Baton Rouge news

• Mayor-President Sid Edwards' father died Sunday

  21-04-2025 21:32
  
  BATON ROUGE - Emile Edwards, the father of East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards, died Sunday. He was 84. Sid Edwards shared the news on his social media pages Monday, saying, "Honoring the life of my dad, Emile Lobrano Edwards a true hero in every sense. Your legacy of strength and love lives on in us. My family and I appreciate all the prayers and support."Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Permalink| Comments
  
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• St. Gabriel Police investigating shooting; bicyclist hit with projectile Friday

  21-04-2025 21:17
  
  ST. GABRIEL - Officers in St. Gabriel are investigating an apparent shooting that left a bicyclist injured on Friday. Police said the person was bicycling along Martin Luther King Parkway near Point Clair Road around 2 p.m. when they were hit in the abdomen and needed medical attention. Police said initially they thought the person was hit by a piece of debris from a passing car but medical professionals said "the victim had been hit by a projectile from a weapon."No motives o
  
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• 'My heart just melted': Mother of teen killed in Brusly crash reacts to American Idol tribute

  21-04-2025 20:24
  
  BRUSLY - LSU student and Addis native John Foster secured a spot in the Top 14 of American Idol on Monday night after a weekend performance of his original song written about his friend Maggie Dunn, one of two Brusly cheerleaders killed in a deadly crash.Dunn's mother Erin Martin says the two became friends in middle school, and she taught Foster at Brusly High. The two always supported each other. Maggie attended John's first gig. He wore a cream-colored cowboy hat that day. Martin says it's t
  
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• Addis American Idol contestant moves on to Top 14

  21-04-2025 20:24
  
  BATON ROUGE - Addis native John Foster advanced to the Top 14 during Monday night's American Idol show. The 18-year-old sang an original song Sunday night, written about his friend Maggie Dunn who died when an Addis Police officer ran a red light and rammed into her vehicle. He wrote the song, "Tell That Angel That I Love Her."The powerful song secured his spot in the Top 14 and he will be back on the microphone at 7 p.m. Sunday. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Turner Road in Ethel under water as rains pour in Monday evening

  21-04-2025 19:33
  
  ETHEL - Roads in East Feliciana Parish flooded Monday evening as rain started to fall. The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office shared a photo of Turner Road in Ethel, which was under water. More reports of flooding came from Willow Street in Clinton, where maintenance crews were dispatched for water covering roadways.Storm Station Meteorologists estimate areas east of Clinton could get 7.5 inches of accumulated rainfall and closer to Jackson may see nearly 4 inches. Permali
  
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• Man who died in shootout with BRPD officers identified

  21-04-2025 19:23
  
  BATON ROUGE - Officials have identified 34-year-old Kevin Vallian as the man who was killed in an exchange of gunfire with two Baton Rouge Police officers early Sunday.Police responded just after 3 a.m. Sunday to Super 6 Inn and Suites on Gwenadele Avenue on a report of a disturbance involving an armed man.They exchanged gunfire with Vallian in the parking lot. He was shot and died at a hospital. No police officers were injured.BRPD Lt. L'Jean McKneely said Monday that investigators are careful
  
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• 'It was just love:' Locals in mourning after passing of Pope Francis

  21-04-2025 18:13
  
  BATON ROUGE - As the leader of the world's largest Christian denomination, Pope Francis' death leaves a lasting impact on Catholics around the globe and right here in Louisiana."Pope Francis was a pope of firsts. He was the first pope from Latin America. He was the first Jesuit pope. He was a person who took seriously the idea of the pope as a pastor, someone who is compassionate and caring about the humanity of all of us and our ability to sin, and also our ability to thrive," Micheal Pasquier
  
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• Report: Man sentenced to 25 years after pleading no contest to manslaughter killing of Walker woman

  21-04-2025 17:33
  
  LIVINGSTON — A Gonzales man initially charged with the second-degree murder of a 60-year-old Walker woman was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading no contest to manslaughter, The Advocate reported Monday.The paper reports that Bobby Schneider, 36, brought 60-year-old Sarah Santini back to her house in Walker after a get-together in October 2023. The pair then got into an argument and Santini hit Schneider. He then strangled her and stabbed her in the chest, killing her, the
  
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• Bonnet Carre' Spillway tested Monday morning as the Mississippi River continues to rise

  21-04-2025 17:31
  
  The Mississippi River continues to swell after a heavy rain event from up north a few weeks ago. Officials are now taking steps to limit impacts, especially near New Orleans.The Army Corps of Engineers conducted a test opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway on Monday morning. This gave crews a chance to get out and become familiar with the process. Only one out of the 350 bays was briefly operated.But even without all gates closed, water was still seeping through control structure divi
  
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• Couple who built on wrong property profited off abandoned oil well located there

  21-04-2025 17:04
  
  ZACHARY - Documents show a family who built their home on the wrong lot received hundreds of thousands of dollars in a settlement for an abandoned oil well on that property.The WBRZ Investigative Unit brought you the story last week about Thomas Robertson and his brother's quest to right a real estate wrong.
  They say two neighboring lots, one owned by Robertson's brother and the other by the Mulder family, somehow got switched up in the surveying process and the Mulders built their dream home o
  
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• Kentwood Police identify third person wanted in January fatal gas station shooting

  21-04-2025 16:49
  
  KENTWOOD — Kentwood Police have identified a man suspected to be the person responsible for a January fatal shooting.Police say that 20-year-old Traviun Walton is wanted for second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and the illegal use of a dangerous weapon after a shooting left 24-year-old ZyKerien Bickham dead on Jan. 29.Bickham and his girlfriend were both shot while they were at Five Star Gas Station on Third Street. Police said that the shooting stemmed from an argumen
  
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• One person hurt in Zachary wreck, taken to hospital by AirMed

  21-04-2025 16:41
  
  ZACHARY - One person was taken to a hospital by helicopter from a vehicle crash along Samuels Road in Zachary near La. 964 on Monday afternoon.State Police is working the wreck and said a single vehicle hit a guard rail. First responders said one person who was unresponsive was taken to a hospital with a possible head injury.Deputies are in the area controlling traffic. Drivers should expect slowdowns. Permalink| Comments
  
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• AirMed transports one from Zachary wreck

  21-04-2025 16:41
  
  ZACHARY - One person was taken to a hospital by helicopter from a vehicle crash along Samuels Road in Zachary near La. 964.State Police is working the wreck and said a single vehicle hit a guard rail. First responders said one person who was unresponsive was taken to a hospital with a possible head injury.Deputies are in the area controlling traffic. Drivers should expect slowdowns. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Louisiana Department of Health holding press conference about 'priorities and new initiatives'

  21-04-2025 16:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health held a press conference on Monday about "priorities and new initiatives" for the agency. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Louisiana Department of Health confirms second measles case in New Orleans

  21-04-2025 16:07
  
  BATON ROUGE - During a press conference Monday, leaders at the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed a second case in the New Orleans area. State Surgeon General Ralph Abraham said that contact tracers handling the first reported measles case in the New Orleans area learned about one older measles case while examining the current patient’s contacts. He said the older case is not communicable now.To watch the entire press conference, click here. Permalink| Comments
  
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• LDH announces waste-fighting initiatives, other priorities Monday

  21-04-2025 16:07
  BATON ROUGE - State health officials announced a variety of collaborations Monday intended to fight waste, fraud and abuse in agency programs, and pledged to reduce overdose deaths among pregnant women.LDH top brass, including Surgeon General Ralph Abraham, Secretary Bruce Greenstein and Undersecretary Drew Maranto explained the agency's plans to make sure that public money is well spent.A new task force will involve collaboration with other government entities, including cross-referencing info
  
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• Historic Spanish Town market reopens with community-focused mission

  21-04-2025 15:46
  
  BATON ROUGE - A familiar market in Spanish Town is back with new owners and a fresh start. The former Capitol Grocery reopened in its original form at the beginning of April as Spanish Town Market and Cafe. This follows the closure of health food market Belli last year due to zoning issues and conflicts with neighbors.New owner Horatio Isadore said he wanted to bring back the original concept of serving hot meals and coffee, as well as providing groceries and specialty meats in the bui
  
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• Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says

  21-04-2025 15:34
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday.Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans.The Trump administration ‘s announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. No federal student loans have been referred for collection since
  
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• Amite man accused of uploading child porn now faces additional charges

  21-04-2025 15:22
  
  AMITE — An Amite man arrested for allegedly uploading child pornography to social media is now being charged with nearly 30 more counts of child porn, as well as sexual abuse of animals charges, deputies said Monday.Dustin Stevenson, 28, was arrested on April 7 on five counts of child pornography. He now faces 29 additional counts, as well as 62 counts of sexual abuse of animals.The additional charges came after deputies searched electronic devices belonging to Stevenson.Permalink| Co
  
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• SPARE NOTES: Interesting Comments As Speculation of PBA's Broadcast Home For 2026 Grows

  21-04-2025 15:17
  
  BATON ROUGE - Last week in this space I asked if this past Sunday’s Tournament of Champions would be the final PBA major on FOX Sports and after the show ended there was evidence that can be interpreted in a lot of ways after quotes attributed to Commissioner Tom Clark at the Hall of Fame banquet Friday in Akron, Ohio and then the comments of commentators Rob Stone and Randy Pedersen as Sunday’s show went off the air.First of all, Rob Stone is FOX Sports’
  
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• At start of National Work Zone Awareness Week, DOTD asks drivers to slow down, stay alert

  21-04-2025 15:14
  
  BATON ROUGE — Monday was the first day of National Work Zone Awareness Week, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development wants to use this week as a reminder for drivers to slow down, stay alert and move over. For 25 years, National Work Zone Awareness Week has marked the start of construction season nationwide. It’s helped to promote road safety and cautious driving to protect drivers, passengers, pedestrians and workers.DOTD has hundreds of traf
  
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• Olympic pole vaulter, former LSU athlete Mondo Duplantis named 2025 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year

  21-04-2025 14:56
  
  MADRID, Spain — Olympic gold medalist and former LSU track-and-field athlete Mondo Duplantis was awarded one of the most prestigious honors in sports on Monday.Duplantis was named the 2025 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in Madrid, Spain.Duplantis' award comes after he was nominated for the past two years. While competing for his mother's native Sweden at the Paris Olympics, Duplantis claimed his second Olympic gold medal in the pole vault, breaking a record he previously set two
  
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• 100STRONG sets quarterly meeting to raise money for local nonprofits

  21-04-2025 14:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - 100STRONG, a group dedicated to raising money for local nonprofits, is having one of its quarterly meetings Tuesday evening. At the 100STRONG meetings, three nonprofits speak to attendees and make their case for why they should be the ones to receive donations. Attendees are required to bring a $100 check or their credit or debit cards. After the nonprofits have made their cases, attendees will select which of them to donate to. The organizations present
  
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• Livingston Parish council member apologizes following DWI arrest; intends to 'earn back' trust

  21-04-2025 14:24
  
  LIVINGSTON — Livingston Parish Councilman Dean Coates admitted to being arrested over the weekend for driving while intoxicated."I take full responsibility for my actions — there is no excuse. I made a serious mistake that could have endangered others, and I am deeply sorry," Coates said in a Facebook post, adding that he was leaving a crawfish boil when he was arrested on Friday.Livingston deputies said that they pulled Coates over around 6 p.m. in Springfield because he wa
  
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• Livingston Parish council member apologizes following DUI arrest; intends to 'earn back' trust

  21-04-2025 14:24
  
  LIVINGSTON — Livingston Parish Councilman Dean Coates admitted to being arrested over the weekend for driving under the influence."I take full responsibility for my actions — there is no excuse. I made a serious mistake that could have endangered others, and I am deeply sorry," Coates said in a Facebook post, adding that he was leaving a crawfish boil when he was arrested.Coates, a former Louisiana State Police trooper who took office in 2024, said he should be held to a hig
  
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• LSP: DA's office could upgrade charges on man booked for Denham Springs hit-and-run after woman dies

  21-04-2025 14:19
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS — After a woman died from injuries she sustained in a March hit-and-run, Louisiana State Police said Monday that they are actively working with District Attorney Scott Perrilloux to consult on upgraded charges for a man accused in the Denham Springs crash.Jody Mann died last week after her family said "the trauma to her body was too much, but she put up one hell of a fight" following injuries she sustained in a March 29 hit-and-run crash along Reinning
  
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• Charges upgraded for suspected hit-and-run driver after victim dies in hospital

  21-04-2025 14:19
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS — After a woman died from injuries she sustained in a March hit-and-run, Louisiana State Police said Monday that charges were upgraded for a man accused in the Denham Springs crash.Brandon Chenevert was arrested after two anonymous tips identified him as the driver in the hit-and-run. He was initially booked for felony hit-and-run, negligent injuring, and obstruction of justice, among other charges. On Monday, he was booked again, this time on negligent homicide charges
  
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• Charges could be upgraded for hit-and-run driver after victim dies in hospital

  21-04-2025 14:19
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS — After a woman died from injuries she sustained in a March hit-and-run, Louisiana State Police said Monday that they are actively working with District Attorney Scott Perrilloux to consult on upgraded charges for a man accused in the Denham Springs crash.Jody Mann died last week after her family said "the trauma to her body was too much, but she put up one hell of a fight" following injuries she sustained in a March 29 hit-and-run crash along Reinning
  
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• Ochsner offering free physicals to student-athletes at Burbank Drive facility

  21-04-2025 14:18
  
  BATON ROUGE — Student-athletes in middle and high school can go to the Elite Training Complex on Burbank Drive for free physicals next weekend.The Ochsner Andrews Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute at the Elite Training Complex will offer free physicals on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.No appointments are required but parents can fill out consent forms in advance here.According to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, physicals are required annually for studen
  
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• Monday's Health Report: Ochsner offering free physicals to student-athletes at Burbank Drive facility

  21-04-2025 14:18
  
  BATON ROUGE — Student-athletes in middle and high school can go to the Elite Training Complex on Burbank Drive for free physicals next weekend.The Ochsner Andrews Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute at the Elite Training Complex will offer free physicals on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.No appointments are required but parents can fill out consent forms in advance here.According to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, physicals are required annually for studen
  
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• Roadwork to be done while Tangipahoa Parish students are on break

  21-04-2025 14:14
  
  AMITE - Tangipahoa Parish Schools are closed this week for spring break, and parish officials are using the week to make headway on the 2025 Overlay Project. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller said Barriere Construction is continuing to progress with multiple operations on the spring overlay program.During the week of April 21, crews are scheduled to work in the following areas:
  - Preliminary patching operations are scheduled on Sweet Olive, Jasmine, Clover Leaf, New Genessee; Oa
  
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• Baker woman sentenced to 30 months in prison for embezzling $340,000 from Baton Rouge repair business

  21-04-2025 13:52
  
  BATON ROUGE — A Baker woman was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after being convicted of defrauding a Baton Rouge engine repair service company.Erin Jones, 49, will also serve three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay nearly $340,000 in restitution.Jones worked as a part-time employee at a business that repaired truck and diesel engines. According to a federal court, Jones was in charge of the company's bookkeeping.Between May 2019 and April 2024, Jones defr
  
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• New College Drive exit ramps open Wednesday morning

  21-04-2025 13:41
  
  BATON ROUGE - Starting Wednesday morning at 5 a.m., the new College Drive exit ramps on I-10 and I-12 will be open for drivers to use. DOTD says the new ramps will allow drivers to exit from both Interstates without having to cross multiple lanes of traffic. The I-12 westbound exit to College Drive is positioned just prior to the I-10/I-12 merge, while the I-10 exit will be located on the flyover bridge above I-12, also before the merge. Both exits will be accessible from the
  
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• Sen. Bill Cassidy visits 2une In to discuss Pope Francis, investments in state economy, public health

  21-04-2025 13:17
  
  BATON ROUGE — Sen. Bill Cassidy stopped by 2une In on Monday for a wide-ranging discussion about Pope Francis' passing, recent investments in Louisiana's economic development and education.Cassidy said that Francis' legacy will be one of compassion and advocacy for the downdraught."I think that moral push that's been the role of the Catholic Church at its best through history is what he was just so emblematic of," the senator said.Cassidy also celebrated Hyundai and CF Industries brin
  
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• No injuries reported from fire on Delta plane at Orlando airport

  21-04-2025 13:15
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Delta Air Lines airplane caught fire on Monday before it was supposed to take off at a central Florida airport, forcing the evacuation of passengers, airport officials said.There were no reports of any injuries during the fire on the plane at Orlando International Airport, Delta said in a statement.The engine fire broke out on Delta Air Lines Flight 1213 while the plane was at the ramp before a scheduled departure from Orlando to Atlanta late Monday morning, air
  
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• West Feliciana culinary instructor chosen as Teacher of the Year semi-finalist

  21-04-2025 12:33
  
  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Every year the Louisiana Department of Education honors great teachers across the state. This year, the West Feliciana School District nominated Delanea Buffalo, the school's culinary instructor."Being nominated by my peers first at West Feliciana High School, [it's the] highest honor to know that the other people you're working alongside with feel you are worthy of that," says Buffalo.She is the culinary instructor at West Feliciana High School.Right now the class is learnin
  
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• Bill to establish rules for proposed St. George Community School System set for second reading

  21-04-2025 12:32
  BATON ROUGE - A new bill that would establish rules for a school system for the City of St. George could let students cross district lines. The bill, authored by State Senator Rick Edmonds, would see the St. George Community School System and East Baton Rouge Parish School System enter into an agreement allowing students in St. George to enroll in schools in East Baton Rouge.Edmonds initially floated the idea of cross-district enrollment last month. The bill could go before an
  
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• Inmates returned to West Feliciana Detention Center following weekend carbon monoxide leak

  21-04-2025 09:59
  
  ST. FRANCISVILLE — Inmates at the West Feliciana Detention Center who were evacuated following a weekend carbon monoxide leak returned to the facility Monday.Sheriff Brian Spillman said that a "faulty ventilation line in the hot water system of the jail" was the cause of the carbon monoxide leak that made multiple inmates and staff members sick on Saturday.“We had contractors in here immediately after removing the inmates and staff and they worked through the weeken
  
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• Louisiana-shot 'Sinners' brings in largest opening weekend at box office for original film post-COVID

  21-04-2025 09:45
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Brand names, not filmmakers or stars, are said to rule the box office these days. But Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” led by twin Michael B. Jordans, proved a bloody exception to modern movie rules, launching with $45.6 million in ticket sales in U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday.“Sinners,” a Warner Bros. release that cost about $90 million to produce, was a bold gamble on originality &mdash
  
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• Coroner identifies man killed after being shot by police in motel parking lot

  21-04-2025 09:23
  
  BATON ROUGE - The parish coroner's office has identified a man who was shot and killed after a police standoff early Sunday morning. The victim was identified as 34-year-old Kevin Vallian. Vallian allegedly approached a motel guest and tried to rob her at gunpoint. Her boyfriend reportedly fought Vallian off and called the police. The hotel manager, Mitesh Patel, said the couple was able to get a hold of Vallian's car keys and throw them into the pool. Patel told Vall
  
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• 2une In Previews: 2025 Parade of Homes

  21-04-2025 08:18
  
  BATON ROUGE - Here in South Louisiana, we're no stranger to parades, but this one may be a little different than you're used to!On April 26 and 27 and May 3 and 4, the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge is hosting its annual Parade of Homes to showcase innovations in architecture and design. New homes will be open for showcase. For more information you can visit the HBAGBR's website here. Representatives from the Parade of Homes spoke one 2une In Monday morning.&
  
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• Truck crashes into power pole, overturns on Walker North Road

  21-04-2025 07:11
  
  WALKER - A truck crashed into a power pole and overturned on Walker North Road early Monday morning. The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office posted pictures of the crash, which happened on Walker North and Dunlap Hall. The road was completely blocked off. There was no word on whether anyone was injured in the crash. DEMCO outage maps showed there were about 437 people without power due to the damaged electrical pole. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Hegseth had a second Signal chat where he shared details of Yemen strike, New York Times reports

  21-04-2025 06:01
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth created another Signal messaging chat that included his wife and brother where he shared similar details of a March military airstrike against Yemen’s Houthi militants that were sent in another chain with top Trump administration leaders, The New York Times reported.A person familiar with the contents and those who received the messages, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, confirmed the second cha
  
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• Louisiana officials respond to Pope Francis' death

  21-04-2025 05:34
  
  Early Monday morning, Pope Francis, the first Latin-American pontiff, passed away after weeks of complications with lung disease. He was 88 years old. Rest in Peace Pope Francis. Sharon and I join Christians around the world in praying for him and the Church during this time.— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) April 21, 2025Permalink| Comments
  
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• Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88; Vatican says he died after cerebral stroke

  21-04-2025 03:33
  VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88.The Vatican said Francis died of a cerebral stroke that put him into a coma and led to irreversible heart failure.Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican
  
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• Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88

  21-04-2025 03:33
  
  VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, has died Monday. He was 88.“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican cam
  
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