Baton Rouge news

• Johnson failing in first ballot for Speaker post as House meets to pick leader for 119th Congress

  03-01-2025 12:25 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON — It appeared that Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson would fail to win enough votes to be re-elected as Speaker of the House on Friday. A first round of balloting showed him short of the 218 votes he needed to return to his leadership post as the 119th Congress opened.Clerks were yet to certify the results. If the tally from the first ballot holds, another vote would be required.Johnson was elected to the House's top post in October 2023, winning enough support from a fractured R
  
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• Kids get free back-to-school haircuts ahead of their second semester

  05-01-2025 20:36 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Several boys in Baton Rouge received free haircuts Sunday afternoon at the Charles R. Kelly Community Center.Kids received the haircuts right before heading back to school for the second semester. Javontezz Spriggs is one of the recipients and he said he's ready to make a good first impression."I feel like I'm going to be handsome on the first day of school," Spriggs said.Jace Morrison is another recipient. He said he wants everyone to feel good about going back to schoo
  
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• Livingston Parish hit-and-run suspect in custody

  05-01-2025 19:55 via wbrz.com
  
  HOLDEN - A man allegedly connected to a hit-and-run crash that injured a bicyclist Sunday night has been taken into custody.The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said the hit-and-run crash happened near the corner of George White Road and Lake Ora Drive in Holden. A driver ran into a bicyclist and left them on the side of the road. The victim was taken to a hospital, their condition is unknown. Anyone with information about the crash can call (225) 686-2241.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Livingston deputies investigating hit-and-run crash that left bicyclist injured

  05-01-2025 19:55 via wbrz.com
  
  HOLDEN - Deputies in Livingston Parish are looking for a driver who ran into a bicyclist and left them on the side of the road Sunday night.The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said the hit-and-run crash happened near the corner of George White Road and Lake Ora Drive in Holden.The victim was taken to a hospital, their condition is unknown. Anyone with information about the crash can call (225) 686-2241.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Denham Springs Animal Shelter seeks emergency fosters to protect dogs from freezing temperatures

  05-01-2025 16:00 via wbrz.com
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - The Denham Springs Animal Shelter is looking for emergency fosters ahead of this week's freezing temperatures.Storm Station meteorologists say our area will experience freezing temperatures in the coming days. The Denham Springs Animal Shelter needs emergency foster homes to take in around 60 to 70 dogs they have kept outside.Due to limited space, director Rachel Boutwell said they can only put a handful of the dogs inside."During the cold weather that is severe and freezing we
  
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• One dead after head-on crash in Tangipahoa Parish

  05-01-2025 15:08 via wbrz.com
  
  AMITE — A man was killed and four people were hurt in a head-on crash along Highway 16 between Amite and Franklinton on Saturday. State Police said 60-year-old Roderick E. Brumfield of Franklinton was driving eastbound on Highway 16 near Dummyline Road. At the same time, a vehicle with four passengers was traveling westbound. Troopers said Brumfield crossed the center and hit the other vehicle head-on.Brumfield died at the scene. The other driver and three children in the veh
  
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• Shamsud-Din Jabbar traveled to New Orleans twice before Bourbon Street attack, FBI says

  05-01-2025 11:45 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — The FBI announced in a press conference Sunday, that the Bourbon Street attacker, who killed 14 people, traveled to New Orleans twice months before the attack as well as Egypt, Canada and a Texas gun store. An FBI official said Shamsud-Din Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt in the summer of 2023 and to Ontario, Canada shortly after. He made at least two trips to New Orleans in the months before the attack, once in October and once in November. In October o
  
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• Governor Landry gives update on Bourbon Street attack

  05-01-2025 11:45 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — Governor Landry is giving an update five days after a driver plowed through a Bourbon Street crowd and killed 14 people.https://www.youtube.com/live/jkm_aASbhRw?si=sz7Lg7bo-zgwVnxUPermalink| Comments
  
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• Higher Social Security payments coming for millions of people from bill that Biden is signing

  05-01-2025 11:05 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Sunday plans to sign into law a measure that boosts Social Security payments for current and former public employees, affecting nearly 3 million people who receive pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers and in other public service jobs.Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades-old disparity, though it will also put strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis.Th
  
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• The Golden Globes are Sunday night. Here are five things to look for and how to watch them

  05-01-2025 09:23 via wbrz.com
  
  After a rocky few years and the disbanding of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Golden Globes have seemingly stabilized. Now the question is: Can they still put on a good show?The 82nd Golden Globes, beginning Sunday night at 8 p.m. EST, will hope to rekindle some of the frothy comic energy of the days when Ricky Gervais or Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted. Last year's comeback edition, hosted by Jo Koy, was widely panned, but it delivered where it counted: Ratings rebounded to about
  
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• Biden awards 19 the Presidential Medal of Freedom including Hilary Clinton, Magic Johnson, Bill Nye

  04-01-2025 20:10 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — In the East Room of the White House on a particularly frigid Saturday afternoon, President Joe Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton aroused a standing ovation from the crowd as she received her medal. Clinton was accompanied to the event by her husband former President Bill Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton
  
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• Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office details arrest of Baton Rouge bank robbery suspect

  04-01-2025 19:37 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ROADS - Thanks to Crimestoppers and an anonymous tip, the Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office was able to arrest a man accused of robbing a Baton Rouge bank just after Christmas.Frankie New, 52, was wanted for robbing the Government Street branch of Hancock Whitney Bank on Dec. 26. New was eventually arrested Friday in Pointe Coupee Parish.WBRZ spoke with Pointe Coupee Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux about the arrest. He says they received a call from Crimestoppers about New a little after 1 p.m. on Fri
  
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• Two injured with second-degree burns after a heater blew up in a Plaquemine home

  04-01-2025 17:28 via wbrz.com
  
  PLAQUEMINE — Two people were brought to the hospital Saturday evening after a heater blew up in the front bedroom of a Plaquemine home on La. 1.An Acadian Ambulance Service spokesperson said that the two people were transported with second-degree burns and inhalation damage. Police and firefighters also responded to the scene.Permalink| Comments
  
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• East Baton Rouge Parish deputies investigating barrage of gunfire that damaged homes and cars

  04-01-2025 16:57 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Gunfire erupted in an East Baton Rouge neighborhood on Friday morning, leaving homes and cars riddled with bullet holes.East Baton Rouge Parish deputies responded just before 1:30 a.m. to Woodlawn Acres Avenue after the barrage of gunfire. No one was hurt but investigators found dozens of bullet holes in a home and parked cars in the area.Derek Johnson, who was staying at his girlfriend's nearby home, said they were asleep when the gunfire began. His car was among those h
  
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• Saints owner Gayle Benson, NFL donate $1 million to assist New Orleans attack victims, their families

  04-01-2025 16:39 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — Gayle Benson, the owner of the New Orleans Saints, announced Saturday that the team and the NFL Foundation will be pledging a total of $1 million to aid relief efforts for victims of the New Year's Day attack that killed 14."As a league, our cities and teams compete at the highest levels of competition and share spirited rivalries. Our staffs and players work tirelessly towards achieving our goals and we share in victories and defeats. However, through football, we are a
  
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• Firefighters contain house fire at home near Florida Boulevard

  04-01-2025 15:28 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Firefighters put out a house fire at a home near Florida Boulevard on Saturday afternoon.Baton Rouge Fire officials said their units arrived at the Leighton Drive fire at 1:49 p.m. and had the fire under control by 2:03 p.m.Officials said flames were visible from the front bedroom of the house. Though firefighters contained the fire to the bedroom, the rest of the home sustained significant smoke and water damage, totaling $200,000.Investigators said they are still worki
  
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• 2024: A year of One Tank Trips in 'rear view'

  04-01-2025 15:15 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - From hidden gems and small towns to the biggest events in the capital city, we've shown you there is a lot you can do with just one tank of gas.For this very special edition of One Tank Trips, Falon Brown and videographer Joel Bruce take a look back on the most exciting adventures and give you a sneak peek of behind-the-scenes fun.Don't worry, One Tank Trips isn't going anywhere in 2025! The duo is just taking a short break to prepare for the year ahead. If you have any s
  
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• WBRZ's top stories of 2024 include Hurricane Francine coverage, Loranger tragedy, Edwards' election

  04-01-2025 14:56 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE—As 2025 begins, WBRZ looked back at the last year of news coverage to determine the top stories of 2024.The highest-trafficked stories on WBRZ.com were wide-ranging, including unprecedented tragedies in Tangipahoa Parish, the selection of a new leader in East Baton Rouge Parish and a devastating hurricane.WBRZ's top 10 stories reflect the stories with the most clicks. Here's the list:1. WBRZ's Storm Station coverage of Hurricane Francine.2. Kidnapped girl dead; sibling fou
  
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• Indie filmmaker Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza's husband, found dead at Los Angeles-area residence

  04-01-2025 13:57 via wbrz.com
  
  Indie filmmaker Jeff Baena, who was married to his frequent creative collaborator Aubrey Plaza, has died. He was 47.Baena was found dead Friday at a Los Angeles home, according to medical examiner's records. The circumstances were unclear Saturday. The records indicated that the medical examiner's office was investigating and did not include any information on where specifically his body was discovered or the cause of death.The medical examiner's office said in an email to The Associated Press
  
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• 3-year-old injured after accidental shooting Friday night; two arrested

  04-01-2025 13:28 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A 3-year-old child was injured in an accidental shooting on Friday night, Baton Rouge Police say. The accidental shooting happened around 10:35 p.m. Friday on North Ardenwood Drive. Officials say it was a non-life-threatening injury to the leg.Officials said a family member, 20-year-old Dekel Davis, was arrested. Davis is being charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile. Davis' brother and the child's father, 21-year-old Kerry Thomas was also arre
  
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• 3-year-old injured after accidental shooting Friday night

  04-01-2025 13:28 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A 3-year-old child was injured in an accidental shooting on Friday night, Baton Rouge Police say. The accidental shooting happened around 10:35 p.m. Friday on North Ardenwood Drive. Officials say it was a non-life-threatening injury to the leg.Officials said a family member was taken into custody but would not say if it was a parent. Baton Rouge Police say this investigation is ongoing.Permalink| Comments
  
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• How to stay safe while using a home heater in cold temperatures

  04-01-2025 13:17 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — With a strong cold front headed to Louisiana, State Fire Marshal Chief Bryan J. Adams shared some safety tips for home heating.Officials say to plug your space heaters directly into wall outlets, not power strips or extension cords. Make sure space heaters are three to five feet away from objects that catch fire easily, like blankets.Do not use stoves or ovens to heat homes. Officials also say not to overfill fireplaces or wood-burning stoves.Do not leave candles, open f
  
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• Congress is notified by the Biden administration of a planned $8 billion weapons sale to Israel

  04-01-2025 12:52 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department has informed Congress of a planned $8 billion weapons sale to Israel, U.S. officials say, as the American ally presses forward with its war against Hamas in Gaza.Some of the arms in the package could be sent through current U.S. stocks but the majority would take a year or several years to deliver, according to two U.S. officials Saturday who spoke on condition of anonymity because the notification to Congress hasn't been formally sent.The sale i
  
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• Drago's says it has lost lease at location near College Drive; plans to shutter by end of month

  04-01-2025 11:50 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A popular seafood restaurant says it has lost its lease and must move to a new location.Drago's said its location on Constitution Avenue near College Drive in Baton Rouge would close by the end of the month and reopen later at a new location yet to be announced.The restaurant's operators said they were "in the process of negotiating a new home for Drago's Baton Rouge." It promised updates "very soon."Drago's also has other restaurants in Louisiana and Mississippi.Permali
  
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• Memorial service for longtime Broadmoor coach Rusty Price set for Saturday

  04-01-2025 11:12 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Broadmoor High School's football stadium will host a "celebration of life" service Saturday for longtime coach Rusty Price, who died last weekend.The school named the facility for Price in a ceremony in September. He coached at the school for 45 years.After leading the team to a cross country state championship, Price became Broadmoor's football coach and eventually athletic director."He impacted so many lives, and we were able to celebrate that in September when the sch
  
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• Broadmoor High School honors late former coach Rusty Price at 'celebration of life'

  04-01-2025 11:12 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Broadmoor High School's football stadium hosted a "celebration of life" service Saturday for longtime coach Rusty Price, who died last weekend.Those honoring him say he wasn't just a coach, but a builder of people. "I saw the love he had for these kids, but I also saw the toughness and the expectations he had for them," a former Broadmoor High assistant principal said during the ceremony.Price went on to coach at his alma mater for 45 years. His daughter says he
  
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• British media report royal family tie to New Orleans terror victim

  04-01-2025 09:43 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — British media reported Saturday that one of the victims of a suspected terrorist attack on New Year's revelers on Bourbon Street had ties to Great Britain's royal family.The BBC said Edward Pettifer, 31, had traveled to New Orleans for the holiday. The Telegraph reported Pettifer's stepmother took care of Prince William and Prince Henry during their childhood.The FBI says a Houston, Texas, man, Shamshud-Din Jabbar, 42, drove a rented truck along Bourbon Street early Wedn
  
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• 18-year-old Baton Rouge victim of terrorist attack laid to rest

  03-01-2025 21:50 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Friday afternoon, 18-year-old Kareem Badawi, an Episcopal grad and victim of the Bourbon Street attacks, was laid to rest.Badawi, whose family is Palestinian, had a traditional Islamic funeral in Baton Rouge.In Islam, it's imperative to bury loved ones as soon as possible. Kareem was killed Wednesday morning.Families came together to pray, grieve, and remember their loved one.Kareem's cousin Malek Badawi has nothing but fond memories. "Everybody just always surrounding hi
  
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• Prayers in the street held on Plank Road in honor of victim in the New Orleans attack

  03-01-2025 21:27 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Reggie Hunter was celebrating the new year in New Orleans when a man who drove a truck through Bourbon Street killed him and thirteen other people. Hunter's sister Courtney Hunter was at the hospital when she received the news that her brother had died."Once they sat me down, I cried. When they told me, I was in shock, it didn't register and it still hasn't registered, I was in shock," Courtney said.Today, on the corner of Plank Road and Evangeline, many in the community went to p
  
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• Former Baton Rouge police chief takes new job with the city

  03-01-2025 20:55 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - As the new mayor-president is getting settled into the role, Sid Edwards is bringing on new hires like retired Baton Rouge Police Chief Jeff LeDuff as Assistant Chief Administrative Officer.The announcement came Friday morning. In Sid Edwards’s first address as Mayor-President, he said he’s looking to address crime head-on.“Instead of accepting crime as a problem we must live with, we must change that mindset,” Edwards said.LeDuff is no stra
  
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