Baton Rouge news

• US prosecutors oppose easing jail conditions for El Chapo

  21-03-2017 21:32
  
  NEW YORK - U.S. prosecutors and lawyers for infamous drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman are sparring over his tough jail conditions.The defense has asked a judge to order Guzman released from solitary confinement at a high-security Manhattan jail where he's been held since being brought to the United States in January. His lawyers claim the isolation is violating his constitutional rights and causing his health to decline.The government responded in court papers Tuesday by saying the restrictio
  
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• Man charged with hate crime for seizure-inducing tweet

  21-03-2017 21:30
  
  DALLAS - A Maryland man has been indicted in Texas on a hate-crime charge after a Twitter message induced a seizure in a Newsweek reporter.A Dallas County grand jury on Tuesday indicted John Rayne Rivello of Salisbury, Maryland, on an aggravated assault charge enhanced as a hate crime. The 29-year-old already faces a federal interstate domestic violence charge.Rivello is accused of sending a strobing image to reporter Kurt Eichenwald's Twitter account with the intention of causing a seizure. Eic
  
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• Baby born with extra legs thriving after surgery

  21-03-2017 20:50
  
  PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Doctors say a baby girl from Africa who's recovering from a risky surgery at a Chicago-area hospital should be able to lead a normal life.Ten-month-old Dominique was born in the Ivory Coast with a not-fully-developed conjoined twin. Doctors performed surgery on March 8 to remove two legs and a second spine that protruded from her back.More than 50 doctors and nurses are now caring for her at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. Her foster mother, Nancy Swabb o
  
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• Gorsuch calls Trump's judge attacks demoralizing

  21-03-2017 20:48
  
  WASHINGTON - Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is saying for the first time publicly that President Trump's attacks on federal judges were "disheartening" and "demoralizing."In February, Trump described the Seattle judge who put a stay on his immigration and travel ban a "so-called judge" in a tweet.Gorsuch first criticized Trump's attacks in a private meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., shortly after Trump's tweet. But he had not commented publicly."I know these people, and how dece
  
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• Apartment fire reported on Red Oak Drive

  21-03-2017 20:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - Crews are responding to an apartment fire on Red Oak Drive.The fire was reported around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday night. Details are limited.This is a developing story. We will update as more information becomes available.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Sheriff says roommate killed man and stuffed him in freezer

  21-03-2017 20:10
  
  LATIMER, Miss. - A Mississippi sheriff accuses a man of killing his roommate and stuffing him in a freezer.Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell tells media that a capital murder warrant has been issued for 40-year-old Thomas Elliot Stafford.Investigators believe Stafford killed 65-year-old Jerry Floyd Kirkendall sometime around March 3, when a landlord last saw Kirkendall.The landlord found Kirkendall's body in an unplugged freezer Monday, saying he was alerted by a horrible smell.Ezell says Staffo
  
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• Officials: US expects next North Korean missile launch soon

  21-03-2017 20:06
  
  WASHINGTON - American defense officials say they expect another North Korean missile launch in the next several days.The officials say the U.S. has increased its surveillance. The increased scrutiny follows the sighting of a North Korean missile launcher that is being moved around. The construction of VIP seating in the eastern coastal city Wonsan has also been spotted. The experts cite new surveillance from satellites, drones and other aircraft. It's unclear what type of missile may be tested.N
  
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• Slain EBRSO deputy Sergeant helped many during flood

  21-03-2017 18:33
  
  BATON ROUGE – A slain East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputy touched many lives behind the scenes during the August flood.Sergeant Shawn Anderson helped a local non-profit organization, Line-2-Line. The organization was started by veteran EMS workers, who saw a need for first responders and their families.Anderson called organizers to thank them and see what he could do to help."His entire tone changes on the phone, he gets very calming and he gets very comforting and says, "The fact that y
  
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• Concrete barrier preventing business owner from accessing property

  21-03-2017 17:36
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - A business owner says a state construction project has prevented him from doing his job.TJ Adams owns Elite Transportation in Denham Springs, a transport business that been at the same location on Rushing Road for 20 years. His business works with 53' and 40' trailers, which require plenty of space for storage and mobility.What normally would be a celebratory time, since he recently back into the office following the August flood, has turned into frustration. Adams says a state
  
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• Law enforcement officers recognized for going beyond the badge

  21-03-2017 17:35
  
  BATON ROUGE – State and local leaders honored some of the officers that go beyond the call of duty on Tuesday.Honorees were recognized for their acts of kindness such as BRPD officers Hue Pham who used his own money to buy an infant warm clothes on a cold day and BRPD officer Henry Briggs who helped a man in need of a place to live. "I came in contact with a gentleman who was homeless at the time and I helped him get an apartment for him and his family over Christmas time," Br
  
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• Home Depot in Denham Springs to hold hiring event

  21-03-2017 17:08
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS – The Home Depot in Denham Springs is hosting a hiring event for 30 job openings at the store.The hiring event is a part of a nationwide effort to hire more associates to gear up for spring, the store's busiest season.Openings include cashier, freight, gardening and lot positions across all departments. Those who wish to apply can do so online at careers. homedepot.com. Job seekers can also text HOMEDEPOT to 52270 and will receive a link to apply to open positions in the
  
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• Pepsi pulls 12-packs, 2-liters from shelves over Philadelphia soda tax

  21-03-2017 16:44
  
  PHILADELPHIA - Pepsi is pulling 2-liter bottles and 12-packs of its products from Philadelphia grocery store shelves over the city's new tax on sweetened drinks.The company says it wants to offer products and package sizes working families can better afford.The 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on sweetened and diet beverages is imposed at the distributor level. If fully passed on to the consumer it amounts to $1.44 on a six-pack of 16-ounce bottles.The company's decision affects sodas including Pepsi and
  
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• Gov. Edwards announces housing initiative for displaced flood survivors

  21-03-2017 16:05
  
  BATON ROUGE – Governor John Bel Edwards announced the Louisiana Housing Heroes Initiative, an initiative that makes affordable housing available to survivors of the August flood who remain displaced.Louisiana Housing Heroes is a statewide initiative to increase affordable rental housing capacity following the August 2016 flood. The initiative will consist of an outreach campaign to landlords and property owners in the affected parishes in order to target viable housing units.The initia
  
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• WBRZ wins Best Morning Show, Best Sports Show at LAB Prestige awards

  21-03-2017 15:28
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Association of Broadcasters awarded WBRZ two top awards on Tuesday.The LAB’s 2017 Prestige Awards were awarded Tuesday afternoon at L’Auberge Casino Hotel in Baton Rouge.The LAB recognized WBRZ’s 2une In as the 2017 Best Morning Show in Louisiana. The award recognizes the best morning show originally aired between 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. The Best Morning Show is a new category added to this year’s LAB Prestige Awards.Congrats
  
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• Arkansas ends Robert E. Lee-Martin Luther King Jr. holiday

  21-03-2017 14:48
  
  LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' governor has signed legislation ending the state's practice of commemorating Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on the same holiday as slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday signed the bill he championed in the Legislature. The change means only two states - Alabama and Mississippi - still honor the two men on the same day.Arkansas' new law sets aside the second Saturday in October to honor Lee with a state memorial day, not
  
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• Lawmakers ask for deeper dive into Angola prison rodeo finances

  21-03-2017 14:43
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana state lawmakers have asked auditors to review a decade of financial documents from the prison rodeo held at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.The request to Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera was lodged Tuesday by the Legislative Audit Advisory Council. The scrutiny comes after an audit released in January by Purpera's office found extensive financial problems at the Angola prison.Among the findings, auditors said more than $6 million generated by the prison rodeo
  
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• Louisiana government auditing office sounds the budget alarm

  21-03-2017 14:42
  
  BATON ROUGE - The head of a nonpartisan legislative office that digs into the spending of state and local government agencies is warning state lawmakers that he's teetering on the financial edge.Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera said Tuesday he's eating into his agency's reserves, even as he continues to shrink staff. And lawmakers diverted $2 million from those reserves last month to help plug a state deficit.Purpera's message to the Legislative Audit Advisory Council was direct: Cuts are threa
  
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• That's not carry-on: Snake gets loose on Alaska flight

  21-03-2017 13:48
  
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A snake carried onto a commuter airplane flying between Alaska communities caused a commotion this past weekend.Anchorage television station KTVA reports that the loose snake was spotted Sunday on a 90-minute Ravn Alaska flight between Aniak in southwest Alaska and Anchorage.Photos show a pale snake about 4 to 5 feet long curled up under a carry-on bag. Another shows a flight attendant placing it into a trash bag.Ravn Alaska spokesman William Walsh says a passenger violated a
  
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• Man accused of attacking neighbor who refused to smoke with him

  21-03-2017 13:39
  
  BATON ROUGE – Deputies arrested a man after they say he attacked his neighbor for not smoking a cigarette with him.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, Ryan Stockstill, 26, was charged with simple battery and home invasion.On Mar. 19 around 9 p.m., deputies responded to the 11000 block of Morgan Hill Ct. in reference to a disturbance. The victim said that Stockstill approached his vehicle then asked to a smoke a cigarette with him. The victim told him he couldn't.Arrest
  
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• Funeral arrangements set for slain EBRSO deputy

  21-03-2017 13:10
  
  BATON ROUGE – Funeral arrangements are set for an East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputy who was killed on Saturday.Sergeant Shawn Anderson was killed outside of an O'Neal Lane hair salon while he was investigating a reported rape. He struggled with another man and was shot.Visitation will be held at Healing Place Church from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 23. Funeral services will immediately follow visitation.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Rusty patched bumblebee joins endangered species list

  21-03-2017 12:36
  
  TRAVERSE CITY - The rusty patched bumblebee is officially an endangered species.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the designation took effect Tuesday, making the rusty patched bumblebee the first bee species in the continental U.S. to receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.Advocates say the bee has disappeared from about 90 percent of its range in the past 20 years. Bees are crucial for pollinating crops and wild plants.The listing was announced in January and had been
  
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• Rare poll finds Cuban citizens favor better US relations

  21-03-2017 12:15
  
  WASHINGTON - A rare poll of Cuban public opinion has found that most of the island's citizens approve of normal relations with the United States and large majorities want more tourists to visit and the expansion of private business ownership.In a poll of 840 people taken in Cuba late last year by the research organization NORC at the University of Chicago, 55 percent said that normal relations with the U.S. would be mostly good for the country.Among Cubans aged 18-29, approval of closer relation
  
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• Trump signs bill authorizing NASA funding, Mars exploration

  21-03-2017 12:11
  
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill that adds exploration of Mars as a NASA goal.The new law also authorizes $19.5 billion in space agency funding for the 2018 budget year, which starts Oct. 1. Trump recently sent Congress a budget proposal that authorizes $19.1 billion for the space agency next year, down slightly from the current year.The new law amends current law to add human exploration of Mars as one of NASA's objectives. It also directs NASA to manage human spac
  
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• Chappelle celebrates Netflix release with all-star party

  21-03-2017 11:19
  
  LOS ANGELES - Dave Chappelle has celebrated Tuesday's release of a pair of Netflix comedy specials with some high-profile friends.USA Today reports Chappelle hosted a late-night party Monday at a Hollywood club ahead of the specials' release. Kanye West, Kendall Jenner and Stevie Wonder were among those in attendance.The newspaper reports Chappelle did some stand-up and Wonder took the stage afterward to sing "Uptight (Everything's Alright)." Actors Tobey Maguire and Don Cheadle were among those
  
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• Baton Rouge man pleads guilty following 2015 Donaldsonville shooting

  21-03-2017 11:15
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - A 28-year-old Baton Rouge man pled guilty to charges on Monday following a 2015 shooting in Donaldsonville.According to District Attorney Ricky Babin, Joshua Green pled guilty to aggravated battery. The guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors.The incident occurred on Oct. 11, 2015, when deputies with the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office were called near St. Vincent St. and Sixth St. in Donaldsonville for a reported shooting.Through the investigation, aut
  
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• Louisiana politicians get roasted in Baton Rouge this weekend

  21-03-2017 09:24
  
  BATON ROUGE - State leaders with thick skins will be among the audience at Louisiana's 66th Annual Gridiron Show this weekend. Former and current political reporters will satirize the elected officials in a two night, sketch comedy show at the Nicholson Post American Legion Hall on 151 South Wooddale Blvd.Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday night and the show begins at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at the door. However, seats are going fast with ad
  
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• All lanes on East I-12 open after officer involved crash

  21-03-2017 09:24
  
  BATON ROUGE -All lanes on I-12 East are now open, leaving the center lanes blocked just before Millerville, following a crash involving a Baton Rouge Police officer.Police and EMS responded to the call around 12:30 Tuesday morning and the officer was tranposrted to a local hospital.  The officer's injures are unkown at this time.We are following this developing story and will keep you updated as more inform
  
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• Texas 'affluenza' teen's lawyers seek his release from jail

  21-03-2017 09:24
  
  FORT WORTH - Lawyers for a Texas teenager who used an "affluenza" defense in a fatal drunken-driving wreck have turned to the Texas Supreme Court in an effort to secure his release from jail.The motion filed Friday on behalf of 19-year-old Ethan Couch argues that a judge had no authority to sentence Couch to nearly two years in jail after his case was moved from juvenile to adult court.Couch's attorneys argue that the judge only had jurisdiction over criminal cases and that juvenile matters are
  
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• The Blaze's Tomi Lahren off-air after backing abortion right

  21-03-2017 09:21
  
  NEW YORK - Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren was absent from the air of Glenn Beck's The Blaze days after declaring her support for abortion rights.During an appearance on ABC's "The View" on Friday, Lahren explained that she was for abortion because as a proponent of limited government, it would be hypocritical of her to say she thinks the government "should decide what women do with their bodies."The comments drew criticism from colleagues, including Beck. Beck took issue with Lahren's argu
  
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• Sept. 11 families sue Saudi Arabia over 9/11 attacks

  21-03-2017 09:20
  
  NEW YORK - Hundreds of relatives of those killed on Sept. 11 have sued Saudi Arabia, joining many others who have tried to hold the kingdom responsible for the attacks.Like other recent actions, the lawsuit filed Monday capitalizes on last year's decision by Congress to let victims sue Saudi Arabia. It seeks unspecified damages.Earlier attempts to hold Saudi Arabia responsible over the past 15 years have failed. Fifteen of the 19 attackers who hijacked planes to carry out the attacks in New York
  
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• McConnell warns Republicans on health bill

  21-03-2017 09:18
  
  WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is warning fellow Republicans of political consequences if they oppose health care legislation coming up for a vote in the House this week.In an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press, McConnell says: "I would hate to be a Republican whose vote prevented us from keeping the commitment we've made to the American people for almost 10 years now" to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law.McConnell sounded confident
  
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• One hurt in Heritage Estates shooting

  21-03-2017 08:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - Deputies are investigating after one person was hurt in a shooting off Heritage Estates Tuesday morning.The shooting happened around 11 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Hertiage Estates Drive and N. Colony Way. It is unclear how severe the victim's injuries are at this time.The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is investigating.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Firefighters investigating early morning apartment fire

  21-03-2017 08:21
  
  BATON ROUGE – Firefighters are trying to determine what caused an apartment fire on Sorrel Ave. Tuesday morning.The fire happened after 2 a.m. near the intersection of Sorrel Ave. and Seneca Street. Video from the scene showed heavy smoke pouring out the top of the building.There are no reported injuries at this time. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Labs extend purebred dog popularity record; Rottweilers rise

  21-03-2017 07:03
  
  NEW YORK - Labrador retrievers have extended their record run as America's most popular dog breed.They top the American Kennel Club's new rankings Tuesday for a 26th straight year. The rankings are for 2016.They show Rottweilers are enjoying renewed favor, and bulldog breeds are holding their regained ground.Some other breeds, including Siberian huskies and Australian shepherds, have been striding up the popularity ladder.After Labs, the top 5 are German shepherds, golden retrievers, bulldogs an
  
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• Murder trial resumes for officer in shooting of autistic boy

  21-03-2017 06:58
  
  MARKSVILLE - A Louisiana law enforcement officer's murder trial resumes with a second day of testimony about his role in a shooting that killed a 6-year-old autistic boy and critically wounded his father.Jurors on Monday heard attorneys' opening statements for Derrick Stafford's trial, which resumes Tuesday.Stafford is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jeremy Mardis and attempted second-degree murder in the wounding of his father, Christopher Few.Defense lawyers claim Stafford an
  
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• Jury to hear 2nd day of testimony in officer's murder trial

  21-03-2017 06:58
  
  MARKSVILLE - A Louisiana law enforcement officer's murder trial resumes with a second day of testimony about his role in a shooting that killed a 6-year-old autistic boy and critically wounded his father.Jurors on Monday heard attorneys' opening statements for Derrick Stafford's trial, which is scheduled to resume Tuesday.Stafford is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jeremy Mardis and attempted second-degree murder in the wounding of his father, Christopher Few.Defense lawyers cl
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: Tuesday traffic report

  21-03-2017 05:09
  
  BATON ROUGE - News 2's Ashley Fruge has you covered with live updates for your Tuesday morning commute.Beat the traffic every time using WBRZ's advanced traffic tracking technology. Click here to go to our traffic center. Tweets by WBRZtrafficPermalink| Comments
  
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• LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES: Look out for some fog this morning

  21-03-2017 05:09
  
  BATON ROUGE - News 2's Ashley Fruge has you covered with live updates for your Tuesday morning commute.Beat the traffic every time using WBRZ's advanced traffic tracking technology. Click here to go to our traffic center. Tweets by WBRZtrafficPermalink| Comments
  
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• Baton Rouge Police respond to overnight shooting

  21-03-2017 02:14
  
  Baton Rouge- Baton Rouge police are invesitgating an overnight shooting on Dawson Dr. near Plank Rd.BRPD responded to the call at an apartment complex, shortly after 1 a.m. BRPD confirmed that three were taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries.Officers have taped off the area and are still on the scene.We are following this story, and will keep you updated online and future forecast as more information comes available.Permalink| Comments
  
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