WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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• Shelly Dick assumes federal judgeship in B.R.

  May 15, 2013 11:30 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Shelly Dick has been sworn is as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana. She was first nominated on April 25, 2012, re-nominated on January 3, 2013 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 9. Dick is a 1988 graduate of the... more »

• Breakaway school district bill before committee

  May 14, 2013 10:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Supporters of a breakaway school district in southeast Baton Rouge gathered at the Capitol today for a committee hearing over the bills to create it. The House Education Committee scheduled a hearing for the two bills this morning. Both were approved in the Senate last week.... more »

• Committee to hear breakaway school district bill

  April 29, 2013 10:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Senate Finance Committee scheduled a hearing this morning for another attempt to create a breakaway school district in southeast Baton Rouge. The bill, filed by Sen. Mack "Bodi" White, is similar to the measure which failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority in the last... more »

• Group gears up to fight breakaway district

  April 2, 2013 10:10 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Residents who support unity within the EBR school district will gather this evening to discuss a plan of action to combat a proposed community of schools within the parish. One Community, One School District is sponsoring the meeting that will be held at the Bluebonnet Library... more »

• State to use $5M to turn around failing schools

  March 14, 2013 9:11 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - State Superintendent John White says the state will use $5 million in federal professional development funds to train educators interested in turning around failing district-run schools. The "Believe and Succeed" grants cover a year of advanced training for the new school leaders. White announced the initiative in... more »

• Texas prosecutor's slaying rattles colleagues

  February 1, 2013 2:56 AM

  KAUFMAN, Texas - Some prosecutors say the fatal shooting of a Dallas-area prosecutor is disturbing for all those trying to protect the public from criminals and their misdeeds. That's after a masked gunman confronted Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse of Kaufman County in a parking lot and shot him multiple... more »

• Official: Report on leave inaccurate

  January 15, 2013 9:02 AM

  PLAQUEMINE - Iberville Parish School Superintendent Ed Cancienne has challenged the facts stated in a recent attorney general's opinion alleging the school district had violated state law by letting 12-month employees work "skeleton shifts" during holiday breaks. Cancienne and Brandie Blanchard, the district's personnel coordinator, told members of the Iberville... more »

• Boil advisory lifted in St. Helena Parish

  December 27, 2012 10:55 AM

  ST. HELENA PARISH - Officials report the boil advisory for customers of Waterworks District #2 in St. Helena Parish has been lifted. People living in the Dennis Miller Community have been under a boil advisory since Christmas due to a burst water main damaged by lightning. more »

• LaBruzzo weighing options for legislative seat Play Video

  December 5, 2012 5:55 PM

  CENTRAL - Former state representative John LaBruzzo is known for his annual battles at the Capitol attempting to make drug testing mandatory for people on welfare. Now LaBruzzo has a new home, but may have to wait a bit befreo getting back into politics. LaBruzzo and his wife... more »

• Appeal court: teacher furlough day illegal

  November 15, 2012 3:51 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A state appeal court says that the Jefferson Parish Public School System illegally cut teachers' pay by imposing an unpaid day of leave for every teacher in the district. The Jefferson Federation of Teachers sued the school board after it ordered the furlough. District Judge Steve Windhorst... more »

• Landry calls on Boustany for congressional debate

  October 12, 2012 5:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry is calling on his Republican rival, U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, to agree to a debate in the 3rd District congressional race before the November election. The only debate planned between the two GOP congressmen - who were forced into the same district when... more »

• St. Helena to vote on tax measure for schools

  October 8, 2012 2:54 PM

  GREENSBURG - The St. Helena School Board will ask parish voters Nov. 6 to consider a scaled-back version of prior tax proposals in support of parish schools. The school board is seeking a 10-year, 16.4-mill property tax for school employee pay raises and an $8 million bond issue, backed... 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 »

• Tangipahoa board delays altering deseg plans

  September 19, 2012 7:14 AM

  AMITE - The Tangipahoa Parish School Board has effectively killed a proposed timetable for considering revisions to the district's desegregation plan by voting to delay the discussion until the next meeting. Board member Brett Duncan has questioned the need to build $54.5 million worth of new schools, as specified... more »

• Iberville council abolishes waterworks district

  September 19, 2012 7:08 AM

  PLAQUEMINE - The Iberville Parish Council has unanimously abolished Waterworks District No. 2, placing day-to-day water service operations for east Iberville residents under the jurisdiction of the parish Utility Department. Council Chairman Matt Jewell says the parish will have to absorb the water district's outstanding debt, now amounting to... more »

• Official questions school construction

  September 18, 2012 9:01 AM

  AMITE - A Tangipahoa Parish School Board member is questioning whether the school system needs to spend $54.5 million to build three new schools to reach the district's desegregation goals. Board member Brett Duncan says he plans to offer a resolution Tuesday that would outline a process and a... more »

• 5 make Zachary superintendent short list

  September 14, 2012 8:07 AM

  ZACHARY - The Zachary Community School Board has voted to invite five applicants for the district superintendent's post to attend the first round of interviews, scheduled Sept. 25 and Sept. 26. On Thursday, the board members chose to interview five after first indicating in writing whether or not they... more »

• Chicago teachers strike grinds into third day

  September 12, 2012 7:56 AM

  CHICAGO - The public teachers strike that has halted classwork and upset family routines across Chicago is grinding into a third day with no sign of an imminent deal. Union leaders say they will meet this morning to review a new proposal from school board negotiators that addresses all... more »

• Audit finds bad record keeping, strange payouts at water district

  July 24, 2012 9:26 PM

  PLAQUEMINE, Louisiana - The Waterworks District #2 in Iberville Parish is in hot water after two scathing audit reports. The audits were presented to the Iberville Parish Council during a regular scheduled meeting Tuesday at the Iberville Courthouse. The parish auditor presented council with a Comprehensive Annual Financial... more »

• Panels plan for Zachary school chief search

  July 6, 2012 6:35 AM

  ZACHARY- The Zachary Community School District's Executive Committee has decided the school board should appoint three committees to work out the details of searching for a new superintendent. Superintendent Warren Drake announced that he's leaving Sept. 4 to take a new job as a state Department of Education network leader.... more »

• West Feliciana Fire Department may add technician Play Video

  June 21, 2012 5:49 PM

  SAINT FRANCISVILLE - West Feliciana is growing, and so is their fire department. Now department leaders say they need more people to keep up with maintenance for their growing fleet. The department currently has two dozen vehicles in its fleet, and organizers want a full-time maintenance technician to keep... more »

• East Feliciana school reorganization plan on agenda

  June 19, 2012 10:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Feliciana School Board is scheduled to vote tonight on several big issues. One involves restructuring the district's central office. New Superintendent Henderson Lewis, Junior, officially takes over July 1st. He told a Finance Committee he wants to hire a chief financial officer for the district.... more »

• Livingston residents still support Juban Crossing Play Video

  June 18, 2012 5:37 PM

  DENHAM SPRINGS - Juban Crossing stores will begin opening next year, according to developer Stephen Keller, despite the recent veto of a bill that would help fund construction of the retail location. Governor Bobby Jindal last week vetoed a measure creating a new tax district around the site. Developers... more »

• St. Helena test scores up despite setbacks

  June 6, 2012 5:50 PM

  GREENSBURG - Budget problems and school takeovers are some of the challenges the Saint Helena School District has faced in recent years. Despite the issues, the district had the biggest improvement in student test scores: 43 percent of students scored at basic or above levels in core subjects this... more »

• Despite challenges, St. Helena test scores are up

  June 6, 2012 10:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Despite major challenges with budgets and buildings, test scores for St. Helena students are up. The district showed more improvement than any other district in the state. But some leaders say there is still a long way to go. Mike Steele will have more on what's... more »

• Breakaway school district fails to clear the legislature Play Video

  June 1, 2012 5:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The plan to carve out a new school district out of the East Baton Rouge Parish School District failed for a second time in three days. In a 61-35 vote lawmakers decided not to send the final decision to statewide voters in November. Opponents of... more »

• School district bill heading back to Senate Play Video

  May 24, 2012 3:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A bill to create a breakaway school district is headed for another round with lawmakers after the state House added an amedment today. The House passed the amended version of the bill which would create a breakaway school district in southeast Baton Rouge, between the I-10... more »

• New developments on Juban Crossing

  May 21, 2012 4:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A bill creating a new tax district around the Juban Crossing development is one step closer to final approval. The Louisiana House Appropriations Committee approved the bill, which keeps revenue from a one-cent sales tax at the site to pay for things like sewage and drainage improvements.... more »

• Parents opposed to SEBR breakaway district band together

  May 15, 2012 10:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The voices against a breakaway school district in Baton Rouge are getting louder. People opposed say there's a lack of information about the move. Now they're trying to push-back against the breakaway before it's too late. The group One Community, One School District is calling on... more »

• Metro Councilwoman will not seek re-election

  May 9, 2012 11:09 AM

  BATON ROUGE - District 11 Metro Councilwoman Alison Gary announced today that she will not run for re-election. Gary sent a letter to Metro Councilmembers with her decision: "Dear Councilmembers, Now that campaign season is gearing up, I wanted to let you know that I have decided not to... more »

• Senate approves Juban Crossing bill Play Video

  April 30, 2012 4:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A bill creating a new tax district at a proposed retail center is Livingston Parish advances. There's been little activity at the Juban Crossing site for months. The retail center was first announced in 2005. The plan involves a two cent sales tax dedicated to infrastructure improvements... more »

• New EBR superintendent ready for district's challenges Play Video

  April 13, 2012 4:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Budgets, break-away attempts and an embattled school board are all on Bernard Taylor's to-do list. The new leader for East Baton Rouge Parish Schools is already elbow-deep in the challenges. It's what Taylor says drew him here. He says he's taken on every issue facing Baton... more »

• Plans for new EBR school district altered

  April 13, 2012 10:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Legislation that would create a breakaway school district in Southeast East Baton Rouge Parish advanced out of committee, but not before changes were made to the boundary lines. Senator Bodi White, R- Central, says he started working with members of the public last fall to create the... more »

• State education leaders support effort to create new SEBR school district

  April 12, 2012 10:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Members of the BESE board, that oversees public schools across the state, say East Baton Rouge Schools are troubled, and they applaud any effort to do something different, even if it's parents doing something on their own. Baton Rouge member Chas Roemer says what's worked for breakaway... more »

• Jindal education bills up for House debate Play Video

  March 22, 2012 6:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Debate in the House on Gov. Bobby Jindal's education bills bogged down for a while in argument over how a voucher program would affect voter-approved taxes in local school districts. The bill makes taxpayer money available to students who want to transfer to private schools from poorly... more »

• Candidate for EBR superintendent visits district Play Video

  March 20, 2012 5:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE- One of two candidates on a finalist list for East Baton Rouge Parish Schools superintendent spent Tuesday getting to know the district she's vying to lead. Maria Pitre-Martin, current Director of K-12 Curriculum and Instruction for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, met with community, education... more »

• Teachers, districts react to Governor's education plans, rush to approve

  March 12, 2012 6:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Governor Jindal told lawmakers on the first day of the legislative session he wants education reform to be priority, and he wants the bills tied to it on the fast track to becoming law. A few of those bills call for changes in the way personnel is... more »

• Breakaway district will cost thousands to promote Play Video

  March 8, 2012 10:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE - more »

• Public gets look at proposed new school district in BR

  February 21, 2012 9:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Taxpayers in Southeast Baton Rouge got a look Tuesday night at a proposal that would create a new school district for that area. The organization "Local Schools for Local Children" started introducing its plans to split the district two weeks ago. Tonight, they were seeking public opinion... more »

• New EBR school district proposed

  February 9, 2012 11:08 AM

  BATON ROUGE- State Sen. Bodi White, R-Central, proposed legislation that could lead to the creation of a new school district in East Baton Rouge Parish. It could lead to the neighborhoods south of Interstate 12 and east of Interstate 10 to withdrawing from the East Baton Rouge Parish school... more »

• EBR fire district merger plan closer to reality Play Video

  January 11, 2012 10:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Baton Rouge Fire Chiefs' Association got the thumbs up from Metro Council today for a plan to consolidate nine unincorporated fire districts in the parish. Council asked for the report in September. It outlines closing some stations, building new ones, adding equipment and personnel. The... more »

• Zachary confirms plan to cover Fire District 1 Play Video

  January 10, 2012 5:39 PM

  ZACHARY- Zachary city officials confirmed their plans to provide fire protection for all of District 1 in East Baton Rouge Parish. It's part of a move they say will save taxpayers more than $200 thousand dollars a year. The district board recently voted to allow Zachary to collect all... more »

• Cage given life in prison for 2009 murders

  December 14, 2011 10:52 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Percy Cage, who was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend, her unborn child and her brother back in 2009, received a life sentence today in Baton Rouge district court. Cage was indicted two months after the shootings at a home on Syble Drive. Investigators said he had... more »

• EBR District Attorney talks about Gas for Guns program Play Video

  November 17, 2011 12:42 PM

  East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore spoke with John Pastorek Thursday morning about the governor's child protection order, the Gas for Guns program, and how communities can resolve conflicts peacefully. more »

• Letters headed to homeowners in land-limbo in Livingston Parish

  October 11, 2011 10:10 PM

  LIVINGSTON PARISH- Letters, warning of upcoming court action, are on the way to almost 40 homeowners in the French Settlement area. They're coming from the Livingston Parish School District, which is trying to find out if it is the owner of 145 acres of land the people live on... more »

• EBR fire chiefs prepare for district consolidation talk with council

  September 13, 2011 10:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Fire chiefs across East Baton Rouge Parish met Tuesday to talk about consolidating services. They say you'll get better protection and could save money if the deal works out. The concept has been considered in the past and studied as recently as four years ago, but... more »

• No charges against Ascension Parish Planning Commissioners

  August 4, 2011 5:47 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE - Ascension Parish District Attorney Ricky Babin says there will be no charges filed against two members of the Parish Planning Commission accused of abusing their positions. Houmas House Plantation owner Kevin Kelly says commissioners Daniel Saterlee and Milton Clouatre, Jr., asked him to back a parish zoning... more »

• EBR School Board to consider changing fighting policy

  June 15, 2011 9:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board is considering changing a policy in the student handbook regarding fighting at schools. Leaders want to change a part that requires principals to call police when there is a fight on campus. The change would leave the decision to... more »

• Water use dramatically up in Livingston Parish

  June 8, 2011 10:46 AM

  LIVINGSTON - Rural water users in Livingston Parish are using more than 10 million gallons of water each day to combat drought, so officials are asking them to be careful when they use it. Preston Killcrease, manager of the Ward 2 Water District, said the water usage in his... more »

• Levee renovation in store for Baton Rouge

  June 1, 2011 9:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Engineers are planning to permanently beef up protection along the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge. A part of River Road has been closed near Brightside Lane for two weeks while they tested high river pressure at seepage points in the levee, measured water flow from that seepage... more »

• EBR Superintendent announces exit from district

  May 20, 2011 10:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE- In East Baton Rouge Parish, the school system superintendent says he's leaving. John Dilworth cites on-going issues with the school board, so he won't be back when his contract ends next summer. Now, the board has to hire a new one. This is the second time... more »

• School district wants more time for fiscal fix

  April 24, 2011 9:49 AM

  GREENSBURG, La.- The St. Helena School Board plans to ask for another extension for submitting a plan to the state detailing how the troubled school system's finances will be fixed. School administrators already are operating under a 90-day reprieve so they could hire a new superintendent. School board member... more »

• La. lawmakers working on congressional compromise

  April 13, 2011 1:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Senate has sent a compromise congressional district map to the House, hoping to break through a stalemate with only hours to go before the redistricting special session must end. The House is expected to vote Wednesday afternoon on the map to shrink the state's... more »

• EBR school board to take up budget talks

  April 5, 2011 10:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board is set to meet Wednesday evening to tackle budget issues. The school system is trying to fix a $39 million deficit. Some of the suggestions on the table include closing EBR Lab Academy, moving the Staring Education Center, eliminating... more »

• Restaurant owner pleads guilty to tax fraud, bribery

  April 1, 2011 3:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The owner of several Baton Rouge-area restaurants has pleaded guilty to cooking his books and keeping hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales taxes, according to the U. S. Attorney's Office. Jamal Roman entered a guilty plea in district court today to all charges against him... more »

• La. House redistricting plan unveiled Friday

  March 18, 2011 2:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The first draft of a remapping plan for Louisiana's state House districts would cut six districts from the metropolitan New Orleans area and shift them to the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain and to Baton Rouge and its suburbs. House Speaker Jim Tucker unveiled the proposed... more »

• Jury in ex-lawmaker's trial to keep deliberating

  February 23, 2011 5:18 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has instructed jurors to continue deliberating in the racketeering case against a former Louisiana lawmaker even though they appear to be deadlocked. Michael Fawer, an attorney for former state Rep. Renee Gill Pratt, said the jury gave U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle a... more »

• DA rejects complaint against school board member

  February 18, 2011 3:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - District attorneys have rejected a complaint that a school board member in East Baton Rouge Parish did not fully move back into the area he represents after its boundaries were redrawn. Hillar Moore's office released an eight-page report today that said Al Walker, the person who... 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 »

• Two suspects tied to Lil Boosie in court

  January 12, 2011 11:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Two people with ties to Torrence Hatch, the rapper known as Lil Boosie, were in district court today. Eddie Stewart and Ryan Carroll were indicted in connection with the killings of six people over the course of a year in Baton Rouge. A new date was set... more »

• Judge refuses to reduce ex-lawmaker's prison term

  January 6, 2011 1:44 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has refused to reduce a prison sentence for a former Louisiana lawmaker who pleaded guilty to helping an unlicensed bond broker launder money. Former state Sen. Derrick Shepherd had asked U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in November to reduce his prison sentence from 37... more »

• No one requests 'red tape' waiver under new law

  December 20, 2010 2:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE - No school districts have filed requests for relief under Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to let districts get waivers from what they consider burdensome restrictions. Jindal called the measure the "Red Tape Reduction Act." It was signed into law in June. At the time, supporters said the change... more »

• Jan Waters receives 20-year sentence for manslaughter

  December 16, 2010 10:31 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A district judge today sentenced Jan Waters, who was convicted of killing her wealthy ex-husband, to twenty years in prison with credit for time served. Waters had pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the 2004 shooting death of Alan Waters, and the sentence was part of that... more »

• Manslaughter in mix for ex-cop in Katrina shootings

  December 6, 2010 11:11 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A jury will be allowed to consider whether a former New Orleans police officer committed murder or manslaughter when he fatally shot a man during Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. U.S. District Judge Lance Africk said Monday that he will instruct jurors they can consider the less serious charge... more »

• Ex-judge disbarred after bribery conviction

  November 29, 2010 10:58 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A former state district judge who is serving a 10-year federal prison sentence for taking bribes has been permanently blocked from practicing law in Louisiana. Louisiana's Supreme Court permanently disbarred Michael Walker this month, noting his conviction in 2008 for taking bribes in return for lowering bonds.... more »

• Move begins to new Baton Rouge courthouse

  November 9, 2010 4:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Workers have begun the process of moving files, supplies and furniture from the current courthouse to the new 19th Judicial District Courthouse in Baton Rouge. The new courthouse will feature 27 courtrooms, security upgrades and other amenities. Some of those include extra space for potential jurors... more »

• News 2 investigates: Millions owed to District Court in BR

  November 8, 2010 9:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A News 2 investigation found millions of dollars are owed to the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge. The problem stems from organizations that file civil lawsuits without paying court costs, according to state district judge Janice Clark. News 2 found nearly $6 million is owed... more »

• Fans Choice Award Week Nine: Michael Henry

  November 3, 2010 6:41 PM

  No one really expected the Episcopal Knights to be here at this point in the season. Not only is Travis Bourgeois' team off to its best start in school history. It is one win away from a district title. One of the main reasons is Episcopal running back/linebacker Michael... more »

• Demond Cook sentenced to life in prison

  November 2, 2010 3:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Demond Cook, the convicted felon who escaped custody and was re-captured after a 12-hour manhunt on Oct. 19, was given a life sentence today in Baton Rouge district court. The District Attorney's Office said Cook stipulated to prosecutor's argument that he was an habitual offender, and... more »

• Woman admits to stealing IDs, filing false returns

  October 27, 2010 10:54 AM

  A third person has pleaded guilty to stealing personal information from nursing home patients in Louisiana and using it to file dozens of false tax returns. 42-year-old Levonne Stewart of Baton Rouge entered her plea in district court yesterday, and could face between two and 32 years in prison and... more »

• Football player dies after collapsing at NO high school

  October 13, 2010 5:13 PM

  A 16-year-old student at Carver High School in New Orleans died Tuesday after collapsing during football practice. Recovery School District spokesman Ken Jones said Wednesday that the student, Dontrell Claiborne, died at Tulane Medical Center. Claiborne was a defensive tackle on the team. School officials said Claiborne collapsed during "non-contact... more »

• BP suit stays in federal court

  October 6, 2010 3:03 PM

  A lawsuit that several Louisiana district attorneys filed against BP PLC over the Gulf oil spill is staying in federal court. The district attorneys for Terrebonne, St. Tammany and St. Mary parishes wanted their lawsuit transferred to state court, but U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier rejected that request Wednesday. Barbier... more »

• Possible new EBR school district causes mixed reactions

  September 14, 2010 5:11 PM

  There may be new traction for an old plan involving public schools in southeast Baton Rouge. The plan involves creating a new school system in the Shenandoah area. Central, Baker and Zachary have already started new districts in recent years. Zachary and Central are currently two of the top... more »

• La. officials discuss future of state-run schools

  September 14, 2010 3:19 PM

  State law allows public schools taken over by the state because of poor performance to be returned to local school board control after five years. But state officials haven't decided how and when to do that. State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek outlined his proposal Tuesday for the future governance... more »

• Parents say Rosenwald paddling out of control

  September 13, 2010 10:31 PM

  Parents told News 2 the paddling at Rosenwald Elementary School is out of control. Corporal punishment is allowed with a parent's consent, but some parents said the paddling has taken a physical and mental toll on their kids. One child’s mother said she didn't have to wait for... more »

• Senate opens corruption trial against LA judge

  September 13, 2010 5:21 PM

  A federal judge from Louisiana is corrupt and unfit to serve on the bench, House members said Monday as they began a rare congressional impeachment trial by laying out their case against the jurist. Playing the role of prosecutors, Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., used their opening... more »

• Downer not dropping out of 3rd District GOP runoff

  August 31, 2010 3:53 PM

  Republican candidate Hunt Downer says he won't end his bid for the GOP nomination in the southeastern Louisiana-based 3rd Congressional District, despite suggestions he should drop out. Downer, a former Louisiana House speaker, fell far behind opponent Jeff Landry in last week's Republican primary. Landry barely missed an outright victory... more »

• Groundbreaking for new fire station in Pride

  March 25, 2010 3:09 PM

  A groundbreaking was held this afternoon for a new fire station in the Pride Fire District. This new station would also cut the response time to about three to four minutes for calls in the district. Officials hope this new station will ultimately lower the cost of fire... more »

• State approves cultural districts

  February 22, 2010 6:02 AM

  The state has approved midcity Baton Rouge and downtown Lafayette for cultural products districts. It's a designation that seeks to promote arts development by waiving sales taxes on original works sold within the districts and providing tax credits for rehabilitating the districts' historic buildings. Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Minden, Crowley, Lake... more »

• After Christmas election rejected

  November 19, 2009 4:24 PM

  The state bond commission rejected a request for a Dec. 26th tax election. St. Tammany Parish Fire District 5 asked for the election once district leaders realized a millage was about to expire. Members of the commission and Secretary of State Jay Dardenne say the oversight does not make... more »