Tagged News

• 15 year anniversary of significant Capitol City Snowstorm

  December 11, 2023 5:21 PM

  15 years ago, a widespread snow event occurred across south and southeast Louisiana. To this day, that storm is still responsible for some of the highest snowfall accumulations ever recorded in southeast Louisiana. During the early morning hours of Dec. 11, 2008, rain was occurring across southeast Louisiana. This... more »

• 50 Years Ago: tornadoes cut through Capital City, much of Louisiana

  December 4, 2023 10:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - 50 years ago Monday, a strong tornado touched down in the Capital City before tracking 39 miles to Amite City, injuring 3 and causing over $2 million in damage. The twister was one of several to touch down across the state. On December 3, 1973, a... more »

• Juneteenth signed into Louisiana law as state holiday

  June 11, 2021 7:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Governor John Bel Edwards signed a bill Thursday declaring Juneteenth a state holiday. The bill passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate. Juneteenth is observed on June 19, but the bill does not go into effect until the beginning of August. Juneteenth is the... more »

• Family of Alton Sterling quietly accepted $4.5M settlement last month Play Video

  June 11, 2021 11:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Court documents show the family of Alton Sterling agreed to settle their wrongful death lawsuit with the city-parish nearly a month ago, putting an end to the years-long legal battle. Records say the family requested a judge dismiss the case in mid May, about three... more »

• Billboards around Baton Rouge pay tribute to Black icons throughout February Play Video

  February 3, 2021 6:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - While driving around the capital city, you may notice a big display of some prominent Black pioneers who have left their mark on history. Lamar Advertising created billboards that showcase six notable African-Americans who achieved "firsts" in their respective fields. "Hopefully they're encountering a couple... more »

• Organizers prepare for Juneteenth Celebration, events announced Monday Play Video

  June 14, 2020 4:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Multiple area organizations are planning a Juneteenth Celebration starting Friday. It will be the first year the celebration will go on without civil rights activist Sadie Roberts Joseph, who was killed last July. Joseph held multiple Juneteenth Celebrations at the museum she founded, the Odell S.... more »

• USS KIDD Veteran Museum offering virtual tours amid temporary closure

  March 26, 2020 2:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - With the USS KIDD Veterans Museum temporarily closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic they are offering something new on their website. A 3D tour of the forward section of the ship has been made available on the museum's website. This feature is a great way for... more »

• African American History Museum celebrates end of Black History Month in spite of racist graffiti Play Video

  March 1, 2020 12:08 AM

  This last day of February is a reason for celebration for a lot of people in the community, as it is the last day of Black History Month. "We close out Black History Month with a celebration of black culture and history," said Jason Roberst, the son of... more »

• The Facts: Why Fat Tuesday's date changes every year

  February 26, 2020 6:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Now that Mardi Gras 2020 has officially ended, some Louisianians are already planning for next year. And, according to The Advocate Mardi Gras 2021 will be a little earlier than it was this year. Fat Tuesday will fall on February 16, 2021. The peak... more »

• Long-era time capsule found hidden in walls of State Capitol Friday

  January 10, 2020 6:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Preservationists and contractors made a surprising discovery while doing routine renovation work at the State Capitol Friday: A Huey P. Long-era time capsule. The copper box was found behind the cornerstone at the northwest corner of the building. The time capsule is believed to be... more »

• SU students helped desegregate NASA, worked on Apollo 11 Play Video

  July 20, 2019 11:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Today marks 50 years since Apollo 11 when the first men landed on the moon. It took years of work to reach the remarkable moment in space and it's thanks to the contributions of many people. In a Hidden Figures sort of way, some of those people... more »

• Historic hotel approved for redevelopment Play Video

  May 15, 2019 7:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - On Wednesday, the metro council considered a proposal to preserve a historic hotel in the capital city, which dates back to the 1950s. Hotel Lincoln has been sitting next to Webb’s Barber Shop on Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive for years. "I heard it was famous... more »

• Piece of Baton Rouge history in danger of being demolished Play Video

  April 14, 2019 4:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A home on Country Club Dr in the Westdale neighborhood may not look like much to the average person, but it's actually a piece of Baton Rouge history. Built by Wahl Snyder in 1956, the Crawford home is named for architect Hamilton Crawford. Although he did not... more »

• One woman is making history at the Baker Police Department Play Video

  February 24, 2019 6:51 PM

  BAKER- They're usually called the boys in blue, but the Baker Police Department has one lady on the scene, changing all of that. When Jasmine Leduff joined Baker Police her goal was to be a great police officer never did she think her name would be one that was... more »

• 129-year-old pharmacy in White Castle will take you back in time Play Video

  October 13, 2018 10:30 PM

  WHITE CASTLE- Charlton Bajon’s Pharmacy in White Castle has been filling prescriptions for 129 years, but picking up your medicine isn't the only reason to stop by. “A living museum of sorts, that's right,” said Bajon. You'll also get a heavy dose of history from Charlton Bajon, the... more »

• Civil War artifact unearthed at school across from historic Baton Rouge battle area

  February 22, 2018 4:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE – A Civil War bullet was found buried in the ball park at Sacred Heart of Jesus Thursday. The church parish posted a picture of the artifact on Facebook. “You never know what you might find,” the post read, and reported the bullet was a Minié... more »

• Classic car falls from truck, blocks part of I-10 Thursday evening Play Video

  December 7, 2017 6:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE – What appears to have been a classic car dating to the 40s or earlier fell off the truck hauling it and blocked part of I-10 Thursday evening. The car slid into traffic just before 5 o'clock in the middle, westbound lane of the interstate over the... more »

• Facebook post rekindles memories of ferry service in Baton Rouge

  November 21, 2017 11:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE – A growing Facebook page shines the spotlight on yesteryear with pictures of a bygone Baton Rouge. A post Tuesday morning reminded us of the commute across the river before I-10 – a ride on the City of Baton Rouge ferry. Ironically, the post comes hours before... more »

• National Archives releases JFK assassination records; WBRZ's vault series returns with more

  October 24, 2017 3:47 PM

  HAMMOND – A Southeastern professor will be one of the millions likely clogging the internet this week when the federal government releases classified documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. TO READ THE NEWLY RELEASED INFORMATION, CLICK HERE . The November 22, 1963, assassination and... more »

• Harvey: grading the local forecast and thanking you

  September 1, 2017 8:15 AM

  After an unusual event like Hurricane Harvey, it is important to take a look at the forecast, how it evolved and if it verified. On Friday, the WBRZ Weather Team made a forecast for 4-7 inches of rain, primarily for the next week, with little impact to area rivers. The... more »

• Local civil rights leader to be laid to rest Monday Play Video

  July 31, 2017 12:22 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Local civil rights leader Earline Williams is set to be laid to rest Monday. Williams was instrumental in one of the first bus boycotts in the country, right here in Baton Rouge. "She was out there in forefront. She stood tall," said Mada McDonald, a friend... more »

• $435M Powerball has a winner

  June 10, 2017 1:41 PM

  DES MOINES, Iowa - The winning Powerball numbers have been announced for the 10th largest lottery prize in U.S. history. The winning numbers are as follows. 20-26-32-38-58, Powerball: 3, Power Play: 2 Saturday night's drawing was for an estimated $435 million jackpot. ... more »

• Two Years Ago: a morning sky turned into night Play Video

  April 27, 2017 9:57 AM

  In the early morning hours of Monday, April 27, a squall line developed in Central Texas, producing 1” diameter (severe) hail as far northwest as Jasper, Texas. Between 6am and 12pm, the squall line raced across the Gulf Coast leaving behind a long path of wind damage. Some unforgettable video... more »

• Fire at Myrtles Plantation restaurant under control after two hours Play Video

  March 8, 2017 12:11 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE – It took firefighters two hours Wednesday to control a fire at the restaurant associated with The Myrtles Plantation. The St. Francisville Fire Chief tells WBRZ that gaining control of the blaze was a "very labor intensive" process. Businesses in the area reported heavy smoke filling... more »

• Death of La. TV personality puts spotlight on forgotten Leland College in Baker

  January 30, 2017 6:07 PM

  BAKER – The death of a northeast Louisiana TV personality brings back memories of the often forgotten Leland College in Baker. Ernie Miles, of KNOE TV , was a graduate of the black Baptist school that holds historical significance in the African American community. The school closed in 1960.... more »

• Front doors of capitol still closed due to failing facade

  January 5, 2017 4:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The State Capitol's front doors will remain closed will into the summer since work to repair falling masonry above won't start until after lawmakers end their annual meeting in June. WBRZ's political reporter, Mark Armstrong , tweeted Thursday the front steps and entrance remain closed months... more »

• A trip through the history of Mike the Tiger

  May 23, 2016 2:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Despite the announcement Monday that LSU's live tiger mascot is to be treated for a rare form of cancer, Mike VI will remain one of just two live tigers left representing U.S. universities in the country. LSU's first tiger arrived in the fall of 1936 after nearly... more »

• LSU gymnastics ends historic 2016 season

  April 21, 2016 7:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE- After LSU gymnastics Ashleigh Gnat finished the final vault in The Tigers’ 2016 season, it not only earned her a Super Six score of 9.95, but it also solidified the team’s national runner-up performance. The team’s season was a perfect 10 for the record books. A look back... more »

• Library book club to go back in time this weekend

  February 19, 2016 7:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Saturday, the Baton Rouge library will start its One Book, One Community reading event that features Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long . The book by Richard D. White, Jr., was selected as the novel for 2016. The One Book, One Community program was started... more »

• School system hopes to get about $200,000 for Old Clinton High School

  February 2, 2016 7:46 PM

  CLINTON - Again Tuesday, school leaders in East Feliciana Parish agreed to try to find someone to buy the Old Clinton High School on Plank Road near downtown. The building was built in 1903 and has been empty since the 1980's. The school district hopes to sell it to... more »

• School board hopes to give old school a second chance

  December 18, 2015 12:48 PM

  CLINTON - A committee of the East Feliciana Parish School Board suggests advertising for bids again after the first try at saving the Old Clinton High School failed. Not a single bid was placed with the school system when it put the building up for sale recently . The... more »

• Board votes to demolish gym group fought to save

  September 28, 2015 10:04 PM

  CENTRAL – The school board voted to tear down an old, wood-framed gym some have spent the last year fighting to save. Since last August, the Central Cultural Foundation has been working to raise money and draft plans to rent and restore the old high school gym on Sullivan... more »