Louisiana news

• 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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• Sleigh N' Play Toy Giveaway brings Christmas to kids and adults

  22-12-2024 20:35 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - There were dozens of families receiving gifts, clothes and food during the "Sleigh N' Play Toy Giveaway" on Sunday.District 5 Councilman Darryl Hurst and the United Cajun Navy teamed up to bring Christmas to kids and adults."Whether you're a child, parent, or guardian, everybody has the opportunity to leave with something," Hurst said.Both Hurst and United Cajun Navy President Todd Terrell say this event was to make a difference in people's lives and to help those who are less for
  
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• Geismar Volunteer Fire Department hosts annual Santa parade collecting food items

  22-12-2024 18:25 via wbrz.com
  
  GEISMAR — The Geismar Volunteer Fire Department hosted its annual Santa Parade collecting canned goods and nonperishable food items throughout the community.Sunday was the second day of the parade. Santa rode on a bright red fire truck collecting donations. Secretary Cailyn Tallion said the fire department has hosted the event for about five years.She said they ride through nearby neighborhoods where firefighters make stops gathering food items from residents.“People can dro
  
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• Prairieville man killed in late-night wreck Saturday

  22-12-2024 16:42 via wbrz.com
  
  PRAIRIEVILLE - A Prairieville man was killed in a crash late Saturday night after his truck ran off the road and into a tree. State Police said 57-year-old Richard Creel was driving west on Oak Grove Port Vincent Highway near Hornsby Road just before midnight when his truck went off the right shoulder and hit a tree. He died at the scene.Troopers said Creel was wearing his seatbelt and impairment was not suspected. Law enforcement is still investigating the wreck. Permalink| C
  
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• Prairieville man killed in in late-night wreck Saturday

  22-12-2024 16:42 via wbrz.com
  
  PRAIRIEVILLE - A Prairieville man was killed in a crash late Saturday night after his truck ran off the road and into a tree. State Police said 57-year-old Richard Creel was driving west on Oak Grove Port Vincent Highway near Hornsby Road just before midnight when his truck went off the right shoulder and hit a tree. He died at the scene.Troopers said Creel was wearing his seatbelt and impairment was not suspected. Law enforcement is still investigating the wreck. Permalink| C
  
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• Nubian Kruzers Motorcycle Club hosts 19th annual toy drive

  22-12-2024 16:27 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Santa Claus is coming to town, and he's enlisted the help of some special elves — the Baton Rouge chapter of the Nubian Kruzers United Motorcycle Club.Every year at Christmas time, thousands of toys are collected and given to kids from the Nubian Kruzers. Their first stop Sunday was at the Scotland Square Apartments, and kids were ready to see those bikes come down the drive."We pick certain spots, but we give toys out to everybody. It doesn't cost anything, it's free to
  
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• Firefighters rescue person from flipped car

  22-12-2024 15:16 via wbrz.com
  
  MORGANZA - Firefighters in Pointe Coupee rescued a person from inside an overturned car. Pointe Coupee Fire Districts 1&2 shared photos of the flipped car, which landed off the road and in a ditch near a home. Officials said six crews were at the scene. Firefighters found one person inside who was moderately injured and were able to free them from the wreckage. The person was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Permalink| Comments
  
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• One lane blocked on I-10 West on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge

  22-12-2024 13:04 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — One lane is blocked on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge due to a wreck.According to traffic reports, the accident happened around 12:15 p.m. on I-10 Westbound and blocked the right lane. Congestion could cause delays for holiday travel.No more information about this crash or any possible injuries was immediately available. Permalink| Comments
  
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• More than 2 million cans of Jarritos coconut water recalled

  22-12-2024 12:18 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Millions of cans of coconut water are being pulled from shelves across the U.S.The Food and Drug Administration has an ongoing recall for 12-can cartons of Jarritos coconut water.Authorities say the hermetic seal on the cans could become compromised, which could affect the product, possibly with harmful bacteria.The recall is currently in place across 29 states, including Louisiana.It includes nearly 170-thousand cases, for a total of more than 2 million cans.Permalink|
  
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• St. Gabriel toy drive spreads Christmas cheer through the town

  22-12-2024 11:40 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. GABRIEL - People in St. Gabriel showed the unity in their community Sunday during their town's toy drive. Residents spent the day celebrating the holiday spirit as they gave out toys to children and performed Christmas songs. Mayor Lionel Johnson calls the toy drive an event of pure excitement. He's hoping to teach the younger generation how important it is to stay together. "It's joy man. I hope they realize how much we come together to make sure they have a very
  
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• The Baton Rouge community participated in a Christmas toy drive at Banks Elementary

  22-12-2024 11:22 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Baton Rouge community hosted a public Christmas Toy giveaway Saturday afternoon at Banks Elementary.Organizers collected many donations, everything from food to toys to bikes for their second consecutive year of the event. Residents say they wanted to spread joy and uplift their peers."It means a lot to give back to the community. We grew here. We got family that's here. We got kids growing up here. We got loved ones that died here. So we're here representin
  
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• Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni of harassment and smear campaign

  22-12-2024 09:54 via wbrz.com
  
  Blake Lively has accused her “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the movie and a subsequent effort to “destroy” her reputation in a legal complaint.The complaint obtained by The Associated Press, which The New York Times reported was filed Friday with the California Civil Rights Department, precedes a lawsuit. It names Baldoni, the studio behind the romantic drama “It Ends With Us” a
  
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• Man dead after encounter with deputy, State Police investigating

  22-12-2024 05:41 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND - Louisiana State Police said they were called in by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office to investigate after a deputy shot at someone in Hammond. According to Louisiana State Police, the shooting happened late Saturday night, on South Baptist Road near Highway 190.Police say that one suspect is dead, and no deputies were hurt.This is an ongoing investigation.Permalink| Comments
  
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• LSP: Ponchatoula man killed in altercation with Tangipahoa Parish deputy

  22-12-2024 05:41 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND - A man from Ponchatoula was killed by a Tangipahoa Parish deputy Saturday night, State Police said. LSP said 48-year-old Timothy Douglas led a Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office deputy on a chase around 11:15 p.m. while driving a stolen car. Troopers said the chase ended at an apartment complex off South Baptist Road in Hammond, where Douglas jumped out and started running. State Police said the deputy tased Douglas and tried to take him into custody when "a physical
  
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• Louisiana State Police are investigating after a deputy shot at someone in Hammond

  22-12-2024 05:41 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND - Louisiana State Police said they are investigating the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office after a deputy shot at someone and left one dead in Hammond. According to Louisiana State Police, the shooting happened late Saturday night, on South Baptist Road near Highway 190.Police say that one suspect is dead, and no deputies were hurt.This is an ongoing investigation.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Deputy-involved shooting left one dead in Hammond

  22-12-2024 05:41 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND - A deputy-involved shooting left one person dead in Hammond. According to Louisiana State Police, the shooting happened late Saturday night, on South Baptist Road near Highway 190.Police say that one suspect is dead, and no deputies were hurt.This is an ongoing investigation.Permalink| Comments
  
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• 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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• 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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