Baton Rouge news

• Two hospitalized after motorcycle crash on Siegen Lane

  10-05-2017 21:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two were transported to the hospital after a crash involving a motorcycle on Siegen Lane Wednesday night.The crash occurred around 8:40 p.m. on Siegen Lane near Airline Highway. Sources say the crash occurred when a motorcycle rear-ended another vehicle. The driver was reportedly ejected from the bike and into another vehicle, injuring a second driver.Police say the two drivers were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Both victims are in stable condition.Permalink
  
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• Vice President Pence pledges 'unwavering support' to Ukraine

  10-05-2017 20:42
  
  Vice President Mike Pence has expressed the Trump administration's "unwavering support" for Ukraine's sovereignty in a meeting with the country's foreign minister.A White House statement says Pence met with Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on Wednesday. The meeting came as President Donald Trump met with Klimkin's Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.In 2014, Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region and backed separatists fighting government forces in eastern Ukraine, drawing widespre
  
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• Lower threshold for recall elections wins La. House support

  10-05-2017 20:05
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers in the Louisiana House want to make it easier for voters to recall elected officials.The House voted 70-27 Wednesday for a proposal from Rep. Paul Hollis, a Covington Republican, to change rules for recall elections. The measure heads to the Senate for consideration.Under current law, a recall petition must be signed by one-third of registered voters within 180 days to hold an election on whether to recall an elected official. In districts with fewer than 1,000 registered
  
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• Photos show rescue on I-10 after vehicle overturns

  10-05-2017 18:02
  
  BATON ROUGE – A crash that caused a vehicle to overturn blocked the three left lanes on I-10 West at the I-10/I-110 split Wednesday afternoon. According to DOTD, the lanes reopened later in the afternoon with traffic reaching to Bluebonnet Boulevard.Baton Rouge Police say an 18-wheeler was traveling in the inside lane of I-10 West when traffic came to an abrupt stop. The driver reportedly moved to the middle lane and struck another car, causing it to overturn.Photos f
  
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• New Ascension road projects to tackle traffic problems

  10-05-2017 17:47
  
  ASCENSION PARISH - A new initiative called "Move Ascension" aims to reduce traffic along parish roads."There's three problems, traffic, traffic, and traffic," said Parish President Kenny Matassa.The first road on the list is Roddy Road, that runs from Highway 42 to Airline Highway.At least six turn lanes will be added and some of the four-way stop signs will be replaced with roundabouts.The ditches will also be removed in order to allow stalled vehicles to move over and prevent further back-ups.
  
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• Large barge tipped over in False River, been there since August

  10-05-2017 17:18
  
  NEW ROADS - A barge floated into a woman's backyard and it's been there since August.Noel Loftus says she's called everyone she can think of. Her New Roads home sits on False River and right now, her view is compromised.A large, rusted piece of welded metal sits in the water just on the other side of her bulkhead."It's been there since August," said Loftus. "This floated from all the way across the river and missed every pier and just nicely floated into my yard."As the water from the August flo
  
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• 12-year-old girl first to receive life-changing treatment in Baton Rouge area

  10-05-2017 17:10
  
  BATON ROUGE - A 12-year-old girl from Central will be the first person in the capitol area to receive a new treatment for her rare disorder.Sydney Donovan suffers from a rare genetic disorder known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). It's similar to muscular dystrophy in that it degrades her muscles over time, weakening Sydney and leaving her with a heart condition. "We were told she would get worse over time, and this year was the worst," said Sherry Donovan, Sydney's mother.Syd
  
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• Small, but loud group, disrupts council meeting Wednesday

  10-05-2017 17:08
  
  BATON ROUGE – A handful of people were removed from the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council meeting Wednesday afternoon when they tried to forcibly sway the conversation away from city business and toward a political discussion about Alton Sterling and the Baton Rouge Police Department.According to council rules, speakers speaking before the council are asked to keep their comments germane to business at hand. When a speaker tries to use the public comment section of an agenda to dis
  
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• This year's Jazz Fest attendance estimated at 425,000

  10-05-2017 16:17
  
  NEW ORLEANS- Officials with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival estimate attendance at this year's event drew approximately 425,000 people.The festival at the Fair Grounds horse track took place over seven days - April 28 through April 30, and May 4 through May 7. Major musical acts this year included Stevie Wonder, Harry Connick Jr. and John Batiste.The festival also featured a major celebration of Cuban music and culture.Next year's festival, which will be the 49th, opens April 27.Per
  
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• Texas man guilty in death of woman whose body was shown on Facebook

  10-05-2017 15:58
  
  McKINNEY, Texas - A judge has determined a Dallas-area man is guilty of murder in the death of his girlfriend whose lifeless body was displayed on social media.State District Judge Scott Becker found 46-year-old Kenneth Amyx guilty Wednesday on just the second day of the nonjury trial.The Dallas Morning News reports Amyx's defense attorney called no witnesses and had attempted to use an insanity defense.Becker's ruling was followed by the punishment phase of the trial. Amyx faces up to
  
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• NOPD: Man arrested after holding ex-girlfriend at gunpoint for 15 hours

  10-05-2017 14:59
  
  NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Police Department arrested a man who allegedly held his ex-girlfriend and her son at gunpoint for 15 hours.Officers arrested Drapper Goff on charges including two counts of second degree kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, one count of armed robbery with a gun and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.According to NOPD, the woman told police that around 10:20 p.m. on May 8, she allowed her ex-boyfriend, who was later identi
  
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• House panel quashes bill to allow permit-less conceal carry

  10-05-2017 14:32
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers have once again struck down a proposal to allow Louisiana residents to carry a concealed gun without a permit.A House panel voted 8-5 Wednesday against Rep. Barry Ivey's "constitutional carry" measure.State law allows people to openly carry a gun without a permit. In order to conceal a handgun, though, residents must be trained, undergo a background check and have their fingerprints taken.Supporters of Ivey's bill said the permit requirements, which include fees, are cost
  
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• Board approves sale of land for CATS North Baton Rouge hub

  10-05-2017 14:31
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana State University's Board of Supervisors has approved the sale of land in North Baton Rouge to be used as a CATS transit hub.The CATS Board of Commissioners approved the $235,000 purchase of real estate property located adjacent to LSU Health North on Airline Highway from LSU and the State of Louisiana.“This is an exciting next step that puts us closer to opening an improved hub that will greatly benefit our riders and businesses in North Baton Rouge," C
  
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• Police: Man wanted for hit and run at Walgreens in Denham Springs

  10-05-2017 13:35
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS – Police in Denham Springs are seeking the public's help to identify a man wanted for an alleged hit-and-run.According to investigators, the incident happened on May 7 at the Walgreens on South Range at Vincent Road.Anyone with information on the man's identity is urged to contact Sgt. Groger at 225-665-5106.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Store surveillance spots stolen steaks stuffed in slacks

  10-05-2017 13:28
  
  GONZALES – Two men were arrested after a Gonzales grocery store spotted them stealing steaks by stuffing them in their pants.According to Ralph’s Market, the crime happened around noon Tuesday at the Galvez location.“We try to keep our prices down and something like this hurts us as a store and also as a community,” the company posted on Facebook.Ralph’s Market announced Tuesday night that thieves were arrested after re
  
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• Louisiana lawmakers stall bill to prioritize some in TOPS

  10-05-2017 13:15
  
  BATON ROUGE - An effort to shield Louisiana's highest-performing and poorest students from cuts to the TOPS college tuition program has stalled.Rep. Gary Carter's proposal failed to win backing Wednesday from the House Education Committee. Six members supported the bill, while seven opposed it.The vote keeps the measure from advancing to the House floor for debate.The bill would direct the flow of TOPS assistance if lawmakers don't provide enough money to pay full costs of tuition for eligible s
  
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• Dwayne Johnson considering a run for president

  10-05-2017 13:14
  
  LOS ANGELES - After conquering Hollywood, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson may have his sights set on the White House.The actor and former pro wrestler tells GQ that a presidential run is "a real possibility."Johnson says if he were president, leadership would be a top priority.Johnson isn't revealing much about his political leanings, but says he's not in favor of President Donald Trump's proposed travel ban because he believes "in inclusion."Johnson declined to endorse anyone in the presidential race
  
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• Proton cancer therapy plans for Baton Rouge, New Orleans

  10-05-2017 13:11
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two companies plan proton radiation centers for cancer therapy in Louisiana: an $85 million center in Baton Rouge and a $100 million one in New Orleans.Louisiana's economic development agency says both expect to open by late 2019. It said Wednesday that Baton Rouge-based Provident ProtonCare expects to create 95 new jobs with salaries averaging $105,000.An earlier announcement said Provision HealthCare of Knoxville, Tennessee, expects to create 60 new jobs in New Orleans, with sala
  
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• Bill would lift Louisiana ban on food stamps for drug felons

  10-05-2017 13:10
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a proposal to repeal a one-year ban on people convicted of drug-related felonies from getting food stamps and welfare benefits when they leave prison.The bill by Rep. Helena Moreno is part of a package of bills aimed at lessening Louisiana's prison rate and improving opportunities for those exiting prison so they don't reoffend.Moreno, a New Orleans Democrat, says only six states have similar prohibitions for their food stamp programs and 12 states
  
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• Zachary man faces attempted murder charges after BREC park fight

  10-05-2017 13:06
  
  ZACHARY – An 18-year-old faces attempted murder charges after police say he severely beat someone at a BREC park in April.Davon Harris, 18, was charged with attempted second-degree murder Tuesday. He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.Zachary Police say Harris and other suspects got into a fight with a victim at the BREC park located on Old Scenic Highway on April 28.Police say the victim sustained severe facial injuries during the fight. The victim picked the suspects
  
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• BRPD: Man wanted for stealing money from Family Dollar

  10-05-2017 13:04
  
  BATON ROUGE – Baton Rouge Police detectives are attempting to identify a man accused of robbing a Family Dollar store in the 2800 block of Highland Road.The robbery occurred on May 8 around 8 p.m. when the man grabbed money from the cash register and fled the scene in a small Toyota Corolla.The man is described as 5'10'', 230 pounds, bald, wearing a black bandanna, a navy blue shirt, dark blue jeans and gray/white tennis shoes.Anyone with information on the identity of the man is urged
  
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• Judge rejects effort to block Confederate statue's removal

  10-05-2017 12:42
  
  NEW ORLEANS - A judge has rejected a last-ditch effort to block the removal of a monument to a Confederate general in New Orleans.At issue before state Judge Kern Reese on Wednesday was whether the city owns the monument honoring Confederate Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard. The statue is located at the entrance to New Orleans City Park. Those who don't want it removed argued that it belongs to a park board, and therefore the city has no authority to remove it.The statue is one of three monuments to Confe
  
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• Louisiana House votes to keep felons from office for 8 years

  10-05-2017 12:01
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana House has overwhelmingly agreed to re-enact a prohibition that would have convicted felons waiting years after serving their sentences before they could run for office.
   The constitutional amendment by Rep. Greg Miller, a Norco Republican, would require felons to wait eight years.
   A 93-1 vote Wednesday sent the proposal to the Senate for consideration. If approved there, it would require support from voters to take effect.
   Louisiana had an
  
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• Company in settlement talks over money for 13-year oil leak

  10-05-2017 09:45
  
  BATON ROUGE - A company that has failed to stop an oil leak that began nearly 13 years ago in the Gulf of Mexico is negotiating a possible settlement that could allow it to recover millions of dollars it set aside for work to end the leak.A federal judge agreed Wednesday to give Taylor Energy Company more time for settlement talks with Justice Department attorneys.Taylor Energy sued the federal government last year, accusing regulators of violating an agreement requiring the company to set aside
  
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• Wife of ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman killed in car crash

  10-05-2017 09:44
  
  WOODBURY, Conn. - The wife of longtime ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman has died in a traffic accident in Connecticut. State police say 67-year-old Katherine Ann Berman was one of two victims in the two-vehicle crash yesterday in Woodbury. ESPN President John Skipper said in a statement the death is a "devastating tragedy and difficult to comprehend" and pledged to give Chris Berman "the love and support he will surely need in this hour."ESPN Broadcaster Chris Berman’s Wife Kathy Killed i
  
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• Collapsed interstate bridge in Georgia to open next week

  10-05-2017 09:40
  
  ATLANTA - Georgia officials say a section of a heavily used Atlanta interstate will reopen at the latest by next week, less than two months after it collapsed due to a large fire under a bridge.Gov. Nathan Deal and state transportation officials announced Wednesday that the bridge will be open by the Monday morning rush hour.Officials have said the bridge reconstruction will cost up to $16.6 million, most of which is expected to be covered by the federal government.An estimated 250,000 drivers u
  
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• Russian minister jokes about Comey firing

  10-05-2017 08:14
  
  WASHINGTON - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is reacting sarcastically to questions about President Donald Trump's firing of former FBI Director James Comey.Lavrov and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson were asked during a photo-op whether Comey's firing cast a shadow over the meeting between the two diplomats.Lavrov said: "Was he fired? You're kidding. You're kidding." Then the Russian diplomat waved his hand dismissively and exited the room alongside Tillerson.The meeting comes amid growi
  
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• Government Street reopens after overturned car removed

  10-05-2017 07:18
  
  BATON ROUGE – Parts of Government Street were closed Wednesday morning as crews worked to clear an overturned vehicle.The crash happened near the intersection of Government Street and South 10th Street. Baton Rouge Police and firefighters responded to the scene. Police say injuries do not appear to be life threatening.SB Government is closed at the I-110 due to crash involving overturned vehicle. Left lane blocked NB due to emergency vehicles— WBRZ Traffic (@WBRZtraf
  
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• Trump says Comey 'was not doing a good job'

  10-05-2017 06:52
  
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump says ousted FBI Director James Comey "was not doing a good job." It was Trump's first public remarks about his firing Tuesday of the FBI chief.Trump briefly spoke to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday after a closed meeting with Russia's foreign minister. His remarks come as the White House is defending the decision to dismiss Comey. Administration officials have said the firing was not related to the investigation into possible contacts betwee
  
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• Acting FBI chief to appear at Senate hearing

  10-05-2017 06:52
  
  WASHINGTON - Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe will appear at a Senate intelligence committee hearing on Thursday in place of ex-FBI Director James Comey.The Senate intelligence committee has confirmed that McCabe will be at the hearing instead of Comey, who was fired on Tuesday by President Donald Trump.The hearing is about current and projected national security threats to the United States and U.S. interests both domestically and abroad.Others scheduled to testify are National Intell
  
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• Police: New York IHOP waitress pulls knife on family after argument

  10-05-2017 06:50
  
  MASSAPEQUA - Police say a waitress at a New York IHOP pulled a steak knife on a Long Island family after an argument over poor service.The mother of the family says they were shaken up after she, her husband and their two special needs kids were surrounded by the pancake restaurant's wait staff after complaining about poor service. No one was injured.WNBC-TV reports the Massapequa IHOP says they're not supposed to discuss the matter with media. A statement released by the franchise owne
  
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• Bill to penalize 'sanctuary cities' fails in Louisiana House

  10-05-2017 06:47
  
  BATON ROUGE - Taking aim at New Orleans, the Republican-controlled Louisiana House fell six votes short of advancing a bill to penalize so-called "sanctuary cities" that limit cooperation with immigration authorities.The measure by Republican Rep. Valarie Hodges would have fined sanctuary cities and stripped them of state funding. It needed 70 votes but only got 64. Thirty-two lawmakers were opposed.A two-thirds vote was required because the legislation included civil fines.Attorney General Jeff
  
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• Plaquemines Parish reaches $45 million settlement with BP over 2010 oil spill

  10-05-2017 06:25
  
  Plaquemines Parish has reached a $45 million settlement Tuesday with BP over the 2010 Oil Spill.Plaquemines Parish was one of the few that decided not to take part in the $20 billion settlement in 2015 over damages between BP and local, state and federal governments.The parish juts out into the Gulf of Mexico from the southeastern tip of Louisiana. Parts of its coastline were affected when the Deepwater Horizon offshore rig exploded in 2010.A news conference is expected Wednesday to discuss furt
  
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