Baton Rouge news

• Tropical Depression Eight forms in Gulf, no changes to local forecast

  22-07-2020 21:52 via wbrz.com
  
  Tropical Depression Eight has formed in the central Gulf of Mexico. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft identified a closed center of circulation and winds in excess of 30mph, therefore classifying the system as a tropical depression. Even though the associated showers and thunderstorms are poorly organized, conditions appear favorable for some additional strengthening over the next two days as the system moves west-northwestward at about 10 mph. Tropical Storm Watches have been issu
  
  Read more

• Congress debates as federal unemployment nears cutoff date

  22-07-2020 21:27 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON - As negotiations continue on a fourth COVID-19 stimulus package, hundreds of thousands of unemployed workers in Louisiana and millions more across the country are days away from losing hundreds of dollars weekly in federal aid provided through the CARES Act earlier this year."We're head on a trajectory where the current unemployment assistance is going to expire, and you probably will have a little bit of a gap," Rep. Garret Graves said.Republicans on Capitol Hill are still going ba
  
  Read more

• Two injured in double shooting on Dalton Street

  22-07-2020 20:04 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police are responding to a double shooting Wednesday afternoon that left two people injured.As of now, not much is known however it is confirmed that two victims have been transported to the hospital with critical injuries.This is a developing story.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Two critically injured in Dalton Street shooting with possible rap video link

  22-07-2020 20:04 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two people were critically injured Wednesday evening in a shooting on Dalton Street that may have involved people making a rap video there.The attack happened about 7:30 p.m. in the 3900 block of Dalton. A rap video was being shot in he area, and police say it appears some of the people connected to the video may have been involved in the shooting.It's not clear whether the shooting victims were involved, police said.Neighbors crowded the street as paramedics performed CPR on one
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Two critically injured in Dalton Street shooting

  22-07-2020 20:04 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two people were critically injured Wednesday evening in a shooting on Dalton Street.Police are investigating the attack, which happened about 7:30 p.m. in the 3900 block of Dalton.Neighbors crowded the street as paramedics performed CPR on one of the injured people.An SUV near the site of the shooting had a smashed window and other apparent bullet holes.This is a developing story.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• New poll says most Louisianans support mask mandate

  22-07-2020 19:05 via wbrz.com
  
  LOUISIANA - A new poll, commissioned by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, suggest that most people in the state of Louisiana are supportive of the mask mandate set by Governor Edwards just weeks ago.According to the Advocate, the survery shows 61% of those polled says the public health emergency in the state should not be canceled, 22% says it should and 17% remain undecided.House Speaker Schexnayder, a republican, sent the poll to his collegues via text urging fellow Republicans to stop trying t
  
  Read more

• OLOL suspends non-emergency surgeries at BR campus amid rise in coronavirus hospitalizations

  22-07-2020 18:47 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Our Lady of the Lake health system says it is putting non-emergency surgeries on hold at its Baton Rouge location in order to ensure bed space is available as a surge in coronavirus cases causes an upswing in hospitalizations.A spokesperson confirmed the decision Wednesday evening, saying Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center was making beds and staff available to handle the "rapid increase" in COVID-19 patients The hospital plans to put those surgeries on hold for two
  
  Read more

• House votes to remove Confederate statues from Capitol

  22-07-2020 18:29 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has approved a bill to remove statues of Robert E. Lee and other Confederate leaders from the U.S. Capitol, as well as a bust of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, the author of the 1857 Dred Scott decision that declared African Americans couldn’t be citizens.Besides Taney, the bill would direct the Architect of the Capitol to identify and eventually remove from Statuary Hall at least 10 statues honoring Confederate officials, including Lee, the comman
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 'No intention' of canceling high school sports in the fall, LHSAA head says

  22-07-2020 17:21 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana High School Athletic Association reassured parents that there are currently no plans to cancel fall sports despite concerns over a surge in coronavirus cases in recent weeks.Executive Director Eddie Bonine released a letter Wednesday in response to "a number of emails from parents, athletes and concerned citizens" asking the LHSAA not to cancel sports in the fall. In the letter, Bonine says the organization has  "no intention of cancelling fall spor
  
  Read more

• Advanced technology may facilitate movie production amid pandemic

  22-07-2020 17:13 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE – The movie industry in the capital area is at least a month away from production picking back up again.Film and TV producers are still trying to map out the safest way for crews to work together during the pandemic. But new technology could make the transition much easier.“Certainly everyone is eager to get back to work, and they want to get on set,” Director of Operations at Celtic Studios Aaron Bayham said. “We have a backlog of new project
  
  Read more

• Baton Rouge Diocese says students still scheduled to return to campuses in August

  22-07-2020 16:40 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Students will return to schools under the Baton Rouge Diocese in August with changes in day-to-day operations to account for the coronavirus.According to the statement from diocese, students will be back in class in early August in compliance with state regulations. The diocese says it expects new requirements on campus to include face masks for students and staff, increased regular handwashing and cleaning practices, and appropriate social distancing. Students will also
  
  Read more

• California surpasses New York state in confirmed coronavirus cases

  22-07-2020 16:07 via wbrz.com
  
  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California has surpassed New York for the most coronavirus cases in the country, reporting more than 409,000 infections after setting a record on Tuesday for the state’s most confirmed new cases in a single day since the start of the pandemic.The surge of cases comes as California reopened much of its economy in May. Since then, Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered statewide shutdowns for bars and indoor dining while imposing tougher restrictions &mdas
  
  Read more

• List of candidates qualifying for November election

  22-07-2020 15:35 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Candidates qualified to run for elected office in the November election.Qualifying started Wednesday, July 22, and ended Friday, July, 24.Click HERE for a comprehensive list of qualified candidates maintained by the Secretary of State.  IMPORTANT: Select 11/03/2020 from the election date drop-down tab to access the candidates who have qualified for the November election.The November election features the race for President of the United States, members of Congress and som
  
  Read more

• Wounded BRPD police dog honored with 'Get Well Soon' wishes on social media

  22-07-2020 14:57 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Rain, the wounded K9 shot during an altercation at Tigerland Monday morning, is being showered with 'Get Well Soon' wishes on social media by members of the community.Currently, Rain is at home recovering.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Shreveport Mayor to run against Bill Cassidy for US Senate position

  22-07-2020 14:49 via wbrz.com
  
  SHREVEPORT - The Mayor of Shreveport is looking to unseat Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy.According to Shreveport-based ABC News affiliate, KTBS, Mayor Adrian Perkins officially launched his candidacy for U.S. Senate in Louisiana Wednesday morning, with a last-minute entrance into the competition. Perkins made the following statement announcing his campaign:“I’m running for United States Senate because our country and state are at a crossroads. We face a
  
  Read more

• Falcons announce limited capacity in Mercedes-Benz Stadium for 2020 season

  22-07-2020 14:31 via wbrz.com
  
  ATLANTA, Georgia- Football fans were alerted to yet another adjustment made to curb the spread of COVID-19, Wednesday as the Atlanta Falcons issued an email to season ticket members, stating they will have a limited capacity of up to 10,000-20,0000 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for home games during the 2020 NFL season.Mercedes-Benz Stadium's reduced capacity is in keeping with state and local requirements as well as the NFL and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) social distancing
  
  Read more

• Baton Rouge General's summer camp for young burn survivors goes virtual

  22-07-2020 14:22 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Every summer, Baton Rouge General's Regional Burn Center offers the opportunity for pediatric burn survivors to attend Camp Catahoula, a daytime activity center that provides young survivors (ages 5-17) of traumatic burn injuries with positive social interactions.The camp typically includes a series of exciting activities like swimming, fishing, and interactive games that allow children to have a good time and make friends.But as the spread of novel coronavirus continues to pose a
  
  Read more

• Baker announces free coronavirus testing available Friday

  22-07-2020 14:14 via wbrz.com
  
  BAKER - Free coronavirus testing will be available in the city of Baker Friday morning. City officials announced the testing site will open at Advantage Charter School along Plank Road at 9 a.m. and stay open till noon. Anyone who doesn't pre-register for a test can register on site until 11 a.m.Pre-registration packets will be available at city hall. You can read the full announcement here. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• US labs buckle amid testing surge; world virus cases top 15M

  22-07-2020 13:49 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Laboratories across the U.S. are buckling under a surge of coronavirus tests, creating long processing delays that experts say are actually undercutting the pandemic response.With the U.S. tally of infections at 3.9 million Wednesday and new cases surging, the bottlenecks are creating problems for workers kept off the job while awaiting results, nursing homes struggling to keep the virus out and for the labs themselves, dealing with a crushing workload.Some labs are
  
  Read more

• United Airlines broadens mask requirements for passengers

  22-07-2020 13:41 via wbrz.com
  
  As cases of novel coronavirus continue to spike in various countries, United Airlines has announced the expansion of its mask mandate. Passengers wishing to board any of the airline's flights must now wear face masks at ticket counters and in United's airport lounges. Officials say passengers who refuse to follow the new protocol are at risk of being banned from the carrier.United and all other major U.S. carriers had already required passengers to wear masks during flights, but on Wed
  
  Read more

• After bar exam cancellation, La. Supreme Court says 'qualified candidates' can practice law

  22-07-2020 13:20 via wbrz.com
  
  A week after the coronavirus forced Louisiana to cancel its bar exam, the state Supreme Court says certain "qualified candidates" will be allowed to practice without taking the test.According to the announcement from the Supreme Court Wednesday, those candidates will be allowed to practice law if they meet all of the other usual requirement, complete 25 hours of continuing legal education and finish the state bar association's Transition Into Practice mentoring program by Dec. 31, 2021."The add
  
  Read more

• After bar exam cancellation, La. Supreme Court says candidates can practice law if they meet certain requirements

  22-07-2020 13:20 via wbrz.com
  
  A week after the coronavirus forced Louisiana to cancel its bar exam, the state Supreme Court says certain "qualified candidates" will be allowed to practice without taking the test.According to the announcement from the Supreme Court Wednesday, those candidates will be allowed to practice law if they meet all of the other usual requirement, complete 25 hours of continuing legal education and finish the state bar association's Transition Into Practice mentoring program by Dec. 31, 2021."The add
  
  Read more

• Fans must wear masks at all NFL games this season

  22-07-2020 13:12 via wbrz.com
  
  The NFL will require fans to wear face coverings at all games during the 2020 season.According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, an NFL spokesperson confirmed the new rule on Wednesday.Fans at NFL games this season now will be required to wear face coverings, per @nflPRguy.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2020The news comes as many stadiums announce plans to limit capacity or ban fans from attending games altogether.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Britain's Prince Philip, 99, makes rare public appearance

  22-07-2020 09:59 via wbrz.com
  
  LONDON (AP) - Britain’s Prince Philip has made a rare public appearance in attending a military ceremony at Windsor Castle to transfer a long-held ceremonial role to his daughter-in-law Camilla.The 99-year-old Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, has been Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles since 2007. He has served in the same role for earlier regiments that have made up the infantry unit since the 1950s.Camilla, Prince Charles’ wife, has been welcomed as the regiment
  
  Read more

• Powerful quake jolts Alaska towns, produces small tsunami

  22-07-2020 09:51 via wbrz.com
  
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A powerful earthquake off Alaska’s southern coast has jolted some coastal communities and forced some residents to briefly scramble for higher ground over fears of a tsunami. There were no immediate reports of damage late Tuesday in the sparsely populated area of the state.The tsunami warning was canceled after the magnitude 7.8 quake off the Alaska Peninsula produced a wave of a less than a foot. The quake was centered about 65 miles offshore.Strong shaking w
  
  Read more

• US signs contract with Pfizer for COVID-19 vaccine doses

  22-07-2020 09:42 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) - Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says the U.S. has signed a contract with Pfizer for delivery in December of the first 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine the pharmaceutical company is working to develop. He says the U.S. could buy another 500 million doses under the agreement.Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced separately that the agreement is with HHS and the Defense Department for a vaccine candidate the companies are developing.It's part of President Don
  
  Read more

• 15 shot as gunfire erupts outside Chicago funeral home

  22-07-2020 09:41 via wbrz.com
  
  CHICAGO (AP) - Police say 15 people were shot when gunfire erupted outside a funeral home on Chicago's South Side. First Deputy Superintendent Eric Carter says mourners were fired upon from a passing vehicle.Carter says several targets of the shooting returned fire. The vehicle later crashed and the occupants fled. One person of interest was being questioned.The shooting comes as the Department of Homeland Security is planning to deploy dozens of federal agents to Chicago. More gun violence str
  
  Read more

• I-110 lane closure planned for the weekend

  22-07-2020 09:21 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Pending weather delays, work is scheduled for I-110 during the day Saturday, July 25.Transportation officials say, crews need to cut grass near the southbound travel lane from Evangeline St. to Chippewa St. from 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Drivers should be prepared for delays while the crews operate. DOTD advises two lanes of travel will remain open at all times while work happens.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Possible final online EBR Metro Council meeting Wednesday

  22-07-2020 08:48 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council slated Wednesday to continue meeting online to handle city-parish business.In the 29-pages long agenda the council is slated to introduce measures that include: $80k crime fighting grant for the Baton Rouge Police Department, and CARES Act funding allocation for the East Baton Rouge Parish Library System.Wednesday's Metro Council meeting requires the public submit comments via email to [email protected] for items that are listed in
  
  Read more

• Candidates officially enter EBR Mayor-President race

  22-07-2020 08:20 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE -Wednesday morning marks the official launch for the race of the next East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President. As of July 22 five candidates announced they want the job that includes: Current Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, Metro Council Dist. 10 councilwoman Tara Wicker, Metro Council Dist. 10 councilman Matt Watson, Baton Rouge State Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, and business owner Jordan Piazza.Candidates seeking election will be signing up over three days starting Wedn
  
  Read more

• Zachary outlines a hybrid return to school starting in August

  22-07-2020 06:00 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY - The Zachary school district released its return to campus plan, which shows a hybrid learning model should the state remain in Phase 2 of reopening.School will start Monday, August 10, according to an extensive explanation posted on the school district's website.  In a hybrid model, the Zachary school system said students will attend school in-person some days and use an online learning tool on others, depending on their last name.School bus occupancy will be decreas
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!