Baton Rouge news

• Panthers owner Richardson selling NFL team

  17-12-2017 19:48
  CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Carolina Panthers have announced that owner Jerry Richardson is selling the NFL franchise amid an investigation by the league into allegations of sexual and racist misconduct by Richardson in the workplace.The team announced on Twitter that Richardson is selling the team, linking to a five-paragraph letter by the franchise's only owner.Richardson said in the open letter "I believe it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership. Therefore, I will put the team up for
  
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• Vehicle engulfed in flames after striking tree in Covington, one person killed

  17-12-2017 17:39
  ST. TAMMANY PARISH- Deputies say one man has died after a single-vehicle crash occurred Saturday night.According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, the incident took place in the Natchez Trace subdivision around 11:30 p.m. Saturday in the Covington area.Officials say the vehicle exited the roadway and struck a tree. Witnesses were able to pull the driver, 36-year-old Samuel Collins of Ponchatoula, from the vehicle before it became engulfed i
  
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• Dearman's open for business two years after fire

  17-12-2017 16:04
  BATON ROUGE - Nearly two years after flames tore through the restaurant, Dearman's Soda Shop, is opening its doors back up.The 1950's-themed burger joint has been a staple of the capital city for more than 50 years. Customers were delighted with the news as lunchtime rolled around Sunday."Just by chance we happened to drive by," first customer, Jason Hebert, said. "Saw the people and said let's go get a burger."Manager, Casey Evans, says the last 21 months have been filled with ups and
  
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• Deputies warn Ascension residents of phone scam

  17-12-2017 14:21
  ASCENSION PARISH- Deputies are warning the public of a a phone scam in Ascension.The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says residents should be advised of an imposter scam wherein an individual will claim to be from the sheriff’s office and asks for money.According to Sheriff Jeff Wiley, deputies have received multiple complaints from residents that have been contacted by an individual identifying himself as Lieutenant Anderson, Lieutenant O’Neal, or Lieutenant Nic
  
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• Mississippi shipyard gets initial $63M to repair destroyer

  17-12-2017 13:59
  PASCAGOULA, Miss. - The U.S. Navy has awarded an initial $63 million contract to a Mississippi shipyard to repair a damaged destroyer.  The Navy on Friday announced the contract with Ingalls Shipbuilding, part of Virginia-based Huntington Ingalls Industries.  The USS Fitzgerald was damaged in a June 17 collision with a container ship off Japan that killed seven sailors. Its hull was punctured twice more last month as it was loaded aboard a transport ship. The
  
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• FINAL: Saints defeat Jets 31-19

  17-12-2017 13:20
    
  NEW ORLEANS- Mark Ingram ran for two touchdowns and gained 151 yards from scrimmage, including a late 50-yard TD run, and the New Orleans Saints overcame three turnovers to defeat the struggling New York Jets, 31-19 on Sunday.Michael Thomas became the second NFL player with at least 90 receptions in his first two seasons. He caught nine passes for 93 yards, including a pivotal fourth-quarter touchdown on a short slant for New Orleans (10-4), which retained its tenuous hold
  
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• Funeral procession begins for California firefighter

  17-12-2017 12:27
  MONTECITO, Calif. - A five-county funeral procession has begun for a firefighter killed while battling the colossal wildfire that's still threatening homes in Southern California.  An autopsy found Cory Iverson died from burns and smoke inhalation.  Firefighters and police stood at attention as Iverson's body left the medical examiner's office in Ventura County shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday. The procession will wind through Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riversi
  
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• 8,000 firefighters protect California communities

  17-12-2017 12:27
  MONTECITO, Calif. - One of the largest wildfires in California history is now 40 percent contained but flames still threaten coastal communities as dry, gusty winds are predicted to continue.  Winds calmed overnight but seaside communities in Santa Barbara counties were warned again Sunday that they're still at risk if unpredictable gusts whip up once more.  Some 8,000 firefighters are deployed to the so-called Thomas Fire, which has burned for nearly two wee
  
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• 'The Last Jedi' opens with $220M, 2nd best weekend all-time

  17-12-2017 12:21
  NEW YORK - "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" rocketed to a debut of $220 million at the box office, landing the second-best opening weekend ever in North America and slotting in behind only its predecessor, "The Force Awakens."  The Disney blockbuster is only the fourth film to open above $200 million in North America. Aside from "The Force Awakens," the others are "The Avengers" and "Jurassic World."  Good reviews helped it. Rian Johnson's sequel to "The Force Awak
  
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• Kremlin says Putin thanked Trump for CIA tip on bombings

  17-12-2017 12:11
  MOSCOW - The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has called U.S. President Donald Trump to thank him for a CIA tip that has helped thwart a series of bombings in St. Petersburg.  The Kremlin said Putin told Trump during the call on Sunday that the information provided by the CIA was sufficient to track down and detain a group of suspects that was planning to bomb the Kazan Cathedral and other sites in the city.  The Kremlin says the Russian leader a
  
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• NFL taking over investigation of Richardson allegations

  17-12-2017 12:09
  CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The NFL is taking over the investigation of allegations of workplace misconduct by Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.  NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Sunday in an email to The Associated Press that the league will handle the investigation rather than the team, as originally planned.  The team announced Friday the 81-year Richardson was under investigation, but declined to provide any details.  Team spokesman Steve
  
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• Louisiana to partially close shrimp season

  17-12-2017 12:06
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana wildlife and fisheries regulators say the fall shrimp season will close in a portion of state inside waters beginning at official sunset Monday.  Affected by last week's order are 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 (BORN), Mississippi Sound, Miss
  
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• Mississippi pastors receive training in church security

  17-12-2017 12:02
  HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Some Mississippi church leaders are learning how to make houses of worship more secure.  WHLT-TV reports that officials from the Mississippi Department of Homeland Security and the state Gaming Commission provided training last week for several pastors. It took place at West Point Baptist Church in Hattiesburg.  Security has been on people's minds since a gunman killed more than two dozen people Nov. 5 at a church in Texas. &
  
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• Deadline to submit Louisiana flooding insurance form nears

  17-12-2017 11:57
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana residents who had damage from the August 2016 flooding have until the end of December to submit the proof of loss form required for a flood insurance claim.  Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is reminding people of the Dec. 31 deadline, which Donelon's office says was extended six times.  The insurance department says nearly 30,000 claims have been filed with the National Flood Insurance Program from policyholders affected by the floo
  
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• Three astronauts blast off for International Space Station

  17-12-2017 11:54
  BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - A capsule carrying three astronauts from Russia, Japan and the United States has blasted off for a two-day trip to the International Space Station.  The Soyuz capsule with Anton Shkaplerov, Norishige Kanai and Scott Tingle launched at 1:23 p.m. (2:23 a.m. EST) Sunday from Russia's manned space-launch complex in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. It entered orbit nine minutes later.  It is the first space flight for Tingle and Kanai; Shkaplerov is on
  
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• State Police: Speed likely caused deadly crash in Livingston Parish

  17-12-2017 09:34
  WALKER - A 40-year-old man died in a single-vehicle crash Saturday.State Police said Bradley Lejeune, of Baton Rouge, died when he lost control of his pickup in a curve on Hwy. 63 south of Hwy. 447 around 8:30 Saturday evening.  After running off the road, the truck violently crashed into an embankment and tree. Lejeune was unrestrained at the time of the crash, troopers said.  Excessive speed may have been a factor, authorities reported in a news release.  T
  
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