Baton Rouge news

• No machine guns for Louisiana kids, House committee decides

  19-05-2017 23:20
  
  Sponsor reacting to accidental killing of Uzi instructor by 9-year-old girl; see the vote
  
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• STPSO recovers drowning victim at Slidell marina

  19-05-2017 21:58
  
  SLIDELL - The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office recovered the body of a person who drowned while swimming at a boat launch.STPSO deputies say their Special Operations division began searching for a subject who went swimming around 3:30 p.m. The body of the victim was recovered around 5:45 p.m.A witness told deputies the person went under the water and never came back up.The St. Tammany Parish Coroner will take the body and will release the subject's identity once the family is notified.Permali
  
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• Animal welfare agents find 61 cats inside NY home

  19-05-2017 20:45
  
  KENT, N.Y. - Animal welfare agents have found 61 living cats and nine dead ones inside a home in suburban New York.
   The Putnam County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals pulled the felines from the home in Kent Tuesday, according to the Journal News . Officials say the house was in "deplorable" condition.
   Investigators found dead cats throughout the home, cat urine and feces covering the floors and no food or clean water. There were 57 grown cats and four kittens
  
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• Witnesses: Man blocked from reaching cockpit

  19-05-2017 19:47
  
  HONOLULU - Two eyewitnesses say the man who caused a disruption on an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu on Friday did not make it to the cockpit door.
   Instead they say he was stopped by a flight attendant who had jammed her serving cart in the doorway that separates first class from coach.
   Lee and Penny Lorenzen of Orange County, California, were sitting in first class and saw a strange look on the flight attendant's face. The attendant then took off down
  
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• Inmate's body pulled from Mississippi River

  19-05-2017 19:20
  
  BELLE CHASSE - The body of an inmate who disappeared while working on a tugboat as part of a work release program has been pulled from the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish.
   The sheriff's office identified the man found Thursday as 30-year-old Andrew Vargas, of Hockley, Texas. NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune reports Vargas' body was discovered floating in the river, just north of Belle Chasse.
   Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Chaun Domingue says an autopsy determined Vargas died of
  
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• Authorities looking for gun in boy's killing

  19-05-2017 18:01
  
  GLUCKSTADT - Authorities are looking for a gun in the killing of a 6-year-old Mississippi boy.District Attorney Michael Guest said Friday that authorities are seeking the weapon but are confident they have enough evidence against the three teen suspects to proceed without it.Officials say the teens killed the boy after stealing his mother's car. They face capital murder charges and are set for initial court appearances Monday morning. For now, they are jailed without bail in Madison County, just
  
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• Family questions man's spending, illness

  19-05-2017 17:43
  
  BATON ROUGE - A family is looking for help after their loved one went on a spending spree ahead of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia. The family argues Anthony Corona was unfit then and now they're stuck with a huge bill.With a love for the outdoors and a need to buy an ATV for hunting with easy accessibility, Corona walked into Friendly Honda Yamaha on Airline Highway in May 2016 to make a purchase. His family says he intended to spend no more than $10,000 but ended up with a b
  
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• Run, motorcycle race fundraiser to be held for injured EBRSO deputies

  19-05-2017 17:33
  
  BATON ROUGE – The Reserve Deputies and Officers Foundation will hold a fundraiser to benefit East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Cpl. Nick Tullier and Sgt. Bruce Simmons, who were shot during an ambush in July 2016.The foundation is holding a One Mile Deputy Dash and a Motorman 5K. The races will start at 8 a.m. on May 20 at Zachary High School located at 4100 Bronco Lane.Both Tullier and Simmons are assigned to the traffic division of the sheriff's office as motormen responsible for pat
  
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• Parkview Baptist head baseball coach retiring

  19-05-2017 17:18
  
  BATON ROUGE - Parkview Baptist School's head baseball coach is stepping away from the plate.School officials announced Darron Mitchell is retiring from his role as head baseball coach.Mitchell led the Eagles to six district titles, two state runner up titles in 2012 and 2015, and one State Championship title in 2013.Mitchell served a total of 22 years teaching and coaching. School officials say Mitchell will continue his role as assistant athletic director, as well as other administrative respon
  
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• After Alton Sterling shooting, legislation requires more police training

  19-05-2017 17:12
  
  Bias recognition, sudden in-custody deaths, crisis intervention are new topics
  
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• Blood donations needed before Memorial Day

  19-05-2017 16:44
  
  BATON ROUGE – United Blood Services is urging the community to donate blood in preparation of Memorial Day weekend.According to the blood services agency, there is a 20 percent decline in blood donations.Those who wish to donate can do so May 21-31 for entry to win a pair of tickets to see Garth Brooks on June 24 at the Cajundome. Donors will also receive a t-shirt.Individuals can donate at United Blood Services donor center located at 8234 One Calais near I-10 and Es
  
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• Outreach sessions for homeowners to finish flood-damage survey

  19-05-2017 15:39
  
  BATON ROUGE – Homeowners who still need to complete the flood-damage survey will have the opportunity to attend outreach events to receive assistance from program representatives.The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program encourages homeowners to complete the survey, even if they do not believe they will qualify for assistance. Homeowners may qualify as more funding becomes available.The following outreach events will be held for homeowners interested in compl
  
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• Another 18-wheeler crash closed I-10 E into Baton Rouge Friday

  19-05-2017 15:39
  
  PORT ALLEN - Eastbound I-10 closed due to an 18-wheeler crash Friday afternoon.The driver of the 18-wheeler hit a pickup truck pulling a crawfish catering trailer. The driver of the 18-wheeler has been cited with careless operation of a motor vehicle. The wreck happened just before Port Allen.  Traffic backed up into Iberville Parish.According to sources, one person was transported from the scene with moderate injuries.  Eight other people involved chose not t
  
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• Louisiana State Police holds annual awards ceremony

  19-05-2017 14:56
  
  BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State Police held its 2017 awards ceremony on Friday to honor Troopers, public safety personnel and civilians for performing above the call of duty.The award ceremony was held at the Louisiana State Police Training Academy on Independence Boulevard. Award recipients represented examples of bravery, dedication and exceptional work ethic.Awards presented are as follows:Lifesaving Award – Awarded for any act which results in saving or sustaining the life
  
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• Alabama lawmakers approve Confederate monument protections

  19-05-2017 14:29
  
  MONTGOMERY - Alabama lawmakers have voted to prohibit any alterations to Confederate monuments or markers. With a vote of 69-29, the House accepted final revisions Friday and sent the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. Thursday's Senate vote was 25-8.The bill would prohibit the removal of monuments installed more than 40 years ago. A new state commission would grant or deny permission for changes to monuments, markers, streets and school names standing for at least 20 years.Black lawmakers objected througho
  
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• Mattis: Military solution to NKorea would be 'tragic'

  19-05-2017 14:23
  
  WASHINGTON - Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis says a military solution to the standoff with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program would be "tragic on an unbelievable scale."Mattis says the North's latest missile test showed it wasn't heeding cautions from the international community. But he stressed the need for a peaceful resolution by working through the U.N. and with countries including China.Mattis told reporters Friday that North Korea "probably learned a lot" from last weekend's laun
  
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• Trump embarks on trip without naming FBI chief

  19-05-2017 14:08
  
  WASHINGTON - The president did not announce his pick for FBI director before leaving Friday on his first foreign trip. President Donald Trump has been narrowing a short list and interviewing candidates to replace FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump fired on May 9.Trump boarded Air Force One Friday without making any comment about the future leadership of the law enforcement agency.Trump had said Thursday he was "very close" to naming a replacement and that former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman
  
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• Cop acquitted in death to return to duty Monday

  19-05-2017 13:28
  
  TULSA, Okla. - An attorney for a white Oklahoma police officer acquitted in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man plans to return to work Monday.Shannon McMurray says Tulsa officer Betty Jo Shelby will be back after the police chief announced her return to duty, although she won't be allowed on street patrol.Jurors acquitted Shelby on Wednesday of first-degree manslaughter in the death of 40-year-old Terence Crutcher. She had been on unpaid leave since Sept. 22.The district attorne
  
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• School district: BR business used racial slurs at students during trip

  19-05-2017 13:22
  
  ST. HELENA – The St. Helena Parish School District has accused staff at a Baton Rouge recreation center of using racial slurs to describe students during a field trip.According to the complaint letter, the school district says the incident happened Wednesday at the Area 51 Extreme Air Sports facility in Baton Rouge. The letter says “one or more” staff members used racial slurs to describe students from the St. Helena Arts & Technology Academy during the visit.&a
  
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• Family of musician Chris Cornell disputes he killed himself

  19-05-2017 13:17
  
  DETROIT - The family of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell is disputing "inferences that Chris knowingly and intentionally" killed himself.The family said in a statement that without toxicology tests completed, they can't be sure what led to his death, or if any substances were involved. According to lawyer Kirk Pasich, Cornell had a prescription for the anti-anxiety drug Ativan, which he said has various side effects.The musician was found dead in his Detroit hotel room Wednesday after performi
  
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• Report: New Orleans street performer accused of 1974 Jacksonville murder

  19-05-2017 13:05
  
  NEW ORLEANS – A street performer in the French Quarter is accused of an out of state murder that took place more than 40 years ago, WWL reports.The New Orleans Police Department arrested 60-year-old Johnie Lewis Miller, known as Uncle Louie. Miller is believed to be connected with a murder that occurred in 1974 in Jacksonville, Florida.Miller has performed as a human statue in the French Quarter for decades. According to WWL, Miller is known for wearing an Uncle Sam costume.Pe
  
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• Boat wreck reported on Amite River Friday

  19-05-2017 13:02
  
  BATON ROUGE – Wildlife and Fisheries agents responded to a reported boat wreck in the Amite River around lunch Friday.Specific details are unavailable, a spokesperson with the state game warden bureau said he'd be releasing details shortly. Authorities from surrounding parishes confirmed, though, the state was working a situation on the river.Agents were dispatched to a reported boat having overturned on the Amite near where the river meets Claycut Bayou. The nearest landmark
  
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• Mayor's message on muckraking hatred

  19-05-2017 12:56
  
  BATON ROUGE – In an unusual message emailed to media outlets Friday, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome chastised people who, she said, are attempting to fuel divisiveness in the community.It's not clear exactly what prompted the mayor's remarks, but twice she referenced people or media outlets that “attempt to take us down a path of strife and contentiousness.” The mayor's letter comes a few weeks after the city was on edge over expected fallout following a federal investi
  
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• Man pleads guilty to sex trafficking 15-year-old girl

  19-05-2017 12:08
  
  NEW ORLEANS - A man has admitted to transporting a 15-year-old girl between New Orleans and Baton Rouge to solicit sex.Media outlets report acting U.S. Attorney Corey Amundson says in a statement that 26-year-old Udraka Roberts-Bey pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiring to engage in the sex trafficking of a minor. He was indicted in July 2016 by a federal grand jury.According to the statement Roberts-Bey transported the juvenile between Baton Rouge and New Orleans to engage in commercial sex
  
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• Anthony Weiner to plead guilty in sexting case

  19-05-2017 09:12
  
  NEW YORK - A law enforcement official says former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of transferring obscene material to a minor.
  The former congressman is expected to enter the plea Friday.The official wasn't authorized to speak about the plea bargain because the criminal charges had yet to be filed publicly with the court and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.The FBI began investigating Weiner in September after a 15-year-old North Ca
  
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• US-Turkish ties hit rough patch after rough Erdogan visit

  19-05-2017 07:08
  
  WASHINGTON - An unseemly incident during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent visit to Washington is adding to U.S.-Turkish tensions.The U.S. says it summoned Turkey's ambassador to the State Department to raise concerns about Erdogan's security detail, seen on video violently breaking up a protest earlier this week outside the Turkish ambassador's residence.Still, the Trump administration is facing growing calls to respond even more forcefully. The U.S. concedes that it released two
  
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• Kobe Bryant dishes an assist to test-weary high schoolers

  19-05-2017 06:59
  
  INDIANAPOLIS - Kobe Bryant has come through with an assist for some high school students in Indiana by getting them out of a final exam.William Pate is a student at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. He told Bryant on Twitter that if the retired NBA superstar gave him a retweet, the students wouldn't have to take a final exam.Pate included a picture of himself and his teacher shaking on the deal. Bryant came through on Thursday, quoting Pate's request and adding a note , "Hope you have an A
  
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• Trump denies asking Comey to shelve Flynn probe

  19-05-2017 06:53
  
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has responded with a direct "no, no" to a question about whether he asked former FBI Director James Comey to shelve an investigation into his former national security adviser.Trump also was questioned Thursday over revelations that he had shared secrets with the Russians. He denied this as well.Comey associates this week revealed the existence of a memo Comey wrote after his Feb. 14 meeting with Trump in which he says the president asked him to shut down the F
  
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• Man charged with murder after NY vehicle carnage

  19-05-2017 06:49
  
  NEW YORK - A man accused of steering his car onto one of the busiest sidewalks in the U.S. and mowing down pedestrians has been charged with murder and attempted murder.The New York Police Department says 26-year-old Richard Rojas, of the Bronx, was charged late Thursday with second-degree murder, 20 counts of attempted murder and aggravated vehicular homicide.Police say he drove his car for three blocks in Times Square, hitting nearly two dozen people before steel security barriers finally stop
  
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• Trump denies trying to kill FBI probe, decries 'witch hunt'; Car mows down pedestrians in Times Square (10 Things to Know for Friday)

  19-05-2017 06:15
  
  Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Friday.
  
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• Metairie man shot dead by police in Ala. was 'fidgeting around' in car, authorities say

  19-05-2017 04:35
  
  The Major Crimes Unit with the Daphne Police Department in Baldwin County released a screenshot image of dash cam footage on Thursday (May 18) taken during the shooting.
  
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• Michigan woman killed in Times Square crash recalled as 'terrific young lady'

  19-05-2017 02:25
  
  "She was thoughtful. She was bright. She was engaging when you talked with her," Principal Eric Albertus said of crash victim Alyssa Elsman.
  
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• Robert E. Lee: A brief history of the general atop the Confederate monument

  19-05-2017 00:32
  
  He remains the most respected and enduring face of the Old South
  
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