Baton Rouge news

• Classes will resume for St. Helena Parish on Tuesday, community forum scheduled for next week

  08-05-2023 21:16
  
  ST. HELENA PARISH - After a teacher "Sick-out" on Monday, classes will resume for St. Helena Parish students on Tuesday. The following statement was sent by Superintendent Dr. Kelli Joseph on Monday evening: The employees of the school district united today to express the need for the community to INVEST in their children. They have vowed to continue the cause. They stand united in an effort to educate our community stakeholders on what really matters. Our children are deservi
  
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• Man arrested after shooting at children playing hide-and-seek on his property; 14-year-old girl hurt

  08-05-2023 20:45
  
  STARKS - A man was arrested after shooting at a group of teenagers that were on his property playing hide-and-seek, sending a 14-year-old girl to the hospital. Starks resident David Doyle, 58, told Calcasieu Parish sheriff's deputies he saw shadows outside his home early May 7, so he grabbed his gun. Doyle said when he saw people running he started shooting, hitting the girl. Deputies said they found the girl with a gunshot wound to the back of her head. She was taken to the h
  
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• Nearly 2 years after Nakamoto investigation into ousted official, state publishes findings of lengthy probe

  08-05-2023 16:40
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Louisiana Inspector General investigation into wrongdoing reported on by the WBRZ Investigative Unit nearly two years ago is offering more insight into the allegations against the former executive director of the Louisiana Board of Private Security Examiners.The report released Monday lays out the complaints that prompted the board to remove Fabian Blache III from his esteemed role back in 2021.  Among the most egregious of the complaints was allegations that B
  
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• Livingston councilman says pond protocols to be reviewed in wake of two kids who drowned

  08-05-2023 16:29
  
  LIVINGSTON PARISH - Councilman Shane Mack tells the WBRZ Investigative Unit that everything is on the table when it comes to enforcing pond protocols in the parish after two children died in late April.Two brothers, a 9-year-old and a 6-year-old, were found in a pond in the Deer Lakes subdivision April 29.The WBRZ Investigative Unit found that 44 mobile homes were placed there two years ago, but the ponds were installed before Livingston Parish actually had guidelines in place for them. The dev
  
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• Facebook group devoted to tracking panhandler's movements, warning others

  08-05-2023 15:38
  
  BATON ROUGE - One man is going around asking people for money under the guise that he's a salesman or medical professional needing help traveling to a neighboring city. People say he has been doing this for years and the time has come for it to stop.One woman, who does not wish to be identified, spoke with 2 On Your Side with a warning message to others. She is the admin of a Facebook group doing just that."He's been doing this for years, it usually involves him either being a doctor or a pharm
  
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• Wrong-way driver killed Baton Rouge woman in St. James Parish crash

  08-05-2023 15:37
  
  ST. JAMES PARISH - A woman from Baton Rouge was killed when a wrong-way driver hit her car on Sunday night in St. James Parish.According to State Police, 27-year-old Jiasia Steib from Baton Rouge was driving north along Blues Highway near I-10 at 10:30 p.m. Troopers said 50-year-old Mark Wooten from Houston was driving the opposite direction, crossed over the center line and hit Steib head-on. She died at the scene. Wooten was taken to a hospital and after his release was book
  
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• Mississippi deputies in civil rights probe accused of sexual assault

  08-05-2023 14:59
  
  JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi sheriff’s deputies already under investigation for possible civil rights violations after allegedly placing a gun in a Black man’s mouth and firing it are now also being accused of attempting to assault him and a second Black man with a sex toy during an interrogation, The Associated Press has learned.The allegations are contained in a letter to the Justice Department written by Michael Corey Jenkins’ attorney, who provid
  
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• Driver in deadly Texas crash charged with manslaughter

  08-05-2023 13:38
  
  BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — The driver of an SUV that crashed into a crowd of people at a bus stop in Brownsville, Texas, killing eight, has been charged with manslaughter, police said Monday.Authorities believe driver George Alvarez, 34, of Brownsville, lost control after running a red light Sunday morning and plowed into a crowd of Venezuelans outside a migrant center. Authorities were still investigating whether the crash was intentional.Police Chief Felix Sauceda said Alvarez was ch
  
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• LSU national champion Angel Reese joins Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition

  08-05-2023 12:47
  
  LSU women's basketball star Angel Reese is making her debut in the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Reese guided the Tigers to their first national championship in women's basketball on April 2. SI says she "further launches women's basketball into the national sphere with her competitive spirit and talent on the court."LSU star @Reese10Angel will make her @SI_Swimsuit debut in the 2023 issue! https://t.co/2XvTX0mL2S— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 8, 2023&ldquo
  
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• LSU national champion Angel Reese debuts in Sports Illustrated

  08-05-2023 12:47
  
  LSU women's basketball star Angel Reese is making her debut in the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Reese guided the Tigers to their first national championship in women's basketball on April 2. SI says she "further launches women's basketball into the national sphere with her competitive spirit and talent on the court."“Angel is combating the double standard in sports, especially for women," said SI editor-in-chief, MJ Day. "She is making a name for herself as a fie
  
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• Man dies one week after being struck along Ascension Parish road; family questions police investigation

  08-05-2023 09:57
  
  DUTCHTOWN - A man struck and critically injured along a road in Ascension Parish has died, according to an attorney representing the victim's family.The incident happened April 29, along LA 74. Darryl West was walking along the highway when he was hit by a vehicle, according to his family.West's relatives have hired Attorney Ron Haley as they raise concerns about how law enforcement on the scene handled the crash investigation, including questions about what tests were conducted on the driver.L
  
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• Man dies one week after being struck along Ascension Parish road

  08-05-2023 09:57
  
  ASCENSION PARISH - A man struck and critically injured as he was walking along a Dutchtown road has died, according to an attorney representing the victim's family.The incident happened April 29, along LA 74. Darryl West was walking along the road when he was hit by a vehicle.The impact shattered the front windshield of the vehicle and caused a severe dent to the hood.An attorney for West's family on Monday said that West succumbed to his injuries Sunday at a local hospital.West's family has qu
  
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• Former President Donald Trump endorses Jeff Landry for La. governor

  08-05-2023 09:31
  
  LAFAYETTE - Attorney General Jeff Landry received the endorsement from former President Donald Trump for the position of Louisiana governor. “I am endorsing your Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor. He has been a fantastic Attorney General. He wants to stop crime. He loves the people of Louisiana just like I do,” said the former president.Permalink| Comments
  
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• LSU women's basketball sets date for White House visit

  08-05-2023 09:23
  
  WASHINGTON - National championship winners, the LSU women's basketball team, will be visiting the White House on Friday, May 26.The LSU Tigers defeated the Iowa Buckeyes in the championship game 102-85. It was the highest-scoring game in women's NCAA history and LSU's first national championship for women's basketball. Read LSU's press release below:The Tigers, who defeated Iowa on April 3 to earn the University’s first-ever basketball national championship, will visit the na
  
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• U.S. Department of Justice hosting town hall as part of investigation into Louisiana State Police

  08-05-2023 09:06
  
  BATON ROUGE - The United States Department of Justice is hosting a town hall meeting as part of its investigation into the alleged use of excessive force and alleged discriminatory policing by Louisiana State Police. After years of investigation into LSP led by Chris Nakamoto and the WBRZ Investigative Unit, federal officials opened an "unprecedented" civil rights probe into the law enforcement agency. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 at the Southern University Law
  
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• One person shot, taken to hospital after shooting off Florida Boulevard Sunday

  08-05-2023 07:43
  
  BATON ROUGE - One person was reportedly shot and injured off Florida Boulevard late Sunday night. According to officials, the shooting happened around 11 p.m. on North Donmoor Avenue just off Florida Boulevard. The severity of their injuries was not immediately clear.WBRZ has reached out to law enforcement for more details. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Zachary middle school makes policy changes following threat

  08-05-2023 05:45
  
  ZACHARY - Northwestern Middle School in Zachary is making some policy changes in response to a "significant increase" of threats made across the United States. After threats were made the NMS last Thursday, shutting down classes Friday and leading to one juvenile being arrested, the school said Sunday that a new no-backpack policy would be enforced until the end of the school year. "Based on the latest information, there is no imminent threat to our campus. Northwestern Middle
  
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• Zachary middle school makes policy changes amid nationwide school shootings

  08-05-2023 05:45
  
  ZACHARY - Northwestern Middle School in Zachary is making some policy changes in response to a "significant increase" of threats made across the United States. After threats were made the NMS last Thursday, shutting down classes Friday and leading to one juvenile being arrested, the school said Sunday that a new no-backpack policy would be enforced until the end of the school year. "Based on the latest information, there is no imminent threat to our campus. Northwestern Middle
  
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• Governors pushing pay increases, other perks, in effort to allay teacher shortages

  08-05-2023 05:32
  
  HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — As schools across the country struggle to find teachers to hire, more governors are pushing for pay increases, bonuses and other perks for the beleaguered profession — with some vowing to beat out other states competing for educators.Already in 2023, governors in Georgia and Arkansas have pushed through teacher pay increases. Ahead of Monday’s start of national Teacher Appreciation Week, others — both Republican and Democratic &
  
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• Ascension Parish high school honors retirement of long-time band director

  08-05-2023 04:54
  
  ST. AMANT - Band members, alumni, and families alike packed the LSU Union Theatre Saturday afternoon to say farewell to the St. Amant High School Band's long-time director. Director Craig Millet conducted his final pieces before his retirement Saturday afternoon. Millet said his proudest achievement was the collection of relationships he made with students over the 33 years of music education, including some WBRZ employees.Under his direction the band has celebrated a myriad of awards,
  
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