Baton Rouge news

• Massive California wildfire half contained

  18-12-2017 21:35
  LOS ANGELES - Officials say firefighters in Southern California have reached the halfway point in their attempt to corral a massive wildfire.  But state fire Deputy Chief Mark Brown says before the fire is fully contained, the blaze will almost certainly become the biggest in state history.  Brown says favorable conditions allowed firefighters to make excellent progress Monday and reach the 50 percent containment milestone on the blaze burning in Santa Barbar
  
  Read more

• Walker roundabouts creating more problems than solutions

  18-12-2017 20:53
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - New roundabouts in Walker seem to be creating more problems than they are solving.The Walker Police Department is in need of more officers just to keep up with the demand the roundabouts are generating."It's been a tremendous headache for us," said Captain John Sharp. "We're a small police department. We have enough officers to cover routine wrecks, but if we have to take an officer out of the call rotation and put him out here directing traffic, then that leaves us
  
  Read more

• Mississippi nightclub is shut after shooting wounds 4 people

  18-12-2017 20:16
  ETHEL, Miss. - A rural nightclub in central Mississippi is temporarily shut down after four people were shot and wounded there during the weekend.  Attala County Sheriff Tim Nail tells multiple news outlets that a fifth person was also injured, but not shot, during the disturbance early Sunday at the Attala County Lounge near Ethel.  Nail says Monday that one person is in custody, but the sheriff's office did not immediately release the name or other informat
  
  Read more

• Edwards to make statement Tuesday at LSU Shreveport

  18-12-2017 17:54
  BATON ROUGE- Gov. John Bel Edwards will travel to Shreveport to make an announcement Tuesday.Edwards will make an announcement regarding an update on the potential partnership between the state, Ochsner Health and Louisiana State University, a release from the Governor's office said.The public announcement will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the LSU Health Center in Shreveport.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Baton Rouge DA's office receives grant to fight witness intimidation

  18-12-2017 17:53
  BATON ROUGE- The City of Baton Rouge was among three cities including Baltimore and Boston to receive a federal grant to help cities target witness intimidation.
  District Attorney Hillar Moore said the grant will not provide any extra money for the cause, but will provide expert guidance and advice that is estimated between $100,000 to $200,000 over the next two years.
  "It gives us technical assistance, experts from around the country that are going to come take a look at what we do here," Moor
  
  Read more

• Man says he was denied job because of life-saving service dog

  18-12-2017 17:26
  BATON ROUGE - A man with a service animal says he was told he wouldn't be getting a job because of his dog.David George is a diabetic and has lived with a service animal for three years. The trained and certified service dog named Pischouette alerts George if his blood sugar is too low or too high. George says that shouldn't prevent him from getting a job interview."She goes everywhere with me," he said. "She would protect me, she would die for me, I'm the same way."So it's only natural for Geo
  
  Read more

• Trump makes debut in Disney's Hall of Presidents

  18-12-2017 17:13
  ORLANDO, Fla. - President Donald Trump will make his debut in the Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World Tuesday.According to the Orlando Sentinel, the president's arrival marks the end of a year's worth of renovations and the attraction's reopening. Disney says the Trump animatronic boasts the latest technology, allowing for an even greater sense of realism.Other renovations to the attraction include new lightning, sound enhancements, and additional memorabilia in t
  
  Read more

• Florida grand jury investigates FSU frat pledge's death

  18-12-2017 16:47
  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A grand jury is meeting to consider filing charges in the death of a Florida State University fraternity pledge.  The Leon County grand jury on Monday interviewed Florida State administrators and those who were at a party with Andrew Coffey, who died after attending an off-campus party.  Coffey was a junior and a pledge at Pi Kappa Phi. He died Nov. 4 after he was found unresponsive after a party. Florida State quickly responded by in
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Iraqi refugee gets 16 years for trying to help Islamic State

  18-12-2017 16:14
  HOUSTON (AP) - An Iraqi refugee who authorities say wanted to set off bombs at two Houston malls has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for trying to help the Islamic State group.  Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan was sentenced in Houston federal court on Monday.  He pleaded guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.  The 25-year-old came to Houston from Iraq in 2
  
  Read more

• A look at Edwards' proposed changes to sales, income taxes

  18-12-2017 15:59
  BATON ROUGE- As a $1 billion budget gap draws closer, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his favored approach to closing the financial hole with a package of tax changes. The ideas come from a list of suggestions offered a year ago by a nonpartisan study group created by lawmakers.The Edwards administration said some details of the package are expected to be tweaked as the state determines the impact the federal tax changes expected to win approval from Congress could have on Louisiana's tax colle
  
  Read more

• Louisiana man arrested, travels by boat to steal from properties

  18-12-2017 15:18
  OIL CITY, La.- Authorities say a Louisiana man who's accused of traveling by boat to steal from properties has been arrested.The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that 56-year-old Gregory Lynn Norwood used his boat to access boathouses and piers. The properties were on Cross and Caddo lakes.The Shreveport Times reports he's accused of stealing fishing gear, furnishings, hardware and outdoor equipment valued at more than $5,000. Authorities say the incidents occurred between
  
  Read more

• Hold the cream and sugar: Dunkin' beer marks winter solstice

  18-12-2017 14:52
  WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - Dunkin' Donuts is brewing more than coffee for the shortest and darkest day of the year.  The Canton, Massachusets-based coffee and doughnut chain said Monday it has teamed up with Wormtown Brewery to launch DDark Roasted Brew. The beer's release is being timed to coincide exactly with the winter solstice at 11:28 a.m. Thursday.  The curious will be able to taste it on draft at Wormtown's tap room in Worcester.  Dunki
  
  Read more

• Stolen state police SUV used in 2 robberies, theft of gas

  18-12-2017 14:12
  NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J.- New Jersey state police say an unmarked police SUV stolen from a trooper's home has been used in two robberies and the theft of gas from a service station.The SUV was stolen Saturday night or early Sunday in North Brunswick and contained several uniforms, two issued weapons and other issued equipment.Authorities say someone using the SUV stopped a truck driver on Sunday morning on the southbound New Jersey Turnpike in South Brunswick and stole cash from the driver.About 3
  
  Read more

• ACLU files lawsuit to stop prayer in North Louisiana public school district

  18-12-2017 14:06
  WEBSTER PARISH - The ACLU has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a concerned parent who claims that constant prayer in her public school district has alienated her and her children.The lawsuit filed on behalf of Christy Cole Monday claims that the Webster Parish School District is disregarding the First Amendment, "indoctrinating" students and usurping parents' right to control their children's religious upbringing. The suit alleges that prayer is ingrained in all of the sc
  
  Read more

• WATCH: Little brother mistakes his sister's wrestling match for real fight

  18-12-2017 13:54
  An adorable video captures the moment a little brother rushed to the rescue of his older sister as she was in the midst of a wrestling competition after he appeared to believe she was in an actual fight.The wrestling match between Ruby Lewis, 5, and her opponent took place in Columbia City, Indiana, earlier this week, but was interrupted when Ruby's 2-year-old brother, Jash, rushed onto the mat and attempted to step in and save his sister.Crystal Lewis, the mother of the siblings, told the Indi
  
  Read more

• Trump judge pick who drew ridicule after hearing withdraws

  18-12-2017 13:49
  WASHINGTON- A Trump judicial nominee whose inability to answer basic legal questions at his confirmation hearing brought him widespread ridicule has withdrawn, a White House official said Monday.Matthew Peterson, nominated by Trump to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, became an internet sensation after the video of his confirmation hearing — during which Peterson was unable to define basic legal terms — was posted online.A White House official sa
  
  Read more

• Trump says America will 'stand up for ourselves'

  18-12-2017 13:39
  WASHINGTON (AP) -President Donald Trump says a new era of competition is underway and that the U.S. will follow his 2016 campaign doctrine of "America First."He said Monday that "America is in the game, and America is going to win."Trump's strategy focuses on protecting the homeland, including building a wall on the U.S. Southern border and taking other steps on immigration. He also called for promoting American prosperity, demonstrating peace through strength and advancing American influence.H
  
  Read more

• Mississippi boy dials 911 to say Grinch stealing Christmas

  18-12-2017 13:26
  BYRAM, Miss. (AP) - A 5-year-old Mississippi boy called 911 to report that the Grinch was trying to steal Christmas.  The Clarion Ledger reports that it happened Saturday in the Jackson suburb of Byram. An officer went to TyLon Pittman's home to assure him that the green creature wouldn't take anyone's gifts.  TyLon had been watching videos online when he became alarmed about the Grinch. He told his mom, Teresa Pittman, that he dialed 911, but she says she di
  
  Read more

• Oil still leaking at site of 13-year-old spill in Gulf

  18-12-2017 13:24
  BATON ROUGE- Federal officials say they have found fresh evidence of an "ongoing oil release" at the site of a 13-year-old oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, where chronic sheens often stretch for miles off Louisiana's coast.In a court filing Friday, government attorneys said recent surveys revealed two plumes of oil and gas flowing from where an underwater mudslide during a hurricane toppled an offshore platform and buried the cluster of wells owned by Taylor Energy Corp.The company says there is
  
  Read more

• Longtime retail store Pearson's to drastically downsize

  18-12-2017 13:03
  BATON ROUGE- Pearson's Luggage and Gifts announced Monday that the shop will be be transitioning into a much smaller version effective immediately after the Christmas season.Jerry and Lynn Pearson are calling the downsize "The Evolution Sale." On Dec. 27, the entire store will be liquidated with retail prices ranging from 20% to 70% off.The luggage shop will then be rebuilt at the same location, but in a much smaller footprint. "In the immediate future, a smaller 2018 version of the lu
  
  Read more

• No Pick 3 or Pick 4 drawings on Christmas Day

  18-12-2017 12:57
  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Lottery Corporation has announced that there will not be any Pick 3 or Pick 4 drawings on Christmas Day.According to a release, no drawings for Louisiana-based games take place on Christmas Day or Easter Sunday.Lottery offices will be closed Dec. 25 and 26, but will reopen Dec. 27 at 8 a.m.Lottery officials said that tickets for the daily games Pick 3 and Pick 4 that are purchased after the draw close on Christmas Eve will be good for the next regularly scheduled draw
  
  Read more

• ESPN chief Skipper resigns, cites substance abuse problem

  18-12-2017 12:31
  NEW YORK- ESPN President John Skipper says he is resigning to take care of a substance abuse problem.The sports network says its former president, George Bodenheimer, will take over as acting head of the company for the next 90 days.Skipper says in a statement that he's struggled for many years with substance addiction, giving no details of the specific problem.He says the most important thing he can do right now is take care of it. He's been head of the company since 2012.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• 1 killed in weekend fire at suburban New Orleans house

  18-12-2017 12:24
  METAIRIE (AP) - Authorities are trying to determine the cause of a fatal weekend house fire in a New Orleans suburb.  The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says in a news release that the fire happened early Sunday.  Firefighters found a woman's body after extinguishing flames that had fully engulfed a house in Metairie.  The identity of the woman was being withheld while relatives were notified. An autopsy was planned.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Firearms dealers say Feds stopped them from selling guns to Christmas shoppers

  18-12-2017 12:21
  PORT ALLEN- This past weekend was supposed to be one of the most profitable for Scott Roe, the owner of Spillway Sportsman off Highway 1."Firearms sales are a huge push this time of year," Roe said.However, many of his Christmas shoppers left empty-handed because Roe could not perform the federally required background checks. He said the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) was inaccessible."It was shut down completely, nothing worked," Roe said.It was the same problem
  
  Read more

• Authorities seize $90,000 worth of meth from man's home

  18-12-2017 11:35
  ST. TAMMANY PARISH- A narcotics task force made up of multiple law enforcement agenesis arrested a man on several drug possession charges.Authorities arrested Steven Zoerner Thursday.A search warrant was executed at Zoerner's home. During the search, detectives recovered approximately two pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $90,000.Detectives also recovered numerous dosage units of prescription medication, a small amount of marijuana and assorted drug paraphernali
  
  Read more

• State republican lawmaker to leave House

  18-12-2017 11:23
  HAMMOND – State Rep. Chris Broadwater has resigned his position in state government, WBRZ learned Monday.Broadwater, a republican, is elected from State House District 86 which covers rural areas east, northeast and northwest of downtown Hammond. Broadwater was elected in 2011 and his final term was set to be in 2020.Broadwater is a member of the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, Education Committee, Ways and Means Committee, House Executive Committee and Joint Legislative Com
  
  Read more

• Twitter rolls out stricter rules on abusive content

  18-12-2017 11:04
  NEW YORK- Twitter is now enforcing stricter policies on violent and abusive content like hateful images or symbols, including those attached to user profiles.Twitter says in a blog post that it will start enforcing its updated guidelines Monday, a month after first announcing them.Twitter will weigh hateful imagery in the same way it does graphic violence and adult content on its site. That means users may not use such imagery in live video or profile and header images.If a user posts hateful s
  
  Read more

• Hawaii attorney general announces run for US Congress

  18-12-2017 09:50
  HONOLULU- Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin, who has been fighting President Trump's travel ban, has announced he will run for U.S. Congress.  Chin seeks to replace Hawaii's Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.  Chin made the announcement Monday saying that the last year of legal action against the current administration sparked him to run for office for the first time.  Chin has been a vocal opponent to decisions by President Donald Trump's administra
  
  Read more

• Video of area dad in T-Rex costume waiting for daughter's bus goes viral

  18-12-2017 08:28
  BATON ROUGE- A video showing a dad wearing an inflatable T-Rex costume waiting for his daughter to get off her school bus is getting national attention.WWL-TV reports that the man is the costume is Tad Parnell of Brusly. Viewers can see Parnell dancing around in the green dinosaur costume waiting for the little girl to get off the bus. After the girl gets off the bus, Parnell chases her to the front door of the house.The video was shared on the Daily Mail's Facebook page Saturday and has reache
  
  Read more

• Father, son wanted in connection with threats made at New Orleans high school

  18-12-2017 07:50
  NEW ORLEANS- Officers from the New Orleans Police Department are looking for a father and son in connection with threats made at a high school last week.WWL-TV reports that Wyatt Johnston made threats towards Lusher Charter School Thursday, according to NOPD. As a result of an investigation, officers said a warrant for Johnston was issued for terrorizing.Police said 52-year-old Arthur Johnston, knew his son was wanted but made efforts to prevent Wyatt from being arrested. According to authoriti
  
  Read more

• Penn National Gaming to buy Pinnacle Entertainment

  18-12-2017 07:45
  NEW YORK - Pinnacle Entertainment is being snapped up by Penn National in a deal worth about $2.8 billion as the gaming industry seeks to diversify and cut costs at the same time.One Pinnacle property involved in that deal is L'Aurberge Hotel and Casino in Baton Rouge."We look forward to welcoming that property and it’s team members to the Penn National Gaming family," said Eric Schippers with Penn National.   The deal is anticipated to close in the
  
  Read more

• Overturned 18-wheeler jammed traffic on I-10 East

  18-12-2017 06:19
  GONZALES- All lanes are now open on I-10, after a crash involving an overturned 18 wheeler jammed the morning commute.A witness tells WBRZ  the truck flipped over, and nearly in half.The crash occurred near mile marker 176, on I-10 East, about one mile before LA 30 in Gonzales.The truck spilled diesel on the right travel lane, and crews worked for over three hours to clear the mess.At its worst, the delays reached seven miles in length. Now the roadway and delays are clear.Permalink| C
  
  Read more

• Overturned 18-wheeler causing delays after crash on I-10 East

  18-12-2017 06:19
  GONZALES- A crash has been reported on I-10 eastbound on Highway 30.An 18-wheeler overturned as a result of the crash. The right lane of I-10 East is blocked one mile before LA 30 in Gonzales. There are four miles of delays.Injuries have been reported.Alternate route: Exit at LA 73 in Prairieville, south to LA 30, LA 30 back to I-10 in Gonzales. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• TRAFFIC ALERT: Overturned 18-wheeler jams traffic in Ascension

  18-12-2017 06:08
  Tweets by WBRZtrafficPermalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• TRAFFIC ALERT: Live updates on overturned 18-wheeler crash

  18-12-2017 06:08
  Tweets by WBRZtrafficPermalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Authorities issue alert for missing 74-year-old man

  18-12-2017 05:58
  ST. MARY PARISH- Louisiana State Police have issued a Silver Alert on behalf of the Berwick Police Department.Authorities are asking for assistance locating Bruno Joseph Leita Jr. Leita, 74, was reported missing Sunday.Leita is described as a white male with gray hair, a gray beard and brown eyes. He is approximately 5'9'' tall and weighs about 190 pounds. Authorities say that he was traveling in a white 2012 Toyota Tundra Truck bearing a Louisiana handicapped license plate.Leita was last seen
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!