Baton Rouge news

• NAACP seeking travel advisory for Louisiana, citing 'concerning' policies

  07-06-2023 17:11
  
  BATON ROUGE - The state branch of the NAACP is asking its parent organization to issue a "national travel advisory" for Louisiana because of legislative policies and actions that if believes target and marginalize certain groups, including African Americans.The Louisiana State Conference cited about a dozen "potentially damaging bills" that were introduced in the 2023 legislative session. With time running out on the session, it will soon be clear how many of the measures will become law.Those
  
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• Folks can fish for free in Louisiana on Saturday, Sunday

  07-06-2023 17:01
  
  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — For those who like to fish or those who might want to just try it out, this weekend could be your opportunity to do so in Louisiana for free.The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries invites residents and visitors to take part in its annual Free Fishing Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.“Each year we designate a weekend of free fishing as an incentive for families and friends to enjoy our beautiful Sportsman’s Paradise,” said
  
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• 'I can taste the air': Hazardous smoke from wildfires hangs over millions in Canada, US

  07-06-2023 16:56
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on Wednesday, covering the capitals of both nations in an unhealthy haze, holding up flights at major airports, postponing Major League Baseball games and prompting people to fish out pandemic-era face masks.While Canadian officials asked other countries for additional help fighting more than 400 blazes nationwide that already have displaced 20,000 people, air quality with what the U.S. rates as
  
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• Man arrested for setting fire to ex-girlfriend's car, flames spread to house while she was inside

  07-06-2023 15:53
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - A man was arrested for allegedly setting a fire that spread to a home on May 27. According to the State Fire Marshal's Office, 45-year-old Jeremie Brown was near his ex-girlfriend's Denham Springs home that evening and set a car on fire. Investigators say flames spread from the car to the home, where the woman was inside. She safely made it out of the home without injuries. Deputies said Brown was harassing the victim since their relationship ended. H
  
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• Law to make Louisiana hands-free not having much success in legislature

  07-06-2023 15:37
  
  BATON ROUGE - As the Louisiana legislature comes to a close this week, a bill to make the state hands-free doesn't look like it will pass. HB580 would make it illegal for people to use their cell phone while driving.In many states, it's already illegal to use your phone while driving. In Louisiana, you can't use your hand-held phone in a school zone nor can you text while driving. Drivers younger than 18 can't use their phone at all while driving.Lawmakers have brought up hands-free legislation
  
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• Woman creates affordable summer daycare for low-income families

  07-06-2023 15:11
  
  BATON ROUGE-  A Baton Rouge woman has started an affordable summer camp for children ages five through twelve.Enid Green is the owner of Royal Academy. She opened it this year to help her community."My program is based on L-O-V-E love, period. A lot of kids just need a little extra love," Green said.The camp is a part of a nonprofit organization. The cost is $50 a week per child. The rest of the money needed to fund the camp comes out of Green's pocket."Because, I was a struggling pare
  
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• Iberville Sheriff's Office steps in to help White Castle Police as budget concerns continue

  07-06-2023 13:41
  
  WHITE CASTLE - An emergency town hall meeting was called Wednesday night after it was revealed the White Castle Police Department used up just about all of the money in its budget with about four months left in the fiscal year.The first hour of the meeting was a lot of finger-pointing between the public, the White Castle council members, and Police Chief Harold Brooks. The Council made it clear they were upset with Brooks after he told WBRZ Tuesday that the budget looked the way it did because
  
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• Mother of 'extremely dangerous' escapee arrested

  07-06-2023 13:20
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The mother of a teenager who escaped police custody during a botched transfer has been arrested for allegedly aiding her son.Kenione Rogers, 32, is accused of providing Curtis Tassin with transportation following the teen's escape from custody in late May.Authorities caught back up with Tassin, 17, last Thursday in Algiers. Police described him as "extremely dangerous," noting a history of arrests on counts of assault, battery, armed robbery and carjacking.It's not the first time
  
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• Graves throws support to Waguespack in governor's race

  07-06-2023 13:09
  
  BATON ROUGE - In a video shot on a backdrop of biscuits, eggs and coffee, 6th District U.S. Rep. Garret Graves endorses Republican Stephen Waguespack in the race for governor of Louisiana.The move signals a break from the state party establishment, which has rallied to the cause of current attorney general Jeff Landry.The video, posted to social media channels on Wednesday, shows Graves and Waguespack at the breakfast together. Graves touts the "serious" nature of the contest, and the need for
  
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• CNN head Chris Licht is out at the global news network after a brief, tumultuous tenure

  07-06-2023 09:57
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Chris Licht is out after a year as chief executive at CNN, following a series of missteps and plunging ratings.David Zaslav, the CEO of CNN's parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, announced the leadership change on CNN’s morning editorial call on Wednesday.Zaslav appointed a four-person leadership team to lead the network in the interim.Licht replaced Jeff Zucker as CNN’s chief executive last year, with a mandate to make the network move the networ
  
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• Traffic lights along Perkins Road out Wednesday morning, cause heavy delays around BR

  07-06-2023 08:38
  
  BATON ROUGE - Multiple traffic lights out along Perkins Road Wednesday morning caused heavy delays during the morning commuting hours. The traffic lights at Perkins Road and Kenilworth as well as at College Drive were flashing red, turning the busy intersections into 4-way stops and the morning commute into a slog. The lights had been out for at least three hours as of 8:30 a.m., but the light at Kenilworth was fixed shortly afterward. The light at Perkins and College was stil
  
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• American Red Cross in need of volunteers for hurricane season - Here's how you can help

  07-06-2023 08:17
  
  We're already at the start of hurricane season and it's important to always stay prepared for any storm that may cause devastation.The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to be ready and help out when a natural disaster strikes.All year long, these volunteers go out into hard-hit communities; whether it be severe storms or a house fire, they're there to help provide assistance to those in need.Volunteers help out at the shelters, provide health services, and help feed the community.Ed
  
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• LSU Museum of Art returns this summer to host free art making events throughout BR

  07-06-2023 06:28
  
  BATON ROUGE - The LSU Museum of Art's Neighborhood Arts Project is returning this summer to provide kids with a way ton easy, fun, and free way to make art throughout the capital city. Throughout the summer months, the NAP will set up pop-up tents across the city for families and children to stop by and get their creative juices flowing. Sites are typically set up in historically underserved areas, catering to people who traditionally receive little or no arts programming or a
  
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• One injured in shooting off Chippewa Street Wednesday morning

  07-06-2023 06:03
  
  BATON ROUGE - One person was taken to a hospital after they were injured in a reported shooting. Emergency officials said one person was taken to a hospital after a shooting on Cedar Avenue off Chippewa Street around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. WBRZ has reached out to law enforcement for more information. This is a developing story. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Police identify 69-year-old shot, killed off Scenic Highway early Wednesday

  07-06-2023 05:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - A 69-year-old man was shot and killed in the Scotlandville area early Wednesday, according to police. The Baton Rouge Police Department said Eishmel Spears, 69, died from his injuries after he was shot around 2:30 a.m. on Merganzer Avenue. Spears died on the scene. Police said the suspect and motive were unknown.This is a developing story. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Officials investigating fatal shooting in Scotlandville early Wednesday

  07-06-2023 05:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - Officials said the coroner responded to a shooting in the Scotlandville area early Wednesday.Emergency officials said the shooting happened on Merganzer Avenue around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.The victim or victims' name or names have not yet been released. WBRZ has reached out to law enforcement for more information. This is a developing story. Permalink| Comments
  
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