Baton Rouge news

• One killed, another injured in double shooting off Plank Road

  15-07-2020 21:55 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE- Authorities say one person was killed and another was injured Wednesday night in a double shooting off of Plank Road.The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. on the 3300 block of Linden Street.A WBRZ crew is reporting to the scene.This is a developing story.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 2 killed, 1 injured in triple shooting off Plank Road

  15-07-2020 21:55 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE- Authorities say two people were killed and one was injured Wednesday night in a triple shooting off of Plank Road.The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of Linden Street near N. Acadian Thruway.Police say 27-year-old Cody Hypolite died at the scene and Jermaine Jarvis, 37, died after being transported to a nearby hospital. The third victim, who is a 40-year-old female sustained injuries but is expected to survive. She remains hospitalized. The in
  
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• One in four restaurants statewide could permanently close due to coronavirus, industry official says

  15-07-2020 21:40 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The restaurant industry in Louisiana and across the country has been one of the hardest-hit sectors of the economy since coronavirus restrictions were implemented earlier this year."Our industry's been decimated, Stan Harris, president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association said. "One of the challenges that we're facing right now is reduced capacity and combine that with reduced demand."With empty bar stools and fewer tables, many restaurants across the state aren't just seeing t
  
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• One in four restaurants statewide could permanently close due to cornavirus, industry official says

  15-07-2020 21:40 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The restaurant industry in Louisiana and across the country has been one of the hardest-hit sectors of the economy since coronavirus restrictions were implemented earlier this year."Our industry's been decimated, Stan Harris, president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association said. "One of the challenges that we're facing right now is reduced capacity and combine that with reduced demand."With empty bar stools and fewer tables, many restaurants across the state aren't just seeing t
  
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• One in four restaurants statewide could permanently close due to cornavirus, industry offical says

  15-07-2020 21:40 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The restaurant industry in Louisiana and across the country has been one of the hardest-hit sectors of the economy since coronavirus restrictions were implemented earlier this year."Our industry's been decimated, Stan Harris, president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association said. "One of the challenges that we're facing right now is reduced capacity and combine that with reduced demand."With empty bar stools and fewer tables, many restaurants across the state aren't just seeing t
  
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• SU Ag Center's black farmers field day canceled despite virtual plans

  15-07-2020 20:30 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE- Southern University's Ag Center Morehouse Black Farmers Field Day has been canceled, the university announced in a news release Wednesday night.After receiving a notification that an employee was exposed to COVID-19, the university decided to cancel the event to ensure the health and safety of participants, according to the release.The annual field day event began in 2002 and even during a pandemic, the university planned to hold the event virtually this year and pre-record present
  
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• Protesters gathered near BRPD headquarters in response to recent video of teen's arrest

  15-07-2020 19:43 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE- Protesters gathered near the Baton Rouge Police Department Wednesday evening in response to video footage released of an officer detaining two individuals following a police chase, one being a teen. Community activist group "BR For The People" posted a call to action to social media Tuesday, inviting the public to protest the department. The post prompted those interested in joining the "No Peace" protest to gather at Conn's parking lot, which is adjacent to the p
  
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• Protesters gather near BRPD headquarters in response to recent video of teen's arrest

  15-07-2020 19:43 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE- Protesters gathered near the Baton Rouge Police Department Wednesday evening in response to video footage released of an officer detaining two individuals following a police chase, one being a teen. Community activist group "BR For The People" posted a call to action to social media Tuesday, inviting the public to protest the department. The post prompted those interested in joining the "No Peace" protest to gather at Conn's parking lot, which is adjacent to the p
  
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• Judge denies media request to unseal files on Saints owner

  15-07-2020 18:12 via wbrz.com
  
  A judge has denied a request by news organizations including The Associated Press to unseal court records involving the mental competency of billionaire Tom Benson when he rewrote his will to give his third wife ownership of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans sports franchises.The news outlets argued public interest in the 2015 case had been heightened by revelations this year that Saints executives engaged in a behind-the-scenes public relations campaign to help the Archdiocese of New Orleans
  
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• Obama, Biden, Gates Twitter accounts hacked in bitcoin scam

  15-07-2020 17:34 via wbrz.com
  
  Con artists on Wednesday apparently hacked into the Twitter accounts of technology moguls, politicians and major companies in an apparent bitcoin scam.The ruse included bogus tweets from Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg and a number of tech billionaires including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The fake tweets offered to send $2,000 for every $1,000 sent to a bitcoin address.Twitter put out a statement noting that it was aware of a &ldq
  
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• Charter school returns to class, OLOL helping to keep classrooms safe

  15-07-2020 17:20 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE – While many school districts are still mapping out their plan to reopen next month, one school in Baton Rouge is already back in the classroom.“We actually are a year-round school, so we go to school August through June. With COVID, we cut school off in May and decided to start back in July hoping we could have more face-to-face instruction,” said Heather Bourgeois, the principal at Louisiana Key Academy.LKA is a charter school for children with dyslex
  
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• Tiger Truck Stop, famous for viral camel-biting incident, will stop showcasing exotic animals

  15-07-2020 16:50 via wbrz.com
  
  GROSSE TETE - An area truck stop infamous for a bizarre encounter involving a woman and a camel last year will no longer put exotic animals on display.The owner of the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete confirmed the change to WBRZ Wednesday. The announcement comes as ownership of the truck stop changes hands in the wake of its former owner retiring.The business has been a tourist spot for decades due to it keeping exotic animals caged on its property, most famously a Bengal tiger named T
  
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• Corrections cadet fired, accused of attempting to smuggle contraband into Elayn Hunt

  15-07-2020 16:48 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. GABRIEL- A former corrections cadet at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center is out of a job and facing charges. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DOC) says she tried to smuggle thousands of dollars worth of drugs and other contraband into a state prison.Authorities say 21-year-old Cadet Destanie Ruiz was seen on surveillance video dropping off a bag containing contraband into a trash can at Elayn Hunt.Inside the bag, investigators found six cellphones, 45 pages of loose-l
  
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• Former Councilman Byron Sharper drops out of EBR Mayor's race, 5 others remain

  15-07-2020 16:41 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - One week before qualifying officially begins, former Councilman Byron Sharper has thrown his support behind the incumbent mayor, Sharon Weston Broome.The crowded field of candidates includes EBR Councilwoman Tara Wicker, EBR Councilman Matt Watson, State Representative C. Denise Marcelle and Businessman Jordan Piazza.Pollsters said it's likely the crowded field of candidates could force Broome into a runoff. But at this point, that is not certain."You still have to see how the rac
  
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• Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg released from hospital

  15-07-2020 16:06 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Wednesday that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was discharged from a hospital after being treated for a possible infection.A court spokeswoman said in an emailed statement that Ginsburg was “home and doing well.”Ginsburg had gone to a hospital in Washington on Monday evening after experiencing fever and chills. She had a procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Tuesday afternoon to clean out a bile duct stent that was
  
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• Mom gets 5 weeks in prison for son's online class cheating

  15-07-2020 16:03 via wbrz.com
  
  A California woman who paid $9,000 to have someone secretly take online college courses for her son and then demanded a discount when he received a C was sentenced Wednesday to five weeks in prison.Karen Littlefair, 57, said she's “truly sorry” for her actions and asked the judge for leniency, calling the experience a “nightmare” for her family.“I acted out of love for my son but I ended up hurting my son greatly," said Littlefair, who appeared
  
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• Louisiana bar exam canceled due to increase in COVID-19 cases statewide

  15-07-2020 14:54 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Bar Admissions announced the July 27 bar examination has been canceled due to an increase in coronavirus cases statewide.Last month, the Supreme Court announced that they would give people the option of taking the bar exam online during the pandemic, however, both remote and in-person plans have been canceled.The high court released a statement Wednesday on the decision, stating the exam would be "imprudent for health and safety reasons.""Wh
  
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• Deputies seize pralines laced with fentanyl in EBR drug bust

  15-07-2020 14:46 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Deputies found thousands of dollars in cash and confections containing suspected drugs during a drug bust Wednesday.The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office arrested Reco Andrews, 22, on Wednesday and seized the following items at an address along 68th Avenue in Baton Rouge.- 51.6 grams of praline candy containing suspected fentanyl (street value $4,000)
  - 4.8 grams of marijuana
  - drug paraphernalia (cutting agent)
  - $23,899.00 in currency (pending seizure)Andrews was booked on charg
  
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• Paint dumped on Black Lives Matter mural in Cincinnati

  15-07-2020 14:33 via wbrz.com
  
  CINCINNATI -- Police in Cincinnati are asking the public for help in identifying the man who poured red paint on the block-long “Black Lives Matter” mural in front of city hall.Police have released surveillance video from early Sunday morning showing a man with his face covered at the scene. It appears that the man or someone else then drove over the wet paint, leaving tire tracks, news outlets reported.The mural was officially dedicated June 19 amid protests across the nati
  
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• Louisiana daycare worker arrested for allegedly breaking 2-year-old's arm

  15-07-2020 14:24 via wbrz.com
  
  SLIDELL - An employee at a St. Tammany Parish daycare is facing criminal charges after parents told police their 2-year-old was hurt in her care.The sheriff's office says the incident was reported July 8 at a daycare on Rosemeade Drive in Slidell. The parents contacted deputies after they brought their child to a hospital and learned through X-rays that the toddler's arm was broken.Through an investigation, the sheriff's office learned that Leann Simon, 34, had allegedly twisted the child's arm
  
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• New free COVID-19 testing location opens up in Central

  15-07-2020 13:58 via wbrz.com
  
  CENTRAL - The City of Central has been added to the list of places available for people to get a free coronavirus test.The Cooking in Central Amazing Place Fairgrounds at 10305 Blackwater Road will operate from 7 a.m to 7 p.m, starting Friday July 17 through Sunday July 19.5,000 test will be offered each day across each site until Sunday.Here are a list of all available locations:LSU
  Alex Box Stadium Parking Lot
  Gourrier Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70820Southern University
  F.G. Clark Parking Lot
  801 H
  
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• Louisiana AG issues opinion saying statewide mask mandate is unconstitutional

  15-07-2020 13:44 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says Governor Edwards' statewide mask mandate is not constitutional in an opinion released by the AG's office Wednesday.The statement from Landry's office says the mandate restriction capacities for businesses and requiring face coverings "does not pass the constitutional test." The attorney general's statement also said it was "unfortunate" that his office was not consulted about the governor's order beforehand.Governor John Bel Edwards anno
  
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• Rose Parade canceled for first time in 75 years

  15-07-2020 13:30 via wbrz.com
  
  PASADENA, CA - Officials say the annual Rose Bowl parade in California has been canceled for the first time in its 75-year history.Organizers announce Wednesday that the parade will not be held in 2021 due to restrictions in place due to the coronavirus outbreak. The annual New Year's Day parade typically accompanied college football's Rose Bowl.Officials have not announced any changes to plans for the football game itself. You can read the full announcement here: https://tournamentofr
  
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• Rose Bowl parade canceled for first time in 75 years

  15-07-2020 13:30 via wbrz.com
  
  PASADENA, CA - Officials say the annual Rose Bowl parade in California has been canceled for the first time in its 75-year history.Organizers announce Wednesday that the parade will not be held in 2021 due to restrictions in place due to the coronavirus outbreak. The annual New Year's Day parade typically accompanied the college football bowl game of the same name.Officials have not announced any changes to plans for the football game itself. You can read the full announcement
  
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• Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans reopens after 4 month closure

  15-07-2020 12:56 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS - After a 4 month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is back open to guests.In a report from WWL, the aquarium will open it's doors Thursday, July 16. The facility will be open Thursdays through Mondays from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Guests must reserve their tickets online and members can access their ticket via the Audubon website at no charge. There will also be one route guests can take throughout the facility and a limited number of ti
  
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• Trump replaces campaign manager amid sinking poll numbers

  15-07-2020 12:53 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump shook up his campaign staff Wednesday amid sinking poll numbers less than four months before the election, replacing campaign manager Brad Parscale with veteran GOP operative Bill Stepien.“I am pleased to announce that Bill Stepien has been promoted to the role of Trump Campaign Manager,” Trump said on Facebook. “Brad Parscale, who has been with me for a very long time and has led our tremendous digital and data strateg
  
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• Walmart to require customers to wear masks at all its stores

  15-07-2020 12:22 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its namesake and Sam’s Club stores, making it the largest retailer to introduce such a policy that has otherwise proven difficult to enforce without state and federal requirements.The company said the policy will go into effect on Monday to allow time to inform stores and customers. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said that currently about 65% its more than 5,000 stores and clubs are loca
  
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• Prairieville couple arrested on rape charges of a juvenile

  15-07-2020 07:58 via wbrz.com
  
  ASCENSION - The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office have arrested a Prairieville couple accused of first degree rape of a juvenile.According to deputies, 37-year-old Donna Martinez arranged for her husband, 38-year-old Jose Martinez to have sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old.Both confessed to the crime and were arrested. Jose Martinez was charged with first-degree rape and Donna Martinez was charged with principle to first-degree rape.Both have been booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on bon
  
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• Prairieville couple arrested for alleged rape of juvenile

  15-07-2020 07:58 via wbrz.com
  
  PRAIRIEVILLE - An Ascension-area couple is accused of raping an underage teen.According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, the crime was first reported July 13.The sheriff's office said 37-year-old Donna Martinez arranged for her husband, 38-year-old Jose Martinez, to have sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old. deputies said both confessed to the crime and were arrested. Jose Martinez was charged with first-degree rape and Donna Martinez was charged with principle to first-degre
  
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• Floyd family to announce civil lawsuit against Minneapolis

  15-07-2020 07:38 via wbrz.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Attorneys for George Floyd’s family are set to announce a civil lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Minneapolis and the police officers involved in his death.Attorney Ben Crump planned a late-morning news conference in Minneapolis to detail the lawsuit.Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he c
  
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• Authorities respond to shooting on Hooper Road; one person in critical condition

  15-07-2020 06:49 via wbrz.com
  
  EAST BATON ROUGE - Authorities are investigating a shooting that happened on the 6400 block of Hooper Road that left one person injured.According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched shortly after 3 a.m. Witnesses say they heard gunshots and saw a male fall to the ground. The victim was transported to the hospital critical condition. So far, there are no suspects or motives but the investigation is on going.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Statue of Black protester replaces toppled UK slave trader

  15-07-2020 06:25 via wbrz.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — An artist has erected a statue of a Black Lives Matter protester atop the plinth in the English city of Bristol once occupied by the toppled statue of a slave trader.Marc Quinn created the likeness of Jen Reid, a protester photographed standing on the plinth after demonstrators pulled down the statue of Edward Colston and dumped it in Bristol’s harbor on June 7.The statue, titled “A Surge of Power (Jen Reid)” was erected before dawn on Wedne
  
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• French tourism gets boost with reopening of Disneyland Paris

  15-07-2020 05:10 via wbrz.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — The French tourist industry received a further boost Wednesday with the partial reopening of Disneyland Paris and the opening up of the top floor of the Eiffel Tower.Disneyland Paris, Europe’s most frequented theme park resort, is partially re-opening to the public, four months after it closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.The park in Marne-la-Vallee, to the east of the French capital, is opening its doors in a phased way starting Wednesday with Disney
  
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• ViacomCBS drops Nick Cannon, cites anti-Semitic comments

  15-07-2020 04:41 via wbrz.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nick Cannon’s “hateful speech” and anti-Semitic theories led ViacomCBS to cut ties with the TV host and producer, the media giant said.“ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism,” the company said in a statement Tuesday. It is terminating its relationship with Cannon, ViacomCBS said.The company’s move was in response to remarks made by Cannon on a podcas
  
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