Louisiana news

• Mayor Broome announces availability of financial literacy tools to EBR residents

  07-04-2020 12:58 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - On Tuesday morning, EBR Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome addressed the media with an announcement regarding educational resources and online workshops to assist residents in the way of financial planning and literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.Please click on the Facebook video below to view her address in its entirety.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Biden says US won't supply weapons for Israel to attack Rafah, in warning to ally

  09-05-2024 13:30 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said that he would not supply offensive weapons that Israel could use to launch an all-out assault on Rafah — the last major Hamas stronghold in Gaza — over concern for the well-being of the more than 1 million civilians sheltering there.Biden, in an interview with CNN on Wednesday, said that the U.S. was still committed to Israel’s defense and would supply Iron Dome rocket interceptors and other defensive arms but th
  
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• Utah judge sets bond for NBA Youngboy on prescription drug fraud charges; Louisiana seeks his return

  09-05-2024 13:23 via wbrz.com
  
  LOGAN, Utah — Baton Rouge rapper NBA Youngboy waived his preliminary hearing in a Utah courtroom Thursday morning, agreeing to let a prescription drug fraud case against him go forward. A judge set bail at $100,000 and scheduled an arraignment for July 1.The rapper, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, was still being held after the court appearance. He's accused of posing as a doctor to dupe various pharmacies into selling him a codeine-laden cough suppressant that is often abused.Ga
  
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• US ambassador to United Nations, a Baker native, cancels visit day after Xavier speech scrubbed

  09-05-2024 13:12 via wbrz.com
  
  BAKER — The United States' ambassador to the United Nations canceled an appearance in her hometown of Baker on Thursday. Her office blamed a scheduling conflict.Linda Thomas-Greenfield was due to speak to students at Baker High School in a trip intended to "engage youth and inspire the next generation of leaders."The ambassador had been scheduled to speak at Xavier University of Louisiana's graduation ceremonies this Saturday, but the New Orleans school announced Wednesday night that
  
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• 100 Black Men hosting Sneaker Soiree to raise funds for scholarships

  09-05-2024 12:50 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The group 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge has set its annual Sneaker Soiree for Saturday, June 1, at the L'Auberge Casino and Hotel. The ball is a fundraiser to benefit young men completing mentorship programs through scholarships and an all-expenses-paid summer camping trip.WBRZ's Brandi B. Harris spoke to an organization leader during Thursday's 2uneIn program.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Baton Rouge neighborhood group hosting disaster readiness training ahead of hurricane season

  09-05-2024 09:39 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - This week is National Hurricane Preparedness week. To mark the occasion ahead of a season that is predicted to be particularly active, the Greenville Extension and Eden Park neighborhood group will be holding a disaster readiness training. "We want to have the community learn what to do in a disaster. We don't want people panicking, we want them to stay calm and know the resources available to them, and help themselves and other get through the disaster," said the neighbo
  
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• Florida deputies who fatally shot US airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says

  09-05-2024 08:45 via wbrz.com
  
  MIAMI (AP) — Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man’s family said Wednesday.Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, who was based at the Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, was in his off-base apartment in Fort Walton Beach when the shooting happened on May 3.Civil rights attorney Ben Crum
  
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• Woman arrested for tax fraud allegedly forged W-2, received thousands in return

  09-05-2024 08:16 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A St. Martinville woman was arrested in Texas for tax fraud after allegedly forging a W-2 for a company that did not employ her. The Louisiana Department of Revenue announced Thursday it had arrested Ashley Seaux of St. Martinville in Galveston. Seaux is faced with charges of felony theft and filing of false public records. The LDR said Seaux submitted a false individual tax return along with a fake W-2 and forged employee verification for a company that she did
  
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• AG accuses EPA of attacking La. oil and gas companies through nationwide pollution standards updates

  08-05-2024 21:47 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Attorney General Liz Murrill accused the EPA of attacking Louisiana oil and gas industries during an address on Wednesday. Murril was speaking at the annual legislative conference of the Louisiana Chemical Association. She is leading an effort to sue the Biden administration over multiple EPA regulations which aim to reduce pollution in low income areas. Murrill claims that the new rules will do more harm than good to Louisiana corporations."These policies have a
  
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• Juvenile homicide numbers in Baton Rouge already surpassed last year's numbers

  08-05-2024 20:30 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Since the beginning of the year, the number of juvenile homicides in Baton Rouge have surpassed the total number in 2023. Last year, Baton Rouge Police reported nine juveniles were suspected of homicide. Five months into 2024, the city has reported nine homicides by juveniles.City leaders and community activists say the uptick in killings by teens is startling, and they’re working towards community-centered solutions.The first killing of the year happened on New Year's d
  
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• Juvenile homicide arrests in Baton Rouge surpass last year's numbers

  08-05-2024 20:30 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Since the beginning of the year, the number of juveniles arrested for homicide in Baton Rouge have surpassed the total number in 2023.BRPD said nine juveniles were arrested on homicide charges last year. Five months into 2024, nine juveniles have been arrested on homicides that happened inside city limits. City leaders and community activists say the uptick in killings by teens is startling, and they’re working towards community-centered solutions.The first kill
  
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• BRPD looking for man who robbed bank along Airline Highway on Wednesday

  08-05-2024 20:10 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Officers are investigating a bank robbery that happened Wednesday afternoon along Airline Highway. The Baton Rouge Police Department said a man walked into the Chase Bank at the corner of Airline Highway and Greenwell Street around 4 p.m. and handed a bank employee a note demanding money. Police said the employee handed over cash and the man ran away. No more information was immediately available. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Ponchatoula police chief, mayor blame each other for prompting impromptu strike

  08-05-2024 18:16 via wbrz.com
  
  PONCHATOULA — The police chief and mayor on Wednesday agreed on who's responsible for last week's impromptu strike by much of the city's police force: It's the other guy's fault.Chief Bry Layrisson says his officers aren't paid enough and that the city needs to provide more money to his agency. Mayor Bob Zabbia says the blame lies with Layrisson, and that that the chief is not spending the money properly."Once the budget is passed, adopted and then sent to the chief, he administers it
  
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• Killian residents uneasy from waiting on more results

  08-05-2024 17:49 via wbrz.com
  
  KILLIAN - Residents in Killian have had weeks of water woes, with more likely to come.They’ve had silty water, no water and now have water with a boil advisory. As much as they want water they can use, they also want answers.Despite repeated assurances that residents would be informed of test results, officials have not released the findings of the engineering company that examined the town’s only water well and haven’t provided the results of water quality testing
  
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• Electric vehicle battery company Element 25 to set up refinery in Ascension Parish

  08-05-2024 17:18 via wbrz.com
  
  ASCENSION PARISH - Electric vehicle battery company Element 25 reached an agreement to build a high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate refinery in Ascension Parish.The 35-acre site is in Burnside. It is a key development in the company's agreement with General Motors, one of their partners.GM has committed $85M in senior secured debt funding to the Burnside project.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Louisiana's Mike Johnson survives bid to oust him as House Speaker moments after Greene launches it

  08-05-2024 16:58 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON — The House shot down an effort by hardline Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana.Greene had stood before her colleagues and read a long list of “transgressions” she said Johnson had committed as speaker. Colleagues booed in protest, and then the members voted 359-43 to table her motion, essentially killing it. Seven members voted "present."The Georgia Republican had vowed she would force a vote on the motion to vacate the
  
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• Baton Rouge Police Department holds fundraiser for officer who suffered brain aneurysm

  08-05-2024 16:05 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department held a plate lunch fundraiser Wednesday for Sirtelli Dorsey, an officer who suffered a brain aneurysm in April.Dorsey, a father of three, still remembers that day vividly."I just know my body. Everyone gets a headache or migraine but I knew something was wrong," Dorsey said.Dorsey was on the clock when he began experiencing extreme neck and head pains. He reported this to his supervisor Josh Ellis, who recognized the symptoms immediately and told
  
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• Former LSU pitcher and No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes to debut for Pittsburgh on Saturday

  08-05-2024 15:44 via wbrz.com
  
  PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Former LSU pitcher and 2023 first overall pick in the MLB Draft, pitcher Paul Skenes, will make his debut Saturday.The Pittsburgh Pirates posted a hype video for his debut with the date on Twitter.5.11.24 pic.twitter.com/fPh1beCkwn— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 8, 2024The Pirates play the Chicago Cubs Saturday at 3:05 p.m.Permalink| Comments
  
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• While judges let Louisiana draw a third congressional map, intervenors ask Supreme Court to step in now

  08-05-2024 15:42 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — Voting rights advocates on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to keep the latest Louisiana congressional map in place for this year’s elections, even though a three-judge panel has given the state Legislature until June 3 to develop a third set of boundaries.The three-judge panel ruled April 30 that the new map, passed by lawmakers in January, was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Wednesday’s Supreme Court filing seeks to block that ruling,
  
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• EBR Schools to hold third and final superintendent search community meeting

  08-05-2024 15:21 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge School Board is holding its third and final meeting with the public to determine what the public wants from the next superintendent.The meeting is at Glen Oaks Magnet High School from 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday night.This will be the last meeting before the committee meets Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.Anyone who cannot go can join the Zoom link here for the meeting.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 18-wheeler, train collide near Scenic Highway between Scotlandville and Zachary

  08-05-2024 15:00 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — An 18-wheeler and a Kansas City Southern train collided Wednesday afternoon at a crossing near Scenic Highway between Scotlandville and Zachary. No injuries were reported.The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office said the 18-wheeler tipped over and spilled a load of coal on the roadway near where Barge Canal Road meets Scenic Highway. Hazardous material cleanup crews were called to deal with the mess.The sheriff's office said the driver of the 18-wheeler was
  
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• Police put out warrant for convicted sex offender for first-degree rape of a child

  08-05-2024 14:52 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department is searching for a convicted sex offender after he allegedly raped a child.Police say Christopher Ryan Francis, 51, is wanted for first-degree rape of a victim under thirteen and indecent behavior with juveniles. The arrest warrant states that Francis told his victim to "keep it a secret" before Francis sexually assaulted the child. The victim disclosed the information to police, which began the investigation.Francis also is a registered
  
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• Convicted sex offender wanted in new child rape case

  08-05-2024 14:52 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department is searching for a convicted sex offender accused of raping a child.Police say Christopher Ryan Francis, 51, is wanted for first-degree rape and indecent behavior with a juvenile. The arrest warrant states that Francis told his victim to "keep it a secret" before Francis sexually assaulted the child. The victim reported the crime to police, according to Francis' arrest warrant.Francis also is a registered sex offender who was convicted in
  
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• LSU softball walks it off after 14 innings in first round of SEC Tournament

  08-05-2024 14:27 via wbrz.com
  
  KNOXVILLE, TN- The Tigers got the win over Alabama in walk-off fashion after 14 innings in the first round of the SEC tournament. Taylor Pleasants singled to center field to drive in Sierra Daniel to defeat the Crimson Tide.LSU found themselves down 2-0 after the first inning, but 13 scoreless innings from pitcher Sydney Berzon kept Alabama in check. Berzon pitched a complete game with five strikeouts on 208 pitches.Wednesday's game was the longest game by innings in SEC Tournament his
  
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• Springfield man previously arrested for sex crimes now facing additional charges

  08-05-2024 14:25 via wbrz.com
  
  SPRINGFIELD - A man arrested for sex crimes in December is now facing several dozen new charges. In December, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office arrested Michael Sharp, 24, for four counts each of pornography involving juveniles and sexual abuse of an animal. Sharp this month had dozens of additional charges filed against him after further investigation. An evaluation of Sharp's devices revealed more criminal conduct, the sheriff's office said, and he is now facin
  
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• Man receives additional theft charges after reportedly stealing kitchen equipment from Central Las Palmas

  08-05-2024 14:04 via wbrz.com
  
  CENTRAL - A man is facing an additional theft charge after it was found he was allegedly connected to the theft of kitchen equipment from a Las Palmas. The Central Police Department said officers were investigating a theft that happened on March 31 of kitchen equipment and a floor mat from the Las Palmas on Wax Road. Through their investigations, officers connected the suspect to other burglaries in the East Baton Rouge area that happened on the same day. Christopher Ritter of
  
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• Man facing additional theft charges after reportedly stealing equipment from Central Las Palmas

  08-05-2024 14:04 via wbrz.com
  
  CENTRAL - A man is facing an additional theft charge after it was found he was allegedly connected to the theft of kitchen equipment from a Las Palmas. The Central Police Department said officers were investigating a theft that happened on March 31 of kitchen equipment and a floor mat from the Las Palmas on Wax Road. Through their investigations, officers connected the suspect to other burglaries in the East Baton Rouge area that happened on the same day. Christopher Ritter of
  
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• Neighbor complains about city's property mess, city responds

  08-05-2024 13:12 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A property owner contacted 2 On Your Side about the mess that's next door to her. It's an abandoned structure owned by the City of Baton Rouge on Pocasset Street near Mohican Street. Rita Green says it's been the state it's in now for two years. The windows are broken, it's missing a front door, the cabinets are pulled from the wall, the ceiling torn open, overgrown grass, and littered with garbage."The kids vandalized it and it's been this way for at least two years," sa
  
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• BRPD officer recognized for preventing person from jumping off of bridge

  08-05-2024 12:06 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department spotlighted an officer who prevented someone from jumping off a bridge on Monday.According to BRPD, officer Jakiya Jones was dispatched during the evening hours of May 6 to the interstate where someone was attempted to take their own life by jumping off a bridge.BRPD said Jones was able to prevent the person from jumping by establishing a rapport with them, approaching slowly, and grabbing the suspect over the guardrail.BRPD made a Facebook post t
  
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• I-12 near I-10/I-12 split set to close Friday, detour drivers as College Drive Flyover project continues

  08-05-2024 09:40 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — I-12 eastbound near the I-10/I-12 split will be closed Friday night into early Saturday morning as part of the College Drive Flyover project's demolition of the I-10 westbound overpass.The closure will be in effect from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday.Drivers wishing to take I-12 eastbound will continue on the I-10 eastbound and take exit 160 at Essen Lane, proceeding north and continuing to the I-12 eastbound ramp.According to LaDOTD, a new overpass will accommodate a
  
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