said as she arrived at the airport this week. For many Tiger fans, this weekend will be a much needed break from the reality of life back at home: flooded and gutted homes with a constant whirling of fans and dehumidifiers. Temporarily, they'll trade
  
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• DSNAP resources now available online

  01-09-2016 13:31
  
  BATON ROUGE – State officials have created a disaster resource page that includes a news center, fact sheets and other downloadable information about the DSNAP program.The disaster resource page can be found at the Department of Children and Family Services website.According to DCFS, the webpage also includes a frequently asked questions section with answers in both English and Spanish.Examples of the FAQs included:What is considered when calculating an applicant's DSNAP eligibility?Ta
  
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• 'Willy Wonka,' 'Blazing Saddles' in theaters this weekend

  01-09-2016 13:21
  
  LOS ANGELES - AMC Theaters nationwide are bringing a few of Gene Wilder's most beloved films back to theaters this weekend.The theater chain announced Thursday that audiences can catch "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "Blazing Saddles" this Saturday and Sunday evening at 55 participating AMC locations.Wilder died Sunday at age 83 of complications from Alzheimer's disease. Fans worldwide have mourned since the news broke Monday.This is the latest theatrical response to a notable death.
  
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• All False River boat launches closed due to debris, high water level

  01-09-2016 13:20
  
  POINTE COUPEE – The Pointe Coupee Parish Police jury is closing all operated boat launches into False River until further.All privately operated boat launches into False River are also closed. The closure is due to the high water level and amount of debris in the river which presents a safety issues for boats.The boat launches will re-open once parish officials confirm that the water level is at 17 feet and the Sheriff and Department of Wildlife and Fisheries complete a debris inspecti
  
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• Florida finds Zika in trapped mosquitoes, 1st in US mainland

  01-09-2016 13:18
  
  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Authorities in Florida have found the Zika virus in trapped mosquitoes, the first time this has happened in the continental US.Officials say 3 mosquitoes from Miami Beach have tested positive. The state agricultural commissioner calls the development disappointing, but not surprising.The number of non-travel-related Zika infections has grown to 47 in Miami-Dade County since the first case was identified just over a month ago, but mosquito controllers had not been able to find
  
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• First West Nile virus death this year reported in Miss.

  01-09-2016 13:00
  
  JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi State Department of Health says a Hinds County resident has died from the West Nile virus. It's the first human death of 2016.In addition to the Hinds County death, state Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said two new human cases of West Nile have been reported in Lee and Marion counties, bringing the 2016 total to 18 in Mississippi.So far this year, human cases of West Nile have been reported in Calhoun, Chickasaw, Copiah (2), Hinds (5), Grenada, Lamar (2), Lee, Lef
  
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• Suspects wanted for stealing money from Airline Hwy gas station

  01-09-2016 12:51
  
  BATON ROUGE – Baton Rouge Police detectives are attempting to identify a man and woman who are accused of stealing money from a Chevron gas station.According to BRPD, the two stole money from the Bengal Chevron gas station located in the 9900 block of Airline Highway on May 31 and June 1.The woman distracted the clerk while the man took money from the store's safe. The suspects were seen leaving the area in a gray two-door Infiniti G37 with the license plate TZA346.Anyone with
  
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• LSU President shares bond with LSU Football season opener site

  01-09-2016 12:43
  
  MADISON - For many Tiger fans, LSU's match against Wisconsin signifies the start of the season. For LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander, it means a lot more.Alexander, a University of Wisconsin graduate, returned to his alma mater this week to watch his team in the first game of the football season. It's a campus he's all too familiar with, and it's about to become a family affair.Alexander's daughter is now a student at the University of Wisconsin, moving in this week. His other daug
  
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• Explosion destroys SpaceX rocket, satellite

  01-09-2016 12:36
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL - SpaceX says a massive explosion has destroyed one of its rockets during a routine test for a weekend launch. A satellite aboard the rocket was also destroyed.SpaceX says there were no injuries.The company was conducting a test firing of its unmanned Falcon rocket when the blast occurred. In a statement, SpaceX says "there was an anomaly on the pad resulting in the loss of the vehicle and its payload." It didn't provide any details.The blast shook buildings several miles away.The
  
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• Poll: Half of Americans wary of travel to US Zika zones

  01-09-2016 12:33
  
  MIAMI - A new poll on Americans' health care attitudes finds almost half are wary of traveling to places in the U.S. where people have been infected with the Zika virus by mosquitoes, such as parts of Florida.The poll released Thursday by the Kaiser Family Foundation found 48 percent would be uncomfortable traveling to U.S. Zika infection areas. Up to 61 percent felt that way about traveling to Puerto Rico or other Zika zones outside the U.S.Most mosquito-caused Zika cases in Florida are in the
  
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• 10,000 Syrian refugees find new home in US

  01-09-2016 12:32
  
  EL CAJON, Calif. - San Diego, the nation's eighth-largest city, has received 626 Syrian refugees since October, more than any other in the United States. Many smaller cities have accepted outsized number of Syrians, including Erie, Pennsylvania; Toledo, Ohio; and Boise, Idaho.San Diego's newest arrivals include the Jouriyeh family of six from the city of Homs. On Sunday, they participated in a ceremony in Amman, Jordan, to mark the United States hitting its target of taking in 10,000 Syrian refu
  
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• AP FACT CHECK: Trump on immigration

  01-09-2016 12:30
  
  WASHINGTON - Wednesday was supposed to be the day Donald Trump clarified his immigration stance. But in a key speech on that subject, he misstated facts about immigration policy, life for those in the country illegally and their impact on the U.S. economy.A look at some of his statements in an Arizona rally in the evening and after a meeting earlier in the day with Mexico's president:___TRUMP: "President Obama and Hillary Clinton have engaged in gross dereliction of duty by surrendering the safe
  
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• Poll: Most young adults say police treat some differently

  01-09-2016 12:28
  
  WASHINGTON - Across racial and ethnic groups, most young Americans think police treat some groups of people differently than others, according to a new GenForward poll.The poll shows that most think African-Americans, Latinos, the poor and immigrants are more likely to be mistreated. It also shows that young blacks are especially likely to say they've experienced arrest, harassment or violence by police.GenForward is a survey of adults age 18 to 30 by the Black Youth Project at the University of
  
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• Trump's immigration speech signals sharp shift

  01-09-2016 12:24
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio - Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric on illegal immigration has obscured a potentially historic policy shift.The Republican presidential nominee is the first major party candidate in modern memory to propose limiting legal immigration.In his speech on immigration late Wednesday, Trump capped a list of steps to combat illegal immigration, with a final pledge to completely revamp the country's legal immigration system in order to lessen the number of people allowed into the United S
  
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• For Trump, a day of political whiplash on immigration

  01-09-2016 12:24
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio - Donald Trump's back-to-back immigration-focused events in Mexico and Arizona were an astounding display of political whiplash.During a surprise visit with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Trump lavished praise on America's southern neighbor and pointedly avoided publicly insisting that Mexico pay for the wall he's pledged to build along the U.S.-Mexico border.But in a lengthy and fiery address on immigration in Phoenix hours later, the Republican nominee asserted in no unce
  
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• Filling police vacancies is latest struggle for Ferguson

  01-09-2016 12:22
  
  FERGUSON, Mo. - Two years after Michael Brown's shooting death put a national spotlight on Ferguson police, the suburban St. Louis city is struggling to maintain the number of officers it needs.The department is facing 13 vacancies. It's down to a staff of 36 compared with 55 in 2014. Some officers have retired, while others who spent months dealing with protests and heavy scrutiny left for different jobs.Mayor James Knowles III says finding qualified applicants has been tough and that diversity
  
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• Obama urges nations to work together on climate issues

  01-09-2016 12:20
  
  STATELINE, Nev. - President Obama says no nation can tackle climate change by itself. He says that's why countries need to work together on the environment.Obama is speaking to a group of Pacific Island leaders in Honolulu a few hours after addressing a Lake Tahoe conservation summit in Nevada.The president is pointing to steps the U.S. has taken to reduce emissions and protect the environment while also growing its economy. He says that shows that there's no conflict between a healthy
  
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• Alligator season opens to low prices

  01-09-2016 12:18
  
  HOUMA - Alligator hunting season is officially open in the eastern part of the state, but prices are way down.Hunters and processors says the current prices for alligators are $20 per foot for a 9-foot or longer gator, $17 for 8 feet, $13-$15 for 7 feet and $13-$14 for 6 feet.Greenwood Gator Farms and Tours owner Tim Domangue (doh-MANG') tells The Courier (http://bit.ly/2bEDt5B) the prices are about 30 percent down from last year.Prices peaked in the late 1980s at over $40 per foot, declined to
  
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• Dog trained in sign language missing after break-in

  01-09-2016 12:16
  
  SHREVEPORT - Shreveport police say a service dog trained to respond to sign language is missing after a house burglary Monday, and investigators are looking for the dog and for clues.The Times reports that the Rottweiler named Major has been missing since sometime between 7 a.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. Monday.The dog has all the markings of a traditional Rottweiler; however he has a distinctive long tail and bears a white patch in his chest, making him relatively easy to spot.Anyone with information o
  
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• Vitter says FEMA to fund crisis counseling

  01-09-2016 12:13
  
  NEW ORLEANS - A U.S. senator says the Federal Emergency Management will provide Louisiana with $6.8 million to fund crisis counseling for flood victims.Sen. David Vitter's office announced the grant in a news release Wednesday. The release says the money is for counseling, education and development of coping skills. The state will be responsible for distributing the money from FEMA's Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program.Program funds generally go to community-based shelters, communi
  
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• All lanes now open on I-10 at MS River Bridge

  01-09-2016 08:02
  
  BATON ROUGE - All lanes on I-10 eastbound and I-10 westbound are now open at the Mississippi River Bridge.The right and center lanes were blocked Thursday morning on I-10 eastbound at the bridge due to an accident involving two 18 wheelers. The delay from this accident remains one mile past LA 415 (Lobdell).There were also problems on the other side of the bridge due to a breakdown. The right lane was blocked on I-10 westbound at the bridge. News 2's Ashley Fruge is monitoring the roadways. We w
  
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