Baton Rouge news

• Judge OKs awards up to $1,000 each for Baton Rouge protesters

  27-10-2017 23:24
  
  Black Lives Matter movement leader DeRay Mckesson is among 69 arrested protesters eligible for payments ranging from $500 to $1,000 now that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles has given his final approval.
  
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• Judge tosses Baton Rouge deputy's lawsuit against Black Lives Matter

  27-10-2017 23:14
  
  The officer's lawyers also attempted to add "#BlackLivesMatter" as a defendant, but Jackson ruled a hashtag can't be sued either.
  
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• Volunteers needed for community policing initiative

  27-10-2017 20:48
  BATON ROUGE- Volunteers are being sought to act as liaisons between members of the community and law enforcement in an effort to build trust between the two. The Community Police Ambassador Program was created by a citizen council and led by metro councilmembers Tara Wicker and Trae Welch."This is an opportunity for the community and the police department to come together in ways they haven't previously had the opportunity," said Wicker. "It gives them an opportunity to talk to one another, be
  
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• WATCH: Sen. Kennedy talks tax reform, says Louisianians will lose deductions, pay less in federal taxes

  27-10-2017 18:10
  BATON ROUGE- Senator John N. Kennedy talks to WBRZ's Mark Armstrong Friday about his support for the Trump/Republican Tax Reform initiative.Kennedy says Louisianians will likely lose some tax deductions but will still pay less overall in federal taxes "if we do it right.""It's basically a big piece of cheesecake with spinach on top. The cheesecake is the tax cuts," he says.The Senator says the game plan is to cut about 5 1/2 to 6 trillion dollars worth of taxes. He explains that every American
  
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• Family says its second MHU is moldy, too

  27-10-2017 17:52
  DENHAM SPRINGS - A family in Livingston Parish says they've lived in two moldy manufactured housing units since the August 2016 flood. They're concerned about their health and tax dollars going to waste.Annette White tells 2 On Your Side she'd rather live in her unfinished home than breathe in moldy air."My six year old had been having a cough," said White. "In March, we started having upper respiratory problems."Around that time, a contractor visited her Denham Springs property to swab for mol
  
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• Guilty plea in crash that hurt 32 in Mardi Gras parade crowd

  27-10-2017 17:34
  NEW ORLEANS - The driver of a pickup truck that plowed into a crowd last February at a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans has pleaded guilty in the case.  Sentencing is set for Jan. 12 for 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto of Paradis. He entered guilty pleas Friday to felony charges of first-degree vehicular negligent injury.  Each of the 11 felony counts carries up to five years in prison. Rizzuto had pleaded guilty last month to numerous misdemeanor charges in conn
  
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• WBRZ to travel with governor, La. group to Puerto Rico Monday

  27-10-2017 17:01
  BATON ROUGE – The governor will lead a group from Louisiana to storm-ravaged Puerto Rico next week.WBRZ will be among those traveling with the delegation to capture the stories of Louisianans assisting in the recovery effort.The team will arrive on Puerto Rico Monday.Gov. John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards, along with Major General Glenn Curtis, Adjutant General for the Louisiana National Guard, and Col. James Waskom, Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland
  
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• Firefighters respond to fire near Sherwood

  27-10-2017 16:13
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded to a house fire at 11476 Goodwood Blvd. Friday morning.Firefighters say the cause was accidental as flames were contained to the kitchen area of the house.No injuries have been reported. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Trump greets kids in Oval Office for early Halloween treats

  27-10-2017 15:47
  WASHINGTON- President Donald Trump has welcomed the children of White House reporters into the Oval Office for some early Halloween treats.  The president dispensed plenty of candy and compliments to the costumed youngsters.  Trump called the children "beautiful." And he congratulated their parents for doing a good job - at least of raising kids if not in their coverage of the White House.  Trump also asked the youngsters how they get treate
  
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• WATCH: Superheroes fight sadness at area children's hospital

  27-10-2017 14:59
  BATON ROUGE – Ill children at Our Lady of the Lake got a huge smile when they saw superheroes climbing outside their windows Friday.One kid screamed “Spidey!” when he saw the superhero.Spider-Man was just one of a handful of comic book characters Baton Rouge Police SWAT agents dressed up as to surprise children at the hospital. The group rappelled from the roof of one of the hospital towers on Essen, dropping in at windows to wave to kids.Other characters were Capt
  
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• Judge tosses deputy's lawsuit against Black Lives Matter

  27-10-2017 14:59
  BATON ROUGE- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that accuses Black Lives Matter and several movement leaders of inciting violence that led to a gunman's deadly ambush of law enforcement officers in Louisiana last year.  U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson's ruling Friday says a lawyer for a Baton Rouge sheriff's deputy wounded in the attack "utterly failed to state a plausible claim" and instead launched a "confused attack" against Black Lives Matter, activist DeRay Mckesso
  
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• Filipino teachers to receive money from 2012 decision

  27-10-2017 14:36
  NEW ORLEANS- About 350 teachers recruited in the Philippines to work in Louisiana schools are set to receive roughly $2,200 each from a 2012 federal court decision against a California placement agency.  The American Federation of Teachers, the Southern Poverty Law Center and others had sued on behalf of teachers who complained about thousands of dollars in fees charged by Universal Placement International. Advocates said many of the teachers wound up in substandard housing.&a
  
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• Zachary fisherman's body still missing near New Orleans

  27-10-2017 14:29
  CHALMETTE- The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office is now calling this a "fatal incident."According to Sheriff James Pohlmann, a Haskin Payne III fell from his boat around 4 p.m. Thursday while fishing in Bayou Bienvenue with his wife.The U.S. Coast Guard says Payne's wife jumped in the water and tried to help him but lost sight of him.Wildlife and Fisheries agents found Payne's wife in the boat on the banks of the Bayou. She was transported to University Hospital in New Orleans and wa
  
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• Judge OKs awards up to $1000 each for Baton Rouge protesters

  27-10-2017 14:05
  BATON ROUGE- A federal judge has approved a class-action settlement that awards up to $1,000 in cash to dozens of protesters arrested after a deadly police shooting in Louisiana.U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles ruled from the bench Friday after a court hearing.Several lawsuits have accused law enforcement agencies in Baton Rouge of violating the constitutional rights of protesters arrested after the July 2016 shooting death of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man.Black Lives Matter mo
  
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• WBR first responders community blood drive Oct. 28

  27-10-2017 14:01
  PORT ALLEN- The Port Allen Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a blood drive on Saturday.The WBR Parish First Responders Community Blood Drive will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Port Allen Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department is located at 700 North Alexander Ave. in Port Allen.Blood collected during the drive will benefit all first responders in WBR Parish.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Astros beat Dodgers 5-3, take 2-1 World Series lead

  27-10-2017 13:29
  Houston, TX - The Houston Astros broke out their bats in a four-run second inning, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 Friday night for a 2-1 World Series lead.  Yuli Gurriel homered to begin the four-run burst off loser Yu Darvish that also included run-scoring singles by Marwin Gonzalez and Brian McCann plus Alex Bregman's sacrifice fly.  Lance McCullers Jr. allowed three runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings for the win and Brad Peacock followed with hitle
  
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• Two men arrested in prostitution sting

  27-10-2017 13:19
  BATON ROUGE - Two Texas men were arrested Thursday after setting up a paid "date" with two undercover police officers, believing one to be a 16-year-old girl. Oscar Yanes, 42, and Juan Arrambidez-Tuentes, 38, were booked in East Baton Rouge Parish prison on counts of trafficking children for sexual purposes, felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and soliciting for prostitutes.The men were arrested after contacting officers through an online ad. After meeting at the hotel bar,
  
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• Residents around Baton Rouge preparing for cool weekend ahead

  27-10-2017 13:17
  BATON ROUGE - Cooler temperatures are expected in the area this weekend. As October comes to an end, the first real taste of fall isn't going to foil some residents' plans. "We're still planning on having a fun Halloween weekend," Jessica Djedjos said. "I think the cool weather will actually make my plans a little better," Patrick Craig said. "I have an outdoor event, I have to sing with a band."Temperatures are expected to dip into the 40s, sending people to
  
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• Former LSU football player among four arrested for burglary

  27-10-2017 13:10
  SHREVEPORT- An ex-LSU football player was arrested after attempting to burglarize a home Thursday morning. Authorities say former Tigers defensive back Micah Eugene,24, and three others planned to break into a Shreveport home but were met at the door by the homeowner holding a handgun. The suspects fled the house in an SUV that was parked in the bushes.KTBS reports, a Caddo Sheriff's Lt. spotted the vehicle and found masks, a large knife and
  
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• Inmates receive high school diplomas while serving time

  27-10-2017 13:00
  LIVINGSTON PARISH- Ten Livingston Parish Detention Center inmates recently obtained their high school diplomas while serving their sentences.The class is offered through the partnership the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office has with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Education Department."I am so proud that you chose to take advantage of this opportunity while incarcerated," Assistant Warden Ben Ballard said to the graduates. "You took the init
  
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• Man arrested for stalking LSU student, attended her class even though he isn't enrolled

  27-10-2017 12:53
  BATON ROUGE- A 33-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stalking an LSU student.Ali Pourgharibshahi was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison last night.According to the LSUPD, the female victim met Pourgharibshahi on Aug. 13th through mutual friends. They met several times in person and briefly texted, but the victim soon began to fear for her safety.The victim explained that the last time they spoke was during an abrasive conversation wh
  
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• St. Mary Parish Sheriff to retire Jan. 7

  27-10-2017 09:48
  ST. MARY PARISH- Sheriff Mark Herbert has announced that he will retire his post as sheriff of St. Mary Parish effective January 7.Herbert has served as sheriff since 2001 and he has served in law enforcement for over 30 years. In a release, Herbert said he is leaving office to take care of his wife who has been battling a serious illness.Effective January 7, current Criminal Chief Deputy Sheriff Scott Anslum will take on the position of sheriff.In a release, Herbert said the
  
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• Former deputy sentenced for accepting bribe

  27-10-2017 09:20
  NEW ORLEANS - A former deputy who admitted to accepting a bribe to protect a contraband cigarette trafficking scheme has been sentenced.News outlets report 32-year-old Garrett Partman was sentenced to three years of probation after previously pleading guilty to interstate transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises. Partman is a former Orleans Parish Sheriff's deputy.According to court documents, Partman and two other men, who were law enforcement officers at the time of the indictment, w
  
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• Former district attorney's office employee indicted

  27-10-2017 08:26
  SHREVEPORT - A federal grand jury has indicted a former employee of a Louisiana district attorney's office on several counts of mail fraud.The U.S. Attorney's Office of the Western District of Louisiana said in a news release that 35-year-old Melanie Barber was indicted on seven counts of mail fraud.Barber was employed by the Desoto Parish District Attorney's Office from 2004 to 2014. She is accused of negotiating money orders made payable to and intended for her former employer.The news releas
  
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• Attorney: 'White hat hacker' tried to get Trump tax returns

  27-10-2017 08:15
  BATON ROUGE- A Louisiana private investigator accused of trying to illegally obtain Donald Trump's tax returns says he is a "white hat hacker" who tried to test and report a security flaw in a government website.A defense attorney's court filing Thursday says Jordan Hamlett tried to discover "out of sheer curiosity" whether Trump's tax information could be accessed through a weakness in a U.S. Department of Education financial aid website's data retrieval tool.Hamlett's lawyer also says his cli
  
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• LSU history professor discusses released JFK documents

  27-10-2017 07:16
  BATON ROUGE - Thursday night, the National Archives released previously withheld documents connected to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy.According to the National Archives, a majority of the collection has been open to the public since the late 1990s.Early Friday morning, Dr. Alecia Long, Director of Graduate Studies and history professor at LSU, sat down with WBRZ to talk about the newly released documents.One question Long was asked was whether we will ever know the full
  
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• Louisiana spending on Medicaid prescription drugs questioned

  27-10-2017 06:14
  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana appears to be shelling out millions for Medicaid patients' prescription drugs above the reimbursement paid to pharmacists, dollars pocketed by private companies managing the care.A legislatively-created task force searching for waste in Louisiana's Medicaid program wants more details on how those deals work - and how much money is steered to middle-managers above what the pharmacists receive.The task force sent a letter to the health department Wednesday questioning wheth
  
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• Settlement would award Baton Rouge protesters up to $1000

  27-10-2017 06:00
  BATON ROUGE- A federal judge is scheduled to hold a hearing Friday on whether to approve a class-action settlement that would award up to $1,000 in cash to nearly 80 protesters who were arrested after a deadly police shooting in Louisiana.Several lawsuits have accused law enforcement agencies in Baton Rouge of violating the constitutional rights of protesters who were arrested after the July 2016 shooting death of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man.Black Lives Matter movement leader DeRay
  
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• Friday morning fire on Shelley Street

  27-10-2017 05:48
  BATON ROUGE- The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded to an early morning fire on Shelley Street near North Foster.The fire was quickly put out. As of now, no injuries have been reported.Details are limited at this time. Check back for more information. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Friday night rain, chilly weekend to follow

  27-10-2017 05:46
  A cold front will bring showers and thunderstorms into the area as the week finishes. Temperatures will be sharply cooler over the weekend.THE FORECAST:Today and Tonight: On Friday, temperatures will again climb into the upper 70s before a cold front pushes into the area. Spotty showers are possible through the day, but do not expect anything widespread; it will not be a washout. A line of rain and thunderstorms will then move into the area from west to east during the late afternoon and evenin
  
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