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• 8 constitutional changes backed by lawmakers

  June 14, 2013 3:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana lawmakers are proposing eight new changes to the state constitution following their regular session. But the constitutional amendments will linger for more than a year before voters decide if they take effect. The next statewide election isn't until 2014. Two proposals that grabbed the most attention... more »

• St. John Council awards contract for court changes

  May 29, 2013 2:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The St. John the Baptist Parish Council has awarded contracts to renovate the Parish Courthouse in Edgard and complete a pipeline to St. Charles Parish that will help provide water for St. John during emergencies. The Times-Picayune reports the courthouse expansion and renovation project was awarded Tuesday... more »

• House rejects change in concealed permit ID bill

  May 28, 2013 5:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The final version of a bill to make it a criminal act for journalists, bloggers or anyone else to publish or release the names or addresses of applicants for concealed handgun permits will be worked out in a legislative compromise committee. The House on Tuesday refused to... more »

• Changes to LSU rec center after man was groped in shower Play Video

  May 1, 2013 9:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - There are changes at the LSU Student Recreational Center after someone was sexually assaulted in the men's shower. On April 16, a male student told police a he was groped by another man while taking a shower. Last week, police arrested Hung M. Dang, 46,... more »

• Changes announced for several EBR schools

  April 3, 2013 1:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge School System announced big changes for four schools in the district today. Lee High, Belfair, Delmont and Mayfair schools will all see significant updates according to the school system's plans. The school system will turn Lee High into a dedicated magnet... more »

• Councilwoman calls for BRPD chief changes Play Video

  February 7, 2013 5:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Metro Council member called for changes to how the Baton Rouge Police Chief is selected, after the recently fired chief accused city-parish officials of keeping him from doing his job. Council member C. Denise Marcelle said on Facebook Thursday that Dewayne White's accusations left a... more »

• NRA changes stance on background checks

  February 4, 2013 2:46 PM

  WASHINGTON - The country's most powerful gun rights lobbying group has reversed its decade-old stance on requiring instant background checks for people buying guns at gun shows. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, said in 1999 that his group thinks "it's reasonable to provide mandatory instant... more »

• Panel's proposals protect voters from ID theft

  January 10, 2013 7:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The State Board of Election Supervisors has recommended changes in state election laws. One of the proposals would make it a felony to copy or otherwise reproduce a completed voter registration application. The change would protect the confidentiality of such information as the individual's full date... more »

• Tax filing season starts Jan. 30 for most filers

  January 8, 2013 1:19 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service says late changes to federal tax laws should mean only a short delay for most taxpayers to file their 2012 returns. The agency said Tuesday that more than 120 million taxpayers - about 80 percent of all filers - should be able to start... more »

• Courthouse changes announced after cocaine thefts

  December 17, 2012 11:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Authorities announced several changes today that will be coming to the district court in Baton Rouge, after a major security breach put 48 pounds of cocaine back on the street. Today federal and state investigators said they added a two-key system to the evidence vaults after... more »

• Poll challenges, phony instructions could mar vote

  November 5, 2012 3:57 PM

  WASHINGTON - Voting rights advocates say persistent reports of robocalls incorrectly telling voters they can cast ballots over the phone and fears of aggressive challenges by monitors at polling places threaten to mar Election Day in many key states. Advocates say the fake phone calls continued to crop up in... more »

• LSU to change evacuation plan following bomb threat Play Video

  October 8, 2012 6:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU plans to study and change certain procedures in order to evacuate the campus more efficiently in the future. Last month, the entire campus was evacuated due to a bomb threat. It resulted in traffic james which kept thousands of students sitting still for some time... more »

• Jindal shuffling top staff, chief of staff exits

  October 1, 2012 3:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal's chief of staff, Stephen Waguespack, is leaving the administration after nearly five years working for the governor. Waguespack, a lawyer, is taking a private sector job, according to the governor's office. His departure has caused a reshuffling of the Jindal administration's top jobs among... more »

• Central school system to consider new layoff policy Play Video

  September 28, 2012 5:53 PM

  CENTRAL - The Central Community School System is considering changes that would eliminate tenure as the key criteria when layoffs are necessary. Superintendent Michael Faulk says it does not mean layoffs will happen any time soon. The new policy is available for viewing on the school system's website.... more »

• School bus changes made at Lafayette High

  September 27, 2012 8:45 AM

  LAFAYETTE - Lafayette High School has made several changes in the way buses run to keep students safe. The changes come after the Sept. 20 accident in which a student was struck by a bus. School system officials met with bus drivers and administrators to address the problems in... more »

• Rain, outages cause traffic changes for LSU game

  August 31, 2012 4:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU announced they had to close several parking lots because of rain and other issues from Hurricane Isaac. The grass lots G and O are both closed because they're waterlogged, while Lot L is closed because it's being used by a special needs shelter set up... more »

• Lunch workers study how to get kids to eat healthy

  August 20, 2012 11:47 AM

  DENVER - There will be more whole grains on school lunch menus this year, along with a wider selection of fruits and vegetables and other healthy options. The challenge is getting children to eat them. At a School Nutrition Association conference in Denver this summer, food workers heard tips about... more »

• School board delays vote on health care changes

  July 20, 2012 7:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE - School board members in East Baton Rouge Parish spent much of the night debating, but could not come to an agreement over changes to employee health insurance. Members voted against shifting retiree's insurance coverage to Medicare. The shift would have saved the system around $8.7... more »

• WSJ: New iPhone to have thinner screen

  July 17, 2012 10:58 AM

  NEW YORK- A published report says the new iPhone will have a thinner screen. That could leave more room for a larger battery. The Wall Street Journal is citing unnamed people familiar with the matter in reporting that the new iPhone will have a screen that can sense touches without... more »

• Tone changes in Jindal administration over cuts

  July 3, 2012 3:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - When a bloc of conservative state lawmakers pushed to strip money from the health department, the Jindal administration outcry was loud, suggesting the cuts could devastate health care services. A month later, the $859 million in budget cuts hitting the Medicaid program from new congressional action are... more »

• Expansion, rule changes OK with SEC hoop coaches

  June 25, 2012 5:15 PM

  LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky's outspoken men's basketball coach John Calipari has long championed the talent and depth in the Southeastern Conference - even when the NCAA tournament selection committee didn't share his optimism. And he's even more bullish about the league's future now that Missouri and Texas A&M have... more »

• Budget battle possible as session ends Play Video

  May 31, 2012 5:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Senate approved most of the budget changes backed in committee, setting up a possible budget showdown this weekend. The Louisiana House of Representatives cut hundreds of millions of dollars of dollars from the budget. The money is not guaranteed from year to year. The Senate... more »

• Advocate publisher responds to Times-Picayune changes

  May 24, 2012 4:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - David C. Manship, the publisher of The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge, said they plan to maintain their seven-day-a-week printing schedule after other daily newspapers announced they were scaling back operations. The Times-Picayune in New Orleans and three major Alabama newspapers announced plans today to only... more »

• Neighbors want action after double fatal crash

  April 30, 2012 10:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Neighbors who live near Tigerbend Road want changes following a double fatal crash over the weekend. Some say they want signs and the road straightened out. News 2's Chris Nakamoto will have more at six. more »

• Ariz. migrant case could lead to sweeping changes

  April 26, 2012 6:47 AM

  PHOENIX - The United States could see an official about-face in the coming months in how it confronts illegal immigration if the Supreme Court follows through on its suggestion to let local police enforce the most controversial part of Arizona's immigration law. Over the last several years, states frustrated with... more »

• Hammond charter changes on ballot

  April 18, 2012 7:40 AM

  HAMMOND - The Hammond City Council will submit to the city's voters eight proposed changes to the home rule charter. The council approved a companion resolution Tuesday that sets the vote on the proposed charter changes for Nov. 6. The proposed changes were submitted to the council by a group... more »

• Board members oppose program changes

  April 6, 2012 6:41 AM

  LAFAYETTE - Two Lafayette Parish School Board members say they aren't happy with Superintendent Pat Cooper's plan to change the mission of the district's newest high school, Thibodaux Career and Technical High School. Board members Mark Allen Babineaux and Rae Trahan said Wednesday that they oppose Cooper's recommendation to move... more »

• At the Capitol: State employee retirement age Play Video

  March 26, 2012 10:26 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Changes to state worker retirement plans proposed by Gov. Bobby Jindal could undergo changes today. Sen. Elbert Guillory (D-Opelousas), who chairs the Senate Retirement Committee, said there are discussions to slowly introduce the age requirement depending on how long someone's been employed. The more years someone... more »

• Handicapped parking moves for LSU football game day Play Video

  March 2, 2012 5:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gameday parking for the disabled is moving twice as far of where it was last season. The "M" lot had 125 spaces available on a first come first serve basis. LSU Senior Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent said the Alex Box Stadium West lot provides more... more »

• Changes coming to dangerous section of I-12 Play Video

  February 29, 2012 6:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE - After multiple interstate closures from overturned or wrecked 18-wheelers, the Department of Transportation and Development plans to add more safety features to prevent congestion. More rumble strips to audibly alert drivers of the upcoming S-curve will be put in place westbound. The strips already line a... more »

• Changes coming to La. bar exam grading

  February 14, 2012 4:34 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Those taking the state bar examination should prepare for a major change. CityBusiness of New Orleans reports that the old rules required would-be attorneys to pass at least seven of the nine exam sections. Five of those covered Louisiana's civil code and required successful completion of four.... more »

• Slive: Changes to BCS at least couple years away

  February 9, 2012 3:05 PM

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The man who helped propose the plus-one plan to find a national champion in football says actual change remains a couple years away even if everyone can agree on changes to the Bowl Championship Series. Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive said Wednesday a decision could be made... more »

• BRPD Chief critical of crime camera system, working on changes

  January 18, 2012 10:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White says the city-parish crime camera system is ineffective, as is, but he's trying to change that. Metro Council will be considering next week whether to extend the current contract for maintenance on the technology, temporarily, until members can review other potential... more »

• Big changes for Ascension Parish announced at inauguration ceremony Play Video

  January 2, 2012 3:54 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE - Big changes are coming to Ascension Parish this year. Parish President Tommy Martinez and 11 Parish Council Members were sworn in this morning to begin new terms serving the people. Martinez described the widening of roads in the parish as an urgent priority. "What DOTD... more »

• Parking changes in effect for Gonzales city streets

  December 19, 2011 4:47 AM

  GONZALES - The city of Gonzales has implemented new parking regulations, creating a four-hour parking limit on city streets during the day. Mayor Barney Arceneaux says a committee made the recommendation in November to address several complaints that some businesses use city parking spaces to park company vehicles when... more »

• Possible layoffs, academic structure changes ahead at Southern

  December 15, 2011 6:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Southern University is considering a reorganization plan that would lead to nearly 90 layoffs. The proposal also outlines consolidations of the academic colleges and changes to the administrative structure. As of now, the university does not plan to eliminate any academic programs. The proposed... more »

• Fed takes No new Action on Economy

  December 13, 2011 7:23 PM

  The Federal Reserve says the economy is up moderately as hiring and consumer spending improved so its holding off on new steps to jump start it. Most economists expected Fed policy makers used their final meeting of the year to fine-tune a strategy for communicating changes in interest rates. The... more »

• New trash collection schedule for Denham Springs residents

  December 5, 2011 2:52 AM

  DENHAM SPRINGS - Residents in Denham Springs can expect to see changes in their trash and recycling collection schedules. Beginning today, residents living west of Range Ave. will have garbage collection on Monday and Thursday. Trash service for oversized items will only be collected on Mondays. more »

• Parking changes for LSU Football game days

  September 7, 2011 6:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Starting this Saturday there are some changes to parking on LSU Football game days. On campus parking spots located west of Highland Road, south of Chimes Street and north of Nicholson Extension will require either an Overnight Decal or a Game Parking Decal. The restricted area is... more »

• LSP: There will be changes to their trusty procedures

  March 11, 2011 5:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Michael Shingleton talks with the Department of Public Safety to learn what it takes for a prisoner to become part of the trusty program. News2 learned that Louisiana's qualifications are more lenient than those in neighboring states such as Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama. Those states... more »

• Jindal Medicaid revamp hits wall of criticism

  January 19, 2011 2:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to turn over large chunks of Louisiana's Medicaid program to private managed care companies is coming under heavy criticism from lawmakers and health providers. They say the plan will divert resources to insurance company profits and away from health services. Health and Hospitals... more »

• Health department to rework CommunityCare program

  November 22, 2010 12:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Jindal administration plans to revamp, rather than scrap, a Medicaid program that links poor children with physicians who manage their care. State Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein says the reworked program will have a "pay for performance" feature, in which doctors get more money if... more »

• State says healthcare revamp won't start until 2011

  November 18, 2010 3:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State health secretary Bruce Greenstein says it will be the end of 2011 before the state starts a new health care delivery system for the poor. The Advocate reports that Greenstein said Wednesday the Jindal administration is not backing off the proposed "coordinated care" plan, which would... more »

• Traffic, parking changes for LSU Homecoming

  November 13, 2010 1:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU officials are reminding people that some parking and other traffic changes are in effect for the homecoming game tonight. The Tigers take on ULM starting at 6 p.m. in Baton Rouge. For the full list of road changes and advisories, visit LSUSports.net . ... more »

• La. seeks to revamp health care system for poor

  October 29, 2010 7:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE, LA - State Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein says the Jindal administration is open to changes in its proposed revamp of the state's health care delivery system for the poor. Greenstein said his agency will hold a Baton Rouge summit and eight regional meetings in... more »

• 8-year-old boy drowns in Assumption Parish

  May 25, 2010 6:15 PM

  Eight-year-old Klyund Jones drowned in an abandoned pool yesterday evening in Assumption Parish. The parish has an ordinance about property owners repairing or tearing down dangerous structures. Sheriff Michael Waguespack thinks the ordinance needs include a regulation for pools and bodies of water. "If the land owner is... more »

• State changes rules for GO Zone projects

  April 15, 2010 9:34 AM

  Changes have been made to the state's rules for developers borrowing money through the federal Gulf Opportunity Zone Act. The cap on GO Zone borrowing approval was raised from $100 million to $250 million, and developers will have to tap the money within 90 days - as opposed to the... more »

• Jindal talks about tuition changes

  January 26, 2010 5:18 PM

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• Black Friday shopping on a budget

  November 27, 2009 10:12 PM

  Black Friday shoppers may have flocked to the malls, but not all of them rushed into making a buy. Many shoppers told News 2 this year the purchases are carefully calculated. They blame the economy for causing them to scale back this year's shopping. Some shoppers said they... more »

• CATS to hold public meeting about route and schedule changes

  October 30, 2009 4:46 PM

  The Capital Area Transit System will hold a public hearing to receive public input and decide on changes in routes and schedules. The changes would take effect on Sunday, November 29, 2009. The public hearing will also address a fare increase for paratransit services from $1.00 per trip to $1.75... more »

• Unemployment benefits to change in Louisiana

  September 23, 2009 11:40 PM

  Workers in Louisiana who lose their jobs next year won't get as much money from the state. Changes were made, as required by state law, to protect the unemployment trust fund. After Jan. 1, the maximum weekly benefits will drop from $284 to $247. Businesses will have to pay... more »

• Lombardi says changes are needed for TOPS

  September 23, 2009 3:33 PM

  LSU System President John Lombardi says the TOPS award needs a change. He believes the amount students receive for their academic performance in high school should be static. The amount currently changes from year to year, based on tuition. Lombardi says standardizing the award amount will allow for higher... more »