Baton Rouge news

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• YMCA on South Foster Drive to re-open Monday after redevelopment

  22-04-2025 16:54 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The YMCA on South Foster Drive will re-open Monday at the same location, according to the organization.Following a $30 million investment in Mid-City, the YMCA at 350 South Foster Drive shares the property with The Point at Mid-City, a brand-new four-story apartment complex with 100 units.The facility includes a a chilled and heated pool, gymnasium, teen center, kid zone, sauna, steam room, hot tub, indoor walking track, strength and cardio equipment.The hours of operatio
  
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• Three THRIVE EBR proposals approved by Metro Council

  14-05-2025 20:42 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Metro Council approved three items that rededicate millages to help pay for raises to law enforcement and parish improvement projects.The millages included an extension of the library tax at 11 mills, a renewal of 1 mill for Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control for 10 years, and the renewal of the tax on the EBR Council on Aging at 2.25 mills.Additionally, an alimony tax restoration, which currently sits at 2.96 mills of the tax, would have been increased to 4 mills, but that
  
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• Three Thrive! Baton Rouge proposals approved by Metro Council

  14-05-2025 20:42 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Metro Council approved three items that rededicate millages to help pay for raises to law enforcement and parish improvement projects.The millages included an extension of the library tax at 11 mills, a renewal of 1 mill for Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control for 10 years, and the renewal of the tax on the EBR Council on Aging at 2.25 mills.Additionally, an alimony tax restoration, which currently sits at 2.96 mills of the tax, would have been increased to 4 mills, but that
  
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• LSU tennis looking to make history in NCAA team championships

  14-05-2025 19:00 via wbrz.com
  
  WACO, TX - The LSU women's tennis team is looking to continue re-writing the programs record books as they take on North Carolina in the NCAA Team Championship in the quarterfinals on Thursday.The 13-seed Tigers reached further into the postseason then ever before by taking out No. 4 Ohio State in the NCAA Super Regional, downing the Buckeyes, 4-2, to advance to the program's first NCAA Team Championship.LSU's win over Ohio State marked the 24th of the season, tying a program record for wins, s
  
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• See which area schools are offering free summer meals for children under 18

  14-05-2025 18:09 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Multiple school systems and parishes will participate in programs that provide meals for children throughout the summer. East Baton Rouge Parish School SystemThe East Baton Rouge Child Nutrition Program is providing free meals to anyone 18 years of age or younger at various housing authorities, schools and libraries from May 27 to July 31.The EBR school system says all meals must be consumed on-site.A list of times and locations of meals can be found he
  
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• Gonzales man arrested for multiple counts of child pornography

  14-05-2025 17:52 via wbrz.com
  
  GONZALES - A Gonzales man was arrested for multiple counts of child pornography, the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said.Detectives received a tip regarding Joshua England, 33, who sent and received multiple videos of child pornography. England later confessed to detectives that he sent and received videos.England was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on five counts of child pornography.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Two men hurt in shooting at Bluebonnet Ridge Apartments

  14-05-2025 16:30 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Two men were shot in a gun battle at an apartment complex along Bluebonnet Boulevard on Wednesday afternoon. Officials said the shooting happened around 4:15 p.m. at the Bluebonnet Ridge Apartments. Sources told WBRZ that two women were fighting, their boyfriends got into it as well and then guns were pulled. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office said one of the men was driven to a hospital and the other was taken by an ambulance. They both suffered non-li
  
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• One critically injured, another hurt in shooting on North 24th Street

  14-05-2025 15:28 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - One person was critically injured Wednesday afternoon in a shooting that injured two people on North 24th Street, emergency officials said.The shooting happened after 3 p.m. near the intersection of North 24th and Laurel streets. Another person was taken to the hospital in stable condition, EMS added.According to witnesses at the scene, three men were pouring concrete at a new home when a group of men approached them on foot with their weapons drawn and said "you know what time it
  
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• LDH: No new measles cases since two reported in April; six new whooping cough cases reported since May 2

  14-05-2025 15:23 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health said Wednesday that, while no new measles cases have emerged since two confirmed cases were reported in the state last month, six new cases of whooping cough were reported.The health department said the new whooping cough cases were reported since May 2, bringing the total cases to 170 in 2025. That number has already surpassed 2024's whooping cough cases, where 154 people reportedly had the illness in the entire year."We need to understand the s
  
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• Mother says her five-year-old son was left on a bus for several hours; school system issues statement

  14-05-2025 14:14 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - A young student at Delmont Elementary School was left alone on a bus for several hours before the driver came back to find him, and his mother says she is expecting more consequences. Jolisha Gibson says she put her son on the bus Monday at 7:15 a.m. She did not hear anything from the school until 2 p.m., when staff told her that her son was on the bus all day. Her son told her that he tried to wave at people to get their attention multiple times but was unable t
  
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• Local lawmakers and officials offer condolences after Kip Holden's death

  14-05-2025 13:34 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers, officials and other prominent names in the capital city are offering their condolences after former Mayor-President Melvin "Kip" Holden died early Wednesday morning. Former Metro Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle who served during Holden's time said she was very sad to hear about Holden's passing, and that he was a "leader" and a "visionary" during his tenure. She said Holden pioneered the downtown Baton Rouge that residents enjoy today. Former Mayor-Pre
  
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• Police arrest man for fatal armed robbery that left 30-year-old dead

  14-05-2025 13:23 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - Police arrested a man allegedly involved in a fatal armed robbery that happened in April. Latrell Daniels, 20, was arrested Tuesday for one count each of first-degree murder and armed robbery, the Baton Rouge Police Department said.The robbery and shooting happened on April 12 at a gas station on Airline Highway. Surveillance footage from the gas station showed the victim, 30-year-old Alejandro Gonzalez-Martinez, ride up to the store on his bike. Gonzalez-Martinez left hi
  
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• Amite tax preparer accused of claiming tax returns from fabricated gambling winnings in client's name

  14-05-2025 13:16 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE – An Amite tax preparer was arrested after allegedly claiming tens of thousands of dollars in tax returns from fabricated gambling winnings in the name of a client.Todd Ramon Mabry is accused of submitting a false tax withholding form in the name of an unsuspecting client claiming $158,233 in fabricated gambling winnings at L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge.The Louisiana Department of Revenue’s Criminal Investigations Division said that, based on tax with
  
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• Boil advisory issued during water tower work lifted in Village of Tangipahoa after more than a month

  14-05-2025 13:05 via wbrz.com
  TANGIPAHOA — A boil advisory put in place for residents in the Village of Tangipahoa in April was lifted Wednesday, officials said.The advisory was issued after the water pressure in the town's water system dropped below 20 PSI during construction work to refurbish Tangipahoa's water tower.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Baton Rouge family of 2-year-old citizen deported to Honduras drops lawsuit against Trump administration

  14-05-2025 13:00 via wbrz.com
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Lawyers for a 2-year-old U.S. citizen who was deported with her mother to Honduras confirmed on Tuesday that the family was dropping its lawsuit against the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump; the family lived in Baton Rouge.The girl – one of three U.S.-born children who were deported alongside their Honduran-born mothers – had been at the heart of one of the mounting legal battles playing out in the United States weighing if the Trump
  
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• Baton Rouge furniture store invites truck drivers to participate in Food Truck Fridays

  14-05-2025 12:47 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - Floor & Decor on Professional Boulevard is starting Food Truck Fridays, a way to gather people and food truck drivers together to start summer off right. The first Food Truck Friday will be held on June 20 at the furniture store on 10021 Professional Boulevard. Flood & Decor says its goal is to connect the community and uplift small businesses, which is why there will be no booth or participation fee. Food truck drivers interested in participatin
  
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• Baton Rouge flooring store invites truck drivers to participate in Food Truck Fridays

  14-05-2025 12:47 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - Floor & Decor on Professional Boulevard is starting Food Truck Fridays, a way to gather people and food truck drivers together to start summer off right. The first Food Truck Friday will be held on June 20 at the furniture store on 10021 Professional Boulevard. Flood & Decor says its goal is to connect the community and uplift small businesses, which is why there will be no booth or participation fee. Food truck drivers interested in participatin
  
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• 'American Idol' finalist John Foster returns to Addis after series of musical tributes to Louisiana

  14-05-2025 09:29 via wbrz.com
  ADDIS - "American Idol" finalist John Foster is returning home to West Baton Rouge Parish after a season-long run performing songs representing the capital region and Louisiana.The Brusly High School graduate will be honored with a parade along Addis' First Street on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Police said traffic will be blocked along First Street starting at 4 p.m."Anyone needing access to places west of First Street should use Sid Richardson Road," Addis Police said.After the parade, Foster will tra
  
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• Blue Bayou will not open for the 2025 season, sources say

  14-05-2025 09:07 via wbrz.com
  ST. GEORGE - The Blue Bayou portion of Blue Bayou Dixie Landin' will not open for the 2025 season. The theme park's social media page on Facebook removed mentions of Blue Bayou from its profile information, and in a post announcing the opening date of Dixie Landin' — May 23 — there was no mention of an opening date for the water park. When WBRZ asked about the opening date for Blue Bayou, we were told that Blue Bayou would not be opening for the 2025 season
  
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• Former EBR Mayor-President Kip Holden dies at 72 after decades of civil service

  14-05-2025 07:10 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - Former Mayor-President of Baton Rouge Melvin "Kip" Holden died after a "lengthy illness," WBRZ learned Wednesday morning. He was 72 years old. Holden served as the city-parish's first Black mayor-president from 2005 to 2016. His tenure was bracketed by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the flood of 2016. He was succeeded by Sharon Weston Broome.  Before becoming mayor, Holden also served on the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council, as well as in th
  
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• Former Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden has died, sources confirm

  14-05-2025 07:10 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - Former Mayor-President of Baton Rouge Kip Holden passed away, WBRZ learned Wednesday morning. He was 72 years old. Holden served as Mayor-President from 2005 to 2016. His tenure in the position was bracketed by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the flood of 2016. He was succeeded by Sharon Weston Broome. He was also a reporter right here at WBRZ in 1978 and '79. WBRZ will update our website with services as we learn about them. Permalink| C
  
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• 2une In Previews: Live Well Baton Rouge offering free health screenings

  14-05-2025 05:45 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will host its annual Live Well Baton Rouge Event where you can get free health screenings, eat some delicious food, listen to good music and more. Live Well will be hosted this Saturday May 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome for all health screenings, including cancer screenings. You can make an appointment or get more information h
  
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• LaPlace Denka rubber plant suspending production due to 'extraordinary losses'

  13-05-2025 21:03 via wbrz.com
  
  LAPLACE - The Denka chloroprene rubber production plant in LaPlace suspended operations due to "extraordinary losses," according to a press release from the company.The release cites pollution reduction measures and unscheduled plant outages, saying the Japanese company lost approximately "16.1 billion yen."The plant received criticism for their chloroprene emissions, which the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency gave the plant deadlines to reduce e
  
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• City to address drainage pipe, sinkhole eating Broadmoor yard

  13-05-2025 20:58 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - A family in Broadmoor is anxious to find the source of an erosion problem in their backyard that's been growing worse for several years.Alex Domingue has an in-ground pool, a swing set, and a nice fenced-in yard for his family. He first noticed an issue with his yard sinking in 2018 and now he's scared to let his young child play in the yard or get into the pool since dirt is washing away from one of the edges."We need to be cautious because of this sinkhole that we have," said Do
  
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• Judge reduces Menendez brothers' murder sentences, putting them a step closer to freedom

  13-05-2025 19:33 via wbrz.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Erik and Lyle Menendez will have a new shot at freedom after 35 years behind bars for murdering their parents, a judge ruled Friday.Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic reduced the brothers’ sentences from life without parole to 50 years to life. They’re now eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law because they committed the crime under the age of 26. The state parole board must sti
  
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• Gov. Landry pushes for full funding of LA Gator

  13-05-2025 19:28 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE - The state budget is headed to the state House floor for consideration, and Tuesday, Gov. Jeff Landry and others touted a tuition voucher program that would divert money from public schools.Since the LA Gator scholarship program was first introduced last year, there have been questions about how the program would be continuously funded through its three-year launch. Nicole Jefferson is the parent of a New Orleans private school student. Jefferson and a swarm of other paren
  
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• Louisiana Appellate Project will soon lose its funding, state office will takeover appeals

  13-05-2025 18:45 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Appellate Project (LAP) provides legal services to defendants who cannot afford an attorney, but it will soon lose its state funding.WBRZ obtained a document stating that the Office of the State Public Defender will no longer fund the project. The letter from the project director to the State Supreme Court said the state will not renew its contract for the upcoming fiscal year which begins July 1.The letter also states that indigent appellate representation
  
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• Zachary Police seeking information on missing 81-year-old

  13-05-2025 18:43 via wbrz.com
  ZACHARY - The Zachary Police Department is seeking assistance in locating a missing 81-year-old man.Jacob Hull was last seen Tuesday at 11 a.m. in a white shirt, green pants, and black shoes.Anyone with information on Hull’s whereabouts should contact ZPD at 225-955-6012.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Say it is so? Pete Rose, 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson eligible for baseball Hall of Fame after reinstatement

  13-05-2025 16:51 via wbrz.com
  NEW YORK — Pete Rose and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson were reinstated by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday, making both eligible for the sport’s Hall of Fame after their careers were tarnished by sports gambling scandals.Rose’s permanent ban was lifted eight months after his death and came a day before the Cincinnati Reds will honor baseball’s career hits leader with Pete Rose Night.Manfred announced Tuesday that he was changing the league's policy o
  
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• State Senate considers bill to give domestic violence victims who act in self-defense more legal rights

  13-05-2025 16:49 via wbrz.com
  BATON ROUGE — A bill introduced in the State Senate would give domestic violence and human trafficking victims who act in self-defense more legal rights if signed into law.Sen. Beth Mizell's SB 152 would allow a person's history of being a victim of violence and trafficking to be considered in court. Under the proposed bill, a defendant's criminal conduct is justified if the crime is not violent, a sex offense or cruelty to juveniles. A history of domestic violence and human
  
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