Louisiana news

• New Roads lounge hosts toy drive spreading holiday cheer; mayor calls event 'inspiring'

  21-12-2024 21:44 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ROADS — A community in New Roads celebrated the season of giving with a toy drive on Saturday.Car show hosts “Kings of New Roads” held the event at the Loft 6ix Lounge, giving new toys out to kids. Visitors enjoyed food and live performances, as well as taking pictures on Santa’s lap.Even the Grinch made his rounds spreading holiday cheer."It's extremely inspiring. I believe that good deeds inspire good deeds. I'm very happy to see this happen,&rd
  
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• Nonprofit brings Christmas gifts, food to homeless people across Baton Rouge

  21-12-2024 21:15 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Dozens were served gumbo, picked out clothes, received free haircuts and given toys at a nonprofit's annual holiday event to help the homeless on Saturday.An administrator from Faith Healing and Deliverance Evangelistic World Outreach Ministries said they wanted guests who came to Voices of Virtue's annual Holidays Hope For the Homeless event to feel loved and acknowledged. The two organizations worked together to put on the event. They didn't only want to hand things lik
  
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• Man taken to hospital in critical condition after shooting on North 36th Street

  21-12-2024 19:57 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A man was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being shot on North 36th Street near Zion Street, Baton Rouge Police said Saturday.The man was shot around 7 p.m. and was taken to the hospital. Police and EMS responded to the scene. Baton Rouge Police told WBRZ that there is no motive or suspect available at this time and that the shooting is under investigation.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Ahead of its 10th year, Sylvia's Toys for Christmas donates toys to hundreds of capital area kids

  21-12-2024 17:59 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Hundreds of children got a jump start on their Christmas celebration on Saturday. It was all made possible by Sylvia's Toys for Christmas, hosted by WBRZ news anchor Sylvia Weatherspoon. The line for the distribution of hundreds of donated toys at St. Vincent De Paul started forming before the doors even opened Saturday morning at 9 a.m. The mission of the event is to "create lasting memories for children who probably would not have the joy of unwrapping gifts a
  
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• Man accused of drug dealing arrested after motorcycle, car crash on Government Street

  21-12-2024 17:40 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A man accused of drug dealing was arrested after police found drugs in a motorcycle after it crashed into a car crash on Government Street.Police arrested 31-year-old Jared Barber on Friday night after the crash on Government Street between South 10th Street and East Boulevard.Officers said that the motorcycle crashed into the car around 9:24 p.m. and the bike's operator left the scene shortly after. Later, police said they identified Barber as the motorcycle operator.Po
  
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• Several laws affecting seafood regulation, unemployment, other key issues take effect when 2025 starts

  21-12-2024 16:49 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Several new laws affecting a wide array of issues in Louisiana—including unemployment, THC regulations, and tax law—will take effect on Jan. 1.More than two dozen bills passed by state lawmakers in regular and special sessions will become effective on New Year's Day.Here are some of the laws and how they will affect residents—Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law: Act 75 updates the Louisiana Underground Utilit
  
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• Central Police giveaway brings joy, presents to families ahead of holidays

  21-12-2024 16:12 via wbrz.com
  
  CENTRAL — Kids in Central got to put another present under the tree this year thanks to the Central Police Department and volunteers with the department's annual Christmas gift giveaway on Saturday."Vendors, they donate the money and then my little elves they go up in the stores and purchase all of this for Santa, and then Santa makes sure he passes them out," Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran said.Santa Claus himself gave out the gifts at the event. He made a stop in Central a few
  
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• Zachary Police, volunteers wrap 3,000 gifts for local children

  21-12-2024 15:56 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY - Residents and local police in Zachary spent Saturday preparing thousands of gifts for local children in need.Zachary's new police department headquarters on Old Slaughter Road hosted 30 volunteers as they wrapped gifts for kids this Christmas. Volunteers of all ages managed to wrap more than 3,000 gifts today for 55 children. One volunteer brought her young daughter with her. She says it's a way to teach her the true meaning of Christmas."Throughout the year we do th
  
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• Landry, AG's office announce plans to fight DOJ lawsuit alleging over-detention in state prisons

  21-12-2024 14:36 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill on Saturday said that they will fight the Department of Justice's lawsuit against Louisiana and its correctional department that alleges it holds prisoners detained past their sentences, calling the lawsuit "frivolous."“This is Grinch Joe Biden’s parting Christmas present to the State and the people of Louisiana. The Trump administration would likely have not allowed this case to be filed," a statement
  
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• Baton Rouge YMCA to close its doors permanently

  21-12-2024 13:59 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The C.B. Pennington Jr. YMCA location on Old Hammond Highway is shutting down permanently. The closure of this YMCA location will be effective February 1, 2025.Officials say the C.B. Pennington Jr. YMCA location and other non-profits have experienced mounting financial pressures in the last several years due to increases in insurance and staff costs.Over the past several years, volunteer and staff leaders have worked to raise new funds, maximize revenues, find n
  
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• A Baton Rouge YMCA location to close its doors permanently

  21-12-2024 13:59 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The C.B. Pennington Jr. YMCA location on Old Hammond Highway is shutting down permanently. The closure of this YMCA location will be effective February 1, 2025.Officials say the C.B. Pennington Jr. YMCA location and other non-profits have experienced mounting financial pressures in the last several years due to increases in insurance and staff costs.Over the past several years, volunteer and staff leaders have worked to raise new funds, maximize revenues, find n
  
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• The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemispheres darkest day

  21-12-2024 13:45 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.For those who would rather have more sunlight, you can try to make your way to the Southern Hemisphere, where it is summer. Or be patient: Starting Sunday, days will get a little bit longer in the Northern Hemisphere every single day until late June.These annual changes in sunlight as the Ear
  
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• IRS sending up to $1,400 to 1 million taxpayers who never received their stimulus check

  21-12-2024 13:32 via wbrz.com
  
  CNN — If you never received your stimulus check in 2021, you may still be able to get it.The IRS has announced a plan to send recovery rebate credits to 1 million people who never got their economic impact payment. The maximum payment is $1,400 per person. Officials say, if you are eligible you will get a letter in the mail and you do not need to take any action.Payments will go out automatically in December via direct deposit or check. The estimated amount
  
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• Baton Rouge Patrol Officers shot at after pursuit of a stolen vehicle Friday night

  21-12-2024 13:16 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Patrol officers were shot at Friday night after pursuing a stolen vehicle. Friday night around 11:30 p.m., officials say BRPD Patrol Officers engaged in a pursuit of a stolen vehicle near St. Katherine Avenue and Hammond Street which led to the officers being shot at in the process. A BRPD officer did return fire at the suspects. No one was injuredOne arrest has been made.This is an ongoing investigation and no further information is availab
  
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• Two lanes blocked after wreck on I-10 East near College Drive

  21-12-2024 12:43 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Two lanes are blocked on I-10 east Saturday morning after a wreck near College Drive.According to traffic reports, the accident happened on eastbound I-10 around 11:18 a.m. and blocked the right two lanes. Congestion has reached the I-10/I-12 split. No more information about this crash or any possible injuries was immediately available.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Zachary Police Department searching for missing 14-year-old

  21-12-2024 12:08 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY — Officers are searching for a missing 14-year-old, according to the Zachary Police Department. Officials say Christian Quiett, 14, was last seen Wednesday wearing a Zachary High School uniform. He is around 5'8".Anyone with any information can call Zachary Police Department at 225-654-9393.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Suspect wanted for the murder of an eight-year-old is now being connected to other unsolved shootings

  21-12-2024 12:00 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Police are still searching for 19-year-old Roger Parker who is wanted for the murder of 8-year-old Diellon Daniels on Thanksgiving day.The Investigative Unit has learned Parker is wanted for several other shootings as well.According to an arrest warrant, Parker was linked to a double shooting on Fairchilds Street during Southern's Homecoming weekend.Police say he shot a man who he intended to carjack, and that a stray bullet hit an innocent bystander as well.
  
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• NEW: Astronomers say ball of fire in Capital Area skies was a Chinese satellite returning to Earth

  21-12-2024 11:51 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A ball of fire streaked across Capital area skies on Saturday night. Residents could see the orange glow fly through the night-time sky around 10 p.m. Astronomers are now weighing in, and they say it was a Chinese commercial satellite (Superview-1 02) which reentered Earth's atmosphere. It passed overhead near New Orleans shortly before 10:10 p.m. CST Saturday. The object broke into several pieces as it burned up in the upper atmosphere and very likely never made it to th
  
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• Biden signs bill that averts government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval

  21-12-2024 11:51 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Saturday signed legislation that averts a government shutdown heading into Christmas, bringing a final close to days of upheaval in Washington after Congress passed a bipartisan budget plan just past the deadline and rejected Donald Trump’s core demand in the negotiations.The deal funds the government at current levels through March 14 and provides $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural assistance to farmers.Hous
  
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• Ball of fire flies across Capital area skies; WBRZ meteorologists, news team investigating

  21-12-2024 11:51 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A ball of fire streaked across Capital area skies on Saturday night. Residents could see the orange glow fly through the night-time sky around 10 p.m. WBRZ viewers said that they saw the yet-to-be-identified object all the way in Livingston Parish. WBRZ has also checked with the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, which said all planes landed soundly Saturday evening. Storm Station meteorologists are assessing what the anomaly may be."I don't thin
  
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• Ball of fire flies across Capital area skies

  21-12-2024 11:51 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A ball of fire streaked across Capital area skies on Saturday night. Residents could see the orange glow fly through the night-time sky around 10 p.m. WBRZ viewers said that they saw the yet-to-be-identified object all the way in Livingston Parish. WBRZ has checked with the Baton Rouge Airport, which said all planes landed soundly Saturday evening. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Government shutdown is averted just after deadline as Congress rejects Trump's debt limit demands

  21-12-2024 11:19 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a government shutdown deadline, the Senate rushed through final passage early Saturday of a bipartisan plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, dropping President-elect Donald Trump's demands for a debt limit increase into the new year.House Speaker Mike Johnson had insisted Congress would “meet our obligations” and not allow federal operations to shutter ahead of the Christmas holiday season. But the day's outc
  
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• One displaced after apartment fire on Janet Avenue Saturday morning

  21-12-2024 09:22 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — One person has been displaced from an apartment on Janet Avenue after it caught fire early Saturday morning, the Baton Rouge Fire Department said. Firefighters arrived at the Village 12 Apartments just after 2:15 a.m. and found a small fire around the furnace caused by combustible material sitting too close. When crews arrived the one occupant was already safely outside.No one was injured in this fire, but fire officials say the total loss is $11,000.Permalink|
  
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