Baton Rouge news

• Trump to tap Ga. Rep. Price for health secretary

  28-11-2016 21:05
  
  WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump has selected Georgia Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.That's according to a person familiar with the decision, which is expected to be announced Tuesday morning.Price has been a leading critic of President Barack Obama's signature health care law. Trump has vowed to repeal the measure, though he has been unclear about exactly what he hopes to replace it with.The person familiar with the decision insisted on anonymity bec
  
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• Stephen Moret, LSU Foundation president, leaving to take Virginia economic development post

  28-11-2016 21:02
  
  Stephen Moret leaving post just as LSU is about to embark on its most ambitious fundraising drive.
  
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• Stephen Moret, Bobby Jindal's economic development chief, taking Virginia post

  28-11-2016 21:02
  
  He's leaving his current post at the LSU Foundation as it embarks on its most ambitious fundraising drive.
  
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• Congress backs bill on customer rights for online review

  28-11-2016 20:57
  
  WASHINGTON - Congress is sending President Barack Obama legislation to ensure that customers who want to post negative reviews on websites like Yelp or TripAdvisor can do so without legal repercussions.The Senate passed the measure by voice vote Monday night.Supporters of the bill say it is needed to ensure freedom of speech in a growing online economy. It was written in response to some businesses that have made customers sign non-disparagement clauses and then sued if a bad review showed up.In
  
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• 3 dead, 5 sickened after Thanksgiving dinner

  28-11-2016 20:23
  
  ANTIOCH, Calif. - Health officials say they are trying to determine if three people who died and five who were sickened after eating Thanksgiving dinner at a church event got sick there or at the assisted living facility where they all lived.Dr. Louise McNitt, of the Contra Costa County Health Department, said Monday there is no risk to the general public.It's unclear exactly what caused the illness. Health officials are awaiting test results and interviewing those who are recovering.McNitt says
  
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• Woman from Guatemala dies while in ICE custody in Arizona

  28-11-2016 20:19
  
  ELOY, Ariz. - A woman from Guatemala died Sunday while in immigration detention in Arizona, marking the third in-custody death nationwide for Immigration and Customs Enforcement since Oct 1.ICE announced Monday that 36-year-old Raquel Calderon de Hildago died at a hospital near the Eloy Detention Center after suffering a series of seizures.She was transferred to ICE custody Nov. 23, six days after the Border Patrol apprehended her. ICE says she was awaiting removal to her home country.Immigratio
  
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• Troops to help as wildfires spread in Smokies

  28-11-2016 19:54
  
  GATLINBURG, Tenn. - The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says National Guard troops are being sent in to help out as wildfires continue to spread in Gatlinburg and surrounding areas in the Smoky Mountains National Park.TEMA spokesman Dean Flener says the troops will transport first responders, perform welfare checks and remove debris.Emergency officials in Tennessee ordered evacuations due to the blaze in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County. Officials sa
  
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• Thousands evacuated, hundreds of structures damaged from Tennessee fire

  28-11-2016 19:54
  
  GATLINBURG, Tenn. -Tennessee officials say thousands of residents and visitors in the Gatlinburg area have been evacuated and hundreds of structures have been damaged and destroyed by spreading wildfires.In a news release Tuesday morning, authorities say three people who suffered severe burns have been transferred from a Knoxville hospital to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, which has a burn unit. A fourth person is being treated for facial burns in Knoxville.The Tennessee Emer
  
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• Officials: Several Gatlinburg buildings on fire

  28-11-2016 19:54
  
  GATLINBURG, Tenn. - Emergency officials in Tennessee say a wildfire has set 30 structures ablaze in Gatlinburg, including a 16-story hotel, and is at the edge of the Dollywood theme park.Tennessee Emergency Management Agency spokesman Dean Flener says in a news release Monday night that mandatory evacuations were underway for areas in and around Gatlinburg, including the south part of Pigeon Forge, where Dolly Parton's theme park is.Flener says strong afternoon winds fanned the wildfire
  
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• Fires near Smokies cause mandatory evacuation

  28-11-2016 19:54
  
  GATLINBURG, Tenn. - Officials say several areas are being evacuated because of fires in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.GATLINBURGGatlinburg police had been going door to door in one neighborhood asking for voluntary evacuations. But the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that as wind picked up and fallen trees sparked fires from downed lines, Gatlinburg fire officials declared a mandatory evacuation of a larger area.The newspaper said some park employees were
  
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• Samsung to increase dividends, review corporate structure

  28-11-2016 19:38
  
  SEOUL, South Korea - Samsung Electronics says it will increase shareholder returns following calls to reform its governance structure.The South Korean company said Tuesday that it will boost dividends by 30 percent from 2015 to about 4 trillion won ($3.4 billion) for the full year of 2016. That is about half of its free cash flow this year.Samsung also promised to strengthen corporate governance procedures in its board. It will invite one new independent member to the company's board and create
  
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• Quick-acting Ohio State officer praised for killing attacker

  28-11-2016 19:36
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio - An Ohio State University police officer is being praised for shooting and killing a man who drove his car into a crowd and stabbed multiple people on campus.Department of Public Safety Director Monica Moll says 28-year-old Officer Alan Horujko (huh-RUJ'-koh) started on the Ohio State University police force in January 2015. Moll says Horujko did a "fabulous job" on Monday and is owed a debt of gratitude.Ohio State president Michael Drake says he thanked the officer for following
  
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• Windy storm brings rain to parts of Mississippi

  28-11-2016 19:33
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Roaring winds have been followed by an inch or more of rain across much of Mississippi Monday but not enough to break a months-long drought.National Weather Service meteorologist Eric Carpenter says areas of northeast Louisiana and Mississippi's Delta region got more than an inch, and parts of central and northeast Mississippi were also likely to reach that total. As of last week, more than 70 percent of the state was classified as being in extreme drought.Trees were reported downe
  
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• Authorities won't use force to remove protesters

  28-11-2016 19:29
  
  BISMARCK, N.D. - Authorities say no action will be taken to enforce North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple's emergency evacuation order for protesters of the Dakota Access oil pipeline.Dalrymple signed the order Monday for protesters who are camping on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land. Dalrymple cited "harsh winter conditions," and his order said the unpermitted camp sites are not zoned for suitable housing.Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong told The Associated Press that authorities will not
  
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• Murder charge dismissed against 1 of 2 Albuquerque officers

  28-11-2016 19:25
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A special prosecutor dismissed a second-degree murder charge Monday against one of two former Albuquerque police officers in the shooting of a homeless man during an hourslong standoff that was captured on police video and set off protests in New Mexico's largest city in 2014.Special Prosecutor Randi McGinn filed the notice to dismiss the charge against former Officer Dominique Perez more than a month after a jury trial for Perez and the other officer charged in the shooting
  
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• Kennedy skips Baton Rouge Senate forum

  28-11-2016 17:25
  
  BATON ROUGE- Republican John Kennedy was absent Monday from the Baton Rouge Press Club forum for U.S. Senate candidates. It's a move his rival Democrat Foster Campbell didn't let go unnoticed."Mr. Kennedy doesn't want to debate," said Campbell. "He really doesn't want me to call him out on everything he says."During the runoff, the candidates couldn't agree on a number of debate opportunities. Now Campbell will attend some while Kennedy will skip them all.The Republican's campaign did not return
  
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• Denham Springs officials to discuss 18-month extension for residents living in mobile homes

  28-11-2016 17:20
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS – Following the August flood, there are a lot of residents still living in FEMA mobile homes, others in RV's and campers.However, Denham Springs officials are going to consider allowing residents to live in them for a longer period of time.
  One resident, Gerald Haik, has been living in a FEMA trailer in Denham Springs for about two months. He says that it is not as spacious as his three-bedroom home, but it is better than the three different emergency shelters he stayed
  
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• Five arrested in murder of man found in Hammond's Villa West

  28-11-2016 16:20
  
  HAMMOND – The Hammond Police Department has arrested five people in the murder of a 25-year-old man found shot in the street on Friday.
  The five people arrested are 18-year-old Jordan Cyprian, 18-year-old Eric Newman, 19-year-old Sabrina Kemp, 18-year-old Jamonte Felder and a juvenile.Cyprian, Newman and the juvenile have been charged with first degree murder, armed robbery and obstruction of justice. Kemp and Felder have been charged with obstruction of justice.Police said that 25-yea
  
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• Lawyer: Driver likely to plead not guilty in fatal bus crash

  28-11-2016 15:57
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The attorney for the driver in a Chattanooga school bus crash that killed six children says her client will likely plead not guilty.Amanda Dunn says she anticipates 24-year-old Johnthony Walker will plead not guilty if a grand jury indicts him. He's charged with five counts of vehicular homicide. Police say another count will be added.Dunn says the accident has been devastating for Walker and his family. Dunn hoped for a quick investigation and respect for the privacy of Walke
  
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• Business' employees come face to face with robber's gun Monday morning

  28-11-2016 14:21
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Police are trying to find the person who stuck a gun in the face of employees at a business on South Range Monday morning.Security video clearly shows the scary moment at least one worker was face to face with the gun. The Denham Springs Police Department posted the image on Facebook, asking for help identifying the robber. Police believe the man is in his early to mid 20's. The person ran away from the business just after the robbery around 10:45 a.m. Monday.Police did not rele
  
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• Gold Bud Light cans offer chance at lifetime Super Bowl tickets

  28-11-2016 13:10
  
  ST. LOUIS - Bud Light is offering beer drinkers who find special gold cans a chance to win tickets to the Super Bowl for the rest of their lives.Anheuser-Busch says the 37,000 gold cans are being randomly placed in 18-, 24- and 30-packs of 12-ounce Bud Light cans nationwide, except in California. Those who find a can are instructed to enter the sweepstakes by posting a selfie with it on social media or on Bud Light's website.Six winners a week will receive a pair of season tickets to their favor
  
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• East Feliciana schools to dismiss early due to severe weather approaching

  28-11-2016 12:58
  
  EAST FELICIANA – School officials have announced that East Feliciana parish schools will be dismissed earlier today due to severe weather approaching.Officials say that schools will dismiss at 2:15 p.m. instead of 3:15 p.m.
  There are currently two severe weather threats. The first first is expected for Monday with showers and thunderstorms approaching the area in the afternoon. Additionally a wind advisory is in place through 6 p.m. with winds of 15-20 mph and potentially higher gusts.
  
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• Man dead after tree fell on him on Sharlane Drive

  28-11-2016 12:17
  
  BATON ROUGE – Authorities are on the scene of an incident where a tree fell on a man and killed him. The incident happened around 11 a.m. on Monday in the 8800 block of Sharlane Drive. Neighbors told WBRZ that the man was 92 years old.It appeared that a tree snapped from a neighbor's yard. Preliminary reports indicate that the tree snapped due to the wind as a wind advisory is in effect for the area.Tree snapped from neighboring yard. Pretty strong wind gusts passing
  
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• Green Party eyes lawsuit seeking recount in Pennsylvania

  28-11-2016 11:52
  
  HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Green Party says it will ask a Pennsylvania court to order a statewide recount of the state's Nov. 8 presidential election result.But it's unclear if the courts would have authority to do so.A lawyer for Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein wouldn't discuss what would be alleged in the expected lawsuit Monday.Republican President-elect Donald Trump edged Democrat Hillary Clinton by about 71,000 votes, or about 1 percent, in Pennsylvania.Democratic Secretary of Stat
  
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• Trump slams CNN over baseless voter fraud claim

  28-11-2016 11:22
  
  WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump is lashing out on Twitter as he faces questions about his unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.On Monday night, Trump retweeted a series of messages that were critical of a CNN reporter who called the accusations "blatant and baseless."He then tweeted that CNN "is so embarrassed by their total (100 support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they don't know what to do."Trump has responded to a recount effort by arguing that illegal
  
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• BRFD to hold expos for those interested in service

  28-11-2016 11:16
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Baton Rouge Fire Department will be hosting informational expos for those interested in working for the department.The first expo will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at BRFD headquarters located at 8011 Merle Gustafson Drive. The second expo will be held on Dec. 4 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the same location.The department says that it is currently accepted applications and scheduling testing for its next academy.For more information call 225-354-14
  
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• Ohio State tweets that active shooter is on campus

  28-11-2016 09:32
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State University is telling students there's an active shooter on campus and they should "Run Hide Fight."Ohio State's official Twitter page retweeted a post from OSU Emergency Management saying there is an active shooter on campus in Columbus on Monday morning.Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College.— OSU Emergency Mngmnt (@OSU_EMFP) November 28, 2016The tweet says: "Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide F
  
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• Ohio State attacker was a student at the school

  28-11-2016 09:32
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio - A director of public safety says a man who drove a car into pedestrians and began stabbing people at Ohio State was a student at the school.Ohio State Department of Public Safety Director Monica Moll also identified the now-deceased suspect as Abdul Razak Ali Artan.A U.S. official earlier told The Associated Press that he was born in Somalia and living in the United States as a legal permanent resident. The official wasn't authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing ca
  
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• Lock down lifted at Ohio State; 8 injured, suspect dead

  28-11-2016 09:32
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio - A spokesman for Ohio State University says a suspect in an attack on campus that injured at least eight people has been shot and killed.Ohio State police say the attacker on campus purposely drove over a curb and into pedestrians and then got out of the vehicle and began stabbing people with a butcher knife.There was no indication that the suspect shot anyone. The official wasn't authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.The detai
  
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• Lock down lifted at Ohio State; 8 injured, shooter dead

  28-11-2016 09:32
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio - A spokesman for Ohio State University says a suspect in an attack on campus that injured at least eight people has been shot and killed.Ben Johnson also said Monday that injuries in the attack included stab wounds and being struck by a vehicle.A law enforcement official told The Associated Press that the suspect is believed to have initially struck people with a car before beginning to stab victims. There was no indication that the suspect shot anyone. The official wasn't author
  
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• First flight in half century leaves Miami bound for Havana

  28-11-2016 09:06
  
  MIAMI- Just three days after the death of Fidel Castro, the first regularly scheduled flight in more than half a century left Miami International Airport bound for Havana.Monday morning's flight was the first of the new Havana-bound service and the first of four daily flights American Airlines plans out of Miami International. Several airlines began routes to other Cuban cities earlier this year.The Miami Herald reports Jet Blue will start twice-daily service from Orlando on Tuesday and Fort Lau
  
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• With deals offered early, will shoppers buy on Cyber Monday?

  28-11-2016 09:03
  
  NEW YORK - Cyber Monday may be in danger of losing its online sales title.The Monday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest online shopping day of the year, but stores are releasing internet deals earlier than ever this year as well as making them available in stores.Shoppers looking for discounts spurred online sales on Black Friday to a new high.Analysts say as consumers are buying more and more online, how stores run promotions and discounts has changed as well. Tamara Gaffney, princ
  
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• Judge says Roof can act as his own attorney

  28-11-2016 09:00
  
  CHARLESTON - The white man accused of fatally shooting nine black parishioners at a South Carolina church will act as his own attorney in his federal death penalty trial.Dylann Roof's request Monday came against his lawyers' advice, and U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said he would reluctantly accept the 22-year-old's "unwise" decision.Noted death penalty attorney David Bruck then slid over and let Roof take the lead chair. The lawyers can stand by and help Roof if he asks.Police say Roof hur
  
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• Pickup with 1 body inside pulled from Lake Pontchartrain

  28-11-2016 08:58
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Investigators have pulled a pickup truck from Lake Pontchartrain, and the body of one man was inside.The Coast Guard received a report from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office at 3:45 a.m. Sunday of debris and a damaged guardrail. Causeway police reviewed video and saw headlights before the guardrail damage occurred. The lights soon disappeared, indicating a vehicle had gone into the water.St. Tammany Parish sheriff's deputies found the truck hours later near a damaged guardrail
  
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• Muslim woman wears hijab, burkini in Minnesota pageant

  28-11-2016 06:59
  
  BURNSVILLE, Minn. - A Muslim woman has become the first to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant while fully clothed.Halima Aden made the semifinals of the competition over the weekend while wearing a hijab. She also wore a full-body outfit called a burkini during the swimsuit competition.The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports Aden's swim outfit stood in contrast to those of the other 44 contestants, most of whom wore bikinis.Before the competition, the 19-year-old Somali-American woman told M
  
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• Manila police safely defuse suspected bomb near US Embassy

  28-11-2016 06:55
  
  MANILA, Philippines - Manila police have defused a suspected bomb found in a trash bin just a few meters (yards) from the U.S. Embassy, snarling morning traffic after authorities closed a portion of a major boulevard where the device was found. No one was reported hurt in the incident.Two explosions were heard Monday as a bomb disposal unit detonated what police described as a suspicious package believed to be an improvised explosive device.Street sweeper Winniefreda Francisco says she called po
  
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• Iraq hospital brimming with Mosul civilians, army casulaties

  28-11-2016 06:52
  
  IRBIL, Iraq - Doctors in the main hospital treating trauma victims from the battle for Mosul, Iraq, say they are overflowing with casualties, both civilians and soldiers.One doctor at the West Irbil Hospital says the main triage center for trauma cases is seeing 100 to 150 patients daily.And he says authorities are expecting the tide to stay the same for three months.The offensive to free Mosul of Islamic State militants is now in its second month.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Syrian troops capture more of Aleppo

  28-11-2016 06:51
  
  BEIRUT - Syrian state media is reporting that much of the northern part of Aleppo is now under state control.The news agency SANA is reporting that government forces have captured another neighborhood in eastern Aleppo that had been controlled by rebels.The head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says over the past few days Syrian government forces have captured some 10 neighborhoods, putting nearly 30 percent of Aleppo under government control.Permalink| Comments
  
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