Baton Rouge news

• Edwards upset that Louisiana left out of disaster tax relief

  04-10-2017 20:29
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards says he can't "wrap my head around the idea" that Congress passed special disaster tax breaks for victims of this year's hurricanes while leaving out victims of last year's flooding that wrecked parts of south Louisiana.
   Congress included the tax relief in the six-month extension of the Federal Aviation Administration that passed last week.
   The bill includes five tax relief provisions for victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, allow
  
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• Area officials being proactive with flood prep

  04-10-2017 20:00
  ASCENSION PARISH - Darrell Smith's neighborhood on Ridge Road went underwater last August."Well it was bad back here, probably 80 percent of the homes went under," Smith said.Now Ascension Parish is working proactively to  make sure Smith and others don't have to go through that again."I took a boat ride with the Pontchartrain Levee Board to see the debris in Bayou Manchac and when we saw the trees down, and all kind of debris, even a sunken boat, I met a couple days later with the Cor
  
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• White House requests $29B disaster aid package

  04-10-2017 17:54
  WASHINGTON - The White House has asked Congress for $29 billion in disaster aid to cover ongoing hurricane relief and recovery efforts and to pay federal flood insurance claims.  The request comes as the government is spending almost $200 million a day for emergency hurricane response and faces a surge in flood claims for federally insured homes and businesses slammed by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.  The proposal would provide $16 billion to pay those f
  
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• Walk-On's named title sponsor of Independence Bowl

  04-10-2017 16:45
  SHREVEPORT - Walk-On's has been named the official title sponsor of the Independence Bowl.On Wednesday, the Independence Bowl Foundation announced a five-year agreement with the Baton Rouge-based restaurant to sponsor the NCAA Football game. The 2017 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff on Wednesday, December 27 at Independence Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster by going to WalkOnsIndependenceBowl.comPermal
  
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• Two hurt in crash involving 18-wheelers on I-10 near Grosse Tete

  04-10-2017 15:49
  PORT ALLEN - Authorities responded to a crash involving two 18-wheelers on I-10 East Wednesday afternoon.The crash was reported around 3:30 p.m. on I-10 East near the Grosse Tete exit. Police say two 18-wheelers were involved in the crash, which left two people injured.According to State Police, the two victims suffered minor to moderate injuries.The right lane of the roadway is currently blocked at the scene of the crash. This is a developing story, check ba
  
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• I-10 East closed near Grosse Tete due to crash

  04-10-2017 15:49
  PORT ALLEN - Authorities are responding to a crash involving two 18-wheelers on I-10 East Wednesday.The crash was reported around 3:30 p.m. on I-10 East near the Grosse Tete exit. Police say two 18-wheelers were involved in the crash, which left two people injured.According to State Police, the two victims suffered moderate to minor injuries.This is a developing story, check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Monticello resident in search of more street lighting

  04-10-2017 15:44
  BATON ROUGE - The process to get a street light has proved to be difficult for one resident living in Monticello. Cynthia Mills is hoping the City-Parish will install a street light on her dark street but has grown frustrated at the process."I've called Entergy, Entergy says call Demco, Demco says call the city, so I didn't know who to call," said Mills.Monday evening, Mills contacted 2 On Your Side hoping to get her questions answered. Her last straw happened while walking home from a neighbor
  
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• Louisiana children's health program faces February deadline

  04-10-2017 15:38
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana has four months remaining of federal money needed to pay for health insurance coverage for low-income children and pregnant women, as Congress allowed financing to expire in September.  Louisiana's health department said Wednesday without congressional reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program by February, Louisiana would have to come up with at least $31 million to keep coverage in place - or lessen services.  The age
  
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• Tillerson: I never considered leaving post of top diplomat

  04-10-2017 14:56
  WASHINGTON  — Rex Tillerson says he has never considered leaving the post of secretary of state.  Tillerson said Wednesday that reports suggesting otherwise are "erroneous."  He was giving a statement Wednesday after NBC News reported the former Exxon Mobil CEO had been on the verge of resigning this summer amid mounting policy disputes with the White House. NBC said the tensions came to a head around the time President Donald Trum
  
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• Vegas shooting renews debate on high-capacity ammo magazines

  04-10-2017 14:36
  IOWA CITY, Iowa - The rapid-fire shooting that killed or injured hundreds of concertgoers in Las Vegas has highlighted the easy availability of ammunition magazines that allow shooters to fire dozens of shots without having to reload.  Gun-control advocates say magazines that can store and feed 30, 50 or even 100 bullets into firearms increase the potential carnage of an attack.  It's believed that millions of such accessories are legally owned in the U.S. -
  
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• Metro Council to address WBRZ report on officers' extra duty while on department leave

  04-10-2017 14:20
  BATON ROUGE – Calls for oversight of the Baton Rouge Police Department grew Wednesday, nearly a week after a WBRZ Investigative Unit report found officers on leave were able to accrue extra duty pay.Typically, officers on leave for some reason are not allowed to work as a police officer though WBRZ found they had been paid by the extra duty office during the time they were off duty from the force. Among the officers who recorded extra duty pay was Blane Salamoni, the officer who is ti
  
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• New 'J-turns' on US 190 in Livonia near completion

  04-10-2017 14:08
  LIVONIA - The Department of Transportation and Development says the project to install 'J-turns' on US 190 in Pointe Coupee Parish should be completed by the end of the year.The project will replace an existing guardrail stretching from LA 1 to Krotz Springs while adding in three 'J-turns' near Livonia. The project is part of an effort to cut down on serious and sometimes deadly crashes on the highway. The roadway will also
  
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• Police seeking person of interest in stabbing at LSU Parade Ground

  04-10-2017 14:03
  BATON ROUGE - Police are seeking a person of interest in connection with a reported stabbing that occurred on LSU's campus in September.LSUPD released a photo of the subject, who is believed to have more information on a reported stabbing before the LSU vs Chattanooga game on Sept. 9. The subject was last seen spectating a violent fight at an LSU tailgate on that same day.Anyone with information is urged to contact LSU Police at 225-578-3231
  
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• Person of interest in LSU Parade Grounds situation identified

  04-10-2017 14:03
  BATON ROUGE - Police say they have made contact with a person of interest in connection with a reported stabbing that occurred on LSU's campus in September.LSUPD released a photo of the subject, who is believed to have more information on a reported stabbing before the LSU vs Chattanooga game on Sept. 9. The subject was last seen spectating a violent fight at an LSU tailgate on that same day.Late Thursday, a spokesperson for LSUPD confirmed
  
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• WATCH: Prison workers foil bull's escape attempt at Angola rodeo

  04-10-2017 13:40
  WEST FELICIANA PARISH - Workers foiled an escape attempt at the Louisiana State Penitentiary over the weekend. However it wasn't an inmate that was running loose on the grounds, but a full-grown bull. The situation unraveled at the annual Angola Prison Rodeo, which was began this past Sunday. According to witnesses, one of the bulls being used for the show had enough of the afternoon's festivities and decided to execute its own escape attempt.While it's currently uncl
  
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• Loved ones mourn victims of Las Vegas shooting attack

  04-10-2017 13:36
  They were school teachers and youth football coaches, real estate agents and local business owners.  They were parents, siblings, husbands, wives, neighbors and friends.  They traveled to Las Vegas to see their favorite stars, posting videos and photos to social media.  At least 59 of them never made it home after a gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas hotel onto a crowd of more than 22,000 below at a country music festival.
  
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• Arrested man claims he time traveled to warn of aliens

  04-10-2017 13:15
  CASPER, Wyo. - Police say a central Wyoming man they arrested for public intoxication claimed he had traveled back in time to warn of an alien invasion.  Casper police say the man they encountered at 10:30 p.m. Monday claimed he was from the year 2048.  KTWO-AM in Casper reports that the man told police that he wanted to warn the people of Casper that aliens will arrive next year, and that they should leave as soon as possible. He asked to speak to the presid
  
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• LA Department of Health: Water system is free from amoeba

  04-10-2017 13:12
  MONROE - The Louisiana Department of Health says a water system has tested negative for the presence of a brain-eating amoeba following a prior positive testing.  The News-Star of Monroe reported Tuesday that the North Monroe Water System tested negative for Naegleria fowleri after testing positive for it on June 29.  Greater Ouachita Water Company Secretary Philip McQueen says the company worked closely to implement a chlorine flush, which is the standard pr
  
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• Pumping station activated Wednesday morning in Ascension Parish

  04-10-2017 08:23
  ASCENSION PARISH - The pumps are now activated as of early Wednesday morning in Ascension Parish to help lower the water levels throughout the parish.
  According to Parish President Kenny Matassa, the Marvin Braud Pumping Station will be on until further notice as a precaution.
  On Tuesday, Ascension Parish Commission closed all inland waterways to recreational use. The parish drainage crews have been placed on alert as a result of the pumping station being activated.Permalink| Comments
  
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• National Taco Deal: Where to get discounted tacos in Baton Rouge

  04-10-2017 07:04
  BATON ROUGE - October 4 is National Taco Day and there are a few deals cash in on around Baton Rouge. We've listed a few here and will keep updating this list with more restaurants as the day goes on. Taco BellAt participating locations on Wednesday, Taco Bell is selling a "National Taco Day gift set." For $5, you can get four classic Taco Bell tacos (Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch, Firey Doritos Locos Tacos and the Crunchy Taco) wrapped in a limited editi
  
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• Report: North La water system now amoeba free

  04-10-2017 06:19
  MONROE - The Louisiana Department of Health says a water system has tested negative for the presence of a brain-eating amoeba following a prior positive testing.  The News-Star of Monroe reported Tuesday that the North Monroe Water System tested negative for Naegleria fowleri after testing positive for it on June 29.  Greater Ouachita Water Company Secretary Philip McQueen says the company worked closely to implement a chlorine flush, which is the standard pr
  
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