Baton Rouge news

• S. Korea's Moon wants more talks to resolve North nuke issue

  09-01-2018 21:44
  SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea's president says he'll push for more talks and cooperation with North Korea to resolve the nuclear standoff.  President Moon Jae-in spoke Wednesday, a day after the two Koreas held high-level talks for the first time in two years and agreed to cooperate in next month's Winter Olympics in South Korea.  North Korea will send a delegation of officials, athletes and others to the Feb. 9-25 Games and both sides agreed to hold talks
  
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• Boil-water order could end Thursday in Mississippi city

  09-01-2018 21:26
  JACKSON, Miss. - A boil-water order might end by Thursday for water customers in Mississippi's capital city.  Jackson officials said Tuesday that they've been able to increase water flows from the larger of two city treatment plants, increasing water pressure.  The city says it's testing samples for contaminants Tuesday and Wednesday in hopes of ending the order.  Officials say 119 water mains have been discovered leaking since last week's c
  
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• Doctor charged with having wife killed to protect drug ring

  09-01-2018 21:25
  A New Jersey doctor running an illegal prescription opioid drug ring with a motorcycle gang had a member hire someone to kill his wife after she threatened to expose the scheme while trying to force him to agree to a divorce, authorities said Tuesday.  James Kauffman and a member of the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang were charged in the May 2012 shooting death of radio host April Kauffman. Another six people connected to the gang were charged with racketeering in the drug ring,
  
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• Trump administration says no oil drilling off Florida coast

  09-01-2018 20:59
  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Trump administration says it will not allow oil drilling off the coast of Florida, bowing to pressure from Republican Gov. Rick Scott.  Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said after meeting with Scott Tuesday that drilling would be "off the table" when it comes to waters in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida.  Zinke announced plans last week to greatly expand offshore oil drilling from the Atlantic to the Arcti
  
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• WATCH: Horse and his stuffed duck are an inseparable pair

  09-01-2018 20:06
  KINGSTON, NH- An adorable video of a horse playing with his stuffed duck is sweeping the internet.MKM Equine Photography posted the video to their Facebook page. The horse, named Snipes, is seen showing off in the snow with his favorite toy: a stuffed duck.The internet can't seem to get enough of the cuteness.Check out the video to see Snipes and his duck in action.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Some struggling to pay utility bills after cold stretch in South Louisiana

  09-01-2018 19:56
  BATON ROUGE - Paulan Vallery has been keeping warm in his small one bedroom home with a small gas heater and the burners on his stove."I had no heat other than my stove, and that was the only thing to keep it warm in here," Vallery said.He lives on a fixed income and, from time to time, needs help paying his utility bills."Every time I turn around my bill is going up, up, up. Not down, down, down. Going up, " Vallery said.And because of the recent freeze, Vallery is concerned that his
  
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• San Francisco auto burglar steals Olympic skater's costumes

  09-01-2018 18:58
  SAN FRANCISCO- A U.S. Olympic figure skater had two pricey costumes and her skates stolen from a rental SUV when while visiting San Francisco.The San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday that Marissa Castelli was competing in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in nearby San Jose last week.She and her parents visited the Japantown neighborhood for lunch Monday before returning home to Rhode Island.A burglar broke into the SUV and stole several pieces of luggage that included two skating costu
  
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• Fighting the flu from inside the hospital

  09-01-2018 18:30
  BATON ROUGE - This year's flu season is proving to be a deadly one.Five people have died since November at Our Lady of the Lake hospital, and 11 more patients are in the ICU with the flu Tuesday. Last week alone, more than 1,000 patients were tested for the flu.If dealing with a high number of patients isn't tough enough, the physicians are also having to worry about coming down with the flu themselves."I think about it all the time,” Medical Director of Infection Control and Preventi
  
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• Authorities responding to reported shooting on Beech Street

  09-01-2018 18:15
  BATON ROUGE - Police are responding to reports of a shooting in North Baton Rouge Tuesday evening.The shooting was reported around 6 p.m. on Beech Street near Lemonwood Drive. Authorities say one person was reportedly struck in the head.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Authorities respond to armed robbery turned shooting on Beech Street

  09-01-2018 18:15
  BATON ROUGE - Police are responding to reports of a shooting in North Baton Rouge Tuesday evening.The shooting was reported around 6 p.m. on Beech Street near Lemonwood Drive. Authorities say one person was reportedly shot during an attempted armed robbery.Officials say the victim's injuries are non-life threatening.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Underground leak causes enormous water bill

  09-01-2018 17:40
  PRAIRIEVILLE - A man says he was shocked when he opened his mail Monday. A bill that's normally just a few bucks grew by about 75 times what it normally is."I can't pay a bill like that," said James McCasland.Being on a fixed income, McCasland has a pretty good idea what he'll be spending on bills for the month. But when he opened his Ascension Water Company bill, it was in the quadruple digits at $1,147.63. His water bill is normally around $15 a month."I said, Something's wrong,'" said McCasl
  
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• One arrested, two suspects at large following armed robbery in Ascension

  09-01-2018 17:25
  ASCENSION PARISH- Authorities say one man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery.According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, two suspects are still at large following an armed robbery that took place off of Highway 405. On Jan. 4, deputies were dispatched around 11 p.m. in reference to an armed robbery. The victim told officials he was returning home from work when he was met by three armed suspects. Two of the suspects were armed with handguns and one was armed
  
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• Man sought in Louisiana triple killing arrested in Oregon

  09-01-2018 16:54
  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A suspect in the drive-by shooting deaths of three people in Louisiana has been arrested in Portland, Oregon.  Multnomah County deputy district attorney Traci Anderson says in a probable cause affidavit that Deaundrey Cole identified himself to Portland police as Demetrius Jenkins when they stopped him Sunday for driving recklessly.  Acquaintances of the man told police he was wanted in Louisiana. Anderson says officers ran his fingerpri
  
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• Body found off Hwy. 190 near old Miss. River Bridge

  09-01-2018 16:43
  BATON ROUGE - Police say a body was found off Highway 190 in Baton Rouge Tuesday afternoon.The discovery was made around 4 p.m. Tuesday, somewhere between the old Mississippi River Bridge and Scenic Highway. Police believe the body is likely that a of a homeless man.Foul play is not suspected at this point.This is a developing story. Check beck for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Three stores to close Mall of La. locations at the end of January

  09-01-2018 15:55
  BATON ROUGE – The Mall of Louisiana is no longer immune to the changing habits of shoppers, it appears, as three stores plan end-of-the-month closures.The Gap, which already announced its closure, will shutdown at the end of the month along with Banana Republic and Paris Parker, a hair salon. The Gap and Banana Republic are owned by the same company; Paris Parker is based in Hammond.Brick and mortar stores, especially those housed in malls across the country, have felt stress over the
  
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• Death toll at 13 as mud sweeps away homes in California burn areas

  09-01-2018 15:15
  LOS ANGELES- At least eight people were killed and homes were swept from their foundations Tuesday as heavy rain sent mud and boulders sliding down hills stripped of vegetation by a gigantic wildfire that raged in Southern California last month.Rescue crews used helicopters to lift people to safety because of blocked roads, and firefighters slogged through waist-high mud to pull a muck-covered 14-year-old girl out of the ruins of a home in Montecito, northwest of Los Angeles, where she
  
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• 6 killed as mud sweeps away homes in California burn areas

  09-01-2018 15:15
  LOS ANGELES- At least six people were killed and homes were swept from their foundations Tuesday as heavy rain sent mud and boulders sliding down hills stripped of vegetation by a gigantic wildfire that raged in Southern California last month.Rescue crews used helicopters to lift people to safety because of blocked roads, and firefighters slogged through waist-high mud to pull a muck-covered 14-year-old girl out of the ruins of a home in Montecito, northwest of Los Angeles, where she had been t
  
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• Report: 8-year-old dies after being shot with BB gun

  09-01-2018 14:45
  GRABILL, Ind. - An 8-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital after she was shot in the head with a BB gun has died, according to a report from WANE.Authorities say Deborah Kay Schwartz of Grabill died at a local hospital after her 6-year-old brother accidentally shot her in the eye inside their home Thursday. The Allen County Coroner’s Office said Deborah died of a gunshot wound to the head, the county’s first homicide of 2018. The incident is still und
  
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• Mayor furls rebel-themed Mississippi flag at police building

  09-01-2018 14:14
  TUPELO, Miss. (AP) - The Confederate-themed Mississippi flag is being removed from display outside a city's police building.  Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton issued an executive order Tuesday taking down the flag, which includes a Confederate battle emblem, about a week after it started flying.  Three flagpoles stand outside the police building in a predominantly black neighborhood. From the time the building opened in late 2016, one pole flew a state bicentennial
  
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• Trump says he doesn't think Oprah Winfrey will run

  09-01-2018 14:11
  WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump says he would beat Oprah Winfrey in a presidential contest, but says: "I don't think she's going to run."  Trump spoke Tuesday at the White House as he met with lawmakers on immigration. He said "Oprah would be a lot of fun." But he said he knows her well and he doesn't think she'll run.  The president added that he appeared on one of her final shows and said he knows her "very well."  Winfrey gav
  
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• Man accused of killing wife for changing TV channel

  09-01-2018 13:45
  CARLISLE, Ark. - Investigators say a central Arkansas man fatally stabbed his wife after she changed the TV channel from a football game he was watching while he went outside to smoke.Tony Thomas, 58, of Carlisle, was charged Monday with capital murder. Investigators said he admitted killing his wife, Elke, during an argument after she switched the TV channel in November. He's been jailed since the incident."He went outside to smoke and upon returning, he discovered that Elke had changed the ch
  
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• Audubon Zoo welcomes new silverback gorilla 'Okie'

  09-01-2018 13:29
  NEW ORLEANS- The Audubon Zoo has welcomed a new member to its primate family: Okpara.Okpara is silverback gorilla whose previous home was in Boston at Franklin Park Zoo.Affectionately known as "Okie," this 24-year-old male will play an integral role in the plan to strengthen his critically endangered species.Since early December, Okie has resided in veterinary care as a standard quarantine protocol to ensure that he doesn't bring any health-related problems to existing animals at the A
  
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• Video shows how alligators survive in frigid temperatures

  09-01-2018 13:16
  OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. - While Louisiana residents are seeing a reprieve from ice-cold conditions this week, some alligators a bit further north aren't having the same luxury.Video recorded in a North Carolina nature park show some of the cold-blooded animals using their own unique method to brave frigid waters. The Shallotte River Swamp Park posted a series of videos online which shows the gators keeping their nostrils poking through the frozen surface of th
  
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• Former NYPD officer dubbed 'cannibal cop' pens horror novel

  09-01-2018 13:06
  NEW YORK - A former New York City police officer whose bizarre online exchanges about kidnapping and eating women landed him behind bars and earned him tabloid infamy as the "cannibal cop" has penned a horror novel.  Gilberto Valle was convicted in 2013 of kidnapping conspiracy, but the judge threw out the verdict. He was instead sentenced to time served on a lower-level charge of using a restricted law enforcement database to secretly look up personal information about women
  
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• Groundbreaking for I-10 widening project in EBR, Ascension set for Thursday

  09-01-2018 13:05
  BATON ROUGE - The groundbreaking ceremony for a project aiming to widen I-10 in Ascension Parish will be held Thursday.The project will widen I-10 between Highland Road and LA 73 in Prairieville from four to six lanes. The expansion will span six and a half miles of roadway.The groundbreaking is set for 2 p.m at the Blue Bayou Water Park. Governor John Bel Edwards and several other state and local officials are expected to attend.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Man arrested for allegedly robbing area grocery store

  09-01-2018 12:42
  LAFOURCHE PARISH- A man was arrested for armed robbery after an incident at a grocery store Monday afternoon.At around 1:15 p.m. deputies responded to a call of an armed robbery at a grocery store on West Main Street in Galliano. At the scene, investigators learned a male wearing all black entered the store, pulled out a handgun and demanded money from the cashier.The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Charleston Every.Investigators learned after the incident, Every fled to a residence on We
  
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• Report: 18 states may introduce sports betting bills in 2018

  09-01-2018 12:39
  ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - A new report predicts 18 states will introduce bills to regulate sports betting this year, with 11 having a good chance of passing one.  Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, which tracks gambling legislation nationwide, says that's just the minimum; the firm predicts more than 30 states could introduce sports betting bills.  The U.S. Supreme Court this year will decide a case brought by New Jersey that seeks to overturn a ban on sports bett
  
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• Scalise says he'll have new surgery resulting from shooting

  09-01-2018 12:35
  WASHINGTON (AP) - House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., says he will undergo surgery Wednesday as part of his recovery from last June's shooting at a baseball practice.  Scalise, who was at the Capitol Tuesday, says he has made tremendous progress recovering from the shooting. He didn't provide details of the surgery, only that it was planned for about a month and is a "continued part of my recovery."  Scalise says he intends to remain fully engaged in hi
  
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• Stolen firearm found during traffic stop

  09-01-2018 11:56
  PIERRE PART- A stolen firearm and drugs were just a few things found by deputies during a traffic stop.A deputy with the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation on LA 308 South at noon on Saturday. The driver was identified as 17-year-old Bryston Perrier.While searching the vehicle, deputies found marijuana/synthetic cannabinoids, drug paraphernalia and three firearms. One of the firearms was reported stolen.Perrier is charged with possession of drug par
  
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• Denham Springs residents oppose new development

  09-01-2018 11:41
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Residents near downtown were surprised to learn developers wanted to build a small cluster of houses in their spacious neighborhood.Ten houses standing ten feet apart would be constructed between North and South College Streets near River Road at the site of an old school building. The value of the houses would be comparable to the existing homes in the neighborhood, according to the builder, but would sit much closer to one another."This is our home, it's not a little subdivis
  
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• Edwards asks President Trump to protect medical marijuana treatment in Louisiana

  09-01-2018 11:34
  BATON ROUGE- Gov. John Bel Edwards sent a letter to President Donald Trump today.In the letter, Edwards requests that Trump protect Louisiana's ability to offer medical marijuana as a treatment option.To read the letter, click here.BACKGROUND: Polling-2016 JMC poll showed Louisianans support medical marijuana 72-13- 2015 LSU Survey showed 60-39 support of medical marijuana, legalization for personal use not supported by majority (45-52). However, 67 percent b
  
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• Three arrested after chase ends near Water Campus

  09-01-2018 11:12
  BATON ROUGE - Three people are in custody after a short police chase ensued near LSU and downtown Baton Rouge Tuesday night.The incident started around the area of West Chimes Street and Aster Street near the edge of LSU's campus.A vehicle pursuit involving Baton Rouge Police ensued and ended on S River Road near The Water Campus. The three suspects attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended by police, according to BRPD.Circumstances
  
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• Boil water advisory lifted for Donaldsonville

  09-01-2018 11:01
  DONALDSONVILLE- Officials have announced that the boil water advisory for Parish Utilities of Ascension customers in the Donaldsonville area has been lifted.According to a release, water samples taken Monday were found to be free from bacteria and contaminants by the Louisiana Department of HealthThe water is safe to drink and plant operations have returned to normal.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Man steals bike locked to 'rigged' street sign

  09-01-2018 09:36
  NEW ORLEANS- A suspect stole a bike that was locked on a "rigged" street sign on North Rampart Street.WWL-TV reports that the incident occurred last month and the owner of the bike is warning other bikers about his experience.In a surveillance video posted on Stolen Bikes NOLA by victim Ray Moose Jackson, a man can be seen unscrewing a street sign that Jackson's bike was locked to.After the man unscrews the top of the sign, he lifts the bike and rides away. The man was able to steal the bike in
  
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• Louisiana couple accused of attempting to rob Uber driver

  09-01-2018 09:10
  HARAHAN- A Louisiana couple is accused of attempting to rob an Uber driver that the woman distracted by being topless.  Harahan Police Chief Tim Walker tells news outlets 24-year-old Anthony Kennedy and 22-year-old Rayna Fillios were arrested Saturday.  The victim told officers he gave his telephone number to Fillios when she hailed a ride. Fillios called and asked him to come over.  He said Fillios was topless when she opened the front door
  
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• Couple accused of attempting to rob Uber driver

  09-01-2018 09:10
  HARAHAN- A Louisiana couple is accused of attempting to rob an Uber driver that the woman distracted by being topless.  Harahan Police Chief Tim Walker tells news outlets 24-year-old Anthony Kennedy and 22-year-old Rayna Fillios were arrested Saturday.  The victim told officers he gave his telephone number to Fillios when she hailed a ride. Fillios called and asked him to come over.  He said Fillios was topless when she opened the front door
  
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• Freezing temps may provide temporary drop in giant salvinia

  09-01-2018 09:02
  BATON ROUGE- Recent temperatures are offering a sign of hope against Louisiana's fight against an invasive aquatic plant that is overtaking many of the state's freshwater systems.  The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said in a news release that biologist with the department hope that the freezing will result in a reduction of giant salvinia this spring and summer. Last week's temperatures dipped into the 20s and hovered in the low 30s.  Signifi
  
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• Former New Roads mayor avoids jail time but gets probation, fines

  09-01-2018 08:26
  NEW ROADS – Robert Myer, the former mayor, avoided jail time in sentencing Tuesday morning related to his October no contest plea on malfeasance in office charges.Myer was sentenced to one year of felony probation, must pay $1,800 in restitution for personal purchases charged to the city's credit card, another $7,300 for the cost of the investigation into his actions and must report to a probation officer. Myer avoids jail time in the sentence, details of which were first reported by
  
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• Louisiana sugar, rice, may be Ok despite freeze

  09-01-2018 07:55
  BATON ROUGE - The LSU AgCenter says farmers and experts are "cautiously optimistic" that the recent freeze didn't do major damage to Louisiana's sugar and wheat.  AgCenter agent Blair Hebert says in a news release that about 10 percent of the Teche area's sugarcane is still in the field, partly because farmers increased plantings.  Farmer Mark Patout tells the AgCenter that a hard freeze can split stalks, letting in bacteria that can reduce the sugar content.
  
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• Teacher removed from school board meeting in handcuffs

  09-01-2018 06:44
  VERMILION PARISH- The superintendent of Vermilion Parish schools says the board won't press charges against a teacher who was removed from the board's special meeting Monday night, KATC reports.An English language arts teacher at Rene Rost Middle School addressed the board during the public comments portion of the meeting to discuss teacher salaries and pay raises. After the teacher, Deyshia Hargrave, posed several questions, board president Anthony Fontana ruled Hargrave out of order. Fontana
  
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• Man accused of being Peeping Tom arrested

  09-01-2018 06:07
  BATON ROUGE- A man has been arrested for peering into a woman's home and watching her dress.On Dec. 7 around 3:39 p.m. the deputies responded to a complaint of a man looking through a woman's windows. At the scene, the victim told the deputies a man was standing on her patio on the side of her house when she saw him, but he ran off shortly after. The victim said the man had his hands cupped around his eyes and was staring at her while she was in the process of dressing for a Christmas party.Whe
  
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• Authorities apprehend peeping tom

  09-01-2018 06:07
  BATON ROUGE- A man has been arrested for peering into a woman's home and watching her dress.On Dec. 7 around 3:39 p.m. the deputies responded to a complaint of a man looking through a woman's windows. At the scene, the victim told the deputies a person was standing on her patio on the side of her house when she saw him, but he ran off shortly after. The victim said the man had his hands cupped around his eyes and was starring at her while she was in the process of dressing for a Christmas party
  
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