Baton Rouge news

• Report: Mueller probe looking at obstruction

  14-06-2017 21:12
  
  WASHINGTON - The Washington Post is reporting that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election is now examining whether President Donald Trump tried to obstruct justice.Accusations of obstruction arose last month when Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. Comey testified in a Senate hearing last week that he believed he was fired "because of the Russia investigation."Comey also testifed he told Trump he was not
  
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• Cosby jurors wrap up Day 3 without verdict

  14-06-2017 21:10
  
  NORRISTOWN, Pa. - The jury in Bill Cosby's sex assault trial is going home for the night after failing to reach a verdict on the third day of deliberations.
   The panel decided to stop Wednesday night after revisiting a police interview where the comedian acknowledged giving accuser Andrea Constand pills and fondling her at his suburban Philadelphia estate.
   They'll resume Thursday morning.
   The 79-year-old Cosby is facing three felony indecent assault charges that coul
  
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• Metro Council passes controversial Council on Aging tax

  14-06-2017 20:53
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Metro Council has approved a controversial property tax that will benefit the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging.The tax was first passed by parish voters in November 2016 to be put up for approval by the council. The tax is a 2.25 mill property tax for 10 years that would create more than $7 million annually to operate the organization's programs that assist the elderly.Programs that would benefit from the tax are programs such as Meals on Wheels, wellness
  
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• President Trump pays surprise visit to hospital treating Congressman Scalise

  14-06-2017 19:52
  
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is making a surprise visit to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where Rep. Steve Scalise is being treated for his injuries following Wednesday's shooting at a Republican congressional baseball practice.  The president and first lady Melania Trump brought two bouquets of white flowers to the hospital.  MedStar Washington said in a tweet Wednesday afternoon that Scalise "was critically injured and remains in critical conditi
  
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• $115,000 for info leading to escapees' arrest

  14-06-2017 19:49
  
  A Georgia sheriff says the reward is now $115,000 for information leading to arrests of two inmates who killed two guards and escaped from a prison bus.  Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills says in a brief email to The Associated Press that "many significant contributions" boosted the reward from $70,000.  Authorities say 43-year-old Donnie Russell Rowe and 24-year-old Ricky Dubose have stolen at least two vehicles for their getaway.  The firs
  
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• Police official IDs UPS warehouse shooter

  14-06-2017 19:44
  
  SAN FRANCISCO - A San Francisco police department official has identified the gunman who opened fire at a UPS warehouse in the city as Jimmy Lam.  The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.  The official said Lam is from San Francisco, but had no immediate details on his background. The official noted the name is a common one in the San Francisco Bay Area, so finding information about the corre
  
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• 39-day, weekends-only recreational red snapper season

  14-06-2017 19:40
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Commerce Department says recreational anglers in the Gulf of Mexico will have 39 more days to fish federal waters for red snapper, a popular catch that's still recovering from nearly disastrous overfishing.  Gulf state officials praised the decision to reopen the federal season off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida for three-day weekends through Labor Day, plus three holidays.  However, an environmental group and a chart
  
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• Trump picks ambassadors to Canada, Costa Rica

  14-06-2017 19:11
  
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has made his picks for U.S. ambassador to Canada and Costa Rica.  Trump intends to nominate Kelly Knight Craft of Kentucky to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Canada.  The prominent Republican donor and fundraiser previously served as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations.  Trump will also nominate former Republican National Committee co-chair Sharon Day to serve as U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica. &n
  
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• Contractor accused of fraud says, it's 'not the complete truth'

  14-06-2017 17:58
  
  BATON ROUGE - A contractor facing fraud charges in three parishes went before the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Wednesday morning.Michael Simmers with TWG LLC stepped in front of a podium prepared to address alleged violations against him, but his hearing has been postponed."My lawyer resigned Monday morning," he said.Simmers has the right to legal representation and will reappear before the board July 19. In the meantime, he's still licensed.Some violations Simmers will appear
  
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• Arrest warrant issued after arson determined in deadly house fire

  14-06-2017 17:42
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for a man whose estranged girlfriend was killed in a house fire last month.Police say 35-year-old Edward Allen is suspected of setting a house fire that claimed the life of 32-year-old Amanda Korkosz. According to the warrant, the investigation revealed that Allen used liquid accelerant to set a fire inside the living room while four people were inside the home.&
  
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• LSU to enter into contract with company to grow medical marijuana

  14-06-2017 17:23
  
  BATON ROUGE – LSU has requested its board of supervisors to approve the university to enter into a contract with a company to produce medical marijuana. The company chosen by the university is GB Sciences, Inc. Seven businesses, including GB Sciences, Inc. submitted offers to produce medical marijuana for Louisiana through LSU. The marijauana growing operation is estimated to cost $10 million and will be paid by the contractor. "We're looking for somebody who
  
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• LSU Ag Center selects company to grow medical marijuana

  14-06-2017 17:23
  
  BATON ROUGE – The LSU AgCenter has requested its board of supervisors to approve the university to enter into a contract with a company to produce medical marijuana. The company chosen by the university is GB Sciences, Inc. Seven businesses, including GB Sciences, Inc. submitted offers to produce medical marijuana for Louisiana through LSU. The marijuana growing operation is estimated to cost $10 million and will be paid by the contractor. 
  GB Scienc
  
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• Louisiana House passes $28 billion-plus budget

  14-06-2017 17:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - With the narrowest vote, lawmakers in the Louisiana House spurned their GOP leaders and backed a $28 billion-plus operating budget that would use every dollar forecast to be available for spending.  The vote was a blow to House Republican leaders who wanted to withhold $100 million from the spending bill, in anticipation that Louisiana's income predictions are too optimistic.  The House decision was a victory for Gov. John Bel Edwards.“
  
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• Suspect in custody after possible hostage situation in North Baton Rouge

  14-06-2017 15:54
  
  BATON ROUGE – One man is in custody after a possible hostage situation that occurred on Wednesday afternoon on Madison Avenue. A team of tactical police officers secured the area due to a threatening situation reported to law enforcement just after 3 p.m. Wednesday.Baton Rouge Police, which had its SWAT unit dispatched to Madison Avenue at North Foster Drive, says it was called to the scene in reference to a domestic incident. A WBRZ news crew recorded pictures of the SWAT uni
  
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• Judge weighing if Black Lives Matter can be sued

  14-06-2017 15:54
  
  BATON ROUGE - A federal judge says he expects to rule "within the coming days" whether Black Lives Matter can be sued by a Louisiana police officer who was injured at a protest after a deadly police shooting.  U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson didn't rule from the bench Wednesday after hearing arguments on whether to dismiss a Baton Rouge police officer's lawsuit against Black Lives Matter and activist DeRay Mckesson.  Mckesson's attorney, William Gibbens, cla
  
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• Lawmakers to wear LSU colors in charity ball game to honor Congressman Scalise

  14-06-2017 15:49
  
  ALEXANDRIA, VA - Lawmakers will be wearing LSU's purple and gold colors as they participate in Thursday's Congressional Baseball Game for charity.According to ABC News, both Republicans and Democrats participating in the game will don Louisiana State University's colors as they battle it out in the historic charity ball game.The sudden uniform swap is meant to honor Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise, who remains in critical condition after he was shot in Virginia Wed
  
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• Video captures moment gunman fired on Scalise, GOP baseball team

  14-06-2017 15:27
  
  ALEXANDRIA, VI - A new video has been posted online which captures the moment a gunman opened fire on La. Congressman Steve Scalise and others at a GOP baseball practice in Virginia Wednesday.The shooting occurred Wednesday morning as Scalise and other Republicans were attending practice for the GOP Baseball team's upcoming charity game against Democratic lawmakers.As the men were on baseball field, gunman James Hodgkinson fired several shots, striking Congressman Scal
  
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• Saints superfan Jarrius Robertson to receive award at ESPYS

  14-06-2017 14:40
  
  New Orleans Saints superfan Jarrius "JJ" Roberston will be honored at The 25th ESPYS with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award on July 12. Robertson, who is 15 years old, has been battling a chronic liver disease called biliary atresia. Saints players met Robertson during a visit to the Ochsner Hospital for Children in 2015 and since the, he has been dubbed the official "hype man" and social media master for the team. He has inspired fans with his dance moves, cheerful attitude and inspiring
  
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• Man charged in shooting of 2 at Mississippi Waffle House

  14-06-2017 14:28
  
  UPELO, Miss. - A man has been charged in connection with the shooting of two people in a Waffle House parking lot in Mississippi.  The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports 24-year-old Nicholas Pack, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault Tuesday in connection with Sunday's shooting. One victim was shot four times and is on life support. Tupelo Deputy Police Chief Allan Gilbert described the second victim, who was shot once, as an innocent bystander.&a
  
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• WBRSO seeks missing Brusly man with mental illness

  14-06-2017 14:13
  
  BRUSLY - The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help as it searches for a missing Brusly man.The sheriff's office says 46-year-old Cedric Davis was last seen leaving his home Friday. He was wearing a yellow t-shirt and blue jeans.Deputies say Davis suffers from a mental illness and requires medical treatment.If anyone has seen Cedric or knows his whereabouts, they are asked to call the West Baton Rouge Sheriff Office at 225-343-9234 .Permalink| Comment
  
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• WBRSO locates missing Brusly man

  14-06-2017 14:13
  
  BRUSLY - The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office has safely located a man who went missing Friday. The sheriff's office says 46-year-old Cedric Davis went missing after he left his home Friday. A search for David went underway until he was found Wednesday afternoon.Deputies say friends were concerned since Davis suffers from a mental illness and required medical treatment.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Missing Brusly man found safe

  14-06-2017 14:13
  
  BRUSLY - The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office has located a man who went missing Friday. The sheriff's office says 46-year-old Cedric Davis went missing after he left his home Friday. A search for David went underway until he was found Wednesday afternoon.Deputies say friends were concerned since Davis suffers from a mental illness and required medical treatment.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Sheriff's office warns residents of kidnapping scam in West Feliciana

  14-06-2017 13:42
  
  WEST FELICIANA – The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a phone scam that tries to convince victims that a child in their family has been kidnapped and will be harmed unless a ransom is paid. The scammer will call from an unfamiliar number and claims that they have the victim's child or grandchild. According to the sheriff's office, some victims reported hearing children screaming in the background. One victim stated that they received a ca
  
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• EBRSO: Man bound with electrical cables, cars stolen in armed robbery

  14-06-2017 13:37
  
  BATON ROUGE - Deputies arrested a man Tuesday after he allegedly robbed a victim at gunpoint inside of his own home and fled the scene in a stolen sports car.The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office first responded to the robbery on June 4, at a home on Landis Drive.The victim says he was approached outside of his home by 27-year-old Donnie Cavalier and another unidentified male. The two men then forced the victim inside at gunpoint and tied him up with electrical cables.Once the
  
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• Shooting at San Francisco UPS center, police say

  14-06-2017 13:35
  
  SAN FRANCISCO - A UPS spokesman says four people were injured in a shooting at a package delivery facility in San Francisco and that the shooter was an employee.  UPS spokesman Steve Gaut said Wednesday that he believed the shooter "turned the gun on himself" but did not have additional information.  He said the four victims were taken to a hospital but didn't know their conditions.A witness says he heard at least five gunshots and saw UPS drivers running down
  
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• East Baton Rouge EMS receives award from American Heart Association

  14-06-2017 13:09
  
  BATON ROUGE – East Baton Rouge Emergency Medical Services was honored by the American Heart Association for exemplary service. The agency was awarded the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifetime EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction, which is the deadliest type of heart attack caused by blockage
  
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• Rio de Janeiro Olympics cost $13.1 billion

  14-06-2017 12:04
  
  RIO DE JANEIRO - An analysis by The Associated Press shows that the cost of putting on last year's Rio de Janeiro Olympic was $13.1 billion.
   At a news conference Wednesday, officials of Brazil's Public Authority for Olympic Legacy said the cost for only "sports-related venues" was 7.23 billion reals ($2.06 billion). In addition, the Rio organizing committee previously listed the costs of running the Games at 9 billion reals ($2.8 billion).
   The Olympic legacy body did not acco
  
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• North Carolina man fell into Yellowstone hot spring, burned

  14-06-2017 12:01
  
  MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. - A 21-year-old North Carolina man has suffered severe burns after falling into a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park.
   Park officials say Gervais Dylan Gatete of Raleigh, an employee of park concessionaire Xanterra Parks and Resorts, fell into a spring in the Lower Geyser Basin on Tuesday.
   Gatete was with seven other people when he fell. He was taken by ambulance to West Yellowstone, Montana, and was flown to the University of Utah Hospital in Sa
  
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• BREAKING: Deadly officer-involved shooting on S. Acadian

  14-06-2017 11:13
  
  BATON ROUGE -Louisiana State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left the passenger of a car dead after a traffic stop.Around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, a Baton Rouge Police Officer pulled the driver of a car over in the 1200 block of S. Acadian Thruway just south of Claycut Rd."During the course of that traffic stop, the passenger exited the vehicle holding a gun, and the officer fired on that passenger," LSP Trooper Bryan Lee said.The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene
  
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• Lawmakers at State Capitol disturbed about D.C. shooting, Some events canceled

  14-06-2017 09:30
  
  BATON ROUGE – State lawmakers were rattled with news of the shooting of U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise Wednesday.Scalise, the House Majority Whip, represents Louisiana's New Orleans-area congressional district and was a former member of both the Louisiana State House and Senate. His colleagues in various levels of government expressed their concern Wednesday morning. Click HERE to read remarks.At the State Capitol, talk of the state budget was overshadowed by chatter of the shooting ea
  
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• Officials release comments about D.C. shooting that injured La.'s Scalise

  14-06-2017 08:59
  
  BATON ROUGE – Louisiana officials responded to the Washtington D.C. shooting that wounded Congressman Steve Scalise of New Orleans with messages of shock and concern Wednesday.     > LISTEN: Cong. Garret Graves (Baton Rouge) discusses the shooting with WBRZ.  Hear it HERE.Rep. Scalise's office"This morning, at a practice for the Congressional Baseball Game, Whip Scalise was shot in the hip. He was transported to MedStar Washington Hos
  
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• 6 dead after massive fire in London

  14-06-2017 06:45
  
  LONDON (AP) - London's Metropolitan Police say six people have died in the devastating fire that engulfed a west London apartment block. Police say the number is expected to rise. Police commander Stuart Cundy says he can "confirm six fatalities at this time but this figure is likely to rise during what will be a complex recovery operation over a number of days." Cundy says many others are receiving medical care. Some 50 people are being treated in hospitals after a massive fire set a 24-story a
  
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• TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash blocks lane on Mississippi River Bridge

  14-06-2017 05:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - News 2's Ashley Fruge’ has you covered with live updates for your Wednesday 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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