Baton Rouge news

• Custody agreement reached in Jolie-Pitt divorce

  07-11-2016 21:26
  
  LOS ANGELES - Representatives for Angelina Jolie Pitt say she and estranged husband Brad Pitt have reached a custody agreement regarding their six children.A statement released by a representative of the actress Monday night says the agreement was reached more than a week ago and calls for the children to remain in Jolie Pitt's custody, with Pitt to continue to receive "therapeutic visits" with his children.The actress filed for divorce in September, citing irreconcilable differences and saying
  
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• 1 dead, 1 hurt in shooting outside Houston school

  07-11-2016 21:24
  
  HOUSTON - One student is dead and another is hospitalized after an argument erupted in gunfire outside a Houston school for dropouts seeking high school diplomas.The incident happened about 12:30 p.m. Monday in a parking lot outside the Houston CAN Academy Southwest. Houston police spokeswoman Jodi Silva says two people in a pickup truck argued with four occupants of a sport utility vehicle when the SUV occupants stepped out and opened fire on the truck.Both vehicles sped from the scene, with th
  
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• Jury awards UVA administrator $3 million

  07-11-2016 21:21
  
  CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A federal jury has awarded $3 million to a University of Virginia administrator who they concluded was defamed by a now-discredited Rolling Stone magazine article about a gang rape at a fraternity house.Nicole Eramo claimed the 2014 article "A Rape on Campus" portrayed her as a villain who sought only to protect the university. Eramo had sued for $7.5 million.The jury concluded Friday that the magazine, its publisher and journalist Sabrina Rubin Erdely were responsible for
  
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• South Korean president to let parliament choose her PM

  07-11-2016 21:18
  
  SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea's president says she will allow parliament to choose her prime minister as she tries to defuse an escalating influence-peddling scandal.The announcement Tuesday by Park Geun-hye is a major concession that could severely curtail her ability to govern in the year she has left in her term.The prime minister Park nominated last week as a way to settle growing anger will apparently be replaced. But opposition and ruling party lawmakers must first agree on someone else
  
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• BRPD investigating Monday evening shooting on Gayosa St.

  07-11-2016 21:07
  
  Baton Rouge - The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating a shooting that took place Monday evening on Gayosa St.According to BRPD, the shooting occurred around 5 p.m. in the 2100 block of Gayosa St.Officials said a 27-year-old male victim was transported to a local hospital suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Initial reports claimed his injuries could be potentially life-threatening.More information will be added to this story as it becomes available.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Coroner: 3rd body found on SC man's property

  07-11-2016 19:16
  
  WOODRUFF, S.C. - A coroner says investigators have discovered a third body on the property of a South Carolina man who has been linked to seven deaths.Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said Monday that he doesn't know the sex of the body or how long it had been buried there.Authorities say Todd Kohlhepp, 45, became a suspect in the seven deaths in the days after a woman was found chained by her neck and ankle in a metal storage container on his 95-acre property near rural Woodruff.The b
  
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• Edwards to travel to D.C. to discuss additional federal assistance following flood

  07-11-2016 17:27
  
  BATON ROUGE – Governor John Bel Edwards will travel to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to meet with congressional leaders to discuss the state's need for additional federal assistance following the flood in August.Edwards and congressional delegation lobbied Congress for an initial recovery down payment of $438 million. While Louisiana's awaits the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's next step, the state continues to develop its action plan and requests for proposals that
  
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• Flood victim claims he was taken by "God-fearing contractor"

  07-11-2016 16:35
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH- A man in Livingston Parish claims a contractor who promised to fix his home after taking nearly $32,000 in payments, took off with his money and didn't finish the work. Tonight, the Baton Rouge Police Department and Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office are both investigating.Contractor Michael Tanner's business card says he owns Quality Construction. Tanner has a checkered past with arrests for felony theft, domestic violence, drugs and weapons.James Travis said he hired Michael
  
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• Three arrested for operating meth lab on boat

  07-11-2016 16:27
  
  PIERRE PART – Three people have been arrested for operating a meth lab on a boat in Pierre Part.The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office arrested 39-year-old Dwayne Paul Hebert, 33-year-old Latisha Landry and 31-year-old Kelly Blanchard on Friday, Nov. 4 while operating a boat near Lake Verret.Officers determined that the suspects possessed a mobile meth lab in the boat. The three were arrested by Assumption Parish Deputies, Narcotics Agents along with assistance from Louisiana Wildlife
  
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• Officer sues Black Lives Matter activist over protest injury

  07-11-2016 15:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge police officer who claims he was injured during a protest after a deadly police shooting in July is suing prominent Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson, who was arrested during the protests.The unnamed officer's lawsuit says he was struck in the face by a rock or a piece of concrete thrown during a July 9 protest over the death of Alton Sterling, a black man shot and killed during a scuffle with two white officers.The suit filed Monday doesn't accuse Mckesson o
  
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• BREC launches open-dialogue sessions with law enforcement and local youth

  07-11-2016 15:15
  
  BATON ROUGE – BREC has launched a series of public open-dialogue discussions with law enforcement and the community's youth to establish better relationships.The discussions are in partnership with Baton Rouge Police Department and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office. A part of a new LEO program, the discussions allow for youth ages 25 and younger to hear from and talk with law enforcement officers in an effort to form stronger community ties and relationships, along with a mu
  
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• Mom arrested after driving drunk with children inside vehicle, crashing on Hwy. 165

  07-11-2016 13:29
  
  LAKE CHARLES – A mother was arrested for driving drunk while her four children were in the vehicle, following a crash on Highway 165.The crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 on Highway 165 south of Highway 101 when a Buick van, driven by 29-year-old Kate Elizabeth Davis, was traveling northbound. Davis lost control and exited the right side of the roadway.The vehicle then entered a ditch and hit a culvert before becoming airborne. The vehicle then came to a rest in the di
  
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• LSU looks ahead to Arkansas following Alabama upset

  07-11-2016 13:14
  
  BATON ROUGE – After an 10-0 upset against Alabama on Saturday night, LSU is looking ahead to their next match up against Arkansas.The Tigers played the Roll Tide to a scoreless tie through three quarters, however the Tide was able to score on fourth-quarter possessions to defeat the Tigers 10 -0.Attendance was announced as capacity crowd of 102,321.LSU returns to the field on Nov. 12 as they travel to face Arkansas. Kick off is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN.WBRZ will live stream Lunch with Co
  
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• Families safe following two morning house fires

  07-11-2016 12:57
  
  BATON ROUGE – Two families are safe following two separate house fires that occurred Monday morning.The St. George Fire Department responded to a house fire in the 4400 block of Fleet Drive around 9 a.m.The fire was brought under control shortly after however the fire did cause heavy damage to the garage and kitchen of the home.Four of the five occupants of the home were safely evacuated, along with a pet. No injuries were reported.Fire investigators determined that the fire started in
  
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• Coroner recovers body in BR port

  07-11-2016 12:24
  
  BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Coroner has recovered a body from the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.The port is located on the west side of the Mississippi River. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is handling the matter. No further details have been released at the time of this post.This story will be updated as more information becomes available.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Last minute campaigning in Baton Rouge Mayor-President race

  07-11-2016 11:52
  
  BATON ROUGE - Campaigns big and small giving it their all on the last day before the election.Democrat Sharon Weston Broome running one of the larger campaigns in this race. Her Mid-City headquarters was bustling Monday with volunteers making calls and assembling signs."We have volunteers that are making phone calls to our election day volunteers to make sure everyone is in place," said Keisha Herron with the Weston Broome campaign.A similar scene at Republican Bodi White's campaign office near
  
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• Internet freezes for 'mannequin challenge' craze

  07-11-2016 11:46
  
  Forget dumping ice buckets, dancing or planking, the latest viral phenomenon sweeping the internet consists of people standing still as part of the "mannequin challenge."Videos of the challenge feature posing as mannequins in dramatic postures. They began to appear late last month online and by last weekend everyone from high school cheerleaders in Texas to the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks had taken part.This has got to be the best #mannequinchallenge yet! #gocards pic.twitter.com/p16DAvolF5—
  
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• China's October exports fall in new sign of global weakness

  07-11-2016 11:13
  
  BEIJING - China's exports fell again in October in a fresh sign of weak global demand. Imports also declined.Customs data on Tuesday showed exports contracted by 7.3 percent from a year earlier to $178.1 billion, an improvement from September's 10 percent decline. Imports fell 1.4 percent to $129.1 billion, compared with the previous month's 1.9 percent decline.The export slump has complicated efforts by Chinese leaders to shore up economic growth and reduce reliance on trade and investment.Perm
  
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• Four people arrested for Medicaid fraud

  07-11-2016 09:54
  
  BATON ROUGE – Four people have been arrested for Medicaid fraud, Attorney General Jeff Landry announced on Monday.Landry's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrested 51-year-old Djuana Richard, 45-year-old Joseph Richardson, 45-year-old Kishawn Holmes and 45-year-old Lynette Dowell.Richard was arrested on four counts on Medicaid fraud for allegedly working at a patient care facility while simultaneously claiming to be providing in-home care to another Medicaid recipient.Richardson and Dowell
  
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• All lanes now open at the I-10/110 split

  07-11-2016 09:48
  
  BATON ROUGE - All lanes are now open at the I-10/110 split.Monday morning, a vehicle on fire blocked the I-110 exit at the I-10/110 split.There are minimal delays from this incident.News 2's Ashley Fruge is monitoring the roadways. We will have updates on WBRZ.com and Twitter.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Body could be of missing US Army Corps of Engineers employee

  07-11-2016 09:05
  
  HAHNVILLE - Authorities in Louisiana are trying to determine if a body recovered from the Mississippi River belongs to a missing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employee from Vicksburg, Mississippi.Local news organizations report that the body was discovered Sunday morning by workers on a barge.The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office believes that the body belongs to missing 20-year-old food service worker Larrielle Ross, who was reported missing Wednesday. She was last seen working for the Corps o
  
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• Livingston Parish tax collections soar after flooding

  07-11-2016 09:02
  
  LIVINGSTON - Officials say Livingston Parish sales tax collections increased 50 percent over the same month last year as post-flood reconstruction and motor vehicle purchases continued to drive sales.The October collections figures represent sales made in September, the first full month after the flood, when property owners shifted gears from ripping out flooring and furnishings to lining up materials and contractors.Motor vehicle tax collections saw the biggest spike, more than tripling last Oc
  
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• All lanes now open Jefferson Hwy SB

  07-11-2016 08:21
  
  BATON ROUGE - All lanes are now open on Jefferson Highway southbound.Monday morning, an accident closed Jefferson Highway southbound at Drusilla.Some delays remain in the area. News 2's Ashley Fruge is monitoring the roads during Good Morning America. We will have updates on WBRZ.com and Twitter.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Search continues for remains in SC

  07-11-2016 07:12
  
  WOODRUFF, S.C. (AP) - Investigators in South Carolina say they'll continue searching for human remains this morning after finding the remains of two people and a woman alive and chained by her neck and ankle in a metal storage container.Todd Kohlhepp has become a suspect in at least seven deaths and authorities say he's confessed to a quadruple slaying at a motorcycle shop in 2003.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 1 deputy killed, 1 wounded during a dispute in central Georgia

  07-11-2016 07:10
  
  BYRON, Ga. - A deputy in Peach County, Georgia is dead and another is wounded while responding to a dispute between neighbors.The Macon Telegraph is reporting that the shooting happened early Sunday evening, about 16 miles southwest of Macon.The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says when the deputies arrived at the scene "they were under gunfire."Permalink| Comments
  
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• Janet Reno, former US attorney general, has died

  07-11-2016 07:04
  
  MIAMI - Janet Reno, the first woman to serve as U.S. attorney general and the epicenter of several political storms during the Clinton administration, has died. She was 78.Reno's goddaughter, Gabrielle D'Alemberte, says Reno died early Monday from complications of Parkinson's disease.Reno was one of the Clinton administration's most recognizable and polarizing figures. She faced criticism early in her tenure for the deadly raid on the Branch Davidian compound at Waco, Texas. In the spring of 200
  
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