Baton Rouge news

• Delta Queen Steamboat to return to service after decade-long retirement

  27-11-2018 20:17 via wbrz.com
  MISSOURI - The U.S. House of Representatives has reinstated an exemption to let a one-of-a-kind vessel return to cruise the waterways of the Deep South and other areas of the nation.A 1966 law prohibits overnight excursions on wooden vessels. The Delta Queen was given an exemption, but the exemption expired in 2008.Since approval has been granted, the legendary riverboat is set to undergo extensive renovations at a shipyard in Houma, Louisiana. In 2020, it'll cruise the waterways of the Mississ
  
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• Channel 2's Best Bet$: NCAA Super Regionals

  08-06-2023 20:07 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - They're a lot of championships going on in the world of sports with the NBA, and the NHL. But the sport I am betting on this week is College baseball's Super Regionals:1: LSU over Kentucky -216 2: TCU over Indiana State -164 3: Southern Miss over Tennessee +116PS, the Denver Nuggets will win the NBA Championship, and the Las Vegas Golden Knights will win the Stanley Cup. Make the smart bet$.Permalink| Comments
  
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• La. lawmakers pass state budget with temporary pay bump for teachers

  08-06-2023 18:57 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE – Under a compromise approved in the chaotic closing minutes of the spring
  session Thursday, state lawmakers limited a $2,000 pay increase for teachers to a one-year
  stipend and cut $100 million from what the Senate had sought for the Louisiana Department of Health.Those moves came even though legislators had more than $2 billion of revenue at their disposal beyond what had originally been expected to supplement both the current budget and one for the fiscal year starting
  
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• Donald Trump says he's been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents

  08-06-2023 18:45 via wbrz.com
  
  MIAMI (AP) — Donald Trump says he’s been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate, igniting a federal prosecution that is arguably the most perilous of multiple legal threats against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White House.The Justice Department had no immediate comment or confirmation.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.MIAMI (AP) — Former President Donald Trump and his
  
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• Four big winners to be chosen Friday in St. Jude Dream Home drawing

  08-06-2023 18:23 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Someone could be packing their bags for a very big move.On Friday, the winner of the grand prize will be drawn in the 2023 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. It's one of four drawings set to take place on the wrap-up of the annual fundraising event.The Dream Home and other items — including a new car and gift cards worth thousands of dollars — will be given away on WBRZ Channel 2 during newscasts at noon and at 4 p.m.This year, WBRZ, St. Jude and construction partne
  
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• Emotional send-off for fallen Denham Springs officer Shawn Kelly

  08-06-2023 17:55 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Outside of Healing Place Church, first responders from all over the nation lined up to show their support, as Cpl. Shawn Kelly was escorted to his final resting place.Kelly, an officer with the Denham Springs Police Department, was shot and killed in the line of duty. Kelly is being remembered for his dedication to protecting and serving his community."Being a police officer was more than just a job to him," his sister Nicole Kelly said. "It was his way of life. He used t
  
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• 'Suitcase bandits' caught on camera using luggage to shoplift from Hammond Dollar General

  08-06-2023 16:13 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND - Deputies say a pair of shoplifters crammed items into a suitcase before strolling out of a dollar store with the stolen merchandise.Video shared by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office shows the two women entering the Dollar General on Morris Road around 11:44 a.m. with a wheeled purple suitcase and a small pink duffel bag. The pair is seen here walking out of view, where they load the bags with merchandise from the shelves.The two women left the store as customers alerted an employ
  
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• After accidental shooting landed foul-mouthed mom in jail, police now looking to make 2nd arrest

  08-06-2023 15:18 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police aim to make a second arrest after a pair of children got hold of an assault rifle and fired it off inside an apartment, injuring themselves in the process.Arrest documents say Baton Rouge police are now looking to arrest 22-year-old Jahavez Taylor, the owner of the "draco" gun that injured the two boys. Police believe the weapon was left out on the kitchen counter when the children, ages 3 and 6, found it.Taylor's charges include negligent injuring and obstruction of justic
  
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• On 2une In, Louisiana insurance head says incentive program appears to be success

  08-06-2023 13:59 via wbrz.com
  
  A Louisiana insurance fund that was set up to entice companies to write new policies in the state appears to be working.State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon visited WBRZ's 2uneIn show Thursday and said it's possible the $45 million incentive program will lead to about 50,000 new policies being written in the state. The Insure Louisiana Incentive Program came about in response to multiple companies backing out of the state property insurance market in 2022. Several strong to severe
  
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• Judge tosses out murder charges for parents whose daughter died on rotting couch; DA seeks to re-indict

  08-06-2023 13:50 via wbrz.com
  
  SLAUGHTER - A couple indicted for murder after their daughter was found "melted" into a couch covered in urine and feces has had their charges dropped for now. Sheila and Clay Fletcher's charges for second-degree murder were tossed out by Judge Kathryn Jones due to an issue related to the language in the original charging documents. District Attorney Sam D'Aquilla tells WBRZ his office plans to present the case before a grand jury once again on June 19 to seek new indictments.&nbsp
  
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• WBRZ experiencing technical difficulties

  08-06-2023 12:16 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - WBRZ is experiencing technical difficulties related to our Master Control system. Engineers are working to address the problem and restore regular programming.Thank you for your patience and understanding.Permalink| Comments
  
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• US Supreme Court rules in favor of Black voters in Alabama redistricting case

  08-06-2023 09:37 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a surprising ruling in favor of Black voters in a congressional redistricting case, ordering the creation of a second district with a large Black population.Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined with the court’s liberals in affirming a lower-court ruling that found a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act in an Alabama congressional map with one majority Black seat out of seven congressional di
  
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• Smoky haze blanketing US and Canada could last into the weekend

  08-06-2023 08:58 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — On air quality maps, purple signifies the worst of it. In reality, it’s a thick, hazardous haze that’s disrupting daily life for millions of people across the U.S. and Canada, blotting out skylines and turning skies orange.And with weather systems expected to hardly budge, the smoky blanket billowing from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia and sending plumes of fine particulate matter as far away as North Carolina and northern Europe should persist
  
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• Girl injured in reported shooting late Wednesday night, police say

  08-06-2023 07:41 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police said a juvenile girl was injured in a reported shooting Wednesday night. According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, officers responded to Goudchaux Street off Scenic Highway for a reported shooting around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. They found a juvenile girl with a gunshot wound in her arm. Police said the girl was outside with several other juveniles when gunfire rang out and she was shot. It was unclear if the other juveniles were involved in the shooting
  
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• Pat Robertson, broadcaster who helped make religion central to GOP politics, dies at 93

  08-06-2023 07:28 via wbrz.com
  
  VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — Pat Robertson, a religious broadcaster who turned a tiny Virginia station into the global Christian Broadcasting Network, tried a run for president and helped make religion central to Republican Party politics in America through his Christian Coalition, has died. He was 93.Robertson’s death Thursday was announced by his broadcasting network. No cause was given.Robertson’s enterprises also included Regent University, an evangelical Christi
  
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• Arson ruled cause of early-morning fire at vacant duplex

  08-06-2023 06:49 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A duplex caught fire early Thursday morning, and investigators found the blaze to be intentionally set.According to the Baton Rouge Fire Department, crews responded to an empty home on Osprey Avenue off Blues Highway. Heavy fire was coming from the back room of the home, but the fire department was able to prevent the flames from spreading to the rest of the building. No injuries were reported. Fire investigators determined the cause to be arson. Anyone with info
  
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• New walking paths to be added in downtown Baton Rouge along River Road

  08-06-2023 06:18 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Improvements are coming to downtown: soon, it will be more walkable along River Road.It's all about connectivity. The new planned walkways will create easier access to downtown and also make it safer for people to walk around. There are two areas in the works where the Downtown Development District is planning to expand and create sidewalks.One will start at the Hilton and connect to the IBM building along River Road. The other will start at the Hollywood Casino and extend to the
  
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• Funeral to be held for Denham Springs officer shot in the line of duty

  08-06-2023 06:10 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Corporal Shawn Kelly, a Denham Springs police officer shot and killed while on duty, will be laid to rest Thursday.Kelly had been hospitalized at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge since May 11, when he was shot while responding to a disturbance at a shopping center on Range Avenue in Denham Springs. When officers arrived in the parking lot, 30-year-old Justin Roberts opened fire on police, striking Kelly multiple times. Officers fired back at Roberts, but he escaped in
  
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• Funeral service held for Cpl. Shawn Kelly after deadly Denham Springs shooting

  08-06-2023 06:10 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Corporal Shawn Kelly, a Denham Springs police officer shot and killed while on duty, will be laid to rest Thursday.Stream the service live on WBRZ+ and on the WBRZ YouTube channelKelly had been hospitalized at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge since May 11, when he was shot while responding to a disturbance at a shopping center on Range Avenue in Denham Springs. When officers arrived in the parking lot, 30-year-old Justin Roberts opened fire on police, striking Kelly mu
  
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• NAACP seeking travel advisory for Louisiana, citing 'concerning' policies

  07-06-2023 17:11 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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 via wbrz.com
  
  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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