Baton Rouge news

• Army Corps to close land where protesters camped

  03-02-2017 21:23
  
  BISMARK, N.D. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say it will close federal property where Dakota Access oil pipeline protesters have camped beginning on Feb. 22 because of concerns about flooding.
      
  In a statement on Friday, the Corps says there has been a record snowfall and long periods of frigid temperatures at the mouth of the Cannonball River where the protesters have been camped. There is a high potential of flooding from spring runoff and ice jams.
   
  
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• Paris attack raises new security concerns over Olympic bid

  03-02-2017 20:34
  
  PARIS  - On a day Paris Olympic bid leaders wanted to show off the French capital, a knife attack on a soldier raised more security questions about the city's ability to stage the 2024 Games in a safe atmosphere.
      
  News of the attack outside the Louvre Museum on Friday broke hours before bid officials hosted a ceremony near the Eiffel Tower to coincide with the final submission of their 110-page dossier to the International Olympic Committee.
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• Pairs attack raises new security concerns over Olympic bid

  03-02-2017 20:34
  
  PARIS  - On a day Paris Olympic bid leaders wanted to show off the French capital, a knife attack on a soldier raised more security questions about the city's ability to stage the 2024 Games in a safe atmosphere.
      
  News of the attack outside the Louvre Museum on Friday broke hours before bid officials hosted a ceremony near the Eiffel Tower to coincide with the final submission of their 110-page dossier to the International Olympic Committee.
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• Mexico confirms first case of Zika-related birth defect

  03-02-2017 20:02
  
  MEXICO CITY  - Mexico's health ministry has confirmed the first case of a Zika-related severe birth defect known as microcephaly.
      
  The ministry said in a statement Friday that the child was premature and died at birth. It was born to a 25-year-old woman from the southern state of Oaxaca on Nov. 5, 2016.
      
  The ministry says it took several months to confirm the microcephaly, which is characterized by newborns with abnormally sm
  
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• DOTD fixes potholes after officer crash, but some say it's not enough

  03-02-2017 19:24
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge Police officer, injured in a motorcycle crash after hitting a pot hole Wednesday, is expected to recover from his injuries.Police say he was escorting an 18-wheeler and hit the pothole...losing control of his bike and ended up hitting another vehicle.The officer has a broken leg, among other injuries.Friday, the numerous potholes that caused the wreck, were filled by the DOTD, for what they call routine maintenance."The ones at Beechwood and Airline, were fixed today
  
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• BRPD squad car involved in accident on Airline Highway

  03-02-2017 19:18
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge Police officer was involved in an accident on Airline Highway.#BREAKING @BRPD officer involved in a crash on Airline Hwy near Coursey Blvd. @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/YFSkVDuoaP— Brett Buffington (@BrettBuffington) February 4, 2017
  The crash happened on Airline Highway at Coursey Blvd.According to a BRPD spokesperson, the officer was at fault in the accident. They say the driving officer was pulling out into traffic to assit another officer with call.The driving
  
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• BRPD squad car involved in accident of Airline Highway

  03-02-2017 19:18
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge Police officer was involved in an accident on Airline Highway.#BREAKING @BRPD officer involved in a crash on Airline Hwy near Coursey Blvd. @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/YFSkVDuoaP— Brett Buffington (@BrettBuffington) February 4, 2017
  The crash happened on Airline Highway at Coursey Blvd. According to a BRPD spokesperson, the officer was at fault in the accident. The driving officer was allegedly pulling out into traffic to assit another officer with call.The drivin
  
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• Orca that killed trainer died from bacterial pneumonia

  03-02-2017 19:09
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. - SeaWorld officials say Tilikum, the orca that killed a trainer at the company's Orlando park, died from bacterial pneumonia.
      
  SeaWorld spokeswoman Aimée Jeansonne Becka announced the results of a necropsy in an email Friday.
      
  Tilikum had been receiving treatment for a persistent bacterial infection when he died Jan. 6. He was estimated to be 36 years old.
      
  Tilikum was profiled
  
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• LSU to begin search for contractors to grow medical marijuana

  03-02-2017 18:12
  
  BATON ROUGE – LSU will begin taking offers from contractors to produce marijuana for the state for medical purposes.The marijuana-growing operation is estimated to cost $10 million and will be paid for by the contractor."We're looking for somebody who will be able to provide the quality product for the patients in Louisiana who will be using the medical marijuana product," Dr. Ted Gautheir, LSU professor, said.The professor expects there will be about ten finalists to choose from to pr
  
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• Mother of the bride upset over fallen wedding cake

  03-02-2017 17:27
  
  ST. FRANCISVILLE - A mother of the bride says her daughter's wedding cake collapsed hours before the ceremony. The cake baker salvaged the cake and it was served at the wedding but the wedding party is still upset with how business was handled.Lori Kaiser says she paid $780 for a cake that fell over. Kaiser said she did not receive the cake she was dreaming of and asked for a refund."The end result to me was like a big birthday cake," she said.Kaiser was looking for someone who could bake and de
  
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• Boston judge declines to extend Trump travel ban restraining order

  03-02-2017 17:27
  
  BOSTON - A federal judge in Boston has refused to extend a temporary injunction against President Donald Trump's travel ban.U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton late Friday declined to renew an order prohibiting the detention or removal of persons as part of Trump's executive order on refugees and immigrants.That means a seven-day, temporary injunction granted Jan. 29 will expire as scheduled Sunday.The initial order came after the American Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of two University
  
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• Edwards asks Trump to back $2B more for Louisiana flood aid

  03-02-2017 16:51
  
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards is asking President Donald Trump to support another $2 billion in federal block grant aid for Louisiana's recovery from the March and August flooding.Louisiana's Democratic governor sent the request to the Republican president in a letter released Friday by the state flood recovery task force.More than $1.3 billion of the money would pay for homeowner aid. Edwards is also asking for $600 million for flood protection projects. Other dollars would pay for busine
  
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• Protesters gather outside federal court in downtown BR Friday

  03-02-2017 16:37
  
  BATON ROUGE – A few dozen protesters stood outside the federal courthouse in downtown Friday afternoon, protesting presidential orders about immigrants and refugees.Most protesters were holding signs out front of the post office, looking across the street toward the courthouse. A few others were on the courthouse side of the street.HAPPENING NOW: protest outside the Federal Courthouse in downtown, speaking out against @POTUS immigration policies. @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/IUHmE3L2vs&md
  
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• Saints owner Tom Benson strikes deal with spurned heirs

  03-02-2017 15:36
  
  NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson and trustees for his estranged heirs have ironed out legal and structural sticking points of a settlement that has been in the works since last June, avoiding a federal trial that was scheduled to begin on Monday.Attorneys said Friday the parties had reached the confidential agreement, which allows Benson to avoid the likelihood that proprietary financial information sensitive to the NFL and NBA would become public record in court.Th
  
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• Four arrested for kidnapping, beating Lafayette man

  03-02-2017 15:29
  
  ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST – Louisiana State Police arrested four individuals for charges related to the kidnapping of a Lafayette man.The incident occurred on Feb. 1 when a man was taken hostage by several suspects in the Thibodaux area, according to Louisiana State Police. The man was taken to a home where he was restrained and beaten overnight.On Feb. 2 St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office were notified of the kidnapping and began an investigation to locate the man and suspects. I
  
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• Atlanta police backfire with tweet about Beyonce and gunfire

  03-02-2017 15:22
  
  ATLANTA - Atlanta police admit they backfired with a tweet urging people not to celebrate Beyonce's pregnancy with celebratory gunfire.Following the singer's announcement Wednesday that she's pregnant with twins, the department tweeted, "Beyonce may have everyone wanting to celebrate her pregnancy, but remember no celebratory gunfire! Stay safe, Atlanta!"Police spokesman Sgt. Warren Pickard told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution some people found it funny while others were offended.The department
  
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• McDonald's rolls out new Chocolate Shamrock Shake

  03-02-2017 15:17
  
  SAN FRANCISCO - Participating McDonald's restaurants are rolling out five different variations of the Shamrock Shake next week.Their McCafé menu will feature the original Shamrock Shake, a Chocolate Shamrock Shake, a Shamrock Chocolate Chip Frappé, a Shamrock Hot Chocolate and a Shamrock Mocha.The new Chocolate Shamrock Shake is just as it sounds: half a chocolate shake (on the bottom) and half a Shamrock Shake layered on top.If the Chocolate Shamrock Shake sounds familiar,
  
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• Navy decommissions 'legendary' carrier that shaped history

  03-02-2017 14:35
  
  NEWPORT NEWS - The U.S. Navy has officially decommissioned the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.During Friday's ceremony at a Newport News shipyard, the USS Enterprise was described as a "legendary" vessel that helped shape history. It served more than 50 years, playing a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.Affectionately called the "Big E," the ship retired from service in 2012. The Navy has spent the past few years defueling its reactors
  
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• Lawyer: Man shot former NFL running back Joe McKnight in self-defense

  03-02-2017 13:56
  
  GRETNA - A lawyer for the man accused of fatally shooting Joe McKnight says his client shot the former NFL running back in self-defense.In an email sent to The Associated Press late Thursday, Matthew Goetz wrote that "information provided from our sources" indicate the 28-year-old McKnight was shot while threatening 55-year-old Ronald Gasser and trying to climb into Gasser's car through the passenger-side window. He did not elaborate on the sources or immediately return a phone call Friday.Gasse
  
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• Texas boy lifts toilet lid, finds rattlesnake hiding inside

  03-02-2017 13:44
  
  ABILENE - A snake removal expert says rattlesnakes often hide in rural Texas homes, but having one peer up from a toilet is an unusual occurrence.Nathan Hawkins said Friday that he was called to a home near Abilene last month after a boy lifted the toilet lid and was surprised to find an adult rattlesnake poking out of the water with most of its body extended down into the drain.Hawkins says the snake found into the house's plumbing through an exposed pipe.The boy's mother decapitated the snake
  
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• Gov. Edwards requests extension for Proof of Loss claims

  03-02-2017 13:23
  
  BATON ROUGE – Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has requested an extension for Proof of Loss Claims for Louisiana policyholders impacted by the August 2016 flood.The state previously requested and received an extension of Proof of Loss deadline through Feb. 9. An additional 90-day extension through May 10 was requested Thursday.The request letter stated that the extensive damage from the flood has "prolonged the recovery process and inhibited all homeowners from complying with the ex
  
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• Free tax-help event to be held at EBR library on Goodwood Blvd

  03-02-2017 13:16
  
  BATON ROUGE – Capital Area United Way is offering an free tax-help event on Feb. 4 for those who need assistance preparing their taxes. The event, called Super Tax Day, will feature certified tax volunteers, pro bono legal advice, financial workshops and other community resources for residents to get their taxes done for free.The event is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the East Baton Rouge Main Library located at 7711 Goodwood Boulevard.Those getting their taxes done should bring th
  
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• All major roads experiencing delays at lunch Friday

  03-02-2017 13:10
  
  BATON ROUGE – A situation involving a car carrier is one of numerous problems that slowed traffic across Baton Rouge at lunch Friday.It's unclear what happened, but traffic cameras showed the semi off to the side of I-10 near Bluebonnet surrounded by police cars.The situation was backing up eastbound traffic on I-10, over the 10/12 split and onto I-12 westbound.Eastbound I-10 from West Baton Rouge into downtown also slowed at lunch for various reasons. The regular grind over the river
  
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• Woman accused of selling stolen gun in Assumption Parish

  03-02-2017 11:03
  
  BAYOU L’OURSE – Deputies in Assumption Parish say a Berwick woman has been accused of selling a stolen firearm.Sheriff Leland Falcon said 39-year-old Kristie Blanchard was charged with theft of a firearm Thursday night.Falcon said investigators received information that Blanchard had sold a firearm that had been reported stolen. Deputies were able to recover the stolen firearm.Blanchard was arrested and transported to the Assumption Parish Jail and booked with the above charg
  
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• Firefighters responding to trash fire near L'Auberge Casino

  03-02-2017 11:00
  
  BATON ROUGE - Firefighters are responding to a fire on River Road right outside of Baton Rouge city limits.The fire is burning at a recycling center on the 12000 blcok of River Road, close to the L'Auberge Hotel & Casino.Here's another shot of the fire on River Rd. The gusty winds are helping at all. @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/IUBtg0fIJ8— Brett Buffington (@BrettBuffington) February 4, 2017
  St. George Fire Department is responding to the scene.Crews have shut down River Road in the area
  
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• Parts of Greenwell Springs Road to close this weekend

  03-02-2017 09:50
  
  BATON ROUGE – Parts of Greenwell Springs road will be closed this weekend north of Magnolia Bridge Road this weekend.According to DOTD, 1.5 miles of LA 37 will be closed north of LA 64 from 8 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. The closure is needed as crews work to repair drainage.Northbound traffic will detour using LA 3034 to LA 408 and then back to LA 37. Southbound traffic will detour using LA 408 to LA 3034 then back to LA 37.“DOTD appreciates your patience and re
  
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• Court: Police with warrant can view private Twitter messages

  03-02-2017 08:58
  
  TRENTON, N.J. - A New Jersey appeals court has ruled that law enforcement agencies can view private messages and tweets from private accounts on Twitter if they get a warrant.The court on Thursday ruled in favor of Essex County prosecutors who attempted to access video posts from two Twitter profiles.The case turned on what type of warrant is needed: a communications data warrant or a wiretapping warrant, which is needed for electronic communications in transit and has tougher legal requirements
  
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• Nissan recalls Altima; door might open if window rolled down

  03-02-2017 08:55
  
  DETROIT - You might not want to open a rear window if you're driving a Nissan Altima.The company is recalling more than 341,000 of the midsize cars in the U.S. because the doors might open if a rear window is lowered.The recall covers Altimas from the 2015 through 2017 model years.Nissan says in government documents that the latch and lock cable in the doors may not have been routed properly at the factory. In certain situations, the window assembly can interfere with the cable and inadvertently
  
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• Iran bans travel of US wrestlers to Iran

  03-02-2017 08:51
  
  TEHRAN - Iran's official news agency is reporting that U.S. wrestlers have been banned from participating in the Freestyle World Cup competition in the western city of Kermanshah in response to President Donald Trump's executive order forbidding visas for Iranians.The Friday report quotes Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi as saying a special committee reviewed the case and: "Eventually the visit by the U.S. freestyle wrestling team was opposed."The competition is scheduled for Fe
  
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• Hello? People swamp Congress with calls in era of Trump

  03-02-2017 08:49
  
  WASHINGTON - A lot of politics is about the basics, and in Congress that means answering the phone. By that measure, life on Capitol Hill in the Trump era is a struggle.Whether constituents are calling to request congressional flags, get help with a local issue - or, more likely, to register their support or displeasure with the latest move by President Donald Trump - these days they are more likely to get a busy signal or voice mail than a live human.It's especially true for Republican senators
  
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• Weed 101: Louisiana officials learn how to grow pot in Denver

  03-02-2017 08:44
  
  DENVER - North Carolina wants to know if marijuana could one day replace tobacco as a cash crop. Louisiana is wondering how pot holds up in high humidity. And Washington state has questions about water supplies for weed.Colorado agriculture officials this week briefed officials from about a dozen states — some that have legalized weed, others that joked their states will legalize pot "when hell freezes over" — to go over the basics of marijuana farming and swap stories about
  
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• Weed 101: La. officials meet in Denver to learn how to grow pot

  03-02-2017 08:44
  
  DENVER - North Carolina wants to know if marijuana could one day replace tobacco as a cash crop. Louisiana is wondering how pot holds up in high humidity. And Washington state has questions about water supplies for weed.Colorado agriculture officials this week briefed officials from about a dozen states — some that have legalized weed, others that joked their states will legalize pot "when hell freezes over" — to go over the basics of marijuana farming and swap stories about
  
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• Conway says she misspoke on 'massacre' that never happened

  03-02-2017 08:34
  
  WASHINGTON - A top aide to President Donald Trump said Friday she misspoke when she cited a 2011 ‘‘massacre’’ in Kentucky that never happened.A day earlier, during an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, Kellyanne Conway defended Trump’s temporary ban on immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations by saying that former President Barack Obama instituted a similar policy for Iraqi refugees in 2011.‘‘President Obam
  
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• Conway cites 'massacre' that didn't happen to defend travel ban

  03-02-2017 08:34
  
  WASHINGTON - A top aide to President Donald Trump has cited a 2011 "massacre" in Kentucky that never happened as a reason why the administration's temporary ban on immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations is necessary.During an interview with MSNBC's Chris Matthews that aired Thursday, Kellyanne Conway defended Trump's executive order on immigration last week by saying that former President Barack Obama instituted a similar policy for Iraqi refugees in 2011."President Obama had a six-month
  
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• Mexican drug lord 'El Chapo' to appear in US court

  03-02-2017 07:19
  
  NEW YORK - Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is scheduled to appear in person in a federal court in New York.A judge initially ruled that Guzman would appear in court by video today rather than have marshals escort him to and from a high-security Manhattan jail cell. The order was changed after his lawyers asked the judge to reconsider.Guzman is charged with running a massive drug trafficking operation that laundered billions of dollars and oversaw murders and kidnappings.Guzman has re
  
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• French soldier shoots man who attacked them outside Louvre

  03-02-2017 07:13
  
  PARIS - Authorities in Paris say a man who tried to attack soldiers near the famous Louvre museum today was carrying two machetes and shouted "God is great" in Arabic.Authorities say when the man was stopped from entering a nearby shopping center with two backpacks, he pulled out a knife and attacked a group of soldiers.One soldier shot the man five times, gravely wounding him. A soldier was slightly wounded.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow; Police storm Delaware prison, end standoff (10 Things to Know for Friday)

  03-02-2017 05:20
  
  Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Friday.
  
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• House strikes regulation to keep mentally ill from buying guns

  03-02-2017 03:15
  
  The National Rifle Association on Thursday evening applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for striking down a measure that would have kept guns out of the hands of people with such disorders as schizophrenia and severe anxiety.
  
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• Trump administration readies sanctions on Iran after missile test, AP sources say

  03-02-2017 01:55
  
  The Trump administration is preparing to levy sanctions on Iran after it test-fired a ballistic missile, according to U.S. officials and others with knowledge of the decision.
  
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