Louisiana news

• Federal Reserve cuts key rate by sizable half-point, signaling end to its inflation fight

  18-09-2024 06:50 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate by an unusually large half-point, a dramatic shift after more than two years of high rates helped tame inflation but that also made borrowing painfully expensive for American consumers.The rate cut, the Fed’s first in more than four years, reflects its new focus on bolstering the job market, which has shown clear signs of slowing. Coming just weeks before the presidential ele
  
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• Gameday is kicking off across Baton Rouge, stay tuned for live updates

  09-11-2024 09:44 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — One of the biggest game days of the season is kicking off, stay tuned in to WBRZ for live coverage and commentary. Reporter Jordan Ponzio checked in on ESPN's College Gameday live in the Quad. The LSU Women's basketball team showed out to support their fellow athletes ahead of the match against Alabama. Permalink| Comments
  
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• Groundbreaking at LSU PERTT lab paves the way for innovation

  08-11-2024 20:36 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - A new kind of technology is being developed at LSU in collaboration with the College of Engineering with Halliburton and ExxonMobil to research carbon-capturing technology.Dominic Genetti is the Senior Vice President for low carbon solutions at ExxonMobil, and he says he’s excited to work with the latest project at the PERTT Lab, which stands for petroleum, engineering, research, training, and testing."Today we're celebrating the spudding of a well, a research well to te
  
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• LPSO: Woman on bicycle at Walmart taken to hospital after wreck, biking distracted

  08-11-2024 19:22 via wbrz.com
  
  DENHAM SPRINGS - One person was taken to the hospital after a vehicle crashed into a bicycle at a Denham Springs Walmart.The accident took place at the Walmart off Highway 16.According to Sheriff Jason Ard, witnesses said the person riding the bicycle was on her cell phone and drove into the lane of a vehicle. She suffered a broken leg and other injuries, but "will be okay."Permalink| Comments
  
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• One lane blocked on I-110 North due to a flipped vehicle

  08-11-2024 19:15 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The left lane is blocked on I-110 North near Mohican Street due to a flipped vehicle. No injuries were reported after the crash. Permalink| Comments
  
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• LSU students camp at The Quad in preparation for College GameDay

  08-11-2024 17:16 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - On Friday morning, students were already setting up to camp out at The Quad at LSU ahead of ESPN's College GameDay.For the students who were not planning to spend the night, many said they planned to get to The Quad at 5 a.m. or earlier, hours before GameDay's start time at 8 a.m. CT.Sophomores Devyn Twillie and Hassan Mustafa said they were ready for College GameDay."We've got a tent, we've got some bug spray, we gonna get some food, some drinks and we'll make it through," Twilli
  
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• $$$ Best Bets: College Football Week 11: Playoff elimination game in Death Valley! $$$

  08-11-2024 16:57 via wbrz.com
  
  Hunter McCann has this weekend's best bets for college football, the NFL, the NHL, the NBA and college basketball!FridayCollege Football:California @ Wake Forest: Wake Forest +7.5Rice @ Memphis: Rice +7.5Iowa @ UCLA: u44.5 Total PointsNew Mexico @ Sand Diego State: New Mexico +3.0NHL:Red Wings @ Leafs: Leafs MLPenguins @ Capitals: Capitals MLGolden Knights @ Kraken: u6.5 Total GoalsWild @ Ducks: o5.5 Total GoalsNBA:Hawks @ Pistons: Hawks MLWarriors @ Cavaliers: Cavaliers -4.5Bucks @ Knicks: Buc
  
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• Sean Diddy Combs seeks bail, citing changed circumstances and new evidence

  08-11-2024 16:31 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Sean 'Diddy' Combs filed a new request for bail on Friday, saying changed circumstances, along with new evidence, mean the hip-hop mogul should be allowed to prepare for a May trial from outside jail.Lawyers for Combs filed the request in Manhattan federal court, where his previous requests for bail have been rejected by two judges since his September arrest on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and
  
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• Louisiana high school football playoffs may be delayed after U-High files lawsuit over forfeits

  08-11-2024 15:16 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The release of Louisiana's high school football playoff brackets will be delayed after University High School filed a lawsuit challenging an order that it forfeit seven games. Potentially, the playoffs themselves could be pushed back as a court hearing isn't scheduled to occur until Nov. 18.In a statement, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association said the lawsuit could have a bearing on each of the state's 307 football teams. The association uses a "power rating" t
  
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• Gov. Landry, Louisiana Surgeon General explain bringing tiger to LSU-Alabama game

  08-11-2024 14:37 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry discussed the reasoning for bringing a tiger to the LSU-Alabama game on Fox News Friday.WBRZ previously reported that a Bengal tiger named Omar Bradley was on its way to Baton Rouge on Thursday for an appearance at this weekend's LSU-Alabama game."This is about tradition," Landry said. "This is about from Mike I through [Mike] VI, we have had a live mascot on the field like many other colleges have before. And of course, we're honoring those Mikes an
  
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• Arizona jockey arrested; troopers find five buzzers, say he falsified records at Evangeline Downs

  08-11-2024 14:37 via wbrz.com
  
  OPELOUSAS — State Police said Friday that it had arrested a jockey from Arizona and accused him of falsifying records and possessing buzzers used to make horses run faster.Martin Osuna was a rider at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas. State police said its initial investigation centered on a false document, but that during a search troopers on Thursday found five shocking devices among his belongings.Osuna is accused of filing false public documents, falsifying information on a r
  
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• Woman accused of stealing liquor, energy drinks in East Baton Rouge Parish wanted for felony theft

  08-11-2024 13:33 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Deputies are looking for a woman accused of stealing large amounts of liquor and energy drinks from local stores.The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office said they are searching for Tammy Sheppard.Deputies said that Sheppard is wanted on three found of felony theft.Anyone with information on Sheppard is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Katy Perry, Train to headline 2025's Endymion Extravaganza during Mardi Gras

  08-11-2024 13:26 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — Katy Perry and Train will headline the 2025 Endymion Extravaganza in Caesar's Superdome after it rolls through New Orleans during the weekend of Mardi Gras, parade officials announced Friday.The pop star and Grammy Award-winning band will perform at the Extravaganza after the 59th annual Krewe of Endymion rolls on its traditional route down St. Charles Avenue for the first time since 2019. The mega-party for 20,000 guests branded "We are Back Home in the Dome" w
  
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• The remodeling never happened: Ralph & Kacoo's on Bluebonnet coming down

  08-11-2024 13:02 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A once-popular seafood restaurant shuttered since 2019 is being torn down to make room for a new boulevard that will stretch from Essen Lane to Bluebonnet.Crews this week began dismantling the Ralph & Kacoo's restaurant across Bluebonnet Boulevard from the Mall of Louisiana. The city-parish is extending Constantin Boulevard on the north end of the city's Health District.The restaurant closed five years for a remodeling that never occurred.A location on Airline Highwa
  
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• House tax committee voted to advance Landry's proposed flat 3 percent personal income tax rate

  08-11-2024 12:51 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A House tax committee voted Thursday to advance Gov. Jeff Landry’s proposal for a flat 3% personal income tax rate.If approved by the full House and Senate, the plan would eliminate the current income tax brackets and move the state closer to Landry’s ultimate goal of eliminating the income tax.Thursday’s vote by the House Ways and Means Committee marked the first step in passing what is seen as Landry’s flagship portion of the tax
  
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• Service members honored at Mayor-President's annual veterans breakfast ahead of Veterans Day

  08-11-2024 12:15 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President's veterans breakfast was held Friday morning at the main branch library ahead of Veterans Day on Monday.Veterans, along with their families and local leaders, were in attendance to honor all of our members of the military who have served for our country.According to Pew Research Center, about one percent of the United States population are actively serving in the military."So, you have less than one percent protecting the other 99 percent. T
  
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• Siblings accused of murder-for-hire of employee now face racketeering, witness intimidation charges

  08-11-2024 12:14 via wbrz.com
  
  MARINGOUIN — A pair of siblings accused of ordering the killing of their 65-year-old employee in a Maringouin murder-for-hire scheme now face racketeering charges, records from the 18th Judicial District Court show.The siblings — 44-year-old Rilonda Brooks and 40-year-old David Brooks Jr. — were arrested for arranging the August killing of Herman Harris in his home. The pair is accused of hiring a man to kill Harris after becoming concerned Harris would sue them af
  
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• Louisiana Treasury adds nearly $9 million to Unclaimed Property Program fund that can be claimed

  08-11-2024 11:57 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Treasury's Unclaimed Property Program added $8.7 million in uncashed state income tax refunds from the Louisiana Department of Revenue that are available to be claimed now.The Louisiana Unclaimed Property Program receives funds from the revenue department from uncashed state tax refunds each year. This year, the allocation consists of unclaimed refunds from 29,441 Louisiana taxpayers. These funds are now accessible to people who might have lost track of the
  
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• Louisiana High School Football Scores - Week Ten

  08-11-2024 11:56 via wbrz.com
  
  Here are the high school football scores from Week 10 for the state of Louisiana:Alexandria 42, Neville 16Ascension Catholic 49, East Iberville 6Bastrop 8, North Webster 6Baton Rouge Episcopal 72, Capitol 0Belle Chasse 48, Discovery 14Block 56, Tensas 6Bogalusa 28, Albany 8Breaux Bridge 14, Livonia 12Brother Martin 18, Holy Cross 0Brusly 7, Istrouma 6Bunkie 30, Marksville 6Calvary Baptist Academy 63, North Caddo 6Carroll 22, Richwood 16Chalmette 34, Salmen 28Church Point 55, Ville Platte 28De L
  
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• LSU and Alabama square off on Saturday night in Death Valley on WBRZ

  08-11-2024 11:50 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE— LSU and Alabama will battle on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.The Tigers are coming off a 38-23 road loss to Texas A&M, while the Crimson Tide secured a shutout win at home over Missouri 34-0. Both teams had an extra week to prepare for this SEC clash with open dates last week.LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier enters Saturday’s contest ranked No. 2 in the SEC and No. 8 in the FBS in passing touchdowns with 20.&
  
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• Former Iberville Parish deputy sentenced to life for coercing a woman into raping her infant son

  08-11-2024 11:49 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. GABRIEL - A former Iberville Parish deputy found guilty for coercing a woman to rape her one-year-old son was sentenced to life in prison.Shaderick Jones, 47, was sentenced to life in prison Thursday after being found guilty in October of acting as principal to first-degree rape, as well as conspiracy to commit aggravated crime against nature, obstruction of justice, malfeasance in office and pornography involving juveniles under the age of 13.Jones was arrested after coercing Iyesha Todd t
  
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• West Feliciana Schools receives state education department award for implementation of tutoring program

  08-11-2024 11:05 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. FRANCISVILLE — West Feliciana Parish Schools on Friday was recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education with its Models of Excellence award for the district's use of high-dosage tutoring providing students with extra academic support.According to LDOE, West Feliciana Parish Schools has more than doubled the number of students benefiting from its implementation of the state’s Accelerate: High-Dosage Tutoring program. This tutoring initiative seeks to address gaps i
  
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• 2 Make a Difference: Salvation Army kicks off largest Angel Tree campaign ever

  08-11-2024 11:01 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — With the holidays just around the corner, the Salvation Army of Greater Baton Rouge is kicking off its largest Angel Tree campaign ever.The program makes a difference by providing gifts, meals and clothing to children in need. This year the Salvation Army is asking for donations for more than 900 children in the capital area.The Salvation Army is accepting donations up until Dec. 3.Anyone interested in highlighting someone making a difference in the community should send
  
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• Stephen Hightower steps down from VP role at City Group for executive role at University Club

  08-11-2024 09:41 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge restaurateur Stephen Hightower is stepping away from his position as vice president of City Group Hospitality to join University Club in an executive role, City Group announced Friday.Hightower's new position will bring his years of hospitality experience helping to operate 11 restaurants across the Baton Rouge area to University Club. City Group's portfolio of restaurants includes Spoke & Hub, City Pork, Rouj Creole and City Slice. “St
  
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• 2une In Tailgate: Watch the Tigers, Jaguars play this weekend at Pizza Art Wine

  08-11-2024 09:11 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — WBRZ's Abigail Whitam was joined by restauranteur Steven Hightower at supermodel Yilena Hernández's restaurant, Pizza Art Wine, for this week's 2une In Tailgate as LSU prepares to face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Southern Jaguars go head-to-head with Bethune-Cookman University on Saturday.Pizza Art Wine, at the corner of Perkins Road and Essen Lane, is a perfect spot to watch the games, Hernández said, inviting everyone to
  
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• One person transported after crash; Airline Highway open between Coursey, Dawnadale after closure

  08-11-2024 06:57 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — One person was transported by Baton Rouge EMS after a crash Friday morning on Airline Highway in front of Costco, officials said.The road was closed to traffic between Coursey Boulevard and Dawnadale Avenue but the road opened back up around 7:35 a.m., the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said.Northbound traffic on Airline was being diverted at Coursey.Permalink| Comments
  
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• Airline Highway north between Coursey, Dawnadale closed due to accident; southbound left lane also closed

  08-11-2024 06:57 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Airline Highway northbound is closed between Coursey Boulevard and Dawnadale Avenue after an accident.The left lane is also blocked going south, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said.Northbound traffic on Airline is being diverted at Coursey. Emergency vehicles are on the scene blocking traffic. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments
  
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• GET 2 MOVING: Crawfish Aquatics

  08-11-2024 06:38 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Whether someone is looking to enhance their swimming skills, or learn how to swim in general, Crawfish Aquatics is the place to learn!Not only are people able to join a team and compete, but the benefits of swimming are immeasurable, mentally and physically. Swimming can help create a calorie deficit and build lean muscle mass, which could boost metabolism. The sport uses almost all major muscle groups- arms, legs, torso, and stomach. It's also a form of cardio
  
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• Trump makes history by naming campaign manager as first woman to serve as White House chief of staff

  08-11-2024 05:33 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — With her selection as President-elect Donald Trump‘s incoming White House chief of staff, veteran Florida political strategist Susie Wiles moves from a largely behind-the-scenes role of campaign co-chair to the high-profile position of the president’s closest adviser and counsel.She’s been in political circles for years. But who is Wiles, the operative set to be the first woman to step into the powerful role of White House chief of staff
  
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• Racist texts referencing slavery raise alarms in Louisiana, other states, prompt investigations

  08-11-2024 05:05 via wbrz.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Racist text messages invoking slavery raised alarm across the country this week after they were sent to Black men, women and students, including middle schoolers, prompting inquiries by the FBI and other agencies.The messages, sent anonymously, were reported in several states, including New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. They generally used a similar tone but varied in wording. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said her office has a
  
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