Baton Rouge news

• Burglaries increase near Webb Park

  09-05-2017 21:48
  
  BATON ROUGE- A small neighborhood just off College Drive has seen a recent rash of burglaries according to residents.Jim Gillen rents a house near Webb Park where someone ripped apart a window and made off with a small fortune last week."They stole two Rolex watches, a couple of guns and some computer stuff. [The renter] told the police it was about $17,000 worth of stuff," he said.Gillen said he knows of at least half a dozen other recent burglaries on his street.A few doors down, homeowner Ell
  
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• Two hurt in shooting on Chippewa Street

  09-05-2017 20:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - Authorities are investigating a shooting on Chippewa Street that left two injured Tuesday night.The shooting occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on Chippewa Street near Plank Road. According to BRPD, two victims suffered non life-threatening injuries. Police also said one of the victims may be a teenager.This is a developing story. We will update it with more information as it becomes available. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Student enrollment on the rise as Livingston Parish recovers from flood

  09-05-2017 19:59
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - As schools finally recover from flooding in Livingston Parish, another problem has reared its head.Student enrollment numbers have taken a considerable dip after last year's flood."The flood element brings a lot of anxiety, because there are a lot of unknowns," Superintendent Rick Wentzel said.It's been a stressful two months for teachers who were told in March that schools would begin cutting positions if more students didn't enroll.But, now that contract season is here, Wen
  
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• House passes bills in response to Alton Sterling shooting

  09-05-2017 19:40
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two bills written in response to the shooting death of a black man outside a Baton Rouge convenience store last year have passed the House.Lawmakers voted 102-0 Tuesday to reduce the amount of time police officers have to hire an attorney following incidents in which an officer has killed or seriously injured someone. Officers would have 14 days, rather than 30, to secure representation, with some exceptions.Baton Rouge Rep. Ted James sponsored the bill after Alton Sterling was kil
  
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• Legislature attempting to fully fund TOPS

  09-05-2017 18:15
  
  BATON ROUGE – This year, college students had about one third of their TOPS scholarships cut. While the program is fully funded under the House's proposal, that could change in the Senate.With the school year at universities about to end, Louisiana students say the cut to TOPS did not make things easy."It took away a lot of it which you were kind of banking on to begin with," LSU sophomore Joe Tullos said."I had to get a lot more scholarships and work harder and work more," said Rebeka
  
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• Mobile home stuck, moving company left it

  09-05-2017 17:36
  
  CENTRAL - It's been eight months since a woman bought a trailer and hired a company to move it to her lot. Instead, it's only been moved a few feet and now it's stuck.Judy Brioullette's home flooded in August, taking in about a foot of water and since it's been gutted and demolished. She found another mobile home on Craigslist off Pride-Baywood Road. The owner gave Brioullette a month to move the trailer but that month has came and went."Every day, every week it's supposed to be on my lot," she
  
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• FBI Director James Comey has been fired

  09-05-2017 16:46
  
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has fired FBI Director James Comey.In a statement, Trump says Comey's firing "will mark a new beginning" for the FBI. The White House says the search for a new FBI director will begin immediately.Statement from @WhiteHouse @PressSec on @FBI Director pic.twitter.com/EdBRntMim5— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) May 9, 2017
  Comey's firing comes days after he testified on Capitol Hill about the FBI's investigation into Russia's election meddling and possible conn
  
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• Seven arrested for drug distribution in Assumption Parish

  09-05-2017 16:33
  
  ASSUMPTION PARISH - The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office has announced the arrest of seven people on drug distribution charges.Sheriff Leland Falcon says deputies began executing several warrants on Friday as a part of "Operation Fresh Start". The sheriff says the operation targeted mid-level dealers distributing a variety of illegal drugs.The following individuals are now facing drug distribution charges: Bradley Worley, 26, of Labadieville was arrested for distribution of h
  
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• INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Woman arrested for stealing from Blue Star Mothers of LA

  09-05-2017 16:27
  
  BATON ROUGE - The former Treasurer of the Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana Chapter 1 is facing felony theft charges after investigators with Louisiana State Police found she padded her pockets to the tune of $12,814.02 with the non-profit organization's money.
  Lisa Austin is scheduled to appear in court this week on felony theft charges. From December 2014 until October 2016, Austin admitted to State Police she withdrew money from the Blue Star Account and deposited funds into her persona
  
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• Dates, times of Saints 2017 preseason games announced

  09-05-2017 15:01
  
  NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Saints announced their 2017 preseason schedule.The preseason series will open with the Saints facing the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. In the second week of preseason, the team will head west to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.The Saints will then head home to host the Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. The team will then close out the preseason aga
  
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• US reports another drop in arrests at Mexico border

  09-05-2017 14:55
  
  WASHINGTON - Arrests of people caught trying to enter the United States from Mexico without authorization declined again last month, a likely sign that fewer would-be immigrants are trying to cross the border illegally.President Donald Trump has highlighted the falling numbers as a sign that his tough approach on immigration is working. Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric and more aggressive enforcement of immigration laws may be discouraging people from crossing illegally.The Homeland Security De
  
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• Disney gambles on Avatar theme park, 8 years after hit movie

  09-05-2017 14:47
  
  NEW YORK - Disney has wagered a reported $500 million that people will line up for a new theme-park attraction based on the 2009 movie "Avatar," which has largely faded from pop-culture consciousness.The new park, based on the movie's bioluminescent world of Pandora, represents a major gamble, even by Disney standards. Disney is racing to catch up with rival Universal Studios, whose hit Harry Potter park opened in 2010.The "Avatar" attraction, formally known as "Pandora - World of Avatar," opens
  
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• Shaquille O'Neal says he'll run for sheriff in 2020

  09-05-2017 14:46
  
  NBA Hall of Famer and LSU alumnus Shaquille O'Neal says he's considering a run for sheriff in 2020.Although he didn't clarify to WXIA where he would enter a sheriff race, the 2000 NBA MVP holds residency in Florida and Georgia. "This is not about politics for me. It's something that I always wanted to do. It's just about bringing people closer together," Shaq said Friday. "You know, when I was coming up, people love and respected the police, the deputies. And I want to be the one to bri
  
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• Man pleads guilty to cocaine distribution, sentenced to 15 years

  09-05-2017 14:14
  
  GONZALES – A Gonzales man will serve 15 years in jail after pleading guilty to charges of cocaine distribution, according to the 23rd Judicial District of Louisiana.Derrick Clark, 31, pleaded guilty to distribution of a schedule II controlled dangerous substance and possession of cocaine. The guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2015 drug operation.On December 25, 2015, Gonzales Police Department officers executed a search warrant on a vehicle par
  
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• ABC announces revival of 'American Idol' next season

  09-05-2017 13:55
  
  NEW YORK - ABC announced a deal Tuesday to revive "American Idol," only a year after the powerhouse music competition aired its 15th and last season on Fox.The show that dominated television in the 2000s and minted stars like Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson will be back sometime during the next TV season. That season starts in September, but the return of "Idol" will likely come later. Fox generally premiered each new season in January.ABC, which agreed with produce
  
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• Faulty water heater causes house fire on Oseola Street

  09-05-2017 13:46
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Fire Department says a faulty water heater was the cause of a house fire on Oseola Street Tuesday.The fire department arrived at the home in the 2700 block of Oseola Street around 12:15 p.m.. Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming from the rear of the house.According to BRFD, the home sustained little smoke and fire damage.No one was home at the time of the fire.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Tunnel with nuclear waste collapses in Washington state

  09-05-2017 13:38
  
  SPOKANE - An emergency has been declared at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in southeastern Washington state after a portion of a tunnel that that contains rail cars full of nuclear waste collapsed.Randy Bradbury, a spokesman for the Washington state Department of Ecology, said officials detected no release of radiation and no workers were injured.He says there were no workers inside the tunnel when it collapsed Tuesday morning but that nearby workers were evacuated and others who were farther a
  
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• House advances change to La. law that kept man from marrying

  09-05-2017 13:20
  
  BATON ROUGE - A bill that would amend Louisiana's marriage law to allow foreign-born applicants to obtain a marriage license without producing a birth certificate has cleared its first legislative hurdle.A House committee advanced the bill on Tuesday, several weeks after a federal judge blocked enforcement of the law's birth certificate requirement.A Lafayette man sued to challenge the law after it prevented him from marrying his fiancée last year. Viet Anh Vo has been a U.S. citizen
  
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• South Korean TV announces election results with Game of Thrones parody

  09-05-2017 13:10
  
  SEOUL, South Korea - South Koreans don't need to be bored by hours of vote-counting and punditry that fill airtime ahead of the announcement of a winner in the country's presidential election.Television networks on Tuesday went out of their way to entertain on election day, including graphics that turned the candidates into Game of Thrones characters and hip hop artists.Seoul Broadcasting System featured headshots of front-runner Moon Jae-in placed on the body of a knight similar to one in the p
  
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• 18-wheeler overturns on Highway 16 in Livingston Parish

  09-05-2017 12:59
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS – Authorities in Livingston Parish are responding to an overturned 18-wheeler on Highway 16 near Vincent Acres Tuesday morning.According to the Walker Police Department, no one was hurt in the crash. There is a reported partial road blockage. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police are responding to the scene.Police expect that Highway 16 will be closed for vehicle recovery operations. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.Permalink| Com
  
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• Rouses Market to open Bluebonnet Blvd location

  09-05-2017 12:56
  
  BATON ROUGE – Rouses Market will soon open a location at the Bluebonnet Village Shopping Center, the family-owned supermarket chain announced.The new Rouses Market will take over the space occupied by Matherne's Supermarket. The store's official address is 7580 Bluebonnet Boulevard.Donny Rouse said that he feels the new location will serve the community well."Baton Rouge residents have been asking us to build more stores in the area, and we feel like this shopping center has been under
  
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• AP source: Abedin didn't send as many emails as Comey said

  09-05-2017 12:50
  
  WASHINGTON - A person familiar with the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server says Huma Abedin did not forward "hundreds and thousands" of emails to her husband's laptop, as FBI Director James Comey testified to Congress.Comey last week provided new details about the investigation during a Senate committee hearing.He said Abedin, a top Clinton aide, was in the practice of forwarding emails to the laptop of her husband, former Rep. Anthony Weiner, to be printed out an
  
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• Judge agrees to toss Hernandez murder conviction

  09-05-2017 12:35
  
  FALL RIVER - A Massachusetts judge has agreed to erase Aaron Hernandez's conviction in a 2013 murder because he died before his appeal could be heard.Judge Susan Garsh ruled Tuesday that a legal doctrine that calls for vacating convictions when a defendant dies before an appeal can be heard was binding precedent. She said she was compelled to follow it.The former New England Patriots tight end hanged himself in his prison cell last month while serving a life sentence in the killing of s
  
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• US watched Russia penetrate French systems during election

  09-05-2017 12:32
  
  WASHINGTON - A top U.S. cyber official says the United States watched Russians penetrate France's computer networks and tipped French officials before the hacking became public during the country's recent election.Adm. Mike Rogers, head of the U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, says the U.S. is working with France and Germany to counter disinformation campaigns during elections.France's election campaign commission says "a significant amount of data" - and some fake information
  
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• FEMA extends hotel stay program until May 31

  09-05-2017 12:01
  
  BATON ROUGE - FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program has been extended for an additional 20 days.Eligible survivors may stay in participating hotel/motels through the night of Tuesday, May 30, 2017 but must check out by Wednesday, May 31, 2017.The move marks the ninth time that the TSA program has been extended. The program was scheduled to end on May 11.The TSA program is intended to provide “short-term sheltering” to flood survivors by allowing them to
  
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• Teen's plea for free Wendy's nuggets sets retweet record

  09-05-2017 09:52
  
  RENO - A Twitter plea from a Nevada teen for a year of free chicken nuggets from Wendy's is now the most retweeted post of all time.Carter Wilkinson asked the fast food chain on Twitter last month how many retweets it would take for him to get free nuggets for a year. Wendy's replied, "18 million."Wilkinson's screenshot of the exchange has moved past Ellen DeGeneres' viral tweet from the 2014 Oscars on Tuesday with more than 3.4 million retweets. Twitter confirmed the record to The Associated Pr
  
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• Senate Dems ask GOP to drop their plan to repeal 'Obamacare'

  09-05-2017 09:48
  
  WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats are asking Republican leaders to drop their effort to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law. If they do, they're offering to help them "improve the health care system for all Americans."Democrats say they'd work with the GOP to reduce premium and drug costs, stabilize insurance markets and help small businesses provide health coverage.The plea comes in a letter signed by all 46 Democratic senators and the two independents who usually side with them.Democra
  
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• Girl says she stuck fingers up gator's nose to escape

  09-05-2017 09:45
  
  ORLANDO - A 10-year-old Florida girl says she shoved her fingers up an alligator's snout to escape after the almost-9-foot-long reptile bit her.Juliana Ossa on Monday told Orlando television station WKMG-TV that she learned the escape trick from visiting an alligator park called Gatorland.The girl was sitting about 2 feet of water when the gator bit her on her knee and calf at Moss Park in the Orlando area on Saturday.In a 911 call released Monday, a caller describes Juliana as having p
  
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• Pa. teen earns college degree before high school diploma

  09-05-2017 09:43
  
  HARRISBURG - A Pennsylvania girl has earned an associate's degree at a community college even before she has received her high school diploma.WPMT-TV reports 17-year-old Sadira Stallings will receive her degree in business administration from Harrisburg Area Community College on Thursday.Stallings completed 63 credit hours through the schools dual-enrollment program and is the first high school student from the community college's Gettysburg campus to earn her degree before finishing high school
  
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• Country star Alan Jackson selling home for $6.4 million

  09-05-2017 09:40
  
  CLARKESVILLE - Country music star Alan Jackson is selling his northern Georgia home for $6.4 million.The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, citing an online real estate listing, says Jackson's lakefront home in Clarkesville, Georgia, comes with five bedrooms along with six full and three half bathrooms. The estate is gated with a family room, bar and an outdoor full bath.The 7,687 square-foot home was built in 2008.Jackson broke out in 1990 with his neo-traditional style of honky-tonk country music t
  
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• Chaos at Florida airport after Spirit flights canceled

  09-05-2017 07:17
  
  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Skirmishes involving irate passengers broke out at a Florida airport following the cancellation of multiple Spirit Airlines flights.Broward Sheriff's officials tell ABC News that deputies were called to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Monday to deal with angry passengers. Videos posted online show deputies trying to break up fights and detaining some unruly passengers.CBS News reports nine flights were canceled.In a statement, airline officials say they
  
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• 3 charged in fights at Fort Lauderdale airport after Spirit flights canceled

  09-05-2017 07:17
  
  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Broward Sheriff's Office says three New York residents were arrested as irate passengers skirmished at Fort Lauderdale's airport after Spirit Airlines canceled nine flights.Sheriff's reports released Tuesday say about 500 people were in the Spirit terminal late Monday night when 22-year-old Desmond Waul of Selden and 24-year-old Janice Waul and 22 year-old Davante Garrett, both of Brentwood, were seen by deputies threatening the airline's front counter employees.Deput
  
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• Fox News anchor Shepard Smith opens up on sexuality

  09-05-2017 07:09
  
  OXFORD - Longtime Fox News anchor Shepard Smith has opened up about his sexuality and the impact it has had on his career.Smith mentioned in a recent speech at the University of Mississippi that he had never stood in front of a group of people to talk about being gay, but added that he has "nothing to hide."Smith says he began living his "truth" within the past decade. He says he never "outed" himself because he didn't think he was "in." Smith told students he spent many years constantly working
  
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• Man who pretended to be Army vet sentenced to 14 years

  09-05-2017 06:41
  
  NEW YORK - A man who posed as a U.S. Army veteran and claimed to have two doctorates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been sentenced to seven to 14 years in prison.A judge in New York City sentenced Jeremy Wilson on Monday.Prosecutors say Wilson pretended to be a wounded veteran in order to lease a luxury car and a $5,000-a-month apartment in the city's financial district.The New York Post reportsWilson, who also claimed to be the son of late Irish Republican Army leader Brian
  
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• Back on TV, Kimmel zings critics of his health care plea

  09-05-2017 06:39
  
  LOS ANGELES - Jimmy Kimmel zinged his critics as he returned to late-night TV, arguing again that all Americans deserve the level of health care given his infant son.Back on the air Monday after a week's absence, Kimmel said his son, Billy, is recovering well from open-heart surgery for a congenital disorder.Then the ABC host issued a mock apology for what he called an "insensitive" and "offensive" call that all American families have medical coverage, whatever their income.Kimmel poked fun at t
  
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• South Korea exit polls see win for liberal Moon

  09-05-2017 06:30
  
  Exit polls in South Korea are forecasting a win by liberal candidate Moon Jae-in in an election to succeed ousted President Park Geun-hye.Polls closed at 8 p.m., and official results are still hours away. But the exit poll jointly conducted by South Korea's three major television stations shows Moon winning with 41.4 percent of the votes cast in Tuesday's election. The poll says Moon's conservative rival Hong Joon-pyo will likely trail him with 23.3 percent support.Such polls have a low margin o
  
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