WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• Snowden says he's proud to be labeled a traitor by Cheney

  June 17, 2013 3:35 PM

  WASHINGTON - The man who leaked details about top-secret U.S. government surveillance programs is defending his actions. In what The Guardian newspaper said was an online chat with him, Edward Snowden attacked U.S. officials for calling him a traitor. He says he didn't reveal any U.S. operations against what he... more »

• New strategy for breakaway schools: create new town

  June 13, 2013 9:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Legislators and citizens have been fighting 'for' and 'against' a breakaway school district in East Baton Rouge for two years. The group Local Schools for Local children, which favors the new district, is now thinking about creating a new town to up its chances of success. ... more »

• Google asks to publish more government information

  June 11, 2013 2:02 PM

  SAN FRANCISCO - Google is asking the Obama administration to allow the Internet company to disclose more details about the U.S. government's closely guarded demands for emails and other information that people transmit online. The request was made Tuesday in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and FBI Director... more »

• Area congressman wants major changes amid IRS drama

  June 4, 2013 10:45 PM

  WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Bill Cassidy (R-Baton Rouge) Tuesday, called for the IRS to be abolished and replaced. "Our privacy and political freedoms should not be sacrificed," Rep. Cassidy said. Cassidy said he is frustrated after it was revealed the IRS may have increased scrutiny on political organizations like... more »

• Complex: pastor bailed, now looking for help from other agencies Play Video

  May 21, 2013 6:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Government agencies are taking a close look at an apartment complex where 30 people with mental challenges live. Reginald Stewman, a Baton Rouge preacher, left these clients after he took part of their Social Security checks to pay for rent but never handed over the money... more »

• No new funds needed for Okla. tornado recovery

  May 21, 2013 3:05 PM

  WASHINGTON - Top lawmakers and officials say the federal government has plenty of money on hand to pay for recovery efforts in the devastating tornado that struck Oklahoma. The government has more than $11 billion in its main disaster relief fund. Recovery costs in Moore, Okla., are expected to be... more »

• IRS targeting draws ire from local political groups Play Video

  May 13, 2013 6:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A report showing agents at the IRS targeted conservative groups who applied for tax exemptions drew the ire of local political groups. The IRS didn't target the Tea Party of Louisiana, but the group still believes it's a violation of their freedom of speech. "When you... more »

• Future of BR to be discussed Tuesday

  April 22, 2013 9:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The group tasked with implementing the future plan of the city will meet for the first time this year on Tuesday. The group, known as FUTUREBR, is set to talk about the status of the project at 10 a.m. at City Hall. FUTUREBR is the land-use... more »

• Proposed law about eyes gets close look Play Video

  April 17, 2013 9:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE - There's a debate at the Louisiana State Capitol that has optometrists and ophthalmologists pleading their cases. House Bill 527 would allow optometrists to perform certain procedures that are currently only allowed to be performed by ophthalmologists. Optometrists say it's about performing simple procedures in a... more »

• Pickup in home building sends stock market higher

  April 16, 2013 9:05 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are sharply higher in early trading, a day after the market's worst drop this year, as the government reported a surge in home construction last month. Coca-Cola jumped 4 percent after reporting strong earnings. Home builder stocks rose following the construction report. The Dow Jones industrial average... more »

• Better Block BR to shrink Government Street Play Video

  April 12, 2013 4:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE - City leaders are temporarily shrinking a major Baton Rouge road to show off some changes they believe can help increase business and recreational traffic in the city. The Better Block BR demonstration will shrink Government Street to two lanes with a center turn lane on Saturday... more »

• Obama signs bill to avoid government shutdown

  March 26, 2013 3:16 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has signed a stopgap spending bill to keep the government running through the end of September. The measure leaves in place $85 billion in automatic budget cuts known as the sequester. But it takes steps to ease the impact of the cuts to food inspection... more »

• Special crime meeting called for Thursday in Baton Rouge

  February 28, 2013 3:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A community meeting has been called to talk about crime and the police department. Councilwoman Tara Wicker announced the meeting Thursday afternoon. The meeting will be held Thursday evening at the Dr. Leo S. Butler Community Center on East Washington Street. "The community is invited to... more »

• City court worker convicted of erasing tickets for cash

  February 27, 2013 4:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A woman was convicted of taking bribes to erase traffic tickets for people at city court. Ingrid Simon, 49, pled guilty to charges Wednesday before U.S. District Judge James J. Brady. Simon, a court clerk, took bribes on about thirty occasions from 2007 to 2010. Simon... more »

• Expert: BP withheld crucial information from gov't

  February 27, 2013 2:53 PM

  NEW ORLEANS- A well design expert testifying for the federal government accused BP of withholding critical information from industry regulators before a blowout triggered a deadly explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in 2010. Alan Huffman is a geophysicist who has worked for Conoco and Exxon. He testified... 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 »

• Obama signs bill averting government default

  February 5, 2013 7:30 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill raising the government's borrowing limit, averting a default and delaying the next clash over the nation's debt until later this year. The legislation temporarily suspends the $16.4 trillion limit on federal borrowing. Experts say that will allow the government... more »

• Congress passes bill to extend borrowing authority

  February 1, 2013 2:51 AM

  WASHINGTON - Congress has approved must-do legislation to permit the government to borrow hundreds of billions of dollars more to meet its obligations, averting a first-ever government default that had loomed as early as mid-February. The 64-34 vote in the Senate on Thursday sends the measure to President Barack Obama,... more »

• Senate to clear debt limit increase for Obama

  January 31, 2013 6:32 AM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate is poised to permit the government to borrow hundreds of billions of dollars more to meet its obligations, putting off one Washington showdown even as others loom in coming weeks. The measure would suspend the $16.4 trillion limit on federal borrowing through May 18, allowing an... more »

• Senate confirms Kerry nomination for State Dept.

  January 29, 2013 3:51 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate has confirmed Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry as the next secretary of state. The vote was 94-3. Once sworn-in, Kerry will replace Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is stepping down after four years. The vote came just hours after the Foreign Relations Committee approved his nomination by voice... more »

• Bill filed in Miss. seeks to nullify federal laws

  January 25, 2013 6:17 AM

  JACKSON, Miss. - In a state that defied the union during the Civil War and Civil Rights era, two lawmakers want Mississippi to block some current and future federal laws. Republican state Reps. Gary Chism and Jeff Smith have filed a bill to form the Joint Legislative Committee on... more »

• Obama picks Mary Jo White to lead SEC

  January 24, 2013 11:07 AM

  WASHINGTON - The White House says President Barack Obama will nominate Mary Jo White as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission this afternoon. White served for nearly a decade as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, building a reputation as a tough prosecutor with an... more »

• Final Keystone pipeline decision still months away

  January 23, 2013 6:25 AM

  WASHINGTON - Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman's approval of a revised route for the Keystone XL oil pipeline puts the long-delayed project back in the hands of the federal government. But don't look for a quick decision on the $7 billion project, which would carry oil from Canada to the... more »

• Govt appeals judge's contraceptive mandate ruling

  January 15, 2013 4:30 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is appealing a judge's order that is temporarily preventing the government from forcing a Christian publishing company to provide its employees with certain contraceptives under the new health care law. In November, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton granted a preliminary injunction sought by Tyndale House... more »

• Geithner: Gov't could pass debt limit by mid-Feb.

  January 14, 2013 4:08 PM

  WASHINGTON - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is telling congressional leaders that the U.S. government will exhaust its borrowing limit as soon as mid-February, earlier than expected. The government reached its $16.4 trillion borrowing limit on Dec. 31, but began using bookkeeping maneuvers to keep from surpassing it. In a letter... more »

• BP: Government overestimated size of spill

  January 11, 2013 3:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - BP has urged a federal judge to rule the company can't be penalized for millions of gallons of oil that spewed from its blown-out well but was captured before it could spill into the Gulf of Mexico. A court filing Friday by BP says the federal government... more »

• Unusual respite from surging health care costs

  January 7, 2013 3:58 PM

  WASHINGTON - The government says Americans kept health care spending in check for three consecutive years. It's an unusual respite, since health care usually surges ahead of overall economic growth. Will the relief linger? That's not clear. It could fade if jobs come roaring back as the economy recovers. The... more »

• Poll: Obesity's a crisis but we want our junk food

  January 4, 2013 7:12 AM

  WASHINGTON - Americans blame too much screen time and cheap fast food for fueling the nation's obesity epidemic, but a poll finds they're split on how the government should help. A third of people say the government should be deeply involved in finding ways to curb obesity. A similar... more »

• Metro Council to meet for the last time with current members tonight

  December 12, 2012 2:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Four of the twelve elected members of Metro Council will be making their last decisions of their council career tonight. Wednesday's meeting is also the last regular council meeting of the year. "Bones" Addison, Mike Walker, Alison Gary, and "Smokie" Bourgeois won't return to the council next... more »

• Congress votes to remove word 'lunatic' from law

  December 5, 2012 12:40 PM

  WASHINGTON - You can say "lunatic" all you want, but you probably won't have the government's blessing. 'That word will be stricken from federal law under legislation that passed the House Wednesday and is headed to President Barack Obama for his signature. The congressional action is the latest effort to... more »

• $5B in government recoveries on false claims cases

  December 4, 2012 11:55 AM

  WASHINGTON - The Justice Department has recovered a record $5 billion in the past year from companies that filed false claims against the government. Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West said Tuesday that the federal False Claims Act is the most powerful tool the government has for protecting the integrity... more »

• FEMA makes push to connect with storm victims in LA

  November 27, 2012 10:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE- People recovering from Hurricane Isaac can try to get more help from FEMA. The agency said Tuesday it has more assistance available. $530,000 has been added to the relief money for thousands of storm victims. FEMA also said it is making follow-up calls and some home visits.... more »

• US new home starts jump to fastest pace in 4 years

  November 20, 2012 12:27 PM

  WASHINGTON - The government reports that the nation's home builders began construction last month on the most homes and apartments since July 2008. It is fresh evidence that the housing recovery is gaining momentum. The Commerce Department says builders broke ground on homes in October at a seasonally adjusted annual... more »

• Animal shelter, alcohol, and neighborhood buyout on tap for city leaders

  November 13, 2012 9:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE- City leaders want the group in charge of day-to-day operations at the Animal Shelter to answer questions and allegations about mistreatment at the shelter. Wednesday, Companion Animal Alliance has been asked to present a report to Metro Council about the operations and the facility. The agenda... more »

• US government runs $120 billion October deficit

  November 13, 2012 1:30 PM

  WASHINGTON - The federal government started the 2013 budget year with a $120 billion deficit, an indication that the nation is on a path to another $1 trillion-plus deficit. The Treasury Department says the October deficit was 22 percent higher than the same month last year. Officials said last year's... more »

• PAR creates Louisiana tax code advisory group

  November 13, 2012 10:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A nonpartisan government watchdog organization has assembled an advisory panel to look at potential tax code changes for Louisiana residents and businesses. The Public Affairs Research Council's study work comes as the Jindal administration pushes a revamp of the state's tax structure in the next legislative... more »

• High court to take new look at voting rights law

  November 9, 2012 2:22 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court says it will consider eliminating the government's chief weapon against racial discrimination at polling places since the 1960s. Acting three days after the election, the justices are agreeing Friday to hear a constitutional challenge to the part of the landmark Voting Rights Act that requires... more »

• Lawmakers back Jindal health outsourcing contract Play Video

  November 9, 2012 10:59 AM

  BATON ROUGE - After a shake-up on the House budget committee, Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has gotten approval from lawmakers to outsource a state employee health insurance plan. The Senate Finance Committee backed the contract between the Office of Group Benefits and Blue Cross/Blue Shield in a 10-3 vote Friday,... more »

• Biden stops in Cleveland en route to Chicago

  November 6, 2012 11:20 AM

  CLEVELAND- Vice President Joe Biden is making an unannounced stop in Cleveland. Biden voted Tuesday morning in his home state of Delaware and then boarded a plane for Chicago, where he's joining President Barack Obama to await the election returns. An hour after takeoff, the small group of reporters traveling... more »

• Leaders push for morgue in Livingston

  November 3, 2012 10:56 AM

  LIVINGSTON (AP) - Elected officials in Livingston Parish are calling for the parish to establish a morgue after a fetus important to a criminal case was cremated before an autopsy could be performed. In the meantime, Coroner Dr. Ron Coe said he has arranged to use Tangipahoa Parish's morgue, rather... more »

• Residents propose making Prairieville a city

  October 22, 2012 6:31 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE- A proposal to incorporate a section of Ascension Parish into a city government could one day come to a vote. The proposal would incorporate the Prairieville area into a city, allowing the newly formed government to collect sales taxes and millages. "Incorporating Prairieville gives the local community... more »

• Cubans welcome easing of exit visa requirement

  October 16, 2012 2:28 PM

  HAVANA - Cubans on the streets of Havana are expressing delight and astonishment over the government's decision to end its exit visa requirement. For the first time in more than a half-century, Cubans who want to travel overseas will only need to show a passport and a visa from the... more »

• Gov. Jindal announces changes to his office staff

  October 12, 2012 4:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The staff reshuffling continues in Gov. Bobby Jindal's office, after the exit of the governor's chief of staff shifted people to different jobs in the administration. Jindal announced Friday that Taylor Teepell will work as deputy chief of staff; Matt Parker will be legislative affairs director; and... more »

• New report takes a look at Louisiana tax structure

  October 8, 2012 10:50 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana state agencies have released a 43-page report that provides an overview of the state's tax structure and the $6.8 billion in tax breaks on the books. The report, released Monday, was put out by the Department of Revenue and Department of Economic Development. It is designed... more »

• Deeper cuts coming to LSU hospitals Play Video

  October 4, 2012 11:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The LSU governing board has agreed to deepen cuts to the university-run public hospitals by another $152 million. The cuts will fall across seven south Louisiana hospitals, eliminating dozens of inpatient beds and 1,500 jobs. Hospital system leader Frank Opelka outlined the budget cuts Thursday, and the LSU... more »

• State lawmaker calls for special session

  October 4, 2012 11:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A state lawmaker is calling for a special session to address health care cuts. State Rep. Jerome "Dee" Richard of Thibodaux has called for the special session and has sent a petition to lawmakers, requesting their support. Richard says he wants the legislature to have a... more »

• Obama: Government not the source of every problem

  September 22, 2012 5:55 PM

  MILWAUKEE - President Barack Obama counters rival Mitt Romney by declaring that government can't solve every problem but is not the source of every problem. He says Americans should not only accept responsibility for themselves but also for their communities and the nation. Obama's message, at a Milwaukee fundraiser, was... more »

• Half avoid taxes, get fed help but many not poor

  September 18, 2012 4:54 PM

  WASHINGTON - Mitt Romney got the math about right when he said 47 percent of Americans pay no incomes taxes and are "dependent on government" for support. But he blurred together half or more of the entire country with his comment, from the neediest Americans to some of the richest.... more »

• Obama responds to Romney's 'victims' comments

  September 18, 2012 4:52 PM

  NEW YORK - President Barack Obama is chiding Republican Mitt Romney for referring to supporters of the president as victims who depend on the government. Obama says anyone who wants to be president has to "work for everyone, not just for some." Appearing on the "Late Show" with David Letterman,... more »

• Romney: 'Great divide' exists over tax philosophy

  September 18, 2012 4:51 PM

  SALT LAKE CITY - Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney says there's a "great divide" in the country between those who want to take wealth and pass it around and those who want to earn money for themselves. In an interview Tuesday with Fox News Channel, Romney said redistributing wealth is... more »

• La. continues to shed state government jobs

  September 17, 2012 9:59 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A total of 173 state employees have been laid off in the first two months of the fiscal year that started July 1. Lindsay Ruiz de Chavez, with the state Department of Civil Service, says the latest figures show that from July 1, 2008, to Aug.... more »

• Members of Congress hold 9/11 ceremony

  September 11, 2012 11:35 AM

  WASHINGTON- Members of the House and Senate have filled the steps on the east front of the Capitol to honor victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. On the 11th anniversary of 9/11, Speaker John Boehner, becoming emotional with his voice breaking as he spoke, said Tuesday that greater good... more »

• Storm soaks Charlotte hours before Obama's speech

  September 6, 2012 3:51 PM

  WASHINGTON - The jobs outlook in the U.S. brightened a bit Thursday just before President Barack Obama was to make his case for re-election to the American people. Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the government reported. And companies boosted hiring in August, according to a private survey.... more »

• Ala., Louisiana suing feds over drilling royalties

  September 6, 2012 2:28 PM

  MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A federal judge has combined lawsuits brought by two Gulf Coast states against the federal government over millions in offshore drilling royalties. Alabama's suit says $7.5 million is at stake and Louisiana's says $2.8 million. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton in Washington combined the two suits last... more »

• National debt hits $16T; GOP critical

  September 4, 2012 4:36 PM

  WASHINGTON - The national debt has topped $16 trillion as chronic government deficits have piled more than $50,000 worth of debt onto federal ledgers for every man, woman and child in the United States. Barack Obama's GOP rivals used the grim but expected news to blast the president for the... more »

• Isaac costs to La. government: $66M and rising

  August 31, 2012 3:00 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Mississippi River has reopened to shipping from Baton Rouge to its mouth after being closed on Monday as Hurricane Isaac approached. The Coast Guard was limiting some traffic as a backlog of vessels -including a cruise ship - waited to enter the river about 90 miles... more »

• Isaac costs to La. government at $24M and counting

  August 29, 2012 8:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Gov. Bobby Jindal says the preparation and response to Isaac has cost state and local government more than $24 million so far. And the costs are expected to continue climbing. Jindal said Wednesday that state agencies have spent $14.7 million, at a rate of about $2.9 million a... more »

• State government offices closed Wednesday

  August 28, 2012 8:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE - All state government offices will be closed statewide Wednesday due to the threat of Hurricane Isaac, according to Commissioner Paul Rainwater. State officials say the announcement may be updated as they continue to monitor the storm's progress. Government employees can call 1-800-360-9660 or 225-342-0498 to... more »

• State government offices to close in 22 parishes

  August 27, 2012 3:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State government offices across 22 parishes will shut down Tuesday and Wednesday because of Tropical Storm Isaac, expected to grow into a hurricane. Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater on Monday announced the closures, which cover parishes in the tropical storm warning, hurricane watch and hurricane warning areas.... more »

• Rigs, platforms evacuate Gulf ahead of Isaac

  August 26, 2012 5:10 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The federal government says oil and gas operators are evacuating offshore platforms and rigs that could wind up in Tropical Storm Isaac's path through the Gulf of Mexico. Isaac is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall late Tuesday or early Wednesday. The bureau... more »

• Flooding knocks LDWF offline

  August 14, 2012 3:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A broken water line knocked a state government agency off the internet this afternoon, potentially causing a problem for people who need hunting, fishing or boat licenses. A spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said the broken line flooded their main office in... more »

• Port Allen pair arrested for shooting delivery driver Play Video

  August 7, 2012 6:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Baton Rouge Police say Phillip Carter and Robert Pierson have been arrested in connection with a shooting during an armed robbery. It happened at a gas station on the corner of Saint Ferdinand Street and Government Street around 3:00 am. Police say they responded and later caught... more »

• Oil prices rise on surprise supply drop

  August 1, 2012 11:00 AM

  NEW YORK - The price of oil is climbing after the government said supplies have dropped more than analysts expected. Benchmark U.S. crude rose 76 cents to $88.82 per barrel in New York on Wednesday, while Brent crude added $1.11 to $106.03 per barrel in London. Prices rose after the... more »

• Mayor announces changes to office

  July 27, 2012 4:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Leadership at the mayor-president's office is changing. Chief Administrative Officer John Carpenter has resigned. Public Works Director William Daniel has been appointed to the position. According to a news release from Mayor Kip Holden's office, Carpenter left to "pursue other interests." Daniel is no stranger... more »

• Gov't: says only 1 in 4 have HIV under control

  July 27, 2012 11:01 AM

  WASHINGTON- New government data shows only a quarter of Americans with the AIDS virus have the infection under control. Young people and blacks are least likely to get effective care. That's slightly lower than previous estimates, and means more than 800,000 people aren't benefiting from life-saving drugs that also would... more »

• Salazar announces 'targeted leasing' in Arctic

  June 26, 2012 3:07 PM

  ANCHORAGE, Alaska- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the federal government will announce its five-year offshore lease plan later this week and it will include targeted areas off Alaska's northern coast. Salazar says the Arctic lease sales will be in areas with high petroleum potential, but low conflict with environmental resources.... more »

• Gov't report: health cost relief only temporary

  June 12, 2012 3:07 PM

  WASHINGTON - The nation's been enjoying a respite from rising health care costs, but government experts say don't look for it to last. Health care spending will grow faster than the economy for the foreseeable future, says a report Tuesday from Medicare's nonpartisan economic analysts. President Barack Obama's health care... more »

• UN chief says UN monitors shot at

  June 7, 2012 3:24 PM

  BEIRUT - Activists in Syria are accusing government forces of carrying out a new massacre -- this time, killing nearly 80 people, including women and children. They say the victims were shot, hacked to death and burned in their homes. The report comes weeks after more than 100 people were... more »

• New steps to combat food stamp fraud

  May 24, 2012 11:47 AM

  WASHINGTON- The government is trying to crack down on food stamp recipients who are ripping off taxpayers by illegally selling their benefit cards for cash. The Agriculture Department wants to curb the practice by giving states more power to investigate people who repeatedly claim to lose their benefit cards and... more »

• Gov't taking new steps to combat food stamp fraud

  May 24, 2012 7:30 AM

  WASHINGTON - The government is trying to crack down on food stamp recipients who are ripping off taxpayers by illegally selling their benefit cards for cash. The Agriculture Department wants to curb the practice by giving states more power to investigate people who repeatedly claim to lose their benefit cards... more »

• National strategy to fight Alzheimer's

  May 15, 2012 11:25 AM

  WASHINGTON- The Obama administration is declaring Alzheimer's one of the country's biggest health challenges. It's adopting a national strategy that sets the clock ticking toward better treatments by 2025 -- while offering help for suffering families today. A new website will provide families with information about dementia and where to... more »

• Experts study Government St. traffic

  April 16, 2012 8:35 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Traffic consultants are once again studying whether Baton Rouge's Government Street needs to go on a diet. Spurred by safety concerns and the ongoing sense that the street's traffic moves too fast for its urban setting, The Advocate reports the Metropolitan Planning Organization has hired ABMB Engineers... more »

• Police investigate robbery at fast food restaurant

  March 23, 2012 11:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Police are investigating an armed robbery at a fast food restaurant in Baton Rouge Friday morning. Authorities say two men armed with a gun robbed Raising Cane's on the corner of Government Street and Foster. No one was hurt during the robbery. Police say the... more »

• Presidential spill panel regroups to press reform

  March 14, 2012 11:12 AM

  WASHINGTON- The seven-member commission selected by President Barack Obama to investigate the Gulf oil spill is getting back together. This time, it will press for action to improve drilling safety. The re-formed group plans to issue a report card on actions taken by Congress, the administration and the industry next... more »

• Employees advised they can oppose pension changes

  March 8, 2012 11:04 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The civil service department is advising Louisiana's state employees that they can talk with lawmakers, testify at legislative hearings, attend public rallies and otherwise express their views on Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposals to change their retirement benefits and contributions. The Advocate reports that the department issued a memo... more »

• Former abstinence director sentenced

  March 1, 2012 4:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's former director for the Governor's Program on Abstinence has been sentenced to six years in prison. 64-year-old Gail Ray Dignam was convicted last year on two counts of mail fraud. U.S. District Judge James J. Brady also ordered Dignam to pay restitution and to... more »

• Bill aims to block former lawmakers from state jobs

  February 27, 2012 10:02 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Several former state lawmakers have recently received high-profile jobs within state government. State Representative Dee Richard, I-Thibodaux, says that process needs to end. Richard has prefiled a bill for the upcoming session forcing an ex-lawmaker to wait at least two years before taking a job in state... more »

• House passes payroll tax cut, jobless benefit bill

  February 17, 2012 11:01 AM

  WASHINGTON- The GOP-controlled House has passed a bill renewing a payroll tax cut for 160 million workers and jobless benefits for millions more, backing the main items on President Barak Obama's jobs agenda in a rare burst of bipartisanship. The bill passed Friday, 293-132. The Senate is expected to quickly... more »

• Government approves new Louisiana rum distillery

  February 14, 2012 8:04 AM

  LACASSINE - The U.S. Treasury Department has approved a new rum distillery for operation in Lacassine. Louisiana Spirits LLC plans to use Louisiana sugar cane as the primary ingredient in its rum. Recent rain has caused some construction delays. But the warehouse that will house the distillery equipment, storage barrels,... more »

• Roof collapse at car wash injures 2

  January 30, 2012 4:03 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Emergency personnel transported two people the hospital Monday afternoon with unknown injuries after an outside portion of a roof fell on them. It happened at Big Babyz Barber and Beauty Shop on Government Street around 3 p.m. The business is mostly known as a car... more »

• Government on pace for smaller deficit

  January 12, 2012 7:40 PM

  The federal deficit was lower in the first quarter of the budget year than last and is seen as modest progress for a nation struggling with trillion-dollar deficits. The imbalance is high by historical standards and should keep Congress debating tax increases and spending cuts into the year leading up... more »

• Jeanerette company gets $192M Coast Guard contract

  November 7, 2011 4:54 PM

  JEANERETTE - Metal Shark Aluminum Boats of Jeanerette has a $192 million contract to replace the Coast Guard's fleet of small port security boats. The company will build up to 500 of the boats, which are about 28 feet long, for the Coast Guard, president and co-owner Chris Allard said... more »

• Suit filed over turtle excluder devices

  October 13, 2011 2:58 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Several wildlife protection groups are suing the federal agency that regulates fishing in U.S. waters, claiming the government isn't doing enough to protect endangered sea turtles from drowning in shrimp nets. The lawsuit filed Thursday in Washington claims the National Marine Fisheries Service violates the Endangered... more »

• CDC: Miners, construction, food workers smoke most

  September 29, 2011 11:17 AM

  ATLANTA - A new government report says construction workers, miners and food service workers are the occupations that smoke the most. Experts say that may have as much to do with education levels as the jobs themselves. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found 19.6 percent of... more »

• Senate deal should avert government shutdown

  September 26, 2011 5:44 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate is on track to pass a stopgap spending measure to avert a government shutdown at the end of the week. The measure appears on track to pass the Senate Monday evening. The House would pass the measure later this week. The measure drops a... more »

• Landrieu aide: FEMA has more money than thought

  September 26, 2011 11:32 AM

  WASHINGTON - A Senate aide says the government's disaster aid fund has enough money to last until Thursday, two days longer than earlier predicted. The change might point the way out of a standoff that is holding up passage of legislation to prevent a partial government shutdown. Robert... more »

• Gov't paid $600 million in benefits to dead people

  September 23, 2011 10:55 AM

  WASHINGTON - A report says the federal government has doled out more than $600 million in benefit payments to dead people over the past five years. The payments are supposed to go to retired or disabled federal workers. But the Office of Personnel Management's inspector general says sometimes the... more »

• Panel: Widespread waste and fraud in war spending

  August 31, 2011 3:06 AM

  WASHINGTON- An independent panel that concluded as much as $60 billion in U.S. funds has been lost to waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade will release results today of its three-year investigation into wartime spending. In its final report to Congress, the Commission on Wartime... more »

• EBR school health centers get $500,000 grant

  August 12, 2011 2:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Federal government is paying for upgrades to several school health care centers in East Baton Rouge. Westdale Middle School, built in 1987, has the oldest school health care center in the parish. It has broken ceiling tiles and outdated equipment, but that's all about to... more »