Baton Rouge news

• Famous replica ships 'Nina' and 'Pinta' dock in Baton Rouge

  11-12-2017 21:17
  BATON ROUGE- Replicas of a pair of very famous ships are docked in Downtown Baton Rouge tonight.The Nina and the Pinta sailed down the Mississippi River and docked near the USS Kidd around 3:30 p.m. this afternoon.The voyage started in Oklahoma by way of the Arkansas and Mississippi River. This ten day sail will end in Biloxi, Mississippi where people can tour both ships. The ships are built almost exactly the same as Christopher Columbus' original ships."The Nina is considered the mos
  
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• Trump wants to send man back to moon, on to Mars

  11-12-2017 19:42
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump wants to send man back to the moon - and on to Mars.  Trump signed a policy directive Monday instructing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to "refocus America's space program on human exploration and discovery."  The move, Trump said, "marks an important step in returning American astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972 for long-time exploration."  "This time we will not only p
  
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• Spirit boots breast-feeding woman from plane

  11-12-2017 19:40
  A woman making a long-planned trip with her parents and young son says Spirit Airlines kicked the family off the plane when she didn't immediately stop breast-feeding the 2-year-old, who was restless after a long delay.  Mei Rui, a concert pianist and cancer researcher, says she asked for a few minutes to let her son fall asleep in her arms while the plane was still at the gate in Houston and other passengers were walking around.A Houston pianist and clinical researcher kicked
  
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• Democratic candidate announces in Louisiana's 6th District

  11-12-2017 19:28
  BATON ROUGE - A Democratic land surveyor says he will challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Garret Graves for Louisiana's 6th Congressional District seat in next year's election.  Justin DeWitt announced his candidacy Monday to represent the Baton Rouge-based district, saying that the 2016 flooding that swamped the region persuaded him to run for Congress. DeWitt, whose home flooded, says the nation's disaster response system doesn't work for victims, and he wants to push for changes
  
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• Subway bomb ignited by Christmas light, matches

  11-12-2017 19:25
  NEW YORK - Law enforcement officials say a pipe bomb that exploded in a crowded New York City subway passageway was ignited with a Christmas light, matches and a nine-volt battery.  The officials say the short pipe was packed with explosive powder but didn't work as intended. The blast wasn't powerful enough to turn the pipe into deadly shrapnel.  Authorities have identified the attacker as Akayed Ullah, an immigrant from Bangladesh.  Law en
  
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• Winter weather causing sugarcane woes in South Louisiana

  11-12-2017 19:16
  ST. JAMES PARISH - It's harvest time in area sugar cane fields, but farmers hit a hurdle this past Friday in the form of snow.Huge combines are pulling up the crops and haulers are shipping them to market. But the cane's bent over after being hit with several inches of snow.Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain is a bit worried due to the crop damage caused by the snow."They've been cutting very good cane that has had a high tonnage and a high sugar content. But with the snow, it pu
  
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• Baton Rouge doctor wins big on 'Jeopardy'

  11-12-2017 17:17
  BATON ROUGE - A local doctor walked away from 'Jeopardy' a winner Monday, beating out her two opponents by a wide margin.On Monday afternoon's episode of the Alex Trebek-hosted game show, Dr. LaKedra Pam finished out with $24,801, beating the competition by more than $20,000. Pam is an OB/GYN at the Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge.The final Jeopardy question which secured her win was as follows: Taiji the Great Ultimate, is the source of thi
  
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• Airbnb proves lucrative for BR residents during LSU games

  11-12-2017 16:48
  BATON ROUGE- Home sharing during LSU football games this season has brought an astounding amount of profit to residents this season.According to a release from Airbnb, a home-hosting website, residents who rented out their homes on Airbnb during LSU football games this season have earned over $163,000.Airbnb says LSU's six 2017 home games brought a total of 1,700 Airbnb guests to Baton Rouge, and hosts who offered up their homes were able to rake in an averag
  
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• New Roads woman cast on upcoming season of 'The Bachelor'

  11-12-2017 15:00
  NEW ROADS- The new season of "The Bachelor" premieres early next year, and one of the contestants is a Louisiana native.33-year-old Lauren Jarreau. of New Roads is a recent master's degree graduate, and has been chosen as one of the 29 bachelorettes.The women will compete for the affection of Arie Luyendyk Jr., a 36-year-old race car driver.The show is hosted by Chris Harrison, and is set to premiere Monday, Jan. 1 on ABC.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Cat curled up in neighborhood Nativity scene delights internet

  11-12-2017 14:56
  A New York City neighborhood cat got into the holiday spirit by becoming part of the local Nativity scene.The feline was squatting in Jesus' manger in a Nativity scene last Sunday, and photographer Brooke Goldman noticed it while walking her boyfriend to a subway station in the borough of Queens."I saw him there, and I just had to take a photo," said Goldman, who has been shooting photos professionally for six years. "It was, like, the funniest moment."Goldma
  
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• Texas man killed, hit while walking on Louisiana highway

  11-12-2017 14:38
  STARKS, La.- Police say a Texas man has died after being struck by a vehicle while walking on a Louisiana highway.A statement from Louisiana State Police Sgt. James Anderson says early Sunday troopers were called out to a report about a pedestrian hit nearly 5 miles east of the Texas state line. The pedestrian was identified as Ennis resident 60-year-old Saul Zamarripa Ramirez.Ramirez was walking in a westbound lane when a 2006 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck struck him. The Calcasieu Parish Coron
  
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• Baton Rouge hospital wins national award for quality

  11-12-2017 14:23
  BATON ROUGE- Ochsner Medical Center-Baton Rouge was recently named a Top General Hospital by The Leapfrog Group.The Leapfrog Group is an independent hospital watchdog organization.According to a release, it was the first time the medical center won the award. Ochsner Baton Rouge was among only three Louisiana hospitals named to the list, all affiliated with Ochsner Health System.Ochsner Baptist, a campus in New Orleans was named a Top Teaching Hospital. St. Tammany Parish Hospital, a p
  
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• Man builds 14-foot-tall 'A Christmas Story' leg lamp in his front yard

  11-12-2017 14:07
  DES MOINES, Iowa - Tom Gross built a 14-foot-tall “A Christmas Story” leg lamp in his front yard.“Nothing says Christmas like the soft glow of electric sex,” he jokingly told ABC News, quoting the movie.The giant leg lamp is made from a pool pole, Christmas lights, wood, cardboard, a volleyball net, fabric and old curtains.“It’s all scrap stuff we had around the house,” his wife, Tina Gross, told ABC News.He
  
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• SpaceX launching recycled rocket, supply capsule for NASA

  11-12-2017 14:00
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.- Space Age hand-me-downs are soaring to a whole new level.On Tuesday, SpaceX plans to launch its first recycled rocket for NASA. The unmanned Falcon 9 - last used in June - will carry up a Dragon capsule that's also flown on a previous space station supply run.NASA's International Space Station manager, Kirk Shireman, said the risk of launching a recycled rocket is about the same as for a brand new one. He expects to be just as anxious as he always is at every launch."It's
  
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• 3 Trump accusers speak out, call for congressional probe

  11-12-2017 13:45
  Three women who have previously accused President Donald Trump of sexual harassment shared their stories on NBC's "Megyn Kelly Today."Jessica Leeds, Samantha Holvey and Rachel Crooks on Monday told of alleged harassment by Trump spanning decades.The White House called the claims false and "totally disputed in most cases." It said "the timing and absurdity of these false claims speak volumes."One of the accusers, Rachel Crooks, called the White House statement "laughable."Crooks said of sexual m
  
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• Transgender people can enlist in military Jan 1

  11-12-2017 13:43
  The Pentagon is allowing transgender people to enlist in the military beginning Jan. 1, despite President Donald Trump's opposition.The new policy reflects growing legal pressure on the issue, and the difficult hurdles the federal government would have to cross to enforce Trump's demand to ban transgender individuals from the military. Two federal courts already have ruled against the ban. Potential transgender recruits will have to overcome a lengthy and strict set of physical, medica
  
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• Putin says Jerusalem move may end peace process

  11-12-2017 13:43
  ISTANBUL- Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the U.S. administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, warning that it could destabilize the region and derail the Middle East peace process.Speaking Monday after a hectic day that took him from a Russian base in Syria to Cairo to Ankara, Putin said the Trump administration's move "doesn't help the Mideast settlement and, just the opposite, destabilizes the already difficult situation in the region."The Russian leader ad
  
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• Woman pleads guilty in pregnant neighbor's death

  11-12-2017 13:33
  FARGO, N.D.- A North Dakota woman has pleaded guilty in the killing of a pregnant neighbor so she and her boyfriend could keep the baby.Thirty-eight-year-old Brooke Crews could face life in prison after pleading guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and murder, and lying to law officers in the death of 22-year-old Savanna Greywind, of Fargo.Crews' attorney said she wanted to take responsibility for her actions, but Crews didn't offer details on how Greywind was killed. Autho
  
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• Local firefighter twins to appear in 'The Amazing Race'

  11-12-2017 13:09
  GONZALES- Two local twin brothers are going to participate in season 30 of the Amazing Race.Eric and Daniel Guiffreda, 33, are both area firefighters. Eric is part of the Gonzales Fire Department.The brothers, who make up one of 11 teams, are playing for the chance to take home $1 million.According to the shows website, the Amazing Race kicks off Jan 3. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Report: Body of abducted woman found in St. Landry Parish lake

  11-12-2017 12:41
  ST. LANDRY PARISH - The body of a missing 21-year-old Shreveport woman was discovered in a South Louisiana lake Monday morning.According to a report from KLFY, a fisherman headed to Toledo Bend hooked the woman's purse, which contained her ID, and contacted authorities. A search crew finally found her body in Lake Dubuisson around 10:30 a.m.St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said woman was abducted while visiting Alexandria. Investigators beli
  
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• Louisiana man admits using Trump's Social Security number

  11-12-2017 12:16
  BATON ROUGE- A Louisiana private investigator pleaded guilty on Monday to misusing Donald Trump's Social Security number in repeated attempts to access the candidate's federal tax information during the presidential campaign.Jordan Hamlett, 32, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine following his guilty plea in federal court.Authorities have said Hamlett failed in his attempts to get Trump's tax returns through a U.S. Department of Education financial aid website.T
  
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• Soon you can watch the NFL free on your phone on Yahoo

  11-12-2017 11:30
  NEW YORK- Watching NFL football games on your phone used to be mainly limited to Verizon customers. Soon anyone will be able to watch football games on the go for free on Yahoo's app, now that Verizon owns Yahoo.But people who want to watch football through online-TV services like Sling will have more problems. An NFL game on ESPN will still be blocked on the Sling app on a phone - and starting next season, on tablets, too.Verizon apps will have the exclusive rights on phones and tablets. Veriz
  
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• Local law enforcement to participate in Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign

  11-12-2017 09:54
  LAFOURCHE PARISH- Deputies from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office plan to join local law enforcement agencies in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.The campaign runs Dec. 13 through Dec. 31. Authorities say the campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.Authorities say deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe. There
  
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• Batali steps down after sexual misconduct allegations

  11-12-2017 09:30
  NEW YORK- Mario Batali is stepping down from daily operations at his restaurant empire following reports of sexual misconduct by the celebrity chef over a period of at least 20 years.The online site Eater New York reported Monday that the incidents involve at least four women, three who worked for Batali. In a prepared statement sent to The Associated Press, Batali said the complaints match up with his past behavior.A spokesperson for Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group says an employee r
  
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• 1 man killed in boating accident in Louisiana

  11-12-2017 09:11
  PLAQUEMINE- Louisiana officials say one man drowned while another man made it to safety after a boating accident.News outlets report that Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating Friday's accident on Little Bayou Pigeon in Iberia Parish in which 48-year-old Malcolm Perera was killed.Agents say Perera lost control of the boat, causing both men to be ejected into the water. His passenger made it to shore and found an abandoned camp, and was able to flag
  
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• Lotto ticket worth $350,000 bought in St. Landry Parish

  11-12-2017 08:28
  GRAND COTEAU- The winning ticket for Saturday's Louisiana Lotto drawing was purchased in Central Louisiana.WWL-TV reports that the $350,000 jackpot ticket was purchased in Grand Coteau in St. Landry Parish.The winning numbers were: 07-08-10-28-36-39. The winning ticket matched all six numbers, ten other tickets matched five numbers. Those tickets are worth $2,028 each.The next drawing is Dec. 13. WWL reports that the jackpot will be $250,00.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 'Low-tech' explosive detonates below NYC transit hub in 'attempted terrorist attack', suspect in custody

  11-12-2017 07:46
  Emergency personnel responded during morning rush hour to the Port Authority bus terminal in New York City to investigate reports of an "explosion," which police sources said was possibly caused by a pipe bomb.The NYPD is responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin at 42nd Street and 8th Ave, #Manhattan. The A, C and E line are being evacuated at this time. Info is preliminary, more when available. pic.twitter.com/7vpNT97iLC— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 11, 2017ABC News
  
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• Attorney general raises concerns about Edwards Medicaid plan

  11-12-2017 06:29
  BATON ROUGE- Attorney General Jeff Landry's office is raising "concerns" about whether Gov. John Bel Edwards can legally sidestep lawmakers to enact $15 billion in Louisiana Medicaid contracts through an emergency process.The guidance issued to lawmakers by the GOP attorney general suggests that if the Democratic governor's administration continues services for 1.5 million Medicaid patients by invoking the emergency statute, the contracts could be declared "null and void."The health department
  
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• TRAFFIC ALERT: Live updates on crash, I-110 S closure

  11-12-2017 05:37
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