Baton Rouge news

• Trump indictment would be unprecedented moment in US history

  20-03-2023 21:30
  
  The decision whether to indict former President Donald Trump over hush-money payments made on his behalf during his 2016 presidential campaign lies in the hands of a Manhattan grand jury that has been hearing evidence in secret for weeks.An indictment of Trump, who is seeking the White House again in 2024, would be an unprecedented moment in American history, the first criminal case against a former U.S. president.Law enforcement officials are bracing for protests and the possibility of violenc
  
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• Lawmaker proposes legislative pay hike

  20-03-2023 17:23
  
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers would see their salaries nearly quadruple under a pre-filed bill that would implement across-the board increases.HB149, authored by State Rep. Joseph Marino (Ind.), would set a new base salary of $60,000 for members of the House and Senate. That compares with the current salary of $16,800 a year.The actual amount lawmakers take home is generally more than double the actual current salary and includes per diem compensation (paid for each day of legislative work, in additi
  
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• Deputies looking for Hammond man who didn't show up for work Saturday

  20-03-2023 17:08
  
  HAMMOND - Deputies are searching for a man who left for work Saturday but never showed up, authorities said. According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, 59-year-old Kevin Moore from Hammond left for work March 18 in a Chevy Spark. Kevin did not show up for work that day and no one has been able to get in contact with him. Anyone with information on Kevin's whereabouts should call (985) 345-6150. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Legislative committee OKs move to borrow more for I-10 revision effort

  20-03-2023 16:01
  
  BATON ROUGE - A joint legislative committee on Monday advanced a plan to increase Louisiana's borrowing limit for an upcoming overhaul of I-10 in and around Baton Rouge.The unanimous vote followed a question-and-answer session between lawmakers from the House and Senate and transportation officials, who explained that inflation and other considerations have driven up the price tag on the massive construction project.Significant changes were introduced in January in hopes of mitigating the impac
  
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• Legislative committee OKs move to borrow more for I-10 overhaul

  20-03-2023 16:01
  
  BATON ROUGE - A joint legislative committee on Monday advanced a plan to increase Louisiana's borrowing limit for an upcoming overhaul of I-10 in and around Baton Rouge.The unanimous vote followed a question-and-answer session between lawmakers from the House and Senate and transportation officials, who explained that inflation and other considerations have driven up the price tag on the massive construction project.Significant changes were introduced in January in hopes of mitigating the impac
  
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• Sources: State Police blocks ex-leader's son from getting coveted new job following WBRZ report

  20-03-2023 15:39
  
  BATON ROUGE - A state trooper who was set to move to a sought-after new job at Louisiana State Police has had his transfer blocked amid renewed outrage over a 2020 wreck that left two girls dead.Watch live newscasts hereThe WBRZ Investigative Unit learned Monday that Kaleb Reeves' transfer to the agency's intelligence division was halted. State Police called the transfer a "lateral move," and said Reeves would not receive a pay increase. However, troopers say the position is highly sought-after
  
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• Gonzales Council will vote on measure to ban sale of kratom

  20-03-2023 15:02
  
  ASCENSION PARISH - The Gonzales Council on Monday is expected to consider an amendment to the Code of Ordinances that would prohibit the sale of kratom within the city.If approved, the measure would subject anyone in violation to a fine of up to $500 and a jail term of up to 60 days.The proposed amendment identifies the "use of Mitragyna Speciosa Korth (Kratom)... a serious problem affecting the health and welfare of all citizens" and seeks to take "all reasonable steps" to prohibit its sale.Nu
  
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• Trial set for suspect accused of killing Baton Rouge man in French Quarter

  20-03-2023 14:42
  
  NEW ORLEANS – The suspect accused of fatally shooting a Baton Rouge man in the French Quarter is set to go to trial, and the Orleans Parish district attorney will try the case.James Patton, 38, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Russell Ricou.Ricou, 41, was shot around 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2022, near Conti and Burgundy streets. He died on the scene.Police said Ricou got into an argument with another man who shot him. U.S. Marshals and the NOPD found Patton about a
  
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• 2 students hurt in Texas school shooting, suspect arrested

  20-03-2023 13:21
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two students were injured in a shooting outside a Dallas-area high school on Monday morning and police arrested the person suspected of opening fire, officials said.The shooting began on a high school campus in the suburb of Arlington around 6:55 a.m., before many students arrived for the first day back to classes after the spring break, according to police and school district officials.One student was injured by gunfire, another was hurt by “debris f
  
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• Teenager accused of killing 11-year-old boy, holding family hostage will stay in custody for now

  20-03-2023 11:30
  
  BATON ROUGE - The 17-year-old accused of killing 11-year-old Matthew Fortenberry after holding him and his family hostage in a car will stay in the juvenile detention center until his next court hearing. Kelton Maloid, the teenager who allegedly held the family hostage and killed Fortenberry, was arrested and booked for first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder, criminal damage to property, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. Bond was not set, and Malo
  
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• Teenager accused of killing 11-year-old boy, holding family hostage will stay in custody

  20-03-2023 11:30
  
  BATON ROUGE - The 17-year-old accused of killing 11-year-old Matthew Fortenberry after holding him and his family hostage in a car will stay in detention until his next court hearing. Kelton Maloid, the teenager who allegedly held the family hostage and killed Fortenberry, was arrested and booked for first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder, criminal damage to property, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. Bond was not set, and Maloid will stay in cust
  
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• $5M plan to provide affordable rent to people with housing insecurity; awaiting approval from housing department

  20-03-2023 11:30
  
  BATON ROUGE - The amount of people experiencing housing insecurity is rising at an alarming rate and state lawmakers are looking to federal dollars for relief. According to the Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care, the homeless population grew over 26% in 2020 alone and continues to grow."We had 814 people that experienced homelessness for the first time. This could be your neighbors, extended family members or someone you know," said interim director of the Office of Community
  
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• Online university provides 100% tuition coverage for Louisiana KFC employees

  20-03-2023 11:18
  
  Western Governors University, a national nonprofit, online university, has partnered with the KFC Foundation to provide 100% tuition coverage to Louisiana KFC employees. Through the partnership, the employees can choose from more than 60 different bachelor's and master's degree programs. The program is non-competitive, meaning everyone applying for coverage will receive it. WGU offers rolling start dates each month, allowing employees a flexible start time. &ldquo
  
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• Weapon found at EBR magnet school causes confusion, worry among parents days later

  20-03-2023 09:40
  
  BATON ROUGE - Parents are confused and concerned after receiving a voicemail Monday morning about possible random searches being conducted on students at Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet school after a student reportedly brought a knife to campus last week. Officials with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System said a student brought a knife to FLAIM Thursday. No one was injured, and the weapon was reportedly confiscated by the school's security and Drug Task Force. FLAIM's
  
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• Weapon found at Baton Rouge magnet school causes confusion, worry among parents days later

  20-03-2023 09:40
  
  BATON ROUGE - Parents are confused and concerned after receiving a voicemail Monday morning about possible random searches being conducted on students at Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet school after a student reportedly brought a knife to campus last week. Officials with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System said a student brought a knife to FLAIM Thursday. No one was injured, and the weapon was reportedly confiscated by the school's security and Drug Task Force. FLAIM's
  
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• Days after knife was found on campus, EBR schools announce plan for 'routine' K-9 searches

  20-03-2023 09:40
  
  BATON ROUGE - Parents are confused and concerned after receiving a voicemail Monday morning about possible random searches being conducted on students at Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet school after a student reportedly brought a knife to campus last week. Officials with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System said a student brought a knife to FLAIM Thursday. No one was injured, and the weapon was reportedly confiscated by the school's security and Drug Task Force. FLAIM's
  
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• Crowds gather to St. Joseph's Cathedral Sunday to honor feast day in saint's honor

  20-03-2023 06:00
  
  BATON ROUGE - Parishioners gathered for morning mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral in downtown Baton Rouge Sunday and offered prayers on the feast day of St. Joseph.An elaborate altar is made in the saint's honor and displayed for all to see."When a person would pray and ask for the intercessory prayer of St. Joseph for a certain need in their life," said Bishop Michael Duca, "if they receive that prayer, then they promise to make an altar in St. Joseph's honor."St. Joseph is regarded by many as th
  
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• Customs officers confiscate 6 illegal giant African snails at Detroit airport

  20-03-2023 04:33
  
  DETROIT, Mich. - Customs officers at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport made an unusual—and potentially dangerous—discovery in a passenger’s luggage: Six giant African snails.The snails, which were alive, were found in the suitcase of a traveler who arrived in Detroit from the west African country of Ghana, according to a Friday news release from US Customs and Border Protection.The critters are considered a “prohibited organism” in the US because
  
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