Baton Rouge news

• Drivers experienced setbacks due to Audubon Bridge closure

  07-01-2017 21:27
  
  ST. FRANCISVILLE – The John James Audubon Bridge closed on Friday due to the severe weather in the area and reopened Saturday afternoon. However, while the bridge was closed, drivers experienced some setbacks.Barricades blocked the intersection of Highway 61 and LA-10 leading to the bridge between St. Francisville and New Roads. The closure was because of ice on the bridge."It's sad," driver Connie Daigle said. "Because people have to go all the way back through Baton Rouge, Port Allen
  
  Read more

• Ascension Parish flood debris removal to end Jan. 20

  07-01-2017 20:48
  
  ASCENSION – A final pass for flood debris pick up in Ascension Parish will begin on Monday, Jan. 9 and continue through Jan. 20.The final pass for pick up will only include addresses that have been entered into the Private Property Debris Removal program, according to parish officials.Ascension Parish Government is not authorized to pick up demolished homes through the debris removal program. Residents who plan to demolish their homes should arrange for removal of the debris through th
  
  Read more

• Edwards' administration sends final plan for $438 million in flood relief; plans for $1.2 billion

  07-01-2017 20:19
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Governor's Office of Community Development submitted its final plan for $438 million flood-relief appropriation on Friday.The plan was submitted to the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development and Edwards said that the state should be cleared to begin spending as soon as March. The Office of Community Development is now working on an action plan for an additional $1.2 billion flood-relief appropriation that Congress approved in December.The Restore Louisiana Ta
  
  Read more

• Lafayette airport temporarily evacuated due to fire alarm

  07-01-2017 18:42
  
  LAFAYETTE – The Lafayette Regional Airport was temporarily evacuated due to a fire alarm on Saturday afternoon.The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office said that a fire alarm went off the airport and caused the evacuation, KATC reports.However, no fire was found at the airport and it was considered a false alarm. No further details have been released at the time of this post.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Manson back at Central California prison after hospital stay

  07-01-2017 18:27
  
  BAKERSFIELD - Charles Manson is back in a California prison after a hospital stay for an unspecified medical problem.State corrections department spokesman Jeffrey Callison says Saturday that Manson is at Corcoran State Prison in Central California.In an email, Callison adds that the department has never stated Manson ever left the facility.Authorities have cited privacy laws in declining to comment on reports earlier this week that Manson was taken to a hospital in Bakersfield, 60 miles south o
  
  Read more

• US seeks death penalty in airport shooting

  07-01-2017 17:46
  
  FORT LAUDERDALE - Federal prosecutors have filed charges against the Florida airport shooting suspect that could bring the death penalty if he is convicted.A criminal complaint filed Saturday by the Miami U.S. attorney's office accuses 26-year-old Esteban Santiago of an act of violence at an international airport resulting in death. The punishment is execution or any prison sentence up to life.Prosecutors also charged Santiago with two firearms offenses.Santiago is accused of fatally shooting fi
  
  Read more

• EBR debris removal to end Feb. 7; residents to move debris curbside

  07-01-2017 16:58
  
  BATON ROUGE – City-Parish officials announced that flood debris removal operations are set to end on Feb. 7.Residents who live in Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish who are still in need of flood debris removal services must move any debris curbside by Monday, Jan. 16 in order for crews to collect it.Once debris is placed curbside, officials are urging residents to report the location of their debris by going online here or by calling the East Baton Rouge debris removal h
  
  Read more

• Governor Edwards to hold ceremony for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

  07-01-2017 16:31
  
  BATON ROUGE – Governor John Bel Edwards signed an official proclamation designating Monday, Jan. 9 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Louisiana.The day is a way of expressing gratitude for the dedicated service of law enforcement officers and their families around the state."We are immensely grateful for the sacrifices made by officers and their family members on a daily basis, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in order to protect our schools, workplaces, roadways and homes," Edwards s
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Nearly $100K raised for Chicago beating victim

  07-01-2017 16:08
  
  CHICAGO - An online effort to raise money for a mentally disabled man whose beating was broadcast live on Facebook in Chicago has brought in nearly $100,000.The GoFundMe campaign called "Let's show the Chicago victim love" had a goal of $10,000. As of Saturday the account has reached over $92,000.Four black suspects are facing charges of battery, kidnapping and hate crimes in connection with the attack on the 18-year-old victim. The suspects - two men and two women - are black and the victim is
  
  Read more

• Afternoon house fire reported on North 44th Street

  07-01-2017 15:51
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded to a house fire on Saturday afternoon in the 1400 block of North 44th Street.The fire occurred at 1:42 p.m. When firefighters arrived, five occupants of the home escaped the flames unharmed. According to the fire department, the fire was caused by combustibles that were stored too close to the water heater.The fire caused an estimated $60,000 worth of damage to the home.Red Cross was also called to the scene to assist the resident
  
  Read more

• SBA's business recovery center in Baker to close on Jan. 13

  07-01-2017 15:34
  
  BAKER – The Small Business Administration will close its Business Recovery Center in Baker on Jan. 13.The center, located at the Baker Workforce Development Center at 3262 Baker Boulevard, will close at 6 p.m.The center was open to assist businesses who were impacted by the August flood. SBA representatives will continue to meet with business owners to assist them with an economic injury disaster loan and other needs until the center closes."Representatives from SBA&a
  
  Read more

• Authorities find body in water near LaPlace

  07-01-2017 15:18
  
  LAPLACE - St. John the Baptist Parish authorities say they have found a man's body in LaPlace, and are working to recover it.Sheriff Mike Tregre tells NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune that divers found the man's body around noon Saturday in water along Interstate 55.The man, who has not been identified, was discovered near the area where authorities found the truck of a Metairie man who was reported missing in November.The truck, belonging to 21-year-old Kerry Keating was found with a broken axle and
  
  Read more

• Third suspect wanted for 2014 double murder arrested

  07-01-2017 15:10
  
  BATON ROUGE – A man wanted for a 2014 double murder on Gardere Lane has been arrested.The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office arrested 21-year-old Plug Lanaute for two counts of first degree murder and armed robbery.Two other suspects, Charles Lanaute and Darrius Miller were arrested in 2014 following the murders, however Plug Lanaute was still on the run.The incident occurred on May 18, 2014 at an apartment complex in the 2100 block of Gardere Lane. Charles Lanaute told deputie
  
  Read more

• 1 airport victim to be released from hospital

  07-01-2017 14:52
  
  FORT LAUDERDALE - Florida hospital officials say one of the airport shooting victims is expected to be released.Six gunshot victims were brought to Broward Health Medical Center after Friday's shooting in which five others died. Officials said Saturday at a news conference with Gov. Rick Scott that one is well enough for release.Scott says three are still in intensive care. No details were released about any of the victims.Authorities say the people were shot at random by 26-year-old Esteban San
  
  Read more

• Cost of workers' compensation insurance in Louisiana drops

  07-01-2017 14:38
  
  BATON ROUGE - Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the cost of workers' compensation policies for Louisiana businesses has dropped for a fourth straight year.The state insurance department announced this week that it had approved a 9.8 percent statewide decrease in workers' compensation rates, to take effect May 1. The rate cut was requested by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, an organization that files workers' comp rates in 35 states.Donelon called the price drop a boost to b
  
  Read more

• Suspect killed in police shootout on Chicago-area train

  07-01-2017 13:47
  
  DEERFIELD, Ill. - Authorities say a suspect in a Chicago-area slaying was killed in a police shootout on a Metra commuter train while dozens of other people were aboard.WLS-TV reports that the suspect was killed Friday night on the train after struggling with and firing at officers. Police say they found the suspect on the stopped train at the Lake Cook Road Station in Deerfield. They did not immediately release the suspect's name.Police say the suspect shot at officers, who retreated and fired
  
  Read more

• Ivory Coast president says deal reached to end mutiny

  07-01-2017 13:35
  
  ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast - Ivory Coast's president says a deal has been reached to end a mutiny by soldiers in the West African nation.President Alassane Ouattara said Saturday he had agreed to take into account soldiers' demands for more money and an improvement in their living and working conditions. He called on soldiers to return to their barracks.He said the deal was reached during discussions in Bouake between soldiers and a delegation headed by the defense minister.The mutiny began Friday mor
  
  Read more

• Blast kill 3 in Somali restaurant frequented by soldiers

  07-01-2017 13:35
  
  HARGESIA, Somalia - A Somali police officer says a bomb explosion at a restaurant in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, has killed three people, and injured more than 16 others.Captain Mohamed Hussein said a bomb believed to have been concealed in the restaurant often frequented by government soldiers in the Hodan district went off on Saturday evening.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, but suspicion centered on the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab, which is waging an ins
  
  Read more

• Volkswagen recalls 136,000 autos for antilock brake fix

  07-01-2017 13:14
  
  Volkswagen Group of America is recalling nearly 136,000 Audi and Volkswagen autos to fix potential problems with their antilock brake systems.The recall covers 135,683 vehicles, including certain 2009-10 Volkswagen Jetta A5 sedans, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. In them, the control unit for the antilock brake system may fail when the system or the auto's electronic stability control are activated.Volkswagen will noti
  
  Read more

• Inventory of Prince's estate lists cash, property, gold bars

  07-01-2017 12:49
  
  MINNEAPOLIS - An inventory of Prince's estate submitted to a probate court in Minnesota shows he had acquired tens of millions of dollars' worth of real estate and other personal property before he died last year.The Star Tribune reports that much of the value of his estate hasn't been established yet, including unreleased recordings and videos from his vault.Prince died of an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl. He did not leave a will. His estate has been valued at between $100 mill
  
  Read more

• Mario Soares, Portugal's former president and PM, dies at 92

  07-01-2017 12:44
  
  LISBON, Portugal - Mario Soares, a former prime minister and president of Portugal who helped steer his country toward democracy after a 1974 military coup and grew into a global statesman, has died. He was 92.Portugal's Socialist Party, which Soares once led, said he died Saturday. It did not give further details, but Soares had been hospitalized since Dec. 13.Soares, a moderate Socialist, returned from 12 years of political exile after the so-called Carnation Revolution toppled Portugal's four
  
  Read more

• Tulane planning to close central Mississippi campus

  07-01-2017 11:52
  
  MADISON, Miss. - Tulane University is planning to close its campus in central Mississippi.The Clarion-Ledger reports that University President Michael A. Fitts and the dean of continuing studies, Suri Duitch, emailed students Thursday. They said the School of Continuing Studies in the Jackson suburb of Madison will close at the end of the spring semester. The change awaits approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.Fitts and Duitch said the closure would
  
  Read more

• Storm paralyzes travel in parts of Mississippi

  07-01-2017 11:39
  
  JACKSON - Traffic is barely crawling across parts of central Mississippi on Saturday morning, with 18-wheel trucks pulled over on the shoulders of icy highways in spots.Jackson's city streets were supposed to be filled with runners Saturday, but organizers canceled the annual Mississippi Blues Marathon, citing weather and travel conditions.Drivers are struggling to make it up hills in some places, including an off-ramp from an interstate leading to two of Jackson's largest hospitals.The Mississi
  
  Read more

• Storm causes 260 North Carolina vehicle crashes

  07-01-2017 11:10
  
  DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina's governor says winter weather has caused numerous car crashes and is urging people to stay off the roads.Gov. Roy Cooper said Saturday that there were at least 260 traffic accidents between midnight and 6 a.m. as the winter storm blew in. Authorities say they haven't confirmed any weather-related deaths.Cooper says that even after precipitation is expected to stop later in the day, bitter cold will blow in and refreeze any melted slush on roads.He says the heaviest
  
  Read more

• Coffee shops stay busy during severe cold weather

  07-01-2017 11:08
  
  BATON ROUGE – Following the severe cold weather in the area, residents found refuge in their local coffee shops.Although Friday was windy, cold and rainy, Saturday turned out to be warm and steamy for those at Magpie Cafe looking for their hot cup of joe.Crowds showed up as the Saturday sun melted away Friday's ice."They've been coming in herds, for the coffee and a warm place to sit and hangout," Magpie Manager, Melissa Dixon, said.From lattes to hot chocolate to tea, many retreated t
  
  Read more

• LDWF agent shot multiple times during early morning traffic stop

  07-01-2017 09:54
  
  MOREHOUSE PARISH - An agent with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was shot multiple times during a traffic stop early Saturday morning. According to the LDWF, at 2:06 a.m. Saturday morning, Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler, 25, of Monroe performed a vehicle stop in the southbound lane of Hwy. 165 between Sterlington and Bastrop in the Perryville area.During the vehicle stop, Wheeler was shot multiple times, according to the LDWF.Wheeler was found o
  
  Read more

• Baton Rouge man arrested after exposing himself inside Circle K

  07-01-2017 09:23
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge man was arrested after he allegedly exposed himself and performed sexual acts on himself in front of an employee inside a Circle K on Perkins Rd., according to authorities.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, an employee at the business stated that the man, Deonte Thompson, 24, entered the store and exposed himself in plain view. Thompson reportedly entered the store asked the employee a sexual question, to which the employee
  
  Read more

• Storm causes flight cancellations, power outages

  07-01-2017 08:18
  
  DURHAM, N.C. - A snow storm in the South is causing airline cancellations and power outages.Duke Energy said early Saturday there were about 14,000 outages in the Carolinas. That includes about 3,000 in the county surrounding Charlotte and more than 4,000 in neighboring Union County.Raleigh-Durham International Airport said its staff worked through the night to clear runways. It said most airlines had canceled flights through mid-morning.The Charlotte airport said it would open with limited oper
  
  Read more

• Blizzards, icy weather continue their grip on Europe

  07-01-2017 08:15
  
  COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Heavy snow fall and below-freezing temperatures continued to sweep across the European continent Saturday causing deaths, and grounding airplanes and crippling ferries in Turkey.At least 10 people have died of the cold in Poland in the past days, according to local media, and in Belgium, one man died Saturday when his lorry slid off the highway because of the icy underground.Heavy snow crippled Istanbul, and national carrier Turkish Airlines canceled more than 650 flights.
  
  Read more

• Ft. Lauderdale airport reopens after shooting

  07-01-2017 08:10
  
  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has reopened following the terminal shooting that left five people dead and eight wounded.Officials said on Twitter the airport reopened for commercial flights at 5 a.m. Saturday, although many flights are canceled or delayed. Local media reported long lines of passengers were forming outside terminals.Terminal 2 remained closed Saturday morning. That's where police say 26-year-old Esteban Santiago allegedly opened fire in a
  
  Read more

• Airport suspect's charges to be released soon

  07-01-2017 08:10
  
  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Law enforcement officials say the gunman in a deadly Florida airport shooting had a semi-automatic handgun, and they expect to release charges against him this afternoon.Authorities say Army veteran Esteban Santiago of Anchorage, Alaska, killed five and wounded six Friday in Fort Lauderdale.At a news conference Saturday, a day after the attack, the FBI said it had interviewed the suspect's family.Local and federal officials also said at the news conference that they belie
  
  Read more

• Trump wants former Sen. Dan Coats to be intelligence chief

  07-01-2017 08:08
  
  WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump says he'll nominate former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats as national intelligence director.Trump says in a statement that Coats - a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee before retiring from Congress last year - will lead the new administration's "ceaseless vigilance against those who seek to do us harm."The post requires Senate confirmation. The office was created after the Sept. 11 attacks to improve coordination among U.S. spy and law enforcement agenc
  
  Read more

• Opposition: Death toll rises to at least 43 in car bomb in rebel-held Syrian border town with Turkey

  07-01-2017 08:06
  
  BEIRUT - Syria's opposition activists and rescue workers say at least 15 people were killed when a car bomb went off in a busy market in a Syrian rebel-held town along the Turkish border.The Syrian Civil Defense, a team of first responders, says the initial casualty count shows that at least 15 people died Saturday in the explosion in Azaz, a border town in the northern province of Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group put the death toll at 19, and other activists said
  
  Read more

• Red Cross calls UK hospital crowding a "humanitarian crisis"

  07-01-2017 08:00
  
  LONDON - The British Red Cross says overcrowding in hospital emergency rooms has become a "humanitarian crisis."The charity says it has dispatched volunteers to help patients go home and free up hospital beds. It claims cuts to social-care funding by the Conservative government mean some patients can't be discharged because there is no support available, putting pressure on hospitals.Government supporters say the Red Cross is exaggerating the scale of the problem.The often overstretched National
  
  Read more

• Authorities investigating fatal pedestrian hit-and-run

  07-01-2017 07:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is looking for more information after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle on Silverleaf Ave. Friday evening. According to the Sheriff's Office, around 6:00 p.m. Friday evening, the victim was walking in the 6000 block of Silverleaf Ave.While crossing the roadway, the victim was reportedly struck by a blue or black color truck pulling a trailer, authorities said.The victim was identified as Raphiel
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!