Baton Rouge news

• South Korea says North close to 'weaponization'

  15-12-2017 20:37
  UNITED NATIONS - South Korea's vice foreign minister says North Korea is "in the final stages of nuclear weaponization" and is urging the international community to grasp the urgency of the threat this poses and find ways to halt its nuclear program.  Cho Hyun warned a ministerial meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Friday that if North Korea can put a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile "it will fundamentally alter the security landscape in the region
  
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• Plan released for dividing money to Vegas shooting victims

  15-12-2017 19:39
  LAS VEGAS - The plan that will be used to divide donations to victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting includes a provision to assist those who sought medical attention but weren't hospitalized.  The committee overseeing the distribution of more than $22 million released the final plan Friday. It was revised in response to requests that money also go to victims who didn't require a hospital stay.  The protocol calls for donations to be distributed to the relati
  
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• State rep pushing for more ferry crossings to alleviate morning traffic

  15-12-2017 19:07
  PLAQUEMINE - Efforts are under way to add more ferries to relieve some of the morning traffic gridlock on the Mississippi River Bridge.State Representative Edmond Jordan says people are sick and tired of the traffic that plagues the morning commute."We need solutions, we don't need any more studies," Jordan saidMost drivers we talked to say they tend to opt for the ferry rather deal with the traffic nightmare on the Mississippi River Bridge.The wait to get on the ferry, usually takes l
  
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• State official pushing for more ferry crossings to alleviate morning traffic

  15-12-2017 19:07
  PLAQUEMINE - Efforts are under way to add more ferries to relieve some of the morning traffic gridlock on the Mississippi River Bridge.State Representative Edmond Jordan says people are sick and tired of the traffic that plagues the morning commute."We need solutions, we don't need any more studies," Jordan saidMost drivers we talked to say they tend to opt for the ferry rather deal with the traffic nightmare on the Mississippi River Bridge.The wait to get on the ferry, usually takes l
  
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• Gun stolen from inside of a Baker police officer's home

  15-12-2017 18:21
  BAKER - Police are investigating a theft at a Baker Police officer's home after thieves stole a gun and a pair of tennis shoes."It's a loss for the Baker Police Department and hopefully it won't be long before we can recover it," Police Chief Carl Dunn said.According to police, the burglary occurred early Thursday morning, when the thieves broke in through a window of the apartment unit."Any weapon that's stolen is dangerous, but it's more so a big concern of ours because we take every
  
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• 2 Mississippi children die in house fire

  15-12-2017 18:05
  VICKSBURG, Miss. - Two Mississippi children died in a house fire despite their uncle's effort to save them.  The Vicksburg Post reports that 16-month-old Mariah Dearman and 27-month-old Glen Williams were pronounced dead at the scene Thursday night in Vicksburg.  Their bodies were taken to the state Crime Lab in Pearl for autopsies, which Warrant County Coroner Doug Huskey said is mandatory for fire deaths.  Vicksburg Fire Chief Craig Danczy
  
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• Politician: Cleavage in Congress 'invitation' for harassment

  15-12-2017 17:56
  WASHINGTON - A U.S. representative from Ohio is complaining about the cleavage in Congress.  Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur has told members of her caucus that revealing clothes worn by staffers and some members of Congress are an "invitation" for sexual harassment. She says she's seen a member this week with cleavage so deep "it was down to the floor."  Kaptur is the longest-serving member in the Ohio delegation. Her remarks were first reported by Politico aft
  
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• Renter helped repair house, losing house to higher rent

  15-12-2017 17:23
  BATON ROUGE - A woman who's been renting a house for years is learning a tough lesson and will likely soon have to find a new place to live.The house on Wyandotte Street in Baton Rouge has been fixed up from flood damage. Patricia Anders put some of her own money into the place to help make repairs but says the landlord is planning to rent it out for more money than she can afford.Anders signed a lease and moved into the house in August 2001. She loves the house she's made a home."I love my nei
  
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• EBRSO deputy credited with saving choking woman's life

  15-12-2017 17:15
  BATON ROUGE - A woman is crediting an East Baton Rouge sheriff's deputy is being credited with saving a woman who began choking at a local restaurant Friday.Tracy North took to Facebook Friday afternoon to share the details of her fateful encounter. North says she was enjoying an anniversary lunch with her husband when she began choking on her food.After water did nothing to clear her airway, North says she ran out of the restaurant and tried to throw the food up. Feeling that she was going to
  
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• Kennedy defends questioning of Trump nominee

  15-12-2017 15:14
  WASHINGTON - Louisiana Senator John Kennedy is defending his tough line of questioning directed at President Donald Trump's federal judge nominee Friday.On Friday, a White House spokesperson responded to criticism aimed at Trump's pick for federal judge, Matthew Petersen. A video of Petersen struggling with questions from Sen. Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, had already been viewed more than 3 million times just hours later.  Trump nominee struggles to answer legal questionsG
  
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• FOUND! Toddler discovered after being reported missing Friday; parents arrested

  15-12-2017 14:47
  UPDATE: Livingston Parish Sheriff, Jason Ard, says the parents of Sheldon Baker have been arrested on desertion and drug-related charges.Sylvia Baker, 37, and Shane Baker, 40, have been booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center.Ard says this is the third time this week Sheldon Baker was left unattended outside before wandering off.The 3-year-old is now in state custody. During a search of the Baker's homes, deputies seized marijuana and drug paraphernalia.The investig
  
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• DOTD announces changes in hopes of improving confusing Walker roundabout

  15-12-2017 14:39
  WALKER - The Department of Transportation of Development says it's making changes to some lanes along I-12 in hopes of alleviating the confusion around the recently-installed roundabouts in the Walker area.The changes come on the heels of a number of complaints from residents and law enforcement officials.The first major change is to the approach lanes of for the roundabout south of I-12 in Walker. Prior to the new configuration, motorists were able to use both lanes going sou
  
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• Authorities make second arrest after multiple burglaries

  15-12-2017 14:01
  ASSUMPTION- Deputies from the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office arrested a man for his involvement in multiple burglaries in the Belle River area.Tager Rossen, 22, was identified as a suspect and incarcerated in the Bienville Parish Jail until his transfer to Assumption Parish on Thursday.On Oct. 17, deputies responded to multiple vehicle and residential burglaries. The investigation revealed that several vehicles and homes had been burglarized and items were stolen.Detectives from the Assumpt
  
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• Police seek missing Baker man possibly suffering from Dementia

  15-12-2017 13:52
  BAKER - The Baker Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a man who went missing earlier this week.According to police, Lee Chambers was last seen on Dec. 11 when he was dropped off at his home on Myrtle Street. Police say Lee is possibly suffering from the early stages of Dementia and may have become lost while walking in his neighborhood.He was last seen wearing a Brown Suede Jacket and Blue Jeans. Chambers is described as a black male, approximately 5&rsquo
  
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• Report: Suspected kidnapper, victim both drowned

  15-12-2017 13:47
  ST. LANDRY PARISH - Authorities say a woman and her suspected kidnapper both drowned in a South Louisiana lake earlier this week.The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office says 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan's body was pulled out of Lake Dubuisson after a fisherman hooked her purse Sunday, prompting search-and-rescue workers to search the water.Shortly after Kazan's body was pulled out of the water, her vehicle was found submerged w
  
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• Post offices open for holiday deliveries this Sunday

  15-12-2017 13:38
  BATON ROUGE - The postal service has announced that multiple Baton Rouge post offices will be open this Sunday for residents looking to make some late holiday shipments.According to  a release from USPS, two offices will be open in the city Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participating locations can be found below: Commerce Park Post Office - 10380 Perkins RoadWoodlawn Post Office  - 4700 Millwood DriveMore details can be found online at https://www.usp
  
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• Post office open for holiday deliveries this Sunday

  15-12-2017 13:38
  BATON ROUGE - The postal service has announced that several Baton Rouge post offices will be open this Sunday for residents looking to make some late holiday shipments.According to  a release from USPS, two offices will be open in the city Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participating locations can be found below: Commerce Park Post Office - 10380 Perkins RoadWoodlawn Post Office  - 4700 Millwood DriveMore details can be found online at https://www.usps
  
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• Trim and terrific treats with Holly Clegg

  15-12-2017 13:34
  BATON ROUGE- One great way to get on Santa's nice list is to leave him treats. Instead of leaving cookies, try some trim and terrific treats from Holly Clegg.Once again, Louisiana cookbook queen Holly Clegg and WBRZ's John Pastorek were in the kitchen making delicious food. The two made sesame honey chicken and blonde brownies.The recipes are as follows:Sesame Honey Chicken
  Makes about 6 (2/3-cup) servings2/3 cup honey 1/4 low-sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup ketchup 1 teaspoon olive oil1 onion, choppe
  
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• Roadblock devices aimed at preventing Bourbon St. terrorism

  15-12-2017 13:23
  NEW ORLEANS - It's the latest effort to make sure the crowds that stroll New Orleans' famous Bourbon Street are protected from terrorism.  City officials on Friday showed reporters the first in a system of road-blocking bollards installed to prevent would-be terrorists from driving into crowds. The cylindrical structures, roughly three-feet high, are permanent, but they are installed on tracks so they can be moved aside when Bourbon Street is open to traffic. &nbs
  
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• Hammer-wielding robbers smash glass cases at Wal-Mart, chase away employee

  15-12-2017 13:23
  SLIDELL - A pair of robbers made off with nearly $10,000 in electronic devices after they smashed out glass cases at Wal-Mart and chased away an employee who tried to intervene.According to the Slidell Police Department, the two suspects entered the store on Natchez Drive Monday morning and began smashing glass cases in the electronics section. Surveillance video from the scene shows a Wal-Mart employee attempting to stop the two, but he's chased awa
  
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• Lawyer who struggled at hearing to become judge goes viral

  15-12-2017 13:09
  WASHINGTON - A lawyer nominated by President Donald Trump to be a federal judge has become an internet sensation after having difficulty answering basic legal questions.  As of Friday morning, a video of Matthew Spencer Petersen struggling with questions from Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, had been viewed more than 3 million times.  Petersen, who serves on the Federal Election Commission, had difficulty answering questions about the "Daubert stand
  
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• Man whose attack on BRPD officer was stopped by good Samaritan sentenced to 8 years

  15-12-2017 12:35
  BATON ROUGE - A man who violently attacked a Baton Rouge police officer earlier before a helpful citizen stepped in was sentenced Friday morning.Thomas Bennett, 29, is sentenced to 8 years in prison for the Feb. 19 attack on the officer. Police say Bennett was found asleep in his car with drug paraphernalia, prompting the officer to conduct a search.After the officer recovered multiple syringes and a bag of cocaine, Bennett grabbed the cop's baton and began striking him in the head. Police say
  
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• Mississippi top court refuses rehearing in sheriff's killing

  15-12-2017 11:32
  JACKSON, Miss.- The Mississippi Supreme Court has refused to give a woman convicted of capital murder in the 2010 death of a sheriff another hearing.News outlets report that the court on Thursday denied a rehearing for 26-year-old Brandy Nicole Williams, who is serving life in prison for driving the truck that struck and killed George County Sheriff Garry Welford.The 62-year-old Welford was putting spikes at an intersection near the Alabama line to stop a truck in which Williams and Christopher
  
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• Retail chain sued for selling guns to Texas church shooter

  15-12-2017 11:21
  San Antonio - Relatives of three people killed in the November shooting rampage inside a Texas church are suing a sporting goods chain that sold two firearms to the gunman.  The lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks $25 million in damages. It alleges that Texas-based Academy Sports & Outdoors was negligent in selling an AR-556 rifle to Devin Patrick Kelley. The weapon was used in the Nov. 5 attack.  The lawsuit was filed in San Antonio by the family of Joann Ward
  
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• Anthony Davis surprises family with a new car for Christmas

  15-12-2017 11:03
  NEW ORLEANS- New Orleans Pelicans player Anthony Davis surprised a family with a new car for Christmas earlier this week.According to WWL-TV, in a video posted on Twitter, Davis can be seen sitting in the back of an SUV passing out presents to kids in a family at the Kingsley House..@AntDavis23 surprised a family with presents and a new car at the @KingsleyHouse as a part of the #SeasonOfGiving. pic.twitter.com/H7pPcA7UuF— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 12, 2017The NBA p
  
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• Authorities arrest seven in online prostitution sting

  15-12-2017 09:50
  BATON ROUGE- Authorities arrested six women for prostitution and one Baton Rouge man for pandering after a sting conducted through a website, according to booking documents.Authorities said that one woman, Kenisha Harris, was booked on additional counts of pandering, resisting an officer and battery after fighting with officers who met her at the adjoining gas station of a Baton Rouge hotel.Harris, 27, of California, allegedly screamed profanity at the officers and pulled her arms away from off
  
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• Mario Batali kicked off ABC amid misconduct allegations

  15-12-2017 09:28
  NEW YORK- Celebrity chef Mario Batali has been kicked off ABC's "The Chew" amid allegations from several women that he touched them inappropriately.ABC said that while it was not aware of any inappropriate behavior involving him and the show, the network says "we are committed to a safe work environment and his past behavior violates our standards of conduct."Batali apologized in a statement Monday, and said that "much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted." H
  
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• Trump says 'We're going to rebuild the FBI'

  15-12-2017 09:07
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump says "it's a shame what's happened" with the FBI, calling its handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation "really disgraceful."Speaking to reporters as he departs for a speech at the FBI training academy in Quantico, Va., Trump promises that "we're going to rebuild the FBI."Ahead of trip to Quantico, Pres. Trump says "It's a shame what's happened with the FBI...Everybody, not me, everybody, the level of anger at what they've been witnessing w
  
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• Deputies investigating early morning shooting in Thibodaux

  15-12-2017 09:00
  LAFOURCHE PARISH- Deputies from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office reported that one man was injured after suffering a gunshot wound to the face.Authorities said the incident occurred early this morning in Thibodaux. Detectives arrived to the scene in the 2000 block of St. Mary Street in Thibodaux after receiving a call of a shooting at 3:39 a.m.The victim was initially transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, but authorities say he was transferred to University Hospital in New Orle
  
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• LDWF to close shrimp season in portions of state waters

  15-12-2017 08:39
  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has announced that the fall shrimp season will close in a portion on state inside waters.The closure will take effective Dec. 18 at sunset.Waters that will close to shrimping include:-All state inside waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line except for the following waters located east of the Mississippi River.-Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Missi
  
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• Siblings spend the morning with troopers and motorcycles

  15-12-2017 07:49
  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana State Police Troop A had a few special guests stop by Thursday morning.According to LSP, the siblings wanted to see some police motorcycles and troopers were more than willing to make that happen.A few weeks prior to the children's visit, authorities said the children's new foster mother was in need of child safety seats. She was on her way to pick up the siblings from a dangerous living situation and needed a way to safely transport them in her vehicle, according to auth
  
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• New 1st-degree murder charge in car ramming

  15-12-2017 06:55
  CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-The Ohio man accused of ramming a car into a crowd of people protesting a white nationalist rally this summer in Charlottesville has had his most serious charge upgraded to first-degree murder.Twenty-year-old James Alex Fields appeared in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors said they filed a motion earlier in the day to amend the second-degree murder charge he previously faced.The judge certified the murder charge and all others against Fields. His case wi
  
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• No charges for Louisiana deputy in man's fatal shooting

  15-12-2017 06:49
  VILLE PLATTE- A grand jury has declined to indict a sheriff's deputy who stopped and fatally shot a man riding an all-terrain vehicle with his girlfriend in rural Louisiana.KATC-TV reports that the grand jury brought no charges against the Evangeline Parish sheriff's deputy, who is white, in the July 6 shooting of 27-year-old DeJuan Guillory, who was black.Guillory's girlfriend, Dequince Brown, was arrested on a charge of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. Police said she jumped
  
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• Louisiana income forecast improves, but doesn't close gap

  15-12-2017 06:37
  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana's income projections have improved, but state officials were tempered in their excitement about the brightened forecast because a nearly $1 billion budget gap still looms next year.The Revenue Estimating Conference, which sets state income forecasts, increased revenue projections by $153 million for the current financial year that ends June 30. Next year's forecast was boosted by nearly $234 million.The improvements were largely driven by better-than-expected sales tax co
  
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• Trumpeter faces money laundering, obstruction charges

  15-12-2017 06:21
  NEW ORLEANS- Award-winning New Orleans trumpet player Irvin Mayfield faces 19 federal criminal counts, including money laundering and obstruction of justice charges.A Thursday indictment charges Mayfield and his friend Ronald Markham in connection with their former roles as board members of the charitable New Orleans Public Library Foundation. The indictment alleges they used more than $1.3 million in library foundation donations to enrich themselves. That included money to pay their salaries a
  
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• Suits ask governor's office, sheriff's pipeline records

  15-12-2017 06:16
  NEW ORLEANS- A human rights law firm has sued the Louisiana governor's office and a sheriff's office to get records involving a crude oil pipeline proposed to cross the Atchafalaya  Basin.The suit against St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne also asks for records of his office's participation in the response to protests against a North Dakota pipeline.Both the Dakota Access Pipeline and the proposed 162-mile (261-kilometer) Bayou Bridge Pipeline from Lake Charles to St. James Pari
  
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• Blanco to give commencement address at Louisiana-Lafayette

  15-12-2017 05:47
  LAFAYETTE- Former Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco will deliver the fall commencement address at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.Graduates convene Friday at 11 a.m. for the General Assembly in the Cajundome and Convention Center.Blanco was Louisiana's first and only female governor, serving from 2004 to 2008, choosing not to run for re-election after criticism of her performance during and after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She also served 24 years in various elected offices in
  
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