Baton Rouge news

• Man shot in leg on Flag Street

  01-11-2017 21:10
  BATON ROUGE - Emergency crews responded shooting on Flag Street Wednesday.According to EBRSO officials, the shooting was first reported after 8:45 p.m. between Albany Street and Aspen Place in Glen Oaks.Officials said the male victim was shot in the leg. They described the victim's injuries as non-life threatening.WBRZ has a crew on scene.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 2 men killed, 1 woman injured in Colorado Walmart shooting

  01-11-2017 20:24
  THORNTON, Colo. - Two men were killed and a woman was injured in a shooting inside a suburban Denver Walmart on Wednesday night, forcing customers to either hide in the store or frantically run for the doors.
   Thornton police tweeted Wednesday night that they were responding to a shooting with "multiple parties down." They advised people to stay away from the area as dozens of police cruisers and emergency vehicles raced to the scene.
   Aaron Stephens, 44, was in the self-check
  
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• 2 killed, 1 hurt in Colorado Walmart shooting

  01-11-2017 20:24
  THORNTON, Colo. - Police say two men were killed and a woman was injured in a shooting inside a suburban Denver Walmart.
   Thornton police tweeted Wednesday night they were responding to a shooting with "multiple parties down." They advised people to stay away from the area as dozens of emergency vehicles converged at the store.
   Multiple people described hiding in the Walmart before being evacuated by police.
   Shooting just occurred at Walmart, 9900 Grant St, multiple
  
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• Hundreds of non-violent offenders released from area prisons

  01-11-2017 20:22
  BATON ROUGE - Hundreds of non-violent offenders were released from prisons across the area Wednesday.The early release is the product of a new package of laws overhauling the state's criminal justice system."These are all nonviolent offenders convicted of nonviolent offenses," Probation Parole Director Pete Fremin said. "Most of these offenders would have been getting out within thirty to sixty days anyway." Family and friends traveled to pick up the inmates. Many of those con
  
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• Multiple Ascension Parish roadways closed due to high water

  01-11-2017 19:53
  ASCENSION PARISH - Some roadways are shut down in Ascension Parish due to heavy rainfall Wednesday evening.According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, the following paths are closed due to high water levels as of 7:45 p.m.: Westlake DriveHighway 621 at Della Marchand Highway 1 South underpassEvangeline DriveThe sheriff's office hasn't said when it expects these roadways to reopen. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Papa John's blames NFL protests for declining pizza sales

  01-11-2017 18:42
  Sales growth at Papa John's is slowing, and the pizza chain is blaming it on the outcry surrounding NFL players kneeling during the national anthem.The company, which is a sponsor and advertiser of the NFL, said customers have a negative view of the chain's association with the NFL. The company also cut its earnings growth expectations for the year and Papa John's stock fell about 10 percent Wednesday."NFL leadership has hurt Papa John's shareholders," said the chain's CEO John Schnatter, in a
  
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• Woman fighting bank after valuables vanish from safe deposit box

  01-11-2017 18:10
  BATON ROUGE - A woman says her bank failed to properly secure her property in a safe deposit box.Dot Burkhalter says she's missing thousands of dollars worth of items and she should be compensated for her loss. She called 2 On Your Side after the bank offered to settle for less than what she says her items are worth.The word "safe" is not something Burkhalter takes lightly. She thought that by keeping her items in a vault under lock and key they would be secure."You would think whatever you had
  
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• Court documents say phone videos inspired NYC attack

  01-11-2017 16:58
  NEW YORK - Court documents say an Uzbek terror suspect accused of killing eight people on a bike path near the World Trade Center told officials he was inspired to carry out the truck attack by Islamic State group videos he watched on his cellphone.  Sayfullo Saipov was charged Wednesday with terrorism crimes. Calls to his attorneys haven't been returned.  A federal complaint says he told authorities he started planning the attack about a year ago. It says he
  
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• 2nd person sought for questioning in NY attack

  01-11-2017 16:52
  NEW YORK - The FBI is looking for information on a second man in connection with a deadly truck attack on a bike path near the World Trade Center.  The bureau on Wednesday issued a poster saying it is seeking the public's help with information about 32-year-old Mukhammadzoir Kadirov. The poster doesn't say why investigators want to know more about the man.  The poster says he was born in Uzbekistan. So was 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov, who was charged Wednesda
  
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• Inclement weather causes flooding in Lafayette and Acadiana

  01-11-2017 16:32
  LAFAYETTE- Parts of Acadiana and Lafayette are flooding due to heavy rainfall.Many roadways have experienced flooding from persistent rainfall and thunderstorms. Vermillion and Lafayette Parishes were issued a flash flood warning on Wednesday afternoon. Reports say these parishes have received over 5 inches of rain.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Firefighters respond to house fire on North 38th Street

  01-11-2017 15:41
  BATON ROUGE- Firefighters responded to a house fire Wednesday afternoon.According to the Baton Rouge Fire Department, a pot was left on the stove at a home on N. 38th Street.Two people were home, but made it out of the house without injuries.Red Cross has been called to assist the family.Permalink| Comments
  
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• State fair closed Wednesday due to inclement weather

  01-11-2017 15:33
  BATON ROUGE - Officials with the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair say Wednesday's festivities have been cancelled.According GBRSF Chairman Cliff Barton, the fair will not open Wednesday night due to inclement weather in the area. Barton says the fair is expected to be open for business Thursday.You can find more info on the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair by clicking HERE.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Court: Gov. Edwards can't protect LGBT rights with order

  01-11-2017 13:47
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's governor has lost his latest effort to revive an executive order aimed at protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in state government.A three-judge panel of a Louisiana appeal court ruled Wednesday that Gov. John Bel Edwards lacked authority to issue his April 2016 order banning discrimination in government and state contracts based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  The appeal court panel sided with a
  
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• Authorities looking for two Gonzales robbery suspects

  01-11-2017 13:31
  GONZALES- The Gonzales Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying two suspects wanted in connection with a robbery at the Tanger outlet mall.Officers said the suspects stole items from the POLO store around 1:34 p.m. on October 14.Both males selected a large of amount of clothing, worth $2,375, and walked out of the store without paying.Authorities said when the suspects were confronted by the manager, the suspect wearing the white t-shirt lifted his shirt and displayed a
  
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• Firefighters rescue dog from fire at Ave. C near Mills

  01-11-2017 13:28
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded to a house fire around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Avenue C near Mills. Paramedics were seen in an ambulance giving first aid to a dog rescued from the fire.Details are limited at this time. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• NYC terror suspect entered US via diversity visa program

  01-11-2017 13:23
  WASHINGTON - The Department of Homeland Security says the suspect in the New York City truck attack entered the United States in 2010 under the diversity visa program.  Homeland Security officials are confirming that the immigrant from Uzbekistan arrived in the U.S. that way.  That's the immigration program that President Donald Trump is calling on Congress to eliminate "as soon as possible." The president says the program is "not good," and says the U.S. nee
  
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• This baby born on Halloween couldn't have a more fitting name

  01-11-2017 13:22
  WINTER PARK, FL- A Florida couple got an extra treat on Halloween - a baby Frankenstein.Make that Oskar Gary Frankenstein, who made his entrance into the world four days late and after 14 hours of labor on Tuesday at Winter Park Memorial Hospital.Parents Kyle and Jessica Frankenstein tell news outlets that Baby Frankenstein weighed in at 6 pounds, 9 ounces and is 20 inches long.The baby's grandmother Jennifer Frankenstein tells WKMG the family is "super excited." She said Oskar is her first gra
  
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• NFL donates $160K to foundation for EBR school system

  01-11-2017 13:00
  BATON ROUGE - The National Football League has awarded thousands of dollars in grant money to local school sports.On Wednesday, the Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System announced that three different schools would be receiving the bulk of the money. Glen Oaks High School will receive the largest gift of $100,000, while Park Forest and Brookstown Middle Schools will receive $26,000 each. The remaining $8,000 will provide support for FEBRSS initiatives and grant oversight.&l
  
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• NFL donates $160K to flood-damaged EBR schools

  01-11-2017 13:00
  BATON ROUGE - The National Football League has awarded thousands of dollars in grant money to help sports at local flood-damaged schools.On Wednesday, the Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System announced that three different schools would be receiving the bulk of the money. Glen Oaks High School will receive the largest gift of $100,000, while Park Forest and Brookstown Middle Schools will receive $26,000 each. The remaining $8,000 will provide support for FEBRSS initia
  
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• Woman accused of killing disabled son with vodka gets up to 12 years in prison

  01-11-2017 12:34
  ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. — A Vermont woman accused of killing her disabled son after pouring vodka into his feeding tube has been sentenced to up to 12 years in prison.WCAX-TV reports 41-year-old Melissa Robitille was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison Tuesday. Robitille had previously been found guilty of manslaughter in the 2014 alcohol poisoning death of her 13-year-old son, Isaac.Prosecutors say Robitille and her boyfriend, Walter Richters, poured vodka in her son
  
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• LDWF restores access to waterways in Spring Bayou Wildlife Management Area

  01-11-2017 12:30
  AVOYELLES- The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has completed the clearing of trees that blocked navigable waterways at the northeast corner of Spring Bayou Wildlife Management Area.The area is also known as the bean fields.Crews removed more than 100 trees that were cut down in 2014. The trees were blocking waterways that connected Cocodrie Bayou to Lake Valerie.To clear the trees, crews used a marsh excavator and floated the machine along waterways within the WMA to the site then removed
  
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• Official: Officer who stopped attack is 'a hero'

  01-11-2017 12:24
  NEW YORK - New York City's police commissioner says the officer who shot the man responsible for a deadly rampage on a Manhattan bike path is too modest to admit he's a hero.  Officer Ryan Nash was on a routine call at a nearby school when he and his partner were told there had been an accident outside.  The pair raced outside and encountered Sayfullo Saipov in the street, waving two firearms that were later revealed to be a paintball gun and a pelle
  
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• Baton Rouge researcher recognized for obesity studies

  01-11-2017 12:21
  BATON ROUGE – A researcher at one of the country's premiere research facilities based in Baton Rouge has been recognized for his contribution to the study of obesity and ways to fight the health crisis.Dr. Eric Ravussin, Ph.D., received a Lifetime Achievement honor from the Friends of Albert (Mickey) Stunkard, an honor bestowed on someone who has made significant contributions to obesity research. The award is in remembrance of Dr. Albert (Mickey) Stunkard who spent his life working w
  
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• Man acquitted of having sex with dog before killing it

  01-11-2017 12:20
  PORTLAND, Maine - A Maine man accused of having sex with his dog before killing it and warning his girlfriend he could do the same to her has been acquitted of charges of domestic violence and cruelty to animals.  The attorney for 55-year-old Durham resident Thomas Wentworth says he's glad to have his good standing restored after being cleared of the "heinous allegation."  Prosecutors tell the Sun Journal the jury apparently did not believe a victim of domest
  
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• Scattered power outages affect thousands of Baton Rouge residents

  01-11-2017 11:52
  BATON ROUGE - Thousands of Entergy customers are without power following strong storms passing through Wednesday.According to Entergy, more than 1,500 customers near Burbank Drive and Bluebonnet Blvd., and about 1,200 customers near I-10 and Highland Road are experiencing a power outage.On a company outage map, they said "The thunderstorm that moved through your area earlier caused numerous outages and widespread damage to the power systems. Restoration efforts are underway and we expect that a
  
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• Thibodaux teen in critical condition following a gunshot wound to the head

  01-11-2017 09:58
  THIBODAUX- A 19-year-old female is the victim of shooting that happened late Tuesday night. This was the second shooting incident in the Marydale community on Tuesday, and the third shooting in seven days.According to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a shooting on Park Avenue in Thibodaux on Tuesday night.The victim was found unresponsive in the passenger's seat of an SUV with a gunshot wound to the head.She was brought to Thibodaux Regiona
  
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• President Trump nominates former EBR prosecutor to local US Attorney post

  01-11-2017 09:30
  BATON ROUGE – President Donald Trump has nominated Brandon Fremin to the post of US Attorney for the Baton Rouge area.Fremin will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy released a statement about Trump's nomination of Fremin:“Brandon Fremin is an excellent choice to serve as US Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana. Brandon served his country as a marine, I anticipate him taking the same intensity to this job. He
  
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• Authorities investigating shooting that left one dead in Amelia

  01-11-2017 09:26
  ST. MARY PARISH- Deputies from the St. Mary's Sheriff's Parish Office responded to a report of a possible shooting on Friendship Alley in Amelia.The call came in just before 11 p.m. Tuesday. At the scene, deputies found an unresponsive male subject who sustained a gunshot wound. The man was identified as 23-year-old Christopher Singleton.Singleton was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced dead. The case is under investigation. Permalink| Comments
  
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• NYC terror suspect seemed 'proud' of attack, official says

  01-11-2017 09:04
  Eight people were killed and at least a dozen injured on Tuesday when a motorist intentionally drove a truck onto a bike path in lower Manhattan in what authorities are calling a suspected terror attack.The rampage came to an end when the man crashed into a school bus and got out of the truck, brandishing a paintball gun and a pellet gun, according to police.The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov, was shot in the abdomen by a police officer and was transported to a hospital for
  
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• Authorities recover body from the Mississippi River

  01-11-2017 08:24
  BATON ROUGE- Authorities in Louisiana say a body has been recovered from the Mississippi River.West Baton Rouge Parish Chief Deputy Coroner Yancy Guerin told news outlets that the body was found on the west side of the river about two miles south of the Mississippi River Bridge on Tuesday just before 8 p.m.Guerin says it appears that the body had been in the water for awhile. Guerin says authorities have not identified the body as of Tuesday night but plan to release an identification and perfo
  
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• Body found in the bushes of closed business

  01-11-2017 08:18
  METAIRIE- Authorities say a man's body has been found in the bushes of a closed business in Louisiana.Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Jason Rivarde told news outlets that an unidentified 50-year-old man was found on the side of a former drug store on Tuesday morning in Metairie.Investigators collected a bicycle that was found chained to the front railing of the store. However, it's unclear if the bike belonged to the victim.Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich says there were no obvious si
  
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• EBRSO headquarters closed due to flooding

  01-11-2017 07:49
  EAST BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office headquarters will be closed today due to severe flooding as a result of a busted main pipe. Only supervisors are to report to headquarters today.The EBRSO server is also down, emails are not working at this time. The building has sustained significant damage. Officials have not said when the headquarters will reopen. Permalink| Comments
  
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• After harassment scandal, casino renames Besh steakhouse

  01-11-2017 07:01
  NEW ORLEANS- The steakhouse at Harrah's New Orleans Casino is now called BH Steak - instead of Besh Steak.The change, reported by New Orleans media, comes a week after the casino broke ties with celebrity chef John Besh. That move followed an investigative story by NOLA.comThe Times-Picayune.The story outlined the claims of women who said they were victims of sexual harassment by male co-workers and bosses in the Besh Restaurant Group. Besh stepped down from his management role in the business
  
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• Revamp Louisiana political mapmaking? Summit to start talks

  01-11-2017 06:50
  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana residents trying to rework the state's system for drawing political maps are planning a summit they hope will drive changes.A grassroots, bipartisan group called Fair Districts Louisiana is working with Louisiana State University's Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs on the all-day summit , set for Jan. 19.The event aims to start talks about revamping Louisiana's method for divvying up electoral districts ahead of the redistricting cycle tied to the 2020 Census.Eve
  
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• Former police chief accused of killing neighbor's goat with baseball bat

  01-11-2017 06:30
  WELSH- Former Welsh Police Chief Ben Richard is being accused of killing his neighbor's goat with a baseball bat.Richard, 49, is being charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.KPLC reports, that Richard found a goat belonging to his neighbor on his carport Friday. Welsh Police Chief Marcus Crochet said the incident was the result of an ongoing feud.Richard allegedly tried to shoo the animal way, then "he made a very poor decision, went inside got a baseball bat and ended up battering the anim
  
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• No washouts expected but umbrellas will be needed

  01-11-2017 05:48
  While no washouts are expected in the days ahead, a few bouts of showers and thunderstorms could inconvenience some after school activities and drive times. Thermometers will start to climb above average.THE FORECAST:Today and Tonight: Wednesday will begin a gloomier pattern in the Capital City and surrounding area. Mostly cloudy skies are expected as high temperatures climb into the upper 70s. Scattered showers will develop mainly north and west of Baton Rouge. Thunder and lightning will be sp
  
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