Baton Rouge news

• Trump, top Democrats agree on young immigrants

  13-09-2017 21:41
  WASHINGTON - The top House and Senate Democrats have announced agreement with President Donald Trump to protect certain immigrants brought illegally to this country as children - along with some border security enhancements.
   The agreement would specifically not include Trump's long-sought border wall. It would enshrine protections for the nearly 800,000 immigrants who benefited from a program created by former President Barack Obama that Trump has announced he is ending.
   The
  
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• Report: Former Hammond police chief settles with city

  13-09-2017 21:28
  HAMMOND - A former Hammond police chief will receive more than $800,000 in a settlement with the city,The Daily Star reports Roddy Devall will receive the money, and the city issued him a commission and badge marked as retired, but will not be reinstated or return to employment.Hammond Mayor Pete Panepinto announced the settlement after weeks of negotiations resolving lawsuits by the former chief. Devall sued after he was investigated and terminated in 2015 following a controversial decision to
  
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• Local chiropractor raising money to buy equipment for law enforcement

  13-09-2017 20:22
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - A chiropractor in Livingston Parish is going above and beyond to protect law enforcement.Doctor Ron McMorris is no stranger to helping law enforcement. "They have back problems, neck problems, just like anyone else who carries heavy equipment all day," McMorris said. But he's recently gone a step further to help officers. In an attempt to ensure the safety of officers and those they're sworn to protect, the doctor is rais
  
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• Crash shuts down multiple lanes on I-12 near Sherwood

  13-09-2017 18:50
  BATON ROUGE - Multiple lanes are shut down at the scene of a crash on I-12 West near Sherwood Forest Boulevard Wednesday.DOTD says the crash shut down the left and center lanes of the interstate shortly before 6:30 in the afternoon.There is currently no word on injuries.Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• LSU alumnus comes to rescue of Florida sanctuary that housed Mike VII

  13-09-2017 18:35
  OKEECHOBEE, Fla. - An LSU alumnus is going the extra mile (or 300 miles rather) to lend a helping hand to the wildlife sanctuary that gave his alma mater its newest mascot.The Wild at Heart Wildlife Center, based out of Okeechobee, Florida, was once home to the school's living tiger mascot, Mike VII. Over the the summer, the sanctuary worked out a deal with LSU to send the tiger, previously named Harvey, to Baton Rouge.However, since that transaction, the cen
  
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• Baton Rouge General expands cancer center

  13-09-2017 18:03
  BATON ROUGE - Patients at BR General can expect some major changes at BR General's Cancer Center.The hospital is expanding the center to make it more convenient for those seeking treatment."Because we are going to have everything under one roof," said Edgardo Tenreiro, CEO of BR General. "Right now, patients go to different locations within the campus. In fact, sometimes outside the campus to get certain treatments."Once complete, cancer patients will be able to seek all services and t
  
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• Metro Council refuses to put mayor's proposed transportation tax on ballot

  13-09-2017 17:44
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Metro Council has opted against putting Mayor Sharon Weston Broome's transportation and road tax package on the November ballot.The proposed 5 mill property tax and 1/2 cent sales tax would have contributed to the $540 million needed to complete all projects in the plan, according to Broome.The property tax, which would go towards transportation and mobility improvements, would accumulate a total of $22 million in annual revenue. The sales tax, which
  
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• WANTED: Man uses child to steal from area Wal-Mart

  13-09-2017 17:35
  TANGIPAHOA PARISH - Authorities are looking for a man who was caught on surveillance as he used a young child to help him commit multiple thefts.According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, the man has committed multiple thefts over the past several weeks, all while using a child to help him get away with the crimes.One of the incidents occurred on August 21 when the unidentified male entered the Wal-Mart in Amite with a young child. The male is accused of loading a shopping ca
  
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• Catholic Charities concerned help is fleeing Louisiana

  13-09-2017 17:32
  NEW ROADS - There are thousands of people still waiting, relying on the help of others to fix up their flood damaged homes.One of those people is Dorothy Ephron. With no flood insurance and little help from FEMA, she turned to Catholic Charities for help.Ephron is one of about 4,000 people in a disaster case management program through Catholic Charities. It's long-term recovery for people with high needs including the elderly, handicap, and poor.Long-term recovery is about helping a person form
  
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• Four teenage attempted robbery victims arrested; allegedly lied to police

  13-09-2017 16:42
  PONCHATOULA - Four teenage attempted robbery victims were arrested after allegedly lying to police about details surrounding the incidents, according to Ponchatoula Police Department officials.Ponchatoula PD officials said they responded to a call from 18-year-old Nicholas Hanford of Ponchatoula, around 9:45 p.m. on August 18. Hanford allegedly told officers two males approached him in his vehicle, pointing handguns at him and demanding cash and his cell phone. Hanford said the suspects fled th
  
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• Local business wants to re-brand Brandywine condos

  13-09-2017 16:28
  BATON ROUGE - Roy Maughan Jr. may be the only man in Baton Rouge who doesn't want to see the Brandywine Condominiums demolished.
  "It's about 13 acres of property that's actually well situated," Maughan explaned. "You've got a church on one side, a public school on one side, and a BREC park on the other side."
  He, along with the company City Holdings LLC, bought the majority of the condos last August.The company has big plans to renovate the property it's now calling "Sherwood Forest." They plan
  
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• Report: Southern Lab seeking appeal of LHSAA sanctions

  13-09-2017 15:45
  BATON ROUGE – Southern Lab is seeking an appeal after an LHSAA-led investigation into recruitment violations ended with the firing of Head Football Coach Marcus Randall.According to a report from the Advocate, an appeal from Southern Lab was on the agenda for a Wednesday meeting of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive meeting.  In August, the LHSAA said Southern Lab self-reported the violations which included breaking recruiting rules and giving s
  
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• WANTED: Surveillance camera spots man stealing computer at local Wal-Mart

  13-09-2017 15:00
  BATON ROUGE - Authorities are seeking a man after he was seen stealing a $1,500 computer from the Wal-Mart on O'Neal Lane.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, the crime initially occured on Aug. 30.A surveillance camera captured the man as he stuffed the computer inside a box of a much cheaper item. The man then checked out with that computer still hidden inside the box.The sheriff's office released the surveillance video Wednesday, asking for
  
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• Bay St. Louis police chief resigns amid questions over drug bust video

  13-09-2017 14:30
  BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. - A Mississippi police chief has resigned amid questions about a videotaped drug bust.  Bay St. Louis Mayor Mike Favre says the video shows Chief Daren Freeman holding his hand on the face of a handcuffed person. The mayor says the video is months old, but he recently saw it for the first time. It has not been publicly released.  News outlets report Freeman resigned Tuesday after being chief eight months.  A longtime law
  
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• Louisiana House speaker hopes to have tax plan by January

  13-09-2017 14:09
  BATON ROUGE- With $1 billion in temporary taxes expiring in months, Louisiana House Speaker Taylor Barras says he expects lawmakers in his chamber to rally around tax ideas by January to close the shortfall.Barras struck an optimistic tone about chances of reaching an agreement in a majority-Republican chamber that has been reticent to support any taxes.He's been visiting with House members around the state and says they appear more engaged as the July 1 tax expiration grows closer. He says he'
  
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• LSU celebrates Mike VII's first birthday

  13-09-2017 13:28
  BATON ROUGE- LSU is hosting a birthday party for Mike VII and everyone is invited.The cute little guy is turning one year old. Mike has been on campus about month now. He was adopted from a sanctuary in Florida at 11 months old.RT and help us wish @MikeTheTiger a happy first birthday! ???? pic.twitter.com/I9MEsp1LMG— LSU (@lsu) September 13, 2017Mike's party begins at 4 p.m. today at his habitat on campus.There will be free cupcakes and stickers. Mike's caregivers ask that vi
  
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• Coroner: Death of fire chief's wife was homicide

  13-09-2017 13:25
  COVINGTON - A Louisiana coroner says somebody killed a fire chief's wife before her house burned down. The sheriff says his investigation doesn't necessarily confirm that Nanette Krentel's death was homicide.  St. Tammany Parish Coroner Charles Preston said in a news release Wednesday that two autopsies and a forensic reconstruction all indicate homicide.  Sheriff Randy Smith says he and representatives of the State Fire Marshal's Office will hold a news conf
  
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• Victim identified in deadly Weller Avenue shooting

  13-09-2017 13:04
  BATON ROUGE - Police have identified the victim in a fatal shooting on Weller Avenue Wednesday morning.21-year-old Catrell Wallace was killed in the shooting, according to Baton Rouge Police Department officials.Officials say the shooting occurred around 10:45 a.m. in the 2600 block of Weller Avenue. They say Wallace was found in a parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The victim later died from their injuries.Police say there are no known motives or suspects at this time.Anyon
  
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• One dead after shooting on Weller Avenue

  13-09-2017 13:04
  BATON ROUGE - Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting on Weller Avenue Wednesday.The shooting occurred before 11 a.m. in the 2000 block of Weller Avenue. Authorities say one person was taken from the scene in critical condition.The victim later died from their injuries.Police have not yet released any info concerning a suspect or possible motive.Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Louisiana man held in Guatemala over bullets in luggage

  13-09-2017 12:27
  NEW ORLEANS- Members of Congress say a Louisiana man has been detained in Guatemala since March after bullets were found in his luggage during an airport scan.Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Mike Johnson say Zachary Wilson of Shreveport was arrested following a church mission trip.Johnson's office released a copy of a July letter to a Guatemalan ambassador. It says Wilson inadvertently left the bullets in the bag after a hunting trip and they were not detected as he exited the U.S. or entered Guatem
  
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• LHSAA adjusts sanctions on Southern Lab football team

  13-09-2017 12:20
  BATON ROUGE - Former Southern Lab Head football coach Marcus Randall attended an LHSAA hearing to find out the fate of his career at Southern Lab."My client is an innocent man, who was vilified on television by this organization and a public body in the state of Louisiana and given zero opportunity to clear his name..it's a shame," Randall's attorney Jill Craft said.LHSAA suspended Randall after a Southern Lab investigation revealed a number of alleged recruiting violations. The Kittens champio
  
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• Elderly man struck by vehicle on Government Street

  13-09-2017 12:13
  BATON ROUGE - A pedestrian was transported by paramedics after he was hit by a vehicle on Government Street Wednesday.According to BRPD officials, the victim was hit in the 2800 block of Government Street.Police described the victim as an elderly male. They say he was struck by a vehicle backing out of a parking spot.It does not appear as though the victim suffered life-threatening injuries following the incident, according to police.Police say no citations were issued.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Man arrested with 36 bags of meth and stolen gun

  13-09-2017 09:59
  NEW ORLEANS- A man accused of firing a stolen gun and possessing over 30 bags of meth has been arrested in Louisiana.News outlets report 40-year-old Jose Avila-Garcia was spotted firing a weapon in New Orleans on Saturday.New Orleans police said in a news release that responding officers also spotted Avila-Garcia with a gun. He then disregarded the officers' commands and fled on foot.After the chase, Avila-Garcia was found with a stolen semi-automatic handgun and 36 packets of meth.Police arres
  
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• Germany fights invasion of American crayfish in Berlin park

  13-09-2017 09:43
  BERLIN- Berlin animal control officials say they've caught 3,000 American crayfish that have been proliferating in a downtown park.Over the summer, Berliners have seen the invasive crustaceans scuttling around the Tiergarten park and sometimes across roads during rain.City animal expert Derk Ehlert said Wednesday the freshwater red swamp crayfish, indigenous to northern Mexico and the southern U.S., were probably introduced some time ago by someone dumping pets in the park.With three consecutiv
  
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• Sierra Leone agrees to accept 27 citizens deported from US

  13-09-2017 09:25
  FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - Sierra Leone's government says it will accept 27 of its citizens being deported from the United States because of various crimes.The move comes as President Donald Trump's administration places visa restrictions on four African and Asian nations that have refused to accept citizens deported from the U.S.Foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Turay on Wednesday told a local radio station that Sierra Leone's embassy in Washington will issue emergency travel certificates for
  
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• Record enrollment at Louisiana's Northwestern State University

  13-09-2017 08:15
  NATCHITOCHES- Enrollment at Louisiana's Northwestern State University reached 10,572 this fall - the highest in the school's 133-year history.The university said Tuesday in a news release that enrollment increased by 753 students - or 7.7 percent - over last fall's enrollment of 9,819.The university says increased new freshman enrollment and better retention rates contributed to the record.NSU enrolled 1,542 new freshmen this fall for an increase of 82 students, or 5.6 percent, over the fall of
  
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• UberEATS in now in Baton Rouge

  13-09-2017 07:44
  BATON ROUGE-UberEATS is now available in Baton Rouge and is offering food delivery with full menus from over 50 restaurants.Some of the restaurants people can order from include Ambrosia Bakery and Deli, Zea's Rotisserie & Grill, The Kolache Kitchen, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, Cowboy Kitchen, Chicken Shack and Ava Street Cafe.The UberEATS app is free to download for iOS and Androids, or residents can orde
  
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• 'Hand in Hand' telethon raises more than $44 million for hurricane survivors

  13-09-2017 07:04
  A group of A-list celebrities came together on Monday to participate in the Hand in Hand telethon to raised money for those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.The relief benefit raised more than $44 million.Stephen Colbert announced that Apple was donating $5 million and Jimmy Fallon added that Albertsons Cos. and Merck each gave $1 million.NBA star Chris Paul also said that the NBA Players Association, which donated $500,000, would match any professional basketball player's donation up to
  
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• UPDATE: 12-year-old missing girl located by police

  13-09-2017 06:44
  UPDATE: The Baton Rouge Police Department has located Jazmine Baker in the downtown area. The girl appeared to be unharmed and will be reunited with her family.******BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department is looking for a missing 12-year-old girl. Authorities say Jazmine Baker went missing from her home in Spanish Town Tuesday evening around 6:30 p.m.The young girl was last seen wearing a silver jacket, purple shirt with pink shorts and a backpack.Investigators believ
  
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• Police locate 12-year-old girl reported missing

  13-09-2017 06:44
  UPDATE: The Baton Rouge Police Department has located Jazmine Baker in the downtown area. The girl appeared to be unharmed and will be reunited with her family.******BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department is looking for a missing 12-year-old girl. Authorities say Jazmine Baker went missing from her home in Spanish Town Tuesday evening around 6:30 p.m.The young girl was last seen wearing a silver jacket, purple shirt with pink shorts and a backpack.Investigators believ
  
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• Hawaii says it's 1st state to go cashless for marijuana sales

  13-09-2017 06:42
  HONOLULU- Hawaii says it will be the first state to have marijuana sales handled without cash.State officials said Tuesday that medical marijuana dispensaries will be allowed to let people use a debit payment app.The app is already an option for marijuana transactions in six states, including California and Colorado.The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs says it would like to eliminate cash to avoid robberies.Many marijuana businesses use cash because banks fear pot money could
  
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• Amid North Korea crisis, Mattis focuses on US doomsday arsenal

  13-09-2017 06:31
  WASHINGTON- As North Korea flaunts its new nuclear muscle, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is spotlighting the overwhelming numerical superiority of America's doomsday arsenal.On Wednesday he is dropping in on ground zero of American nuclear firepower: Minot Air Force base in North Dakota, home to more than 100 land-based nuclear missiles as well as nuclear bomb-toting aircraft. He also will receive briefings at Strategic Command, whose top officer would command nuclear forces in war.The visits we
  
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• Action on student loan forgiveness delayed as rules revised

  13-09-2017 06:25
  WASHINGTON- The Trump administration is delaying action on requests for student loan forgiveness as it rewrites Obama-era rules that had sought to better protect students.The for-profit college industry has wanted those rules revised.The move by the Education Department puts in legal limbo tens of thousands of former students who say they were swindled by for-profit colleges. The department already has more than 65,000 unapproved claims.The rules written during the Obama administration would ha
  
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• NOPD officer suspended amid rape allegations

  13-09-2017 01:43
  KENNER - A New Orleans police officer is being accused of rape.  Police in suburban Kenner say 28-year-old William Burford of Kenner was arrested Saturday.  A police report quotes his accuser as saying he got atop her in bed while she was drunk and incoherent, though she tried to push him off.  Police say Burford told investigators they had consensual sex, although the woman never agreed verbally.  New Orleans police spokes
  
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