Baton Rouge news

• Casino mogul Steve Wynn resigns amid sex misconduct claims

  06-02-2018 21:15
  LAS VEGAS - Casino mogul Steve Wynn has resigned as chairman and CEO at Wynn Resorts amid sexual misconduct allegations.  Wynn Resorts says Tuesday the resignation is effective immediately.  The Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 26 that a number of women said Wynn harassed or assaulted them and that one case led to a $7.5 million settlement.  The Las Vegas billionaire has vehemently denied the allegations, which he attributes to a campaign l
  
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• Coast Guard rescues four from downed airplane

  06-02-2018 20:50
  PATTERSON - The Coast Guard rescued four people from a downed plane in the Atchafalaya River Tuesday evening.According to the Coast Guard, the four were located approximately 17 nautical miles south of Patterson, La.At 4:59 p.m., officials were notified by the Federal Aviation Administration that a Piper PA-34 twin-engine airplane traveling from Slidell, La. to Patterson with four people on board was low on fuel.The airplane pilot shut down the engines to conserve fuel and was forced t
  
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• Two mothers seeking answers after daycare reportedly waxed children's eyebrows

  06-02-2018 20:24
  PASCO, WA - Two mothers have filed police reports after a daycare center reportedly waxed their children's eyebrows.The daycare is a non-profit organization at Columbia Basin College, and is licensed by the Washington State Department of Early Learning. These complaints are the first to be filed against the center.One of the mothers, Glenda Maria Cruz, says she's been taking her son to the daycare center since he was three months old. She says something like this has never happened before."I ac
  
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• Kelly says Democrats' memo isn't 'as clean'

  06-02-2018 20:19
  WASHINGTON - White House chief of staff John Kelly says a classified Democratic memo on the Russia investigation isn't "as clean" as one produced by Republicans and made public last week.  Kelly told reporters after emerging from a meeting with congressional leaders that he's instructed officials to complete an evaluation of the Democratic memo no later than Thursday.  He says that then, "we'll brief the president on it and he will have a decision to make" on
  
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• Mail carrier robbed while picking up mail in Mississippi

  06-02-2018 20:17
  LAKE CORMORANT, Miss. - A postal worker has been pistol whipped and robbed at a north Mississippi post office.  WREG-TV reports that a mail carrier was picking up mail at the Lake Cormorant post office when a stranger ran up with a gun. The post office is in western DeSoto County, just south of Memphis, Tennessee.  The postal service reports that the man was struck several times, but is expected to recover.  Investigators say they're searchi
  
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• Baton Rouge Blues Festival releases 2018 lineup

  06-02-2018 20:11
  BATON ROUGE - The 24th annual Baton Rouge Blues Festival has announced its 2018 lineup.The festival, put on by The Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, and presented by Smoke-free East Baton Rouge, will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., in and around Repentance Park and Galvez Plaza.The family-friend festival is free to the public and will feature performers and local blues legends.FULL LINEUP:Mavis Staples
  Kenny Neal & the Neal Family Band
  The James Hunter
  
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• Man gets 18 years in prison for Islamic State group aid plot

  06-02-2018 19:56
  NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City man who admitted scheming to help the Islamic State extremist group has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Prosecutors say he plotted a pressure cooker bomb attack.Munther Omar Saleh was sentenced Tuesday in a Brooklyn federal court. The 22-year-old pleaded guilty last year to charges that he planned to help the Islamic State group.Defense lawyer Deborah Colson says Saleh "is sincerely remorseful, and he is committed to making amends."Saleh was a college stude
  
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• Police: Louisiana men arrested in Kentucky on murder charges

  06-02-2018 19:54
  LAFAYETTE, La. - Police say two Louisiana men are awaiting extradition from Kentucky for two killings.  News outlets quote Lafayette and Broussard police in Monday reports as saying two Jennings men were arrested by Radcliff, Kentucky police for the Jan. 12 shootings of 28-year-old Justin Zeno and 23-year-old Skyler Barry. Barry's body was found near an empty house in Broussard and Zeno's body was found inside a burning vehicle in Lafayette.  Lafayette Police
  
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• As drainage problems persist, Central residents brace for next storm

  06-02-2018 19:16
  CENTRAL - Puddles of water are still in the front yard of Grady Milton's home in Central, sandbags too.His house didn't flood in 2016, but it did get water about a week and a half ago."We had water come into the walls and we had a pretty nasty clean-up inside," Milton said.The sandbags are staying put because rain is in the forecast, and it has Milton nervous."If it's like it was a few weeks ago, it'll come into my house," Milton said. "I'm nervous too. Every time I see the weather report and i
  
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• String of burglaries hits New Roads neighborhood

  06-02-2018 19:01
  NEW ROADS - A string of burglaries has hit a small neighborhood in Pointe Coupee Parish. In the past month, multiple houses in a subdivision have been broken into and thousands of dollars worth of items were taken.The Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the investigation. For residents, they hope this news means change is coming to their neighborhood in the city of New Roads.“We don't feel safe, not with all this stealing going on,” said Erlene Col
  
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• Pentagon says Trump ordered Washington military parade

  06-02-2018 18:59
  WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to stage a military parade.The Washington Post, which was first to report the presidential order, said Trump wants a grand parade this year in the nation's capital, with soldiers marching and tanks rolling.White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed the request Tuesday evening. She says Trump wants the Pentagon to "explore a celebration" that will allow Americans to show appreciation for the military.
  
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• New Roads Mardi Gras parade security preps underway

  06-02-2018 18:43
  NEW ROADS- Security preparations are underway for the state's third-largest Mardi Gras parade in Pointe Coupee Parish.The annual parade kicks off on Fat Tuesday every year, and officials are expecting more than 70,000 attendees.Police Chief Kevin McDonald met with 20 law enforcement agencies to go over the plan and procedures to secure thousands of parade goers."We expect well over 200 law enforcement and first responders," said McDonald.Wilmer Moore helps coordinate the first parade e
  
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• Coffee business to get new alley following months of phone calls, emails

  06-02-2018 18:20
  BATON ROUGE - A City-Parish maintained alley behind a Baton Rouge business has seen better days. The alley runs parallel to Government Street and runs between businesses and parking.French Truck Coffee is one of those businesses. Owner and Founder Geoffrey Meeker says the bumpy road should have been taken care of long before he moved in."We get complaints daily about how bad the alley is," he said.Meeker laid eyes on the Mid-City spot nearly two years ago. Plans were delayed due to the August 2
  
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• Report: Trash bags stuffed with decomposing animals dumped in Lafayette Parish

  06-02-2018 17:49
  CARENCRO - Authorities are investigating a disturbing scene in Lafayette Parish, where the bodies of numerous animals were found dumped in trash bags near I-49 Tuesday.According to a report from KATC, the decomposing animal bodies were found stuffed in trash bags off Debutante Road in Carencro.The discovery was reportedly made by an Acadiana Animal Aid volunteer who stopped after spotting an animal on the roadside. After the volunteer got out to investigate, he/she discovered the other remains
  
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• SPCA: Man videoed hitting horse in parade cited for cruelty

  06-02-2018 17:20
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Louisiana SPCA says a man faces an animal cruelty charge after he was videoed hitting and kicking his frightened horse in a New Orleans parade in the lead-up to Mardi Gras. A parade-goer made a video of the incident Friday.  A news release Tuesday says the rider was a guest of the riding group Nu Generations in the Krewe of Oshun parade. Its captain accompanied him to Louisiana SPCA headquarters Monday.  The SPCA isn't releasing his nam
  
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• Body of missing boater recovered in bayou

  06-02-2018 17:15
  ST. MARTINVILLE (AP) - The body of a missing boater has been recovered from a bayou in Louisiana's St. Martin Parish.  State wildlife officials say in a news release that the body of 54-year-old Richard Pellerin of St. Martinville was pulled from Bayou Amy about 8 a.m. Tuesday.  The search had begun Monday after authorities were alerted to a capsized vessel in the bayou.  Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents joined deputies from St.
  
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• 911 call reporting burglary: 'This is Rob Gronkowski'

  06-02-2018 17:05
  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski can be heard on a 911 call calmly telling a dispatcher that his home was burglarized while he was at the Super Bowl.Police in Foxborough, Massachusetts, released a portion of the call on Tuesday.He can be heard telling the dispatcher on Monday: "This is Rob Gronkowski calling, and while I was gone my whole house got robbed, while on the Super Bowl trip. And I just got back."A police report says someone broke a window to get
  
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• Family wants their loved one's killer brought to justice

  06-02-2018 16:29
  BATON ROUGE - The family of 29-year-old Mai Nguyen is urging her killer or killers to turn themselves in.Her sister fought back a flood of emotions as she discussed the love she shared with her."Mai, I miss you and love you," her sister said.According to the East Baton Rouge coroner, Nguyen died from two gunshots to the head. The coroner's office says she had been dead for at least eight to 12 hours before she was found.Police say Nguyen was shot to death in her LaSalle Avenue condo and was fou
  
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• 11-year-old struck by vehicle near Sherwood Forest Boulevard

  06-02-2018 16:03
  BATON ROUGE- A juvenile pedestrian was reportedly struck by a vehicle Tuesday afternoon.According to officials, the incident occurred Tuesday near the Goodwood Boulevard and Sherwood Forest Boulevard intersection.The 11-year-old victim was transported with injuries.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Watch the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch

  06-02-2018 14:16
  BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - It's almost showtime for SpaceX's big new rocket with a cherry-red sports car on top.The Falcon Heavy rocket is poised to blast off Tuesday afternoon from Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The launch is now scheduled for after 2:45 p.m.It's the long-awaited first test flight for the rocket. Once it soars it will become the world's most powerful rocket in use today. The Heavy is equipped with three boosters and 27 engines designed to provi
  
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• Authorities seeking woman who stole elderly man's checks

  06-02-2018 14:05
  BATON ROUGE- Authorities are looking for a woman in reference to a forgery and bank fraud investigation.According to reports, an elderly person at an area assisted living facility reported that two of his personal checks had been stolen and cashed. Detectives obtained surveillance photos from a Chase bank showing a woman cashing the stolen checks.The thief is described as a woman wearing a black and white shirt and a black hat.Anyone with information concerning this incident or the identity of
  
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• Man arraigned on charges he scammed investors out of $96M

  06-02-2018 13:47
  SHREVEPORT (AP) - A Louisiana man has pleaded not guilty to charges he scammed investors and banks out of more than $96 million in a scheme that allegedly included his use of a disguise and a professional makeup artist.  David deBerardinis remained free on bond following his arraignment Monday at the federal courthouse in Shreveport.  KTBS-TV reports that the 56-year-old businessman wasn't arrested after his Jan. 25 indictment on four counts of wire fraud and
  
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• High school student shoots self in leg while leaving for lunch

  06-02-2018 13:24
  PLAQUEMINE - Authorities say a teenager is in the hospital after he accidentally shot himself Tuesday.According to the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office, an 18-year-old high school student was leaving MSA West Academy for lunch when he accidentally shot himself in the leg. The student was not on the campus when gun was fired.Sheriff Brett Stassi says the teen is now in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The sheriff added that the teen will likely be charged with
  
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• Extras needed for Tom Hanks movie filming in Baton Rouge

  06-02-2018 13:19
  BATON ROUGE- Tom Hanks' upcoming World War II epic is looking for extras to film in the Baton Rouge area.In the film 'Greyhound', Hanks will star as a commander of the titular Navy destroyer, the USS Greyhound, which was charged with escorting a military convoy soon after the United States entered WWII.The casting agency is looking for men and women, 18 years and older, who can pull off the 1940s looks for a hotel scene filming in Baton Rouge. The filming will be in March and April, work dates
  
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• Missouri woman finds neighbor's dog riding pony

  06-02-2018 13:11
  BOLIVAR, Mo. (AP) - A dog riding a one-eyed pony into the night is surely a spectacle that needs video proof. A Missouri woman made sure to get exactly that.The Springfield News-Leader reports that Callie Schenker pulled into her driveway Thursday to the sight of her neighbor's Corgi sitting on her horse, Cricket. She recorded a 15-second video of the pony trotting away into the darkness as the canine sits atop, looking at the camera.The 22-year-old posted the video on Facebook with the message
  
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• Local high school teacher dies Tuesday morning

  06-02-2018 13:02
  BATON ROUGE- Faculty and staff at an area high school are mourning the loss of a longtime teacher and administrator.According to a release, Jacqueline "Jackie" Labat of St. Joseph's Academy died Tuesday morning. Labat spent 47 years at the school as a French teacher and administrator.She leaves behind husband Wade Labat; daughters Michele Wilks (Matthew) and Christine Labat; and grandchildren Ryan and Camille Wilks and Libby Labat.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Ivanka Trump to lead US delegation at Olympics' close

  06-02-2018 13:02
  WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says President Donald Trump' daughter, Ivanka, will lead the U.S. delegation to the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang (PYUHNG'-chahng), South Korea.  Ivanka Trump serves in the White House as an unpaid adviser to her father.  Vice President Mike Pence is leading a delegation to the opening ceremony for the games. He arrived late Tuesday in Japan.  The Winter Olympics are being held Feb.
  
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• Current, former students call for new McKinley High School

  06-02-2018 12:36
  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge School Board hopes to spend about $35 million renovating McKinley High School, but many are not satisfied."We've been forgotten is how we feel," said Dale Flowers with the McKinley Alumni Association. "We didn't complain when other schools received what they received, we just want to be treated fairly."The school board wants to tear down a number of existing buildings and replace them with new classrooms and a library. Other facilities would be renovated.Howeve
  
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• Volunteer coach's termination causes turmoil at school board meeting

  06-02-2018 12:14
  ZACHARY - A volunteer Zachary High School soccer coach was let go after multiple complaints from parents.The school has not released the reason behind the complaints, but after speaking to parents, they are not happy with things coach Kyle Callihan has said to his players, among other things. Other parents disagree."Without getting into any details, it was confirmed to us that no laws were broken, and in light of that very important fact, we're hoping that cooler heads will prevail," one parent
  
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• Police investigating fatal shooting on Fuqua Street

  06-02-2018 11:29
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police, along with the East Baton Rouge Coroner's Office, are responded to a fatal shooting on Fuqua Street Tuesday night.Authorities were called to the 1900 block of Fuqua Street near N. 19th Street around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.The victim was reportedly shot and died on-scene, according to BRPD.No further information was available. Check back for updates.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Amelia man arrested after illegal drugs, gun found in home

  06-02-2018 11:28
  ST. MARY PARISH- An Amelia man is facing several charges after authorities found illegal drugs and a gun in his home.Derek Gaskins, 37, was arrested Monday on eight drug and firearm charges.Authorities received information that illegal drug activity was taking place in Gaskins' home. At the scene, deputies found crack cocaine, marijuana, and over $1,600 in cash on Gaskins' person.Detectives also found more marijuana and crack cocaine, methamphetamine, a gun, and drug paraphernalia inside the ho
  
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• Three arrested after drugs, guns found in university dorm room

  06-02-2018 09:34
  BATON ROUGE- Three men were arrested after police saw a video of people waving guns around in a university dorm room.On Feb 4. officers with the Southern University Police Department went to the dorm room where the video was shot. They found three men, three loaded firearms, drugs, and drug paraphernalia. According to arrest reports, one of the guns was reported stolen.The men were identified as 19-year-old Hinney Lewis, 19-year-old Ofari Berry and 21-year-old Erron L
  
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• Report: No tsunami reported off Gulf Coast

  06-02-2018 08:28
  NEW ORLEANS- If you got a warning about a tsunami warning Tuesday morning, ignore it.The National Weather Service of New Orleans says there is currently no tsunami warning in effect for the Gulf Coast.There are currently NO tsunmai warnings in effect for the Gulf Coast. If you received a tsunami warning from a 3rd party app this morning, it was in error. #lawx #mswx— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) February 6, 2018Permalink| Comments
  
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• NWS: Report of Gulf Coast tsunami incorrect

  06-02-2018 08:28
  NEW ORLEANS- If you got a warning about a tsunami warning Tuesday morning, ignore it.The National Weather Service of New Orleans says there is currently no tsunami warning in effect for the Gulf Coast.There are currently NO tsunmai warnings in effect for the Gulf Coast. If you received a tsunami warning from a 3rd party app this morning, it was in error. #lawx #mswx— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) February 6, 2018Permalink| Comments
  
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• Guilty plea in $116,000 scam at Louisiana Supreme Court

  06-02-2018 08:07
  NEW ORLEANS- A Louisiana woman has pleaded guilty to enriching herself at the expense of the state's highest court.A news release from New Orleans District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro says 38-year-old Misty Corb of Mereaux pleaded guilty Monday to four counts of identity theft.Corb is a former payroll supervisor for Louisiana's Supreme Court in New Orleans. She was arrested after investigators accused her of creating phony requests for payments for temporary judicial assignments on behalf of four
  
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• Area man arrested on child pornography charges

  06-02-2018 07:23
  BATON ROUGE - Authorities have taken a Denham Springs man into custody after finding images of child pornography on his computer.Kevin Duke, 60, was arrested Monday for several counts of possession and distribution of pornography involving juveniles under the age of 13.Authorities found multiple images of children in suggestive poses on Duke's computer. Investigators learned Duke had used his personal computer at work to upload the photos.Permalink| Comments
  
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• McKinley High School continues fight for more resources

  06-02-2018 06:52
  BATON ROUGE - Tuesday night, students, teachers parents, faculty and staff of McKinley High will come together to discuss their desperate need for improvements.On Friday, the school held rallies at both lunch periods. The school is trying to get some help to replace their run-down buildings. The school is so overcrowded that teachers have to share classrooms. Classes are also now being held in the library, making it hard for students to access the only computer lab.Reports say that prefabricate
  
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