Baton Rouge news

• Council on Aging keeps its funding

  13-12-2016 21:53
  
  BATON ROUGE- Metro-council members failed to strip funding from the Council on Aging in Baton Rouge Tuesday. Republican Buddy Amoroso wanted the senior-citizen group to be solely funded by a tax hike voters approved in November."I'm disappointed we gave them $872,000 from the budget," said Amoroso after his proposal failed. "I tried to get that money transfered over to the general fund so the new mayor could have discretion over it."The group fell under public scrutiny after th
  
  Read more

• Husband, wife arrested in second wife disappearance

  13-12-2016 21:44
  
  VISALIA, Calif. - Authorities say that a Central California man who was married to two women at the same time has been arrested on suspicion of murdering one of them, and his other wife also has been arrested in the case.The Sacramento Bee reports the Tulare County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday it has arrested 37-year-old Francisco Valdivia and 39-year-old Rosalina Lopez, both of the Visalia area.Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux says Valdivia's other wife, 30-year-old Cecilia Bravo, wen
  
  Read more

• California police thought man they shot had gun

  13-12-2016 21:38
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The police chief of Bakersfield, California, says an unarmed 73-year-old man was refusing to take his hand out of his pocket when he was shot by an officer who thought he had a gun because of a 911 call.Chief Lyle Martin said at a news conference Tuesday night that an officer in his second year, Reagan Selman, fired seven shots at Francisco Serna about 30 seconds after arriving. Martin says six other officers had also arrived but only Selman fired.The chief says a woman in
  
  Read more

• Police: Officer fatally shoots gunman near Baltimore campus

  13-12-2016 20:59
  
  BALTIMORE - Authorities say a Coppin State University police officer shot and killed a man who fired at a car driving near that Baltimore campus.Baltimore Police spokesman T.J. Smith said the uniformed Coppin State officer was on patrol in an unmarked car Tuesday night when he saw a man leavet the passenger side of a car in front of him and begin shooting at a car driving toward him.Smith told a news conference at the site in northwest Baltimore that the university officer then shot the man befo
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Michigan GOP chair picked to lead national party

  13-12-2016 20:55
  
  WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump is asking Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel to serve as national party chairwoman, in part as a reward for delivering Michigan for the GOP for the first time in 28 years.The choice of McDaniel to serve as Republican National Committee chairwoman was confirmed Tuesday night by a person familiar with Trump's decision. The person asked for anonymity because the announcement has not yet been made.McDaniel is the niece of 2012 GOP pre
  
  Read more

• Mexico Senate passes medical pot bill; sent to lower house

  13-12-2016 20:48
  
  MEXICO CITY - The Mexican Senate has overwhelmingly passed a bill approving the use of marijuana for medical purposes.The Senate says in a statement summarizing the debate that the measure directs the Health Department to "design public policies to regulate the medicinal use of this plant and its derivatives."The legislation now goes to the lower Chamber of Deputies for consideration.Under the bill, cultivation of marijuana plants for medical and scientific purposes would also be authorized.It a
  
  Read more

• NCAA honors man who inspired ALS ice bucket challenge

  13-12-2016 20:46
  
  BEVERLY, Mass. - The Massachusetts man who inspired the Ice Bucket Challenge that has raised millions of dollars nationwide for ALS research has been honored by the NCAA.A group that included NCAA President Mark Emmert and several elected officials Tuesday hand-delivered an award to Pete Frates, the former Boston College baseball captain who touched off the craze.Officials with the collegiate sports organization previously said Frates would be unable to accept the 2017 Inspiration Award at its J
  
  Read more

• Pearl Harbor survivor, greeter at memorial dies at age 99

  13-12-2016 20:44
  
  HONOLULU - An Army veteran who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the U.S. into World War II has died at age 99.Herb Weatherwax greeted people several times a week at the visitors center of a Hawaii memorial for the USS Arizona, a battleship that sank in the Japanese attack. He cruised around in a motorized scooter and wore a cap embroidered with "Pearl Harbor Survivor."National Park Service spokeswoman Rebecca Schwab says Weatherwax died Monday.Three other Pearl Harbor survivors g
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 'Growing Pains' actor Alan Thicke dead at age 69

  13-12-2016 20:39
  
  LOS ANGELES - A publicist says Alan Thicke, who played the likable father on the sitcom "Growing Pains," has died at age 69.Carleen Donovan, who is a publicist for Thicke's son, singer Robin Thicke, says the actor died from a heart attack on Tuesday in Los Angeles. She had no further details.Alan Thicke starred as Dr. Jason Seaver in the ABC series "Growing Pains," which aired from 1985 until 1992. The Canadian-born actor had a prolific career, including cameos in recent years on the co
  
  Read more

• AP Sources: Trump offers Montana's Zinke interior secretary

  13-12-2016 20:12
  
  WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump has offered Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke the job of interior secretary, though it's unclear whether the congressman has accepted.That's according to two people with knowledge of the offer.Zinke, 55, a retired Navy SEAL, was an early supporter of Trump and met with the president-elect Monday. He's been mentioned as a possible challenger to Montana's Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in 2018.Trump was also said to be considering Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
  
  Read more

• Air Force airman charged in August death of fellow airman

  13-12-2016 20:10
  
  OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. - Officials with Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha say an airman has been charged with premeditated murder in the August death of a fellow airman.Offutt officials say Airman 1st Class Timothy Wilsey, of Valdosta, Georgia, has been charged in military court in the death of Airman 1st Class Rhianda Dillard. The body of Dillard, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was found Aug. 1 in her base dormitory.Base officials say Wilsey disappeared from Offutt a few days before Dilla
  
  Read more

• Impostor "ladybug" beetle infestations causing serious annoyance for homeowners

  13-12-2016 19:33
  
  BATON ROUGE - The invasion of Asian Lady Beetles are on the rise. And even though they look exactly like them, it's not the 'ladybug' we know and love.And now, the impostor beetles are causing a serious annoyance. Even though they are 'predator beetles', turns out they're relatively harmless, according to Dr. Chris Carlton, who's part of the Entomology Department at LSU."They're really a serious nuisance," Carlton said.Dr. Carlton has known of the Asian Lady Beetle for decades.
  
  Read more

• Protect your property, track your packages

  13-12-2016 17:16
  
  BATON ROUGE - Stealing other people's presents is becoming a not so Merry Christmas tradition.Online shopping may be a wonderful thing, but it's important to track what you have ordered and help prevent your items from being stolen.This time of year, FedEx, UPS and USPS are busy getting orders and shipped items to the right place. Sometimes, stopping at the same house multiple times.But it's not all merry and bright. Packages are sometimes left on the doorstep for hours on end, which can be an o
  
  Read more

• LSU, LIGO scientist named leading global thinker, proved Einstein right

  13-12-2016 17:16
  
  Gabriela Gonzalez recognized among 100 by Foreign Policy magazine
  
  Read more

• Missing Pensacola man with mental condition believed to be in Louisiana

  13-12-2016 17:14
  
  The Louisiana State Police is seeking the public's assistance on behalf of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office in locating a 71-year-old man missing from Pensacola.Ira Johnson, Jr. was last seen by family members on Dec. 12 around 1:50 p.m., however Johnson never returned home.Johnson is described as a white man with gray hair and blue eyes. He is 5'10'' and weighs about 280 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red shirt, gray sweatpants and gray tennis shoes.Johnson is believed to be traveling i
  
  Read more

• $700 million yearly boost in road, bridge money proposed to Edwards

  13-12-2016 16:44
  
  BATON ROUGE - A study group created by Gov. John Bel Edwards is recommending the state spend $700 million more annually on road and bridge work, primarily through tax and fee hikes.The Advocate reports the panel co-chaired by state transportation secretary Shawn Wilson did not specify how much money should come from each potential funding source.But a boost in the state gasoline tax is expected to be the main financing piece to any plan pushed by the governor.Edwards will decide how much money t
  
  Read more

• Istrouma High School to reopen in 2017 following 8-month renovation

  13-12-2016 16:37
  
  BATON ROUGE – Istrouma High School is expected to be open next school year following a renovation that begins Tuesday, the school system said in an email late Tuesday afternoon about the next day's groundbreaking.Wednesday, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System is set to start work on the school, which has been closed for about three years. The state took control of the campus because of poor performance and shut it down. In 2015, the state-run Recovery School District returned to
  
  Read more

• Man guilty of manslaughter in 2007 arrested for attempted murder

  13-12-2016 16:35
  
  BATON ROUGE – A man, who previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2007 and sentenced to 10 years in prison, has been arrested for attempted second degree murder, according to arrest records. 39-year-old Ricardo Singleton was arrested for attempted second degree murder, illegal use of a weapon, aggravated damage to property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On Dec. 8 around 9:40 p.m. the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's office responded to a business&
  
  Read more

• Semi-truck crashes while towing another on I-12

  13-12-2016 16:03
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS – The driver of a semi-truck towing another truck lost control and ran off the road on I-12 east bound.The incident happened near the Juban exit and caused the interstate to close a lane while crews worked to removed the crashed trucks.Following the crash, one of the trucks started leaking diesel, according to Denham Springs Police.There are no reports of injuries at the time of this post.#BREAKING Big rig, towing another big rig, crashed along I-12EB in Denham Springs.
  
  Read more

• Remaining disaster recovery centers to close by Friday

  13-12-2016 13:48
  
  BATON ROUGE – The remaining FEMA disaster recovery centers will close by Friday, Dec. 16.On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the disaster center at Old Neighbors Bank in Central will close at 6 p.m.Disaster recovery centers in at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Ascension Parish and the Former Parish Tourism Building in Tangipahoa Parish will close on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. and will transition to U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan outreach centers on Dec. 15.Also on Thursday, Dec. 1
  
  Read more

• Rep. Boustany drops lawsuit over prostitution allegations

  13-12-2016 13:32
  
  BATON ROUGE - U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany has dropped his defamation lawsuit over a book that alleges the Republican Louisiana congressman was involved with prostitutes who were later killed.Boustany sued the author and publisher of "Murder in the Bayou" in October, when he was in a tight competition for a U.S. Senate seat. Boustany lost his Senate bid in November and ended his lawsuit this month.The congressman's lawyer, Jimmy Faircloth, confirmed the lawsuit dismissal Tuesday. He said Boustany
  
  Read more

• Still no cause in Oakland warehouse fire that killed 36

  13-12-2016 13:29
  
  OAKLAND - Investigators say they still can't pinpoint a specific cause in the fire that killed 36 partygoers in an Oakland warehouse.They focused their investigation on electrical appliances plugged into the rear of the building where the fire started.The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said Tuesday it has finished collecting evidence. The Oakland Fire Department will prepare a final report to handover to prosecutors.Prosecutors have warned murder charges are possible as they determ
  
  Read more

• 22 models of food processors recalled after reports of broken blade pieces

  13-12-2016 13:24
  
  Cuisinart and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling about 8 million food processor blades after reports of broken blade pieces in their food.The maker of Cuisinart, Conair, received 69 reports of consumers finding broken pieces of a blade in their food, including 30 reports of mouth lacerations or tooth injuries.The blades have four rivets, are silver-colored stainless steel and have a beige plastic center. Only the food processors with four rivets in the blades are included
  
  Read more

• Freiberg's win to be recognized; must resign school board to take council seat

  13-12-2016 13:04
  
  BATON ROUGE – School Board President Barbara Freiberg will resign from her position as she readies to take-on a new role in city government.Freiberg, a Republican, beat Ree Carey in Saturday's runoff election for Metro Council. Freiberg will represent District 12 on the city-parish governing body. Freiberg replaces John Delgado on the council who failed in his run for mayor.Freiberg was elected with 67% of the vote.Council District 12 includes the Kenilworth, Magnolia Woods, Pollard, H
  
  Read more

• Obama set to sign bill boosting spending on cancer research

  13-12-2016 12:57
  
  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will sign legislation on Tuesday that makes new investments in cancer research and battling drug abuse.The 21st Century Cures Act invests $1.8 billion for a cancer research "moonshot" that is strongly supported by Vice President Joe Biden, whose son Beau died of the disease.Biden, who will speak at the signing ceremony, says "God willing, this bill will save lives."The bill also authorizes giving states $1 billion over two years to prevent and treat the abuse
  
  Read more

• In Tennessee wildfires, officials estimate $500 million in damage

  13-12-2016 12:38
  
  GATLINBURG - Local officials estimate that deadly wildfires in East Tennessee have caused more than $500 million in damage.Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters released the estimate Monday for the wildfires in the Gatlinburg area that killed 14 people.Officials say 2,460 structures were destroyed or damaged, including more than 2,100 homes and almost 60 businesses destroyed.Also on Monday, Deputy Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park Clay Jordan said officials believe there was no wa
  
  Read more

• Student arrested for slapping and threatening teacher

  13-12-2016 12:30
  
  BATON ROUGE – An 18-year-old high school student has been arrested after he slapped and threatened his teacher at Friendship Capitol High School.Sidney Brown was arrested on an assault on a school teacher charge.On Dec. 12 around 8 a.m. a Baton Rouge Police officer was working extra duty at the school when he was contacted by the school's principal in reference to an incident involving a student and teacher.The principal stated, and showed Brown's behavior report, that on Dec.
  
  Read more

• Advocacy group aims to improve La. women's lives

  13-12-2016 11:34
  
  BATON ROUGE- A new advocacy group was launched Tuesday aimed at improving the lives of women in Louisiana.Ignite Advocacy Network is an extension of the #ItsNoJoke effort, started by New Orleans State Representative Helena Moreno last May.The effort was created in response to Jackson Rep. Kenneth E. Havard after he proposed a so-called "joke" legislation, which would create weight and age limitations for exotic dancers."I'm tired of having Louisiana at the top of every bad list and bott
  
  Read more

• Edwin Edwards hospitalized, WBRZ has learned

  13-12-2016 11:19
  
  BATON ROUGE – Edwin Edwards has once again been admitted into an area hospital, WBRZ learned Tuesday morning.Edwards, 89, has been admitted for pneumonia. It's a recurring illness he suffers from, sources said. They added he would likely be hospitalized for another week.About a year ago, Edwards was hospitalized with pneumonia. Then, family members said he became ill while traveling around the Thanksgiving holiday and attending November 2015 campaign events."I talked to him last night,
  
  Read more

• 17-year-old who risked life in Essen Lane shooting presented award

  13-12-2016 11:01
  
  BATON ROUGE – A 17-year-old boy who was shot and hit by a car while trying to help a woman on Essen Lane was presented an award by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office.Daniel Wesley was presented a citizenship award by Sheriff Sid Gautreaux for his bravery in trying to save 30-year-old April Peck, who was shot and killed by her live-in boyfriend, Terrell Walker, on Essen Lane in November.Wesley, an EMT in training, stopped to help Peck and was shot in the arm and struck by Walker's ca
  
  Read more

• Size of Louisiana budget shortfall expected to grow Tuesday

  13-12-2016 09:37
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's multimillion-dollar budget gap is about to get worse.The state's income forecasting panel, called the Revenue Estimating Conference, is meeting Tuesday to trim back its income projections for this budget year.The news is expected to be bleak.Economists have warned the state's tax collections for the budget year that began July 1 are coming in lower than expected. Estimates are that the state could face a budget gap of $300 million or more.Any shortfalls because of this
  
  Read more

• Decision on size of Louisiana budget gap pushed to January

  13-12-2016 09:37
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's income forecasting panel has delayed until January a decision on how deeply to downgrade the state's tax collection estimates. The move stalls creation of a new financial gap that would force deep cuts and budget rebalancing within a month.Gov. John Bel Edwards' chief budget adviser Jay Dardenne called Tuesday's delay irresponsible, postponing inevitable cuts and giving agencies less time to deal with them.House Speaker Taylor Barras disagreed and pushed for postponemen
  
  Read more

• Ascension Parish begins debris pickup along state highways

  13-12-2016 09:33
  
  ASCENSION – Ascension Parish began debris removal along state highways on Monday.Debris will continue to be picked up through Dec. 22 before a brief holiday break. A parish-wide final pass will be conducted Jan. 9 through Jan. 20.Residents must visit Room 105 of the Parish Government Complex located at 615 East Worthey Street in Gonzales in order to sign the proper paperwork to have debris picked up. Residents may also call Tetra Tech at 225-348-2254 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday th
  
  Read more

• Trump picks Perry for energy secretary

  13-12-2016 09:21
  
  WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump has selected former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to lead the Energy Department.That's according to two people with knowledge of the decision.The two-time presidential candidate had been a harsh critic of Trump during the 2016 race, calling him a "cancer to conservatism." He later endorsed the Republican nominee and said he'd be willing to work in a Trump administration.One of Perry's best-remembered moments from his first White House run was when he couldn't re
  
  Read more

• Man arrested for starting dumpster fire

  13-12-2016 09:17
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Baton Rouge Fire Department has reported the arrest of one man that started a dumpster fire in the Sherwood Forest, Coursey Boulevard area.On Dec. 3 around 11 p.m. BRFD responded to multiple dumpster fires. Later BRFD received a report of a man seen responsible for the fires in the 12000 block of Coursey Boulevard. While investigators were patrolling an apartment complex on Seigen Lane, the suspect was found and arrested.He was booked on one count of simple a
  
  Read more

• Report: Deepen Mississippi River for bigger cargo ships

  13-12-2016 09:05
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The Army Corps of Engineers says the Mississippi River should be dredged so three southeast Louisiana ports can accept the bigger cargo ships built to take advantage of the Panama Canal's expansion.Many other U.S. ports either already have completed similar projects or are trying to get them approved.Parts of the shipping channel are now about 42 to 45 feet deep. The plan calls for increasing that depth to 50 feet.Nola.com/The Times-Picayune reports that the corps plans to use some
  
  Read more

• FAU announces Lane Kiffin as new football coach

  13-12-2016 08:25
  
  BOCA RATON, Fla. - Florida Atlantic has announced the hiring of Lane Kiffin as its new football coach.The school made it official on Tuesday announcing the move on Twitter, one day after Alabama coach Nick Saban said his offensive coordinator was leaving to take over the Owls. It's the fourth opportunity for Kiffin to be a head coach, after an NFL stint with the Oakland Raiders and college ones at Tennessee and USC.Kiffin arrived in Boca Raton on Monday night. He will return to Alabama to contin
  
  Read more

• Suspect arrested in shooting of 2 Georgia officers

  13-12-2016 07:03
  
  LAVONIA, Ga. - Investigators say they've arrested a man suspected of shooting and wounding two Georgia police officers.In a news release late Monday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation says Khari Anthony Dashaun Gordon was charged with multiple counts including attempted murder and assaulting a police officer.The two Lavonia officers were making a traffic stop Monday evening in northeast Georgia near a restaurant when officials say the 22-year-old Gordon opened fire. Both officers were hit.The
  
  Read more

• Cosby judge to weigh potential testimoney of 13 other women

  13-12-2016 06:59
  
  NORRISTOWN, Pa. - Lawyers for Bill Cosby will battle in court starting today to try to limit the number of other accusers who can testify at the comedian's sexual assault trial.Prosecutors near Philadelphia hope to call 13 other women to show Cosby had a pattern of drugging and molesting women.The defense will attack their credibility and relevance to his 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand.The case started a decade ago when the Temple University employee filed a police complaint. A subu
  
  Read more

• Oklahoma may require restroom signs in anti-abortion effort

  13-12-2016 06:57
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma wants to force hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and public schools to post signs inside public restrooms that tell pregnant women where to receive services.It's part of an effort to reduce abortions in the state.The State Board of Health will consider regulations for the signs today.Businesses and other organizations will have to pay an estimated $2.3 million to put up the signs because the Legislature didn't approve any money for them.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Indonesia mob kills man arrested for school stabbing

  13-12-2016 06:54
  
  JAKARTA, Indonesia - In central Indonesia, an enraged mob forced its way into a police station and beat a man to death, hours after he was arrested for allegedly stabbing seven children at an elementary school.The children are in stable condition following today's attack.Police say they suffered neck, chest and head wounds.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• UN cites reports of civilians killings in Aleppo

  13-12-2016 06:53
  
  BEIRUT - The U.N. human rights office says it has received reports of Syria's pro-government forces killing at least 82 civilians as they entered the last remaining strongholds of the rebels in eastern Aleppo.Spokesman Rupert Colville of the U.N. human rights office says the reports recount pro-government forces entering homes and killing some civilians "on the spot" in the former rebel enclave.He says 11 women and 13 children were among those reportedly killed in four neighborhoods of the incre
  
  Read more

• Battles ahead between Congress and Trump?

  13-12-2016 06:52
  
  WASHINGTON - There could be battles ahead between Congress and the incoming commander in chief over Moscow and U.S. intelligence.Top Republicans are endorsing investigations into the CIA's belief that Russia meddled in last month's election to help Donald Trump win.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate's intelligence panel will conduct a bipartisan inquiry.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Obama: President without briefings 'flying blind'

  13-12-2016 06:51
  
  NEW YORK - President Barack Obama, who's been complimented by President-elect Donald Trump for helping to smooth his transition to the White House, is criticizing Trump for saying he'll shun daily intelligence briefings when he takes office.Appearing Monday evening on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," Obama said that a president who isn't getting the benefit of such regular briefings from the intelligence community is likely "flying blind" in managing national security issues for the country.Tr
  
  Read more

• Putin ready to meet with Trump 'at any moment'

  13-12-2016 06:49
  
  MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is prepared to meet President-elect Donald Trump at any time.When asked by journalists about the possibility of arranging a meeting with Trump, Put said "we are ready at any moment. There are no problems from our side," according to an interview transcript released by the Kremlin today.Putin said that "it's widely known that the elected president of the United States has publicly called for the normalization of the Russian-American relationship.
  
  Read more

• Donald Trump picks Rex Tillerson to lead State Department

  13-12-2016 06:47
  
  NEW YORK - President-elect Donald Trump has announced his choice of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state, hailing him as "among the most accomplished business leaders and international deal makers in the world."In a release from his transition headquarters in New York, Trump calls Tillerson's career "the embodiment of the American dream."He says Tillerson rose through the ranks "through hard work, dedication and smart deal making."Trump also says that as the nation's top dip
  
  Read more

• Moderate, well-educated Baton Rouge voters key to Sharon Weston Broome winning mayor's race

  13-12-2016 00:56
  
  Capturing votes in the "Gissel Belt" was crucial to her becoming the first elected female mayor in Baton Rouge history.
  
  Read more

• Moderate, educated Baton Rouge voters key to Sharon Weston Broome winning mayoral race

  13-12-2016 00:56
  
  Capturing votes in the "Gissel Belt" was crucial to her becoming the first elected female mayor in Baton Rouge history.
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!