Baton Rouge news

• Accused fraudulent contractor's wife says they will lift all liens on customers' properties

  07-06-2017 20:27
  BATON ROUGE - The wife of a contractor arrested on several counts of fraud across multiple parishes has released a statement on behalf of their company Wednesday.Matthew Morris is accused of taking advantage of victims of the August flood and placing liens on many of those victims' homes.In the statement sent from Morris' work email address, Ashely Morris says the contractor has decided to "lift all mechanics liens placed on homes or businesses" for money owed to Complete Const
  
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• Accused fraudulent contractor's wife says they will lift all liens on customers

  07-06-2017 20:27
  BATON ROUGE - The wife of a contractor arrested on several counts of fraud across multiple parishes has released a statement on behalf of their company Wednesday.Morris is accused of taking advantage of victims of the August flood and placing liens on many of those victims' homes.In the statement sent from Matthew Morris' work email address, Ashely Morris says the contractor has decided to "lift all mechanics liens placed on homes or businesses" for money owed to Complete Const
  
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• Mixed reaction to Sony's plan to release 'clean' edits of certain films

  07-06-2017 19:36
  LOS ANGELES - Imagine watching "Step Brothers" with the whole family. You might be able to now.Sony Pictures on Tuesday unveiled their Clean Version initiative, which makes available the less violent, salacious and profane broadcast television and airplane edits of certain movies when you purchase the regular title on a streaming service.Clean versions are available now for 24 films including "Step Brothers," ''Ghostbusters" and "White House Down."Third party services like ClearPlay and VidAngel
  
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• Juveniles with life sentences one step from gaining parole eligibility

  07-06-2017 18:11
  BATON ROUGE - Nearly all 10 criminal justice proposals backed by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards are now awaiting his signature, while the remaining proposal is one step away from final passage.The House on Wednesday approved two bills which are focused on easing the financial burdens ex-offenders face when they are released.The Senate then backed a conference committee's proposal to grant parole eligibility after 25 years to murderers who are serving life sentences for crimes they committed as
  
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• Bad gas found at Geismar station

  07-06-2017 17:50
  GEISMAR - Water was found in gasoline at Dutchtown Tiger Mart on Highway 73 in Geismar. The Department of Agriculture visited the location Tuesday and confirmed there had been water infiltration.Dutchtown Tiger Mart owner Chet Simpson says as of Wednesday evening 18 customers have been affected and in some cases, he's paid out of pocket to flush out their engines and clean their gas tanks."They sucked all 9,000 gallons out of the tank today," Simpson tells 2 On Your Side. "They're in the process
  
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• River and backwater flooding continue in Assumption Parish

  07-06-2017 17:37
  The National Weather Service in New Orleans has extended the FLOOD WARNING for Assumption Parish until at least Thursday afternoon. Emergency management officials continue to report flooding in areas near Belle River. Some locations that will experience flooding include Morgan City, Supreme, Labadieville and Pierre Part.Belle River at Pierre Part is believed to have reached a record high level. The Pierre Part Bay Bridge (LA-70) has been closed to boat traffic in an effort to avoid any electrica
  
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• Hammond motorcyclist killed in head-on crash near LA 22

  07-06-2017 17:25
  HAMMOND - Police say a motorcyclist was killed in a head-on crash on Pumpkin Center Road Wednesday morning.According to Louisiana State Police, 37-year-old Jason Spence of Hammond was traveling south on Pumpkin Center Road north of LA 22 around 6 a.m. Wednesday. It was at this time that a 2004 Toyota Sequoia driven by 51-year-old Lesley Dutreix crossed into the southbound lane and crashed head-on into Spence's 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle.Spence sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was p
  
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• Murder suspect's mom, girlfriend booked for lying to authorities

  07-06-2017 17:09
  
  BATON ROUGE – Two people have been arrested for lying to authorities about what they knew about a suspect connected to a murder investigation.Tranisha Hopes and Natasha Tate face obstruction of justice charges related to the search for Donte Tate. Donte Tate is one of three people authorities suspect had a role in the murder of Jonathan Besson, 29.Besson was murdered inside his apartment on South Sherwood Forest Monday morning.     > CLICK HERE to read
  
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• Saints to hold open practices during minicamp

  07-06-2017 16:44
  NEW ORLEANS – Saints fans will get a chance to see the team during open practices at minicamp later this month.The practices will run from June 13 – 15 at the team's practice facility in Metairie. There is no charge to view the practices.Below is the practice schedule:Tuesday, June 13:
  11:00 am – 1:20 pm Practice – (Open to the Public)Wednesday, June 14:
  11:00 am – 1:20 pm Practice – (Open to the Public)Thursday, June 15: 
  11:0
  
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• Judge: Man who tried to get Trump's tax returns wasn't coerced

  07-06-2017 16:30
  BATON ROUGE - A judge has rejected arguments that federal agents coerced a Louisiana private investigator into confessing that he tried to illegally obtain Donald Trump's tax returns before last year's presidential election.In a ruling filed Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Brady refused to suppress statements that Jordan Hamlett allegedly made to special agents from the FBI and U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration before his arrest on a charge he misused a Social Security
  
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• Angry man releases about 100 bed bugs at Maine city office

  07-06-2017 15:53
  AUGUSTA, Maine - A municipal office building in Maine has reopened after officials say a disgruntled man slammed a cup full of bedbugs on the counter, releasing about 100 of the pests.Augusta officials told that Kennebec Journal that exterminators are confident all the bedbugs were killed before the City Center building opened Monday.City development director Matt Nazar said a man came into the city's General Assistance office on Friday seeking help with bedbugs at his apartment. Nazar said the
  
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• 2 of remaining criminal justice proposals get final approval

  07-06-2017 14:56
  
  BATON ROUGE - Nine of the 10 criminal justice proposals backed by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards are now awaiting his signature.The House on Wednesday approved two of the remaining bills, which are focused on easing the financial burdens ex-offenders face when they're released.Representatives approved changes the Senate had made to a proposal to decrease fines, court fees and restitution if such payments would cause a "substantial financial hardship" for former offenders.Minutes later, legislat
  
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• Police: 2 Maryland teens found dead night before graduation

  07-06-2017 14:39
  MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, Md. - Two male teens are dead after police found them shot in a car in Maryland the night before their high school graduation.Montgomery County police identified the teens Tuesday as 17-year-old Shadi Adi Najjar and 18-year-old Artem Ziberov.Northwest High School Principal Jimmy D'Andrea says in a message to the community the Germantown teens scheduled to graduate Tuesday were "excellent students who had a positive impact on those around them."Police answered a report of shot
  
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• Louisiana Senate rejects House budget offer

  07-06-2017 14:18
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Senate has rejected the House's initial offer in negotiations over a final version of Louisiana's budget.Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur, a Ville Platte Democrat, said senators have notified House leaders that they won't accept it.The proposal, obtained by The Associated Press, is $50 million higher than the House's original proposal. But it would still remove dollars the Senate proposed to spend on health services, colleges, prisons, state police, the child welfare agency
  
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• Suspect in 2016 deputy slaying found competent for trial

  07-06-2017 14:10
  GRETNA - Court-appointed doctors say a man arrested in connection with the death of a Louisiana sheriff's deputy is competent to stand trial.New Orleans news outlets report that 20-year-old Jerman Neveaux was in court Wednesday.At the hearing in the suburban New Orleans city of Gretna, state district Judge Conn Regan expressed displeasure that the doctors' report wasn't given to defense attorneys until Tuesday afternoon. He granted a defense motion to submit more medical reports and set a new he
  
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• Sheriff's office warns of raised water levels in St. Mary Parish

  07-06-2017 14:06
  ST. MARY PARISH - The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office says a handful of homes in the area taking on water Wednesday afternoon.According to the sheriff's office, some homes are in danger of taking on water or receiving flood damage from the wakes of passing boats.The water travel advisory warns that anyone boating near homes should slow down and be mindful of any potential damage their wakes could cause.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Message from woman in texting suicide trial: 'It's my fault'

  07-06-2017 13:44
  TAUNTON, Mass. - A friend of a woman charged with using text messages to encourage her boyfriend to kill himself said in court the woman told her, "It's my fault."Michelle Carter is charged with manslaughter in the July 2014 death of 18-year-old Conrad Roy III, who died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his pickup. Carter was 17 at the time.Samantha Boardman was one of several of Carter's friends who testified Wednesday.Prosecutors say Carter sent text messages to Boardman saying, "I could have st
  
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• EBRSO: Man wanted for robbery in Perkins Rowe parking lot

  07-06-2017 13:39
  BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is searching for a man who allegedly robbed an employee in the parking lot of Perkins Rowe.The incident occurred on June 3 around 10 a.m. in the parking lot near the Orvis store.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, the victim said he was in the parking lot returning from the bank and a white Lexus was parked next to him. The car was occupied by two or three unknown black men.As the victim passed the vehicle, one of the
  
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• East Feliciana schools receive enhancement grant

  07-06-2017 13:13
  CLINTON - East Feliciana Parish is one of 12 Louisiana school districts to receive a five-year grant to improve student achievement in local schools.The Teacher Incentive Fund grand, awarded through the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, encourages enhancing the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders through classroom practices and structures."Our partnership with the NIET shows our commitment to improving the academic performance of all our students," Superintendent Carlos Sam
  
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• Train derailed on LA 1 in Port Allen; no injuries

  07-06-2017 12:50
  PORT ALLEN – Crews are responding to a derailed train on LA 1 at Avenue G in Port Allen.According to the Port Allen Police Department the train was not carrying anything hazardous. The train was carrying wood pellets. The Port Allen Fire Department says there are no reports of injuries. It appears that two of the train's cars tilted off of the tracks. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Tour the St. Jude Dream Home now; See videos, pictures here & buy your ticket!

  07-06-2017 12:50
  BATON ROUGE – Time is running out to secure a chance at winning the newest St. Jude Dream Home.Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by calling (800) 726-6409. All proceeds benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – a free hospital for ill children. There are many success stories in the Baton Rouge area of children who have been cured or are kept alive because of the research and treatment at the hospital.In addition to the Dream Home, a ticket doubles as a chance to
  
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• Louisiana House leaders want to pare spending in budget deal

  07-06-2017 12:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - House Republican leaders are asking senators to agree to remove more than $150 million they want to spend in Louisiana's budget next year. It's the House's initial offer in negotiations over a final version of the $28 billion-plus spending plan.The proposal, obtained by The Associated Press, would remove dollars the Senate proposed to spend on health services, colleges, prisons, state police and the child welfare agency. Without the money, agency leaders said they'd eliminate menta
  
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• Lawmakers partially 'ban the box' for college applications

  07-06-2017 12:15
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's public colleges and universities should have limited authority to ask prospective students about their criminal histories to determine admission, legislators have decided.
   The "ban the box" legislation received final passage, after adding some exceptions to the measure by Rep. Vincent Pierre, a Lafayette Democrat.
   Schools could ask about convictions for stalking, rape and sexual battery during the admissions process. If a potential student is denied
  
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• Audubon Zoo says bye to two endangered apes

  07-06-2017 08:22
  BATON ROUGE- Two of Audubon Zoo’s popular primates will be leaving New Orleans soon as part of a strategy forged with fellow accredited facilities of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population of gorillas and orangutans in human care. Species Survival Plans (SSPs) serve as a safeguard for animals facing extinction in the wild.Casey, a male western lowland silverback gorilla who came to Audubon in 2002, will be sent to the Louisv
  
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• Senators not told of Trump FBI pick beforehand

  07-06-2017 08:05
  WASHINGTON - The top two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee weren't told ahead of time that President Donald Trump would announce his pick to lead the FBI, lawyer Christopher Wray.A spokesman for Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said his office found out when Trump tweeted the news Wednesday morning.The panel's top Democrat, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, also wasn't told. She told reporters she needs time to review his credentials.The Judiciary panel oversees the FBI
  
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• President Trump asked to push back on Russia investigation

  07-06-2017 06:36
  
  WASHINGTON- President Donald Trump's national security team will appear before a Senate panel Wednesday to discuss gathering intelligence on foreign agents and will likely be asked about Russia's election meddling and whether the president has tried to influence ongoing investigations.The Senate intelligence committee will hear testimony from the former FBI Director James Comey the following day. Trump fired Comey in May.It has been reported Trump asked two of the witnesses to publicly state the
  
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• Denham Springs man accused of murder in death of massage therapist

  07-06-2017 06:16
  
  Christopher Landry is charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Kayla Ann Denham, 24.
  
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• Trump wishes Comey luck on testimony, president's allies to question lawman's credibility

  07-06-2017 03:50
  
  The White House and its allies are scrambling for ways to offset potential damage from fired FBI Director James Comey's highly anticipated congressional testimony, an appearance that could expose new details about his discussions with President Donald Trump about the federal investigation into Russia's election meddling.
  
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