Baton Rouge news

• Homeless man arrested after going on crime spree in EBR

  03-06-2021 20:29 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A homeless man was arrested Wednesday evening after going on a crime spree in East Baton Rouge. The suspect, identified as Dannell Barabin, 28, first caught the attention of police around noon on Wednesday when a woman reported him for sexual battery. An affidavit states police were dispatched to a home on Terrace Ave. where a victim stated Barabin ran up to her, forced his tongue into her mouth, and proceeded to grab her chest and genitals.The victim ran into he
  
  Read more

• Project to connect LA-415 to LA-1 delayed until 2024

  03-06-2021 19:35 via wbrz.com
  
  PORT ALLEN - Drivers frustrated with one of the worst intersections in West Baton Rouge Parish will have to put up with it for at least another two years."I was just told today that an additional bridge study, so there things like that are a little frustrating," said Kevin Durbin, West Baton Rouge Public Works Director.The Highway 415 connector project will connect LA-415 to LA-1,
  including a bridge over the intracostal canal.Funding for the connector has already been allocated from the Deep Ho
  
  Read more

• Lumber prices are hitting record-breaking highs

  03-06-2021 19:30 via wbrz.com
  
  Lumber is the main material used to build most homes, and prices have soared to historic highs.Construction on a new home has reached an average of about 36,000 dollars more than last year just because of lumber costs according to estimates from the National Association of Home Builders.Local home building companies like Purpera and Son's say they've never seen such a scarce lack of materials."It's crazy, and we're the busiest we've ever been," said store manager Tenille Duplessis. "We've seen
  
  Read more

• National car shortage putting the breaks on LPPS drivers ed

  03-06-2021 17:52 via wbrz.com
  LIVINGSTON PARISH – Teens are having a hard time learning how to drive this summer in Livingston Parish. The effects of a national car shortage has trickled down to the drivers education industry.Usually, Livingston Parish Public Schools offers drivers ed courses during the summer, but recently had to cancel those courses for a couple of months.“I had about 60 calls in about two hours,” said Denise Callahan, the owner of Livingston Driving Academy in Watson.Callaha
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• DOTD: It costs nearly $2k to repair a damaged interstate cable barrier, but it's worth the cost and weekly work

  03-06-2021 16:51 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Cable barriers in the middle of the interstate are meant to keep out-of-control vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic, yet, some are damaged and state work crews are trying to make repairs.The barriers are used on highways across the country."They do work, we have anecdotal evidence that has seen the effects," said Rodney Mallett with the Department of Transportation and Development.The evidence can be found as you drive along the interstate systems and see where vehicles r
  
  Read more

• Fishermen busted after scheming at bass weigh-in with week-old catch, game wardens say

  03-06-2021 16:39 via wbrz.com
  
  SHREVEPORT - Anglers schemed for a nearly week to try and win a bass tournament in Caddo Parish, game wardens said Thursday, going as far to keep bass alive in a basket until they turned them in as if they were caught during a recent fishing tournament.Hunter Moss, 24, and Phillip Purcell, 30, were cited for contest fraud.  Both men are from northwest Louisiana.  The tournament was being held on Caddo Lake.The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said the men caught t
  
  Read more

• Celebrity attorney F. Lee Bailey dies at 87

  03-06-2021 16:22 via wbrz.com
  
  WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) — F. Lee Bailey, the celebrity attorney who defended O.J. Simpson, Patricia Hearst and the alleged Boston Strangler, but whose legal career halted when he was disbarred in two states, has died, a former colleague said Thursday. He was 87.The death was confirmed Thursday by Peter Horstmann, who worked with Bailey as an associate in the same law office for seven years.In a legal career that lasted more than four decades, Bailey was seen as arrogant, egocentric and co
  
  Read more

• Blamed for lack of workers taking jobs, state to study ending $300 enhanced unemployment program

  03-06-2021 15:29 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE – Amid complaints from business owners and hiring managers, Louisiana will study whether the state should opt-out of enhanced unemployment benefits.An extra $300 is made available each week to people on unemployment aid.  The extra money has been linked to a significant slowdown in the number of people who accept available jobs in the workforce.Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has said the state will continue to participate in the program, previously saying he
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• La. announces free access to state parks, historical sites to people who get a COVID shot

  03-06-2021 14:54 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - In an effort to increase interest in people getting the COVID vaccine, the state announced an initiative Thursday to encourage vaccinations.Already, the state is backing a Shots for Shots program with restaurants where vaccinated people can get a free alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink at participating restaurants by showing a vaccination card.New Thursday, the state announced free entry into state parks and historical sites through July for anyone who has received a coronavirus sho
  
  Read more

• Air France flight evacuated due to anonymous threat

  03-06-2021 14:45 via wbrz.com
  
  Passengers on an Air France flight were evacuated in Paris on Thursday following an anonymous threat, CNN reports.The AF865 flight from Chad's capital was escorted by a French Air Force fighter plane until it arrived safely at Charles de Gaulle airport. The escort was deemed necessary due to an "anonymous threat," Air France said.The French government said in a statement that the flight landed "without incident" and was "isolated" and "taken over by authorities."The statement alluded t
  
  Read more

• Biden announces international COVID-19 vaccine sharing plan

  03-06-2021 14:05 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Thursday the U.S. will donate 75% of its unused COVID-19 vaccines to the U.N.-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing program, acting as more Americans have been vaccinated and global inequities have become more glaring.Of the first tranche of 25 million doses, the White House said about 19 million will go to COVAX, with approximately 6 million for South and Central America, 7 million for Asia and 5 million for Africa. The doses mark a subst
  
  Read more

• Morgan City woman arrested for allegedly setting fire to estranged husband's property

  03-06-2021 14:03 via wbrz.com
  
  MORGAN CITY - A Morgan City woman has been arrested on accusations of intentionally setting her estranged husband's property on fire, according to Louisiana State Fire Marshal (SFM) deputies.Authorities say 37-year-old Monique Barilleaux was living in a mobile home that belonged to her estranged husband and they believe she set fire to it on May 13.Initially, officers with the Morgan City Police Department responded to the blaze and asked the SFM to assist with investigating a fire at mobile ho
  
  Read more

• Police respond to deadly shooting on North Marque Ann Drive

  03-06-2021 13:26 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Authorities responded to a deadly shooting on North Marque Ann Drive Thursday morning.A representative with the Baton Rouge Police Department said the incident occurred within the 1800 block of North Marque Ann Drive shortly before 10:45 a.m. and that at least one person was killed.At this time, details related to the shooting are few, and more information will be provided as authorities continue to respond to the incident. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Police investigate deadly shooting on North Marque Ann Drive

  03-06-2021 13:26 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Authorities responded to a deadly shooting on North Marque Ann Drive Thursday morning.A representative with the Baton Rouge Police Department said the incident occurred within the 1800 block of North Marque Ann Drive shortly before 10:45 a.m. and that at least one person was killed.At this time, details related to the shooting are few, and more information will be provided as authorities continue to respond to the incident. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Virginia Tech football player arrested, charged with murder

  03-06-2021 13:18 via wbrz.com
  
  BLACKSBURG, Virginia - A Virginia Tech football player has been arrested and charged with murder, CNN reports.The Blacksburg Police Department announced Wednesday that 18-year-old Isimemen Etute, was charged with the second-degree murder of 40-year-old Jerry Smith.Authorities found Smith dead when they responded to a welfare check at 10:30 p.m. on June 1 at a location in Blacksburg.His death was ruled a homicide, and police said, "Through the investigation Mr. Isimemen Etute was identi
  
  Read more

• Stocks fall broadly on Wall Street; AMC slumps on share sale

  03-06-2021 12:56 via wbrz.com
  
  Stocks broadly fell on Wall Street in morning trading Thursday as investors weighed the latest economic reports showing that unemployment claims are falling but labor costs are rising.Markets have been wobbly all week as investors closely watch the labor markets for more signs of economic growth and consider any information that could give more clues about rising inflation. Labor costs rose at a 1.7% rate in the first quarter, up from the initial estimate that costs h
  
  Read more

• River Bend HOA says complacency is causing more break-ins

  03-06-2021 12:48 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE- Police say 237 guns have been stolen this year, of that 94 were out of vehicles. One of the hardest-hit subdivisions is right off Brightside called River Bend.In River Bend lives Pete Bush, who’s been there for more than 15 years, telling WBRZ last month he was taken by surprise.“Well we were leaving early in the morning to go on a trip out of town and as soon as we left the video camera showed that we got broken into,” said BushIt was 5 a.m. when they
  
  Read more

• Two weeks after introducing moratorium proposal, Ascension Parish mostly mum

  03-06-2021 12:36 via wbrz.com
  
  DONALDSONVILLE - Two weeks after droves of Ascension Parish residents spoke up in favor of a 12-month development moratorium, the latest discussion of the topic was much more subdued.Inside the historic Donaldsonville courthouse, as fans tried to break up a stifling Thursday night, the temperatures of those in attendance were also rising even before the meeting began.Sitting in the front row, Parish president Clint Cointment remained mostly silent during the meeting. His very brief president's
  
  Read more

• NOLA's Swaybox Studios plans expansion of animation production for movies,TV

  03-06-2021 12:30 via wbrz.com
  
  JEFFERSON PARISH - Governor John Bel Edwards announced Thursday that Swaybox Studios in Jefferson Parish will expand its animation production operations under Louisiana’s Entertainment Job Creation Program. Swaybox creates original content, featuring a unique combination of puppetry and animation, for feature films and television.The company will create six new permanent jobs with an average annual salary of $62,800, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development esti
  
  Read more

• Two killed while changing tire on shoulder of I-10

  03-06-2021 12:22 via wbrz.com
  
  GRAMERCY - Two men are dead following a bad car accident that occurred Thursday afternoon. James Breaux, 50, of Donaldsonville and Daniel Thomas, 33, of Opelousas lost their lives as a result of the crash. The accident happened on I-10 east of LA-641 in St. James Parish around 3 p.m. when Breaux and Thomas were stopped on the shoulder on I-10 west in a 2003 Ford Explorer. As they were outside of the vehicle changing a tire, someone in a 2019 Penske truck swerved off the roadwa
  
  Read more

• Seacor Power oil boat to be pulled from sea after capsizing

  03-06-2021 09:21 via wbrz.com
  
  PORT FOURCHON, La. (AP) — Authorities say they’re preparing to move a capsized oil industry boat from the site of its deadly April accident.A barge is at the site off the coast of Port Fourchon, Louisiana, to help remove the lift boat Seacor Power and take it to another location as the investigation continues into how the vessel capsized, U.S. Coast Guard officials told WGNO-TV.Authorities said workers have already started to remove debris around the boat &mdash
  
  Read more

• University Lakes Project launches new site designed to encourage community participation

  03-06-2021 09:16 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE – University Lakes Project LLC invites community participation in the University Lakes Project – a design and construction effort to implement the Baton Rouge Lakes Master Plan – via its new website and social media pages:-Website: universitylakesproject.org-Facebook and Instagram: UniversityLakesProject-LinkedIn: University-Lakes-Project-Twitter: @LakesProjectTwo key opportunities for the community to contribute feedback are available now thro
  
  Read more

• Crews removing barriers, memorials at George Floyd Square

  03-06-2021 09:10 via wbrz.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Crews removed concrete barriers as well as artwork, flowers and other memorial items on Thursday from a Minneapolis intersection that has become a sprawling memorial to George Floyd, whose death last year at the hands of police galvanized the racial justice movement.City crews began the work about 4:30 a.m. at the intersection, which is informally known as George Floyd Square and was where the 46-year-old Black man was pinned to the ground
  
  Read more

• LSU AgCenter seeks participants for mosquito repellent study

  03-06-2021 08:50 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — According to a Thursday morning news release, the LSU AgCenter is seeking volunteers from the Baton Rouge area to participate in a study on mosquito repellents. Kristen Healy, an AgCenter entomologist who is leading the project, is evaluating different types of repellents and how they prevent bites in field settings. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 55 and live within 30 miles of Baton Rouge.  The study will take up to t
  
  Read more

• US jobless claims drop to 385,000, another pandemic low

  03-06-2021 08:28 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week for a fifth straight week to a new pandemic low, the latest evidence that the U.S. job market is regaining its health as the economy further reopens.The Labor Department said Thursday that jobless claims dropped to 385,000, down 20,000 from the week before. The number of weekly applications for unemployment aid, which generally reflects the pace of layoffs, has fallen steadily all year, though it re
  
  Read more

• Former fraternity members charged in connection with 2019 death of teen pledge

  03-06-2021 08:25 via wbrz.com
  
  WHITMAN COUNTY, Washington - Fifteen former members of a Washington State University fraternity were charged Wednesday in connection with the alcohol-poisoning death of a 19-year-old pledge that occurred two years ago, according to ABC News.Sam Martinez died in November of 2019 after participating in an event that was part of an initiation process at Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.The teen was found dead at the Alpha Tau Omega house in Pullman, Washington. The Whitman County Corner discovered that
  
  Read more

• Military leaders wary of changes in sexual assault policy

  03-06-2021 07:13 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Military service leaders are privately expressing reservations about removing sexual assault cases from the chain of command, The Associated Press has learned, striking a note of caution as momentum builds toward changing a military justice system that has come under increasing criticism.In memos to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the service leaders laid out their concerns about the growing push to shift prosecution decisions on sexual assault and
  
  Read more

• Lane Regional Medical Center earns $50k Technology Makeover win

  03-06-2021 07:06 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY- Lane Regional Medical Center will receive a $50,000 technology makeover after being named the "Security" category winner of the Connected Workplace Makeover Contest held by Insight Enterprises in partnership with Intel. The contest helps businesses address the effects of aging technology during a critical time when all companies have needed to transform to more digital ways of working.Lane was one of three overall winners in the $150,000 national contest and will receive $50,0
  
  Read more

• President Biden to visit Windsor Castle, meet with the Queen

  03-06-2021 06:44 via wbrz.com
  
  A trip overseas, to the English county of Berkshire has been added to President Biden's June itinerary.Accompanied by First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, he will make his way to Windsor Castle on June 13 to meet with the longest-serving female head of state in world history.Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Queen Elizabeth II will welcome the Bidens to her Berkshire residence, which is where she has been living through much of the COVID-19 pandemic.According to Yahoo News, the Bidens are already fri
  
  Read more

• Ascension authorities search for man accused of aggravated assault with firearm

  03-06-2021 06:24 via wbrz.com
  
  ASCENSION PARISH - Authorities is Ascension Parish are asking the public to be on the lookout for a man accused of attacking someone with a gun. According to The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, 21-year-old Mark Darby is wanted for aggravated assault with a firearm.Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mark Darby is urged to contact the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office at 225-621-4636 or by texting 847411 to its anonymous tip line.Citizens can also contac
  
  Read more

• Reworking of Louisiana congressional election calendar fails

  03-06-2021 06:12 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana won’t be making changes to its system for electing members of Congress, after state senators rejected the last pending proposal about the congressional elections calendar Wednesday.Republican Rep. Barry Ivey was trying to ensure the state is no longer electing its congressional members later than the rest of the country by shifting the election dates to earlier in a year. The House had unanimously agreed to the idea, but senators questioned
  
  Read more

• Arizona poised to use Nazi-era gas in death row executions

  03-06-2021 06:07 via wbrz.com
  
  PHOENIX, Arizona - At least one U.S. state intends to proceed with the controversial practice of carrying out executions of death row inmates by means of gas chambers that make use of Nazi-era chemicals, ABC News reports.The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry has invested thousands of dollars into efforts to 'refurbish' gas chambers for such executions, according to a report in The Guardian.Among the items The Department of Corrections all
  
  Read more

• Talk of Trump 2024 run builds as legal pressure intensifies

  03-06-2021 05:32 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump was calling into yet another friendly radio show when he was asked, as he often is, whether he’s planning a comeback bid for the White House. “We need you,” conservative commentator Dan Bongino told the former president.“Well, I’ll tell you what,” Trump responded. “We are going to make you very happy, and we’re going to do what’s right.”I
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!