Tagged News

• State Representative Stephanie Hilferty announces candidacy for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 1

  February 9, 2026 4:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE — State Representative Stephanie Hilferty announced her candidacy for the Louisiana Public Service Commission District 1 on Monday. Hilferty, a Republican, previously helped reform the New Orleans Sewage and Water Board, increasing oversight and improving transparency by fighting against unfair bill practices. "In 2026, no one... more »

• LSU President Wade Rousse names new university Chief Communications Officer Play Video

  February 9, 2026 2:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE — LSU President Wade Rousse named a new system-wide Chief Communications Officer, the school announced Monday. Meg Casper Sunstrom will begin working in the position on Feb. 18, LSU said. She last served in the same role for the Louisiana State Legislature. In her new job,... more »

• Louisiana fixes errors in food stamp program in an attempt to avoid a $95 million penalty Play Video

  February 8, 2026 12:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana state health officials are attempting to fix errors in the state's food assistance program, which currently feeds one out of every five Louisiana families, in an attempt to avoid a $95 million federal penalty, according to a report by The Advocate . The potential penalty... more »

• Anti-ICE protestors gather on College Drive following school walkouts in Baton Rouge

  February 7, 2026 4:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Protestors with Indivisible Baton Rouge gathered on College Drive on Saturday to protest ICE operations in the country following the death of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. The protest follows a walkout staged by Liberty Magnet High School students on Friday, showing how operations have affected... more »

• Special election to fill five open seats in the Louisiana Legislature on Saturday Play Video

  February 7, 2026 10:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A special election taking place on Saturday will fill four open seats in the Louisiana House and one in the Louisiana Senate following the departure of several lawmakers earlier this fall. The election will determine who will fill the open seat in the Louisiana House of... more »

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grants lease for new outpatient clinic in St. George

  February 6, 2026 3:11 PM

  ST. GEORGE — U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy announced on Friday that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a lease for a new community-based outpatient clinic in Baton Rouge. According to Cassidy, the new clinic will feature over 100,000 square feet of clinical space, allowing the Department of... more »

• Key participant in 2012 Benghazi, Libya, attack that killed 4 Americans is in custody, Bondi says

  February 6, 2026 10:26 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — A key participant in the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans has been taken into custody and will be prosecuted for their deaths, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday. Bondi said in a news conference that Zubayr Al-Bakoush... more »

• House passes bill to end the partial government shutdown, sending the measure to Trump Play Video

  February 3, 2026 2:36 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Tuesday passed a roughly $1.2 trillion spending package to end the partial government shutdown, sending the measure to President Donald Trump and setting the stage for a debate in Congress over Homeland Security funding. The vote was 217-214, and wraps up congressional work... more »

• Recall petition filed against Mayor-President Sid Edwards; he says it ignores what he's accomplished Play Video

  February 2, 2026 3:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Just 13 months into his term as mayor-president, Sid Edwards is the subject of a recall petition. Paperwork was filed Friday with the Secretary of State's office seeking to remove Edwards as the city-parish's chief executive. It alleges Edwards has failed to provide effective leadership, demonstrate... more »

• Capital-area government and organizations announce plans to reopen on Tuesday

  January 26, 2026 4:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Local governments and organizations began announcing plans to reopen on Tuesday following Monday's closures due to weather concerns. The following governments and organizations have announced plans to reopen: - Ascension Parish government will return to normal operations - City of Baker offices will open at 9... more »

• Louisiana Democratic leaders gather to discuss firsthand accounts of ICE's Operation Catahoula Crunch Play Video

  January 26, 2026 12:04 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — Several congressmen convened at a Democratic forum in New Orleans on Monday to hear firsthand accounts regarding the Trump administration's actions during ICE's Operation Catahoula Crunch in Louisiana following a second fatal shooting by a member of ICE in Minneapolis this past week. Louisiana Congressman Troy... more »

• Man is shot and killed during Minneapolis immigration crackdown, National Guard activated Play Video

  January 24, 2026 12:20 PM

  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal immigration officer shot and killed a man Saturday in Minneapolis, drawing hundreds of protesters onto the frigid streets and ratcheting up tensions in a city already shaken by another fatal shooting weeks earlier. Family members identified the man who was killed as Alex Pretti,... more »

• President Trump endorses Rep. Julia Letlow for potential Senate candidacy Play Video

  January 17, 2026 9:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - President Trump endorsed Representative Julia Letlow on Saturday as a potential candidate for one of Louisiana's spots in the United States Senate. Letlow represents the 5th Congressional District, which includes East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension parishes. At this time, she has not announced a campaign... more »

• Rep. Cleo Fields visits East Baton Rouge Parish schools as part of 'Congressman to Classroom' initiative

  January 16, 2026 11:48 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Rep. Cleo Fields visited three East Baton Rouge Parish School District campuses on Friday to kick off his Congress to the Classroom initiative. The initiative, seeing Fields visit 52 schools ranging from kindergarten to college across Louisiana's Sixth Congressional District over the course of the year,... more »

• Ascension Parish councilman sued for alleged defamation of parish employee's husband, report says Play Video

  January 12, 2026 2:56 PM

  ASCENSION — An Ascension Parish council member is being sued following a social media post he made about the husband of a top parish government official. Councilman Joel Robert of District 2 is being sued for defamation after allegedly making a post about Gerald Phillips Jr., the husband of... more »

• Doctors say changes to U.S. vaccine recommendations are confusing parents and could harm kids Play Video

  January 11, 2026 12:02 PM

  (AP) — Dr. Molly O’Shea has noticed growing skepticism about vaccines at both of her Michigan pediatric offices and says this week's unprecedented and confusing changes to federal vaccine guidance will only make things worse. One of her offices is in a Democratic area, where more of the parents... more »

• Iran warns against US strikes as activists say protest death toll reaches 203 Play Video

  January 11, 2026 9:48 AM

  DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s parliament speaker warned Sunday that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if the U.S. strikes the Islamic Republic over the ongoing protests roiling the country, as threatened by President Donald Trump. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the threat after nationwide... more »

• Protestors gather at Capitol in support of protests in Iran Play Video

  January 10, 2026 5:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Protestors in Baton Rouge gathered at the Capitol for a second day of protesting in support of the protests in Iran on Saturday. The group said they're fighting for the freedom of the people in Iran after protests in the country began due to inflation spiking... more »

• US strikes Venezuela and says its leader has been captured and flown out of the country Play Video

  January 3, 2026 9:18 AM

  CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said its president had been captured and flown out of the country after months of intense pressure on Nicolás Maduro's government — an extraordinary nighttime operation announced by President Donald Trump on social media... more »

• Special election taking place in February for five open seats in the Louisiana Legislature Play Video

  December 29, 2025 4:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A special election is taking place to fill open seats in the Louisiana Legislature after several lawmakers left their positions earlier this fall. The election, taking place on Feb. 7, will fill four open seats in the Louisiana House and one in the Louisiana Senate. ... more »

• Federal judge to hold hearing on whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being vindictively prosecuted

  December 27, 2025 2:48 PM

  AP - A federal judge this week canceled the trial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia , the Salvadoran man who was mistakenly deported, and scheduled a hearing on whether the prosecution is being vindictive in pursuing a human smuggling case against him. Abrego Garcia has become a centerpiece of the... more »

• $900 million in FEMA funding awaits Homeland Security Kristi Noem's approval, according to report Play Video

  December 21, 2025 8:11 PM

  WASHINGTON - Over $900 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency grants and loans await Homeland Security Kristi Noem's approval due to her policy of personally reviewing major spending, according to The Hill . The policy of Noem personally approving expenditures that cost $100,000 or more has led to a... more »

• Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker helping Venezuela skirt sanctions, US official says Play Video

  December 21, 2025 1:41 PM

  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday was pursuing another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea as the Trump administration appeared to be intensifying its targeting of such vessels connected to Venezuelan government. The pursuit of the tanker, which was confirmed by a... more »

• Diocese of Baton Rouge grants dispensation to Catholics potentially impacted by immigration agents Play Video

  December 7, 2025 12:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge announced that Catholics impacted by immigration agents are not required to go to weekly Mass on Sunday. The diocese released a letter on Thursday in response to the federal immigration crackdown in New Orleans. "With the recent publicized... more »

• New Orleans leaders blast immigration crackdown, pointing to video of agents chasing US citizen Play Video

  December 6, 2025 2:50 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans’ mayor-elect said Friday that a federal immigration crackdown launched this week is already causing harm as encounters between masked agents and residents, including some caught on video, has prompted public backlash in the blue city. Frustrated city officials pointed to the case of... more »

• Secretary of State releases educational videos on closed primary elections

  December 1, 2025 2:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced the release of five educational videos about closed primary elections on Monday. The videos, meant to inform voters of the legislatively-mandated transition to closed party primaries beginning in 2026, are part of Landry's voter education campaign ahead of the... more »

• U.S. Small Business Administration visits Ponchatoula ahead of Small Business Saturday Play Video

  November 26, 2025 4:14 PM

  PONCHATOULA - Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration Justin Crossie visited a small business in Ponchatoula on Wednesday ahead of Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29. Crossie visited Revival Art House, an art gallery home to over 200 local artists. "Whenever you shop at Revival, you're... more »

• Cranksgiving combines fun and exercise with charity in Baton Rouge Play Video

  November 23, 2025 12:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A unique food drive returned to Baton Rouge on Sunday at the Electric Depot on Government Street. The annual Cranksgiving event hosted cyclists of all levels as they rode through the streets of Baton Rouge for a food drive benefiting the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.... more »

• City and parish leaders discuss how de-consolidated government would work Play Video

  November 21, 2025 6:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - With the looming deadline for the East Baton Rouge Metro Council to approve the budget for next year, long-term solutions are being discussed to stabilize the city-parish, and some leaders are saying that changing the form of government for the city-parish could resolve some issues. After... more »

• Bayou Manchac flood mitigation project receives $30 million in state funding Play Video

  November 21, 2025 10:04 AM

  GONZALES - The Bayou Manchac flood mitigation project received $30 million in state funding after the Iberville Parish Council passed a resolution to include the City of St. George in the intergovernmental agreement between multiple parishes. The project, a combined effort between Iberville, Ascension and East Baton Rouge parishes,... more »

• Billionaires Eat First highlights the consequences of SNAP benefit cuts Play Video

  November 17, 2025 8:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State representatives met at the capital on Monday to launch Billionaires Eat First, a national awareness effort by Unrig Our Economy to highlight the consequences of SNAP benefit cuts for low-income families. The campaign aims to expose how congressional republicans slashed food assistance for millions of... more »

• KOK Wings & Things offers free meals to college students, families affected by the government shutdown Play Video

  November 16, 2025 6:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - KOK Wings and Things offered free meals on Sunday to families and college students impacted by the government shutdown . Locations in Baton Rouge, New Iberia and Lafayette plan to offer one free meal on Sundays to college students with SNAP benefits and a college ID... more »

• LDH prepares to distribute 100% of federal SNAP funds Play Video

  November 14, 2025 11:34 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health plans to distribute 100% of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to eligible recipients within a week. Full federal benefits will be paid to eligible SNAP households that haven't received their November benefits, and all households that only received 65% of... more »

• Supreme Court extends its order blocking full SNAP payments, with shutdown potentially near an end Play Video

  November 11, 2025 6:44 PM

  The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended an order blocking full SNAP payments, amid signals that the government shutdown could soon end and food aid payments resume. The order keeps in place at least for a few more days a chaotic situation. People who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance... more »

• Trump administration demands states 'undo' full SNAP payouts as states warn of 'catastrophic impact' Play Video

  November 9, 2025 1:09 PM

  President Donald Trump's administration is demanding states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under judges' orders last week, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed those rulings, marking the latest swing in a seesawing legal battle over the anti-hunger program used by 42 million Americans. The demand from... more »

• Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments Play Video

  November 7, 2025 7:01 PM

  BOSTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown. A judge had given the Republican administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance... more »

• Baton Rouge feeling effects of FAA reducing operations as two BTR Friday flights cancelled Play Video

  November 7, 2025 5:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Thousands of flights across the country are being delayed as the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, began rolling back flight operations by 4% across 40 of the country's largest airports on Friday due to the government shutdown. It's part of the FAA's plan to reduce operations... more »

• Trump unveils deal to expand coverage and lower costs on obesity drugs Play Video

  November 6, 2025 5:26 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump unveiled a deal Thursday with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to expand coverage and reduce prices for the popular obesity treatments Zepbound and Wegovy. Known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, the drugs have soared in popularity in recent years but patient access has... more »

• What to do if your flight is delayed or canceled during the US government shutdown

  November 3, 2025 1:45 PM

  The U.S. government shutdown has now dragged on for over a month, and shortages of air traffic controllers are straining operations — with flight disruptions piling up nationwide. Staffing shortages have caused flight delays at a growing number of airports in recent weeks. Among the latest disruptions, Newark Airport... more »

• Government shutdown threatens to delay home heating aid for millions of low-income families

  November 2, 2025 1:05 PM

  HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Jacqueline Chapman is a retired school aide who relies on a $630 monthly Social Security check to get by. She was navigating the loss of her federal food aid benefits when she learned the assistance she receives for heating her Philadelphia apartment may also be at... more »

• Early voting begins for Nov. 15 election in Louisiana Play Video

  November 1, 2025 1:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Early voting for the Nov. 15 election in Louisiana began on Saturday. Early voting for the upcoming election will take place from Nov. 1-8, with the exception of Sunday, Nov. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. East Baton Rouge Parish will be voting on... more »

• Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport launches food drive to support workers during government shutdown Play Video

  November 1, 2025 10:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport launched a food drive on Wednesday to support its TSA and Air Traffic Control teams, who continue to work despite not being paid due to the ongoing government shutdown. This comes as the Louisiana Department of Health announced its distribution schedule... more »

• Mass mobilization takes place at the capitol for maintaining the current congressional map Play Video

  October 27, 2025 6:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A large demonstration took place at the State Capitol on Monday during the Legislature's special session to urge lawmakers to maintain the current congressional map. The demonstration is due to concerns that lawmakers could potentially change the current map, which has two majority black districts following... more »

• The Latest: Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from firing workers during shutdown

  October 15, 2025 2:49 PM

  President Donald Trump’s administration for now must stop firing workers during the government shutdown, a federal judge in San Francisco ordered on Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued the emergency order after federal agencies on Friday started issuing layoff notices aimed at reducing the size of the federal... more »

• Government shutdown could be the longest ever, House Speaker Johnson warns Play Video

  October 13, 2025 7:52 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson predicted Monday the federal government shutdown may become the longest in history, saying he “won't negotiate” with Democrats until they hit pause on their health care demands and reopen. Standing alone at the Capitol on the 13th day of the shutdown,... more »

• Election day takes place across the state - polls close at 8 p.m. Play Video

  October 11, 2025 12:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - It's election day across the state, where multiple parishes will be holding local races. The polls opened on Saturday at 7:00 a.m. and will close at 8:00 p.m., according to the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office. Those results are available on their website here. In... more »

• Firings of federal workers begin as White House seeks to pressure Democrats in government shutdown Play Video

  October 10, 2025 12:57 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House budget office said Friday that mass firings of federal workers have started in an attempt to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers as the government shutdown continues. Russ Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said on the social media... more »

• East Baton Rouge charter schools awarded $7.1 million from U.S. Department of Education

  October 10, 2025 9:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Department of Education awarded Helix Community Schools $7.1 million as part of its Charter Schools Program grant. Helix said the money will help transform Baker High School and Park Ridge Achievement Academy into Type 3 charter schools following their recent transition into Helix FinTech... more »

• TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: All lanes of I-110 northbound reopen after crash near Convention Street Play Video

  October 6, 2025 6:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE — I-110 northbound was entirely closed after a crash near Convention Street early Monday morning. The wreck was reported just before 5 a.m. By 5:30 a.m., the roadway had entirely reopened. Officials said no injuries were reported from the crash. more »

• Federal government shuts down for first time in eight years Play Video

  October 1, 2025 6:45 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats kept their promise to reject any Republican spending bill that didn’t extend or restore health care benefits, choosing instead to force a government shutdown. Now they have to figure out how to get out of it. Just hours after the shutdown began, Senate Democratic... more »

• Advocates question efficiency as city-parish names new leader Play Video

  September 9, 2025 7:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - One of Mayor-President Sid Edwards’s top workers is moving to a different job focused on efficiency. The Chief Efficiency Officer position was created by the Metro Council last month, and in the new role, Charlie Davis says he has some plans to run the city-parish differently.... more »

• City leaders celebrate new St. George Academy Play Video

  September 9, 2025 6:43 PM

  ST. GEORGE - Students have been in class at the St. George Academy for more than a month now, but city officials took the time to celebrate the new school Tuesday morning. It's one of the first schools to be opened since the recent incorporation of the City of... more »

• What states are doing in the battle for partisan advantage in US House redistricting maps

  August 29, 2025 4:03 PM

  A battle between Texas Republicans and California Democrats to bolster their party's advantage in the U.S. House has led politicians in other states to consider ways they, too, could leverage partisan power to rack up more victories in the 2026 congressional elections. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed... more »

• Mayor Sid Edwards undecided on potential EMS-Fire merger after paramedics raise concerns Play Video

  August 26, 2025 8:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards' plan of potentially merging East Baton Rouge EMS and the Baton Rouge Fire Department took a step forward Monday. This came after the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board voted Monday to expand Baton Rouge Fire Chief Michael Kimble's job... more »

• Officials showcase new voting machines at Old Governor's Mansion Play Video

  August 26, 2025 6:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Secretary of State Nancy Landry hosted a public demonstration at the Old Governor's Mansion Tuesday for one of a few new voting systems that will soon be tested for certification. The new system is part of Landry's efforts to modernize Louisiana's voting machines and infrastructure. ... more »

• EBR Schools is trying to improve transportation issues after child dropped off at wrong stop Play Video

  August 15, 2025 6:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - After a child was dropped off at the wrong bus stop, the East Baton Rouge Parish School District is working to fix transportation problems as students return this fall. Before school started, the district sent parents a survey asking those who didn’t intend to use bus... more »

• Louisiana ATC commissioner resigns, will pursue opportunities outside government Play Video

  August 8, 2025 3:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, Ernest Legier Jr., submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday, he confirmed to WBRZ. Legier said that he plans to pursue other opportunities outside state government. He told WBRZ he will stay on as Deputy... more »

• State Sen. Blake Miguez announces campaign for Bill Cassidy's US Senate seat Play Video

  June 17, 2025 1:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana State Sen. Blake Miguez announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. Miguez, who represents New Iberia, unveiled his campaign for Sen. Bill Cassidy's senate seat in a social media video. "We're done being fooled by weak Republicans. Bill Cassidy had his shot. He... more »

• Killian voters elect Trevor Clardy as 5th Alderman by three votes Play Video

  May 3, 2025 5:50 PM

  KILLIAN — Trevor Clardy was elected to fill the 5th Alderman position in Killian in Saturday's election, according to complete but unofficial results. Clardy beat Bryce Felps. Both men ran as Republicans. Felps previously ran for Mayor of Killian in 2021 when he was 18. Clardy is the owner... more »

• Police trying to identify person who tried using counterfeit money at Government Street store Play Video

  April 15, 2025 3:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police Department detectives are trying to identify a person who tried to use counterfeit money at a Government Street grocery store. Officials said the attempted purchase happened on April 8. Anyone with information is urged to contact officials at 225- 344-7867. more »

• Tuesday is Tax Day! File before the deadline to avoid penalties Play Video

  April 15, 2025 7:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Tuesday, April 15 is Tax Day in the United States, the last day to file federal and state taxes without an extension. If you're up against the deadline and feeling the pressure, you can file for an extension online through any free tax service or through... more »

• Monday marks one month from the deadline to get a Real ID for domestic flights Play Video

  April 7, 2025 10:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Monday, Apr. 7 marks one month from the deadline for citizens to acquire a REAL ID, a new standardization of identification through the federal government. REAL IDs will be required to board planes on domestic and international flights - state driver's licenses will no longer be... more »

• Ascension voters reject removing salary cap for government leaders Play Video

  March 27, 2025 5:55 PM

  GONZALES — Ascension Parish voters have decided to leave in place a salary cap for members of government leaders. Voters were asked to remove language from the parish Home Rule Charter that specified the members of its governing authority could not receive more money that the maximum amount allowed... more »