Tagged News

• Cats, dogs and guinea pigs up for adoption at Companion Animal Alliance's shelter event Play Video

  April 30, 2026 9:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Companion Animal Alliance held an "Adopt a Shelter Pet" event this afternoon with adoption fees waived for all animals. Local vendors were brought in to help attract potential adopters. Organizers say the event brings the community together, supports local businesses and increases the number of... more »

• Several metro council members testify in city-parish corruption probe Play Video

  April 29, 2026 1:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Several East Baton Rouge Metro Council members testified before the attorney general's office Wednesday morning as part of an ongoing corruption probe. Council members Rowdy Gaudet, Darryl Hurst, Denise Amaroso, Brandon Noel and Anthony Kenney were all subpoenaed as witnesses. Amaroso and Noel were dismissed before... more »

• Several Metro Council members subpoenaed to testify in corruption probe; report says ex-mayor, too Play Video

  April 28, 2026 6:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Multiple Metro Council members have been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury looking into alleged corruption inside Baton Rouge government, sources told the WBRZ Investigative Unit on Tuesday. The sources said Council members Rowdy Gaudet, Denise Amaroso and Brandon Noel were among those who received... more »

• Livingston Parish Animal Shelter's food bank running 'critically low,' asks community for donations Play Video

  April 15, 2026 1:37 PM

  LIVINGSTON — The Livingston Parish Animal Shelter said its pet food bank is running "critically low," and they are in need of donations. The shelter said that since it opened the food bank, it has distributed 1,576 pounds of dog food and 606 pounds of cat food to the... more »

• Baton Rouge agencies face scrutiny as transparency bill targets CATS, BREC spending Play Video

  April 9, 2026 6:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Efforts to increase financial transparency among East Baton Rouge Parish agencies have prompted debate as lawmakers question how organizations such as CATS and BREC manage public funds. Busloads of people showed up for the debate Thursday on legislation that would require the Capital Area Transit System... more »

• Bill that would require monthly bank statements from several EBR agencies gets pushback from CATS Play Video

  April 7, 2026 11:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Capital Area Transit System is pushing back against a bill that its author says calls for more financial transparency. House Bill 204 's author, Representative Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, says the legislation would require CATS, BREC, and the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging to... more »

• CATS buses to run on Sunday schedule during Good Friday Play Video

  April 2, 2026 11:31 AM

  BATON ROUGE — In observation of the holiday, the Capital Area Transit System will be operating on a modified schedule during Good Friday. CATS buses will operate on a Sunday schedule on Good Friday, meaning that the buses run from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Learn more about... more »

• Baton Rouge woman with disability faces barriers to CATS on Demand access in new neighborhood Play Video

  March 31, 2026 4:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A woman who recently moved to Louisiana reached out to 2 On Your Side for help after the Capital Area Transit System told her they wouldn't come to her neighborhood to pick her up. If a disability prevents a person from using a CATS bus, they... more »

• Councilman Darryl Hurst announces Pet Pantry Pick Up scheduled for Monday Play Video

  March 6, 2026 2:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Councilman Darryl Hurst announced a Pet Pantry Pick Up for residents in District 5 on Friday. The pantry, hosted in partnership with Companion Animal Alliance, will provide free pet food and essential pet supplies to residents in need. "Pets are an important part of many... more »

• Two indicted in CATS corruption scheme plead not guilty Play Video

  February 24, 2026 1:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Former Capital Area Transit System Chief Administrative Officer Pearlina Thomas and contractor Jay Colar pleaded not guilty in a corruption case on Tuesday, court records show. Thomas, 55, and Colar, 35, were among five people indicted on multiple corruption charges stemming from an investigation by Attorney... more »

• Police attempting to identify person accused of stealing from CATS bus Play Video

  February 14, 2026 1:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Detectives with the Baton Rouge Police Department asked for the public's help in identifying a suspect who they believe stole a backpack from a CATS bus. The backpack allegedly contained personal identification documents and a bank card that was later used to make fraudulent transactions, according... more »

• BRPD units respond to shooting in bathroom of CATS terminal along Florida Boulevard Play Video

  February 12, 2026 1:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Police responded to a shooting at the CATS terminal between Florida Boulevard and Convention Street on Thursday. Several police units responded to the terminal around 11:30 a.m. A BRPD spokesperson said that they believe the person shot themselves in the hand inside the... more »

• REPORT: Subpoena issued by federal investigators for records tied to Baton Rouge mayor's office programs

  February 6, 2026 10:21 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A subpoena for records related to East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President's Office programs was issued by federal investigators in 2024, The Advocate reported. The paper's sources said that the subpoena was issued for records tied to the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative, also called “Healthy BR." Records... more »

• CATS CEO decries misconduct allegations; Dunn and others charged Play Video

  February 2, 2026 2:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The head of the Baton Rouge area's bus system said Monday he was disappointed by alleged misconduct that led to the indictment of several people, including a Metro Council member. CATS chief executive Theo Richards said he would take the opportunity to "correct the missteps of... more »

• WBRZ Investigative Unit: Documents say councilman 'abused his elected position' to defraud CATS Play Video

  January 28, 2026 12:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - WBRZ's Investigative Unit uncovered new details investigators say link District 6 Councilman Cleve Dunn to a corruption investigation involving CATS. In a 19th JDC courtroom on Wednesday morning, Dunn was indicted on two counts each of bribery and money laundering, as well as public contract... more »

• EXCLUSIVE: WBRZ Investigative Unit with new arrest documents in CATS' fraud investigation Play Video

  January 21, 2026 3:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Two more people were indicted as part of an investigation into theft and criminal conspiracy at the Capital Area Transportation System. Terral "TJ" Jackson Jr. and Erica Jackson were both added to an earlier indictment on a count of theft of $25,000 or more and conspiracy... more »

• CATS indictments stemmed from federal investigation, new documents show Play Video

  January 16, 2026 2:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The arrest of the former chief administrative officer of the Capital Area Transit System came after federal agents began looking into bribery allegations, according to newly obtained court documents. Pearlina Thomas, CATS' former CAO, was indicted for criminal conspiracy, theft over $25,000, prohibited use of public... more »

• Baton Rouge animal shelter asks for emergency foster parents due to overcrowding

  December 6, 2025 12:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An animal shelter in Baton Rouge is asking the public for help as it urgently searches for emergency foster parents and adopters for at least 40 dogs. The Companion Animal Alliance released a message on Friday asking the public to help foster animals as the shelter... more »

• CATS Chief Financial Officer resigns, citing workplace hostility Play Video

  November 24, 2025 6:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Chief Financial Officer of Capital Area Transit System resigned, citing concerns regarding executive leadership within the agency. The resignation letter was dated for Nov. 12, and at last week's meeting of CATS, former CFO Sunnie Hines was removed as a signatory from CATS's accounts. ... more »

• Cara's House Ascension Parish Animal Shelter hosts free pet vaccination clinic Play Video

  November 16, 2025 2:55 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - Cara's House animal shelter hosted a free pet vaccination clinic on Sunday at the Athletes in Motion building in Prairieville. The free clinic offered DAPPV shots for dogs and FVRCP shots for cats while also providing microchips and rabies vaccines for $5 each. Cara's House, an... more »

• CATS to waive all fares on Election Day for poll access Play Video

  November 6, 2025 9:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) will waive all route fares on Nov. 15 to assist those traveling to the polls on Election Day. Riders can board any bus on Nov. 15 free of charge throughout the service area; regular routes and schedules will still apply.... more »

• 10th annual Cap City Beer Fest raises money for Companion Animal Alliance Play Video

  November 2, 2025 7:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The 10th annual Cap City Beer Fest kicked off on Sunday as attendees gathered on 4th Street and Spanish Town Road to enjoy local, national and international craft beer and homebrews. The dog-friendly beer tasting event held in downtown Baton Rouge benefitted the Companion Animal Alliance,... more »

• Companion Animal Alliance looks to home 150 animals by Friday as shelter exceeds capacity

  August 7, 2025 8:02 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Companion Animal Alliance is at capacity and is looking to house 150 animals by Friday. CAA said it houses more than 270 cats and 250 dogs, taking in more than 70 animals in a single 24-hour period earlier this week. "As the open-intake animal shelter... more »

• Pet Wellness and Safety Pop-Up offers free resources to keep furry friends happy and healthy Play Video

  July 22, 2025 2:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Pet-owners can go to the upcoming Summertime Pet Wellness & Safety Pop-Up for free resources to protect their four-legged friends from seasonal challenges. The pop-up is at the Charles R. Kelly Community Center on Thursday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event... more »

• Companion Animal Alliance urging potential foster parents to adopt dozens of animals by Wednesday Play Video

  June 17, 2025 5:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Animal shelters across Louisiana are facing critical overcrowding, with "kitten and puppy season" in full swing. Shelters like Companion Animal Alliance in Baton Rouge are at capacity and pleading for community support. "We are constantly getting more animals in every single hour, and so any animal... more »

• Woman overwhelmed after rescuing 29 abandoned kittens, urges responsible pet care Play Video

  May 10, 2025 8:59 PM

  WATSON - More than 30 cats were abandoned by their owners and taken in by a local woman who is now facing the overwhelming challenge of caring for them. After years of rescuing and fostering animals, Devona Foster is now caring for 29 kittens — and four very overwhelmed... more »

• CATS strike comes to an end; bus drivers return to work Sunday, officials say Play Video

  March 8, 2025 2:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Capital Area Transit System announced on Saturday that bus drivers will return to work this weekend after workers went on strike for frustrating work conditions. After many union drivers walked off the job earlier this month, CATS and the local transit union entered an interest... more »

• Union leadership says bus drivers could return to work by Friday morning if CATS agrees to terms Play Video

  March 6, 2025 3:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE — An organizer with the local bus drivers union chapter said its drivers are willing to return to work and end their ongoing strike as early as Thursday, with drivers returning to work Friday, if Capital Area Transit System leadership agrees not to retaliate against the drivers who... more »

• Sleepy Hollow Drive home uninhabitable after fire started in dryer that killed two cats Play Video

  February 4, 2025 12:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Sleepy Hollow Drive home is uninhabitable after a fire that started in a dryer consumed the house and killed two cats, St. George Fire said Tuesday. Firefighters responded to the Sleepy Hollow house fire near the intersection of George O'Neal Road on Friday around 7:49... more »

• Bus union unhappy with CATS contract negotiations; votes to go on strike Play Video

  January 24, 2025 4:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Capital Area Transit System bus operators are asking for more money and a safer work environment, but contract negotiations have stalled. The bus operators are unionized and Friday voted to go on strike. Ninety-one percent of the union membership voted in favor of the strike. ... more »

• CATS announces service changes due to freezing weather, snow Play Video

  January 20, 2025 1:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System is further adjusting its service schedule as freezing temperatures and snowfall sweep Louisiana on Tuesday CATS said Tuesday that service will be suspended on Wednesday after previously being suspended on Monday and Tuesday. Service will hopefully return Thursday. Updates... more »

• North Baton Rouge residents pushing for early polling location, saying lack of site creates barrier Play Video

  October 28, 2024 6:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE — With early voting ending Tuesday, some residents in North Baton Rouge are raising concerns about limited access to polling sites in their area. Charles Bethley is a longtime resident of North Baton Rouge and said that traveling from the heart of North Baton Rouge to the... more »

• Gonzales animal shelter taking in 17 cats displaced by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

  October 28, 2024 3:42 PM

  GONZALES — Seventeen cats rescued from North Carolina shelters following a dam break will be taken in by Gonzales-based animal shelter Rescue Alliance on Monday afternoon. The animals at the shelters in Henderson, North Carolina, were displaced due to the flooding from Hurricane Helene and were "in immediate danger... more »

• LSU Vet Med acquires new technology to provide advanced cancer treatment

  September 25, 2024 12:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The LSU vet school has acquired new technology to improve its cancer treatment by making it more comfortable for its patients. The new linear accelerator provides stereotactic radiotherapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy - which is a lot of words that mean pets with cancer will... more »

• CATS begins work on new North Transit Center Play Video

  July 9, 2024 3:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE— CATS officials broke ground on a new North Transit Center outside the Our Lady of the Lake North Emergency Room along Airline Highway. The new center is part of a larger project to create a nine mile corridor connecting north and south Baton Rouge. CEO Theo... more »

• Free flea treatment being offered to Zachary pet parents Play Video

  June 11, 2024 1:19 PM

  ZACHARY - The summer months can be some of the worst for pet owners as fleas thrive in heat and humidity. The Animal Center of Zachary wants to help out! Pet owners can sign up for a national clinical study of a new flea medication and receive three free... more »

• CATS striving to improve service, but problems persist Play Video

  June 7, 2024 1:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Lynn Mearidy gets around Baton Rouge using CATS on Demand, a service provided by the city-parish bus system that schedules trips in accessible vehicles for riders with certain disabilities. She said it's sometimes less on-demand, and more waiting for a ride that arrives late or doesn't... more »

• More than 30 cats rescued from horrible living situation, brought to Baton Rouge shelter Play Video

  May 29, 2024 5:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - More than 30 cats were rescued from a hoarder in Rayne and brought to a Baton Rouge animal shelter. One week ago, non-profit animal organization Cat Haven went to the house that was said to be hoarding over 50 cats. Director of Development Amber Harrell described... more »

• Animal rescue group pleads with public to spay, neuter pets

  May 24, 2023 4:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Companion Animal Alliance of Baton Rouge on Wednesday issued a plea to area residents, asking them to spay and neuter their pets and to adopt when looking to add a pet to their home. The group said that it's up against troubling math, as demonstrated... more »

• Former CATS employee sues bus system over termination, leaked drug test debacle Play Video

  December 29, 2022 5:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former Capital Area Transit System Comptroller John Cutrone filed a lawsuit against the bus system alleging he was retaliated against and fired after notifying CATS administration about several instances involving potential waste and mismanagement. In January, Cutrone was given a random drug test and failed. His... more »

• IRS sends CATS half-million-dollar seizure notice, some board members unaware Play Video

  September 6, 2022 5:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Documents obtained by the WBRZ Investigative Unit show the IRS sent the Capital Area Transit System a $515,859.50 seizure notice for unpaid employer shared responsibility payments for the tax period ending in 2017. Watch live newscasts here A spokeswoman for CATS told WBRZ, the bus system... more »

• Amid unpaid bills and multiple bus fires this year, bus system downplays problems Play Video

  July 21, 2022 5:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - For the first time in months, the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) addressed stories that have cast the public bus system in a negative light—downplaying multiple bills that were not paid on time and multiple bus fires. Thursday morning, another CATS bus had to be towed... more »

• CATS health account frozen after bus system falls behind on bills again Play Video

  July 20, 2022 5:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Employees working at the Capital Area Transit System learned that their health reimbursement accounts were frozen because the public bus system did not pay its bills. Watch live newscasts here This is the second time that has happened. WBRZ exposed in April that employees' health... more »

• Nakamoto: Despite reporting issues, driver told to keep driving CATS bus before it erupted into flames Play Video

  June 27, 2022 5:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Audio recordings obtained by the WBRZ Investigative Unit show a CATS bus driver notified dispatchers about problems on her bus one hour before it went up in flames but was told to keep driving. The audio obtained through a public records request is between a CATS driver... more »

• CATS bus erupts into flames near mall Friday Play Video

  June 10, 2022 5:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A public transit bus erupted into flames near the Mall of Louisiana Friday. No one was hurt when the CATS bus burst into flames. It was not immediately clear what sparked the fire. Video shared with WBRZ showed flames were burning from underneath and... more »

• Photos: Firefighters rescue kittens trapped in car engine

  May 24, 2022 2:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Firefighters saved five kittens that were stuck inside a car's engine block. The St. George Fire Department shared photos of the rescue. The department said the crew was able to get all five felines out without damaging the vehicle. more »

• CATS will discuss firing demoted CEO who appears to have retained $191,000 salary Play Video

  May 17, 2022 10:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System will discuss possibly firing embattled bus boss Bill Deville Wednesday. The CATS board scheduled an emergency meeting to determine Deville's future after he was removed as CEO following a WBRZ Investigative Unit report earlier this year. Dwana Williams was appointed... more »

• Former CATS CEO who pushed for bus tax: 'The public has been grossly ripped off' Play Video

  April 12, 2022 5:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Former CATS CEO Brian Marshall, who helped push for a tax to fund the public bus system more than ten years ago, is stunned by the ongoing mismanagement at the bus company featured in numerous WBRZ Investigative Unit reports . Stream WBRZ newscasts online here Monday... more »

• CATS mum on what former bus boss will do after being stripped of CEO title, though he keeps his big salary Play Video

  April 8, 2022 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The board overseeing the city bus company voted Monday to de-frock the CEO from his position, though he will get to stay on at the department and keep his six-figure pay. As of Monday night, the Capital Area Transit System couldn't tell WBRZ what role Bill... more »

• Nakamoto: New CATS manager was fired from previous government job, facing sexual harassment lawsuit Play Video

  April 6, 2022 5:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is again making questionable decisions with who leads the agency. Stream WBRZ newscasts here Board members tell WBRZ, CATS hired Keith Cunningham as the agency's interim CAO days ago. Cunningham most recently worked for the Louisiana Housing Corporation where he... more »

• Nakamoto investigation questions CATS' tardiness in paying healthcare premiums for employees Play Video

  April 5, 2022 5:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - CATS employees' health insurance may have lapsed for two days after the bus company was late paying its bills, an email obtained by WBRZ shows. The latest issue comes amid a series of WBRZ Investigative Unit and Chris Nakamoto reports on the bus system, which have... more »

• Confidence in CATS leadership fading as selective enforcement of drug policies exposed by WBRZ Play Video

  March 25, 2022 6:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Confidence is waning in the leadership at the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) following a story by the WBRZ Investigative Unit that showed the man in charge of finances at the agency tested positive for meth. The failed drug test WBRZ obtained showed John Cutrone... more »

• Bus system says drug policy applies to drivers, not bosses, after Nakamoto exposes exec with positive meth test Play Video

  March 24, 2022 5:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) is calling on the Baton Rouge bus system to rehire any employee who was terminated for a failed drug test. The demand comes 24-hours after the WBRZ Investigative Unit exposed the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is once again selectively enforcing its zero-tolerance... more »

• Bus system fires leader who was recorded talking about millions in missing money Play Video

  January 6, 2022 5:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) parted ways with Chief Administrative Officer Pearlina Thomas in a brief, three-sentence letter this week. Sources provided that letter to the WBRZ Investigative Unit. It was written and signed by CEO Bill Deville. "Thank you for your services. Effective immediately,... more »