Baton Rouge news

• Gov. John Bel Edwards says he'll sue AG Jeff Landry over LGBT protections

  30-09-2016 21:05
  
  The governor and attorney general can't reach a resolution over whether language protecting LGBT people should be included in state legal contracts.
  
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• Gov. John Bel Edwards files lawsuit against AG Jeff Landry over LGBT protections

  30-09-2016 21:05
  
  The governor and attorney general can't reach a resolution over whether language protecting LGBT people should be included in state legal contracts.
  
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• John Bel Edwards heading to Cuba next week

  30-09-2016 20:00
  
  The governor hopes to expand Louisiana's trade relationship with Cuba.
  
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• 1 shot in argument over car

  30-09-2016 19:53
  
  PLAQUEMINE- Authorities say one man was injured in a shooting that broke out after an argument over a car.It happened on Anthony Street. Police say a man and his uncle were arguing over a car when the man pulled out a gun and shot his uncle in the arm.The victim suffered non life-threatening injuries.No other information has been released at this time. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Edwards, Landry appear to settle latest budget dispute

  30-09-2016 18:29
  
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry appear to have worked out their latest budget dispute.The attorney general sought to boost spending in his budget on Medicaid fraud investigations and to take money from the health department to defend Louisiana abortion laws against a lawsuit. But the Edwards administration refused to advance the requests to the Legislature's joint budget committee for consideration.After a Friday meeting between the two men, Edwards says he's
  
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• Denham Springs High to return to original campus in January

  30-09-2016 16:53
  
  LIVINGSTON – Recovery teams are on schedule to return Denham Springs High and Freshman High schools to their campuses by the second semester, school officials said Friday.Superintendent Rick Wentzel said that temporary campuses will also be established for Denham Springs Elementary, Southside Elementary and Southside Junior High schools.“It’s very important that we continue to move forward in our recovery efforts,” Wentzel said.  “We wan
  
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• $67M teacher training grant awarded to La. education dept.

  30-09-2016 16:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's education department is getting a nearly $67 million grant over five years to strengthen teacher training in rural school systems.The Teacher Incentive Fund money will be spent across 137 schools in 16 rural school districts, aimed at helping to offer more training opportunities and to attract more high-quality teachers to those schools.Superintendent of Education John White announced the grant in a statement Friday.The school systems include Allen, Assumption, Caldwell
  
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• Louisiana governor heading to Cuba next week for trade talks

  30-09-2016 16:43
  
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards is traveling to Cuba next week for a trade mission, seeking to build economic ties with the island nation now that the U.S. is moving to normalize relations between the countries.The Monday through Friday trip will include Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson and Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson. About 50 other state, local, education and business officials also will participate.Louisiana's lawma
  
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• Matthew now a powerful Category 4 hurricane

  30-09-2016 16:35
  
  MIAMI - Hurricane Matthew has rapidly strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm, and a hurricane watch has now been issued for Jamaica.The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Matthew is packing top sustained winds of 140 mph (220 kph) after gaining new strength Friday over the central Caribbean. The storm is located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of Punta Gallinas, Colombia, and about 465 miles (750 kilometers) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.The center says that as of 5 p.m.
  
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• Four arrested on human trafficking charges after year-long investigation

  30-09-2016 16:32
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations – Special Victims Unit arrested four people following a year-long human trafficking investigation.In Aug. 2015, State Police rescued a victim where two suspects were arrested, however further investigation lead to four additional suspects being arrested and charged. By working closely with the victim, investigators were able to positively identify the suspects.According to the victim, the suspects held her agai
  
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• FEMA authorized disaster loans for local governments

  30-09-2016 16:26
  
  BATON ROUGE – Governor John Bel Edwards announced Friday that FEMA has approved the Community Disaster Loan for Louisiana.Edwards said the program will provide aid to local governments impacted by last month’s historic flooding.The CDL is one of many programs through which FEMA provides direct loans to local governments who suffered substantial loss of tax and other revenue in a disaster. Any funds loaned to local governments through the CDL must be used on existing governmen
  
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• Debate commission says Trump mic had 'issues'

  30-09-2016 16:00
  
  WASHINGTON - The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates says there was indeed a problem with Donald Trump's microphone during Monday night's first general election debate.The commission says on its website that "there were issues regarding Donald Trump's audio that affected the sound level in the debate hall."There was no noticeable issue with the sound on television.The GOP nominee complained about his mic the morning after the debate, even suggesting he may have been sabotaged
  
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• Louisiana governor sues AG over anti-discrimination clause

  30-09-2016 14:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards says he's suing the state attorney general over his rejection of contracts with an anti-discrimination clause that would protect LGBT people.Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has refused to approve contracts allowing state agencies to hire outside lawyers because they contain language barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.Edwards, a Democrat, issued an executive order in April requiring the language to be includ
  
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• Governor Edwards, attorney general sit down to talk budget dispute

  30-09-2016 14:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - After feuding over budget and contract issues, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry have had a face-to-face meeting to hash out some of their disagreements.It wasn't clear what, if anything, was accomplished in the hour-long Friday meeting between the Democratic governor and Republican attorney general. Both men planned to discuss the meeting with reporters later in the afternoon.As he exited the governor's office, Landry said he was happy with the sit-down, addin
  
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• Louisiana election polls are less accurate than others, LSU professor says

  30-09-2016 14:44
  
  The state ranks 37th when it comes to election poll accuracy.
  
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• Local creepy clowns just clowning around; No charges filed yet

  30-09-2016 14:21
  
  PAULINA - One of two people who spooked shoppers at a supermarket in St. James Parish earlier this week by wearing creepy clown costumes has been identified, the sheriff's office said.Monday evening the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office posted a picture of the two clowns. Deputies wrote the people wore masks, dark clothing - one appeared dressed in a refinery jumpsuit, and bright gloves. The masked renegades walked through the Matherne's Supermarket until a manager asked them to leave.The incide
  
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• Six arrested for smuggling drugs into Assumption Parish detention facility

  30-09-2016 14:20
  
  NAPOLEONVILLE – The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office arrested six people accused of smuggling drugs into the Parish Detention Center.Sheriff's investigators initiated an investigation a few weeks ago after corrections employees reported suspicious activities outside of the facility. The investigation revealed that the contraband was being delivered to areas outside of the building and then distributed inside the building by at least two inmates.Detectives were able to identify and ar
  
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• Assumption detention center employees arrested for smuggling drugs into facility

  30-09-2016 14:20
  
  NAPOLEONVILLE – The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office arrested six people accused of smuggling drugs into the Parish Detention Center.Sheriff's investigators initiated an investigation a few weeks ago after corrections employees reported suspicious activities outside of the facility. The investigation revealed that the contraband was being delivered to areas outside of the building and then distributed inside the building by at least two inmates.Detectives were able to identify and ar
  
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• FEMA explains how to appeal a determination letter decision

  30-09-2016 14:00
  
  BATON ROUGE – FEMA officials are urging flood victims to appeal their decision if they disagree with their determination letter as a quick fix to their application could make a difference.Officials say to read their determination letter carefully to understand FEMA's decision. Many times, according to officials, applicants only need to submit extra documents for FEMA to process the application. FEMA can reconsider an applicant in some cases if they:- Submit insurance documents.Provide
  
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• North Landfill hours to change to pre-flood operation hours

  30-09-2016 13:44
  
  ZACHARY – The operating hours at the North Landfill will soon change back to its pre-flood operating hours.Effective Oct. 9, the North Landfill, located at 16001 Samuels Road, will be closed to the public on Sundays, although hours will remain on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.The landfill will continue to be open to the public Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.The North Landfill hours were extended due to last month's severe flood. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Brusly man killed in Iberville Parish crash

  30-09-2016 13:23
  
  PLAQUEMINE – State Police reports that a Brusly man was killed Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle in Iberville Parish.According to Louisiana State Police, 56-year-old Ervin Sparrow stopped his pickup truck on the eastbound lane of LA 1148 to adjust equipment on the back of his truck. As he was walking back to the driver’s side of the truck, another car moved into a passing zone to pass Sparrow’s truck.Police said Sparrow, “for unknown
  
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• Man arrested for beating 2-month-old

  30-09-2016 12:51
  
  BATON ROUGE – Baton Rouge Police arrested a father on cruelty to juvenile charges for beating a two-month-old child while changing his diaper.On Wednesday around 11 a.m. BRPD responded to an area hospital in reference to a two-month old child with bruising to his genital and rear area and injuries to his ribs. The mother of the child told police that she left her three children at home with their father, 23-year-old Dexter Ambeau, on Tuesday while she went to a job interview a
  
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• Second Greensburg mayor resigns in five month span

  30-09-2016 12:48
  
  GREENSBURG – For the second time in five months, a mayor of Greensburg, La. has resigned.Greensburg Mayor Willie Hurst resigned his position earlier this week. Alderwoman Amanda Ficklin-Mixon will serve as Mayor Pro-Tem and fill in the position until another mayor is appointed or elected.Former Greensburg Mayor Burke Jones resigned earlier this year after the WBRZ Investigative Unit discovered that he did not live in St. Helena Parish. A town ordinance requires that the mayor live in G
  
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• Southern Conference to keep championships in North Carolina

  30-09-2016 09:49
  
  COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Southern Conference will keep four league championships in North Carolina despite the NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference withdrawing championships because of the state law restricting rights of LGBT people.The league said in a statement Friday it would honor commitments for these championships: men's soccer in Greensboro, men's and women's basketball in Asheville and men's golf in Pinehurst.The league said its presidents and chancellors "reaffirmed their resolute opposit
  
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• New Orleans airport gets no bids for new terminal hotel

  30-09-2016 08:10
  
  KENNER - Louis Armstrong International Airport's plan for a prominent hotel at the front entrance to its new $807 million passenger terminal has failed to attract any interest.NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune reports the New Orleans Aviation Board did not receive any responses to its recent request for proposals to build a nationally branded, full-service, 140-room hotel connected to the terminal.The new terminal is under construction and slated to be finished by October 2018.Airport spokesw
  
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• All lanes opened on I-10 W before La. 73

  30-09-2016 07:49
  
  PRAIRIEVILLE - Officials cleared the accident on I-10 west.All lanes are opened. There are no delays on the interstate.Accident WB I-10 before La 73 exit. 3 mile back up— WBRZ Traffic (@WBRZtraffic) September 30, 20162une In's Ashley Fruge is watching the roads. Watch her live reports during Good Morning America.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Accident on I-10 causes delays

  30-09-2016 07:49
  
  PRARIEVILLE - Commuter might have to take some extra time on the interstate Friday morning as an accident on I-10 west has backed up.The accident happened before the LA 73 exit. Delay reached to LA 30 in Gonzales.Accident WB I-10 before La 73 exit. 3 mile back up— WBRZ Traffic (@WBRZtraffic) September 30, 20162une In's Ashley Fruge is watching the roads. Watch her live reports during Good Morning America.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Duerte 'happy to slaughter' drug suspects; mentions Hitler

  30-09-2016 07:14
  
  MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine president has compared his bloody anti-drug campaign, which has left more than 3,000 people dead, to how Hitler massacred millions of Jews, saying he would be "happy to slaughter" 3 million addicts.President Rodrigo Duterte issued his latest threat against drug dealers and users early Friday on arrival in southern Davao city after visiting Vietnam, where he discussed his anti-drug campaign with Vietnamese leaders among other concerns.Duterte says: "Hitler mas
  
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• Some scrapes with police in California protests; two arrested

  30-09-2016 07:11
  
  EL CAJON, Calif. - Police say two men were arrested as some of the people protesting the police shooting of an unarmed black man became destructive and violent.El Cajon police say between 50 and 75 protesters were in the streets blocking traffic on Thursday night until they used pepper-spray balls to break up the crowd.Some protesters fought with drivers angry about the blocked road, breaking car windows and in once case knocking a man off his motorcycle.Some threw bottles at police in riot gear
  
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• Police search Conneticut home of woman lost as sea

  30-09-2016 07:04
  
  MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (AP) - Police have executed a search warrant at the home of a Connecticut woman who went missing at sea while on a fishing trip with her son.Officers from South Kingstown, Rhode Island, accompanied by local police were seen Thursday night removing bags, envelopes and boxes from 54-year-old Linda Carman's Middletown home.South Kingstown police have previously said they are investigating "the facts and circumstances" surrounding Carman's disappearance.Carman and her 22-year-old
  
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• Police search Connecticut home of woman lost at sea

  30-09-2016 07:04
  
  MIDDLETOWN - Police have executed a search warrant at the home of a Connecticut woman who went missing at sea while on a fishing trip with her son.Officers from South Kingstown, Rhode Island, accompanied by local police were seen Thursday night removing bags, envelopes and boxes from 54-year-old Linda Carman's Middletown home.South Kingstown police have previously said they are investigating "the facts and circumstances" surrounding Carman's disappearance.Carman and her 22-year-old son, Nathan,
  
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• Pope visits Georgia, Azerbaijan with peace message

  30-09-2016 07:00
  
  VATICAN CITY - This weekend Pope Francis wraps up a Caucasus pilgrimage that began in June in Armenia with a visit to two other countries with tiny Catholic communities. On the schedule is the Orthodox Christian bastion of Georgia, and the largely Shiite Muslim country of Azerbaijan.The Vatican says Catholic-Orthodox and Christian-Muslim relations will be high on Francis' agenda.It's not known exactly what the pontiff might say about Russian relations in that region. Francis is expected to make
  
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• Obama says Peres showed justice and hope

  30-09-2016 04:53
  
  JERUSALEM - President Barack Obama says Shimon Peres showed that justice and hope are at the heart of the Zionist ideal.Obama spoke at the Friday funeral of Shimon Peres, the longtime political leader and a founding father of Israel.Obama and Peres enjoyed a friendly relationship and shared a mutual admiration.Obama says Peres made sure the Jewish people had the armaments to secure their freedom and laid the foundation for the formidable armed forces that won Israel's wars. He says his statesman
  
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• 2 Van Gogh paintings recovered by Italian anti-Mafia police

  30-09-2016 03:45
  
  ROME - The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam says anti-Mafia police in Naples have recovered two Van Gogh paintings stolen in 2002.The museum in a statement on its website Friday said the paintings are in "relatively good condition." It said the two paintings are the 1882 work "Seascape at Scheveningen" and a later work, "Congregation leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen."Police in Naples said the paintings, of "priceless value," were discovered during a raid as part of a crackdown against a Naples-
  
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• Audit: Take back $3.4M in FEMA grants to church school

  30-09-2016 03:32
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Auditors say the Federal Emergency Management Agency should take back nearly all of $3.5 million in grants approved for a church-run school in coastal Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, though a school official says it actually received $2.8 million.The Department of Homeland Security inspector general's office says FEMA lacked adequate policies to prevent an "unaccredited and unlicensed non-public school" from getting federal money.It says FEMA ignored a conflict of interest whe
  
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• Louisiana tries to revive Planned Parenthood funding cut

  30-09-2016 03:20
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Attorneys for the state of Louisiana are trying to revive the state's Medicaid funding cut for Planned Parenthood clinics.Earlier this month a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an injunction blocking the cut, which would have kept needy Louisiana women from getting non-abortion services at Planned Parenthood facilities.Now, the state has asked the full court to re-hear the case.Former Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration moved to cut Medicaid funding f
  
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• Prolific Brees retains high hopes for 0-3 Saints

  30-09-2016 03:16
  
  METAIRIE - Drew Brees doesn't appear angry about the fact that his NFL-leading production has been wasted by the New Orleans Saints' 0-3 start.For now, he's trying to compartmentalize."I've always been a big believer in, if you focus on the process, the result takes care of itself," Brees said after practice Wednesday. "Sometimes, if you get too caught up with the result, that affects your preparation process and it affects what should be your good, sound decision-making."So I have a great proce
  
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