WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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• Audit: DOE skipped steps in monitoring charters

  May 20, 2013 11:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A new audit says the state education department had gaps in its monitoring of the academic performance of Louisiana's charter schools. The review, released Monday by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office, looked at charter school monitoring activities during the 2011-12 budget year. The audit says the Department... more »

• Family loses everything in fire Play Video

  May 16, 2013 3:17 PM

  ST. AMANT - A knocked-over candle cost a family everything they had in a house fire, according to the St. Amant Fire Department. "The power went out between midnight and one. My husband left for work he had lit candles when the power went out. One of them got... more »

• AP sources: Pentagon to cut civilian furlough days

  May 14, 2013 7:53 AM

  WASHINGTON - U.S. military officials say the Defense Department leaders trying to find ways to deal with mandatory budget cuts are poised to trim the number of civilian furlough days from 14 to at least 11 and allow the military to exempt thousands of additional workers from the unpaid day... more »

• Mayor under scrutiny vetoes department head measure Play Video

  May 13, 2013 1:39 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Mayor Deedy Slaughter vetoed a measure passed by the Port Allen City Council last week which would have explicity listed several city positions as department heads, including the chief financial officer who took Slaughter to court after the mayor tried to fire her. The ordinance, which... more »

• La. company agrees to pay $2M in back wages

  May 6, 2013 3:26 PM

  LAFAYETTE - A Lafayette-based industrial services employment agency has agreed to pay nearly $2 million in back wages to more than 2,000 employees following a U.S. Labor Department investigation. The Labor Department said Monday that Hutco Inc. employees in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas were denied overtime compensation as a result... more »

• Workouts now mandatory at Port Allen Fire Department

  April 11, 2013 1:23 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Fire safety and physical training goes hand-in-hand at the Port Allen Fire Department. Fire Chief Rick Boudreaux just rolled out a new workout rule that applies to every firefighter in his district. They have to do physical training for at least an hour a day. ... more »

• Group says Justice Dept. should supervise NOPD

  February 21, 2013 7:55 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A community group in New Orleans says the city should not be allowed to get out of a court-backed agreement to reform the police department. "Community United for Change" filed papers in federal court Wednesday opposing the city's move to vacate the agreement. Instead, the group... more »

• Hammond council approves purchase of former bank

  February 6, 2013 6:48 AM

  HAMMOND - The Hammond City Council has agreed to buy and renovate the former Hancock Bank Building for use as the Police Department's new headquarters. Mayor Mayson Foster asked the council Tuesday to approve necessary fiscal moves to ensure state funding would be available for the project. The state awarded... more »

• Government again delays proposed 'fracking' rule

  January 18, 2013 5:42 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Interior Department is again delaying a proposed rule that would require companies drilling for oil and natural gas on federal lands to publicly disclose chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations. The Obama administration first proposed a "fracking" rule last May, with a final rule expected by the... more »

• BRPD Chief to arm officers with rifles, expand BRAVE to 70802 Play Video

  January 16, 2013 2:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White announced progressive plans that will move his department forward this year. In a one-on-one interview, White said the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination Project will expand to the 70802 zip code this year. Officers will also be outfitted with military surplus... more »

• Real ID deadline pushed back

  December 21, 2012 11:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana travelers can rest easier. The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that states will be given an extension to meet the new standards of the Real ID Act. Without this extension a state driver's license would not have been accepted as a proper form of... more »

• Petraeus mistress won't face cyberstalking charge

  December 18, 2012 10:55 AM

  WASHINGTON - The Justice Department is dropping its investigation into whether David Petraeus' mistress, Paula Broadwell, stalked a romantic rival online. Broadwell's lawyer, Robert Muse, gave The Associated Press a letter from U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill that says no federal charges will be brought in Florida related to "alleged acts... more »

• US names investigator in Danziger case

  December 6, 2012 12:30 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Justice Department has appointed a veteran prosecutor to investigate allegations that the U.S. attorney's office conducted a smear campaign and leaked information to news organizations during the case against police officers accused of deadly shootings at a bridge shortly after Hurricane Katrina. John Horn, first assistant... more »

• Used car dealer sentenced in odometer fraud case

  November 30, 2012 10:31 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Justice Department says Beau Michael Guidry of Baton Rouge has been sentenced in connection with an odometer tampering scheme that defrauded victims in and around Louisiana. U.S. District Judge James J. Brady sentenced Guidry Thursday to 20 months in prison and one year of supervised release... more »

• 15 new West Nile cases, 1 death this past week

  November 19, 2012 3:00 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The state health department says 15 new West Nile virus cases and one death from the virus have been reported in the past week. In addition, one patient's illness changed from flu-like West Nile fever to a dangerous "neuroinvasive" infection affecting the brain or spinal cord. State... more »

• Environmental group says BP penalty isn't enough

  November 15, 2012 4:06 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Lawyers for two BP oil rig workers say the Justice Department is trying to make scapegoats out of them. The two were indicted today on federal charges including manslaughter, in the deaths of 11 workers in the rig explosion that led to the Gulf oil spill two... more »

• Duke removes blackface photo of lacrosse player

  November 13, 2012 10:33 AM

  DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke athletic department has removed a photo from its website showing a women's lacrosse player dressed in blackface at a team Halloween party. The team held the party and costume contest at head coach Kerstin Kimel's house. The junior class dressed as characters from "The Little... more »

• US employers post fewest jobs in 5 months

  November 6, 2012 12:13 PM

  UNDATED - The Labor Department says the nation's employers posted fewer job openings in September after advertising more in August than first estimated. The report suggests hiring could remain modest in the coming months. September job openings dropped by 100,000 to 3.56 million, the fewest in five months. August's openings... more »

• Man pleads guilty to 8 fishing, oyster violations

  October 17, 2012 5:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a 25-year-old Houma man arrested for alleged oyster and boating violations has pleaded guilty to 18 earlier charges. Wildlife and Fisheries' Enforcement Division spokesman Adam Einck says Danny T. Billiot Jr. was sentenced to six months in jail and... more »

• New program hopes to recoup state-owed debts

  October 12, 2012 10:27 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The state Department of Revenue announced it's working on a new program to collect money owed to the state by intercepting federal payments. The Federal-State Offset Program would let them take money out of federal payments to vendors or contractors with outstanding, non-tax debts owed to... more »

• State Dept opens Benghazi consulate attack probe

  October 3, 2012 3:00 PM

  WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is pledging a full and transparent inquiry into the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans. The probe comes as Congress is demanding speedy answers to questions about the... more »

• Revenue dept. issues proposed rule for tax break

  September 26, 2012 11:47 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The state Department of Revenue is proposing new regulations governing Louisiana's alternative fuel vehicle tax credit to limit estimated program costs to $10 million a year. That's far higher than initial estimates of the tax break's price tag. But the move to eliminate "flex-fuel vehicles" - which... more »

• Zachary Police warn of burglaries Play Video

  September 24, 2012 5:55 PM

  ZACHARY- Zachary Police say they are looking for leads after a rash of home burglaries. Police Chief David McDavid say they are happening in the middle of the day in neighborhoods across the city. People we spoke with say they already watch for suspicious activity. Retiree Larry Houston... more »

• DOJ seeks to join lawsuit against Orleans prison

  September 24, 2012 5:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Justice Department is asking to join a class action lawsuit that accuses Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman of overseeing a jail that routinely subjects prisoners to brutal, inhumane conditions. The federal agency filed a request Monday in federal court, asking to be included as a... more »

• Lawmakers to hear from 'gun-walking' investigator

  September 20, 2012 8:50 AM

  WASHINGTON - The report on the bungled federal gun-trafficking probe known as Fast and Furious is the subject today at a hearing by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The report faults the Justice Department for mistakes made in an operation that allowed hundreds of guns to reach... more »

• Feds vow to prove gross negligence by BP

  September 5, 2012 10:07 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Justice Department is urging a federal judge to ignore BP's assertion that the Gulf Coast's natural resources are making a "robust recovery" from its massive 2010 oil spill. In a strongly worded court filing, government lawyers also renewed their vow to prove BP engaged in... more »

• Lightning blamed for fire which destroyed home

  July 27, 2012 4:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Firefighters said a lightning strike is to blame for a fire which destroyed a Baton Rouge home this afternoon. Barry Mounce with BRFD said they were called to 222 West Woodgate Court at 2:27 p.m. Witnesses said they heard a loud boom as storms moved through... more »

• Revamp of New Orleans PD comprehensive, expensive

  July 25, 2012 8:12 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A court-backed plan to excise corruption, discrimination and a frequent use of deadly force from the long-troubled New Orleans Police Department will last at least four years and likely cost the financially strapped city $11 million annually. Attorney General Eric Holder says the agreement is the... more »

• Applications top 10,000 for La. voucher program

  July 11, 2012 3:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state education department has received more than 10,000 applications for Louisiana's statewide voucher program set to start in August that will use taxpayer money to send students to private and parochial schools. Superintendent of Education John White announced the applicant numbers Wednesday. As many as 2,000... more »

• Million-dollar home damaged by fire

  July 9, 2012 3:16 PM

  ZACHARY - Investigators said they're still looking into the cause of a fire which did thousands of dollars in damage to a large home in Zachary this morning. Four departments responded to the million-dollar home on Jackcock Road around 9 a.m. today, including Zachary, Baker, Slaughter and Central fire... more »

• US to begin new phase of hypersonic flight program

  July 6, 2012 6:04 PM

  LOS ANGELES - The Defense Department's research arm will seek proposals next month for solutions to technology hurdles in super high-speed flight with a goal of testing a full-scale hypersonic X-plane in four years. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency said Friday it will host a so-called Proposers' Day on... more »

• Tree falls on home in Baton Rouge

  July 4, 2012 6:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An elderly woman escaped harm after a tree fell on her home this afternoon in Baton Rouge. It happened on Minnesota Street earlier this afternoon. The fire department says one room was damaged from a tree limb that punched a hole in the roof. The... more »

• BRFD: Lightning hit tree, set home on fire

  July 2, 2012 5:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Lightning struck a tree during this afternoon's storms and traveled into a nearby home, igniting a fire according to the Baton Rouge Fire Department. Spokesperson Robert Combs said the home on 3021 Margebrook Drive had quite a bit of damage, but no one was home at... more »

• Federal hotline set up on Arizona immigration

  June 25, 2012 5:34 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Justice Department has set up a hotline for the public to report potential civil rights concerns regarding the Arizona law that requires police to check the immigration status of those they stop for other reasons. The hotline phone number is 1-855-353-1010. The email is: SB1070(at)usdoj.gov. The Supreme... more »

• LDWF patrols waterways for holiday safety Play Video

  May 28, 2012 5:29 PM

  NEW ROADS - Wildlife and Fisheries agents spent Memorial Day enforcing boating laws. During routine boat checks, agents asked boaters to see sufficient life jackets, a fire extinguisher and the boat's registration. Last year, LDWF arrested more than 100 people for driving boats while intoxicated. more »

• Hurricane supplies tax-free this weekend in La. Play Video

  May 24, 2012 2:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's tax-free holiday for people to get ready for hurricane season is this weekend. The Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs this Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27. During the annual two-day holiday, the state sales tax is waived on the first $1,500 of... more »

• Bidding underway to get sidewalks near Tigerland

  April 3, 2012 10:11 AM

  BATON ROUGE - East Boyd Drive is scheduled to get sidewalks in an area heavily trafficked by walking crowds. The Department of Public Works advertised the job last month, and DPW said in an email it is scheduled to receive bids Tuesday, April 3rd. Tonight on News 2... more »

• VA to spend $6M on homeless center in New Orleans

  February 28, 2012 4:08 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will spend $6 million to open a new homeless center in New Orleans. The homeless center will be in the first floor of an addition to a downtown VA hospital. The center will be a place where veterans and homeless... more »

• DOTD: I-10 construction update Play Video

  January 20, 2012 5:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Less than a month in and The Department of Transportation and Development says Boh Brothers construction in making significant progress on completing the Interstate 10 widening project. Boh Brothers took over the expansion between the 10/12 split and Siegen Lane after the state fired Austin Bridge... more »

• DHH slashing 69 positions

  December 21, 2011 7:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Several employees of the state health agency's information technology department will no longer have jobs next year. The state Department of Health and Hospitals announced the elimination of 69 positions Tuesday as part of a restructuring of the agency's IT operations. The employee layoff plan... more »

• DOTD to install "J" turn at dangerous intersection in Addis Play Video

  December 19, 2011 3:48 PM

  ADDIS - State Transportation leaders are planning to add a "J" turn at a deadly intersection. It's at LA One and Sugar Plantation Parkway. Over the weekend, 68-year-old Elise Boudreaux was killed there. Earlier this year, Les Miles' sister, Ann Hope Brown died there too. State Transportation leaders... more »

• Wildfire contained near Albany

  November 17, 2011 5:59 PM

  ALBANY - Firefighting crews contained a wildfire Thursday afternoon near Albany. The fire is located south of Hwy. 190, near the end of Blount Road between Albany and Holden. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry says the fire has been contained but damaged an estimated 80 acres... more »

• Treasury imposes penalties linked to alleged plot

  October 11, 2011 3:05 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Treasury Department says it is imposing economic penalties against four people who are linked to an alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States. Two of them have been charged in New York federal court. They are Manssor Arbashiar, a naturalized U.S. citizen... more »

• FBI to help New Orleans Police's integrity bureau

  September 12, 2011 5:32 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The FBI has agreed to work with the New Orleans Police Department public integrity bureau on internal investigations. FBI agent Dave Welker says he and police officials have been meeting about moving agents into the department since last year. Officials said Monday that the move... more »

• Deadbeat parents on "Most Wanted" list

  September 1, 2011 5:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has released its new "Most Wanted" list of deadbeat parents. It shows 18 people who owe a combined $945 thousand dollars in back child support payments. The posters include things like a picture, the last known address and how... more »

• Fire Department set to renew Academy

  August 3, 2011 5:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE- After nearly two years without any new firefighters the Baton Rouge Fire Department will renew its training academy, hiring 35 new firefighters. The city will fund the academy, which was previously nixed due to budget restraints, with money found in the budget. "We are using and... more »

• Justice Department clears La. congressional remap

  August 1, 2011 7:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Department of Justice has cleared Louisiana's new map for its congressional districts, which lawmakers drew in a special legislative session earlier this year. The plan shrinks the number of Louisiana congressional districts from seven to six, starting with the 2012 elections, because of the... more »

• La. Dept. of Ins. fraud billboards paying off

  July 14, 2011 6:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - $950 bucks a year. That's what a family of four pays for fraudulent insurance claims. The Department of Insurance wants to stop scammers with catchy slogans on saying "Burning a car for insurance money is a crime... We'll catch you..." And "thinking of staging an accident?... more »

• La. House gets DOJ clearance on its remap

  June 20, 2011 6:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The redesign of the Louisiana House's 105 seats has received clearance from the U.S. Justice Department. House Speaker Jim Tucker made the announcement Monday on the House floor, to cheers. A DOJ letter confirms that the department "does not interpose any objection." Federal approval came... more »

• April jobless rate unchanged in Louisiana

  May 20, 2011 12:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The federal Labor Department says Louisiana added 13,100 non-farm jobs in April. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the jobless rate remained unchanged at 8.1 percent from March. The number of those officially listed as unemployed dropped to 167,900 in April from 168,700 in March. There also... more »

• People warned to watch for animals displaced by flood

  May 14, 2011 6:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As floodwaters move through Louisiana, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are warning people to watch out for animals that may be forced into towns or cities. Wildlife officials said wild animals like deer, bear and alligators will be pushed out of their habitats by the... more »

• BRPD Chief candidates list narrowed to 11

  May 6, 2011 1:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Members of Mayor-President Kip Holden's selection committee whittled the list of possible candidates for Baton Rouge Police Chief down to 11 this morning. The committee took the top names from two rounds of votes during their meeting today. It's the second meeting for the group. ... more »

• EBR law enforcement leaders neutral on department merger

  April 28, 2011 10:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council is studying the idea of merging the sheriff's office and the police department to see if it would save money, cut down on crime and create more cooperation. News 2 was the first to break the news, Wednesday night, that... more »

• L.D.W.F. investigating decapitated eagle

  April 5, 2011 2:12 PM

  Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents are on the lookout for those responsible for decapitating a federally protected bald eagle, and they're asking for your help. The eagle was found in a drainage ditch in Franklin Parish on Monday. Agents say the eagle was... more »

• Arson suspected in fire at abandoned building

  March 29, 2011 10:24 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Investigators are looking into a fire that caused some damage to an abandoned building in Baton Rouge. Firefighters were called to the fire on the 500 block of 22nd Street near Spain Street around 9:23 p.m. last night. Barry Mounce with the Baton Rouge Fire... more »

• Baker Police search for fugitive

  March 5, 2011 12:01 PM

  BAKER, La.- Detectives with the Baker Police Department are searching for a fugitive wanted for burglary. Investigators believe 20-year-old Jordon Javon Ivery is on the run from the law. If you have information on the whereabouts of Ivery contact Baker Police at 225-775-6000. more »

• Purcell recommended for commissioner's job

  February 23, 2011 1:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Arkansas's top education leader could be Louisiana's next commissioner of higher education. Dr. Jim Purcell received a favorable recommendation from the Board of Regents Search Committee today, and his hiring will go before the full board Thursday for consideration. Purcell has been the director of... more »

• Flu activity still on the rise in Louisiana

  February 11, 2011 3:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Flu activity has recently spiked in Louisiana, according to the state Department of Health and Hospitals. Flu symptoms made up 20-percent of all doctor visits in the state last week, up from 12-percent the previous week. The most activity was in north and central Louisiana, as well... more »

• State Dept. advises against travel to Egypt

  January 28, 2011 2:00 PM

  WASHINGTON - The State Department is urging Americans to defer any non-essential travel to Egypt because of the large anti-government protests and warning U.S. citizens already in the country to stay put until the situation stabilizes. In a travel alert issued on Friday, the department said the situation in the... more »

• Broken BR sidewalks being replaced with gravel

  January 26, 2011 11:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Public workers are ripping up concrete in Baton Rouge's Garden District to fix sidewalks broken by tree roots. The works comes three months after a News 2 report prompted a promise from the city to fix the problem. Several homeowners had complained trees on city property were... more »

• Latest Medicaid shortfall won't prompt cuts

  January 3, 2011 6:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state health department will reshuffle dollars within its budget to fill a new $19 million shortfall that has emerged in the state's Medicaid program, without making new budget cuts. The department also plans to reverse cuts to the Medicaid rates paid to hospitals for taking care... more »

• Interior Department allows some suspended drilling to resume

  January 3, 2011 2:13 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration says 13 companies whose deepwater drilling activities were suspended last year may be able to resume drilling without detailed environmental reviews. Companies will be allowed to resume work at previously drilled wells, as long as they meet new policies and regulations. The... more »

• Senate: extend review time for offshore drilling

  December 14, 2010 4:43 PM

  WASHINGTON - A bill moving toward approval in the Senate would increase by 60 days the amount of time the Interior Department has to conduct environmental and safety reviews of offshore drilling projects. The bill would extend the review period for offshore exploration plans from 30 days to 90 days.... more »

• Interim Police Chief says department "dealing a blow" to crime

  December 7, 2010 10:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Interim Baton Rouge Police Chief Charles Mondrick says in his first month, there has been change you can see on the streets of the city. He says the department is dealing a blow to crime by mixing-and-matching different divisions, then putting those teams on the streets... more »

• DHH reopens two coastal areas for oyster harvesting

  December 6, 2010 4:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state Department of Health and Hospitals has cleared two more sections of the state's coastline for oyster harvesting, after they were closed due to the BP oil spill. Harvest areas 9 and 10, which are west of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, were originally... more »

• Obama: No offshore driling in East Coast waters

  December 1, 2010 11:13 AM

  WASHINGTON - In a reversal, the Obama administration says it will not pursue offshore drilling in East Coast waters, including the eastern Gulf of Mexico. A senior administration official told The Associated Press on Wednesday that because of the BP oil spill, the Interior Department will not propose any new... more »

• New sign regulations could cost Baker $620,000

  November 30, 2010 2:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Potential changes to street sign regulations could cost local communities hundreds of thousands of dollars in an effort to make them easier for everyone to see. By 2018, street signs must use letters that are at least six inches tall, be reflective so they can be... more »

• House fire in Baker caused by unattended stove

  November 14, 2010 11:51 AM

  BAKER – Firefighters say a pot of oil left heating on a stove while the cook made a quick trip to the store is what led to a house fire this weekend. Crews were called to a fire at 4208 Gibbens Payne Drive in Baker, and found heavy smoke coming... more »

• Portion of S. Harrell's Ferry Road to reopen this week

  November 14, 2010 11:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE – After two months of delays, drivers and business owners in Baton Rouge were relieved to hear a portion of South Harrell’s Ferry Road is scheduled to be reopened this week. Officials with the Department of Public Works said workers are planning to reopen one lane of the... more »

• Louisiana DOTD's Traveler Information website

  November 14, 2010 9:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE- For information about road closures, construction, traffic accidents, and access the state's traffic camera system, visit the LA DOTD's Traveler Information website . more »

• La. farmers sign up for wetlands program

  November 13, 2010 11:06 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - U.S. agriculture officials say a record number of Louisiana farmers signed up this year for a program to turn little-used farm land into wetlands. In Louisiana, 22,544 acres were included in the Wetlands Reserve Program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Across the United States, more... more »

• BRPD officer injured in wreck

  November 11, 2010 4:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A city police officer was injured after his cruiser was in a collision this afternoon. Sgt. Don Kelly with BRPD said the wreck happened around the 10000 block of Airline Highway at around 3:30 p.m. The officer had minor injuries, and EMS said they transported him to... more »

• More La. waters opened to commercial crabbing

  November 8, 2010 5:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE – State officials opened parts of Mississippi River Delta to commercial crabbing today, after crabs in the area were tested and found safe to eat. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries ordered the reopening of waters along the Delta that had previously been closed due to the... more »

• I-10W back open after RV fire

  November 5, 2010 11:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Westbound lanes on I-10 that were closed due to a vehicle fire have been reopened, according to a spokesman with the Baton Rouge Fire Department. Three lanes and the exit onto College were shut down after a motor home pulling a car caught fire, though the... more »

• New case of West Nile Virus reported in Ascension Parish

  November 5, 2010 10:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE – A new human case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Louisiana, this time in Ascension Parish. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals said the case is also the most severe form of West Nile infection, called neuroinvasive. It typically results in a swelling of... more »

• LSU instructor wants to teach class for free

  November 3, 2010 10:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Earlier this year, Jean Rutherford, who's an instructor in the Russian department at LSU, found out the entire Russian program would be eliminated at the University. The news also meant many senior Russian minors may have to completely alter their degree plans. Rutherford, who would also be... more »

• LSU instructor asks to teach for free

  November 3, 2010 4:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An instructor in the Russian department at LSU has been given the go-ahead to teach her Russian class next semester for free. The class would have been lost due to budget cuts at LSU, but the instructor asked to be able to teach the course without compensation.... more »

• Local offices, issues decided in general election

  November 3, 2010 12:10 AM

  Several local issues and offices were decided in the general election tonight. All local issues passed, including a 1.25 millage increase for East Baton Rouge St. George Fire Department and a crime prevention fee for residents of Shenandoah Estates in East Baton Rouge. Here's a list of local... more »

• Security zone put in place around Deepwater Horizon

  October 27, 2010 3:35 PM

  Federal authorities have ordered a security zone be created around the Deepwater Horizon’s wreckage in order to protect any evidence that may still be near the blown well. The zone extends 750 feet in all directions from the wreckage site and its debris field, and companies that could enter the... more »

• Thibodaux man accused of molesting two young relatives

  October 26, 2010 3:03 PM

  A Thibodaux man is behind bars after police say he molested two young relatives. 34-year-old Kentrell Dwayne Shelby turned himself in Monday after a warrant was issued for two counts of aggravated incest. Det. Joey Quinn said investigators were called to the Thibodaux Regional Medical Center on Saturday to look... more »

• BRPD: deadly shooting picked up by Shot Spotters

  October 26, 2010 11:03 AM

  Baton Rouge Police are investigating a deadly shooting that was picked up by one of the city’s shot spotters. 18-year-old Devin Tremaine Ford was found with multiple gunshot wounds last night around 7:50 p.m., and later died from those injuries. Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said a shot spotting device had alerted... more »

• Independent unit working tax disputes in Louisiana

  October 25, 2010 11:12 AM

  The Louisiana Department of Revenue has established an independent unit to work with taxpayers disputing audits. The Audit Protest Bureau was set up to give taxpayers who are in the early stages of disputing an audit an alternative to the court system. The bureau is managed by tax experts who... more »

• Children removed from Clinton home after injury

  October 22, 2010 10:19 AM

  Two state agencies have removed all of the children in their care from a Clinton group home after a youth was injured earlier this month. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Trey Williams said the agency placed a moratorium on the introduction of additional children at the Challenge... more »

• Renovations could be on hold at LSU

  October 15, 2010 7:07 PM

  Renovations to one of LSU’s oldest buildings could be on hold because of economic development. Instead, the money would be spent on the Nucor plant coming to St. James Parish. The money was supposed to pay for redesigning old engineering shops in LSU’s art department. Director of facility development Emmett... more »

• Two new cases of West Nile in Baton Rouge area

  October 15, 2010 12:49 PM

  State health officials have confirmed two more people have contracted West Nile Virus in the Baton Rouge area. According to the Department of Health and Hospitals, the two new cases are from East Baton Rogue and West Baton Rouge parishes. The case in East Baton Rouge is the most severe... more »

• Entergy expects growth, says they're complying with probe

  October 15, 2010 11:41 AM

  Power provider Entergy Corp., which is currently under federal investigation for its business practices, is expecting double-digit earnings growth. Entergy announced Friday that they expect third-quarter earnings per share to grow 13 percent from the same period last year, which beats Wall Street's expectations. Entergy attributed the forecast to a... more »

• Federal gov't provides grant for new Gonzales police station

  October 12, 2010 4:59 PM

  Police in Gonzales will get a new police station, thanks to a $1 million grant from the federal government. The city council is working with Ascension Parish Government to help fund the new facility. The total cost is $4 million. $3 million was set aside by the city, and the... more »

• LSU cuts could slash one-third of English department

  October 11, 2010 4:11 PM

  Termination notices that went out to LSU instructors about a month ago could have far-reaching effects, according to a recent article in the school newspaper. The Daily Reveille reported this week that the notices, which had been sent to inform instructors they'd be fired next year if projected budget... more »

• State revenues drop by $140 million in September

  October 11, 2010 11:15 AM

  State revenues are down eight percent as compared to this time last year, according to the state treasury department. They report that total state revenues from July to September are down $140 million for a total collection of $1.707 billion. It’s another drop for the state, which had recorded a... more »