Baton Rouge news

• Disaster help OK'd for Harvey-hit cities

  04-09-2017 21:28
  HOUSTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's request for Community Disaster Loan assistance for parts of the state hard-hit by Harvey.  Abbott revealed the grant approval in a Monday message posted to his Twitter page.  Texas cities struggling to recover from the storm can obtain loans to help keep their operating budgets intact and full operations functioning while the cities focus on reconstruction.Permalink| Commen
  
  Read more

• About 560,000 families register for housing help

  04-09-2017 21:01
  HOUSTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it has about 560,000 families registered for its housing assistance program.  That comes from John Long, deputy federal coordinating officer of the agency.  FEMA spokeswoman Tiana Suber says if those people's homes are found to be uninhabitable or inaccessible for an extended time, they may qualify for the agency's Transitional Shelter Assistance. Some will qualify for short-term hotel lodging at FEMA exp
  
  Read more

• Crews set to draw down False River

  04-09-2017 20:47
  NEW ROADS - False River is the jewel of Pointe Coupee Parish. But some say the fish aren't biting like they used to.New Roads native Derick Fountian has been fishing this lake all of his life."It used to be an awesome fishery, but over the years it's went down," Fountian said.Fountian says the fishing improved the last time the water level was drawn down."It was pretty hard fishing before the draw down, but I see a big difference. We're catching a lot more fish," Fountian said.Beginning on Tues
  
  Read more

• NYPD officer helps deliver a baby in apartment, for 2nd time

  04-09-2017 20:25
  NEW YORK - When a New York City police officer helped a woman give birth in an apartment bathroom, it wasn't the first time the officer helped deliver a baby on the job.  New York Police Department Officer Doris Vega and partner Timothy Canniff were called to a Bronx apartment around 3 a.m. Monday. They found a 30-year-old woman in the midst of giving birth, standing up.  Vega says they guided the woman to the floor and helped her complete the delivery safely
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Death toll from Harvey reaches at least 60

  04-09-2017 20:07
  HOUSTON - Officials now blame at least 60 deaths on Harvey after the storm dumped many feet of rain on several counties in a matter of days.  Many of those deaths were people drowning in flash floods or water-logged roads. But county emergency management departments across southeast Texas tell The Associated Press they are including people in their storm-related death totals who died from indirect complications of Harvey.  The huge dump of water loosened the
  
  Read more

• Churchgoers hold car wash to raise funds for Harvey victims

  04-09-2017 17:45
  BATON ROUGE - People spent their day off helping to raise money and gather items for Texas victims of Hurricane Harvey. One group of eighth graders, their friends and siblings spent Monday washing cars for free and collecting donations. The group stationed at Jefferson Baptist Church set up stations for cars to come get their vehicles washed and scrubbed as the group makes a difference geared with just soap suds, sponges and water hoses. “I thought it would be good t
  
  Read more

• Arrest made in Zachary campus threat case

  04-09-2017 17:43
  ZACHARY – A student at the public high school here is facing charges for a threat made against the school.Police said they made the arrest last week. School officials advised parents and students about the arrest.The student warned of an unsubstantiated threat related to the school day on the Tuesday after the Labor Day holiday. Police were notified about the situation by school officials, investigated the situation and made the arrest.“[Zachary Police] does not feel there a
  
  Read more

• "Thuggin it and Lovin' it" actor murdered over the weekend

  04-09-2017 16:41
  BATON ROUGE - An actor featured in the violent video "Thuggin it and Lovin' It" was murdered over the weekend according to District Attorney Hillar Moore.
  Investigators said Warren Jackson also known as "Rambo" was killed after an argument with Randy Orange. In 2009, Jackson was featured in a violent video that had the community in an uproar. 'Thuggin it and Lovin' it' featured big guns, what appeared to be drugs and bad behavior on the streets of Baton Rouge.
  "It was 2009 or so that s
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• One-year-old dies trapped inside burning New Orleans home

  04-09-2017 14:53
  NEW ORLEANS - Fire officials in New Orleans say a 1-year-old child is dead after becoming trapped inside a burning house.  The fire was reported just before 5:30 a.m. Monday on the 8800 block of Birch Street. New Orleans Fire Department Deputy Superintendent Roman Nelson said the home was completely destroyed and flames spread to the houses next door on either side.  Nola.com | The Times Picayune reports smoke alarms woke a woman inside the house whe
  
  Read more

• Broussard boy killed in crash with boat on Louisiana lake

  04-09-2017 14:46
  CAMERON - An 11-year-old boy is dead and another boy is injured following a head-on collision between a personal watercraft and a boat on a Louisiana lake.  The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said in a news release that the deadly crash happened Saturday on Lake Calcasieu in Cameron Parish. It said Griffin LeBlanc of Broussard was operating a personal watercraft with another 11-year-old boy as a passenger when they steered into the path of a 22-foot boat.&n
  
  Read more

• Power outages causing heavy congestion on Siegen Lane

  04-09-2017 14:28
  BATON ROUGE - Traffic is backing up in all directions near Siegen Lane at I-10 due to multiple reported power outages. Entergy's outage map shows about 300 residences without power.The heaviest congestion appears to be within Siegen Marketplace and directly under the interstate. Witnesses say traffic lights are not working correctly, adding to the congestion. It is unknown what caused the power outage or when power will be restored to the ar
  
  Read more

• ABC News: Lobbyist shot at congressional baseball practice walks through the scene

  04-09-2017 13:53
  ALEXANDRIA, Virginia - The lobbyist who was shot multiple times earlier this year when a gunman opened fire at lawmakers practicing for a charity baseball game spoke out, recounting the harrowing scene of the shooting when, he says, "Time stopped, it just stopped.""I could see his eyes and the gun, but that was it," Matt Mika, 38, said in an exclusive interview with "Good Morning America," of the moment he saw the gunman, adding, "After that, I was like, 'I've got to get out of here. I've got t
  
  Read more

• Mike VII handlers ask visitors to not bring stuffed animals, pets

  04-09-2017 13:16
  BATON ROUGE - Plush versions of Mike VII have been flying off of shelves at the LSU Sports Shop, but now Mike's handlers are asking the public not to bring them near the habitat."We didn't realize that stuffed animals were an issue," said the Walker family, who had just purchased three stuffed Mikes.
  Since Mike is still a cub, he is extremely playful and reacts to everything around him."Actually I've seen him -- just a few days ago -- he was playing with a little kid, so I can imagine for an an
  
  Read more

• Crews responding to utility vehicle accident on Nicholson Dr.

  04-09-2017 13:16
  BATON ROUGE - Crews are responding to an accident involving a utility vehicle on Nicholson Drive near Oklahoma Street. Sources say a car hit a pole, ripping it out of place. Power is out in the area. No word on how the accident occurred or if there are any injuries. A WBRZ News 2 Crew is en route to the scene.This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Belle Chasse man charged in fatal Plaquemines crash

  04-09-2017 12:48
  PLAQUEMINES PARISH - Louisiana State Police say they have arrested the driver of a truck involved in a fatal crash on LA 23 Sunday night. Troopers say 68-year-old Carol Sylve of Belle Chasse was backing out of a private drive onto LA 23. As the truck was in reverse, it backed into the right lane striking a motorcycle driven by 31-year-old Troy Sino of Meraux. Sino was ejected from the motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorit
  
  Read more

• Cajun Airlift flies medicine, supplies to Harvey victims

  04-09-2017 12:29
  BATON ROUGE- More than twenty-five pilots associated with the Cajun Airlift have donated time and gas money to victims of Hurricane Harvey, according to the group's organizer.Christina Massina, an air traffic controller in the New Orleans area says her group plans to keep making air deliveries as long as flood waters in Texas and southwest Louisiana leave communities cut off."We put out the call and the response from pilots wanting to help has been amazing," Massina said.Monday, two pi
  
  Read more

• Man dies after running into flames at Burning Man festival

  04-09-2017 12:08
  BLACK ROCK DESERT, Nevada - Authorities are investigating the death of a man who died of his injuries a few hours after he rushed past layers of security officers into a massive fire at the Burning Man festival's signature ceremony.  Late Saturday night, Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, broke through a two-layer security perimeter during the Man Burn event in which a giant, wooden effigy is set ablaze.  Nevada's Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen estimated that ther
  
  Read more

• EBRSO now investigating body found in Miss. River near Plaquemine

  04-09-2017 09:00
  PLAQUEMINE - An investigation is underway in Iberville Parish after a body was found floating in the Mississippi River Monday morning.Plaquemine Police say individuals on a tugboat spotted the body and called authorities.Police Chief Kenny Payne said the body is not that of the Zachary work release inmate who killed his lover last weekend. "The tattoos do not match," he said. The water has tampered with the body making facial recognition difficult. The East B
  
  Read more

• Body located near Plaquemine floating in water

  04-09-2017 09:00
  PLAQUEMINE - An investigation is underway in Iberville Parish after a body was found floating in the Mississippi River Monday morning.Plaquemine Police say individuals on a tugboat spotted the body and called authorities.Iberville Sheriff Brett Stassi said "They will be contacting areas north of us to see if there is someone that matches the description."
  The Iberville Parish Coroner's Office will be working to identify the person found.This is a developing story, check back for update
  
  Read more

• Body found in Miss. River near Plaquemine identified

  04-09-2017 09:00
  PLAQUEMINE - An investigation is underway in Iberville Parish after a body was found floating in the Mississippi River Monday morning.Authorities have identified the man as Eugene Hodges. Hodges died injuries sustained from a fall. Plaquemine Police say individuals on a tugboat spotted the body and called authorities.The water has tampered with the body making facial recognition difficult. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Body found in Miss. River near Plaquemine, EBR coroners hope to identify

  04-09-2017 09:00
  PLAQUEMINE - An investigation is underway in Iberville Parish after a body was found floating in the Mississippi River Monday morning.Plaquemine Police say individuals on a tugboat spotted the body and called authorities.Police Chief Kenny Payne said the body is not that of the Zachary work release inmate who killed his lover last weekend. "The tattoos do not match," he said. The water has tampered with the body making facial recognition difficult. The East B
  
  Read more

• Palace announces Prince William, Kate expecting third child

  04-09-2017 08:03
  LONDON - Kensington Palace says Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, are expecting their third child.
   The announcement released in a statement Mondays says the queen is delighted by the news.
   Officials say Prince William's wife, the former Kate Middleton, is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a form of severe morning sickness, and will not carry out her engagements Monday.
   William and Kate already have two children, Prince George and Princess
  
  Read more

• Trump expected to end program for young immigrants

  04-09-2017 07:34
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is expected to announce that he will end protections for young immigrants who were brought into the country illegally as children. But that will come after a six-month delay.
   People familiar with the plans said the delay in the formal dismantling of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program would be intended to give Congress time to decide whether it wants to address the status of the affected young immigrants.
   But it wa
  
  Read more

• Congress returns to Washington with agenda upended by Harvey

  04-09-2017 07:15
  WASHINGTON - Harvey has scrambled the equation for Congress as lawmakers get ready to return to Washington on Tuesday after a five-week summer recess.
   A daunting workload awaits, including funding the government by month's end and increasing the federal borrowing limit to head off a catastrophic first-ever default.
   But the immediate focus will be on rushing an aid package to storm-ravaged Texas and Louisiana, and that bipartisan imperative has pushed aside talk of a governme
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!