Baton Rouge news

• Man convicted in 2014 spree of robberies, rapes and a shooting

  16-10-2017 21:59
  BATON ROUGE - A man accused of attacking 18 people in less than four hours -- robbing, kidnapping, raping and shooting some of the victims -- was convicted Monday on 22 of 24 charges, the district attorney's office said.Andre Young was convicted on 10 counts of armed robbery, four counts of attempted armed robbery, two counts of aggravated rape, two counts of second-degree kidnapping, two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of simple burglary.He was acquitted on two attempte
  
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• Researchers discover vulnerability affecting Wi-Fi security

  16-10-2017 19:59
  AUSTIN, Tx. -  Security researchers have discovered a Wi-Fi network vulnerability that could allow attackers to steal sensitive information or spread malicious software while someone is logged into a computer or mobile device.  A report published Monday said the breach could only happen if an attacker is within range of the potential victim, but the weakness could affect anyone using a Wi-Fi network, whether at home, the office or at a public coffee shop. &am
  
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• About 100 people still reported missing in fires

  16-10-2017 19:54
  SANTA ROSA, Calif. - About 100 people remain unaccounted for in Napa and Sonoma counties.  Sonoma County Sheriff Rob Giordano said Monday there are reports of 88 people missing in the county a week after deadly wildfires started in Northern California's wine country.  The county received nearly 2,000 reports of people missing, but most of the people have been located. Sonoma County also referred three dozen names of missing to other counties. &nb
  
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• Officials upset after Gonzales sales tax vote fails

  16-10-2017 19:51
  GONZALES - The new chief administrative officer for the city of Gonzales not happy with Saturday's election."I was pretty disappointed on behalf of the citizens here in Gonzales," Scot Byrd.A half-cent sales tax goes down to defeat. The results posted on the front door of Gonzales City Hall for all to see. A narrow loss by only 6 percentage points."I think that right now we are in an anti-tax climate and I think despite that, the tax came very close to passing," Byrd
  
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• Fire reported at Baton Rouge burger joint Monday

  16-10-2017 16:57
  BATON ROUGE – Firefighters were called to a reported fire at a burger restaurant Monday afternoon.Smoke was seen around the Backyard Burger inside the Siegen Lane Marketplace development around 4:30. Firefighters were on the scene but have not provided specifics about what happened.The smoke appeared to come from the rear of the building near where the drive-thru wraps around.Check back for updates.  *********************Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter:
  
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• Councilman: Taxpayers on the hook for $132,000 over sign spat

  16-10-2017 16:41
  NEW ROADS- A New Roads City Councilman says taxpayers in town are on the hook by his calculations for $132,000 in legal fees after New Roads Mayor Robert Myer refused to turn electricity on to a brand new digital billboard.
  The owners of the billboard took the city to court, and a Judge ruled in favor of the owners. About two years ago, they received a permit to build the billboard on Hospital Road. After the $250,000 electronic billboard was complete there was a big problem. Despite having a p
  
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• LSU student found dead in off-campus apartment

  16-10-2017 16:06
  BATON ROUGE – The coroner is investigating the cause of death of an LSU student who died at an off-campus apartment, WBRZ learned Monday.Benjamin Balser was found in an apartment on E. Boyd recently. LSU confirmed Balser was a student and had previously been a member of a fraternity.“We do not know at this time what the cause of death is as there was no apparent cause observed at the scene,” the coroner's office said in a statement to WBRZ.An autopsy is scheduled f
  
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• Police: Man arrested for wearing mask, carrying samurai sword in bar

  16-10-2017 15:10
  PONCHATOULA – A man was arrested for wearing a mask and holding a samurai sword in a bar after a disagreement with another patron, police said in a news release Monday.Shawn Verret was charged with illegal carrying of weapons, wearing a mask in a public place, terrorizing and charges related to missed court appearances.Police said Verret was arguing with someone at the Stray Cats bar in downtown and was asked to leave. Verret left, police said, but then returned with the mask and swor
  
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• Trump says 'total termination' of Iran deal possible

  16-10-2017 13:49
  WASHINGTON- President Donald Trump is renewing his threat to fully withdraw the United States from the landmark Iran nuclear deal.He is also holding out the possibility that fixes to the accord may prevent an American pullout.Justifying his decision to decertify the 2015 pact, Trump said Monday the U.S. had been taken advantage of in negotiations conducted by the Obama administration and that he was tired of it.He said that's why he refused to certify to Congress last week that the deal remains
  
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• Senate set to approve Callista Gingrich as Vatican envoy

  16-10-2017 12:31
  WASHINGTON- The Republican-led Senate is on track to confirm Callista Gingrich as President Donald Trump's ambassador to the Vatican.A vote on Gingrich's nomination to the post is set for Monday evening.Callista Gingrich is the wife of former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. He's a close ally of Trump's.She's president of Gingrich Productions. Callista Gingrich was a congressional aide when she began a six-year affair with Newt Gingrich, then a married Republican congressman.The Senate F
  
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• Reserve man found with at least 100 grams of heroin

  16-10-2017 12:31
  NEW ORLEANS - A Reserve man has been charged with a four-count indictment for violating the Federal Controlled Substance Act last week. Authorities found Derrell Joseph, 38, with over 100 grams of substances containing a detectable amount of heroin. Police also found Joseph in violation of the Federal Gun Control Act for using a firearm to further a drug trafficking crime.If found guilty, Joseph faces five years to 40 years with a fine of up to $5,000,000. The firearm
  
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• Car crashes, ends up flipped in driveway Monday night

  16-10-2017 12:25
  BATON ROUGE - A car crashed and flipped near a house on Park Meadow Avenue in Baton Rouge Monday night.Crews were called to the 11000 block of Park Meadow Avenue just after 9 p.m. for reports of a car crashing into a house.First responders were checking underground gas lines at the scene. Injuries are unknown at this time. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Coast Guard suspends search for missing man after rig explosion

  16-10-2017 12:23
  KENNER, La. - The Coast Guard has suspended its search for the man who was unaccounted for after an explosion on an oil platform in Lake Pontchartrain near Kenner, Louisiana.  Forty-four-year-old contractor Timothy Morrison of Katy, Texas, was still missing after the Sunday night explosion.  Seven other people were injured, three critically.  Cmdr. Zac Ford said in a statement Monday night, "The decision to suspend a search is never an easy
  
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• Mother of murdered 11-month-old baby speaks out

  16-10-2017 12:22
  ZACHARY - Iesha Tolbert, the mother of 11-month-old Jericho Smith, who was allegedly killed by his father, talked about her child's life Monday. "His favorite word was 'dada.' That was the only thing he knew how to say," Tolbert said.She says the past 48 hours has been hard for her and her family. Her husband Fabian Smith, 33, is accused of his son's murder."Not only did I lose my baby but I also lost my husband at the same time," Tolbert said.According to the Coroner
  
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• TRAFFIC ALERT: I-12 West closed at South Satsuma Road due to accident

  16-10-2017 12:08
  LIVINGSTON - I-12 West is closed to traffic at South Satsuma Road (Livingston) due to an accident, according to the DOTD.Congestion has reached 2 miles. Motorists are advised to use US 63 North to US 190 West as an alternate route.This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Westwego couple could face time in jail for drug trafficking and money laundering

  16-10-2017 09:48
  NEW ORLEANS- A Westwego couple is being charged with drug trafficking and money laundering.Michael Kwan, 33, and Tram Hoang Nguyen, 31, were charged last week for violating the Federal Controlled Substance Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering.Kwan conspired to distribute more than 1000 kilograms of marijuana and possessed with intent to distribute cocaine and steroids, authorities say.If Kwan is convicted on the marijuana conspiracy charge, he will face at least 10 years to life in pri
  
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• Overturned log truck creates traffic delays in Zachary

  16-10-2017 08:53
  ZACHARY, La. - A log truck overturned Monday morning on Highway 64 in Zachary.All westbound lanes were closed as of 8:30 a.m. "It's going to be a while before we get this truck uprighted, and clean up the logs," said Police Chief David McDavid.There were no injuries reported.Permalink| Comments
  
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• State Police working crash involving two 18-wheelers

  16-10-2017 08:43
  Rapides Parish- State Police are on the scene of a two vehicle crash that involved two 18-wheelers early Monday morning. The crash took place on Interstate 49 at milemarker 73, which is the Woodworth exit. The outside lane of of Interstate 49 is closed at this time, but the inside lane remains open.Authorities say, there will be minor delays but lane closure is expected to be lengthy. Moderate injuries have been reported.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Trump in Asia will call for increased pressure on North Korea

  16-10-2017 07:59
  WASHINGTON- President Donald Trump will ask U.S. allies to pressure North Korea on its nuclear program in an upcoming trip to the Asia-Pacific region.The White House says Trump will travel in November to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines from Nov. 3 to Nov. 14. Trump will also stop in Hawaii.The White House said that in South Korea, Trump will meet with President Moon Jae-in and "call on the international community to join together in maximizing pressure on North Korea."In
  
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• $11B chemical complex in Louisiana has hired 500 workers

  16-10-2017 06:51
  WESTLAKE- Sasol has reached a hiring benchmark in the building of its $11 billion petrochemical complex under construction in southwest Louisiana.The South African company announced it has hired its 500th employee for the Calcasieu Parish project, with an average salary of $80,000. Ninety-three percent of the new workers are Louisiana residents, according to the company, which says it intends to hire 200 more workers over the next two years to support the operations.The complex includes an etha
  
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• Commercial king mackerel season to close Monday

  16-10-2017 06:41
  BATON ROUGE- The commercial season for king mackerel in Louisiana waters will close at noon Monday.The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the closure was made based on data gathered by state biologists and the National Marine Fisheries Service that the annual quota for the commercial harvest of king mackerel of 1.136 million pounds for the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico has been met. The season opened July 1.The commercial fishing season was previously closed in federal wat
  
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