Tagged News

• Livingston school system sues social media companies, blaming them for teens' decaying mental health

  August 31, 2023 6:40 PM

  The Livingston Parish School System is pursuing legal action against TikTok, Instagram and multiple internet service providers, accusing them of rotting the mental health of its students and other teens across the country. The suit was originally filed in parish court last month but was moved this week to... more »

• LSU superstar Livvy Dunne launches fund to help secure NIL deals for female athletes

  July 6, 2023 1:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Tigers gymnast and social media darling Olivia Dunne has leveraged her online presence into a multimillion-dollar revenue stream, and now she's looking to help other female athletes at LSU find similar success. Partnering with Bayou Traditions, the 20-year-old launched the Livvy Fund . Described by... more »

• Facebook group devoted to tracking panhandler's movements, warning others Play Video

  May 8, 2023 4:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - One man is going around asking people for money under the guise that he's a salesman or medical professional needing help traveling to a neighboring city. People say he has been doing this for years and the time has come for it to stop. One woman,... more »

• Facebook changes its company name to 'Meta Platforms Inc.'

  October 29, 2021 9:33 AM

  Over the past year, Facebook has implemented a number of changes while battling one PR crisis after another. The social media platform has battled controversies that range from concerns over its role in the dissemination of 'fake news' to issues about questionable content on Facebook Live. As Facebook... more »

• 13-year-old arrested after threatening to 'shoot up' St. Tammany Parish school

  October 22, 2021 4:44 PM

  LACOMBE - A boy was arrested Friday after he allegedly threatened to commit a shooting at his junior high school. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office said the 13-year-old student at Monteleone Junior High made threats on Snapchat saying he would "shoot up" the school. A school resource officer... more »

• Man shot and killed while trying to buy car in Texas neighborhood

  June 14, 2021 2:22 PM

  HOUSTON - A Texas man was shot to death after he met up with two men who were supposed to sell him a car. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday afternoon Kelvin Shepard, 20, and his friend went to a Houston neighborhood to look at the vehicle. KTRK... more »

• Facebook to restore news in Australia following agreement with government

  February 23, 2021 6:16 AM

  Australians who suddenly discovered, last week, that they couldn't access certain news sites or post stories from these news organizations on their Facebook accounst, will soon see access to these sites restored, along with a restoration of related posting privileges. After engaging in a bitter dispute with the Australian... more »

• Gorilla Glue 'sorry to hear about' La. woman who glued her hair in place

  February 8, 2021 6:41 PM

  A Louisiana woman who ended up in a hospital after she tried to use Gorilla Glue as a substitute for hair spray has caught the attention of the company. Tessica Brown went viral over the weekend after she used Gorilla Glue spray on her hair. Brown went viral on... more »

• Man allegedly tried to rob woman in Walmart parking lot, claimed it was a prank

  December 7, 2020 5:39 PM

  PORT ALLEN - A man arrested for an alleged robbery attempt outside a local Walmart claims it was just a prank gone wrong. The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office said Jonathan Ambeau, 23, of Baton Rouge was arrested for the crime Monday. Surveillance cameras outside the Port Allen... more »

• Facebook CEO: Political ads will run through Election Day, but with new limits

  September 3, 2020 9:59 AM

  Facebook announced Thursday that it plans to address concerns about election interference on its platform, CNN reports. The social media company is not altogether banning political ads. It will continue to allow politicians to run advertisements through Election Day, however CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company would not... more »

• Mayor Broome announces partnership with Facebook

  July 9, 2020 8:03 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Facebook is teaming up with certain members of Baton Rouge's younger generation for a series of training workshops designed to show them how they can use social media to promote open discussion and unity. Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the collaboration between her Youth... more »

• Facebook commits $100 million to support news industry during virus pandemic

  March 31, 2020 6:28 AM

  Facebook is making a play in support of the news/media industry by investing $100 million to support local news organizations during the coronavirus pandemic. According to Variety , this is in addition to its previous pledge to dole out $300 million over a three-year period. Campbell Brown, Vice President... more »

• Stephen King quits Facebook

  February 3, 2020 11:36 AM

  Stephen King is taking an indefinite hiatus from Facebook. According to CNN , the award-winning author made this announcement after voicing concerns about false information and privacy. He used Twitter to make the announcement, saying, "I'm quitting Facebook. Not comfortable with the flood of false information that's allowed... more »

• Facebook scam promises lottery winnings Play Video

  April 10, 2018 7:43 PM

  BAYOU SORREL - A woman is warning others about a Facebook scam that promises big money in exchange for a small fee. Suzette Ganaway says a lot has happened in the last couple of days, and it all started with a Facebook message. As the next few hours unfolded,... more »

• Facebook opens 2nd office combating hate speech in Germany

  November 23, 2017 1:23 PM

  Facebook is adding 500 more contractors in Germany to review content posted to the social media site, after a new law came into force targeting online hate speech. According to ABC News, the company says the staff will work for a service provider called CCC at a new office... more »

• Catfishing schemes and what to look out for Play Video

  November 2, 2017 6:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE - It's a scam that involves tricking someone into a relationship online for financial gain. "They're looking for money," said Donna Hoven. "They make their living this way by stealing money from innocent people." Catfishing is when online predators pretend to be someone else and hide... more »

• Facebook turning over thousands of Russia-linked ads to Congress

  October 2, 2017 9:00 AM

  More than 3,000 Russia-linked ads will be turned over by Facebook to congressional investigators. Facebook will turn over the ads to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees along as the Senate Judiciary Committee. After an interview last month, Facebook said it had discovered 450 accounts and about $100,000... more »

• Band director no longer at Dutchtown Middle School after racial slur post Play Video

  May 5, 2017 8:11 PM

  UPDATE: Richard Bresowar is no longer at Dutchtown Middle School. DUTCHTOWN- The band director at Dutchtown Middle School used a version of the N-word this week in a social media post. Richard Bresowar responded to a Facebook post by Ascension Parish Councilman Daniel Satterlee who was asking for... more »

• Massive Google health study seeks volunteers to give up medical secrets

  April 19, 2017 2:56 PM

  Google's health spinout, Verily, is asking 10,000 Americans for intimate knowledge about their bodies. On Wednesday, Verily published a website announcing the launch of the Baseline Project, a multi-year study expected to cost more than $100 million. Verily says the project will search for clues to predicting heart disease... more »

• Man recorded fighting in traffic died hours later in car crash Play Video

  March 11, 2017 12:24 PM

  GONZALES - A man videoed fighting with another driver in traffic Friday died hours later in a crash in Ascension Parish. State Police reported Daniel Walker, 31, died when he drove his small sedan into a tree after losing control on Hwy. 431 near Airline Highway around 9:30 Friday... more »

• Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office investigating fake Facebook page Play Video

  February 9, 2017 7:17 PM

  ASCENSION – The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office is looking for the individual responsible for creating a fake sheriff's office page on Facebook. The page claims to belong to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office. It uses an official logo, however the page is filled with posts of false information. ... more »

• Local disabled child's picture stolen, circulating Facebook Play Video

  January 5, 2017 6:42 PM

  AMITE - We see Facebook posts every day encouraging users to "like" "share" or "comment." Most of the time the posts are harmless. Other times they are scams. When Katie Corken was scrolling through her Facebook timeline, she discovered a photo of her son circulating without her permission. The... more »

• Edwin Edwards released from hospital

  December 15, 2016 11:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Edwin Edwards has been released from the hospital after battling pneumonia, according to the former governor's wife. In a post on her facebook page, Trina Scott Edwards wrote "We're missing the Governor's Christmas party and Eli's first school Christmas program tonight, but we're home from the... more »

• Facebook killed some people Friday

  November 11, 2016 4:21 PM

  MENLO PARK, California - Facebook profiles for many people appeared to show them as deceased Friday. From chatter both on the social media site and Twitter it appears the badges on pages showed up around 3 p.m. The note, which alerted users that the person connected to the profile... more »

• Facebook users checking in at pipeline protest to confuse law enforcement

  October 31, 2016 5:33 PM

  CANNON BALL, North Dakota - It's unlikely all the people Facebook users see check in at Standing Rock Indian Reservation are actually there; instead, they're part of a social media force in an on-going fight over a pipeline. Hundreds of thousands of people have checked in - a Facebook... more »

• Facebook launches new business version called Workplace

  October 10, 2016 2:31 PM

  Facebook has created a separate version of the social media site specifically used to connect workers of companies and organizations during their workday. Workplace is ad-free and not connected to users' existing Facebook accounts. Businesses can sign up as an organization and pay a monthly fee based on the... more »

• How to mark yourself SAFE on Facebook

  August 15, 2016 2:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Facebook users living in areas affected by the severe flooding can now let their loved ones know that they are safe. The feature is only activated in serious events with possible loss of life. The safety check was activated during the Paris terror attacks as well... more »

• First Lady Donna Edwards joins Facebook and Twitter

  August 2, 2016 1:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Louisiana's First Lady Donna Edwards is now on social media. An official Facebook and Twitter account was launched on Tuesday for First Lady Edwards in order to better connect with Louisianians. The first lady's social platforms will include information about upcoming events and appearances, in... more »

• Mom thanks Chick-fil-A employees who played with son when others refused

  July 27, 2016 11:28 AM

  COLUMBUS, Georgia - A Georgia mom took to Facebook last week to thank the employees of a fast food restaurant for playing with her son after he was left out by other children playing nearby. Kari Merriken of Columbus said that she and her 8-year-old, Caleb, were attending a... more »

• Facebook using GPS to suggest friends

  June 28, 2016 12:43 PM

  The people who pop up in your Facebook "people you may know" section may be because you have recently crossed paths with them. The section is usually driven by a random assortment of acquaintances with whom you have mutual friends through the social media site, however a common link is... more »

• WATCH: 10:00 news on Facebook, WBRZ.com tonight

  June 2, 2016 10:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Due to Game 5 of the NBA Finals on ABC, the television broadcast of WBRZ News 2 at 10:00 will be delayed. The 10:00 news on TV is scheduled to air sometime around 10:30 p.m. Monday. However, WBRZ will broadcast an internet and Facebook edition of... more »

• Accused armed robber snagged after victim finds him on Facebook Play Video

  May 26, 2016 10:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Police arrested a man accused of armed robbery after he told the victim his full name and was subsequently identified via his Facebook profile. 28-year-old Robert Connor, of Denham Springs, was booked on an armed robbery charge after he was taken into BRPD custody. The... more »

• Business owner fed up with graffiti

  May 10, 2016 11:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge business owner is angry with those who've been using her building as their own art canvas. In a Facebook post Tuesday morning, Marsha Rish, owner of Honeymoon Bungalow expressed her frustration. She was still fired up Tuesday afternoon. "We're hoping... more »

• People share safety tips on social media after home invasion, rape

  May 7, 2016 12:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Neighbors have found calm on the internet, sharing safety tips and conversation as they grapple with the reality that a rapist is loose in their community. The Baton Rouge Garden District Facebook page has been active since word spread about a home invasion and rape Thursday... more »

• Iberville School Board postpones decision on social media ban Play Video

  April 5, 2016 12:18 AM

  PLAQUEMINE - There's a possible crackdown in the works on what Iberville Parish School Board members are allowed to post on social media. An item on the agenda Monday night would have banned board members from talking about board issues online. The school system regulates how its staff and students... more »

• Port Allen Police post names of people with arrest warrants to Facebook

  February 5, 2016 5:26 PM

  PORT ALLEN - The Port Allen Police Department is taking on a new strategy to clear outstanding charges. They're posting the names of people with outstanding warrants to the department's Facebook page , and its actually working well. The campaign started in October with 150 warrants. Within the... more »

• Ponchatoula Police take to Facebook to stop kidnapping rumors

  February 1, 2016 3:28 PM

  PONCHATOULA - Police took to social media Monday afternoon to squash rumors circulating that claimed a man was trying to abduct women in the Ponchatoula area. Ponchatoula Police said the response stemmed from a recent Facebook post that claimed a white man in a green truck was trying to... more »

• Man survives shooting that may have escalated from Facebook threats Play Video

  January 3, 2016 8:47 PM

  PLAQUEMINE - Twenty-two year old Deontrel Street is thankful he's alive after being shot in his right shoulder Saturday afternoon. "My arm gave out on me. I was bleeding bad," Street said. According to Plaquemine Police, 25-year-old Evan Franklin showed up to Street's home one day after the... more »

• Man arrested for using Facebook Messenger to sext 16-year-old girl

  September 3, 2015 6:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Police said they arrested a Baton Rouge man accused of using Facebook chat to send inappropriate images to a 16-year-old girl back in April. 36-year-old Ryan Tumey was arrested Thursday and booked on a charge of indecent behavior with juveniles. According to the arrest report,... more »