Baton Rouge news

• State Police leader: 'I welcome' travel audit

  13-03-2017 20:22
  BATON ROUGE - The leader of the Louisiana State Police says he has no objections to a legislative auditor review of taxpayer-funded travel in his department.Col. Mike Edmonson said: "I welcome any review."Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera confirmed Monday that he will look into the spending, after a request from Rep. Blake Miguez.Miguez says he wanted an independent audit after questions were raised about state police spending on overtime and expenses for troopers who drove to a conference in Ca
  
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• UK Parliament passes Brexit authorization bill

  13-03-2017 20:14
  
  LONDON - Britain's has moved closer to leaving the European Union, with Parliament giving Prime Minister Theresa May the power to file for divorce from the bloc.A bill authorizing May to start EU exit talks has passed its final vote in Parliament's upper chamber, the House of Lords.The House of Commons had approved the bill weeks ago, but the Lords fought to amend the legislation, inserting a promise that EU citizens living in the U.K. will be allowed to remain.They also added demand that Parlia
  
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• Senate confirms Trump pick to head Medicare and Medicaid

  13-03-2017 20:00
  
  WASHINGTON - A divided Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump's pick to run the Medicare and Medicaid agency, the $1 trillion organization overseeing health insurance programs for more than 130 million Americans.Indiana health care consultant Seema Verma is a protégé of Vice President Mike Pence. She was approved Monday by a 55-43 vote.Verma will head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which is slated for sweeping changes under the House Republican healt
  
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• Mississippi House retreats from Confederate flag mandate

  13-03-2017 19:57
  
  JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi House has halted a push to require that universities fly the state's Confederate-themed flag.Republican Rep. William Shirley of Quitman persuaded the House last week to withhold a tax break from universities that don't fly the flag. But a committee chairman pledged to kill the bill by not bringing it up for a vote. Quitman tried to attach the proposal to two higher-education budget bills on Monday, but the House narrowly rejected that effort.All eight of Mississi
  
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• Parish councilman renews call for Matassa's resignation

  13-03-2017 19:00
  
  GONZALES- A stalwart opponent of Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa plans to officially call for the leader's resignation at Thursday's parish council meeting.Councilman Daniel "Doc" Satterlee had the resolution ready Monday, saying Matassa can't be an effective leader with a bribery indictment hanging over his head."I have to question how effective he can be with leadership and issues that are so vitally important to our parish," Satterlee said.It's the second time the councilman
  
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• Fire fighter injured in restaurant fire recovering

  13-03-2017 18:10
  
  BATON ROUGE – A St. George firefighter is recovering after being injured while battling a restaurant fire.
  The Cast Iron Kitchen on Jones Creek caught fire on Sunday night and caused the roof to collapse on the firefighter who was inside.
  "We certainly focus on rescuing your colleague, rescuing your brother because they are truly like a family," Eldon Ledoux, of the St. George Fire District, said.
  The firefighter suffered minor injuries and the department is conducting an investigation
  
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• Tickets for 2017 St. Jude Dream Home on sale today!

  13-03-2017 17:12
  
  BATON ROUGE – Tickets for the annual St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway are on sale Tuesday, March 14th.Chances to win the house are $100 per ticket. Call 1-800-726-6409 or CLICK HERE to purchase a single ticket or multiple chances at winning the home. Tickets are expected to sell out.The Dream Home is valued at more than $540,000. The four bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home is in the up and coming Long Farm Village neighborhood in East Baton Rouge.If tickets are purchased in the next week,
  
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• Man arrested for disturbing the peace while at apartment complex, resisting arrest

  13-03-2017 16:56
  
  BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office arrested a man for disturbing the peace and resisting arrest while at an apartment complex.Deputies arrested 31-year-old Michael Richards for disturbing the peace by intoxication, resisting an officer, battery of a police officer and simple criminal damage to property.
  The incident occurred on Mar. 10 around 11:30 a.m. when the property maintenance worker at Cypress Lake Apartments called police about a man laying on the ground unresp
  
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• 21-year-old arrested for macing roommates at Burbank apartment

  13-03-2017 16:46
  
  BATON ROUGE - A woman has been arrested for spraying her roommates with mace after an argument Sunday.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, 21-year-old Malia Jones was arrested at her apartment on Burbank Drive. Jones reportedly sprayed her roommates with mace after they got into an argument about her dog.Arrest records say Jones' two roommates were complaining because her dog kept climbing onto their couch. When one of the roommates shoved the dog off the couch with her f
  
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• Louisiana State Police travel spending to get auditor review

  13-03-2017 15:59
  BATON ROUGE - The legislative auditor will review taxpayer-funded travel by the Louisiana State Police, after concerns raised about thousands spent on a trip to a conference in California.Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera said Monday he'll look into the spending.State Rep. Blake Miguez requested the audit after it was reported the state police spent thousands of dollars in overtime and expenses for several troopers who drove to the conference, diverting to a Las Vegas casino and the Gra
  
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• CBO: 14 million to lose coverage under GOP health bill

  13-03-2017 15:25
  
  WASHINGTON - Nonpartisan analysts project that 14 million people would lose coverage next year under the House bill dismantling former President Barack Obama's health care law. The estimate is a blow to Republicans.Monday's estimate by the Congressional Budget Office says the number of uninsured would grow to 24 million by 2026.The projections give fuel to opponents who warn the measure would toss millions of voters off insurance plans. Criticism has come from Democrats, Republicans from states
  
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• Gov. Edwards appeals FEMA's aid denial for parishes impacted by tornadoes

  13-03-2017 15:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards has appealed FEMA's decision to deny individual assistance for St. James and Ascension parishes.The governor also appealed the decision to deny public assistance for Ascension, Livingston, Orleans, and St. James parishes.Governor Edwards had requested federal aid for the parishes after tornadoes ravaged much of southeast Louisiana in February.The Federal Emergency Management Agency had informed Edwards of its decision to deny his request for federal aid Ma
  
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• At least three La. companies interested in building border wall

  13-03-2017 14:57
  
  ADDIS – At least three businesses with ties to Louisiana – one of which is based in the Baton Rouge area – are interested in the president's plan for a wall between the United States and Mexico.Some 600 businesses have signed up as interested vendors for a pre-solicitiation notice. The selection process is swift – by March 20th, interested designers must complete a concept paper of their prototype; by May, the federal government wants specifics about costs
  
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• Houston carjacker shoots, kills man because vehicle has manual transmission

  13-03-2017 14:41
  
  HOUSTON, Tx. - A man was fatally shot in front of his wife and 10-year-old daughter after being carjacked late Saturday night.According to a report from KTRK, the shooting happened just before midnight as 47-year-old Pedro Aguilar was sitting in his car in front of an apartment complex. Police say two men in their late teens to early 20s approached Aguilar and attemped to carjack him.The two men were unable drive the vehicle because neither knew how to operate a manual transmission. Police say o
  
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• Registration for Kindergarten, Pre-K in Ascension begins April 3

  13-03-2017 14:37
  ASCENSION – Ascension Public Schools announced that Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten registration will be from April 3 -8.  Below are the specific dates and times listed by school:Monday, Apr. 3
  Central Primary: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Oak Grove Primary: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Prairieville Primary: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.Tuesday, Apr. 4
  Ascension Head Start: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Donaldsonville Primary: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Lakeside Primary: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  St. Amant Primary: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.&
  
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• Federal government gives $8 million for Pulse nightclub massacre costs

  13-03-2017 14:22
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. - The federal government is designating $8 million to help victims and first responders to the Pulse nightclub shooting.The U.S. Justice Department said Monday that it was giving the money to the State of Florida to pay for grief counseling and reimburse the costs of running an assistance center after the massacre.Gunman Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State during the attack at the gay nightclub in Orlando last June 12.The deadliest mass shooting in recent U.S. histo
  
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• Pandora starts on-demand music subscription service

  13-03-2017 14:09
  
  NEW YORK - Internet radio company Pandora is launching an on-demand music service for $10 a month.Pandora's existing service works more like radio. People listen to music on customizable stations. The premium service launching this month will let users choose specific songs or albums and will personalize recommendations based on people's listening habits. There is also an "offline mode."The new Pandora Premium offering will compete with Apple Music and Spotify, both of which have given the music
  
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• Ed Sheeran to guest star on 'Game of Thrones'

  13-03-2017 14:02
  AUSTIN - Ed Sheeran will guest star in the upcoming season of "Game of Thrones."The show's producers made the announcement Sunday night during a panel discussion at the South by Southwest festival in Texas.Producer David Benioff told the audience that they've been trying to get the 26-year-old British singer a spot on the show for years to surprise Sheeran fan Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark on the HBO fantasy drama.The seventh season of "Game of Thrones" premieres on HBO July 16.Permalink
  
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• Judge: Felons on probation, parole can't vote in Louisiana

  13-03-2017 13:57
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge judge has refused to restore voting rights for more than 70,000 Louisiana residents who are on probation or parole for felony crimes.Judge Tim Kelley says keeping those thousands of people from voting is unfair. But he says Louisiana's constitution and state law required him to continue denying the voting rights.As he issued his decision Monday, Kelley said: "I don't like this ruling."The lawsuit was filed by the group Voice of the Ex-Offender and several convicted fe
  
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• Louisiana Lottery showed incorrect winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 4 on March 12

  13-03-2017 13:25
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Lottery Corporation drawing show that aired on Cox Channel 4 in Baton Rouge on March 12 showed the wrong numbers for Pick 3 and Pick 4, the corporation announced.  The correct Pick 3 winning numbers for the drawing are  0-4-7. Additionally the correct Pick 4 winning numbers for the drawing are  3-1-8-4.The show incorrectly reported that the Pick 3 numbers were 1-1-1 and the Pick 4 numbers were 2-2-2-2.
  "While our rules clearly stat
  
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• WATCH: Livingston deputies share firsthand accounts of floods

  13-03-2017 13:07
  
  LIVINGSTON – Deputies in Livingston Parish recounted their August flood stories in a new nearly 10-minute-long video.The video, posted on the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office YouTube channel Sunday, offers a retrospective look of August’s historic flooding from the first responders.“We knew it was going to flood, but was not expecting what happened, by all means,” Lt. Col. Brian Smith said.During the flood, Sheriff Jason Ard told WBRZ
  
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• WBRSO searching for man wanted for stalking, resisting arrest

  13-03-2017 12:41
  
  PORT ALLEN – The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating a man wanted for several charges.The sheriff's office is searching for 43-year-old Brent Lacomb. According to the sheriff's office, Lacomb is wanted for stalking, violation of a protective order and resisting arrest.According to the sheriff's office, Lacomb stalked his ex-girlfriend, who has a restraining order against him. The sheriff's office says that Lacomb tried to extort her into dro
  
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• Four wanted for using fake money in Tangipahoa Parish

  13-03-2017 12:32
  
  HAMMOND – Deputies say four people are wanted for using counterfeit money in Tangipahoa Parish.Sheriff Daniel Edwards said the TPSO Financial Crimes Unit has been investigating multiple complaints over the past few months. Detectives have obtained arrest warrants for four individuals identified as perpetrating monetary instrument abuse.                T
  
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• Man arrested for sexually assaulting woman at his home

  13-03-2017 12:28
  
  BATON ROUGE – Deputies say a man has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was sleeping at his Baton Rouge home Friday morning. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office arrested 45-year-old Nhi Nguyen on charges of sexual battery and oral sexual battery.
  The incident occurred on Mar. 10 around 1:50 a.m. when detectives responded to a local hospital in reference to a female victim being sexually assaulted. The victim stated that she was assaulted by Nguyen while s
  
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• Man accused of telling teen to rob Baton Rouge home

  13-03-2017 12:10
  
  BATON ROUGE – A Baton Rouge man was arrested Friday after he was accused of telling a teen to rob a home on Beech Street.According to arrest documents, the crime happened around 2:38 a.m. in the 5500 block of Beech Street Friday. Officers in the area said they heard seven gunshots and were later flagged down by a resident who said someone shot through his window.Officers observed seven bullet holes in the window on the side of the victim’s home. Police say a witness saw three
  
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• Large brush fire reported off of Airline Hwy

  13-03-2017 11:48
  
  BATON ROUGE - A large brush fire has been reported near a trailer park on Victoria and Merrydale Drive off of Airline Hwy.No structures have been effected by the fire, according to the Baton Rouge Fire Department. It has been reported as a fairly large brush fire, BRFD said.BRFD and Central Fire firefighters have responded to the scene.More information will be added to this story as it becomes available.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Baton Rouge Zoo hosts 'Spring Green' event Saturday

  13-03-2017 11:30
  
  BATON ROUGE – BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo will host the “Spring Green” event this Saturday, March 18.The event will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the zoo’s grounds. ‘Spring Green’ is meant to celebrate “being green” as well as educate the community on how they can help wild animals and wild places.The zoo will also be hosting a “find the green” scavenger hunt throughout the zoo for the kids.
  
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• Report: deputies investigating murder-suicide in Chalmette

  13-03-2017 09:30
  
  CHALMETTE – Investigators say a woman shot her husband then herself in an apparent murder-suicide in Chalmette Monday, local media reports.According to WWLTV, the shooting happened around 6 a.m. in the 8500 block of Deerfield Drive.Sheriff James Pohlmann said two children and a third person were found unharm inside the home. The children are now with another family member.Pohlmann said Monday's shooting was the first homicide in St. Bernard Parish since October. Read the full
  
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• Obama books to be published worldwide, from Ireland to India

  13-03-2017 09:05
  
  NEW YORK - The publishing of the upcoming books by Barack and Michelle Obama will be a global event.Penguin Random House announced Monday that it has lined up publishers from Ireland to South Africa for the two books, to be released by the Crown imprint in the U.S. and Canada.Titles and release dates have not been announced.The advance from Penguin Random House for the former president and first lady, whose popularity extends well beyond the U.S., is widely believed to be tens of millions of dol
  
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• Intel buying car tech company Mobileye in $14.09B deal

  13-03-2017 09:03
  
  SANTA CLARA - Intel is buying Mobileye in a deal valued at about $14.09 billion, the latest push by a major tech company into autonomous vehicles that could change the way traffic moves globally.Intel Corp. will pay $63.54 for each Mobileye N.V. share, which is a 34 percent premium to the car technology company's Friday closing price.The companies put the equity value of the deal at approximately $15.3 billion.The combined global autonomous driving company, which includes Mobileye and Intel's au
  
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• WATCH: Deputy saves jet skiers seconds before cruise ship hits them

  13-03-2017 08:21
  
  PORT CANAVERAL - A Port Canaveral harbor pilot and a sheriff's deputy teamed up to rescue two spring breakers on a jet ski as a Carnival Cruise ship moved toward them.A cruise ship passenger captured the rescue on video as Brevard County Sheriff's Deputy Taner Primmer pulled the women to safety Saturday.A Canaveral Pilots Association statement says Capt. Doug Brown spotted them while navigating the Carnival Magic out of the port and alerted Primmer. As he approached in a marine patrol boat, one
  
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• Knock Knock Children's Museum to open this summer

  13-03-2017 08:01
  
  BATON ROUGE - Cutting-edge technology, larger than life creatures and specialized studios will soon fill the 30,000 square foot space of Knock Knock Children's Museum.The learning center is set to open this summer, right before school starts. Visitors can expect to see dance studios, mechanic shops, supermarkets and art studios inside."I think once we open, families are going to wonder, 'How did we live without this?'" Executive Director Peter Olson said. It sits in the middle of City-B
  
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• Teen accused of sharing intimate photos on social media

  13-03-2017 07:11
  
  BATON ROUGE – Police say a Baton Rouge teen was arrested Sunday after he shared intimate photos of a woman on social media.According to arrest documents, a female victim told Baton Rouge Police that Brodrick Tuggle took a photo of her performing sexual acts and shared it on Instagram. The victim said she did not know Tuggle took the photo and did not give permission for him to share it.The victim identified Tuggle as the person who took the photo by the clothing in the picture.Police s
  
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• Republicans brace for downbeat CBO analysis of health bill

  13-03-2017 06:56
  
  WASHINGTON - Republicans pushing a plan to dismantle Barack Obama's health care law are bracing for a Congressional Budget Office analysis.It's widely expected to conclude that fewer Americans will have health coverage under the proposal, despite President Donald Trump's promise of "insurance for everybody."The CBO analysis is expected sometime on Monday.House Speaker Paul Ryan says he fully expects the analysis to find less coverage since the GOP plan eliminates the government requirement to be
  
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• Man: Women posing as Uber driver robbed him in New Orleans

  13-03-2017 06:42
  NEW ORLEANS - Police in New Orleans are investigating after a man said he was robbed at gunpoint by two women posing as Uber drivers.A preliminary police report says the incident was reported about 6:30 a.m. Saturday. The 22-year-old victim told police the women had picked him up on Bourbon Street.The women drove the man to an intersection in a neighborhood west of the French Quarter, where one of them pulled out a gun and stole his debit card, cash and cellphone. The man then jumped out of the
  
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• Nor'easter to bring heavy snow, strong winds to Northeast

  13-03-2017 05:30
  NEW YORK - Road crews in Philadelphia already have begun treating streets, ahead of a powerful nor'easter that could bring blizzard conditions Monday and Tuesday.The Philadelphia area is expected to get 6 to 12 inches of snow. Boston and New York could see up to 18 inches.And farther south, the nation's capital is also expecting snow ahead of Wednesday's scheduled start of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.Permalink| Comments
  
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• McCain to Trump: Provide wiretap evidence or retract claim

  13-03-2017 04:44
  
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump last week accused the Obama administration of wiretapping phones at Trump Tower during the presidential campaign.Now Republican Sen. John McCain is telling the Trump administration to either provide evidence of wiretapping by today or issue a retraction.A request for evidence was also made in a letter sent to the Justice Department by House committee chairman Devin Nunes, a Republican from California.Permalink| Comments
  
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