Baton Rouge news

• Game 1 of LSU-Wichita State series delayed due to weather

  10-03-2017 21:18
  
  BATON ROUGE - Friday night's LSU baseball matchup against Witchita State has been postponed due to weather.Heavy rains and lightening in the area has forced officials to delay the game until 9:30 p.m.Getting it from both sides here at the Box. Strong puddling as well pic.twitter.com/D7pqZK1UZ4— Michael Cauble (@MichaelCauble) March 11, 2017
  In addition, Saturday's game 2 of the series will be played at 1:00 p.m. due to the threat of inclement weather in the evening. The game was origin
  
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• New Orleans, Baton Rouge struggle in latest Metro Monitor economic rankings

  10-03-2017 20:20
  
  Annual report surveys economic growth in nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas.
  
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• BRPD responding to shooting on Duchess Drive

  10-03-2017 19:58
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police are responding to a shooting on Duchess Drive.According to police, the shooting occurred around 7:45 p.m. in the 1700 block of Duchess Drive, near Windsor Drive.BRPD officials say one man was injured by gunfire. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time.Police have not named any suspects or motives.This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Sharper's lawyers: Plea terms not adequately explained

  10-03-2017 19:47
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Lawyers for disgraced former NFL star and admitted rapist Darren Sharper argue in an appeal that a judge did not adequately explain the consequences of a plea agreement resulting in his 18-year federal prison sentence.
      
  Their arguments were filed Friday at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
      
  Sharper pleaded guilty or no-contest in four states to charges that he drugged and sexually assaulted women. A "
  
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• US attorney in New Orleans, an Obama appointee, resigns

  10-03-2017 19:39
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. attorney in New Orleans is resigning, effective March 24.
      
  Kenneth Polite did not say why he's leaving, but it's routine for U.S. attorneys to offer resignations after a new president is elected.
      
  President Barack Obama nominated Polite in 2013 to replace Jim Letten, who resigned after two of his top deputies acknowledged posting anonymous comments at Nola.com ' The Times-Picayune about cases their office had ha
  
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• City plans show handicap accessible ramps long overdue

  10-03-2017 18:01
  
  BATON ROUGE - An intersection people have been complaining about should have been fixed years ago. It deals with making sidewalks handicap accessible along North Street in Baton Rouge.The plans are from May 29, 2002 and show a number of intersections that were intended to be altered but weren't for one reason or another.Chief Design and Construction Engineer for the City of Baton Rouge Tom Stevens says the plans designed were about 95 percent complete but never made it to the street."Those plans
  
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• Ex-cop accused in Kenner of theft from Hispanics after traffic stops

  10-03-2017 17:39
  
  KENNER - A police department in a News Orleans suburb accuses a former officer of stealing from Hispanic men he'd arrested for driving without a license.Kenner Police Lt. Brian McGregor says 32-year-old Jan Michael Gregory was arrested Friday. He says Gregory had resigned Feb. 22, after members of the Kenner Police Department's Internal Affairs Division confronted him.McGregor says in a news release that a gym bag in Gregory's patrol car held wallets linked to two men he'd arrested.McGregor says
  
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• WATCH: Two men brawl in traffic; Video posted on Facebook Friday

  10-03-2017 17:29
  
  BATON ROUGE – Video posted to Facebook Friday shows two men brawling on the I-10 exit to Highland Road.The video does not show what started the argument, but does show the two unidentified men exchanging punches. The fight happened as traffic was building at the eastbound exit to Highland Road.At one point in the video, one of the men knocks the other to the ground.What appears to be a sheriff's deputy arrives and scares the men back into their cars.The sheriff's office has not release
  
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• Several mumps cases reported at LSU

  10-03-2017 17:12
  
  BATON ROUGE- The LSU Student Health Center sent out an email warning students about a circulation of the mumps Friday.According to the email, the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed several cases of the disease involved students. LSU says students with signs of the mumps should be isolated for at least five days. According to university officials, there have been three confirmed student cases over the past two weeks. The Office of Public Health requires announcements to be made aft
  
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• Deputy-involved shooting in Plaquemine following attempted traffic stop

  10-03-2017 15:24
  
  PLAQUEMINE – Crews are on the scene of a deputy-involved shooting on LA 1 and Government Street that occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Friday. According to the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office, a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop when a car tried to drive through a road block. Stassi said the car was driven by Gregory Hardin, who has been arrested multiple times for drug trafficking. According to Sheriff Brett Stassi, when deputies tried to stop the vehicle, Hardin accele
  
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• Human remains found in Prairieville identified

  10-03-2017 14:41
  
  ASCENSION – Skeletal remains that were found in a wooded area of Prairieville in January have been identified.According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, the remains have been identified as 55-year-old William Winters.On Jan. 30, deputies responded to a call directing them to the wooded area off of Germany Road after a human skull was found by a neighbor's dog.The LSU FACES lab assisted in identifying the remains.According to the sheriff's office, foul play is not suspected in
  
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• Heavy delays through Baton Rouge

  10-03-2017 14:30
  BATON ROUGE – Multiple reported accidents are causing delays on the interstate system inside Baton Rouge Friday afternoon.An accident just before the Dalrymple Exit on I-10 west has caused congestion to the I-10/12 split. Eastbound, a crash on the Mississippi River Bridge is causing delays past Hwy 415.Beat the traffic every time using WBRZ’s Advanced traffic tracking technology. Click here to go to the WBRZ Traffic Center.Permalink| Comments
  
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• James Cameron says 'Avatar' sequel not coming in 2018

  10-03-2017 14:10
  
  NEW YORK - Another year, another "Avatar" postponement. James Cameron says the long-gesticulating sequel to his science-fiction epic will not be released next year."2018 is not happening," Cameron told The Toronto Star. Cameron has been developing four more "Avatar" films simultaneously. Though "Avatar 2" had not officially been scheduled for next year, 20th Century Fox last November dated a film from Cameron's production company for Dec. 21, 2018.That means that at least a decade will
  
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• Trump embraces jobs numbers he once scorned

  10-03-2017 14:09
  
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is embracing numbers he once maligned as "phony" as he tries to take credit for the latest jobs report.The new administration on Friday praised new Labor Department statistics that show U.S. employers added 235,000 jobs in February. The unemployment also rate dipped to a low 4.7 percent from 4.8 percent.It was a jarring contrast from the campaign, when Trump denounced the stat as "one of the biggest hoaxes in modern politics."Asked about the apparent disconnec
  
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• US attorney in New Orleans resigns

  10-03-2017 13:47
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. attorney in New Orleans is resigning, effective March 24.Kenneth Polite did not say why he's leaving, but it's routine for U.S. attorneys to offer resignations after a new president is elected.President Barack Obama nominated Polite in 2013 to replace Jim Letten, who resigned after two of his top deputies acknowledged posting anonymous comments at Nola.com/The Times-Picayune about cases their office had handled.Polite says in a news release that he has improved the office'
  
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• State police looking for missing Denham Springs teen

  10-03-2017 13:42
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS – State Police are searching for a missing teen who was last seen Thursday in Denham Springs.Louisiana State Police say Kailee Isabella Dartt, 14, was last seen between 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday near Pecan Creek Subdivision off Dunn Road.Dartt is described as a white female with short brown hair and hazel eyes. She is 5’8” tall and weighs approximately 110 pounds.  She was wearing a blue shirt, gray camouflage cargo shorts, black shoes and
  
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• State police find missing Denham Springs teen safe

  10-03-2017 13:42
  
  UPDATE: Kailee Dartt has been found safe. DENHAM SPRINGS – State Police are searching for a missing teen who was last seen Thursday in Denham Springs.Louisiana State Police say Kailee Isabella Dartt, 14, was last seen between 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday near Pecan Creek Subdivision off Dunn Road.Dartt is described as a white female with short brown hair and hazel eyes. She is 5’8” tall and weighs approximately 110 pounds.  She was wearing a blue s
  
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• McKinley High student arrested for having gun in car

  10-03-2017 13:41
  
  BATON ROUGE – A McKinley High School student was arrested for bringing a loaded gun to campus, arrest documents say.The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office arrested 17-year-old Tyrese James for use of a firearm and violating a firearm free zone.On Mar. 10 around 9 a.m., a School Drug Task Officer conducted a drug and weapon search with the assistance of the East Baton Rouge School Board Security and the East Baton Rouge Constable K-9 DivisionSeveral vehicles in the school parking lot wer
  
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• Woman, children killed in Gentilly quadruple shooting

  10-03-2017 13:36
  
  NEW ORLEANS -  Three people were killed and a fourth is in serious condition after a shooting in Gentilly Friday morning, local media reports.According to WWLTV, New Orleans Police arrived at a home on Touro Street just after 4 a.m. and found a "horrific" scene. Police say Monique Smith, 30, Justin Simms, 10, and Jumyrin Smith, 6, were all found dead inside the home. A fourth victim was rushed to the hospital."This is horrible, It breaks everyone's heart. Every murder breaks a heart," N
  
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• Man arrested, $20,000 worth of marijuana seized in Ascension

  10-03-2017 13:20
  
  ASCENSION – A nine-month investigation led to the arrest of a man in possession of an estimated $20,000 worth of marijuana in Ascension Parish.The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office arrested 47-year-old Ron McZeal on Mar. 9 following the investigation into drugs being shipped to his home.Detectives began a joint investigation with the Baton Rouge Police Department and saw McZeal get a package from his home and then leave the area.Detectives initiated a traffic stop of his vehicle and Mc
  
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• Central Walmart evacuated after fire

  10-03-2017 13:19
  CENTRAL – The Walmart in Central on Sullivan Road has been evacuated following reports of a fire in the store.Sources say the fire was extinguished before the Central Fire Department arrived.The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office has also been called to the scene to assist with crowd control.There are no reported injuries. Sources say the fire appears to have been set intentionally.This story will be updated as more information becomes available.BREAKING: @CentralFireDept working a fire
  
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• Judge Trudy White apologizes about controversial jumpsuit video in letter to WBRZ

  10-03-2017 12:40
  
  BATON ROUGE – In an unusual letter sent via certified mail to WBRZ Friday, Judge Trudy White apologized for the use of a character in a 2014 re-election campaign video that many people interpreted as Judge White pandering to criminals with a message she'd help them get off.The video, first reported by WBRZ in October 2014 HERE, showed White with Jomo Jenkins inside a courtroom wearing a prison orange outfit.In the video, Jenkins said: “ I'm down here at the 19th (Judicial Dis
  
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• INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Former prosecutor faces arrest for violent tirade against estranged wife

  10-03-2017 12:14
  
  BATON ROUGE- A warrant was filed for the arrest of a former prosecutor in the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office.According to records obtained by the WBRZ News 2 Investigative Unit, David Deblieux is accused of going off on a tirade that left his wife and her friend injured.
  Deblieux, 38, is accused of going to his estranged wife's rental home on March 4 at 2:30 a.m. and beating her up. The Investigative Unit has learned Deblieux, "forced her to the ground, threw to the ground he
  
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• As expected, Johnny Jones has been fired

  10-03-2017 12:04
  
  BATON ROUGE – As expected, LSU announced it has parted ways with head basketball coach Johnny Jones.The university made the official announcement in a news release around lunchtime Friday. Sources had previously revealed Jones' expected firing earlier this week. Jones being let go was obvious, coming at the end of LSU's loss-filled basketball season.LSU finished the season Wednesday night with a 10-21 record after its loss to Mississippi State in the first round of the SEC tournament i
  
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• Police say Ohio couple staged murder with ketchup, texted photos

  10-03-2017 11:40
  
  SANDUSKY - Police say a couple in Ohio staged a murder scene in a bathtub in which they poured ketchup over her and he then sent pictures to friends, saying he did it.Sandusky officers showed up after getting calls Thursday night from three people police say were "hysterical."That's when officers discovered that the scene in the couple's bathtub had been staged.Police say Nataleigh Schlette and Micah Risner are charged with inducing panic. Both pleaded not guilty Friday.Police Sgt. Dawn Allen te
  
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• Grand jury hearing Matassa case meets again Friday

  10-03-2017 11:25
  
  GONZALES – For the second time this year, a grand jury met to hear bribery allegations against Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa.Friday's grand jury comes after a hearing in February. It's expected Friday's meeting will occur all day, sources said.  Grand jury proceedings are secret unless a decision is reached. Matassa is accused of offering a bribe to get a man running for office in Gonzales to drop out of the race. Last year, a team of investigators met with
  
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• Driver ejected through windshield in fatal Ascension Parish crash

  10-03-2017 11:11
  
  GONZALES - One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash in Ascension Parish, according to Louisiana State PoliceThe crash occurred near LA 431, east of Airline Highway just before 10:00 p.m.Sources say the driver hit a tree and was ejected through the windshield of their vehicle.BREAKING: one person is dead after a crash on Hwy 431 in Ascension Parish. I'm headed to the scene. @WBRZ— Brett Buffington (@BrettBuffington) March 11, 2017
  Details are limited at this time.WBRZ News 2 has
  
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• Audubon Aquarium welcomes 'otterly' adorable new resident

  10-03-2017 08:31
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans has welcomed its newest resident: a rescued juvenile sea otter from Monterey, Calif.The Audubon Nature Institute says in a statement that the 18-month-old female sea otter arrived at the aquarium Wednesday evening. She joins the Audubon's current resident, Clara, an 8-year-old sea otter, in the aquarium's 25,000-gallon sea otter habitat.The otter was found as an abandoned day-old pup in September 2015 by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Rese
  
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• Museum seeking WWII era oral histories of Central La.

  10-03-2017 08:23
  PINEVILLE - A military museum is planning to record oral histories of military personnel who trained at central Louisiana airfields and camps during World War II.A news release from the Louisiana National Guard says the recordings will be made by the Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum at Camp Beauregard in Pineville. They are to be made Friday and on March 15.The guard is encouraging veterans who were stationed in the area to schedule an appointment to share their stories. Civilians who had
  
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• Highway 964 closed due to morning crash in Zachary

  10-03-2017 07:20
  
  ZACHARY – Police say Highway 964 as briefly closed Friday morning as crews worked to clear a crash.The crash happened before 6 a.m. Friday morning on Highway 964 near Roseway Blvd.Zachary Police and Baton Rouge EMS responded to crash. Details about the crash are limited at this time.Accident in Zachary on Hwy 964 @ Roseway, officials say road should be open by 7:30— WBRZ Traffic (@WBRZtraffic) March 10, 2017A WBRZ News 2 is en route to the scene.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Highway 964 closed briefly after deadly crash in Zachary

  10-03-2017 07:20
  
  ZACHARY – Police say Highway 964 was briefly closed Friday morning as crews worked to clear a crash.The crash happened before 6 a.m. Friday morning on Highway 964 and Highway 64. First responders say one person was killed and a second person was transported from the scene. The victim's name is being withheld at this time.Investigators say a Honda Accord traveling northbound on Old Scenic Highway crossed over the center lane and struck a Toyota Camry. Police will release more informatio
  
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• 22-year-old killed in crash on Highway 964

  10-03-2017 07:20
  
  ZACHARY – Police say Highway 964 was briefly closed Friday morning as crews worked to clear a crash.The crash happened before 6 a.m. Friday morning on Highway 964 and Highway 64. First responders say one person was killed and a second person was transported from the scene. According to Zachary Police Chief David McDavid, the person killed in the crash has been identified as 22-year-old Taylor Reaux. Investigators say a Honda Accord, driven by Reaux, was traveling northbound on
  
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• Boston St. Patrick's parade organizers to revisit gay veterans ban

  10-03-2017 06:04
  
  BOSTON - The organizers of Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade have scheduled an emergency meeting today to reconsider their vote to shut out a gay veterans group.This week's decision to bar OutVets from marching drew immediate condemnation from high-profile politicians and stirred up a furor on social media.OutVets was first allowed to participate in the parade in 2015.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Impeached South Korean president still in presidential palace

  10-03-2017 06:01
  
  SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea's Constitutional Court has formally removed impeached President Park Geun-hye from office over a corruption scandal that has plunged the country into political turmoil. But there's no word on when she'll leave the president's official residence, called the Blue House.The presidential office says Park won't be leaving the Blue House today, although a Blue House spokesman says some of Park's aides are at her southern Seoul home to prepare for her return.The court's
  
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