Baton Rouge news

• Another $1.2 billion in flood aid approved for Louisiana

  23-12-2016 23:46
  
  36 parishes were declared disasters in spring, 22 in August
  
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• At least 1 killed in shooting on Education St.

  23-12-2016 21:38
  
  BATON ROUGE- Police responded to a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge Friday night.It happened around 9 p.m. on Education Street near Napoleon. That's between the interstate and Highland Road.Police have not released any information about the shooting at this time. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Manna Outreach to host Christmas Eve toy giveaway

  23-12-2016 18:53
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Manna Outreach Foundation is hosting a Christmas toy giveaway this Saturday at their headquarters in Baton Rouge.The giveaway will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 264 Lobdell Avenue in Baton Rouge.In a statement released Friday, Manna Outreach says that the event is part of their efforts to make Christmas a littler merrier after August’s historic flooding.“There are still children that are displaced and their parents can’t give them
  
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• AP FACT CHECK: Obama didn't ban Christmas cards to military

  23-12-2016 18:34
  
  SAN FRANCISCO - A widely shared story claiming President Barack Obama ordered a ban on Christmas cards sent to the military is not true.The story appeared Dec. 12 on the website tdtalliance using banners and logos from Fox News . The network never aired such a story.Obama never issued such an order, White House spokesman Carl Woog said Friday."This story is not true and appears to be yet another example of so-called fake news," Woog said. "The president wishes service members celebrating around
  
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• Fish kills over at oxbow lake in Pointe Coupee Parish

  23-12-2016 18:17
  
  NEW ROADS - State biologists say the fish kills are over at an oxbow lake in Pointe Coupee Parish where huge numbers of fish died in October and November.The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says in a news release Thursday that False River is back to normal.Tens of thousands of tiny fish washed up in October and early November.Department biologist Brian Heimann said dramatic changes in dissolved oxygen levels were the problem.He said most of the fish were tiny bait fish called threadfin shad
  
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• Woman gets MHU delivery after '2 On Your Side' report

  23-12-2016 16:50
  
  CENTRAL - A woman who was upset after FEMA promised that her approved housing unit would arrive "any day" says her problem was solved thanks to a WBRZ report. It was a difficult road for Kandy Rodgers, who said communication issues with FEMA kept her waiting for her approved FEMA Manufactured Housing Unit. She told WBRZ News 2 earlier this week that she's been told "any day" and "any hour" for her MHU to arrive.Friday, just days after a "2 On Your Side" report, FEMA delivered Rodgers he
  
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• Reports: Carrie Fisher suffers medical emergency on flight

  23-12-2016 15:55
  
  LOS ANGELES – Carrie Fisher has reportedly been transported to a hospital after suffering a severe medical emergency on a flight Friday.Citing unnamed sources, celebrity website TMZ reported she suffered a heart attack while the Los Angeles Times, also citing unnamed sources, said the "Star Wars" star suffered a heart episode on a flight that arrived at Los Angeles International Airport around noon Friday. Several other outlets also cited unnamed sources in their reports.Messa
  
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• Report: Carrie Fisher in critical condition after cardiac episode on flight

  23-12-2016 15:55
  
  LOS ANGELES – Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher is in critical condition after suffering a “cardiac episode” Friday afternoon, according reports.The Los Angeles Times said the 60-year-old Fisher was rushed to the hospital after her flight touched down at LAX just after noon Friday.Don't know how else to process this but Carrie Fisher stopped breathing on the flight home. Hope she's gonna be OK ??— Anna Akana (@AnnaAkana) December 23, 2016Fisher became famous
  
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• Carrie Fisher's brother says actress is in stable condition

  23-12-2016 15:55
  
  LOS ANGELES – Carrie Fisher is in stable condition after suffering a medical emergency aboard a flight Friday.Her brother, Todd Fisher, told The Associated Press that she was "out of emergency" and stabilized at a Los Angeles hospital Friday afternoon. He said he could not discuss any other details about what happened.The "Star Wars" star suffered medical trouble during a flight from London and was treated by paramedics immediately upon landing in Los Angeles around noon Friday, accord
  
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• Trump co-chair wishes death on Obama, calls 1st lady male

  23-12-2016 15:42
  
  BUFFALO - A Buffalo businessman who co-chaired Donald Trump's New York campaign says he wants to see President Barack Obama die from mad cow disease and the first lady "return to being a male."The failed Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino made the comments in response to a survey by Artvoice, a Buffalo newspaper. The publication asked local artists, performers and business owners for a New Year's wish list.In his response, Paladino wrote that he hopes the president dies from a dise
  
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• A new Christmas classic? Chewbacca roars out 'Silent Night'

  23-12-2016 15:38
  
  LOS ANGELES - Chewbacca is no Bing Crosby, but the Wookie's rendition of "Silent Night" is adding some "Star Wars" flair to the Christmas classic.The site How It Should Have Ended re-mixed audio of Chewie's grunts and growls with clips from several "Star Wars" films to create a video that has been watched nearly 2.5 million times on YouTube.(For added comedy, turn on YouTube's closed captions.)The parody song was first created as a joke in 1999 by web designer Scott Anderson, who writes
  
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• US warns of possible attacks on churches, holiday gatherings

  23-12-2016 15:35
  
  WASHINGTON - Federal authorities are warning Americans that Islamic State sympathizers are continuing to call for attacks on churches and other holiday gathering sites. The warning was issued after a publicly available list of U.S. churches was posted on a militants' social media site.The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued the warning to law enforcement agencies nationwide Friday, just days after an attack at a Christmas market in Berlin. Islamic State militants claimed responsib
  
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• US rebukes Israel and allows UN condemnation of settlements

  23-12-2016 15:19
  
  UNITED NATIONS - The United States has given its biggest rebuke in recent history to longstanding ally Israel, allowing the U.N. Security Council to condemn its settlements and continuing construction in Palestinian territory as a 'flagrant violation' of international law.Instead of casting a veto to support Israel, as it almost always does on council resolutions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the U.S. abstained.That gave a green light for the council to approve the resolution by a 14-0 vo
  
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• Store hours for last minute Christmas shoppers

  23-12-2016 15:01
  
  BATON ROUGE – With less than 48 hours until Christmas Day some shoppers across the Baton Rouge area are still trying to find those last minute gifts.Kerry Sherin, a Shopping and Savings Expert with Offers.com, compiled a list of store hours for Friday Dec. 23 through Christmas Eve for all the shopping procrastinators.Store Hours on Dec. 23 & Christmas Eve 2016StoreDec. 23 Store HoursChristmas Eve Store HoursApple Store9 p.m. close (check locally)9 p.m. close (check locally)Babies R
  
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• Final preparations made for Christmas Eve bonfires

  23-12-2016 14:10
  
  ST. JAMES PARISH – Officials in St. James Parish are making final preparations for the annual Christmas Eve bonfires.According to a statement released Friday, officials say a total of 138 permits were issues this year to construct a bonfire along the Mississippi River levee.“Christmas Eve is an exciting time in St. James Parish,” Parish President Timmy Roussel said. “Our residents look forward to sharing our local tradition with visitors from near and far.
  
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• Homicide detective accused of DWI hit-and-run; no injury

  23-12-2016 13:28
  
  NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans police say a homicide detective has been suspended after being arrested on charges accusing him of hit-and-run, refusing a chemical test, and driving drunk while on duty.Police spokesman Tyler Gamble tells news outlets that 34-year-old John Waterman allegedly drove away after rear-ending another driver, who was not hurt.Waterman's attorney, Townsend Myers, said he had no comment.He says the eight-year veteran was driving his unmarked police car on duty when the crash oc
  
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• One in critical condition after shooting on Monterrey Blvd

  23-12-2016 13:27
  
  BATON ROUGE – Police say one person is in critical condition after a shooting off Monterrey Blvd Friday afternoon.The shooting happened near the intersection of Monterrey Blvd and West Tams Drive around 12:20 p.m. Friday. Baton Rouge Police confirmed that one person suffered a gunshot wound to the torso area.Sources tell WBRZ's Brett Buffington that the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.Details are still limited at this time.Permali
  
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• Krystal closes five locations in Louisiana

  23-12-2016 13:17
  
  NEW ORLEANS – Krystal, the company known for its mini burgers and hot dogs, announced that it has closed all company-owned stores in Louisiana.According to a WWLTV report, only two franchise locations will remain open in the state: the location at 116 Bourbon Street in New Orleans and the second on Airport Road in Slidell.WWLTV reports that five locations, including the store opened in 2016 in Breaux Bridge are now closed."Effective Sunday, December 11, 2016, the company-owned Krystal
  
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• T'was the flood before Christmas

  23-12-2016 12:21
  
  BATON ROUGE - With Christmas just two days away, WBRZ viewer Maudeen C'Belle, sent in a poem guaranteed to lift your holiday spirits.The poem recreates the classic "T'was the Night Before Christmas" with a flood survivor twist, as many residents still repairing their homes manage to keep their Christmas spirits bright.Maudeen is not a flood survivor herself, but she tells WBRZ that she works at an area building supply store and hears emotional stories daily from flood
  
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• Man arrested after trying to hit ex-girlfriend with car

  23-12-2016 12:08
  
  BATON ROUGE- A man was arrested after police say he tried to ram his ex-girlfriend's car after she tried to break up with him.Jeuane Session is charged with attempted 2nd degree murder and aggravated criminal damage to property.According to the police report, Session showed up at the victim's house after she told him she just wanted to be friends. When she tried to leave Session crashed his car into hers.It happened on S. Harrell's Ferry Rd. Session was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Pr
  
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• Texas city wants Exxon petrochemical plant built elsewhere

  23-12-2016 12:05
  
  PORTLAND  - Leaders of a South Texas city say a new giant Exxon Mobil Corp. petrochemical plant is a good idea but not in their neighborhood.The city council in Portland has approved a resolution asking Exxon Mobil to rule out their city north of Corpus Christi as a site for the world's largest ethylene cracker plant.The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports that while the council backs commercial and industrial growth, members said they believe Portland's quality of life would be diminis
  
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• Postal Service to deliver express packages on Christmas

  23-12-2016 12:02
  
  The U.S. Postal Service will deliver on Christmas Day.Nikki Johnson, U.S. Postal Service communications specialist, told WWL that employees will be delivering express packages on Sunday. In order for a Christmas drop-off, packages must be mailed by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 using Express Delivery.Self-service kiosks can also be used if the Postal Service counter is closed. The kiosks will calculate the cost of the package, which may be more than the usual 47 cent stamp.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Terrebonne substitute teacher arrested for having sex with teens

  23-12-2016 09:40
  
  HOUMA – The Houma Police Department arrested a Terrebonne School System substitute teacher for having sex with three teenagers at her home.Heidi Verret, 30, was arrested for one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile and three counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile.The investigation revealed that Verret was having inappropriate sexual conversations with a 12-year-old via social media messaging, according to police. Detectives also discovered that Verret had sex with three juvenil
  
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• Hijackers of Libyan plane surrender

  23-12-2016 09:17
  
  VALLETTA - Malta's prime minister, Joseph Muscat, says the hijacking of a Libyan plane is over after the hijackers gave themselves up.In a series of tweets, he said the hijackers left the airplane along with its final crew members after earlier freeing all the passengers from a flight that was diverted to his country.The hijackers, he said, "surrendered," been "searched and taken in custody."More updates to come. Permalink| Comments
  
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• BRPD investigating Thursday shooting near North Boulevard and 14th Street

  23-12-2016 09:05
  
  BATON ROUGE – Baton Rouge Police are investigating a shooting that occurred on Thursday night near the area of North Boulevard and 14th Street.The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. near the interstate overpass.According to BRPD, two people were injured and their injuries are not life-threatening.BRPD said that there is no detailed information about the suspect or a motive.Anyone with information regarding the shooting is encouraged to call the Violent Crimes Unit at 389-4869.Permalink
  
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• Angola prison magazine's inmate editor to be freed

  23-12-2016 08:48
  
  ANGOLA - Gov. John Bel Edwards has ordered to free from prison the inmate editor of a magazine produced at the State Penitentiary at Angola.Media outlets report 60-year-old Kerry Myers was convicted of murder in 1990 for the fatal beating of his wife inside their Harvey home. Myers received a mandatory life sentence. However, the Louisiana Board of Pardons has recommended twice that his punishment be commuted.The governor endorsed the board's recommendation on Tuesday.Edwards spokeswoman Shauna
  
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• Berlin market attack suspect killed in Milan

  23-12-2016 07:07
  
  ROME - The Tunisian man suspected of driving a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin has been killed in a shootout with police in Milan.
      
  Italy's Interior Ministry says checks conducted after the shootout show "the person killed, without a shadow of a doubt, is Anis Amri."
      
  Milan police say Amri passed through France and arrived in Italy early this morning by train. The Berlin attack killed 12 people and injured 56.
  &nbs
  
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• Science's biggest 2016 breakthrough came in Louisiana

  23-12-2016 00:18
  
  Gravitational waves detected in L-shaped, 2 1/2-mile-long tube century after Einstein predicted them
  
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