Baton Rouge news

• One person struck in Tracy Drive shooting

  20-01-2017 21:54
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is responding to a shooting on Tracy Avenue.EBRSO sources say the shooting happened near Tracy Avenue and Kerrit Drive, near Prescott Road.Deputies say at least one person was struck by gunfire. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.WBRZ News 2 has a crew on scene. Check back to this post for more details.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Armed robbery ends in gunfire outside Tracy Avenue home

  20-01-2017 21:54
  
  BATON ROUGE - Deputies say one person was hurt after robbery ended in gunfire on Tracey Avenue Friday night.According to East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office spokesperson Casey Hicks, the shooting happened around 10 p.m. Friday night in front of a home on Tracey Avenue. Victims say a dark colored Jeep Cherokee stopped in the roadway and three black males approached them, pointed a gun and demanded valuables. Hicks said after the victims were ordered to the ground, a single shot was fired a
  
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• Baton Rouge man arrested for possession of child pornography

  20-01-2017 21:37
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police arrested a man after finding child pornography in his Baton Rouge home Friday. State Police searched the home of 32-year-old Timothy Carriere after an investigation led them to believe that he was in possession of child pornography. Carriere willingly agreed to let police search his home.Police found several images indicative of child pornography on Carriere's personal computer and placed him under arrest.Carriere was charged with seven counts of p
  
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• TORNADO WATCH in effect for Baton Rouge area

  20-01-2017 20:14
  
  UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO WATCH for ASCENSION, ASSUMPTION, CONCORDIA, EAST BATON ROUGE, EAST FELICIANA, IBERVILLE, JEFFERSON, LAFOURCHE, LIVINGSTON, ORLEANS, PLAQUEMINES, POINTE COUPEE, T. BERNARD, ST. CHARLES, ST. HELENA, ST. JAMES, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, ST. TAMMANY, TANGIPAHOA, TERREBONNE, WASHINGTON, WEST BATON ROUGE, and WEST FELICIANA Parishes until Saturday Jan. 21 at 7 a.m.A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thun
  
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• Police clash with protesters following Trump inauguration

  20-01-2017 19:43
  
  WASHINGTON - Protesters and an Associated Press photographer say police fired rubber projectiles at them during demonstrations against President Donald Trump in downtown Washington.An AP photographer says he was hit three times by projectiles - once on his left shin and twice on his right - while covering demonstrations Friday.A photo of a spent canister appears to show the bottom part of a "rubber sponge." The foam-nosed projectile is launched at high-speed by police as a form of less lethal fo
  
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• BRPD responding to shooting near Plank Road

  20-01-2017 19:34
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police are responding to a shooting near Plank Road.It happened on Sycamore Street just before 7:30 p.m.A BRPD spokesperson says the victim suffered gunshot wounds to the leg and arm. They say the injuires are considered non-life threatening.This is a developing story. Check back for details.Permalink| Comments
  
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• LaPlace couple charged with contractor fraud in Walker

  20-01-2017 17:44
  
  WALKER – Police say a LaPlace couple has been accused of defrauding thousands of dollars from a Walker resident who was impacted by August’s flooding.According to Walker Police, Denny Cutrer and Jennifer Haywood were charged with one count of felony residential contract fraud and misapplication of payments by a contractor.Investigators say the couple, doing business as Perfection Painting, received $7,200 to repair a home that was damaged in the flood. The victim told police
  
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• Bus a no show, student misses 10 days of school

  20-01-2017 17:43
  
  BATON ROUGE - A student attending Broadmoor Middle School says she's missed multiple days of school because her bus hasn't shown up.Mary Ayala says her daughter Nydia has missed about ten days of school."I can't handle this anymore," said Ayala.She called 2 On Your Side Wednesday, the second day this week the bus didn't show up."It's frustrating because I don't like doing make-up work," said Nydia.Ayala says in August, one of their family cars was lost in the flood. That car was replaced with a
  
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• College students discuss inauguration of President Trump

  20-01-2017 17:33
  
  BATON ROUGE – College students in Baton Rouge had different opinions of watching the presidential inauguration ceremony on Friday.Some students watched the ceremony in their student union, while others walked passed and went about their day.For students at LSU who did watch, they said that the next four years with President Trump will be interesting and exciting."I think it'll be a new thing for this country. It will be interesting to see what he does, I think he will unite th
  
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• Senate confirms Mattis for defense secretary

  20-01-2017 16:48
  
  WASHINGTON - The Republican-led Senate has voted to confirm James Mattis to be President Donald Trump's defense secretary.Senators cleared the retired Marine general's nomination Friday.New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who challenged the idea of a former military leader in a civilian job, voted "no." Republicans pushed for fast approval to ensure the post wouldn't be empty even for a brief amount of time after Trump's swearing-in.Mattis will replace Ash Carter, who has been former Pres
  
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• Sen. Troy Brown will spend the weekend in jail

  20-01-2017 16:32
  
  DONALDSONVILLE – State Sen. Troy Brown will spend the weekend in jail to fulfill a 38-hour sentence for biting his wife.Brown arrived at the Ascension Parish Jail shortly after 5:30 Friday evening.  He'll be released Sunday morning.Brown will be treated like any other inmate, authorities added.Brown pleaded no contest to domestic abuse battery charges recently for the incident that happened in July. The charge is a misdemeanor.Brown entered the plea instead of going to trial.
  
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• Police believe illegal immigrant could be tied to other sex crimes

  20-01-2017 16:31
  
  BATON ROUGE- Baton Rouge Police said a man in the country illegally from Honduras could be responsible for multiple rapes and robberies in the Baton Rouge area.
  Investigators said Manuel Mejia raped a woman in Baker and slit her throat in Baton Rouge this week. It happened after he picked up the victim from a motel in Baton Rouge. Tonight, investigators believe the crime could be tied to other unsolved rapes where victims were found bound and cut.
  "He's been busy here in the Baton Rouge area," P
  
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• Six Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office employees arrested for bond scheme

  20-01-2017 16:29
  
  AMITE – Six Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office employees were arrested Thursday and more arrests are expected following a month-long investigation, Sheriff Daniel Edwards said.The investigation into three employees linked to illegal bond activity that began on Dec. 27. According to Sheriff Edwards, over the course of the investigation, six employees were either terminated or placed on administrative leave.Criminal records supervisor Sgt. Sonja Evans, Latecial Milton and Crystal Knight
  
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• $1.2B Louisiana flood aid plan backed by recovery task force

  20-01-2017 15:38
  
  LIVINGSTON - Louisiana's flood recovery task force has agreed to Gov. John Bel Edwards' proposal to spend $1.2 billion in federal aid allocated by Congress, with most of the money targeted for homeowners.Under the plan approved Friday, $935 million would pay for rebuilding and repairs for thousands of homeowners with damage from the March and August floods - people who have major damage and didn't have flood insurance coverage.Other dollars would be earmarked for business, agriculture and rental
  
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• Three injured in blast at 'small' oil facility

  20-01-2017 14:39
  
  WHITE CASTLE - Three workers sustained injuries after an explosion at an oil storage tank facility Friday.The blast happened at a group of storage tanks on River Road downriver from White Castle but before Donaldsonville.  Sources said the incident was in the 33000 block of La. 405.  A Google Earth view of the area shows three tanks far off the highway, set up to store oil that may have been removed from deep under ground nearby.Two of the three workers were taken to a hospital
  
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• Manager at barber shop drops gun, shoots himself

  20-01-2017 14:35
  
  BATON ROUGE – The manager at a Baton Rouge barber shot was injured after he dropped his gun and shot himself Friday afternoon.Employees at Head-Quarters Family Hair Center tell WBRZ’s Brett Buffington that the manager was packing up to head home when he dropped the gun. Witnesses say the gun went off and shot the man in his ankle.WHOOPS: the manager at this Sherwood barber shop was packing up to head home when he dropped his gun and shot himself in the ankle. @WBRZ pic.twitte
  
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• There goes the commute; I-10 W delays

  20-01-2017 14:15
  
  BATON ROUGE - There are delays on I-10 West from an earlier closure at Siegen Lane.State traffic monitors reported the closure was due to vehicle recovery operations.  Traffic was stopped toward Highland Road.  The average speed of vehicles as of 2:15 p.m. was about 20 mph. State traffic cameras showed a large amount of congestion.  People were attempting to exit the interstate to go around the closure.Monitor congestion using WBRZ's advanced traffic-tracking
  
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• Fire at vacant Buchanan Street home caused by arson

  20-01-2017 14:09
  
  BATON ROUGE – Firefighters say arson was the cause of a vacant house fire on Buchanan Street Friday afternoon.The Baton Rouge Fire Department received the call around 12:30 p.m. Friday. Firefighters arrived at the scene to find the rear of the home at 1092 E. Buchanan Street engulfed in flames. According to spokesperson Mark Miles, crews battled for 12 minutes to get the flames under control.Firefighters say the fire caused $40,000 in damages. The house is considered a total loss.Anyon
  
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• Nightly lane closures for I-12 west between Walker and Livingston next week

  20-01-2017 14:01
  
  LIVINGSTON – Westbound lanes of I-12 will be closed nightly from LA 63 to LA 441 starting Tuesday, Jan. 24.According to DOTD, the lane closures will start from 8 p.m. and will end at 6 a.m. as crews work on a bridge.Traffic officials suggest drivers take US 190 as an alternate route to avoid the nightly closures.“DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for crews and their equipment,&rd
  
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• Date announced for Saints-Dolphins game in London

  20-01-2017 13:53
  
  LONDON - The NFL says the Jacksonville Jaguars will play the Baltimore Ravens in the first game at Wembley Stadium next season on Sept. 24.The Miami Dolphins will take on the New Orleans Saints the following weekend, Oct. 1, at English soccer's national stadium.The NFL has yet to announce the start times.They are two of four regular-season games being played in London next season. Twickenham, England's national rugby stadium, is hosting two games later in October.
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• Smashed windows, chaotic confrontation near inauguration

  20-01-2017 13:40
  
  WASHINGTON - Police have used pepper spray and made a number of arrests in a confrontation with protesters in downtown Washington, D.C.At one point, police gave chase to a group of about 100 protesters who smashed windows of downtown businesses including a Starbucks, Bank of America and McDonald's as they denounced capitalism and Donald Trump.Police in riot gear used pepper spray from large canisters and eventually cordoned off the protesters.They say the demonstrators damaged vehicles, destroye
  
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• Spanish Town Parade asks for usual irreverence but inclusion

  20-01-2017 13:36
  
  BATON ROUGE – Organizers of the obscure and intentionally irreverent yet immensely popular Spanish Town Parade are asking parade-goers to embrace each others differences this year.In a post on the organizer's Facebook page, Spanish Town officials shared thoughts about inclusiveness. As The Advocate newspaper pointed out later, the 2017 parade rolls amid political turmoil, strained relationships in the city itself and follows at least two years of some outcry over floats in the parade.
  
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• Walker Police responding to crash with injuries on Florida Blvd

  20-01-2017 13:32
  
  WALKER – Authorities are responding to a crash with injuries on Florida Blvd near Walker Friday afternoon.According to Walker Police, the crash happened near the intersection of Florida Blvd and Buff Street around noon.Walker Police & medical are responding to a crash with injuries, Florida Blvd at Buff. WB road blockage is reported. Consider alt routes.— Walker Police Dept. (@WalkerPolice) January 20, 2017Police say that the crash has closed the westbound lanes. Drivers
  
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• Man arrested for strangling woman because ex-husband called her

  20-01-2017 13:29
  
  BATON ROUGE – One man has been arrested for attempted murder after he strangled a woman several times because her ex-husband called her.The Baton Rouge Police Department arrested 41-year-old Rodney Bailey Jr. for attempted second degree murder.On Jan. 18 around 12:40 a.m., officers responded to the 1000 block of Marquee Ann Drive in reference to a battery. The victim told officers that Bailey beat her earlier in the night and that she was strangled until she lost consciousness several
  
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• NOLA bakery recovers stolen freight truck

  20-01-2017 13:24
  
  NEW ORLEANS – Haydel's Bakery in New Orleans has found one of its freight trucks that was reported stolen on Thursday.The bakery initially posted on Facebook about the truck on Thursday and offered a free King Cake per week for a year to anyone who had information that could lead to the recovery of the truck.On Friday, the bakery announced that the truck was recovered in St. Charles Parish around 2 a.m. by a security guard patrolling the area. The truck contained some of the b
  
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• On Inauguration Day, 'House of Cards' announces May return

  20-01-2017 13:19
  
  BEVERLY HILLS  - "House of Cards" will return in May for a fifth season.The show's Twitter account posted a video on Inauguration Day featuring an upside-down U.S. flag in front of the U.S. Capitol. The video ends with the date May 30. An upside-down flag is a signal of distress.The show stars Kevin Spacey as President Frank Underwood and Robin Wright as his wife, first lady Claire Underwood.The upcoming season will be the first under new co-showrunners Melissa James Gibson and Frank Pu
  
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• Man had to pretend to be dead in ditch to escape armed robber

  20-01-2017 13:09
  
  BATON ROUGE – A man said he had to pretend to be dead in a ditch after an armed robber opened fire on him in Baton Rouge last week.According to arrest records, the shooting happened after 11 p.m. on Heck Young Road on Jan. 15. East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputies originally responded to a home after a caller said a man was beating on his door and screaming that someone was trying to kill him.At the scene, detectives spoke with a man who said Jeremiah Cordell Campbell had tried to rob an
  
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• One in critical condition after shooting on Jefferson Avenue

  20-01-2017 13:00
  
  BATON ROUGE – Authorities responded to a shooting on Jefferson Avenue near North 23rd Street on Friday around noon.  According to sources, EMS transported one person to the hospital in critical condition. Witnesses say that the person was shot in the head and a few shots were heard. Witnesses say that an argument started inside a nearby seafood store that led to the shooting outside of the store. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore was on the scen
  
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• Man and store clerk arrested for staging armed robbery of Circle K

  20-01-2017 12:52
  
  BATON ROUGE – A man and store clerk have been arrested for staging an armed robbery of the Circle K on Perkins Road.The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office arrested 22-year-old Jordan Jenkins for armed robbery.On Jan. 16, deputies responded to the Circle K in the 18000 block of Perkins Road in reference to a robbery. When deputies arrived, it was discovered that the clerk was the only employee at the store. The cashier said a man approached her and pushed her in the back with what she as
  
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• Raining $20s: Money falls out of armored car on NC interstate

  20-01-2017 11:26
  
  RALEIGH, N.C. - Police say a number of people grabbed some quick cash when the back of an armored car opened on Interstate 40 in Raleigh.By the time officers arrived Thursday morning, those who had grabbed the cash were gone.A statement from police spokesman Jim Sughrue said a Loomis armored car was on the road when the back door unexpectedly opened as an employee in the truck was trying to better secure the door.The police statement said a brick of money fell out and scattered $20 bills when it
  
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• WATCH: Passengers scream as Florida alligator leaps into airboat

  20-01-2017 11:23
  
  MIAMI - A Missouri couple vacationing in Florida had a close encounter with an alligator when it leapt into their airboat and became wedged in the boat's railing.Passengers screamed as 30-year-old Tylor Hindery of Springfield, Missouri, captured the moment in a Facebook live video posted Tuesday.Hinderey tells the Miami Heraldhe talked his wife Emerald into an airboat ride.The guide killed the engine and floated close to the bank so people could photograph the gator.But Hinderey says the boat go
  
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• Doctors consider removing George H.W. Bush's breathing tube

  20-01-2017 11:18
  
  HOUSTON - Doctors treating former President George H.W. Bush for pneumonia are considering whether to take out a breathing tube inserted to clear his airway.His wife, Barbara, diagnosed with bronchitis, was feeling "1,000 percent better" on Thursday after antibiotics and rest.The 92-year-old former president and the 91-year-old former first lady both had been admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital. He was admitted on Saturday with difficulty breathing. She was hospitalized Wednesday after feelin
  
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• Animal treatment questions cancel 'A Dog's Purpose' premiere

  20-01-2017 11:15
  
  LOS ANGELES - This weekend's premiere of "A Dog's Purpose" has been canceled following the release of a video that appears to show a frightened dog being forced into churning water during production of the film.TMZ published video Wednesday that shows a man struggling to put a dog into a pool of rushing water while the dog continually fights to stay out.Producer Amblin Entertainment and distributor Universal Pictures haven't disputed the authenticity of the footage.They say in a joint statement
  
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• One taken to hospital following Old Scenic Hwy crash

  20-01-2017 11:13
  
  BAKER - Rescue crews worked to cut a person out of their car following a crash on Old Scenic Hwy.JUST IN: Here's a picture of the crash scene on Old Scenic. One person has been taken to the hospital. @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/66gESZ9lyG— Brett Buffington (@BrettBuffington) January 21, 2017
  Louisiana State Police responded to the crash.#BREAKING Rescue crews are working to cut a person out of a car, after a crash on Old Scenic Highway. @WBRZ crew headed that way.— Brett Buffington
  
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• 'Jazz Funeral for Lady Liberty" among La. protest plans

  20-01-2017 11:10
  
  NEW ORLEANS - A "jazz funeral for Lady Liberty" is set for midday in New Orleans - one of the Louisiana protests against the new presidency of Donald Trump.A brass band will be part of the procession leaving Armstrong Park at the edge of the French Quarter late Friday morning.Another protest is set for late afternoon in a park near New Orleans City Hall.Protests continue Saturday afternoon. "Women's Marches" are set for New Orleans and the Shreveport-Bossier area, coinciding with the Women's Mar
  
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• Among latest commutations: 2 dozen from Louisiana

  20-01-2017 11:06
  
  NEW ORLEANS - About two dozen people convicted in Louisiana are among the 330 federal inmates granted sentence reductions in one of Barack Obama's last acts as president.The commutations were announced Thursday by the White House. They affect people convicted of federal drug offenses around Louisiana. Some sentences were cut by decades.Three people had life sentences cut, including Benjamin Blount of Oakdale. He had a life sentence commuted to expire in May.Jose Luis Garcia had a life sentence h
  
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• US government seeks $14 billion in El Chapo case

  20-01-2017 09:40
  
  NEW YORK - A U.S. attorney in New York says the government is seeking a $14 billion forfeiture order as part of its prosecution of the notorious Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.The convicted leader of the Sinaloa cartel was brought into a Brooklyn courthouse Friday to await his arraignment.U.S. Attorney Robert Capers spoke at a press conference about the joint prosecution with the U.S. attorney in Miami.He likened the drug trafficking to a cancerous tumor that spread, leading to "
  
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• Drug kingpin El Chapo appears in New York court

  20-01-2017 09:40
  
  NEW YORK - Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman has made an appearance in a New York City courtroom, where a federal public defender entered a not-guilty plea for him.A hush fell over the Brooklyn courtroom moments before Guzman entered Friday. He looked dazed and wore a dark blue T-shirt, dark blue pants and sneakers.An indictment charges Guzman with running a massive drug trafficking operation that laundered billions of dollars and oversaw murders and kidnappings.Guzman answered ques
  
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• Commercial king mackerel season to close Saturday

  20-01-2017 09:36
  
  BATON ROUGE - State wildlife and fisheries regulators say the commercial season for king mackerel in Louisiana waters will close at 12 p.m. on Saturday.The closure announced Thursday was made based on data gathered by Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and the National Marine Fisheries Service. They determined that the annual harvest quota of 1.07 million pounds for the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico has been met.The commercial season was closed in federal waters on Oct. 14.Depa
  
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• Protesters try unsuccessfully to keep ticketholders away

  20-01-2017 08:28
  
  WASHINGTON - Protesters who said they'd try to keep guests with tickets from watching Donald Trump take the oath of office aren't having much luck so far.Dozens of protesters are lined up at the entrance to a seating area on the West Front of the Capitol, and they're holding signs that say "Free Palestine" and "Let Freedom ring."Some protesters are wearing orange jumpsuits with black hoods over their faces - showing their disapproval of the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.But police ar
  
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• Suspect in Florida officer's slaying faces 5 new charges

  20-01-2017 08:26
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. - A day after an expletive-laced court appearance on charges he killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend, a fugitive is due in court again in Florida to face five new charges filed against him in the death of an Orlando police officer.The latest charges against 41-year-old Markeith Loyd include first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and wearing a bullet-proof vest. His initial appearance is scheduled Friday morning.During an initial hearing Thursday on charges related to his ex-
  
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• 4 killed, 15 hurt after car strikes pedestrians in Melbourne

  20-01-2017 08:23
  
  SYDNEY - Police in Melbourne, Australia say a man deliberately drove into a street crowded with pedestrians, killing at least four people and injuring around 15 others.Police say the man drove in erratic circles in the middle of a major intersection in downtown Melbourne today, and then turned onto a pedestrian-only road, deliberately colliding with pedestrians before continuing onto a sidewalk and hitting several other people.Authorities say the man, who's in custody, has a history of mental he
  
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• Melania Trump's hometown in Slovenia marks inauguration

  20-01-2017 08:15
  
  SEVNICA, Slovenia - The inauguration of Donald Trump is a big thing for a small town in Slovenia where the future U.S. first lady traces her roots.Starting Friday, the industrial town of Sevnica plans three days of events to mark the inauguration and welcome all guests wishing to see where Melania Trump grew up.Mayor Srecko Ocvirk says Sevnica has organized free guided tours, a display of locally produced goods and brands in the 12th century castle above the old town, and a festival of grape vin
  
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• El Chapo back in the US

  20-01-2017 08:04
  
  NEW YORK - Notorious Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is in a U.S. courthouse, two decades after he was first sought by federal authorities. The convicted leader of the Sinaloa cartel was brought into a Brooklyn, New York, courthouse today to await his appearance before a federal judge. An indictment charges Guzman with running a massive drug trafficking operation that laundered billions of dollars and oversaw murders and kidnappings. His lawyer says his extradition yesterday from
  
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• Italian media reporting 8 avalanche survivors

  20-01-2017 08:01
  
  FARINDOLA, Italy - Italian media are reporting that at least 8 people have survived Tuesday's avalanche in central Italy, including two children. Authorities tell State-run RAI and other news agencies that 5 of those survivors have been located and that helicopters will be taking them to hospitals. About 30 people were believed buried under the resort hotel in the snow-bound Abruzzo region.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Diplomats try to get Gambia's losing president to leave

  20-01-2017 07:59
  
  BANJUL, Gambia - The transfer of power in the west African nation of Gambia hasn't been smooth. The country's long-time leader (Yahya Jammeh), who lost the presidential election in December, has been given until noon today to cede power, or the U.N. Security Council has promised regional military intervention. The West African regional force is ready to remove him by force, but the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania have arrived in Gambia's capital in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to get him to l
  
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• Trump tweets 'It all begins today!'

  20-01-2017 07:58
  
  WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump has emerged from Blair House to start the Inauguration Day festivities. Trump and his wife, Melania, stepped out of the government guest house next to the White House just after 8:30 a.m. and took a motorcade for the short drive to St. John's Episcopal Church. After the service, they'll head to the White House to be greeted by President Barack Obama. Trump began the day by tweeting, "It all begins today! I will see you at 11 a.m. for the swearing-in."It
  
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