Baton Rouge news

• Jury convicts former Kentucky officer of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during deadly raid

  02-11-2024 18:36 via wbrz.com
  
  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal jury on Friday convicted a former Kentucky police detective of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during a botched 2020 drug raid that left her dead.The 12-member jury returned the late-night verdict after clearing Brett Hankison earlier in the evening on a charge that he used excessive force on Taylor’s neighbors.It was the first conviction of a Louisville police officer who was involved in the deadly raid.Some members of the jury were
  
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• LSU women's basketball rolls in opener 95-44 over Eastern Kentucky

  04-11-2024 21:23 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The LSU women's basketball team had no problems in their season opener on Monday night against Eastern Kentucky rolling to the 95-44 victory behind four Tigers in double-figure scoring efforts.Flau'Jae Johnson led the Tigers with 25 points on 10 of 15 shooting from the floor in 34 minutes of action. Aneesah Morrow followed her with 20 points on 9 of 11 shooting with Mikaylah Williams pouring in 18 and Sa'Myah Smith adding 15 points and 11 rebounds in her first real action since co
  
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• Deputies looking for 13-year-old who ran away from Bayou Vista home

  04-11-2024 19:17 via wbrz.com
  
  BAYOU VISTA - Deputies in St. Mary Parish are looking for a 13-year-old girl who ran away from her home in Bayou Vista on Saturday. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office said Nancy Rodriguez was last seen Nov. 2. She is 4'11" with dark hair and dark eyes. Anyone with information about Nancy's whereabouts can call 337-828-1960.Permalink| Comments
  
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• One person hurt in shooting along North Ardenwood Drive

  04-11-2024 18:15 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - One person was hurt in a shooting Monday afternoon along North Ardenwood Drive. Sources said the shooting happened around 5:45 p.m. near the corner of North Ardenwood and Timbercreek Avenue. The victim was taken to a hospital in serious condition. No more information was immediately available. Permalink| Comments
  
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• INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Former Istrouma High coach, health teacher sentenced to 2 years after sexual assault

  04-11-2024 17:43 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A former Istrouma High School coach and health teacher was sentenced to two years in prison Monday after admitting he lured a student into a closet for sex.The WBRZ Investigative Unit had reported last year that Johnnie Butler, 43, initially faced sexual battery and third-degree rape charges. He pleaded guilty in July to lesser offenses of sexual battery and obscenity and 19th Judicial District Judge Fred Crifasi sentenced Butler to three years, with one year suspended."
  
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• Our Lady of the Lake expands partnership with Southern University School of Nursing

  04-11-2024 17:34 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Our Lady of the Lake Hospital is expanding its partnership with Southern University’s School of Nursing to help fill critical workforce gaps and address representation in healthcare.The expansion focuses on increasing educational resources, providing job opportunities and retaining nurses within the Capital Region.This investment includes funding for scholarships and a new state-of-the-art building at Southern University in the near future. Dean Sandra Brown sa
  
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• Get to know who and what is on the ballot in federal, state, local races for the 2024 election

  04-11-2024 17:31 via wbrz.com
  
  Before going to your polling site and casting your vote, it's important to know who — and what — is on the ballot. The most publicized race is undoubtedly the presidential election. The frontrunners are Vice President Kamala Harris (D) and former President Donald Trump (R). Across the capital region, four congressional seats are on the ballot in Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5. District 2: Troy Carter Sr. (D), Devin Davis (D), Devin Lance Graham (
  
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• 'I have been in the shadows of life:' Future state justice-elect speaks on goals at BR Press Club

  04-11-2024 17:26 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Supreme Court Justice-elect John Michael Guidry spoke to Press Club on Monday, detailing his goals for the State Supreme Court seat.Guidry is set to be sworn in in January."As a poor boy from the bottoms of South Baton Rouge, raised most of my life by a single mother who went to work every single day," Guidry said. "I understand some of the underlying problems we have that lead to crime and other things. I have experienced poverty. I have been in the shadows of life."The
  
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• Community project dedicated to helping homeless find homes holds ribbon cutting

  04-11-2024 16:25 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A ribbon cutting was held Monday for the Community Dish Network Homeless to Homed program.The program will use food as a tool to access people dealing with homelessness and provide a variety of resources to help them out. Some of those resources include a custom shower trailer, washing machines and dryers to wash clothes, as well as workforce development, transitional housing and mental health and drug rehabilitation services.The program is being run out of the Charles R
  
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• LHSAA forces University High football to forfeit seven wins; Cubs now 0-9

  04-11-2024 15:54 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — University High's football team went from a record of 7-2 to a winless season after the Louisiana High School Athletic Association voided seven of the team's wins on Monday. According to the LHSAA's website, seven of U-High's wins — and their loss against Archbishop Rummel — are now losses by forfeit. The forfeits leave the Cubs with a 0-9 record going into a Week 10 game against Port Allen High School.The forfeit of eight of its games came a
  
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• Southeastern University Police searching for person of interest in string of campus burglaries

  04-11-2024 15:21 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND — The Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department is searching for a man connected to a series of September building and vending machine burglaries.The man, seen in surveillance footage wearing a red hoodie and riding a bicycle through campus, is a person of interest in the series of burglaries that took place between Sept. 27 and 29.SLUPD asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact their office at 985-549-2222 and reference SLUPD case 24-000
  
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• SLU Police searching for person of interest in string of campus burglaries

  04-11-2024 15:21 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND — The Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department is searching for a man connected to a series of September building and vending machine burglaries.The man, seen in surveillance footage wearing a red hoodie and riding a bicycle through campus, is a person of interest in the series of burglaries that took place between Sept. 27 and 29.SLUPD asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact their office at 985-549-2222 and reference SLUPD case 24-000
  
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• LSU's afternoon matchup against Florida will air on WBRZ

  04-11-2024 13:49 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — LSU is heading to fight the Florida Gators in the swamp on Nov. 16 at 2:30 p.m., the team announced on Twitter on Monday.The game in Gainesville, Florida, will air on WBRZ and WBRZ+ a week after LSU's top-15 matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday. Going into the game, Florida leads the rivalry with a record of 33-31-3. LSU and Florida will meet at 2:30 p.m. CT on November 16 in Gainesville pic.twitter.com/lR0dEVYPsb— LSU Football (@
  
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• Man accused of dealing fentanyl, crack cocaine, meth near minor arrested after Albany traffic stop

  04-11-2024 12:49 via wbrz.com
  
  ALBANY — A man accused of dealing fentanyl, crack cocaine and meth in the presence of a minor was arrested after a traffic stop in Albany. Lamario Hammitt was arrested Sunday afternoon when Albany Police stopped his car on South Montpelier Avenue. When police searched his car, they found nearly two ounces of meth, eight grams of fentanyl, seven grams of crack cocaine, 17 hydrocodone pills, three ounces of marijuana, four amphetamine pills, three fentanyl pills and $5
  
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• Livingston Parish Schools, Sheriff's Office officials team to address rise of social media threats

  04-11-2024 12:40 via wbrz.com
  
  LIVINGSTON — After multiple threats were made to local schools on social media in recent weeks, Livingston Parish Public Schools and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that they are working to address the issue.The school system has mandated all middle school and high school campuses to teach a lesson on the severe consequences of making threats, as well as the appropriate way to handle and report threatening material to authorities.While these threats a
  
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• Brian Kelly meets with media ahead of Saturday's top 15 matchup against Alabama following loss to Aggies

  04-11-2024 12:30 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — LSU faces off against Alabama on Saturday after a loss in LSU Tiger football team is back in action on Saturday after a loss to the Texas A&M Aggies in week nine of the season.Head coach Brian Kelly met with the media on Monday to discuss the loss and to preview this week's upcoming game against the Crimson Tide on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in Tiger Stadium on WBRZ.The Tigers are 6-2 following the loss to the Aggies and a bye-week and are currently ranked No. 14 in the c
  
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• Denham Springs police arrest five women for prostitution, drug charges

  04-11-2024 12:13 via wbrz.com
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - Five women were arrested after an investigation found they were using hotels as meet-up spots for prostitution and drug sales. Police arrested the five women for various narcotic and gun-related charges, as well as for prostitution. The five women were identified as 23-year-old Ashley Lebert, 34-year-old Kaylie O'Bryant, 39-year-old Princess Jones, 40-year-old Michelle Dicola, and 50-year-old Tammi Guerin. The five were booked for various drug-related charges
  
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• Man convicted of dealing meth, fentanyl, heroin out of Baton Rouge 'stash house' sentenced to 22 years

  04-11-2024 11:18 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge man recently convicted on conspiracy drug charges was sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison by a federal judge, officials said Monday. Corey Terrell Gardner, 33, was sentenced to 260 months in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Gardner will also serve five years of supervised release and will have all m
  
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• Supreme Court will weigh in on new mostly Black Louisiana congressional district, after election

  04-11-2024 09:42 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it will take up a new redistricting case involving Louisiana's congressional map with two mostly Black districts.The court won't hear arguments until early next year and the 2024 elections are proceeding under the challenged map, which could boost Democrats' chances of retaking the closely-divided House of Representatives.A lower court had invalidated the map, but the justices allowed it to be used in 2024 after an emergency appeal from
  
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• Report: Dennis Allen is out as Saints coach after seven-game losing streak

  04-11-2024 09:08 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Dennis Allen is officially out as the Saints coach after a seven-game losing streak, sources have told ESPN. NFL Insider Adam Schefter posted the announcement on X, formerly Twitter, Monday morning. Another coaching change: Saints have fired head coach Dennis Allen, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/D1t7gyS4dX— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2024The Saints opened the season with back-to-back wins but haven't won a game since.Permalink| Comme
  
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• Dennis Allen out as Saints coach after 7-game losing streak; special teams coordinator named interim

  04-11-2024 09:08 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS - Dennis Allen is officially out as the Saints coach after a seven-game losing streak, the team said in a statement.Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi has been named interim head coach after Allen, the team's 17th head coach in franchise history, was removed following Sunday's 22-23 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Allen was named head coach in February 2022.Saints owner Gayle Benson commended Allen for his loyalty to the team and commitment to the organization but said that this
  
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• 2une In Previews: Eat Local Week

  04-11-2024 08:46 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The alliance that puts on the Red Stick Farmers Market is hosting its inaugural Eat Local Week to support locally-owned restaurants in the capital city. With this first Eat Local Week, foodies can spend the week dining at local restaurants featuring an "Eat Local" dish. Customers who purchase the featured dish can bring in their receipt as proof of purchase to any Red Stick Farmers Market location by Nov. 16 to enter to win $100 in market tokens. One receipt is o
  
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• BREC chairman issues statement regarding concerns about park system's financial situation

  04-11-2024 08:16 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - After WBRZ's Investigative Unit reported on concerns about BREC's financial situation, the department's chairman has issued a statement claiming those concerns are unfounded. Kenneth Pointer, BREC's chairman, sent out the statement to the media Monday morning. The full statement can be read below: As chair of the BREC Commission and on behalf of a majority of the Commission, we strongly object to the false claims and criticisms of BREC’s finance departm
  
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• BREC chairman disputes treasurer's concerns about park system's financial situation

  04-11-2024 08:16 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE -- BREC's nine person commission may be at odds  following the treasurer's revelations to the WBRZ Investigative Unit Friday. Commissioner and treasurer Dwayne Rogers began expressing concerns about BREC'S finances late last year, telling the Investigative Unit he got pushback from BREC when he started asking questions.Though we requested a comment on Friday, and did not hear back, Monday morning, Kenneth Pointer, BREC's chairman, sent out this statement to the med
  
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• Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91

  04-11-2024 07:26 via wbrz.com
  
  Quincy Jones, the multi-talented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, has died at 91.Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, says he died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family. Jones was to have received an hono
  
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• Crash on I-10 westbound involving 18-wheeler hauling other vehicles shuts down portion of I-10

  04-11-2024 06:40 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two left lanes were blocked on I-10 westbound at the College Drive exit due to a crash involving an 18-wheeler hauling other vehicles. The crash happened early Monday morning, but the lanes were blocked for hours while crews were on scene cleaning up. As of 6:40 a.m., the vehicles involved were still on scene as well as a tow truck. There was no immediate word on what led to the crash nor whether there were any injuries. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Police searching for person who burglarized Wooddale Boulevard business

  03-11-2024 21:32 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Police are looking to identify a person who burglarized a business of Wooddale Boulevard. CrimeStoppers shared a photo of the burglar Sunday night. A post said the person is responsible for burglarizing a business in the 2700 block of Wooddale Boulevard on Oct. 13, 2024. Anyone with information can call (225) 344-7867. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Two shot by officer at end of police chase Sunday night

  03-11-2024 21:25 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two people were shot by law enforcement at the end of a police chase that ran from Chippewa Street to Balis Drive on Sunday night. State Police said the Department of Public Safety Capitol Detail officers tried to stop a white suburban on Chippewa near Daisy Avenue after a traffic violation around 8:30 p.m. LSP said the car led officers on a chase along Interstate 110 onto Interstate 10 and off on College Drive, where the vehicle turned into the neighborhood on Bawell Str
  
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• Two people shot by law enforcement at end of police chase Sunday night

  03-11-2024 21:25 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two people were shot by law enforcement at the end of a police chase that ran from Chippewa Street to Balis Drive on Sunday night. State Police said the Department of Public Safety Capitol Detail officers tried to stop a white suburban on Chippewa near Daisy Avenue after a traffic violation.LSP said the car led officers on a chase along Interstate 110 onto Interstate 10 and off on College Drive, where the vehicle turned into the neighborhood on Bawell Street. State Police
  
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• Trooper shoots 2 at end of 7-mile chase; police say driver aimed car at cops

  03-11-2024 21:25 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two people were shot by a state trooper at the end of a 7-mile chase that ran from Chippewa Street to a neighborhood off College Drive.State Police said the Department of Public Safety Capitol Detail officers tried to stop a white Suburban on Chippewa near Daisy Avenue after a traffic violation around 8:30 p.m. Sunday. After traveling along Interstate 110 and I-10, the vehicle exited at College Drive and ran into a neighborhood off Bawell Street around 8:45 p.m.State Police said t
  
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