Louisiana news

• Lana Del Rey, swamp tour guide boyfriend apply for marriage license in Louisiana

  26-09-2024 16:24 via wbrz.com
  
  THIBODAUX — Pop star Lana Del Rey and her swamp tour guide boyfriend are looking to tie the knot in Louisiana, having filed for a marriage license in Lafourche Parish, The Advocate reports.The singer and Jeremy Dufrene applied for the license in the clerk of court's office in Thibodaux on Monday.The couple, who made headlines recently for apparently riding out Hurricane Francine together down the bayou, have 30 days to wed in the state of Louisiana or the license will expire, The Advo
  
  Read more

• Celebration Station holding giveback donation event ahead of holidays with Boys and Girls Clubs

  15-11-2024 13:07 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — For the next month, Celebration Station Baton Rouge is hosting a giveback event to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana.The Wishing Tree program, which runs through Dec. 15, will be selling various passes, with proceeds going to kids and families through the Boys and Girls Clubs.Park guests can buy $10, $20 and $50 game cards, as well as 1½ hour and all-day unlimited attraction passes during the Wishing Tree donation event. Celebration Station w
  
  Read more

• Special session tax bill to apply sales tax to tax-free goods, services unable to secure sufficient votes

  15-11-2024 12:54 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE – Gov. Jeff Landry's ambitious tax plan, which had previously encountered minimal resistance, hit its first bump on Thursday as lawmakers balked at applying sales taxes to more goods and services that are tax-free now.Lawmakers said Landry was unable to secure the 70 votes from the House of Representatives needed to pass a sales tax expansion that would tax more than 40 currently untaxed services, so the House delayed voting on it.The bill, House Bill 9, would generate $50
  
  Read more

• Landry's tax plan hits bump as lawmakers shoot down bill to apply sales tax to tax-free goods, services

  15-11-2024 12:54 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE – Gov. Jeff Landry's ambitious tax plan, which had previously encountered minimal resistance, hit its first bump on Thursday as lawmakers balked at applying sales taxes to more goods and services that are tax-free now.Lawmakers said Landry was unable to secure the 70 votes from the House of Representatives needed to pass a sales tax expansion that would tax more than 40 currently untaxed services, so the House delayed voting on it.The bill, House Bill 9, would generate $50
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Man dead after car rear-ends school bus in St. Helena Parish

  15-11-2024 12:39 via wbrz.com
  
  GREENSBURG — A man is dead after his car hit a St. Helena Parish School District bus Friday morning just outside Greensburg. The bus was traveling west on LA 10 westbound near Bell Road when it was rear-ended by an SUV, St. Helena Parish Schools officials said. The bus driver was trying to make a left turn when the SUV rear-ended the bus.The SUV's driver, whose identity has not yet been released, was killed after the crash. The bus driver and students on the bus were unharmed
  
  Read more

• Online voter registration for Louisiana's December runoff closes Saturday

  15-11-2024 12:33 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Saturday is the deadline for new voters to register for the upcoming Louisiana runoff election.The Dec. 7 election will feature contests not settled in last week's general election, and also include a number of ballot issues. In the St. George area, voters are being asked to dedicate an existing 2 percent sales tax to the new municipality. Parishwide, voters will consider who should be mayor-president.Early voting starts Friday, Nov. 22, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 3
  
  Read more

• Westbound traffic on I-10 backed up from I-10/I-12 split to Mississippi River Bridge after truck fire

  15-11-2024 09:23 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Traffic on Interstate 10 westbound is backed up from the Mississippi River Bridge all the way to the I-10/I-12 split after a truck caught fire making a turn from I-10 onto LA 1.According to Total Traffic BTR, the crash was cleared in Port Allen at 9 a.m., but traffic is still backed up to the split in Baton Rouge. Drivers should expect heavy delays. Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Battle of the Broncos happening at Zachary High to kickoff high school playoffs

  15-11-2024 09:15 via wbrz.com
  
  ZACHARY - The Zachary High School Broncos will take on the Sam Houston Broncos at 7 p.m. on Friday evening.Zachary is currently ranked No. 3 in the 4-5A district.Friday evening is the start of the 2024 playoff season.2une In Tailgater Abigail Whitam and Stephen Hightower previewed the upcoming games this weekend.To view the 2024 Division I non-select playoff bracket, click here.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Former late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien tapped to host next Oscars

  15-11-2024 08:22 via wbrz.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A year after turning to comedian Jimmy Kimmel to host their big show, The Academy Awards will pivot to another familiar TV funnyman — Conan O’Brien.“America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars,” O’Brien said in a statement Friday.It will be his first time as Oscar host, but he’s emceed other high-profile
  
  Read more

• Tangipahoa Parish deputies searching for 17-year-old missing since Monday

  15-11-2024 08:11 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND — The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is searching for a teenage girl missing since Monday.Jacey Cousain, 17, was last seen on River Road headed toward Highway 443 in Hammond. She was last seen wearing a khaki skirt and black jacket, deputies said.Jacey is a Black girl with brown eyes and black hair. She is approximately 5'4" tall and weighs 120 pounds.Sheriff Gerald Sticker asks anyone with information regarding Jacey’s whereabouts to contact our Juveni
  
  Read more

• 2une In Previews: Red Stick Veterans Week closes with chili cookoff at SU's military appreciation game

  15-11-2024 08:06 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — Red Stick Veterans Week comes to a close this weekend with a Military and Veterans' Appreciation Day chili cook-off and pre-game concert Saturday on Southern University's campus.The cookoff will be held right outside A.W. Mumford Stadium in Tony Clayton Plaza starting at 11 a.m. Four teams will compete in the chili cookoff just before Southern's military appreciation game against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, veterans advocate Anthony Winters told WBRZ's
  
  Read more

• One dead after sedan clips dump truck on Scenic Highway near Thomas Road

  15-11-2024 07:49 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — One person is dead after a crash between a dump truck and a sedan on Scenic Highway near Thomas Road, officials said Friday.The crash happened shortly before 7 a.m., Baton Rouge Police said.BRPD responded to the scene before handing the investigation of the crash over to Louisiana State Police. Troopers at the scene said that the driver of the sedan clipped the dump truck while driving south on Scenic Highway. After the crash, the car went into a ditch on the north side
  
  Read more

• Man accused of fatal April nightclub shooting formally charged with murder

  15-11-2024 05:57 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A man arrested for a fatal nightclub shooting in April has been formally charged with murder, court records show.Marquis Payne, 21, was arrested in July for the death of 26-year-old Timotheus Bowie Jr. at the Palace Night Club on April 1. On Thursday, an indictment was filed in the murder case.Baton Rouge Police said that Brown was brought from the Scenic Highway nightclub to the hospital shortly after midnight when Payne shot him. Brown then died in the hospital.Payne w
  
  Read more

• High water in Livingston Parish has caused water closures for more than a week

  14-11-2024 20:46 via wbrz.com
  
  FRENCH SETTLEMENT — Waterways in Livingston Parish are still closed after strong winds pushed river water close to homes and businesses, declaring an emergency more than a week ago. Parish officials say they’re working to find solutions.Living on the water comes with its own unique set of challenges. Last Tuesday when storm winds started pushing water and flooding waterways, Livingston Parish officially declared an emergency. A week later the winds and water have stuck aroun
  
  Read more

• Domestic abuse shelter renovating to allow pets at the beginning of 2025

  14-11-2024 20:12 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The Iris Domestic Abuse Center is set to open its doors to those seeking shelter from their attackers while allowing some new residents. Greater Good Charities, the organization behind the renovation, is a global nonprofit aiming to see 25 percent of domestic shelters become pet-friendly by 2025. "To serve people, you have to serve their pets -- pets are their family. When survivors are going through trauma and they are trying to leave their abuser, you are just
  
  Read more

• Report: Baton Rouge district attorney proposes property tax to combat funding woes

  14-11-2024 20:01 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore is proposing a property tax on voters' ballots this spring to bolster his office, according to The Advocate.The Advocate reported that a  notice was posted for a public hearing to consider taking action on a new ad valorem tax. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday on the fifth floor of City Hall.The amount to be proposed has not yet been determined, but Moore intends to have it on voters' ballot for the May 3, 2025 e
  
  Read more

• Single-vehicle crash at Gummers Lane and La. 327 results in fire, downed power lines

  14-11-2024 19:29 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. GABRIEL - A single-vehicle crash at Gummers Road and La. Highway 327 resulted in a transformer and power lines falling Thursday, according to the St. Gabriel Police Department.Police say around 4:35 p.m., a vehicle traveling into the city limits on Gummers Lane from East Baton Rouge left the roadway and struck a pole. The driver was unharmed.The SGPD asks people to detour and avoid using this route.Image credit to St. Gabriel Police Department.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• One vehicle crash at Gummers Lane and La. 327 results in fire, downed power lines

  14-11-2024 19:29 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. GABRIEL - A one vehicle crash at Gummers Road and La. Highway 327 resulted in a transformer and power lines falling Thursday, according to the St. Gabriel Police Department.Police say around 4:35 p.m., a vehicle traveling into the city limits on Gummers Lane from East Baton Rouge left the roadway and struck a pole. The driver was unharmed.The SGPD asks people to detour and avoid using this route.Image credit to St. Gabriel Police Department.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Deer hunting with firearms begins in southeast Louisiana Saturday

  14-11-2024 19:07 via wbrz.com
  
  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Deer hunting season with rifles begins Saturday for many in Southeast Louisiana. From Avoyelles to Plaquemines parishes, it will be still hunting only, which means that hunters must creep and use stealth not to alert a deer while hunting it.Parishes to the west and north began deer hunting with rifles in October.
  Two parishes that are big spots for hunting season are East and West Feliciana.While state regulations require hunters to move quietly as not to alert the deer, thin
  
  Read more

• Plaquemine mayoral candidate left out of run-off election claims voter fraud

  14-11-2024 18:02 via wbrz.com
  
  PLAQUEMINE - A Plaquemine mayoral candidate who was 34 votes shy of making the run-off election has contested the results of the race, claiming voter suppression by poll workers.Mayoral candidate Tonya Harmason filed the petition. She won 950 votes, Timmy Martinez won 983 and JB Barker won 1,560. Harmason's petition says that more than 30 registered voters showed up to their polling location only to be told to leave."Several active voters at two polling locations notified various poll watchers
  
  Read more

• Thursday's Health Report: How less sunshine affects your mood and energy

  14-11-2024 17:55 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — The end of daylight saving time earlier this month means getting used to it getting darker earlier in the evening.Less sunshine can affect mood and level of energy."People can feel more tired with less light due to the neurochemical or brain hormonal changes that occur with a change of season or less light. A common chemical that regulates that is called serotonin," Doctor of Family Medicine at the Mayo Clinic Jesse Bracamonte said.But what happens when you have less exp
  
  Read more

• One Tank Trips: Louisiana Renaissance Festival

  14-11-2024 17:52 via wbrz.com
  
  HAMMOND, LA - This week, we're trading our gas tank for a horse and carriage to travel back in time to the 16th-century village of Albright. For 24 years, the Louisiana Renaissance Festival (LRF) has been an escape from reality for many Lords and Ladies who are seeking an adventure like no other.Set in the 1500s, the LRF has successfully attracted thousands of people each year with entertaining acts, beautiful artisan jewelry and crafts, music, games, food and fun! “
  
  Read more

• 'It's really a window to the world:' West Baton Rouge Museum hosts first French book festival

  14-11-2024 17:43 via wbrz.com
  
  PORT ALLEN - On Thursday, students from West and East Baton Rouge parishes visited the West Baton Rouge Museum for My French Book Fest.This is the first time the festival was held at the West Baton Rouge Museum. It was organized by the Consulate General of France in Louisiana and Villa Albertine and they also worked with the Alliance Française de la Nouvelle-Orléans.During the festival, students learned about French-influenced music, art and books."We kind of think of Loui
  
  Read more

• Roman's Cafe on Government Street closing after 36 years in business

  14-11-2024 17:39 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE - Customers were shocked to see a "Closed for good" sign on the door of longtime Mid-City staple Roman's Cafe on Thursday afternoon.In an email to WBRZ, owner Moe Roman explained his reasoning for the closure after 36 years in business. He said it has been a "rough few years" for the safety of his employees, and that his business had been burglarized four times in six months. He also detailed instances of his employees being held up at gunpoint while walking to their cars and car br
  
  Read more

• Baton Rouge woman receives car during Progressive, Enterprise giveaway honoring veterans

  14-11-2024 17:24 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge veteran was given a new car on Thursday thanks to Progressive's Keys to Progress program. The program is part of an annual effort in partnership with Enterprise Rent-a-Car to recognize veterans and provide them with reliable transportation.Nearly 100 military families are getting a new vehicle this year, including Baton Rouge's Erika Hanson."I just want to say thank you very much for everything you are doing. You guys are a big community and thank
  
  Read more

• Car fire shuts down traffic on North Ardenwood

  14-11-2024 17:15 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE — A furniture truck caught fire Thursday afternoon in a North Ardenwood Drive intersection. The truck caught on fire at North Ardenwood Drive and Renoir Avenue. White smoke filled the air as firefighters put out the flames. Crews got the situation under control by 4:30 p.m.Officials at the scene told WBRZ that no one was injured and the driver was able to get out of the vehicle unhurt. Baton Rouge Police officers were re-directing traffic in the area.&
  
  Read more

• Woman sentenced 37 months in federal prison after Highland Road Chase Bank robbery

  14-11-2024 16:59 via wbrz.com
  
  BATON ROUGE -  A woman was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison after an October 2023 bank robbery that took place at the Chase Bank on Highland Road, according to the United States Department of Justice.Jazmine Johnnie, 23, of New Iberia, admitted to attempting to rob the bank of $45,000 on Oct. 10, 2023. According to the admissions, Johnnie went to the location in a rented Dodge Challenger on Oct. 9 and told a teller she would return the next day.The next day, s
  
  Read more

• GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash

  14-11-2024 16:30 via wbrz.com
  
  DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is recalling nearly 462,000 pickup trucks and big SUVs with diesel engines because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing the risk of a crash.The recall in the U.S. covers certain Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from the 2020 through 2022 model years. Also included are the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.Documents posted Wednesday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration websi
  
  Read more

• Man accused of using social media to solicit minors arrested by Livingston Parish deputies

  14-11-2024 16:15 via wbrz.com
  
  LIVINGSTON — A man was arrested by Livingston Parish deputies for using social media to solicit minors. Marcus Davis, 33, was arrested on one count each of indecent behavior with juvenile and computer-aided solicitation after an investigation by Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force deputies in October.According to arrest records, Davis was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on Oct. 17. Davis' bond is set at $200,000.Permalink| Comments
  
  Read more

• Attorney Unglesby alleges former Central Police Lt. arrest was politically motivated

  14-11-2024 15:51 via wbrz.com
  
  CENTRAL - Prominent Baton Rouge defense attorney Lewis Unglesby alleges his client, former Central Police Lt. Huey Haley, was unjustly targeted."The charges in Central against my client Huey Haley are ill-founded," Unglesby said. "We don't agree that he did anything improper whatsoever."Haley was arrested at the end of October for allegedly falsifying pay records over a year. According to the arrest warrant, Haley reported nearly 350 hours he did not work and took home an extra $7,600 for it.Un
  
  Read more

Follow @NewsLouisiana_ on Twitter!