Baton Rouge news

• Family displaced after fireworks damage trailer on Victoria Drive

  03-01-2018 21:25
  BATON ROUGE - Officials said a blaze that destroyed a family's trailer was caused by fireworks.The fire occurred on Victoria Drive near Calumet Street around 7:45 p.m.Baton Rouge Fire Department officials later confirmed the fire began after fireworks were lit somewhere near the trailer.A family of four was displaced because of the damage to the trailer, according to officials.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Firefighters respond to Airline Highway fire

  03-01-2018 20:03
  BATON ROUGE- Fire crews responded to a working fire Wednesday evening.According to fire officials, the incident took place around 7:45 p.m. in the 8200 block of Airline Highway.Sources said flames were visible from the second floor window. According to the Baton Rouge Fire Department, the back interior corner of the building was damaged during the fire.No injuries were reported.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• New Orleans agency: Weather's warmer, stop running the water

  03-01-2018 19:20
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Stop running the water. That's the message New Orleans officials are telling city residents, now that temperatures are above freezing.  The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board urged residents Wednesday to "immediately turn off their faucets to conserve water," after many had left the water dripping overnight to keep their pipes from damage in the frigid cold.  The agency said overuse of water has forced it to reduce pressure across the sys
  
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• Washington official: Motel 6 gave info to feds

  03-01-2018 19:16
  SEATTLE (AP) - Washington's attorney general is suing Motel 6, saying the budget hotel disclosed the personal information of thousands of guests to federal immigration authorities in violation of state law.  Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Wednesday that Motel 6's "actions are disturbing and they are unlawful." He says the motel divulged to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement the names, dates of birth, license plate numbers and room numbers of more than 9,000 guests at
  
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• Woman dead after fire at Baton Rouge apartment complex

  03-01-2018 17:29
  BATON ROUGE - One person is dead after a fire at a local apartment complex Wednesday night.The fire was reported around 5 p.m. in the 8300 block of Governor Drive. The St. George Fire Department confirmed that a woman was found unconscious at the scene. Firefighters performed CPR on the victim until EMS arrived, however she  was later pronounced dead.St. George Fire and the State Fire Marshal are both investigating the fire.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Car damaged during car wash, business does not take responsibility

  03-01-2018 17:04
  WALKER - It's not the way Dale Pourciau wanted to start out the New Year. He says a car wash damaged his wife's ride and he should not have to foot the bill."I was just in shock," said Pourciau. "I said surely they'll help me out here."But shocked he is after he says he asked for help and was denied. Both of the mirrors on his wife's Ford Fusion have been damaged. One of the side mirrors was left dangling by a wire and scraped up the paint on the vehicle, the other side mirror is cracked and br
  
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• John Nastasi, former WBRZ engineer, has died

  03-01-2018 16:59
  BATON ROUGE – The area has lost a television pioneer in the death of John Nastasi, Sr., a broadcast engineer who was instrumental in providing WBRZ's legacy signal to beam across South Louisiana.Nastasi, a Washington Parish native, retired from the television station in 2000 – 32 years after starting work for the Manship family in November 1968. Nastasi's retirement came at the advent of digital and high-definition television, but his career helped build the infrastructure o
  
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• Southern University campus closed until Thursday due to utility work

  03-01-2018 16:53
  BATON ROUGE - The entirety of Southern University's campus will be closed until sometime Thursday due to emergency utility work.According to the university, a campus-wide water shutdown is planned as crews work to repair a water line. The campus is expected to resume normal hours of operation Thursday.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Trump blasts Bannon after new book

  03-01-2018 16:09
  WASHINGTON, D.C.- Representatives for President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are pushing back against an explosive new book that, among other things, says Trump never expected to be elected and that his wife shed tears, but not of joy, on election night.White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the book, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" by Michael Wolff, is filled with "false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with th
  
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• Man found in partially-submerged vehicle on Spanish Town Road identified

  03-01-2018 15:38
  BATON ROUGE - Police have identified the man found dead inside a partially submerged vehicle on Spanish Town Road Wednesday.42-year-old Emeka Uba was recovered from the front passenger seat of a 2016 Jeep Compass, which was partially submerged in a creek, according to investigators. Uba was recently reported missing from the Maringouin area.Uba's body was discovered around 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, just off Spanish Town Road near I-110.Police said there were no obvious signs of trauma, and de
  
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• Colyell Community Water Co. issues boil advisory for some Livingston Parish customers

  03-01-2018 15:27
  LIVINGSTON PARISH- A boil advisory has been issued for some Colyell Community Water Company customers.The water company announced Wednesday afternoon that all of Highway 42 and side roads off of Highway 42 are under a boil water advisory effective immediately.Updates can be found here on WBRZ's web page or Colyell Community Water Company's Facebook page.Permalink| Comments
  
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• U-Haul pursuit ends with kiss after police standoff in California

  03-01-2018 15:18
  LOS ANGELES - A lengthy police chase involving a U-Haul truck in California came to an unorthodox conclusion as the driver and her passenger embraced and kissed in front of a crowd of police.According to  a report from NBC4 he chase began in Bell Gardens before making its way into Long Beach, Vernon and Commerce. Officers followed the driver and passenger at intermittently slow speeds after the front, passenger's side tire blew out, leaving the truck driving on a bare rim.The
  
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• Police: Fire at Clintons' NY home, no injuries reported

  03-01-2018 14:58
  CHAPPAQUA, N.Y.- Authorities in New York say a fire broke out briefly at the home of Bill and Hillary Clinton, but no injuries have been reported.New Castle Police Department Sgt. Arthur Mendoza says a call came in around 2:50 p.m. Wednesday about a fire in Chappaqua, a little over an hour north of New York City.He says the fire was out around 3:15 p.m., but firefighters are still on the scene.Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill tweeted that the fire was in a building used by the Secret Service, not
  
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• Ruptured pipes trigger fire alarm at Tiger Stadium

  03-01-2018 14:27
  BATON ROUGE - Freezing temperatures may be to blame for a number of pipes bursting on LSU's campus Wednesday afternoon.According to an LSU Athletics spokesperson, crews were called to Tiger Stadium early in the afternoon after ruptured pipes triggered a fire alarm inside the building. No significant damage was reported at the stadium and crews are working to repair the pipes.Widespread issues concerning water pressure have been reported due to the freezing cold temper
  
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• Vehicle fire sparks house fire on Central Road

  03-01-2018 14:13
  BATON ROUGE- Authorities say a vehicle fire sparked a fire at a vacant house earlier this afternoon.The fire occurred at a house around 12 p.m. in the 1600 block of Central Road. Authorities say the fire spread from the vehicle to the attic of the house.Fire damage to the home was contained to the north wall and the attic.The cause of the fire is undetermined and remains under investigation.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Cheetah at St. Louis Zoo gives birth to 8 cubs

  03-01-2018 14:04
  ST. LOUIS- A cheetah named Bingwa at the St. Louis Zoo is a proud mother - eight times over.  The zoo announced Wednesday that the 4-year-old cheetah gave birth Nov. 26 to eight cubs - three male and five female. It's the largest litter of cheetah cubs ever delivered at the zoo. The average litter size is three to four cubs.  In fact, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums has documented 430 litters and says this is the first time a cheetah mom has given birth
  
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• At least 16 dead as brutal cold keeps grip on US

  03-01-2018 13:59
  The number of deaths linked to the relentless cold across much of the United States has risen to at least 16.  Two homeless men were found dead in Houston, police there announced Wednesday. Chief Art Acevedo said the deaths were believed to be the result of "exposure to frigid weather" but the investigation was ongoing.  In Mississippi, 45-year-old Kerry Merritt of Plantersville died Tuesday morning at a Tupelo hospital after being found unresponsive on her p
  
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• Autopsy: 3-year-old Indian girl a homicide victim in Texas

  03-01-2018 13:53
  DALLAS (AP) - An autopsy report shows a 3-year-old girl whose body was found in a culvert near her suburban Dallas home died from "homicidal violence."  Sherin Mathews, who was adopted in 2016 from an orphanage in India, had been missing for two weeks before her body was found in Richardson on Oct. 22.  Steven Kurtz with the Dallas County medical examiner's office said Wednesday that Sherin was a victim of homicide, but that he couldn't provide any other deta
  
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• Dog chained outside home found frozen to death

  03-01-2018 13:48
  HARTFORD, Conn. — Police are investigating the death of a dog that was chained outside a Connecticut home in the bitter cold and found frozen inside its doghouse on New Year's Day.Hartford police say the dog might have been outside for as long as a month before it was discovered by police. They say the dog's owner has been in jail for months on drug charges and claimed to have made arrangements for the dog's care.WTIC-TV reports that a veterinary report says the dog
  
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• Worlds most expensive vodka bottle stolen from Danish bar

  03-01-2018 13:33
  COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Copenhagen police are investigating the theft of a bottle of vodka that is claimed to be the world’s most expensive at $1.3 million.Police investigator Knud Hvass says it is too early to say whether the perpetrator of the theft at the Cafe 33 bar had broken in or had used a key.Nothing else was stolen.Hvass said Wednesday police were notified of the theft on Tuesday.Denmark’s TV2 says the bottle of Russo-Baltique is made of 3 kilograms (6.6. p
  
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• Some Louisiana farmers eligible for disaster aid from Harvey

  03-01-2018 13:25
  BATON ROUGE- Farmers in 11 Louisiana parishes could be eligible for federal disaster assistance because of damage from flooding and losses caused by Hurricane Harvey.Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated two parishes - Avoyelles and Catahoula parishes - as primary natural disaster areas.Farmers in the parishes are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA's Farm Service Agency , if they meet eligib
  
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• Scientists find 4th frozen shark near Cape Cod shore

  03-01-2018 13:22
  WELLFLEET, Mass.- A shark conservation group says a fourth thresher shark has been found frozen off the coast of Cape Cod.Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Program Director Michelle Wcisel tells the Cape Cod Times the shark carcass was discovered New Year's Eve in an ice pack near Wellfleet. Wcisel says rough conditions stopped researchers from recovering it.Three other sharks washed ashore last week. Authorities believe all the sharks succumbed to cold shock. Cape Cod Bay's surface temperature
  
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• Capital One customers report widespread double charges

  03-01-2018 13:16
  BATON ROUGE- Capital One banking customers are complaining of pending double charges and negative balances on their checking accounts.The company's customer service Twitter account said that support teams are working towards fixing the issue.Debit card bank transactions have us seeing double today. Rest assured our support teams are engaged & working towards a fix. Hanging on the phone? We know the waiting game's no fun & we apologize for the holdup. In the meantime, you can login onlin
  
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• Mom charged in starved girl's death pleads no contest

  03-01-2018 13:05
  CINCINNATI (AP) - The mother of a 2-year-old Ohio girl who was starved and beaten to death has pleaded no contest to murder and child endangering charges.  Thirty-one-year-old Andrea Bradley entered the plea Wednesday in a courtroom in Cincinnati. Bradley and her boyfriend were both charged in the March 29, 2015, death of their daughter, Glenara Bates.  Prosecutors said Glenara weighed 13 pounds when she died. They said she had belt and bite marks, bruises, m
  
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• Cold causing low water pressure in Assumption Parish

  03-01-2018 12:49
  ASSUMPTION PARISH - Officials say residents in Assumption Parish are experiencing lower-than-normal water pressure due to 'extremely low' temperatures in the area.As of Tuesday, parish officials warned residents of the sudden drop in pressure, noting that the problem will likely persist through Friday as temperatures are expected to stay below freezing. Residents are also asked to report any leaks at 985-369-6156.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Finally, estate of Helen Plummer settled; Council on Aging director receives no part of estate

  03-01-2018 12:25
  BATON ROUGE- Ten months after the WBRZ Investigative Unit exposed a questionable will that was set to benefit Council on Aging Executive Director Tasha Clark Amar, the estate has finally been settled.The money from Helen Plummer’s estate will go solely to her family instead of Clark Amar taking a portion to be the overseer.The Investigative Unit reported last March, Clark Amar named herself as the overseer of Plummer’s estate. It would have benefited her more than $100,000.
  
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• Powerball jackpot now $460M for nation's 10th largest prize

  03-01-2018 12:19
  DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The estimated Powerball jackpot has climbed to $460 million, making it the nation's 10th largest lottery prize.  Players have until Wednesday night to spend $2 for a chance at the big prize, awarded to anyone matching five white balls drawn from one drum and a red Powerball drawn from another. The odds of winning are one in 292.2 million.  It's the biggest Powerball jackpot since a $758.7 million prize won last August. &nb
  
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• Authorities arrest second person in Thibodaux armed robbery case

  03-01-2018 12:14
  THIBODAUX- A second person has been arrested after investigators learned of an armed robbery after a victim was shot in a separate incident.On Dec. 31 at approximately 1:21 a.m., Thibodaux Police Offiers saw a tan Buick Century traveling on Jackson Street near St. Mary with an expired license plate. Authorities stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as 19-year-old Carmicheal Anderson.Anderson was arrested for armed robbery, no driver's license and an expired or cancell
  
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• Iberville Parish residents asked to conserve water

  03-01-2018 11:33
  IBERVILLE PARISH- The Iberville Parish Utility Department is requesting customers limit their water consumption during this period of freezing temperatures.According to a post from the Iberville Parish Council, the use of additional water is causing a strain on the parish water supply and may lead to low pressure or no water for some customers.The parish advises if people let cold water drip overnight from a faucet it should be a trickle. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Numbers drawn for $460M Powerball jackpot

  03-01-2018 11:27
  DES MOINES, Iowa - The numbers have been drawn for the estimated $460 million Powerball jackpot.
   The winning numbers selected Wednesday night are 2, 18, 37, 39 and 42, and the Powerball number is 12.
   The estimated jackpot would make it the nation's 10th largest lottery prize ever.
   Powerball is played in 44 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The odds of winning are one in 292.2 million.
   The $460 million prize refe
  
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• Baton Rouge General expands Urgent Care network

  03-01-2018 11:20
  BATON ROUGE- Baton Rouge General has announced the expansion of its clinic network through a new partnership with Dutchtown Urgent Care in Geismer.According to a release, the partnership will bring the Dutchtown clinic under the BRG umbrella and make it part of the General Health System network.The Dutchtown Ugrant Care accepts walk-in patients of all ages and treats common illnesses and injuries seven days a week.“Ascension Parish residents will continue to receive the convenient, af
  
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• First responders extinguish fire at vacant apartment

  03-01-2018 11:14
  BATON ROUGE - Firefighters battled a fire at an apartment on North Ardenwood Drive Wednesday.The fire began after 9 p.m. in the 1200 block of North Ardenwood Drive. Officials said the fire was vacant.No one was injured in the fire.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Authorities say fire at vacant apartment deemed arson

  03-01-2018 11:14
  BATON ROUGE - Firefighters battled a fire at an apartment on North Ardenwood Drive Wednesday.The fire began after 9 p.m. in the 1200 block of North Ardenwood Drive. Officials said the fire was vacant.The cause of the fire was ruled arson. Firefighters arrived to find two units of the ten unit building on fire.Authorities say the apartments were not occupied and had no electricity.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Woman adopts dog who had same heart surgery as her

  03-01-2018 11:08
  SPOKANE, WA- A woman adopted a dog after finding out the two had the same heart procedure.According to ABC News 7, Bruno was brought to the Spokane Humane Society where it was discovered he needed surgery to correct a severe heart murmur.In 1954 Sue Blankenship had the same heart procedure.When she heard about Bruno through a friend, she rallied family members to help her raise funds for Bruno's almost $4,000 vet bills.Thanks to the donations, Bruno was able to have surgery before Christmas.Per
  
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• 19-year-old college freshman takes office as city councilman

  03-01-2018 09:45
  UHRICHSVILLE, Ohio - A 19-year-old who launched his campaign for a council seat in an Ohio city while still in high school has officially taken office.  Eric Harmon tells WEWS-TV he's expecting a busy four years as he starts his first term as at-large member of the Uhrichsville City Council and his second semester at Kent State's Tuscarawas campus.  Harmon is a Democrat and ran unopposed to replace former Councilwoman Linda Davis, a Democrat who had served th
  
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• Donaldsonville without water Wednesday due to 'technical difficulties'

  03-01-2018 09:34
  DONALDSONVILLE – This Ascension Parish community is without water Wednesday.Water service was lost sometime in the morning, a city official said. Questions were referred to the private water company. Water service in Donaldsonville is provided by Parish Utilities of Ascension.A representative said there were “technical difficulties” with the water system in Donaldsonville, causing the outage. Water should be back on Wednesday afternoon under a boil advisory.Check b
  
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• Mega Millions jackpot jumps to $418 million

  03-01-2018 09:27
  Tuesday night's drawing for the $361 million Mega Millions jackpot failed to produce a winner, so the jackpot is even more lucrative now.According to Mega Millions officials, the jackpot will reach an estimated $418 million.ABC News reports that the drawing for the jackpot will take place Friday night.Lottery players across the country could win big if they have the winning numbers for both the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots, the latter of which will be drawn We
  
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• US construction spending rose 0.8 percent in November

  03-01-2018 09:16
  WASHINGTON- U.S. builders spent 0.8 percent more on construction projects in November. It was the fourth consecutive monthly gain and provides evidence that construction should continue to support economic growth.  The Commerce Department says that the November advance follows October's revised 0.9 percent gain.  The November increase was led by a solid advance in homebuilding, which rose 1 percent from October as strength in single-family construction offset
  
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• Lanes to be closed on I-10 East at foot of MSR Bridge Saturday

  03-01-2018 08:58
  BATON ROUGE- According to DOTD, I-10 eastbound at the foot of the Mississippi River Bridge will have alternating lanes closed Jan. 6.The closure will be from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. The area will be closed so crews can repair the approach slab.DOTD reminds residents to drive with caution through construction sites and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 93-year-old World War II vet sworn in as shore town's mayor

  03-01-2018 08:38
  TINTON FALLS, N.J.- A 93-year-old World War II veteran who wore out two pairs of shoes campaigning door-to-door is the new leader of a New Jersey shore town.  Vito Perillo was sworn in Tuesday night as mayor of Tinton Falls. The Republican won the seat in November when he upset an incumbent who was seeking a second term in the nonpartisan municipal race.  The U.S. Navy veteran has said he didn't think he had a chance of winning, but decided to run following a
  
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• Price tag on gene therapy for rare form of blindness: $850K

  03-01-2018 08:18
  WASHINGTON- A first-of-its kind genetic treatment for blindness will cost $850,000, less than the $1 million price tag that had been expected, but it's still among the most expensive genetic therapies in the world.  Spark Therapeutics says it decided on the lower price tag for Luxturna after hearing concerns from health insurers about their ability to cover the injectable treatment.  Consternation over skyrocketing drug prices, especially in the U.S., has led
  
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• Crews responding to fire on Capital Heights Avenue

  03-01-2018 06:34
  BATON ROUGE- Emergency rews are working a early morning fire on Capital Heights Avenue.The call came in shortly before 6:30 a.m. for a fire in the 4000 block of Capital Heights.The Baton Rouge Fire Department is at the scene.A WBRZ crew is en route. Details are limited at this time. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Man leads deputies on pursuit in stolen vehicle while intoxicated

  03-01-2018 06:19
  LAFOURCHE PARISH- Authorities arrested a man who led them on a high-speed pursuit in a stolen vehicle.At around 12: a.m. Sunday deputies with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office observed a vehicle traveling on LA Highway 3185 which proceeded through a four-way stop at the intersection at Talbot Avenue. The vehicle then made a left turn on red at St. Mary Street.Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver, 40-year-old Roy Leonard, refused to stop. Authorities say Leonard cont
  
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• FEMA allowing churches to apply for hurricane disaster aid

  03-01-2018 05:45
  WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has revised its policies to allow houses of worship to apply for some federal aid to help deal with damage from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.FEMA announced Tuesday houses of worship no longer would be excluded from eligibility for FEMA aid.The agency says the changes affect private nonprofit organizations that sustained damage from a major disaster on or after Aug. 23 or that had unresolved applications pending before the agency as of that date
  
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