Baton Rouge news

• Supreme Court blocks order requiring Trump administration to reinstate thousands of federal workers

  08-04-2025 20:43
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked an order for the Trump administration to return to work thousands of federal employees who were let go in mass firings aimed at dramatically downsizing the federal government.The justices acted in the administration’s emergency appeal of a ruling by a federal judge in California ordering that 16,000 probationary employees at six federal agencies be reinstated while a lawsuit plays out
  
  Read more

• Michael Hadden trial continues, jury expected to deliberate Wednesday

  08-04-2025 20:35
  
  BATON ROUGE — The jury is expected to reach a verdict Wednesday morning in the trial of Michael Hadden, a man accused of sexually abusing three foster children.Tuesday was day four of the trial and three witnesses testified, including two of Hadden's alleged victims.One victim recalled grabbing a drink and chugging it, not knowing it was alcohol and began feeling the effects. The victim said he went to bed to lay down and that's when Hadden sexually assaulted him.The victim also broug
  
  Read more

• Three displaced after house fire on Lula Avenue due to unattended space heater

  08-04-2025 18:47
  
  BATON ROUGE - Three people were displaced after a house fire on Lula Avenue Tuesday afternoon, according to the Baton Rouge Fire Department.Officials said the fire was caused by an unattended space heater placed too close to combustible materials. The occupant had evacuated and smoke was visible by the time fire crews arrived.The fire was contained to a bedroom and the rest of the home sustained smoke and water damage.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• State police announce Ponchatoula alternate routes for Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

  08-04-2025 18:35
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana State Police announced alternate routes for people entering and leaving Ponchatoula for the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival from April 11 to April 13.According to officials, people coming in from Baton Rouge need to exit Interstate 12 eastbound at Pumpkin Center exit #35, proceed south to La. Highway 22, then continue east on La. 22 into Ponchatoula. For those coming from New Orleans, they are advised to take the Causeway Bridge into Mandeville and proceed to La. 22 west
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Three arrested after reports of shots fired at Vincent, 4H Club roads

  08-04-2025 17:32
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Deputies arrested three people after reports of shots fired at Vincent and 4H Club roads, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.Officials said the incident happened around 3 p.m. Tuesday and no injuries were reported.The investigation is ongoing.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Judge orders third sanity hearing ahead of trial for convicted killer Ryan Sharpe

  08-04-2025 17:32
  
  BATON ROUGE - Despite already being sentenced to life in prison in an East Feliciana courtroom last year, Ryan Sharpe still has to face a jury for the murder he's accused of in East Baton Rouge.Sharpe was convicted of the murder of Brad Defranchesi and is also accused of killing Tommy Bass and former BREC commissioner Carroll Breeden.Breeden was shot to death while doing yard work at his home on Port Hudson-Pride Road.According to Sharpe himself, he shot the men because the FBI gave him hunting
  
  Read more

• Four arrested after reports of shots fired at Vincent, 4H Club roads

  08-04-2025 17:32
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Deputies arrested four people after reports of shots fired at Vincent and 4H Club roads, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.Officials said the incident happened around 3 p.m. Tuesday and no injuries were reported.The investigation is ongoing.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Oral surgery office employee arrested; accused of stealing drugs from OLOL facility

  08-04-2025 16:49
  
  BATON ROUGE — An employee at an oral surgeon's office was arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing drugs from the office for personal use.Mari-Alina Timoshchuk, 34, was allegedly stealing drugs from the LSU Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty Practice on Hennessey Boulevard in the Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center.Baton Rouge Police said Timoshchuk worked at the practice and that investigators were tipped off to the thefts in October 2024.Police obtained a warrant for Timoshchuk's
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center showcases latest technology in radiation oncology partnership

  08-04-2025 16:47
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center now has access to the latest radiation oncology technology thanks to an extended partnership with Swedish medical device manufacturer Elekta.Mary Bird Perkins was the first cancer center in the country to have the Elekta Harmony Pro radiation therapy treatment machine. According to the doctors who work with the machine, they treated the first patient with the machine in December 2024."It's meant to streamline the workflow so that treat
  
  Read more

• State approves parish plan to cover red dust plaguing residents for years

  08-04-2025 16:42
  
  GONZALES - The state has approved the partial closure plan submitted by Ascension Parish and LALumina, and work has begun to cap a red dust issue that's plagued residents in the area for several years.While Ascension Parish does not take ownership or responsibility for the partial closure of the facility, it is working to help address the issue affecting its residents.It's been almost eight months since Ascension Parish entered into a cooperative agreement with LALumina and the Louisiana Depart
  
  Read more

• LSU softball head coach Beth Torina talks ahead of weekend series against Texas A&M

  08-04-2025 16:18
  
  BATON ROUGE - LSU softball head coach Beth Torina spoke Tuesday about the Tigers' upcoming game against Louisiana Tech, and a trip to the Lone Star State.LSU is 34-5 on the season with an 8-4 record in conference play.First pitch between LSU and Louisiana Tech at Tiger Park is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday and will air on SEC Network+.  The Tigers will then face No. 3 Texas A&M this weekend in a three-game series on the road before staying in Texas to play the No. 1 Texas Lo
  
  Read more

• WATCH: Deputies trying to identify owner of truck that stole trailer from Darrow home

  08-04-2025 16:10
  
  DARROW - Deputies are looking for the driver of a truck who stole a stock trailer from a residence along La. 22  The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said the truck was a gray Ram 2500 and the trailer was a Maxxim stock trailer.The owner of the trailer, Amanda Wilson, told WBRZ that her family bought the trailer less than a month before. She added that she and her fiancé Travis Prejean filed a report with deputies after it was stolen. Anyone with informati
  
  Read more

• WATCH: Sen. Kennedy says Trump's plan to increase tariffs is 'absolutely correct' as US stocks dive

  08-04-2025 15:54
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks dove Tuesday following another stunning reversal, with Wall Street veering from a huge gain at the opening of trading to more losses at the close, because investors still have no idea what to make of President Donald Trump’s trade war, which is scheduled to kick into a higher gear after midnight.Sen. John Kennedy said the president is "absolutely correct" that foreign countries have trade barriers."God created the world but everything else is made
  
  Read more

• US stocks dive after another stunning reversal as uncertainty reigns about Trump's tariffs

  08-04-2025 15:54
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks dove Tuesday following another stunning reversal, with Wall Street veering from a huge gain at the opening of trading to more losses at the close, because investors still have no idea what to make of President Donald Trump’s trade war, which is scheduled to kick into a higher gear after midnight.After blasting to an early gain of 4.1%, which would have marked its best day in years, the S&P 500 quickly lost all of it. It then careened to a loss
  
  Read more

• Trump administration shutters FEMA resiliency program; $700 million in funds on the line for Louisiana

  08-04-2025 15:42
  
  WASHINGTON — More than $700 million in grants the Federal Emergency Management Agency was going to give to Louisiana for disaster prevention have been effectively canceled after cuts to the agency, The Advocate reported Tuesday.President Donald Trump's administration ended the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which pays to elevate homes, build levees and does other work to mitigate damage from storms.The program's end would shuttle 148 applications worth $721
  
  Read more

• REPORT: Louisiana worker awarded $411 million for workplace injury; payout could be biggest ever

  08-04-2025 15:36
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge jury awarded $411 million to a Texas scaffolding contractor who was hit on the head by a heavy metal pipe while working at a Lake Charles refinery, according to The Advocate.The damages the jury awarded included $109 million for future care, pain and emotional distress and another $154 million for future loss of enjoyment of life.Jose Valdivia, now 28, said he struggles with memory and cannot take more than a few steps after suffering life-altering spinal cord injuri
  
  Read more

• Zachary Fire captain arrested for allegedly molesting juvenile

  08-04-2025 15:12
  
  ZACHARY - A Zachary Fire Department captain and another person were arrested Tuesday on child molestation charges connected to a report that was made last week. The Zachary Police Department said Capt. Jonathan Knight and Tara Bizette were both arrested for molestation of a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Sources tell the WBRZ Investigative Unit that Knight and Bizette are in a relationship and the alleged victim is a teenager.Chief Darryl Lawrence said the
  
  Read more

• LSU baseball heads to Thibodaux for midweek clash with Nicholls on Tuesday night

  08-04-2025 14:48
  
  BATON ROUGE - The LSU Tigers look to extend their win streak on Tuesday night as the team heads on the road to face the Nicholls Colonels. The Tigers are 30-3 on the season with a 10-2 mark in SEC play. They are riding an eight-game win streak entering this midweek matchup.LSU is coming off a weekend series in Norman, Oklahoma, where they swept the Oklahoma Sooners in a three-game series. It was the first time the Tigers swept a top-10 team in an SEC road series since 1997.LSU's pitchi
  
  Read more

• LSU begins their final week of 2025 spring football practice

  08-04-2025 14:42
  
  BATON ROUGE - The LSU Tigers began their final week of spring practice on Tuesday morning. The Tigers' offensive and defensive lines squared off in team drills for a significant portion of the practice, showcasing the coaching styles of Kyle Williams and Brad Davis.LSU will hold a post-scrimmage autograph session with players and coaches, as well as a photo opportunity with head coach Brian Kelly, at what is now essentially an open practice on Saturday, April 12, in Tiger Stadium. Perm
  
  Read more

• LSU at mid-way point of 2025 spring football practice

  08-04-2025 14:42
  
  BATON ROUGE - The LSU Tigers are back from spring break and heading towards their open practice as they start the back end of their spring practices on Tuesday morning. The Tigers' offensive and defensive lines squared off in team drills for a significant portion of the practice, showcasing the coaching styles of Kyle Williams and Brad Davis.LSU will hold a post-scrimmage autograph session with players and coaches, as well as a photo opportunity with head coach Brian Kelly, at what is
  
  Read more

• At least 44 dead and 160 injured in a roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic

  08-04-2025 14:34
  
  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — At least 44 people died and 160 others were injured in the Dominican capital early Tuesday when the roof collapsed at an iconic nightclub where politicians, athletes and others were attending a merengue concert, authorities said.Crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at the one-story Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations.“We presume th
  
  Read more

• LSU star Livvy Dunne now has her own energy drink through partnership with Accelerator

  08-04-2025 14:26
  
  BATON ROUGE — LSU gymnast and social media influencer Livvy Dunne has her own energy drink flavor through a partnership with Accelerator Active Energy.Dunne's Cotton Candy Accelerator flavor will come in a personalized can featuring the gymnast, who is the highest-paid female athlete through NIL.“Cotton candy is my all-time favorite treat and the team at Accelerator helped turn that into my very own delicious signature flavor. My sister and I have enjoyed eating cotton candy
  
  Read more

• LSU star Livvy Dunne now has her own energy drink through partnership with Accelerate

  08-04-2025 14:26
  
  BATON ROUGE — LSU gymnast and social media influencer Livvy Dunne has her own energy drink flavor through a partnership with Accelerator Active Energy.Dunne's Cotton Candy Accelerator flavor will come in a personalized can featuring the gymnast, who is the highest-paid female athlete through NIL.“Cotton candy is my all-time favorite treat and the team at Accelerator helped turn that into my very own delicious signature flavor. My sister and I have enjoyed eating cotton candy
  
  Read more

• Lawyers of teen charged with murder in Texas track meet stabbing issue statement; family raises $230,000

  08-04-2025 14:11
  
  FRISCO, Texas (ABC News) — The family of a 17-year-old student charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of another student at a high school track meet last week is "sincerely saddened" over the death, the teen's attorneys said in their first public statement since the incident.The incident occurred on April 2 at a Frisco Independent School District stadium in Frisco, Texas, during a track and field championship involving multiple schools in the district.Austin Metcalf, 17, an 11th gr
  
  Read more

• Voting is open for Dancing for Big Buddy, and a familiar face is on the ballot!

  08-04-2025 14:09
  
  BATON ROUGE - It's that time of year again! Dancing for Big Buddy is a way to support youth mentoring programs in the capital city. This year, another familiar face is on the ballot: WBRZ's own Mia Monet is up for the title of Star Dancer!Votes are $10 each and all proceeds are tax-deductible and go toward supporting the youth in Baton Rouge through the Big Buddy program. Cast your votes here!Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Iberville Parish Schools hosting job fair for prospective teachers, bus drivers, other school jobs

  08-04-2025 14:03
  
  PLAQUEMINE — On Wednesday, the Iberville Parish School District is hosting a district-wide job fair.The job fair will allow prospective employees to apply as teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians and other jobs in the district.The fair is at the Carl F. Grant Civic Center in Plaquemine. The fair starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Loranger man hit, killed while traveling along Tangipahoa Parish highway in wheelchair

  08-04-2025 13:51
  
  LORANGER - A 73-year-old man from Loranger was hit and killed while he was in a wheelchair, traveling along a Tangipahoa Parish highway early Tuesday morning. Louisiana State Police said Keith Guidry was wheeling in the wrong direction of traffic on La. 445 near Gilderport Road around 6 a.m. when he was hit. He died at the scene. Troopers said a toxicology sample was taken from the driver who hit Guidry. No more information was immediately available. Permalink| Commen
  
  Read more

• 'Caleb Wilson Act': Anti-hazing bill filed by state rep. in honor of SU student killed in hazing ritual

  08-04-2025 13:35
  
  BATON ROUGE — An anti-hazing bill written in honor of Caleb Wilson, a Southern University student killed during a hazing ritual, has been filed ahead of the legislative session.The proposed bill, if signed, would require by law that students involved in campus organizations, including fraternities and sororities, at postsecondary schools must complete a one-credit hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership.The standardized curriculum would be designed to ed
  
  Read more

• 2une In Previews: Know Your Rights event with Southern University

  08-04-2025 13:19
  
  BATON ROUGE - This Thursday, Southern University Criminal Justice Club is hosting an event for the student body to educate them on their rights when they encounter law enforcement. The event will be hosted from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Higgins Atrium. Former Judge C. Hunter King will moderate the event and help students learn how to interact with law enforcement on and off campus. King spoke with Mia Monet on 2une In Tuesday morning to preview the event. Permalink| Com
  
  Read more

• Mike the Tiger receives routine oral cleaning, blood work by LSU Vet Med

  08-04-2025 13:11
  
  BATON ROUGE — Over the weekend, Mike the Tiger received a routine dental cleaning and exam by the LSU Vet Med team.Mike VII's surgery happened Saturday at his night house on LSU's campus. Led by LSU's attending veterinarian Rhett Stout, Mike's surgery went over without a hitch.During his anesthesia-aided surgery, Mike also had an ophthalmologist examine his eyes and have doctors draw blood for analysis.“Mike’s exam went well. We were able to give him a full dental
  
  Read more

• Voters return to polls on May 3 to elect local lawmakers in runoffs; state representative also on ballot

  08-04-2025 13:04
  
  BATON ROUGE — Voters statewide will return to the ballot box in less than a month to elect local and state officials after last month's election sent multiple races into runoffs, as well as voting on multiple tax renewals.On May 3, East Baton Rouge Parish voters will choose a new state representative to fill the vacant 67th District seat. Terry Landry Jr., Sonny Marchbanks and Malcolm Myer, all Democrats, are running for the post.Last month, two St. George council races were sent into
  
  Read more

• Multiple planes briefly diverted from New Orleans to Baton Rouge after debris on MSY runway

  08-04-2025 12:48
  
  BATON ROUGE — Multiple flights bound for New Orleans were diverted to Baton Rouge on Tuesday morning.According to Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport spokesperson Kristen Jewell, the diversions were caused by debris and construction that briefly blocked runways at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.The blockages have since been cleared and flights have been sent back to MSY, Jewell said.According to Flight Aware data, planes bound for New Orleans from Austin, Texas, an
  
  Read more

• Three O'Clock Project works to tackle food insecurity, provide food for Baton Rouge families in need

  08-04-2025 12:34
  BATON ROUGE - A non-profit organization is working to tackle food insecurity in Baton Rouge.In 2017, the Three O'Clock Project launched an initiative to provide food for families in needs. It starts in the kitchen at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and from there, they transform donated food into chef-prepared meals before delivering them to their community partners.The organization has donated over six million meals since 2017.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Baton Rouge Police Citizen's Academy students graduate from program Tuesday night

  08-04-2025 12:24
  
  BATON ROUGE - Students attending the Baton Rouge Police Department's Citizen Academy graduated Tuesday night.They were called up one by one to receive the award, a BRPD patch, and a commemorative coin. Eight weeks prior, the group started their journey to learn what it takes to be an officer.They participated in demonstrations and reflected on real life scenarios from those in the field. Former police chief Jeff LeDuff sent them off hoping they'll inspire each other to join the program.Permalin
  
  Read more

• Second grader who inspired school clean up receives $1,000 grant to kick off program

  08-04-2025 12:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - A second grader who inspired a litter cleanup event at his school received a $1,000 grant to kick off his program from Changemakers.River Kaltakdjian, a second grader at Westdale Heights, was one of 17 winners out of the 450 applicants after he submitted his idea to partner with his local schools to spread litter awareness.According to Changemakers, River "aims to spread awareness and get more schools and young people involved, even visiting groups of young people to read to them
  
  Read more

• Second grader who inspired school clean up received $1,000 grant to kick off program

  08-04-2025 12:12
  
  BATON ROUGE - A second grader who inspired a litter cleanup event at his school received a $1,000 grant to kick off his program from Changemakers.River Kaltakdjian, a second grader at Westdale Heights, was one of 17 winners out of the 450 applicants after he submitted his idea to partner with his local schools to spread litter awareness.According to Changemakers, River "aims to spread awareness and get more schools and young people involved, even visiting groups of young people to read to them
  
  Read more

• Gov. Landry to make 'major economic announcement' Tuesday morning

  08-04-2025 08:31
  
  BATON ROUGE - Governor Jeff Landry is set to make a "major economic development announcement" at a conference Tuesday morning. "This is another project that will drive innovation and create new opportunities for our state," the governor's office said. The conference will begin at 10 a.m. and will be streamed on WBRZ's YouTube page here. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Gov. Landry announces $4 billion ammonia plant coming to Ascension Parish

  08-04-2025 08:31
  
  BATON ROUGE - A new ammonia plant is coming to the west bank of Ascension Parish. The Blue Point Complex, a low-carbon blue ammonia production plant led by CF Industries, will be built on the west bank of Ascension. The company already operates an ammonia and nitrogen production facilityGov. Jeff Landry said once the $4 billion facility is finished, it will be the largest facility of its kind in the world. "We are living up to the promises that we made where we started focusin
  
  Read more

• $4 billion ammonia plant coming to Ascension Parish

  08-04-2025 08:31
  
  BATON ROUGE - A new ammonia plant is coming to the west bank of Ascension Parish. The new Blue Point Complex, a low-carbon blue ammonia production plant led by CF Industries, will be built on the west bank of Ascension. Governor Jeff Landry said once the $4 billion facility is finished, it will be the largest facility of its kind in the world. Landry believes the amount of jobs that the complex, as well as the planned Hyundai steel mill, will drive enough need for a n
  
  Read more

• 2une In Previews: Sneaker Fest 2025

  08-04-2025 07:02
  
  BATON ROUGE - This Saturday, collectors and vendors will gather downtown to buy, sell and trade sneakers and other collectible clothing items. Sneaker Fest 2025 will be hosted in downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.. Attendees can enjoy live music and food as well as vendor set-ups to buy and trade sneakers, jewelry and clothes. Event organizers spoke on 2une In Tuesday morning to preview the fest.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Scientists genetically engineer wolves with white hair and muscular jaws like the extinct dire wolf

  08-04-2025 06:38
  
  Three genetically engineered wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolves are trotting, sleeping and howling in an undisclosed secure location in the U.S., according to the company that aims to bring back lost species.The wolf pups, which range in age from three to six months old, have long white hair, muscular jaws and already weigh in at around 80 pounds — on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity, researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday.Dire wolves, which went extinct mo
  
  Read more

• High school culinary students will serve three-course meal at local restaurant

  08-04-2025 06:01
  
  BATON ROUGE - This week, restaurantgoers can support the city's "Future Flavors" by trying a three-course meal prepared by high school culinary students. On Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ruffino's on Highland, customers can enjoy a luncheon planned, prepared and served by students at French Settlement High School's ProStart program. ProStart is a two-year restaurant management and culinary arts curriculum provided to students. The meal will be prepared and serve
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!