WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• Christmas fireworks death

  December 26, 2012 7:21 PM

  A man in Clay County, Mississippi near West Point died in a homemade fireworks explosion outside his house on Christmas night. Ralph "Bubba" Elliot was killed when his homemade device exploded just before ten last night. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott says state and federal authorities are trying to determine... more »

• Week after Christmas slow for retailers Play Video

  December 26, 2012 5:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The 2012 shopping season is quickly drawing to a close, and many shoppers say they didn't spend as much as years past. Retailers typically make 40 percent of their yearly sales in November and December. The week after Christmas is still considered a big shopping week,... more »

• Christmas storm kills 1 in Richland Parish

  December 25, 2012 10:21 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Christmas storms killed at least one person in Louisiana, damaged buildings from central Louisiana into southwest Mississippi and cut power to at least 14,000 people and businesses in Louisiana and 5,000 in Mississippi. Richland Parish Sheriff Lee Harrell said that 53-year-old Allen Sullivan died around 2 p.m.... more »

• Christmas Day storms cause damage

  December 25, 2012 10:18 PM

  ZACHARY- People were forced to break Christmas traditions and take cover when powerful storms rolled through the region Tuesday. Damage was reported in many areas. In the northern part of East Baton Rouge, at least two people said they encountered a tornado. "There was just a lot of... more »

• Displaced family enjoys Christmas

  December 25, 2012 5:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE - It was a Christmas miracle for one family at Greater Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. Earlier this month, Mary Parker's house caught fire in the middle of the night. Everyone in the home escaped unharmed, but the fire left nothing. Parker, known for welcoming anyone and everyone... more »

• Shoppers not in the spending mood

  December 24, 2012 8:09 AM

  ATLANTA - Some analysts are saying that shoppers seem to be spending less leading up to Christmas Day. The market research NPD Inc., says consumer traffic over the weekend was in line with the same time a year ago, but shoppers seemed to be holding onto their wallets a... more »

• Christmas shoppers still spend despite looming Fiscal Cliff deadline Play Video

  December 22, 2012 5:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Holiday shoppers were out today despite current talks from Washington on potential tax increases. Kelli Bagwell said she is aware of how close the nation is to teetering to the fiscal cliff, but she is not going to let it ruin her holiday season. "I'm getting... more »

• Obama and family arrive in Hawaii for Christmas

  December 22, 2012 9:59 AM

  HONOLULU - President Barack Obama and his family have arrived in Honolulu to spend Christmas in Hawaii, where the president was born and raised. Air Force One touched down in Honolulu minutes after midnight local time on Saturday. The first family departed the plane and left quickly for their vacation... more »

• Small businesses cash in on last minute shoppers

  December 21, 2012 5:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Small, locally owned stores are getting their piece of the pie when it comes to last minute shoppers. "It's the last minute people rushing it, it's our second black Friday," says Lindsay Schaefer. Schaefer, a sales associate at FeBe, says her store is cashing in on... more »

• More Christmas vandals on the loose in Ascension

  December 20, 2012 11:17 PM

  DUTCHTOWN- More Christmas vandals are wanted in Ascension Parish. The sheriff's office said people destroyed holiday decorations in the Moss Pointe Subdivision. It's the second set of attacks this season. Last week, three teens were arrested. They were accused of another vandalism spree where thousands of dollars worth... more »

• Jamie Wax's one-man Christmas show back at BRLT Play Video

  December 19, 2012 12:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Performer and Baton Rouge native Jamie Wax returns this weekend to the stage he first performed his original one-man Christmas show, "A Gift for Lyman Bourke." Wax premiered the show 20 years ago at the Baton Rouge Little Theater, and now brings the holiday comedy back... more »

• Livingston Parish opens doors to Christmas Crusade Play Video

  December 14, 2012 5:32 PM

  LIVINGSTON PARISH - Sheriff Jason Ard's Christmas Crusade distributed toys to over 1,200 kids today. Families opened their doors to Sheriff Deputies, who hand-delivered the toys to each household. For many deputies, the Christmas Crusade is about connecting with the public in a positive way. "It's seeing... more »

• 3 accused "Christmas Vandals" busted

  December 13, 2012 5:27 PM

  DUTCHTOWN- Three teenagers have been arrested, accused of destroying thousands of dollars worth of Christmas displays in Ascension Parish. The trio has been nicknamed the "Christmas Vandals" by deputies. A tip led to the break in the case. Roarke Dunn, Rendell Reid and Adam Dellucci face charges in... more »

• Police: 3 dead, including gunman, in Ore. mall shooting

  December 11, 2012 6:18 PM

  PORTLAND, Ore. - Authorities say three people are dead, including the shooter, after a mass shooting at a packed Oregon mall. The shooting happened at the Clackamas Town Center, which was packed with holiday shoppers according to law enforcement. Officers have been going store-to-store at the Clackamas Town Center... more »

• Michelle Obama donates to Toys for Tots

  December 11, 2012 3:52 PM

  WASHINGTON - Michelle Obama thanked military families for the inspiration they've given her as first lady as she delivered about 900 gifts Tuesday from White House aides to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign. Mrs. Obama said "military families are what inspires my work," as she thanked volunteers, donors... more »

• Surveillance video shows Christmas light vandals

  December 11, 2012 3:17 PM

  DUTCHTOWN - Sheriff's deputies released home surveillance video of three vandals who destroyed a number of Christmas displays in Ascension Parish this weekend. Deputies said 19 homes' light displays were destroyed in the Old Dutchtown subdivision Saturday night. One home raising money with their display for the St. Jude... more »

• Reid: 'Extremely difficult' to solve fiscal cliff

  December 11, 2012 2:18 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate's top Democrat says "it's going to be extremely difficult" to pass legislation to address the so-called fiscal cliff before Christmas, but adds there's still a chance it can be done. Majority Leader Harry Reid commented Tuesday amid a souring mood in Washington over negotiations to forestall... more »

• Vandals destroy Ascension Parish Christmas light displays

  December 8, 2012 8:08 PM

  ASCENSION PARISH- A Dutchtown community is rebuilding and replacing thousands of dollars worth of lights after vandals ransacked an entire neighborhood's Christmas displays. It happened overnight Friday in the Old Dutchtown subdivision off Highway 74 in Ascension Parish. Scott Raposo's elaborate display of 57,000 lights was hit. ... more »

• NJ teen wants Easy-Bake Oven to appeal to boys

  December 7, 2012 1:28 PM

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Four-year-old Gavyn Boscio asked for an Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas. But when his big sister went to buy one, she could find it only in girly pink and purple. So the Garfield, N.J., girl started an online petition asking Hasbro to make the toy ovens in gender-neutral... more »

• Christmas parades - Dec. 8, 9

  December 6, 2012 3:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Here's a list of Christmas parades happening around the greater Baton Rouge area this weekend. Baton Rouge Police especially warned people heading downtown for the Kiwanis parade to consider taking alternative exits from the interstate than the Government exit, which they said backs up every year.... more »

• 100 Canadians can smell like fresh pizza

  December 6, 2012 12:36 PM

  DALLAS - Oh, to be one of 110 select Canadians! They'll find in their mailboxes a bottle of pizza-scented perfume before Christmas, courtesy of Pizza Hut Canada. The Canadian subsidiary of the Dallas-based pizza chain selected the 110 from more than 1,000 responses to a social media-based promotional campaign. The... more »

• Christmas story accompanies lighting of Capitol Tree

  December 4, 2012 6:21 PM

  WASHINGTON - House Speaker John Boehner says the 10,000 lights on the Capitol Christmas Tree represent the "everlasting light" that entered the world with the birth of Jesus Christ. Boehner hosted Tuesday evening's lighting of the 65-foot spruce from Colorado. Eagle Scout Ryan Shuster of Colorado Springs flipped the switch... more »

• Angola inmates on Santa's payroll

  December 3, 2012 4:06 PM

  ANGOLA- Inmates at the state's maximum security prison are working overtime to fill all the orders on Santa's list before Christmas. It's a tradition every year that gets inmates working on their down time to make toys and fix bikes for needy children. "They are elves," said Tom... more »

• 3 rob N.O. man working on Christmas display

  December 3, 2012 2:25 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A New Orleans man was robbed and his home burglarized by three suspects who approached him Sunday while he was hanging Christmas lights, police say. The Times-Picayune reports three man approached the unidentified victim, ordered him off a ladder and forced him inside the house. Police say... more »

• Christmas parades taking place this weekend

  November 30, 2012 4:19 PM

  Here are a list of Christmas parades taking place the weekend of Dec. 1 and 2 - Saturday, Dec. 1 St. George Fire Dept - Starts at 10am and ends at dusk, through neighborhoods between Airline Hwy and the Amite River South Baton Rouge Parade - Starts... more »

• Cyber shopping not tax-free Play Video

  November 29, 2012 5:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - You may not be charged tax when online shopping, but that doesn't mean your purchases are tax-free. Web retailers like Amazon.com aren't required to collect sales tax in states like Louisiana because there's no 'brick-and-mortar' store in the state, but Louisiana still requires consumers to pay... more »

• Busy homeowners hire help for Christmas decorations Play Video

  November 29, 2012 5:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Some people too busy to decorate are finding more holiday cheer by hiring help to spruce up their home for the holidays. For around $300 you can kick back and sip cocoa as workers set up your lights. Some are college students looking for extra cash, while others... more »

• Holiday tips to keep your family safe Play Video

  November 27, 2012 5:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Christmas tree can bust into flames within seconds, if safety precautions are not taken this holiday season. Real or fake, homes around the country catch fire every year because of dry trees or electrical problems in a home. This holiday season, be sure to... more »

• WBRZ recognizes area's best holiday displays

  November 26, 2012 10:14 AM

  BATON ROUGE - WBRZ News 2 Louisiana will kick off the 2012 holiday season in the Baton Rouge area with its annual "Lights Before Christmas" Contest. "Lights Before Christmas" recognizes the area's most spirited and decorative homes of the season.Viewers can nominate homes beginning Monday, November 26th through Wednesday,... more »

• First lady welcomes Christmas tree

  November 23, 2012 4:38 PM

  WASHINGTON - First lady Michelle Obama is kicking off the holiday season by welcoming the White House Christmas tree. Mrs. Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha and first dog Bo greeted the arrival of a 19-foot Fraser fir from Peak Farms in Jefferson, N.C. The tree arrived Friday on a horse-drawn... more »

• Retailers are starting Christmas early

  November 8, 2012 5:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with several stores already stocking the shelves with holiday items. According to the National Retail Federation nearly 40 percent of holiday shoppers get started around Halloween. Retailers seem more than happy supply the demand. But not everyone... more »

• Macy's NYC flagship getting$400M makeover

  September 19, 2012 12:33 PM

  NEW YORK - A $400 million makeover is giving New York's iconic Macy's store a sleek, new 21st century style. And some preservationists aren't happy about it. They see the overhaul of America's biggest department store as scrapping classic Beaux Arts and Art Deco touches in favor of the latest... more »

• Kid tablets, retro brands are Toys R Us 'hot toys'

  September 19, 2012 12:24 PM

  NEW YORK - It's still technically summer, but for some it's not too soon to think about what the kiddies will want for the holidays. Toys R Us has come out with its annual "hot toy" list that includes tablets for kids, fashion dolls in the likeness of boy-band sensation... more »

• Toys R Us to offer 'hot toy' reservation program

  September 12, 2012 12:36 PM

  NEW YORK - It's still summer for a few more days, but the holidays are already heating up at Toys R Us. The largest U.S. specialty toy retailer outlined its plan for its busiest season Wednesday - including adding a "hot toy" reservation system, beefing up services like layaway and... more »

• Santa shakes it up at annual summer meet

  July 23, 2012 12:41 PM

  COPENHAGEN, Denmark - If Santa looks thinner than usual come Christmas, it may have something to do with Zumba, the Latin-inspired dance fitness craze. A Zumba exercise class with hula hoops was a novelty at this year's World Santa Congress, which brings St. Nicks from around the globe to an... more »

• Saints RB Thomas fined for TD celebration

  December 30, 2011 4:11 PM

  METAIRIE - Saints running back Pierre Thomas has been fined $12,500 for a uniform violation and a touchdown celebration in which he placed a bow on a football and gave it to a fan. The fine for the celebration is $7,500. Thomas also violated NFL policies by wearing Christmas-themed green... more »

• Christmas tree recycling drop off points

  December 26, 2011 5:43 PM

  Remember to remove all decorations and accessories from trees before bring to recycling. Walker Christmas Tree Recycling Project Sidney Hutchinson Park December 26 - January 6 Denham Springs Natural Christmas Tree Recycling Program Street Department Campus, 600 Bowman Street 7 a.m. -... more »

• Walker accepting Christmas trees to reuse as mulch

  December 26, 2011 12:02 PM

  WALKER - The city of Walker wants to change your used Christmas trees into savings for the city. Mayor Bobby Font's office announced the Christmas Tree Recycling project in a press release Monday morning. It says the city plans to mulch any real, leftover Christmas trees and use... more »

• St. Vincent de Paul director talks about successful Christmas Play Video

  December 26, 2011 8:59 AM

  BATON ROUGE - St. Vincent de Paul's executive director couldn't be more pleased with the Baton Rouge homeless shelter's Christmas Day accommodations Sunday and continued to be delighted with the what was presented to him on 2une In Monday morning. Anonymous donors dropped off wrapped Christmas gifts to the... more »

• Texas shooting victims had just opened gifts

  December 26, 2011 6:45 AM

  GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) - Police say the seven people who were found shot to death in a Dallas-area apartment Sunday had apparently opened their Christmas gifts and had started cleaning up the wrapping paper when they were shot. Authorities believe the seven people were related and that the shooter was... more »

• Catahoula Parish mother and son die in Christmas Day fire

  December 25, 2011 6:33 PM

  ENTERPRISE, La. - An investigation is underway into a tragic fire which took the life of a mother and her son on Christmas Day. Firefighters responded to the reported house trailer fire just after noon today in the 3100 block of Columbia Church Road in Catahoula Parish. When... more »

• Needy redeem Christmas gifts at St. Vincent de Paul Play Video

  December 25, 2011 3:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE - On Christmas night, many of you are enjoying gifts from loved ones. And thanks to St. Vincent de Paul, some of the needy in Baton Rouge are doing the very same thing. Several shoppers gathered items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap. But they're not in... more »

• Muslim group claims new Nigeria attacks

  December 25, 2011 1:21 PM

  MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) - A radical Muslim group that has killed nearly 500 people this year in Nigeria has struck again on Christmas Day. It's claiming responsibility for an explosion that ripped through a Catholic church during Christmas Mass near Nigeria's capital, killing at least 25 people. The group also... more »

• Man dies in Christmas Eve collision

  December 25, 2011 12:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A head-on collision late Christmas Eve left one man dead in Baton Rouge. It happened around 8:30 p.m. in the 12000 block of Highland Road near Siegen Lane. Sheriff's deputies say two vehicles were traveling east and west on Highland Road when they collided into... more »

• Christmas observance in Holy Land

  December 25, 2011 11:37 AM

  BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) - Crowds in the West Bank town of Bethlehem are the largest in more than a decade. Despite some strong winds and a pounding rain, visitors packed a church on Manger Square today to celebrate Christmas Mass at Jesus' traditional birthplace. St. Catherine's Church is attached... more »

• Bonfires set up on levee despite possible rain Play Video

  December 23, 2011 6:40 PM

  GRAMERCY - Fire department members ensure that Santa's path to the river parishes is well lit on Christmas eve by upholding their unique tradition. The Festival of Bonfire Lights invites locals to build fires along the Mississippi River levee. Janice Kennedy promised herself that if she beat cancer,... more »

• Police to crackdown on drunk driving during holidays Play Video

  December 23, 2011 5:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Police say holiday partygoers who are planning on drinking this weekend, better choose a designated driver or they'll be arrested for drinking and driving. Police are increasing patrols Saturday and Sunday to make DWI arrests and prevent accidents. Last year, there were 67 deadly crashes... more »

• Toddler gets new bike through Law Enforcement Crusade Play Video

  December 23, 2011 5:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE- It beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And the Law Enforcement Christmas Crusade is in full swing. Four year old Larone Bulter is just one of the hundreds of Baton Rouge kids who received toys through the crusade this year. A got a new bike and... more »

• Walker Christmas display open despite vandals Play Video

  December 21, 2011 5:44 PM

  WALKER - The show will go on in Walker. Vandals heavily damaged a Christmas display at Sidney Hutchinson Park. They ripped up more than 30 inflatable displays and broke lights. City workers spent much of the day making repairs to the Walker Wonderland. Mayor Bobby Font... more »

• Vandals wanted for destroying Christmas decorations Play Video

  December 21, 2011 10:19 AM

  WALKER - Vandals who destroyed Christmas decorations in a Walker park last night are wanted today by police. City officials say inflatable Christmas decorations at Sidney Hutchinson Park were slashed Tuesday night. Officials are working to repair the park facilities as quickly as possible and are trying to... more »

• Illegal Christmas bonuses? Play Video

  December 15, 2011 7:31 AM

  PORT ALLEN - The fallout from former Port Allen mayor Derek Lewis's corruption scandal has trickled down to city officials. And now, the city council has uncovered financial wrongdoings stemming back to 1994. An audit recently revealed that employees unknowingly received thousands of dollars in Christmas bonuses that... more »

• Christmas tree fee delayed by Dept. of Agriculture

  November 9, 2011 5:47 PM

  WASHINGTON - A fee on Christmas trees that was scheduled to go into effect today has been delayed by the Obama administration, after backlash against the program from organizations who called it a tax. The program would have charged some growers 15 cents per tree to pay for nationwide... more »

• Proposed tree fee delayed by Dept. of Agriculture

  November 9, 2011 12:02 PM

  WASHINGTON - A fee on Christmas trees that was scheduled to go into effect today has been delayed by the Obama administration, after backlash against the program from organizations who called it a tax. The program would have charged some growers 15 cents per tree to pay for nationwide... more »

• Santa gets physical at World Santa Claus Congress

  July 20, 2011 12:37 PM

  COPENHAGEN, Denmark - The Olympics have pentathlons - and so does the World Santa Congress, sort of. Santas from all over the world lugged their overweight waistlines to this year's 54th World Santa Claus Congress, throwing sacks of presents and firing canon balls in a new physical fitness contest.... more »

• Christmas trees help save marsh; airlift next week

  February 19, 2011 9:44 AM

  LACOMBE, La.- Christmas trees that once stood tall inside homes of Orleans Parish residents soon will be recycled to help save Louisiana's disappearing marshland. The thousands of discarded trees collected after the holiday will be airlifted Wednesday into the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge to help establish a breakwater... more »

• Woman finds $280K of drugs in vacuum

  January 15, 2011 3:18 PM

  GREEN BAY, Wis.- A Green Bay, Wis., woman opened a Christmas present from her children to find a refurbished vacuum - and a load of drugs. Authorities say the woman found 2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and 2.2 pounds of cocaine shrink wrapped inside the box. Sheriff's officials estimate... more »

• Pets discarded after presents opened

  December 30, 2010 5:38 PM

  WALKER- Nearly 20 dogs were abandoned by their owners following Christmas in Livingston Parish after owners decided to make room for newer pets, according to the SPCA of Livingston. Rescue volunteers said many families who discarded older pets claimed their new pets weren't getting along with their existing dogs. ... more »

• Bad gifts may be history with Amazon's idea

  December 29, 2010 12:32 PM

  SAN FRANCISCO - For some, it's the red reindeer Christmas sweater. For others, it's the diamond-encrusted dreidel. Whatever your worst gift nightmare might be, Amazon may soon give you a reason to cheer. The online retail behemoth that's the source of many presents - may they be... more »

• Drunk driver reports himself to police in Iowa

  December 28, 2010 12:41 PM

  IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa City police say a 25-year-old man called 911 to report a drunken driver: himself. According to the Iowa City Press-Citizen, police say Francisco Castro called the emergency number around 8:30 on Christmas morning. Officers found Castro sitting in the driver's seat of a... more »

• That Santa feeling hasn't quite left shoppers yet

  December 27, 2010 4:10 PM

  NEW YORK - Forget the returns line: Americans hit the stores after Christmas to buy stuff, indulging the rediscovered retail appetite that may have made 2010's holiday shopping season the biggest ever. Revenue for the holiday season is on track to grow at its strongest rate since 2006. Total spending... more »

• Christmas tree recycling begins in East Baton Rouge

  December 27, 2010 3:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Christmas tree collection doesn’t start for more than a week in Baton Rouge, but people who want to get rid of their tree now have a few options. Seven drop-off locations are open for people to unload their Christmas tree before Jan. 6, which is when curbside... more »

• Playboy's Hefner gets engaged to a Playmate again

  December 27, 2010 12:28 PM

  CHICAGO - Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner says he's gotten engaged again. Hefner said in a Twitter message early Saturday that he'd given a ring to girlfriend and Playmate Crystal Harris, saying she burst into tears. "This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory," he wrote. To... more »

• Day-after-Christmas shoppers head to the mall

  December 26, 2010 6:48 PM

  Crowds of people shuffled through the mall, some looking for a good deal, others making returns. For Charlene Dean, day-after-Christmas shopping is a family tradition. "It's been a family event but only for the girls to spend their Christmas money," Dean said. Shoppers who got to the... more »

• Volunteers, bishop serve Christmas meal to those in need

  December 25, 2010 10:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE Volunteers and Bishop Muench will serve a Christmas meal to hundreds of people in need today. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. Vincent de Paul dining room. The dining room is located at 220 St. Vincent de Paul Place. ... more »

• Holiday 2010: The year the shoppers came back

  December 25, 2010 9:43 AM

  NEW YORK - Shoppers came back in force for the holidays, right to the end. After two dreary years, Christmas 2010 will go down as the holiday Americans rediscovered how much they like to shop. People spent more than expected on family and friends and splurged on themselves, too, an... more »

• Obama's agenda calls for quiet Christmas

  December 25, 2010 9:40 AM

  HONOLULU (AP) - President Barack Obama's Christmas wish may simply be to have a quieter holiday than last year. Obama was with his family in the same oceanfront neighborhood on the island of Oahu last December, when a 23-year-old Nigerian man allegedly attempted to blow up a plane bound for... more »

• Largest number of pilgrims in a decade visit Bethlehem

  December 25, 2010 9:36 AM

  BETHLEHEM, West Bank - The largest number of pilgrims in a decade gathered in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas, with tens of thousands flocking to the Church of the Nativity, built on the site where tradition holds Jesus was born, for prayers Saturday morning. Israeli military officials, who coordinate movement in... more »

• Wintry weather setting back holiday travel plans

  December 25, 2010 9:30 AM

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - With a rare Christmas snowfall descending on the Southeast and likely headed for the Mid-Atlantic, airlines canceled hundreds of flights and urged travelers to rethink their plans, while travel authorities warned of potentially dangerous roads. After blanketing parts of the Midwest and hampering motorists there on Christmas... more »

• Archivist: Louisiana has three Christmases

  December 25, 2010 9:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana has three traditional Christmas celebrations, says State Archivist Florent Hardy. In addition to Dec. 25, the date celebrated in Louisiana since 1718, there's St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 5 and the Trappers Christmas in late February. In New Orleans, the original Christmas celebrations included attending midnight... more »

• Vintage toys making a comeback for Christmas

  December 24, 2010 6:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - They're toys that bring back memories of childhood, and this year they're flying off of local shelves. Legos, Lincoln Logs and Easy Bake Ovens are only a few of the vintage toys shoppers are picking up this Christmas. "People really appreciate being able to give... more »

• Fund for fishermen hands out money for Christmas

  December 24, 2010 8:34 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- State officials say a fund set up for fishermen struggling since the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is handing out $500 checks to 250 fishermen for Christmas. The friends of the fishermen fund was set up in July and has raised more than $127,000 through... more »

• Holiday shoppers sprint to end; retail revenues up

  December 22, 2010 2:21 PM

  CHICAGO - Holiday shoppers are racing to the end of the season at a more feverish pace this year, with retail revenue up 5.5 percent during the last weekend before Christmas. The figure, released by ShopperTrak on Wednesday, is a drastic improvement from a year ago, when revenue dropped 6.2... more »

• Holly Clegg Recipes for Wednesday, December 22nd

  December 22, 2010 1:01 PM

  Mexican Breakfast Casserole Simple ingredients magically create this make-ahead scrumptious breakfast dish fulfilling everyone's expectations in my house. Makes 8-10 servings 1 (4-ounce) can green chilies 8 ounces ground breakfast turkey sausage 1 onion, chopped 1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper, cored and chopped 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1... more »

• Walker roundup nets suspected crack dealer

  December 20, 2010 2:36 PM

  WALKER- Walker Police began early Monday morning searching for five people they suspected of selling crack-cocaine. The drug roundup netted one man, Burtrell Morris, of Walker. Morris is accused of two counts of selling crack. News 2 spoke to Morris while he was being booked at the Walker Police... more »

• Toys made by prisoners ready for delivery

  December 20, 2010 12:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Dressed in military fatigues, inmates from the IMPACT group delivered boxes of hand-made toys today that will wind up with underprivileged children on Christmas. The wooden gifts were designed, built and paid for by inmates at the Hunt Correctional Facility. Catholic Charities selects families to receive... more »

• Copeland's makes cheesecake toppings for the holidays

  December 20, 2010 6:26 AM

  Copeland's New Orleans Bananas Foster 2 Bananas - peeled and sliced 1 tablespoon Salted butter - to sauté bananas 2 teaspoons Cinnamon ½ cup Heavy cream ½ cup Light brown sugar ¼ cup Banana liquor ¼ stick Salted butter 1. Melt 1 tablespoon salted butter in a large skillet over... more »

• Holiday Shopping Blitz

  December 19, 2010 3:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE- As the Christmas shopping deadline fast approaches the area malls are filling quickly. So holiday shoppers have to be strategic to make sure they get the presents they want while avoiding the crowds. "You don't want to come too late because we had to drop my sister... more »

• Early Christmas treat: 2010's only total lunar eclipse

  December 19, 2010 10:14 AM

  Just in time for Christmas. The year's only total lunar eclipse will occur Monday night or early Tuesday depending on where you live. North and Central America and a tiny sliver of South America will have the best view. Weather permitting, sky-gazers in those regions should be able to... more »

• Post office preparing for busiest day of the year

  December 17, 2010 12:48 PM

  WASHINGTON - The post office is bracing for its busiest day of the year on Monday. The agency's busiest day is traditionally the Monday before Christmas as people mail cards and packages they prepared over the weekend. Postal officials expect 800 million pieces of mail to be handled... more »

• Bell-ringer tunes up Christmas

  December 15, 2010 4:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Salvation Army deploys dozens of 'bell-ringers' to local stores during the holiday season, but none may be as well liked and as successful as Kenneth Burrell. Burrell does more than just ring a bell in front of a red kettle; he encourages folks to donate by... more »

• Wife gets 10 years in husband's death

  December 2, 2010 6:34 AM

  COVINGTON - A state judge has sentenced Kendra Talley to 10 years in prison for participating in the shooting death of her husband two weeks before Christmas 2004. Last month, Talley pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of crystal meth. She had been facing a second-degree murder charge in the... more »

• Mall security: Use caution shopping this holiday

  November 28, 2010 7:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE- As the busy shopping season gets underway, more people are hitting the malls to pick up presents for Christmas, which means more criminals are looking to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. The folks at Cortana Mall beefed up security patrols and offered tips to customers to keep them... more »

• Official: FBI tipped off to investigate teenager

  November 27, 2010 1:09 PM

  WASHINGTON - A law enforcement official says federal agents began investigating the suspect in the Christmas tree bombing plot in Portland, Ore., after receiving a tip from someone who was concerned about the teenager. The official tells The Associated Press that Mohamed Osman Mohamud was acting on his own -... more »

• Job loss slows in Louisiana

  March 12, 2010 2:32 PM

  Louisiana lost 21,900 jobs from December to January, according to a report Friday from the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The lost jobs were largely due to Christmas jobs in retail sales and shipping and temporary student jobs coming to a seasonal end. With seasonal factors taken out, the state... more »

• Holiday shopping extended

  December 26, 2009 7:22 PM

  Thousands flocked to the malls Saturday to take advantage of some major post holiday sales. Some stores offered discounts as deep as 75 percent off. "Retailers are wanting to get rid of the excess merchandise," said shopper Nicole Baker, "and after a day with family you want to go... more »