Baton Rouge news

• Olympic champion Gabby Douglas says team doctor abused her

  21-11-2017 21:06
  Olympic champion gymnast Gabby Douglas says she is among the group of athletes sexually abused by a former team doctor.  Douglas, the 2012 Olympic all-around champion and a three-time gold medalist, wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday night that she waited so long to reveal the abuse by Larry Nassar because she was part of a group "conditioned to stay silent."  The 21-year-old Douglas is the latest high-profile gymnast to come forward against Nassar, who spent
  
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• Report: Former Parkview Baptist student pleads guilty to carnal knowledge of a juvenile in 2015

  21-11-2017 20:59
  BATON ROUGE - A former Parkview Baptist student pleaded guilty to carnal knowledge of a juvenile following an incident in 2015, in which he reportedly had sex with a 16-year-old girl in a New Orleans hotel.According to The Advocate, 20-year-old Pryce Fletcher was convicted of the misdemeanor charge on Nov. 16.Fletcher, who was 18-years-old at the time of the incident, and the victim were visiting New Orleans to see the state championship football games.Fletcher approached the victim on Bourbon
  
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• Former Parkview Baptist student convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in 2015

  21-11-2017 20:59
  BATON ROUGE - A former Parkview Baptist student has been convicted by the Orleans District Attorney of a misdemeanor sex crime that occurred in 2015.   Pryce Fletcher, 20, had initially been arrested on a charge of simple rape, a felony, after an encounter with a drunken high-school student at a New Orleans hotel. The crime happened in December 2015 when the girl was in New Orleans because her high school football team played at the Superdome, accord
  
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• Teen idol David Cassidy, 'Partridge Family' star, dies at 67

  21-11-2017 20:30
  LOS ANGELES - David Cassidy of "The Partridge Family" fame has died at age 67.  Publicist JoAnn Geffen released a statement Tuesday evening saying Cassidy had died "surrounded by those he loved." No further details were immediately available, but Geffen said on Saturday that Cassidy was in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hospital suffering from organ failure.  The teen and pre-teen idol starred in the 1970s sitcom and sold millions of records as the musical group
  
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• Residents fed up with constant brown water in Livingston Parish neighborhood

  21-11-2017 19:54
  FRENCH SETTLEMENT - Residents in one Livingston Parish neighborhood say they've had enough of the brown water that's become a constant nuisance in their daily lives.The French Settlement Water Company blames the problem on manganese inside the pipes, adding that there won't be a long-term solution until sometime next year. But residents say that answer's not good enough."Some people make jokes about it and say 'that's cofee, or tea.' It's the color of black coffee," said Bridget Cutrer, one of
  
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• Firefighters respond to house fire on E Parkland Drive

  21-11-2017 19:02
  BATON ROUGE - Firefighters with the Baton Rouge Fire Department responded to a working house fire on E Parkland Drive Tuesday evening.According to BRFD, the fire started sometime before 7:00 p.m. in the 200 E Parkland Drive near N Parkland Drive.The fire was caused by a pot that was left unattended on the stove in the kitchen. Firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed in flames. The fire was contained to the kitchen area, and the rest of the home received smoke damage.Four people were disp
  
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• Woman delivers homemade meal to local firefighters for Thanksgiving

  21-11-2017 18:59
  CENTRAL- A local woman cooked and personally delivered an extravagant homemade meal for the Central Fire Department on Tuesday.The CFD posted to their Facebook page that "Mrs. Lucy" brought the crew an assortment of hearty foods just in time for Thanksgiving week. Photos show lima beans, salad, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, sausage, dinner rolls, and even pineapple upside down cake.The grateful crew thanked their "favorite fire station cook" for her thoughtfuln
  
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• Uber reveals cover-up of hack affecting 57M riders, drivers

  21-11-2017 17:44
    
  SAN FRANCISCO- Uber is coming clean about its cover-up of a year-old hacking attack that stole personal information about more than 57 million of the beleaguered ride-hailing service's customers and drivers.The revelation Tuesday marks the latest stain on Uber's reputation.The San Francisco company ousted Travis Kalanick as CEO in June after an internal investigation concluded he had built a culture that allowed female workers to be sexually harassed and encouraged employee
  
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• One hurt after vehicle crashes into restaurant on Coursey Blvd.

  21-11-2017 17:18
  BATON ROUGE - Authorities are responding to reports of a vehicle smashing into the wall of a restaurant on Coursey Boulevard.The crash occurred around 5 p.m. Tuesday at New Orleans Poboy on Coursey. Photos from the scene shows the vehicle smacked against the front of the building. The business does not appear to have sustained serious damage.Authorities say one person was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.This is a developing story. Check back f
  
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• Is your vehicle ready for holiday travel?

  21-11-2017 17:16
  BATON ROUGE- If you're planning to hit the road for the holidays, local experts suggest getting your car serviced before heading out of town."Very important...get it checked, get it checked," says Neil Bergeron, owner of Neil's Automotive in Baton Rouge.Neil's Automotive has seen a spike in cars and trucks needing minor repairs ahead of the holidays."We've done a bunch of oil changes, a few tune-ups, but mainly cooling systems... And radiators," Bergeron said.The roads are exp
  
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• Mortgage company slow to release money, rebuilding at standstill

  21-11-2017 17:13
  BATON ROUGE - A man says he can't move forward with rebuilding his house because his mortgage company is making him run around in circles.James Keener lives along Dickens Drive in Baton Rouge. He says he's done everything he can think of to help the situation that's going nowhere.When 2 On Your Side met Keener at his property Tuesday, we immediately hopped on the phone with Union Pacific Financial. By the time we had hung up, 45 minutes had passed and Keener made no progress."They just giving m
  
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• WATCH: Police K-9 joins in on partner's workout

  21-11-2017 17:05
  GULF SHORES, Ala. - Police and their K-9 partners are known to share a special bond, but you've probably never seen partners more in-sync than this pair.Officers Owan and Hancock of the Gulf Shores Police Department were participating in what they call their "9 p.m. tradition" when K-9 Officer Nitro decided to join in on the workout. Both Owan and Hancock were doing push-ups as part of their routine when Nitro began rising and falling on all fours, mimicking his two coworkers.
  
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• Thibodaux man arrested for molesting child

  21-11-2017 16:07
  LAFOURCHE PARISH- Authorities say a Thibodaux man was arrested Monday for molesting a juvenile.According to the Lafourche Parish Sherriff’s Office, 37-year-old Christopher Williamson of Thibodaux was arrested on Nov. 20th.Troopers say the investigation into Williamson began over the weekend after an adult victim came forward with allegations of molestation that began 10 years ago.At the time of the first incident, the victim was under the age of 13.Detectives obtained a warra
  
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• President Trump discounts accusations against Roy Moore

  21-11-2017 15:43
  WASHINGTON- President Donald Trump is discounting accusations of sexual misconduct against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, telling voters not to support his "liberal" rival.Trump spoke to reporters Tuesday at the White House before leaving for a Thanksgiving break at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. He says of the Alabama race: "We don't need a liberal person in there."Six women have accused the Republican Moore of pursuing romantic relationships with them when they were teenag
  
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• Disney Animation, Pixar chief John Lasseter taking leave

  21-11-2017 15:40
  LOS ANGELES - Pixar co-founder and Walt Disney Animation chief John Lasseter is taking a six-month leave of absence citing "missteps" with employees.  In a vaguely-worded memo obtained by The Associated Press Tuesday, Lasseter says he knows he has made some employees feel disrespected and uncomfortable. He apologized to anyone who has received an unwanted hug or gesture and to those he has "let down."  A Disney spokesperson says the company is committed to ma
  
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• WATCH: Dog and deer form inseparable bond

  21-11-2017 14:54
  EUTOPIA, Tx.- A dog and fawn in Southern Texas have become the unlikeliest of friends.Adorable video shared by Kate Dupnik shows an orphaned fawn that became best friends with a dog named Dixie. According to ABC News, the fawn, Rio, was adopted in Texas and seems to be getting along great with her new family. The video shows the inseparable pair cuddling, eating, and even napping together.Check out the video to witness the cuteness. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Trials begin for violent Inauguration Day protests

  21-11-2017 14:43
  WASHINGTON - Trials are starting for more 160 people arrested during violent anti-Trump protests in Washington on Inauguration Day.  The first trial, which began Monday and is expected to continue for about a month, charges a group of six protesters with destruction of property and inciting a riot. The charges stem from a violent protest on Jan. 20. Some demonstrators broke windows in downtown businesses, and a parked limousine was set ablaze.  Rather than tr
  
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• LPSO making improvements to website

  21-11-2017 14:32
  LAFOURCHE PARISH- The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office is making some improvements to its website.Authorities said during the improvements, some residents may not be able to access LPSO.net.The issue should be resolved within 24 hours. In the meantime, authorities say people can pay their property taxes online at http://snstaxpayments.com/lafourche.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Police: Woman killed grandfather by stabbing him 41 times

  21-11-2017 14:13
  PHILADELPHIA- A 21-year-old woman has been arrested in the death of her 80-year-old grandfather after police say she stabbed him 41 times in the home they shared last week because she says he was abusive to her.Patricia Diocson is charged with murder and possession of an instrument of crime in the death of Robert Girard. No attorney is listed in online court documents.Police say she initially told investigators she came home Wednesday at 9 p.m. and found her grandfather naked in a pool of blood
  
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• Authorities charge 10 suspects in operation Gobble Gobble

  21-11-2017 13:57
  ASSUMPTION PARISH- Deputies from the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office charged 10 people in connection with an ongoing narcotics distribution investigation.Nine of the suspects charged have been arrested, while narcotics agents continue to search for the tenth.Authorities said narcotics agents, uniformed deputies, and S.W.A.T personnel began making arrests early Monday morning as a result of operation "Gobble Gobble." The investigation has spanned over the last several months, according to aut
  
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• Border Patrol agent's mom says she doesn't know how he died

  21-11-2017 13:51
  DALLAS - The mother of a U.S. Border Patrol agent who died from injuries sustained while on patrol in West Texas says her family still doesn't know the details surrounding his death.  Elvira Martinez told The Associated Press on Tuesday that her son, 36-year-old Rogelio Martinez, was very accomplished and loved his job.  He died after being injured while on duty near Van Horn, which is about 30 miles from the Mexico border and 110 miles southeast of El Paso.&
  
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• Single vehicle crash near LA 83 claims life of New Iberia man

  21-11-2017 13:50
  NEW IBERIA- Authorities say a man was killed in a single vehicle crash Tuesday morning.The accident happened around 10 a.m. on the US 90 frontage road near LA 83. Officials say 38-year-old Scott Ward of New Iberia was driving a 2014 Dodge truck eastbound along the frontage road. For reasons unknown, the Dodge ran off of the roadway, struck a tree, and caught fire.Though Ward was wearing a seatbelt, his injuries were fatal. The Iberia Parish Coroner's Office pronounced him dead on the s
  
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• School leader criticized for handling of cheerleader protest

  21-11-2017 13:45
  ATLANTA - Lawyers for Georgia's board of regents say a university president failed to keep state officials informed about moving cheerleaders off the field before football games after some black cheerleaders knelt during the national anthem.  In a report released Tuesday, the board's legal office found that Kennesaw State President Sam Olens did not advise the state's university system of the change in the pregame routine even though he had been instructed to do so. &
  
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• Long-time Louisiana state lawmaker diagnosed with cancer

  21-11-2017 13:27
  MONROE- One of Louisiana's longest-serving state lawmakers has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.Sen. Francis Thompson, a Delhi Democrat who has served more than 40 years in the Louisiana Legislature, tells The News-Star he will have surgery Dec. 13 in Baton Rouge to remove the cancer.The 76-year-old Thompson says he's "a little anxious, but the Lord tells us to turn over our problems to him and that's what I've done." He says he expects to be "around for a long time."Thompson was elected to
  
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• Michigan police threaten to serve Lean Cuisine if you're caught drunk driving

  21-11-2017 13:24
  TROY, Mich. - It's never a good idea to drink a drive, but police in Michigan are taking some unorthodox measures to deter drunk drivers and keep everyone safe on the road this holiday season.A tweet from the Troy Police Department laid out the master plan to curtail drunk driving, and it involves microwave-ready Lean Cuisine meals.If your Thanksgiving celebration involves drunk driving in Troy, you can plan on this as your Thanksgiving meal... Proudly serving Lean Cuisine in the Troy lock up.
  
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• Christmas edition 'Make America Great Again' hats now available

  21-11-2017 12:39
  President Donald Trump's signature 'Make America Great Again' hat now comes in a Christmas edition with embroidered colorful Christmas lights.The front of the hat features the president's trademark phrase with the words lined in Christmas lights. The back of the hat is embroidered with "Merry Christmas."The hats can be ordered online on Trumps website for $45. Orders placed by Dec. 20 will arrive by Christmas, according to the site.Permalink| Comments
  
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• EBRSO Junior Deputy program teaches teens about law enforcement

  21-11-2017 12:19
  BATON ROUGE- Through the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office Junior Deputy program teens get the change to learn about different aspects of law enforcement.Teens ages 12 through 18 will learn the functions of each respective agency. According to the EBRSO, the Junior Deputy program was first formed in 1948 under Sheriff Bryan Clemmons and was once again implemented in 2008.During the program, teens will get the opportunity to participate in field trips to various places that are law enforc
  
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• Law enforcement stepping up holiday traffic patrol

  21-11-2017 11:55
  BATON ROUGE - Traveling during the holiday season can be a massive headache. Here in Baton Rouge, traffic on a normal day causes a ton of frustration."If you get stuck in the 4 or 5 o'clock traffic you're doomed," Baton Rouge Resident Joey Manda said.Especially when it comes to the new Mississippi River bridge."The bridge going toward Lafayette and Port Allen is always just tremendous traffic, pretty much no matter what time you go over there," Manda said.The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office i
  
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• Facebook post rekindles memories of ferry service in Baton Rouge

  21-11-2017 11:44
  BATON ROUGE – A growing Facebook page shines the spotlight on yesteryear with pictures of a bygone Baton Rouge.A post Tuesday morning reminded us of the commute across the river before I-10 – a ride on the City of Baton Rouge ferry. Ironically, the post comes hours before the busiest gridlock day in the region.     > GET TRAFFIC REPORTS hereWhile the ferry service and a more calm commute are history, the City of Baton Rouge itself lives on,
  
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• Iran-based hacker charged with trying to extort HBO

  21-11-2017 11:34
  NEW YORK- U.S. prosecutors say a member of an Iran-based hacking group tried to extort HBO out of $6 million in digital currency by stealing unaired episodes and scripts of hit shows like "Game of Thrones."An indictment unsealed Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan accuses Behzad Mesri of hacking into the cable network's computer system in New York. It says he stole episodes from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," ''The Deuce" and other series, along with scripts of "Game of Thrones."Prosecutors say Mesr
  
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• Ikea recalls dresser again after death of 8th child

  21-11-2017 11:16
  Ikea is recalling again a number of its dressers after an eighth child was allegedly killed by one.ABC News reports the latest victim was a 2-year-old California boy who was crushed by a MALM dresser after being put down for a nap in May.According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Ikea has now received 186 reports of incidents with MALM style chests. ABC reports that more than 90 children have been injured form the the CPSC said.Ikea is recalling the MALM 3-drawer, 5-drawer and three 6
  
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• After GOP rebuffs, Edwards to issue emergency Medicaid deals

  21-11-2017 09:48
  BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards intends to sidestep lawmakers to enact $15 billion in Medicaid contracts, after House Republicans voted twice to block deals to provide services to 1.5 million people.The Democratic governor plans to enact 23-month "emergency contracts" that will keep five managed-care companies overseeing services for 90 percent of Louisiana's Medicaid patients.The current managed-care contracts expire Jan. 31. House Republicans on the Legislature's joint budget committee ha
  
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• Turkeys get luxury hotel room before pardoning ceremony

  21-11-2017 09:34
  WASHINGTON, D.C.-The turkeys set to be pardoned in a time-honored tradition Tuesday stayed in a luxury hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue.WWL-TV reports that The Hill said the two turkeys stayed at the Willard International hotel. The Hill reports that the National Turkey Federation will pay for the lodging, as in the past.The turkeys set to be pardoned by the @WhiteHouse are staying the night in a luxury hotel in D.C. ?? pic.twitter.com/NUfir49uPS— Landon Haaf (@LandonHaaf) November 19, 20
  
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• Portions of Pearl River WMA to be included in U.S. Navy danger zone

  21-11-2017 09:04
  ST. TAMMANY PARISH- A portion of the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) waterways will be subject to periodic closures beginning Thursday.Closures are due to U.S. Navy training exercises that will be conducted in the area.According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the danger zone will be in the northeast portion of the WMA. The training may occur any day or night of the week.Prior to closure, Navy picket boats will patrol the area that will be off limits. Once the
  
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• Smoke testing to be done today to detect cracks in sewer system

  21-11-2017 08:49
  THIBODAUX- Smoke testing in city sewer lines will take place today in the area of Tiger Drive and Hickory Street in Thibodaux.The testing will allow the Public Works Department to identify any cracks or leaks in the sewer system.Officials said during the testing, residents may experience a smoke order or see visible smoke coming through their yards, drains, and pipes, both inside and outside of the home. Any smell or visible smoke should dissipate within minutes and residents should not be over
  
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• Police warn people not to eat spoiled, trash-picked turkeys

  21-11-2017 08:22
  FALMOUTH, Maine- A Maine police department is warning residents to steer clear of black market Butterballs.The police department in Falmouth reports a Hannaford supermarket had to discard frozen turkeys that thawed out because of a mechanical failure. Police say the problem is that someone collected them from a trash bin with the idea of redistributing them.Police say people should beware of the black market turkeys because they're dangerous to consume. They urge any consumers who came across t
  
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• New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu working on book about race

  21-11-2017 08:07
  NEW YORK- New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is working on a book about his views on race and his support for taking down four Confederate monuments earlier this year.Viking told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Landrieu's "In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History" will come out in March.The publisher announced that the Democratic mayor will trace his personal history and look at the larger history of racism in the U.S.Landrieu says the country is at a "pivotal moment" a
  
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• Fugitive arrested after being caught burglarizing storage unit

  21-11-2017 07:07
  LAFOURCHE PARISH- Deputies from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office arrested a man after he allegedly burglarized a storage unit at an apartment complex.The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Patrick Price. Authorities learned that Price had multiple outstanding warrants. He now faces new charges stemming from the incident.Deputies were dispatched to a burglary in progress at the Bayou Reserve Apartments on Talbot Avenue in Thibodaux on Friday.The victim told authorities Price was found to
  
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• Demogorgan or the alien turkey mothership?

  21-11-2017 06:31
  Many WBRZ Viewers reported a strange glow in the southwest sky last night. While other worldly explanations are decidedly more fun and interesting, the actual cause for this visual spectacle is less so.The fiery orange glow from a plant flare at a facility south of Baton Rouge caused quite a scene in local skies. The thin cloud deck made of ice particles created a “mirror” effect reflecting that flare and allowing us to see it in the sky.Plant flares are routine efforts to b
  
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• Moore campaign fires back against media, accuser

  21-11-2017 06:28
  WASHINGTON- Alabama Republican Roy Moore's campaign is going on the offensive against the media and one of the women who accused him of sexual misconduct.Moore's campaign has issued a Monday night statement questioning the account of Beverly Nelson, who said Moore assaulted her when she was a 16-year-old waitress. The campaign is quoting two restaurant employees who did not remember Nelson or Moore eating there.Six women have accused Moore of pursuing romantic relationships with them when they
  
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• Operation Zero Deaths for the Holidays

  21-11-2017 06:03
  BATON ROUGE- In an effort to combat impaired driving in Southwest and South Central Louisiana this holiday season, State Troopers are partnering with local law enforcement to enhance DWI enforcement patrols.Troopers in Troop C in Gary, Troop I in Lafayette and Troop D in Lake Charles will partner with local law enforcement through the end of the year.The mission of Operation Zero Deaths for the Holidays will be to detect and arrested impaired drivers before they cause injury or death to themsel
  
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