Baton Rouge news

• Police: Gangs, arguments prompted Mardi Gras shootings

  14-02-2018 21:44
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Gang enmity was behind the bloodiest of three shootings on Mardi Gras, while arguments among acquaintances touched off two earlier shootings, New Orleans' police chief said Wednesday.
   The shootings killed three men and wounded three men and two teenage boys, altogether.
   In the most deadly of the three shootings, two men were killed and three men were wounded in an attack "linked to vicious gang activity," Superintendent Michael Harrison said. He did not gi
  
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• Man says actor Luke Wilson was hero in deadly crash

  14-02-2018 20:36
  LOS ANGELES- A witness says actor Luke Wilson pulled an injured woman from a car after a Los Angeles crash that killed a 71-year-old man who was in a Ferrari with professional golfer Bill Haas.Tattoo artist Sean Heirigs says he was directly behind the Ferrari and saw the whole accident and told his 14-year-old daughter to call 911.He says Wilson, whose car was only clipped in the three-car collision, "was the hero" and "led the charge" in helping the victims.He says smoke was everywhere and Wil
  
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• Meet Baton Rouge's longest-married couple

  14-02-2018 18:59
  BATON ROUGE - George and Laura Harris have watched Baton Rouge grow up around them.The two first met through a mutual friend at LSU. George says it was love at first sight. George still remembers the first thought that crossed his mind."I'm gonna marry her."The two courted each other for two years, and they got married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 77 years ago.Soon after, they bought some land and built the house where they still live today for $5,100.At 103 and 100 years old respectively,
  
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• Central church offers 'Ashes-To-Go'

  14-02-2018 18:32
  CENTRAL- For the past two years, Magnolia United Methodist Church has been marking Ash Wednesday with a unique experience.By hosting "Ashes-To-Go," the church has been able to take the sacred, holy ceremony directly to the community at Central Perk Coffee."At our church, we very much believe that we should be out in the community, and to get out where people can see us in the community, and just celebrate what the church do
  
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• Southern University weighing termination of embattled law professor

  14-02-2018 16:34
  BATON ROUGE - The Chancellor of the Southern University Law Center has recommended that law professor Dorothy Jackson be fired for her involvement in a questionable will which was drafted at the university, according to the Baton Rouge Business Report.That was revealed during a lunch at the Baton Rouge Rotary.The WBRZ Investigative Unit was first to report on the questionable will. Today, a university spokesperson said Southern Law Center Chancellor John Pierre sent his recommendation to Presid
  
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• Tom Hanks' WWII movie set to film at USS Kidd

  14-02-2018 16:27
  BATON ROUGE - A movie starring Tom Hanks will be filmed here in Baton Rouge this spring, according to the Louisiana Office of Economic Development. One of the locations for the set is the USS Kidd.The ship supervisor says they got the official word the World War II-based movie will be filmed on the USS Kidd back in December. But they were already beginning some restoration projects in October. So the movie is being filmed at a perfect time.While filmmakers scope out the scene, workers
  
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• Deputies increasing presence at Ascension schools in wake of Florida shooting

  14-02-2018 16:01
  ASCENSION PARISH - Deputies in Ascension Parish say they'll be increasing their presence at area schools in the wake of a deadly shooting at a Florida high school Wednesday.According to the sheriff's office, there will be an elevated deputy presence at schools in the Ascension community over the next couple days. The sheriff's office says there's no indication that an incident may occur, but precautions are being taken nonetheless.The news comes after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High
  
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• Former 'Charles in Charge' actor claims abuse by Scott Baio

  14-02-2018 14:56
  LOS ANGELES (AP) - A former "Charles in Charge" actor says Scott Baio assaulted and "mentally tortured" him during their time together on the show in the 1980s.  Alexander Polinsky made the allegations Wednesday in Los Angeles during a news conference.  Polinsky says Baio exposed himself, talked about gay sex acts with the young actor and once threw a hot cup of tea in his face.  Another "Charles in Charge" star, Nicole Eggert, came forward
  
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• About 20 hurt in shooting at Florida high school, shooter still at large

  14-02-2018 14:07
  PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say they're responding to a shooting at a Florida high school and the school has been locked down.The Broward Sheriff's Office has told news outlets the shooting happened Wednesday afternoon at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.The sheriff's office says the shooter is still at large.According to WSVN, as many as 20 people may have been injured. This is a picture from someone INSIDE the high school right now https://t.co/XOx2qYBjjS&md
  
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• Three restaurants cited for passing off swai as catfish

  14-02-2018 13:48
  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited three restaurant managers for allegedly selling swai fish as catfish.According to a release, the citations took place at the end of last month.Robert Fant, 63, Mollie McDowell, 27, and Michael Rhodes, 39, all of Pineville, were cited.Agents received a tip that Rosie Joe's restaurant in Alexandria and the Crazy Cajun in Tioga were selling swai fish as catfish. Authorities say agents performed an insp
  
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• Emotions high as grisly details surrounding 2013 slaying of Florida girl, 8, revealed during trial

  14-02-2018 13:42
  A medical examiner fought back tears today as the graphic details surrounding the rape and murder of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle were presented in a Florida courtroom."I'm sorry," Dr. Valerie Rao said during the second day of trial. "I have to take a break. Can I just have, like, five minutes?"Donald Smith, 61, is accused of killing Cherish Perrywinkle after befriending the family in a store. He has pleaded not guilty and faces a possible death sentence if he is convicted.D
  
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• Lane closures, times announced for I-10 widening in Ascension Parish

  14-02-2018 13:24
  ASCENSION PARISH- Construction to begin the widening of I-10 will start next week, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced Wednesday.DOTD says single lane closures will take place on I-10 from the stretch of Highland Road to Highway 73.Closure times:Monday, February 19, 2018: 8:00 PM – 5:00 AM Tuesday, February 20, 2018 – EB
  Tuesday, February 20, 2018: 8:00 PM – 5:00 AM Wednesday, February 21, 2018 – EB & WB&n
  
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• Court: Execution OK for inmate claiming damaged veins

  14-02-2018 13:23
  MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A federal appeals court says Alabama, at least for now, can proceed toward the execution of an inmate who argues that a lethal injection would be cruel because lymphoma and hepatitis C have damaged his veins.  The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday overturned a federal judge's stay of execution for Doyle Lee Hamm, who is scheduled to be put to death on Feb. 22 for the 1987 murder of motel clerk Patrick Cunningham.  The appel
  
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• Former CEO indicted in mega-mansion tax fraud scheme

  14-02-2018 13:17
  PITTSBURGH (AP) - The former chief executive of a Pennsylvania health services company accused of claiming his luxury cars and 39,000-square-foot mansion were business expenses has been charged with tax fraud.  Federal authorities on Wednesday announced conspiracy and tax fraud charges against Joseph Nocito Sr.  Prosecutors allege that Nocito claimed as corporate business expenses the millions of dollars it cost to build the mega-mansion he called "Villa Noci
  
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• Mardi Gras marred as 3 killed, 5 wounded in New Orleans

  14-02-2018 13:14
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A festive close to Mardi Gras was marred by shootings across New Orleans that left three people dead and five others wounded.  The first two shootings happened in the afternoon, when fights broke out near the traditional parade route.  Police clarified Wednesday that two teenage boys were wounded in one of the parade route shootings. Gunfire struck one boy in the "head area" and the other had a leg wound, police said in a news release.&
  
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• Porn star who alleged Trump affair: I can now tell my story

  14-02-2018 13:04
  NEW YORK (AP) - Stormy Daniels, the porn star whom President Donald Trump's personal attorney acknowledges paying $130,000 just before Election Day, believes she is now free to discuss her alleged sexual encounter with Trump.  A manager for the adult film actress told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Daniels believes Trump's lawyer invalidated a non-disclosure agreement by publicly discussing the payment.  Gina Rodriguez says the actress, whose real nam
  
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• Vehicle overturns on Mississippi River Bridge Wednesday

  14-02-2018 12:59
  BATON ROUGE - A vehicle overturned on the Mississippi River Bridge, causing traffic problems for the better part of an hour Wednesday morning.The crash was reported around 11:45 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-10 near LA 1. Several lanes were blocked on the bridge in the early afternoon.There is currently no word on injuries.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Mosquitoes making their comeback

  14-02-2018 11:49
  BATON Rouge- So far their numbers are very low, but officials with the EBR Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control say that can change in a hurry."[Mosquito populations] can change dramatically with this kind of warm weather and standing water," said Randy Vaeth with mosquito control.It's unlikely recent freezing temperatures made any dent in their overall numbers this year. Vaeth said their populations can swell almost immediately, taking advantage of standing water often created by humans.Night
  
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• First responders honored at Metro Council meeting

  14-02-2018 11:36
  BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and members of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council took time out of their Wednesday to honor BRPD officers who go above and beyond in their duty to protect and serve.Five members of BRPD received recognition at Wednesday's Metro Council meeting."It makes me feel proud," BRPD Chief Murphy Paul said. "Our men and women do great work every day, and it doesn't always make the headlines, and it doesn't trend on social media. So, when we hear g
  
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• DOTD: Surveying to cause slow downs on I-10

  14-02-2018 09:51
  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises that drivers may see slow-moving traffic during non-peak hours along portions of I-10 in East and West Baton Rouge from Feb. 16-19.According to a release, survey work is scheduled for these days as part of the environmental phase of the I-10 widening project. Crews will be traveling along I-10 from LA 415 (Lobdell) to LA 3064 (Essen Lane) on both I-10 and I-12 scanning this corridor using Mobile Light Detection and
  
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• Coast Guard locates missing boat with two onboard

  14-02-2018 09:08
  NEW ORLEANS- The Coast Guard has stopped its search for an overdue boat with two people onboard.According to a release, the boaters were located clinging to the hull of their capsized boat approximately 18 miles south-southeast of Port Fourchon. The survivors were transported to an area hospital.The Coast Guard received a report that a 23-foot white Mako commercial fishing boat with two people aboard, last known to be approximately 10 miles west of the Southwest Pass jetties in the Gulf of Mexi
  
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• Trump lawyer says he paid porn actress out of his own pocket

  14-02-2018 08:58
  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's personal attorney says he paid $130,000 out of his own pocket to a porn actress who allegedly had a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006.Michael Cohen tells The New York Times he was not reimbursed by the Trump Organization or the Trump campaign for the payment to Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.Cohen says, "The payment to Ms. Clifford was lawful, and was not a campaign contribution or a campaign expenditure by anyone."The Wall
  
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• FBI responding to reports of shooting near National Security Agency

  14-02-2018 07:58
  The FBI responded to reports of a shooting this morning near the National Security Agency's headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland, ABC News reports.The Army installation's fire and emergency services reported transporting an injured person to a hospital, according to Fort Meade public affairs officer Chad Jones. The NSA's law enforcement is still investigating the incident.The circumstances were unclear.Authorities are responding to a shooting involving an SUV at a gate to the National Security
  
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• Child dies from flu after family refuses vaccination

  14-02-2018 07:06
  A family in Indiana that decided not to vaccinate their 3-year-old daughter is now haunted by decision, wondering if a flu shot could have saved her life.Alivia Viellieux, of Muncie, Indiana, died Monday morning just days after being diagnosed. The little girl's grandmother, Tameka Steller, said the family is second-guessing the decision not to vaccinate her, ABC News reports.The grandmother said Alivia's parents declined to get the little girl a flu shot after hearing that the vaccination coul
  
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• Woman tells Kentucky police shes 'Mother Mary' after chase

  14-02-2018 06:37
  ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — A woman who led police on a chase told arresting officers that she was Mother Mary en route to pick up baby Jesus and had permission from God to speed.WDRB-TV cites an arrest report saying a Kentucky trooper attempted to pull over 52-year-old Connie Allen, of Tennessee, on Saturday, but she ignored him. A high-speed chase ensued.Another trooper was eventually able to pull in front of Allen, forcing her to stop. He approached her car with his weapon drawn, but
  
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• LOVE returns: Philadelphia park gets its sculpture back

  14-02-2018 06:22
  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — “LOVE” returned to Philadelphia on Tuesday, just in time for Valentine’s Day.The famous 1976 Robert Indiana sculpture was brought back to its namesake downtown park on a flatbed truck after making a number of stops at parks and statues along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before the reinstallation.School children cheered and those gathered spontaneously sang the fight song for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles as a forklift pl
  
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• City leaders expecting update on Government Street Road Diet

  14-02-2018 06:10
  BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and city transportation leaders will meet today to discuss the progress of a big project.The Government Street Road Diet finally started late last month. Over four miles of the road is going to be redone and slimmed down. The $11.7 million road diet will reduce the number of travel lanes from four lanes to three. Once the project is done, there will be one travel lane in each direction with a two-way-left-turn-lane in the middle.The project als
  
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• Warming trend underway, some sun may finally return

  14-02-2018 05:58
  Thermometers will be much warmer for the second half of the week. Rain chances will be low.THE FORECAST:Today and Tonight We cannot seem to shake clouds across southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi but there is some hope for a bit of sunshine on Wednesday afternoon. In response to this and southeast winds of 5-10mph, high temperatures will top out in the mid to upper 70s. Overnight, low temperatures will be well above average for the time of year and in the mid 60s.   
  
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• Cleaning krewe: Recycling effort targets Mardi Gras trash

  14-02-2018 05:57
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Mardi Gras produces a huge amount of garbage in addition to days of fun and parties.This year two New Orleans-area organizations tried to fix that with a recycling effort.Their pilot project aimed to collect beads, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. Rain canceled one day of the two-day pilot project and lessened the bead haul on another day since wet beads degrade fast.But organizers said they were encouraged by the outpouring of support and plan to expand the effort to othe
  
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• Slaying ends Maryland city's 12-day stint without homicide

  14-02-2018 05:51
  BALTIMORE (AP) - The shooting death of a 22-year-old man has ended a peaceful 12-day streak when Baltimore did not record a single homicide.The Baltimore Sun reports the unidentified man died shortly after he was shot in the chest Tuesday afternoon.Acting Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa says the longest stretch without homicides since the city's 2015 spike in violence was a step in the right direction, but more can be done. De Sousa says he doesn't want to focus on the streak as the slain m
  
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