WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• 1 critically injured by gunfire at Houston airport

  May 2, 2013 2:34 PM

  HOUSTON - Witnesses are describing hearing two shots -- and then a few more -- inside Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston today. A police spokesman says shots were fired near a ticket counter, and at least one armed man was critically injured. The gunfire sent people in the terminal scrambling... more »

• Accused hacker fired

  April 22, 2013 7:44 PM

  SAN FRANCISCO- A deputy social media director for Reuters accused of helping hackers change and deface a Los Angeles Times article says he was fired. Matthew Keys is accused by federal prosecutors of providing the hacking group Anonymous with login information to access the computer system of the The Tribune... more »

• Ex-officer pleads not guilty to malfeasance

  April 5, 2013 8:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A former Baton Rouge police officer told a state judge he is innocent of felony charges that accuse him of falsifying misdemeanor summonses while he was on the force. Derek Burns has pleaded not guilty to first-degree injuring of public records and malfeasance. Both offenses carry up... more »

• Fired coach says 'no excuse' for his behavior

  April 3, 2013 12:40 PM

  PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The man who's been fired as basketball coach at Rutgers in New Jersey says there's "no excuse" for his behavior seen in video excerpts of his team's practice sessions. In the video, Mike Rice is seen shoving and grabbing players, throwing balls at them and using gay... more »

• Rutgers fires head coach after video release

  April 3, 2013 10:11 AM

  PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers has fired basketball coach Mike Rice after a videotape aired showing him shoving, grabbing and throwing balls at players in practice and using gay slurs during practice. The videotape, broadcast Tuesday on ESPN, has prompted scores of outraged social media comments as well as sharp criticism... more »

• Central rallying for coach

  March 27, 2013 5:55 PM

  CENTRAL - The City of Central is rallying in support for Central High School football coach Mike Gardner. A petition, signed by over 250 supporters against Central Community School System, reads "Keep Mike Gardner as a coach!" Gardner is no longer coaching at Central High. He was an... more »

• Fired BR police chief's appeal set for May

  March 6, 2013 2:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Dates have been set for Fired Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White's civil service appeal hearing. The Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board's chairman, Sgt. Bryan Taylor, told attorneys Wednesday the hearing will be held May 13-15. In an email, East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip... more »

• Dabadie set to lead BRPD as department head

  February 26, 2013 7:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Lt. Carl Dabadie, Jr., will be sworn in this morning as interim police chief of the Baton Rouge Police Department, three weeks after city leaders fired former chief Dewayne White. Dabadie will lead the department until Mayor Kip Holden names a new chief. White claims... more »

• Firing of BRPD Chief rattles Police Union Play Video

  February 22, 2013 5:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Union is a force led to protect one another. They represent almost 95% of all Baton Rouge Police Department employees, sworn-in and non-sworn. After Chief Dewayne White's firing, a number of union members are rattled about the decision. "I have talked with... more »

• Fired BRPD chief files civil service appeal

  February 21, 2013 2:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Dewayne White's attorney officially filed an appeal today for his removal as Baton Rouge's police chief, claiming it was done in bad faith and without just cause. The appeal to the municipal Civil Service Board of East Baton Rouge says White's termination was not done in... more »

• Reinstated Port Allen CFO back on the job

  February 21, 2013 12:35 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Audrey McCain has her keys, her office, and her computer back a week after Port Allen Mayor "Deedy" Slaughter tried to fire the city's chief financial officer. McCain told News 2 she was focused today on paying the city's bills. She pays city vendors every Thursday.... more »

• Judge rules for fired Port Allen financial officer

  February 20, 2013 12:52 PM

  PORT ALLEN - A judge ruled today that Port Allen's mayor had no authority to fire the city's chief financial officer, and ordered she give her job back. Judge Alvin Batiste said Audrey McCain was a department head, so Mayor "Deedy" Slaughter could not have fired her. Slaughter... more »

• Hearing over Port Allen CFO job status today

  February 20, 2013 10:32 AM

  PORT ALLEN - Officials in Port Allen scheduled this morning to discuss the job status of the city's chief financial officer, whom the new mayor fired last week. Mayor "Deedy" Slaughter fired Audrey McCain a week after News 2 received financial documents requested about the mayor's travel to Washington,... more »

• Ohio woman claims she was fired for Obama vote

  February 20, 2013 8:51 AM

  DAYTON, Ohio- A southwest Ohio woman says she was fired three days after the November election because she voted for President Barack Obama. The woman has filed a lawsuit in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court seeking damages starting at $25,000 against Q-Mark Inc. and its president. The Dayton-based company is... more »

• Emails between fired chief, Mayor's office released Play Video

  February 19, 2013 5:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A string of emails News 2 obtained after filing a public records request weeks ago detail what former Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White identified as micromanagement by Mayor Kip Holden's office. Those claims also came to light during a public hearing on the chief's job status... more »

• Fired BRPD chief plans further appeals Play Video

  February 18, 2013 4:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White said he plans to appeal today's firing at the local and state levels, after a contentious hearing between him and East Baton Rouge's mayor-president. Mayor Kip Holden did not reverse his decision today to fire White after a public... more »

• No arbitration hearings this year

  February 18, 2013 10:21 AM

  NEW YORK - Major League Baseball has pitched an arbitration shutout. Reliever Darren O'Day completed a $5.8 million, two-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles today, becoming the 133rd and final player to settle without a hearing among the 133 who filed for arbitration Jan. 13. This is the first year... more »

• Port Allen CFO reinstated Play Video

  February 14, 2013 5:54 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Chief Financial Officer Audrey McCain is back on the job after Mayor "Deedy" Slaughter fired her on Monday. Slaughter said McCain needed to be fired after clerical errors turned up on the city's financial audit. "I asked the auditor, I said, did this happen on... more »

• Police association stands behind BRPD chief Play Video

  February 14, 2013 11:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Magnolia State Peace Officers Association of Louisiana released a statement today supporting Dewayne White, who was recently removed from his position as Baton Rouge Police chief. The MSPOA said White had made "obvious efforts" to address concerns with crime, and they support him on a... more »

• Attorney: Mayor broke policy to fire Chief Play Video

  February 8, 2013 6:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Three days after the East Baton Rouge Mayor's Office abruptly fired the city's police chief, his attorney said the Mayor may not have followed policy when making the decision. Jill Craft, who represents Dewayne White, told News 2 the State Examiner's officer confirmed with her that... more »

• Community leaders shocked after BRPD chief's firing Play Video

  February 8, 2013 5:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Community leaders in Baton Rouge told News 2 today the seeds of trust planted by fired police chief Dewayne White will keep growing. Rev. Isaiah J. Webster with the Greater New Guide Baptist Church said he was shocked to hear about White's firing Wednesday. Webster spent... more »

• Councilwoman calls for BRPD chief changes Play Video

  February 7, 2013 5:12 PM

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

• Fired chief levels serious allegations against Mayor Play Video

  February 7, 2013 2:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Through his attorney today, fired Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White leveled serious allegations that the East Baton Rouge Mayor's Office interfered with his duties and actively kept him from speaking to the media about issues with the department. White and his attorney, Jill Craft, made... more »

• Ousted chief to speak to media this afternoon

  February 7, 2013 10:31 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Former Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White scheduled a press conference for this afternoon, a day after he was fired from his post. White will hold the press conference at the office of his attorney, Jill Craft, at 2:30 p.m. News 2 will stream the event... more »

• BRPD chief fired shortly after public appearance Play Video

  February 6, 2013 1:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Police Chief Dewayne White was fired from his position as the city's top police officer Wednesday. White told News 2 he received a letter around noon from city Chief Administrative Officer William Daniel that there was a "substantial disagreement with the direction of the Baton Rouge Police... more »

• Bossier Parish sheriff's deputy fired

  January 29, 2013 8:45 AM

  BENTON- Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington has fired a deputy following the officer's arrest for driving while intoxicated. Whittington says Jesse Williams Jr., of Benton, was stopped Sunday by state police on La. Highway 3 near Benton on traffic violations. The sheriff says the trooper noticed the 48-year-old Williams appeared... more »

• Restaurant cuts staff, blames health care reform Play Video

  January 15, 2013 6:04 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - Businesses are making cuts to their payroll ahead of the implementation of more health care reforms next year from the the Affordable Care Act. Under the law, businesses with more than 50 full-time employees will be required to offer health insurance or face a penalty of $2,000... more »

• SKorea says NKorea has fired long-range rocket

  December 11, 2012 7:16 PM

  SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea says North Korea has fired a long-range rocket in a defiant move just days ahead of South Korea's presidential election. It was the second rocket launch under leader Kim Jong Un. Kim took power following his father Kim Jong Il's death one year ago.... more »

• Arkansas AD: John L. Smith won't return as coach

  November 24, 2012 10:49 AM

  FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long says interim football coach John L. Smith will not return next season. Long says in a statement released by the university that he met with Smith on Saturday, a day after the Razorbacks' season-ending 20-13 loss to LSU, and told him the... more »

• School aide fired after call about '65 killing

  October 24, 2012 12:30 PM

  DES MOINES, Iowa - An Iowa teacher's aide has been fired after school officials learned she was the member of an Indianapolis family who tortured and killed a girl in the basement of their home in 1965. BCLUW school district superintendent Ben Petty says Paula Pace was fired by the... more »

• Ex-Leesville police chief gets prison in gun probe

  October 16, 2012 4:33 PM

  LAFAYETTE - A former Leesville police chief has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. U.S. District Judge Richard Haik on Tuesday sentenced 51-year-old Bobby Hickman to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Federal... more »

• Ga. Tech fires defensive coordinator Al Groh

  October 9, 2012 10:32 AM

  ATLANTA - Georgia Tech has fired defensive coordinator Al Groh. Head coach Paul Johnson announced the move Monday, two days after the Yellow Jackets (2-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost 47-31 to Clemson. The previous week, Georgia Tech gave up 49 points in an embarrassing loss to Middle Tennessee. Groh,... more »

• Man says he was fired over 9/11 Memorial safety

  October 5, 2012 7:31 PM

  A former manager at the Sept. 11 memorial in New York says he was fired for questions about the safety at one of the most security-conscious place in the U.S. Thomas Cancelliere sued saying he was fired for telling his bosses the water in the fountains carried bacteria that can... more »

• Former EBRSO employee arrested for stalking ex-girlfriend

  September 7, 2012 2:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A former employee with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office has been arrested for Stalking, Defamation and Improper Telephone Communications. According to reports, Ronald Gautreaux of Plaquemine, allegedly called his ex-girlfriend, wrote to her, and showed up at her home despite her telling him to stop.... more »

• Shooter opens fire against NATO coalition

  May 6, 2012 9:23 AM

  KABUL - NATO says an attacker wearing an Afghan army uniform has opened fired on coalition service members, killing one. The NATO statement says coalition forces returned fire and killed the shooter Sunday in southern Afghanistan. The alliance says an investigation is under way. It provided no other details. The... more »

• Deputy accused of having sex with teen

  May 1, 2012 3:39 PM

  GRETNA - A Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputy has been fired following allegations of having sex with a teen-age girl. Sheriff Newell Normand said he terminated 23-year-old Blake Stewart, of Marrero. Stewart has been booked with two counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Normand said a 14-year-old girl... more »

• Director fired after speaking out against Governor's Plan Play Video

  March 7, 2012 10:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The former director of the Office of Elderly Affairs lost her position just 24 hours after speaking out against the governor's plan to place the office under the Department of Health and Hospitals. Martha Manuel says it was a now or never moment. If she hadn't... more »

• 2 Shreveport police officers fired, face criminal charges

  February 11, 2012 5:39 PM

  SHREVEPORT- Shreveport Police Chief Willie Shaw has fired two officers currently facing criminal charges in separate incidents. Shaw fired 46-year-old Sgt. Joey Willis and 30-year-old Officer Jeffrion Smith after separate disciplinary conferences Friday. Willis, a 21-year department veteran, was indicted Jan. 25 on six federal charges related to his... more »

• Possible shots fired at Woman's Hospital

  February 9, 2012 2:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Police roped off a section of Woman's Hospital early this morning after a possible shooting. It happened just before 1 a.m. at the hospital, located on Airline Highway and Goodwood Blvd. Police have not released any details regarding the incident at this time. News 2... more »

• Put it Out or pay the Consequences

  January 23, 2012 7:33 PM

  A cop who repeatedly smoked cigarettes inside the precinct house got fired after 17 years on the force in Newbern, Tennessee. Sgt. James Bishop got the axe last week for violating a 2007 city policy prohibiting smoking inside all municipal offices and buildings. The chief says he had complaints about... more »

• LSU researcher accused of sexual abuse fired

  November 9, 2011 4:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU fired the Vet School researcher today who was accused last month of sexually abusing a graduate student. Marc Boudreaux received his termination notice today according to his attorney, Jill Craft. She said the university claimed several accusations had been made against him by other co-workers,... more »

• Deputy denied a chance to look at DNA evidence

  October 13, 2011 2:43 PM

  HOUMA, La. - A former Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's deputy's request to see DNA evidence from the investigation that led to his conviction on a sex charge has been rejected by a state district judge. Fifty-one-year-old Glenn Brunet was convicted in 2007 of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. The former... more »

• Judge: Zachary PD Assistant Chief should be reinstated

  October 4, 2011 5:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A judge has determined Zachary's former assistant police chief should be reinstated to the department. Bruce Chaisson was fired three years ago after being accused of harassing a neighbor and threatening coworkers. Recently, District Judge Mike Caldwell ruled a fire and police civil service board... more »

• Deputy terminated for accused criminal mischief

  August 11, 2011 2:44 PM

  EAST FELICIANA PARISH - A local Parish Sheriff's Deputy has lost his job after detectives suspecting him of criminal mischief. EFPSD detectives say an inmate at the parish prison gave money to Deputy Kabarris Jackson to buy some unnamed drugs and bring it back to him. Police intercepted... more »

• Camera found in government restroom, worker fired

  July 18, 2011 2:18 PM

  LAFAYETTE, La. - Lafayette's city-parish government has fired an employee accused of secretly recording video in a men's restroom of the planning and zoning department. Police said 38-year-old Jeffery Larcade, of Lafayette, was arrested Friday and booked with video voyeurism after a co-worker discovered the camera. He had... more »

• Board votes to fire director of EBR Council on Aging

  May 24, 2011 11:37 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Board members voted to fire the executive director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging this morning. Johnny Dykes was removed from the position by the council's Board of Directors with a 7 to 3 vote and one abstention, according to his attorney. ... more »

• Southern reaches agreement with fired coach

  April 30, 2011 4:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Southern University will pay former basketball coach Ron Spivery an undisclosed amount of money for the last year on his contract after firing him last month. Southern University System president Ronald Mason Jr. said that the figure will be more than $50,000, but less than Spivery's $125,000... more »

• Cop convicted in post-Katrina case fired

  February 23, 2011 3:55 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A New Orleans police lieutenant convicted of writing a false report about the fatal shooting of a man by a police officer following Hurricane Katrina has been fired. Chief Ronal Serpas said Lt. Travis McCabe was dismissed Wednesday after an investigation into events surrounding the fatal... more »

• NOPD fires 2 cops accused of misconduct

  February 6, 2011 11:21 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- Two New Orleans police officers have been fired for misconduct while on duty. The Times Picayune reports Officer Carey Dykes, a 13-year veteran, was fired this past week for numerous violations, including having sex with a woman while on the clock, sleeping while on duty and disregarding... more »

• Elephant refuge starts anew after founder's firing

  January 30, 2011 10:57 AM

  HOHENWALD, Tenn.- An elephant refuge in rural Tennessee may soon allow the public to get a closer glimpse of the animals as officials at the sanctuary wrestle with an unexpected management change and a lawsuit. The sanctuary is the nation's largest refuge for elephants that are old and sick... more »

• District: Wife of school board gunman was fired

  December 15, 2010 12:55 PM

  PANAMA CITY, Fla. - School officials say the wife of the ex-convict who held a Florida school board at gunpoint had been fired from her job as a teacher. Bay District personnel director Tommye Lou Richardson says Rebecca Crowder-Duke was fired in February. The district hired her in... more »

• Ohio teacher accused of sleeping on job is fired

  November 11, 2010 9:00 AM

  SANDUSKY, OH - A longtime teacher from Ohio was fired after an investigation concluded she slept in class and repeatedly arrived late. Carol Smith was recommended for firing by a referee who said her actions were "totally unprofessional" and threatened the safety of her middle and high school students. Students... more »

• Deputies fired after car goes into pond

  November 7, 2010 9:57 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La.- The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office has fired two deputies after an internal affairs investigation revealed both had been driving a patrol unit that ended up submerged in a pond at a deputy's home on Oct. 23. Lt. Craig Stansbury, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, says the incident... more »

• Business park spending audit

  October 28, 2010 10:31 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Regional Business Park misspent nearly $60,000 in federal grants and didn't properly record another $95,000, according to a legislative audit. The company also paid $2,000 to a consulting firm that is owned by its executive director, Roy Mack Sr. It's a violation of state... more »

• Three New Orleans police officers fired

  October 27, 2010 4:19 PM

  Three New Orleans police officers - two accused of mistreating police dogs and one charged with illegally shooting his gun - have been fired. Superintendent Ronal Serpas announced on Wednesday that Officers Jason Lewis, Nikia Adams and Patrick O'Hearn were dismissed for violating department rules. Lewis, a 13-year veteran, and... more »

• District court employee fired over theft allegations

  October 26, 2010 5:12 PM

  An employee inside the Governmental Building in downtown Baton Rouge has been fired after an investigation into theft allegations. The allegations surfaced after a woman found out the traffic ticket she paid on the 10th floor was never cleared. Supervisors said at least $500 is unaccounted for in the... more »

• Sheriff Finally Fired Who Refused to Quit

  September 28, 2010 7:56 PM

  A sheriff who collected his $40,000 a year salary and who refused to quit after federal drug charges was finally booted by Gallatin County in Southern Illinois. The County Board took just ten minutes to fire him. Raymond Martin has been in jail since May of 2009 and was convicted... more »

• 5 lose jobs in Angola sex scandal

  September 20, 2010 5:55 AM

  Four Louisiana State Penitentiary security officers resigned and another was fired after an investigation of alleged sexual activity between prisoners and visitors in June. Prison investigative reports allege that some officers accepted cash for providing "security" at two special nighttime club banquets, supplied inmates with cellular telephones and other contraband... more »

• Director of US Minerals Management Service fired

  May 27, 2010 9:28 AM

  Democratic sources say the Obama administration has fired the head of the U.S. Minerals Management Service in response to blistering criticism over lax oversight of offshore drilling. Sources tell The Associated Press that President Barack Obama will announce the decision Thursday. Elizabeth "Liz" Birnbaum had run the service in the... more »

• Teacher fired for beating caught on cell phone

  May 11, 2010 8:36 PM

  A science teacher at a charter school in Houston was fired because of a cell phone video that showed her beating a 13-year-old. It was taken by another student. Sheri Lynn Davis was fired Monday night after the principal looked at the video and said there's "no excuse for a... more »

• Southern fires campus police chief

  April 24, 2010 8:35 PM

  Southern University spent the past week without its Chief of Police after he was forced out on Wednesday. Former Chief Michael Morris says he was fired without warning. "They told me, 'Chief, Southern's Police department, we want to take it in a different direction and that direction doesn't include... more »

• Corps critic fails to win job back

  April 14, 2010 7:02 AM

  A scientist fired by LSU will not be getting his job back. A federal judge refused to immediately reinstate Ivor van Heerden, who was stripped of most of his duties last year. The judge denied the request for a temporary restraining order, and a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for... more »

• NOPD officer fired

  April 1, 2010 2:56 PM

  A 10-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department has been fired for writing improper information on a booking sheet. According to a news release, Superintendent Warren J. Riley on Thursday dismissed Officer Corey McKain, who had been assigned to the Special Operations Division. The dismissal was a... more »

• Fired Bossier City police officer regains his job

  February 5, 2010 7:24 AM

  The Bossier City Civil Service Board reinstated an officer fired for accusing an arrested prosecutor of threatening his job, but suspended him without pay for 90 days. The board says Phillip Vernon's suspension began Dec. 3 - the day Police Chief Mike Halphen fired him for allegedly filing a false... more »

• Sheriff's deputy accused of stalking, fired

  January 22, 2010 6:34 AM

  A West Feliciana Parish sheriff's deputy has been fired after being arrested for allegedly stalking a man he believed was seeing his wife. Authorities say 48-year-old Robert Wayne Stogner of St. Francisville tried to contact the man at his place of employment, Georgia Pacific's Port Hudson mill. East Baton Rouge... more »

• ESPN reports Hornets fire Byron Scott

  November 12, 2009 12:55 PM

  ESPN is reporting that the New Orleans Hornets have fired coach Byron Scott after a 3-6 start. Scott won NBA Coach of the Year honors two seasons ago after leading the Hornets to 56-26 record and a division title. Last year the Hornets posted a 49-33 mark before getting... more »

• Fired Southern official alleges retaliation

  November 12, 2009 8:16 AM

  Former Southern University alumni affairs administrator Joseph Cedric Shelton has become the first of a group of employees fired in August to sue the university. In a federal lawsuit, Shelton alleges that he was retaliated against and fired because he testified in 2007 in favor of former Southern System President... more »