Baton Rouge news

• Virginia Giuffre, who accused Britain's Prince Andrew in Epstein sex trafficking scandal, has died

  25-04-2025 21:57
  NEERGABBY, AUSTRALIA (AP) - Virginia Giuffre, who accused Britain’s Prince Andrew and other influential men of sexually exploiting her as a teenager trafficked by financier Jeffrey Epstein, has died. She was 41.Giuffre died by suicide Friday at her farm in Western Australia, her publicist confirmed.“Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors,” her family said in a statement. &
  
  Read more

• Shoppers turn to thrift stores in face of rising prices

  25-04-2025 21:36
  
  BATON ROUGE - One thrift store in Baton Rouge is seeing firsthand the impact of tariffs and higher prices, saying shoppers are looking to save.The Purple Cow thrift store has seen an increase in business since the beginning of the year, said General Manager Tonya Seymour."People are trying to hold onto their money and get more with their money," Seymour said.Seymour said people are looking for ways to cut costs, not quality."They're choosing to shop secondhand because they want to keep their co
  
  Read more

• Former LSU Tiger and brother of victim of Bourbon Street terrorist attack drafted by the Raiders in 2025 NFL Draft

  25-04-2025 21:16
  
  GREEN BAY, Wis. - Jack Bech's dream of making it to the NFL came true on Friday night when the Las Vegas Raiders selected the former LSU and TCU wide receiver with the 58th overall pick. Bech overcame adversity when he played in the Senior Bowl in early February, just one month after his older brother, Tiger, was killed in the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year's Day. Bech earned MVP honors in the Senior Bowl after he caught the game-winning touchdown for the
  
  Read more

• Tickfaw Italian Festival returns with culture, cannolis, and caution

  25-04-2025 19:33
  TICKFAW - Spaghetti, Italian sausage and cannolis are among the classics you can expect at the Italian Festival this weekend, but visitors will see some changes from previous festivals. "We like to bring back a lot of the old culture and heritage and cultures we had back in the day and we still have it now," said Robert Fugarino, the festival's co-chairman. The event celebrates the family traditions brought here from ancestors who migrated from Italy. "We've been plan
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Tickfaw Italian Festival returns with culture, cannoli, caution

  25-04-2025 19:33
  TICKFAW - Spaghetti, Italian sausage and cannoli are among the classics you can expect at the Italian Festival this weekend, but visitors will see some changes from previous festivals. "We like to bring back a lot of the old culture and heritage and cultures we had back in the day and we still have it now," said Robert Fugarino, the festival's co-chairman. The event celebrates the family traditions brought here from ancestors who migrated from Italy. "We've been plann
  
  Read more

• West Baton Rouge floodwater receding after Thursday's flooding

  25-04-2025 19:27
  ADDIS -- Cleanup continued Friday in parts of West Baton Rouge Parish after homes and businesses flooded during Thursday's downpour.One fitness center on La. Hwy. 1 had water lines on the walls showing that several inches of water had gotten inside. On Friday afternoon, staff was still mopping up puddles.The gym is near Chris Road, which saw significant flooding on Thursday.The highway, in a sense, acts as a barrier between two lower-lying grassy areas."You have water that actually builds up, e
  
  Read more

• Saints pass up on Shedeur Sanders to grab a different QB in the 2nd Round of the NFL Draft

  25-04-2025 19:13
  
  GREEN BAY, Wis.-  The New Orleans Saints found their quarterback in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, selecting Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick. Shough is a 6'5" and 225-pound 7th-year senior who will turn 26 near the start of this season in September. He started at Louisville for one year, racked up 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions.The New Orleans broke a 54-year streak when they drafted Shough in the 2025 draft. It is the
  
  Read more

• Saints pass on Shedeur Sanders to grab Tyler Shough in the 2nd Round of the Draft; Sanders goes to Browns

  25-04-2025 19:13
  GREEN BAY, Wis.-  The New Orleans Saints found their quarterback in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, selecting Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick. Shough is a 6'5" and 225-pound 7th-year senior who will turn 26 near the start of this season in September. He started at Louisville for one year, racked up 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions.The New Orleans broke a 54-year streak when they drafted Shough in the 2025 draft. It is the
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Lawmakers looking to cash in on video poker popularity

  25-04-2025 18:48
  BATON ROUGE—Casinos are big business in Louisiana, and one state lawmaker wants to increase the amount of money some can make. Video poker exists in many of the parishes bordering East Baton Rouge. The measure from state Rep. Bryan Fontenot, R-Thibodaux, would increase the number of video poker devices allowed at truck stop casinos from 50 to 60.Fontenot argues that this is not an expansion of gaming, even though it increases the number of machines in use. &ldquo
  
  Read more

• Ponchatoula woman arrested amid false reports of child abuse

  25-04-2025 18:18
  
  PONCHATOULA - A woman accused of fabricating claims of her child being abused by the child's father's partner has arrested.Katelynn Carter, 37, was booked Wednesday with three counts of injuring public records and one count of resisting an officer.The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said Carter repeatedly filed complaints with the agency over several months, alleging that the new partner of her child's father had been abusive.Investigators found no evidence to support the allegations of abus
  
  Read more

• Bridge that used to connect Mississippi Riverfront to shuttered Belle casino riverboat collapses

  25-04-2025 17:38
  
  BATON ROUGE — The bridge that used to connect the Mississippi Riverfront in downtown Baton Rouge to the now-shuttered Belle of Baton Rouge riverboat casino collapsed Friday.The floating buoy that was between two former pedestrian bridges near the river failed, causing the collapse, officials said. Belle of Baton Rouge casino officials said they do not expect additional damage to the structure because of the way it is secured to concrete portion of the level. Despite there bei
  
  Read more

• Bridge that used to connect Mississippi Riverfront to removed Belle casino riverboat collapses

  25-04-2025 17:38
  
  BATON ROUGE — The bridge that used to connect the Mississippi Riverfront in downtown Baton Rouge to the now-relocated Belle of Baton Rouge riverboat casino collapsed Friday.The floating buoy that was between two former pedestrian bridges near the river failed, causing the collapse, officials said. Belle of Baton Rouge casino officials said they do not expect additional damage to the structure because of the way it is secured to concrete portion of the level. Despite there bei
  
  Read more

• WBRZ RETRO WEEK: Former investigative reporter Bob Courtney recalls importance of locally-owned news

  25-04-2025 17:21
  
  BATON ROUGE — Bob Courtney was anchoring news on the radio in Baton Rouge when he learned about a job opportunity in TV news at WBRZ.He worked at Channel 2 from 1974 to 1990, uncovering corruption and holding the powerful accountable."I was hired as a weekend anchor and three-day-a-week reporter. But I loved reporting, so I pushed myself off the anchor desk into the field,” Courtney said, explaining that he was used to covering big stories.As a radio reporter, he covered an
  
  Read more

• $$$ Best Bets: Might be time to get the brooms out in the NBA and NHL playoffs!

  25-04-2025 16:55
  
  Hunter McCann has this weekend's best bets for the NBA and NHL playoffs, college baseball and the MLB!FridayNBA Playoffs:
  Celtics @ Magic: Celtics -4.5
  Pacers @  Bucks: Pacers +5.5
  Lakers @ Timberwolves: Timberwolves -2.5College Baseball:
  West Virginia @ UCF: West Virginia ML
  Virginia Tech @ Duke: Duke ML
  Mississippi State @ Auburn: Auburn -1.5
  Houston @ Kansas State: Kansas State ML
  Dallas Baptist @ Louisiana Tech: Dallas Baptist -1.5
  Tennessee @ LSU: LSU MLMLB:
  Mets @ Nationals: Mets
  
  Read more

• LSU baseball will start their series with Tennessee at 9:50 p.m. Friday night after weather delay

  25-04-2025 15:09
  
  UPDATE: LSU baseball will throw the first pitch with Tennessee at 9:50 p.m. The game was previously delayed from a 6:30 p.m. start time.BATON ROUGE - No. 4 LSU baseball is gearing up for an action-packed weekend in Alex Box Stadium as No. 5 Tennessee rolls into town on Friday night. The Tigers are 34-8 and 12-6 in SEC play on the season after being defeated by Northwestern State 13-3 at home in the midweek matchup. It was the first time in program history that LSU was run-ruled by a no
  
  Read more

• LSU baseball is in a weather delay ahead of top 5 matchup against Tennessee in Alex Box Stadium

  25-04-2025 15:09
  
  UPDATE: LSU baseball is currently in a weather delay and will not start at 6:30 p.m. We will give an update when a new start time is determined.BATON ROUGE - No. 4 LSU baseball is gearing up for an action-packed weekend in Alex Box Stadium as No. 5 Tennessee rolls into town on Friday night. The Tigers are 34-8 and 12-6 in SEC play on the season after being defeated by Northwestern State 13-3 at home in the midweek matchup. It was the first time in program history that LSU was run-ruled
  
  Read more

• LSU baseball faces Tennessee in top 5 matchup in Alex Box Stadium

  25-04-2025 15:09
  
  BATON ROUGE - No. 4 LSU baseball is gearing up for an action-packed weekend in Alex Box Stadium as No. 5 Tennessee rolls into town on Friday night. The Tigers are 34-8 and 12-6 in SEC play on the season after being defeated by Northwestern State 13-3 at home in the midweek matchup. It was the first time in program history that LSU was run-ruled by a non-conference opponent.LSU is No. 2 in the SEC in multiple statistics, including team batting average with a .316 mark, on-base percentag
  
  Read more

• Man accused of beating 68-year-old woman to death captured

  25-04-2025 14:56
  
  BATON ROUGE — A man accused of killing a 68-year-old woman last week was arrested in Cincinatti. Richard Stinson, 68, is accused of killing Rose Davallier at her White Sands Drive home on April 14. He was arrested in Cincinatti Friday morning after an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip.Stinson faces charges of first-degree murder and home invasion. According to BRPD, Davillier was found dead in her home after officers were requested for a welfare check. Her body w
  
  Read more

• Man accused of beating 68-year-old Baton Rouge woman to death captured in Cincinnati

  25-04-2025 14:56
  
  BATON ROUGE — A man accused of killing a 68-year-old woman last week was arrested in Cincinnati. Richard Stinson, 68, is accused of killing Rose Davillier at her White Sands Drive home on April 14. He was arrested in Cincinnati on Friday morning after an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip.Stinson faces charges of first-degree murder and home invasion. According to BRPD, Davillier was found dead in her home after officers were requested for a welfare check. Her bod
  
  Read more

• Baton Rouge man sentenced to 30 years after pleading guilty to fatally shaking his son

  25-04-2025 14:34
  
  BATON ROUGE — A man who admitted to killing his infant son after shaking the six-month-old to get him to stop crying has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.Luciano Livious Sr., 27, was arrested in June 2023 after his son was taken to the hospital with traumatic injuries. The child died two days later, with medical personnel determining that Livious' son died from shaken baby syndrome.On Monday in a 19th JDC courtroom, Livious pleaded guilty to manslaughter after previously pleading
  
  Read more

• One person dead after shooting along Jefferson Avenue

  25-04-2025 14:32
  
  BATON ROUGE - One person is dead after a shooting along Jefferson Avenue on Friday.The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office and Baton Rouge Police responded to the scene at the corner of Jefferson and North 26th Avenue around 12:30 p.m. to find 34-year-old Abraham Ross shot dead.It was unclear what led to the shooting and police have not identified a suspect yet. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Pair arrested in connection to Tickfaw man's fentanyl death

  25-04-2025 14:26
  
  TICKFAW - Two people were arrested after a man died of a drug overdose in early April. Deputies with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office were called to a home on John's Drive for an unresponsive man on April 8. Despite life-saving efforts, the man passed away, and his death was ruled to be caused by an overdose. Narcotics investigators identified 30-year-old Jordan "Clutch" Spears as the man who allegedly sold the drugs to the victim. During a search of Spears' apa
  
  Read more

• ICE is reversing termination of legal status for international students around US, lawyer says

  25-04-2025 14:25
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is reversing the termination of legal status for international students after many filed court challenges around the U.S., a government lawyer said Friday.Judges around the country had already issued temporary orders restoring the students’ records in a federal database of international students maintained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. The records had been suddenly terminated in recent weeks, often without the s
  
  Read more

• BRPD identifies two officers placed on administrative leave following shooting that left man dead

  25-04-2025 14:19
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department on Friday said two officers were placed on administrative leave after a motel shootout left a man dead earlier in the week.Officer David Jennings and Officer Gene Meazell, both assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division, were placed on leave after shooting 34-year-old Kevin Vallian during a Sunday shootout at the Super 6 Inn and Suites on Gwenadele Avenue, police said.Police responded to the motel after receiving a call about a domestic disturbance b
  
  Read more

• House Majority Leader Steve Scalise leads House delegation to attend Pope Francis' funeral

  25-04-2025 14:06
  
  WASHINGTON — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced Friday that he will be leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation to attend Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday.The highest-ranking Catholic member of the House of Representatives, Scalise said that he is honored to lead the delegation to the Vatican to honor the first Argentinian pontiff after he died at age 88 on Monday."The Holy Father humbly devoted his life in service to the Church, and he was dedicated to spreading the
  
  Read more

• A prayer answered: Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge lifts spirits of 93-year-old woman

  25-04-2025 14:05
  
  BATON ROUGE — For 93-year-old Idell Hawthorne, the sound of power tools on Friday signaled more than just construction – it was the sound of change and compassion.Hawthorne is one of many in Baton Rouge experiencing the kindness of strangers as volunteers with Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge worked to build a wheelchair ramp onto her home today. Doctors told Hawthorne she would have trouble with mobility after a fall she took in May 2016."I fell and hit my head, and the neur
  
  Read more

• EBR Schools announces meeting date for board vote on realignment

  25-04-2025 14:01
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge School Board is hosting a realignment meeting discussing the new plans for the school system, involving the closure of nine school campuses and the combining of others.The meeting with take place at 5 p.n. on April 28 at the Central Office at 1050 South Foster Drive. During this meeting, the board will vote on the alignment plan, a plan that the board says is a "crucial initiative aimed at enhancing the educational experience for all students."That pl
  
  Read more

• South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley announces transfer to LSU women's basketball

  25-04-2025 13:41
  
  BATON ROUGE — South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley is coming to Baton Rouge, announcing her transfer to LSU on social media Friday.Fulwiley, a sophomore, averaged 11.7 points last season as a Gamecock. She also averaged 2.8 rebounds per game, two assists and had a field goal average of 42.6%.According to ESPN, the Columbus, South Carolina native, was the No. 5 player in the women's basketball transfer portal.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Milaysia Fulwiley ???? (@laywit
  
  Read more

• Two juveniles arrested following runaway investigation in Berwick

  25-04-2025 13:32
  
  BERWICK — Two juveniles were arrested by Berwick Police after an investigation into a reported runaway.Police said one of the juveniles was arrested as a runaway juvenile and on illegal possession of tobacco charges after officers found the minor. After the juvenile was found, police say they led officers to a home on Oregon Street where a stolen handgun was recovered.Another person, a 15-year-old boy, was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen firearm and illegal possession
  
  Read more

• Gov. Landry, LSU Board give scholarships to siblings of Baton Rouge native Bourbon Street attack victim

  25-04-2025 13:24
  
  BATON ROUGE — The siblings of a Baton Rouge native killed on Bourbon Street early New Year's Day were both awarded scholarships to LSU by Gov. Jeff Landry and members of the school's Board of Supervisors on Friday.Landry awarded Mira and Omar Badawi the scholarships to honor the memory of their brother Kareem Badawi, who was one of 14 people killed when Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove through the French Quarter on Jan. 1."After that fateful morning, we vowed to never let one man’s
  
  Read more

• Ex-US Rep. George Santos sentenced to over 7 years in prison for fraud and identity theft

  25-04-2025 13:17
  
  CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who lied about his life story and defrauded donors, was sentenced Friday to over seven years in prison, sobbing as he heard his punishment.“Where is your remorse? Where do I see it?” U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars. She said the former politician appeared to feel that “it’s always someone else’s fault.&l
  
  Read more

• EBRSO, DEA arrest alleged cocaine dealer, seize $200,000 after weeks-long investigation

  25-04-2025 12:38
  
  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration arrested an alleged cocaine dealer after a weeks-long investigation concluded in several raids.According to deputies, Alvin Betts, 53, used five addresses across Baton Rouge to facilitate a drug trafficking operation. Agents said Betts is a known cocaine trafficker and investigators conducted several multiple controlled drug buys from Betts before Thursday's raids.Law enforcement
  
  Read more

• 2une In Previews: Circus-themed fundraiser to benefit Red Stick Cares

  25-04-2025 09:57
  
  BATON ROUGE - Experience a night filled with wonder with Spek-truhm's circus-themed fundraiser for raise autism awareness!Event organizers with Spek-truhm were live on 2une In Friday morning previews Sensor This, a production being put on by The Acadian Circus to raise money for Red Stick Cares. The event is happening on Saturday at Beyond Gymnastics on George Oneal Road. Tickets are $25 and the event is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• 2une In Previews: Mia Monet to perform at Dancing for Big Buddy

  25-04-2025 08:51
  
  BATON ROUGE - Saturday evening, 2une In's Mia Monet will put on her dancing shoes for the 17th annual Dancing for Big Buddy!Each year the Big Buddy mentoring program puts this show on to raise money for its many programs."Our after-school and summer programs are so crucial to helping support the learning that goes on during the day. Our workforce development opportunities for our high school youth get them internships and mentors in their career field of interest," says Gay Mack, program direct
  
  Read more

• Residents survey storm and flood damage after day of heavy rain in the capital region

  25-04-2025 07:44
  
  ADDIS - After severe weather moved through the capital region Thursday, residents are now surveying the damage caused by high winds and flooding. One neighborhood had to evacuate after flooding that the Addis Police Chief said had never been so bad.2une In's Abigail Whitam was live from the neighborhood Friday morning while residents were surveying the damage. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• GET 2 MOVING: Refuge Aerial

  25-04-2025 05:23
  BATON ROUGE - Twirls, spins, hangs, and flips are in store this week at Refuge Aerial, where a team of experienced professionals knows how to make them look good, too. The most well-known aspect of aerial sports is the silks, which can even be taken as a course in college. There are several other aerial sports that athletes can enjoy.Acrobats have many options when performing in the air like trapeze, hoop swing, sling, rope and even aerial fire play. 
  Owner and coach Alaina Wi
  
  Read more

Follow @BatonRougeNews_ on Twitter!