Louisiana news

• Fatal crash under investigation after Good Samaritans find body, running boat in Colyell Bay

  10-05-2024 12:21 via wbrz.com
  
  PORT VINCENT — The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating a boat accident that left a 57-year-old Port Vincent man dead in Colyell Bay.Around 7:45 p.m., Good Samaritans found an unoccupied 16-foot boat with a still running engine that ran aground against the bank, LDWF agents said. They also found Patrick Jones' body, which appeared to be thrown from the boat without a personal flotation device, agents noted.After being recovered, his body was reportedly turne
  
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• DOTD looking into additional signage after two 18-wheelers flip at same roundabout in Sorrento

  23-05-2024 17:48 via wbrz.com
  
  SORRENTO - It took several hours to clear an overturned tanker truck filled with hazardous chemicals from the roadway on Monday after it flipped onto its side.Multiple agencies were called to the roundabout on La. 22 at La. 70 near I-10 on Monday afternoon. The State Department of Transportation and Development says there is strong evidence that the driver of the truck was speeding. Last August, another big truck rolled over at the same location and the cause of that accident has not b
  
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• Damage surveys confirm additional tornadoes from Monday, May 13th

  23-05-2024 17:27 via wbrz.com
  
  On the heels of last week's severe weather, the National Weather Service (NWS) completed another round of damage surveys. The NWS has determined that three additional tornadoes touched down from storms on the night of Monday, May 13th, 2024. Two of those tornadoes tracked through portions of Iberville Parish, while third did damage in Livingston Parish. That brings the total count from May 13th to four, which includes previously confirmed tornado near Livonia.Tornado #1 - Iberville Parish:An EF
  
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• Tangipahoa Parish deputies searching for suspects in Ponchatoula drive-by

  23-05-2024 16:35 via wbrz.com
  
  PONCHATOULA — The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office is seeking to identify the suspect of a drive-by shooting that took place on North 1st Street in Ponchatoula.The shooting took place on the night of May 2 when the occupants of a white car were traveling behind the victim on North 1st Street, deputies said. The suspects then opened fire on the victim's vehicle. The victim was able to get away with no injuries. Detectives obtained security footage from a nearby business, whi
  
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• Memorial Day Valor Gallery opens at the East Baton Rouge Library

  23-05-2024 16:14 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The mayor's office hosted its first Memorial Day Valor Gallery at the East Baton Rouge Main Library on Goodwood Boulevard Thursday.More than 65 military families submitted photos of their loved ones to be displayed on the walls of the library. Acting Chair of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs, Elena Branzaru, says this is a way to keep their memories alive."This was a way for us to have a memorial for people, so that we can continue to have them alive in ou
  
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• Police warns public of scam letter sent to people claiming they owe taxes

  23-05-2024 15:50 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND - The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office warned the public of a scam letter claiming the recipient owes a tax debt.The letter, which states its from "Tax Assessment Securities - Tangipahoa County", tells the recipient that they have not paid a tax and directs them to a number. The number goes to a third-party company claiming to be a law firm that attempts to gain personal information from the caller.TPSO advises anyone who receives the letters to disregard and trash the letter. Detecti
  
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• Louisiana's take on 'Don't Say Gay' bill to limit gender discussion in classrooms passes, heads to governor

  23-05-2024 15:38 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Senate gave final passage Thursday to a bill that would outlaw the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.The Senate voted 28-7 on the bill that the House previously voted 69-28 on.The bill, which is similar to "Don't Say Gay" legislation in Florida and Texas, heads to Gov. Jeff Landry's desk. He is expected to sign the bill.HB122, authored by Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, would prohibit teachers from discussing "sexual orie
  
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• Bill to outlaw sexual, gender identity discussion in classroom passes legislature, awaits governor's signature

  23-05-2024 15:38 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Senate gave final passage to a bill Thursday that would outlaw the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public school.The bill, which is similar to other "Don't Say Gay" bills proposed in states like Florida and Texas, now goes to Gov. Jeff Landry's desk. He is expected to sign the bill into law.If signed into law, HB 122, authored by Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, would prohibit teachers from discussing "sexual orientation or gender iden
  
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• Police searching for husband of woman found badly decomposed in Baton Rouge home; man wanted for separate crime

  23-05-2024 14:46 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Three days after a woman’s badly decomposed body was found in a Baton Rouge home May 12, police got a warrant for her husband’s arrest in an unrelated crime. Joseph Solar III has not yet been arrested, and the cause of Bridget Boutwell’s death has not been determined.Boutwell’s sister Danielle Boutwell told WBRZ that Solar told family members Boutwell had shot herself. She had been out of touch with her daughter and sister for about two week
  
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• Governor Landry announces council member appointments for St. George

  23-05-2024 14:30 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Governor Jeff Landry announced five people to serve as council members for the city of St. George.Landry announced Steven Monachello will serve District 1, Ryan Heck will serve District 2, Max Himmel will serve District 3, and that Richie Edmonds and Patty Cook will serve as aldermen-at-large.Monachello worked with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S Department of Homeland Security, and he currently works for
  
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• Man arrested for attempted murder after allegedly setting fire to building with someone inside

  23-05-2024 14:20 via wbrz.com
  
  PRAIRIEVILLE - A man was arrested for attempted murder after setting fire to a building he was staying in while someone was inside, according to the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal.Christopher McCumber, 53, was booked into the Ascension Parish Hail on one count each of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated arson.Officials say the Prairieville Fire Department responded to a call around midnight May 21 of a structure fire in the 15000 block of Palmetto Lane. One person was inside,
  
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• State Police issues notice about motor inspection stickers that expire in 2026 fading

  23-05-2024 14:16 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Motor Vehicle Inspection stickers issued for 2026 have the potential to fade prematurely, Louisiana State Police said in a statement Thursday.Upon initial adhesion to a vehicle windshield, the “26” sticker has a yellow background, State Police said. Due to sun exposure, the sticker may potentially fade from yellow to clear or white, making it harder to identify what the expiration date is at quick glance.Individuals who have received 2026 MVI stickers
  
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• Emergency Medical Service workers honored during National EMS Week

  23-05-2024 14:10 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — This week is EMS Week, which celebrates all emergency medical service workers across the state. Each day, EMS workers sacrifice their time and give it their all to save people in emergency situations."Its the 50th anniversary of EMS week, so were honoring the people in the field of ems who have sacrificed their time, skill and service to serve their communities," said Ian Vincent, operations manager at Acadian Ambulance.Classes are also held each month that welcomes new
  
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• West Jeff student injured by gunfire moments after school lets out for the summer

  23-05-2024 13:53 via wbrz.com
  
  HARVEY — A student was shot near West Jefferson High School moments after the campus discharged students for the summer, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said. The extent of his injuries wasn't known.Panicked students fled after the shooting, and those who remained on campus were held in a gymnasium, officials said."Every year, for the last day of school, we do put additional security around the campuses because, you know, to try to avoid something like this happening," sheriff's
  
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• LDWF warns of possible fish kills ahead of streak of high temperatures

  23-05-2024 13:34 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - With temperatures rising even before the official first day of summer, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries warns residents of possible fish kills that may be imminent. The shallow wetlands and aquatic habitats around the state are vulnerable to becoming hypoxic, or low in oxygen. Warm water has a lower capacity to retain oxygen than cooler water, so fish populations are vulnerable to dying off en masse during a heat wave. Fish kills can be reported
  
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• Amazon hosting virtual hiring session for new facility in District 6 at former Cortana Mall

  23-05-2024 12:53 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — On Thursday, the new Amazon facility in North Baton Rouge will host a hiring session to answer questions about open job positions.The new facility will employ more than 1,000 full time employees with a pay starting at $17 an hour.The facility is not just bringing new jobs to the region, it's also making a big impact on the economy and revitalization of District 6."Other business are going to look to invest here. We've seen planet fitness make a more full time permanent i
  
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• 2une In Previews: Southern University Alumni Conference

  23-05-2024 12:28 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - It's a huge class reunion - Southern University will host its annual Alumni Conference next month. "The Conference will be held on the Baton Rouge campus—fellowship with alums from across the country represented by all five campuses. We are striving for continual education and alumni awareness of our great University," officials said.For more information, watch the video above or register here. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Former Addis police officer turns himself in after guilty plea to vehicular manslaughter of Brusly teens

  23-05-2024 12:18 via wbrz.com
  
  ADDIS — A former Addis Police officer who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of two teenagers and negligent injuring of another in a crash during a reckless pursuit turned himself in Thursday morning.David Cauthron, 42, was sentenced to 32 years in prison, with 22 years suspended, after he ran a red light while chasing a suspect and crashed into a car, killing Brusly High students Maggie Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 15, on New Year's Eve in 2022. WBRZ reported that Cauthron was drivin
  
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• TSA will now accept digital drivers licenses at MSY, 26 other airports

  23-05-2024 09:36 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Starting Thursday, Louisiana residents can now use their LA Wallet digital IDs to pass through TSA and make flying that much easier. Residents can now use the QR code in the official LA Wallet app to scan through TSA rather than presenting an agent with a physical ID card at Louis Armstrong International Airport and 26 other participating airports around the country. Louisiana is the eighth state to adopt digital ID acceptability. LA Wallet can be downlo
  
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• Contractor for City-Parish discussed incest, bestiality with undercover agent before arrest

  23-05-2024 09:18 via wbrz.com
  
  WARNING: The news story below contains disturbing descriptions and messages.------------BATON ROUGE - A contractor working for the city-parish told an undercover agent he was interested in bestiality and incest after sending the agent a video of himself confirming his identity. Federal court documents show that Blake Steiner, a contractor who worked with the city-parish, was arrested Monday. An undercover agent with Homeland Security contacted Steiner through the messaging app Kik to g
  
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• Contractor for City-Parish arrested in child exploitation case

  23-05-2024 09:18 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A contractor working for the city-parish was arrested Monday in a child sexual exploitation investigation. The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that Blake Steiner had been arrested with assistance from Louisiana State Police and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office. No further information was given regarding the investigation itself or the extent of Steiner's charges. The city clarified later Thursday morning that Steiner was not emplo
  
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• Louisiana National Guard to deploy soldiers overseas for construction operations

  23-05-2024 08:35 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana National Guard's Vertical Engineer Company will deploy more than 40 guardsmen to Asia for construction operations. The Guard said Thursday morning the soldiers would deploy to southwest Asia for construction through Operation Spartan Shield. Including the premobilization training, the guardsmen will be away from home for almost a year. The unit’s primary objective overseas will be to provide construction engineering expertise to work on cr
  
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• Police arrest seven people for distributing cocaine, meth in drug bust

  22-05-2024 21:52 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, with assistance from other agencies, arrested seven people in a drug trafficking organization.According to EBRSO, police seized two pounds of cocaine, 1.1 pounds of methamphetamine, one ounce of fentanyl, 3.4 pounds of marijuana, two firearms and $4,141.EBRSO said the organization was led by Ernesto Guzman, Oscar Carcamo and Harral Dunbar, as they were responsible for the distribution of the drugs. Guzman was arrested for distribution of sche
  
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• Deputies arrest seven people for allegedly distributing cocaine, meth in drug bust

  22-05-2024 21:52 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, with assistance from other agencies, arrested seven people in an alleged drug trafficking organization.According to EBRSO, deputies seized two pounds of cocaine, 1.1 pounds of methamphetamine, one ounce of fentanyl, 3.4 pounds of marijuana, two firearms and $4,141.EBRSO said the organization was led by Ernesto Guzman, Oscar Carcamo and Harral Dunbar, as they were responsible for the distribution of the drugs. Guzman was arrested for distribut
  
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• Mayor Broome proposes future plans for Raising Canes River Center

  22-05-2024 21:27 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome on Wednesday proposed a plan to not only redevelop the River Center but also to add something new. It's something Broome says will allow everyone to enjoy downtown Baton Rouge.At the Metro Council meeting, the Mayor's office presented its vision to expand convention space and add a new hotel in the facility that would allow more space for visitors."We want this to be a capital region star that attracts people from all over," Broome said. "My go
  
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• Louisiana lawmakers approve bill similar to Texas' embattled migrant enforcement law

  22-05-2024 21:25 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A Louisiana bill that would empower state and local law enforcement to arrest and jail people in the state who entered the U.S. illegally received approval from lawmakers Wednesday and will likely soon be on the governor’s desk.Amid national fights between Republican states and Democratic President Joe Biden over how and who should enforce the U.S.-Mexico border, a growing list of GOP-led states have passed measures seeking to push deeper into migrant
  
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• Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office holding benefit lunch for officer who underwent heart surgery

  22-05-2024 21:17 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ROADS  - The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff's Office is holding a benefit lunch Thursday for an officer who underwent a heart transplant.According to the PCPSO, the lunch is being held for Sgt. Mike Battiste. It will be held at the Scott Civic Center in New Roads at 11 a.m. Thursday,The jambalaya plates will cost $10.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Senate bill requiring heating, air-conditioning systems in school buses fails on Louisiana House floor

  22-05-2024 18:55 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A Senate bill that would have required heating and air-conditioning systems in school buses failed on the Louisiana House floor Tuesday.The House rejected the measure 42-57 after nearly one and a half hours of debate.Senate Bill 26 would have required the systems on every school bus bought on and after Aug 1, 2024. Then, in 2027, the bill would have required all school buses to be equipped with them.Rep. Vanessa LaFleur, D-Baton Rouge, who presented the bill in the House, said the
  
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• Deputies looking for teens who broke into car, shot at vehicle owner Tuesday

  22-05-2024 18:50 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Deputies are searching for two teenagers who broke into a car Tuesday and shot at the vehicle owner. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office said the attempted vehicle burglary happened along Falling Oak Drive just before 1:30 p.m. Deputies said two juveniles rode on bikes to a home, where they were caught breaking into a vehicle by the owner. Reports said the vehicle owner chased the juveniles off his property and one of them pulled out a gun and fired shot
  
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• Kelly women push football and women's health to the forefront at LSU

  22-05-2024 18:46 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - If you've ever wanted to see inside the LSU football program, see what it's like to be a coach or player in the purple and gold, then an upcoming fundraising event is for you.But only if you're a woman.LSU head football coach Brian Kelly and maybe more correctly his Kelly Cares Foundation led by his wife Paqui and daughter Grace Kelly are hosting the Golden Cleats event at LSU's football operations center on June 5."These ladies would show up like, 'I don't know anything about foo
  
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