Baton Rouge news

• BREAKING: Arrest made in Valero gas station attempted armed robbery

  07-02-2017 21:35
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police have apprehended the man suspected in the attempted armed robbery of a Valero gas station on Bluebonnet Blvd Friday morning.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, Joshua J. Darson, 28, was charged with attempted armed robbery and aggravated assault on a Peace Officer with a firearm and resisting an Officer.On Friday morning around 5 a.m., EBRSO responded to an alarm for an attempted armed robbery at 9990 Bluebonnet.The suspect fled the gas station on foot. Deput
  
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• Livingston community bands together after tornado destroys multiple homes

  07-02-2017 20:56
  
  WATSON- Neighbors in a Livingston community are helping one another recover after severe weather tore through the area.The area in northern Livingston Parish saw some of the worst weather that the storm had to offer as a tornado passed through the area Tuesday morning.One 62-year-old woman and her boyfriend had to climb out of the rubble of her trailer after strong winds rammed it into a tree. The couple took cover in a bathtub and managed to walk away with minor injuries.But they aren't alone,
  
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• GOHSEP: 28 injuries, no deaths after severe weather strikes southeast Louisiana

  07-02-2017 20:14
  
  BATON ROUGE- The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Crisis Action Team has been activated in order to address any requests for support from parishes and other state agencies due to today’s tornadic activity.Seven areas across southeast Louisiana sustained possible tornado damage during several rounds of storms throughout Tuesday. Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency and FEMA preliminary damage assessment teams are
  
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• Twelve arrests made in murder of Tangipahoa inmate

  07-02-2017 18:49
  
  HAMMOND- Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards announced multiple arrests were made in connection to the death of a Tangipahoa Parish Jail inmate that occurred on Jan. 30.According to Edwards, 40-year-old Tommy Joe Smith of Independence was killed less than 12 hours after being booked into the jail. He says Smith had been left in a dorm room with 21 other inmates.After attempting to set up a bunk on the second floor, Smith was met with aggression and forced downstai
  
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• Donaldsonville residents say prayers saved their lives during tornado

  07-02-2017 17:43
  
  DONALDSONVILLE – Residents in Donaldsonville are thankful to be alive following severe storms and tornadoes on Tuesday.One resident, Clark Richard, told WBRZ that he was trapped inside of his home when the tornado touched down in the area. Richard got emotional while talking to WBRZ reporter Natalia Verdina."I just thank the Lord I got my life," Richard said. "This is the only home I've known."Richard's home was completely destroyed with shattered windows, a ripped off roof, walls torn
  
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• Donaldsonville officials survey damage done by tornado, working to restore power

  07-02-2017 17:35
  
  DONALDSONVILLE – Ascension Parish officials and Donaldsonville leaders met with residents as they surveyed the damage following a tornado that struck the area on Tuesday.Mayor Leroy Sullivan said that he heard what sounded like a freight train before he sought cover inside City Hall with his colleague. "We both could see the wind so we both ran into City Hall and when we looked toward this area we could see all the debris and tin going around in a spiral in the air so we knew
  
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• In Killian, people felt houses fly away in morning storm

  07-02-2017 16:07
  
  KILLIAN - Life was upended in this typically quiet, swampy paradise in low-lying Livingston Parish Tuesday morning."I don't remember breathing," Dennis Hill, the police chief of this small community, said as he described the terror of what is expected to be a twister moving through Killian. Hill was one of the first people to arrive on Davidson Road after the morning storm.An elderly couple was rescued from their home that was toppled by the suspected tornado. Eyewitnesses said it took about 30-
  
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• Jamie Lynn Spears' daughter regains consciousness following ATV accident

  07-02-2017 15:54
  
  KENTWOOD - Jamie Lynn Spears' eight-year-old daughter, Maddie, is now breathing on her own following an ATV accident, TMZ reports.The accident happened over the weekend while on a hunting expedition in Kentwood when she fell off an ATV after it flipped over. Spears' daughter was submerged underwater for several minutes.The girl was put on a ventilator and was in stable but critical condition and regained consciousness on Tuesday. According to TMZ, it appears she did not suffer any brain damage.T
  
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• Army to allow completion of Dakota Access oil pipeline

  07-02-2017 15:31
  
  BISMARCK, N.D. - The Army has notified Congress that it will allow the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline to cross under a Missouri River reservoir in North Dakota, completing the four-state project to move North Dakota oil to Illinois.The Justice Department filed court documents Tuesday including letters to members of Congress from Deputy Assistant Army Secretary Paul Cramer. The Army intends to allow the crossing under Lake Oahe as early as Wednesday.The crossing is the final big chunk of wor
  
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• Baton Rouge man arrested for repeatedly sending inappropriate messages to juvenile

  07-02-2017 15:00
  
  BATON ROUGE- A man was booked into jail Monday after he continuously sent inappropriate messages to a 13-year-old boy. Officers arrested 21-year-old Anthony Christmas of Baton Rouge after he repeatedly solicited sexual favors from the boy over the course of about three weeks.The victim says he initially met Christmas at a BREC park on Dec. 24, 2016. He told the victim he was conducting his own youth outreach program and the two exchanged phone numbers. According to the East Bat
  
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• Gov. Edwards declares state of emergency following severe weather and tornadoes

  07-02-2017 14:56
  
  BATON ROUGE – Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency for the state following the destruction of severe storms and tornadoes that impacted much of southeast Louisiana.Parishes that were impacted include Ascension, Livingston, Orleans, St. James, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa."I am heartbroken to once again see Louisiana families suffering in the wake of devastating tornadoes today," said Gov. Edwards. "We are working tirelessly to ensure that every citizen aff
  
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• WATCH: Gov. Edwards travels to N.O. to tour damage, gives updates following severe weather

  07-02-2017 14:30
  
  WATCH: Tour of tornado damage NEW ORLEANS – Governor John Bel Edwards traveled to New Orleans to tour tornado damaged areas following Tuesday's severe weather that impacted several parishes throughout Southeast Louisiana.Edwards held a press conference with New Orleans elected officials to provide an update.Edwards said that there were seven confirmed tornadoes that touched down across Louisiana: two in Livingston Parish, one in Ascension Parish, one in Tangipahoa Par
  
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• Red Cross tips for what to do after a tornado

  07-02-2017 13:49
  
  American Red Cross responders are moving into impacted areas to assist residents due to severe weather and tornadoes that struck Southeast Louisiana on Tuesday.Red Cross issued the following tips to residents on what to do following a tornado: - Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.-  If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.-  Wear long pants, a long-s
  
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• Dutchtown HS dismissed early due; St. Amant HS delays start

  07-02-2017 13:19
  
  Dutchtown High School has dismissed students for the day following severe weather and a tornado touchdown in Donaldsonville on Tuesday.Additionally, St. Amant High School has begun bus pickups in Geismar for the beginning of school as school officials delayed the start time in an effort to keep students and parent off of the roads during the severe weather. School officials say that all students and staff are safe and there is reported roof damage at the School Board Office.This story w
  
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• Lightning strike causes house fire on Rabbit Run Drive

  07-02-2017 13:00
  
  BATON ROUGE – A lightning strike caused a house fire on Rabbit Run Drive on Tuesday as severe storms and tornadoes impacted the area.According to the St. George Fire Department, the lightning strike hit the home's chimney and caused a fire in the attic.There are no reported injuries.This story will be updated as more information becomes available.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Senate confirms Betsy DeVos for Education Department

  07-02-2017 12:47
  
  WASHINGTON - The Senate has confirmed school choice activist Betsy DeVos as Education secretary, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking a 50-50 tie.The Senate historian says it was the first time a vice president had to break a tie on a Cabinet nomination.Two Republicans joined Democrats Tuesday to vote to derail DeVos' nomination. Democrats cited her lack of public school experience and financial interests in organizations pushing charter schools. DeVos has said she would divest herself from t
  
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• Red Cross opens shelter in Donaldsonville

  07-02-2017 11:32
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - The American Red Cross has opened a shelter in Donaldsonville for those affected by Tuesday's storms.The shelter is located at Faith Christian Center, the former First Baptist Church, at 210 Plimsol Drive, Donaldsonville. The Red Cross said anyone evacuating to a shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family:Prescriptions and emergency medicationsFoods that meet unusual dietary requirementsIdentification to show residence is in affected area and imp
  
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• Red Cross closes shelter in Donaldsonville

  07-02-2017 11:32
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - The American Red Cross says the emergency shelter Donaldsonville has closed.Officials tell WBRZ's Michael Vinsanau that the call to close the shelter was made at 7 a.m.. Volunteers report that no residents stayed at the shelter overnight. The shelter was located at Faith Christian Center, the former First Baptist Church, at 210 Plimsol Drive, Donaldsonville. Red Cross shelter in Donaldsonville was shut down at 7am. No one stayed overnight.— M
  
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• Residents in Donaldsonville count their blessings after Tuesday Tornado

  07-02-2017 11:22
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - Cell phone video captured the frightening tornado that crashed through Donaldsonville Tuesday morning. Residents who saw the twister close up said it looked like a cloud of dust and fire."It was a transformer blowing up, and when the transformer blew, it came and we ran in our shop," city employee Michael Henry said. "And when we were in our shop and got in our bathroom, the tornado came in five minutes. And in five minutes it was gone."The tornado lef
  
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• Student arrested, accused of bringing loaded gun to Baker High School

  07-02-2017 11:06
  
  BAKER – Police have arrested a 17-year-old Baker High School student accused of bringing a loaded pistol to class. Baker Police got a call from the school around lunchtime Tuesday.Chief Carl Dunn tells News 2, Trelvis Everson caused a ruckus in a classroom but when Everson was sent to the office, he refused to leave his bookbag.Chief Dunn says a school employee searched the bag and found a loaded .380 caliber pistol. Everson was taken to the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail. He’s
  
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• Patriots fans revel at parade in snowy Boston

  07-02-2017 09:56
  BOSTON - It's snowing sideways in downtown Boston, but that isn't stopping tens of thousands of New England Patriots fans from lining a parade route.Fans wearing team jerseys and caps are braving the bad weather for a glimpse of the Super Bowl-winning team.Super Bowl MVP quarterback Tom Brady won his fifth championship ring in Sunday's win against the Atlanta Falcons, and he's a crowd favorite. Ahead of Tuesday's parade, many fans were shouting: "Brady! Brady! Brady!"Police are out in force on t
  
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• Christie Brinkley returns to SI Swimsuit Issue at age 63

  07-02-2017 09:11
  NEW YORK - Model Christie Brinkley is returning to the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue at age 63 and this time she's appearing with her two daughters.Brinkley will appear with 31-year-old Alexa Ray Joel, her daughter with singer Billy Joel, and 18-year-old Sailor Brinkley Cook, in the issue coming out this month.In an Instagram post , Brinkley thanks Sports Illustrated "for sending the powerful message that good things come in packages of every size and we do not come with an expi
  
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• Afghan official: Suicide bomber kills at least 19 in Kabul

  07-02-2017 09:06
  
  KABUL, Afghanistan - At least 19 people are dead after suicide bomb attack at the entrance to Afghanistan's Supreme Court today. It's the latest in a series of attacks on the country's judiciary. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's national security adviser is appealing to the U.S. to provide aircraft to back ground operations in the country until Afghan security forces can do the job alone. Afghan forces have struggled to defeat a Taliban-led insurgency since the U.S. and NATO formally concluded their com
  
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• Convention could cause traffic, parking troubles in downtown

  07-02-2017 07:28
  
  BATON ROUGE – City officials say a convention being held at the Raising Cane’s River Center may cause traffic trouble this week.According to VisitBatonRouge.com, the city will host the Louisiana Senior Beta Club Convention from Wednesday, Feb. 8 to Friday, Feb. 10. As many as 7,000 students and volunteers will begin arriving Wednesday and will be traveling downtown to the River Center.Baton Rouge Police will begin a street closure on River Road from St. Phillip Street to Nort
  
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• Former French president Sarkozy to face trial for fraud

  07-02-2017 07:06
  
  PARIS - The Paris prosecutor's office says France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy is to face trial in an inquiry into alleged campaign finance fraud during his 2012 presidential campaign.The office said Tuesday that Sarkozy and 13 others will go to court to answer allegations that his failed presidential campaign spent well above the legal ceiling.Sarkozy's camp say it will appeal the decision.The news may further erode public trust in politics as Sarkozy's former no. 2, Francois Fillon, thei
  
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• Sheriff warns public to be on lookout for suspected killers

  07-02-2017 07:02
  
  PENSACOLA, Fla. - A Florida Panhandle sheriff's office has doubled the number of deputies on patrol as a multistate search enters its second week for a man suspected in the deaths of three women and the attempted death of a fourth.Escambia County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons warned the public to be on the lookout for 44-year-old William "Billy" Boyette and 37-year-old Mary Rice. He says the two are suspected of shooting a young mother during a home invasion near Pensacola on Monday
  
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• Cheeto that looks like Harambe sells for $100,000 on eBay

  07-02-2017 06:40
  
  A Cheeto that bears a resemblance to slain gorilla Harambe has sold for nearly $100,000 on eBay.Bidding on the cheese snack the seller said he found in a bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos began at $11.99 on Jan. 28. It ended early Tuesday morning with a winning bid of $99,900. The listing showed a picture of the Cheeto side-by-side with a gorilla climbing a tree.Harambe has become fodder for internet jokes since his death last May. He was shot dead by handlers at the Cincinnati Zoo after dragging a sma
  
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• Military services detail plans for $30 billion budget boost

  07-02-2017 06:38
  
  WASHINGTON - The military services have delivered to Congress blueprints for increasing the defense budget by more than $30 billion to pay for new jet fighters, armored vehicles, improved training and more.The informal plans represent the first attempt by the Trump Pentagon to halt an erosion of the military's combat readiness.Senior military leaders are scheduled to testify before the House Armed Services Committee Tuesday on the state of the military and will likely address spending shortfalls
  
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• Feds, states square off in court over Trump travel ban

  07-02-2017 06:36
  
  SAN FRANCISCO - A panel of federal appellate court judges will hear arguments in the pitched fight over President Donald Trump's travel and refugee ban in a case headed for a possible final face-off at the Supreme Court.The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled a telephone hearing Tuesday afternoon with lawyers from the federal government and states suing Trump.On Monday the Justice Department filed a new defense of Trump's ban on travelers from seven predominantly
  
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• 6 universities to benefit in health care case

  07-02-2017 06:31
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's insurance commissioner says six state higher education institutions will divide more than $2.7 million - the result of the dissolution of a failed health maintenance organization.Jim Donelon says in a Monday news release that LSU-Shreveport, Southern University, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, the University of New Orleans and Xavier University each will get about $460,000.The health maintenance organization AmCare was ordered into liquidation in 2011. Louisiana
  
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• Louisiana woman with 133 cats accused of animal cruelty

  07-02-2017 06:28
  
  THIBODAUX - The owner of a house where 133 cats were found is accused of animal cruelty and running a meth lab.Lafourche Parish sheriff's spokesman Brendan Matherne says 60-year-old Sandy Chauvin was arrested last week on five counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and the drug charge.The Daily Comet reports that a news release Friday said Chauvin was released Wednesday on $40,000 bond.Matherne said in an email Monday that he did not know whether she had an attorney who could comment. An online
  
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• UPDATE: strong storms possible Tuesday Morning

  07-02-2017 05:56
  The atmosphere has destabilized a bit more than expected, and it now appears possible that a few strong thunderstorms will be possible today.THE FORECAST: Today and Tonight: The first half of your Tuesday will be unsettled. Showers and thunderstorms are expected through early afternoon. A few storms could be strong or severe with large hail, frequent lightning and heavy rain. Forecast area rain coverage has been raised to 70 percent. Some sun may return by afternoon allowing high temperatures to
  
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