WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• 8 arrested, 2 at large in truancy crackdown

  May 16, 2013 10:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Police arrested eight women and are seeking two more in East Baton Rouge Parish after they said they failed to send their kids to school despite repeated warnings. The arrests were part of an effort by the new Family and Youth Services Center to target repeat... more »

• State law not matching-up with doctors' orders Play Video

  May 13, 2013 10:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's youngest riders could be in jeopardy in a car crash if parents follow state law. Baton Rouge resident Angela Warren learned about the confusion during her daughter's one-year checkup at her pediatrician. "She said 'ohh you need to make sure that her car seat... more »

• Report: kidnapped boys, parents in Cuba

  April 8, 2013 7:18 PM

  TAMPA- Two boys, kidnapped from a home in Florida last week, have been spotted in Cuba, according to media reports from Tampa . Their father, Joshua Hakken, allegedly took the boys from their maternal grandparents home on Wednesday. Hakken and his wife lost custody of the children following... more »

• EXCLUSIVE: Incident report in area Hakken threat

  April 5, 2013 10:18 PM

  HAMMOND - A police report describes tense moments when the man, accused of kidnapping his two sons earlier this week in Florida, attempted to take them from foster parents in Tangipahoa Parish last year. Cole Hakken, 4, and Chase Hakken, 2, were snatched from their grandparents' house in the... more »

• Alerts issued in two states for kidnapped kids

  April 3, 2013 7:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE- State Police issued an advisory for two kids believed to have been kidnapped by at least one of their parents earlier Wednesday. Chase Hakken, 2, and Cole Hakken, 4, were snatched from their grandmother Wednesday morning at a home in Tampa, Florida. The grandmother was tied up... more »

• Teacher accused of doping kids

  March 14, 2013 7:25 PM

  MORGAN HILL, CALIFORNIA- A preschool teacher accused of spiking toddlers' sippy cups with sleepy pills was released from custody in Northern California after she was charged with child endangerment. Fifty-nine-year-old Debbie Gratz has to go to court later this month after she was arrested at the Morgan Hill Kiddie Academy.... more »

• Firefighters have memorial for two girls killed in crash

  February 21, 2013 11:39 PM

  ST. AMANT- Firefighters held a small memorial service for two kids who were killed when the car they were riding in plunged into a bayou last year. "[Thursday night] makes one year since the St. Amant Community was struck with the tragic accident that took the lives of two... more »

• Children describe terror as shooter kills 26

  December 14, 2012 4:15 PM

  NEWTOWN, Conn. - Schoolchildren and their parents are describing the scene at a Connecticut elementary school today, as teachers locked doors and ordered the children to huddle in the corner or hide in closets. Shots rang through the building, as a gunman killed 26 people, including 20 children. One man... more »

• Obama wins by a landslide in kids' online election

  October 22, 2012 3:07 PM

  NEW YORK- It's a landslide for President Barack Obama - at least among people too young to vote. Nickelodeon's Linda Ellerbee said Monday that the president captured 65 percent of the vote to beat Republican Mitt Romney in the network's "Kids Pick the President" vote. More than 520,000 people... more »

• Parents look for childcare after Early Head Start fire

  October 21, 2012 7:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Dozens of families are trying to figure out where to take their kids on Monday. The Istrouma Early Head Start is closed until further notice after it went up in flames Saturday night. According to Baton Rouge Fire Department, the blaze started in a classroom.... more »

• Nickelodeon TV says Romney skipped kids' questions

  October 8, 2012 3:42 PM

  LOS ANGELES - Nickelodeon says Mitt Romney skipped the chance to take part in a "Kids Pick the President" special that includes his opponent. The children's' TV channel said Monday that the GOP presidential contender declined be involved in the special, while President Barack Obama participated. The program includes videotaped... more »

• Students fight childhood obesity with gardening Play Video

  September 19, 2012 5:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE- For the past few weeks students at Cedarcrest-Southmoore Elementary School have been learning gardening and healthy eating in what's called a "teaching garden." Student Prashant Kodiyalam says, "If the foods start to grow I'll be very happy. All the food will be delicious from nature." Sarai... more »

• Man accused of hitting kids with truck, leaving scene

  September 11, 2012 1:01 PM

  BAYOU SORREL - Sheriff's deputies in Iberville Parish arrested a man they said hit two children waiting for the bus this morning, then left the scene. Deputies arrested Mark Tullier, 52, in suspicion of hit and run, as well as driving under suspension, having expired plates and no insurance.... more »

• Court bars mandatory life without parole for kids

  June 26, 2012 3:00 PM

  JACKSON, Miss.- Fifty-six inmates sentenced when they were 18 or younger are serving capital murder sentences in which there is no parole, according to the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The U.S. Supreme Court threw out mandatory life in prison without parole for juveniles. The ruling continued its trend of holding... more »

• BRAVE effort also aiming to reach kids in BR through rap

  June 22, 2012 10:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Rappers in Baton Rouge are being targeted to sing a new tune. It's the latest attempt to stop violence in Baton Rouge. Police say they know the area's youth need guidance and a lot of them are interested in music. So they want to get kids'... more »

• 11 Earn GED at Jetson Center for Youth Play Video

  June 15, 2012 5:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE- It's a step in the right direction for some kids right here in Louisiana. Today at Jetson Center for Youth, eleven juvenile offenders earned their the GED. Some even received high school diplomas. Many told News 2 they enrolled because they wanted to make their futures... more »

• Kids could someday get on Facebook, without lying

  June 4, 2012 1:37 PM

  NEW YORK - Though Facebook bans children under 13, millions of them have profiles on the site by lying about their age. Now, the company is testing out ways to allow younger kids on its site without needing to lie. It would be under parental supervision, such as by connecting... more »

• US lowers cutoff for lead poisoning in young kids

  May 16, 2012 11:25 AM

  ATLANTA- For the first time in 20 years, U.S. health officials have lowered the threshold for lead poisoning in young children. The change means many more children could be diagnosed with high levels of lead in their blood. Too much lead is harmful to developing brains and can mean a... more »

• FDA: Kids' medical tests need child-size radiation

  May 9, 2012 7:26 AM

  WASHINGTON - The government is taking steps to help ensure that children who need CT scans and other X-ray-based tests don't get an adult-sized dose of radiation. Too much radiation from medical testing is a growing concern because it may increase the risk of cancer later in life. Children are... more »

• Neighbors: Guard rail could've prevented deadly accident Play Video

  February 22, 2012 9:58 AM

  ST. AMANT- A deadly crash in Ascension parish leaves some wondering if safer roads could have prevented it. Two children died after the car 28-year-old Raelyn Encalade was driving ran off Stringer Bridge road this morning. Faith Encalade, 9, and Patience Lobell, 7, became trapped in the car;... more »

• Jackson choreographer dances with N.O. kids

  February 13, 2012 2:29 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Choreographer Travis Payne has created dance moves for some of the biggest names in entertainment - Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Usher, Lady Gaga and Madonna. On Monday, Payne is taking his dance moves from the stage to the community when he guides New Orleans kids through a routine... more »

• School bus driver delivers brawling kids to police

  February 7, 2012 1:53 PM

  SHREVEPORT, LA - A dozen students in Caddo Parish students are now charged in connection with a brawl on a Shreveport school bus Monday afternoon. The bus driver told police the fight broke out on the bus ride home from Hamilton Terrace Learning Center. Police say the driver... more »

• LSU health cuts may affect thousands Play Video

  February 6, 2012 5:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The LSU Health Care system is making nearly $7 million in cuts involving the Earl K. Long Hospital System. As part of those moves, the EKL Mid City Pediatric Clinic on North Foster Drive will close March 2nd. LSU officials say it is necessary to deal with... more »

• Police: Arson suspect set home on fire with kids inside Play Video

  January 13, 2012 6:09 PM

  BAKER - Authorities arrested a man after they said he set fire to a Baker home while his children and ex-girlfriend were still inside. Chief Mike Knaps with Baker Police said Bobby Lee Turcuit was arrested Thursday night in suspicion of aggravated arson, after investigators caught him outside the... more »

• LSU grad student hopes crown will help educate kids

  November 27, 2011 1:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The newly crowned Miss Black Louisiana USA says she hopes to bring change to the state's higher education system. 26-year-old Ashley Herbert claims Louisiana students are failing, and government and leaders are failing the students. The Lafayette native and LSU graduate student hosted her first community service... more »

• Train and SUV collision traps 4, injures 1

  November 14, 2011 5:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A train collided with an SUV this morning after the driver parked the vehicle on the tracks, according to Baton Rouge Police. Cpl. L'Jean McKneely said the female driver was partially ejected when the train hit her vehicle and was taken to a local hospital. A... more »

• Ohio dentist offers to buy back Halloween candy

  October 23, 2011 3:53 PM

  MANSFIELD, Ohio- An Ohio dentist is offering to buy kids' trick-or-treating booty this Halloween, and he's even throwing in a toothbrush to sweeten the deal. The Mansfield News Journal reports that dentist Craig Callen and his associates are offering kids $1 per pound of candy they bring in, with... more »

• Truancy patrols target tardy kids in EBR

  August 18, 2011 6:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Just seven days into the school year, authorities in East Baton Rouge Parish have their hands full keeping kids off the streets and in the classroom. Last year the number of students skipping school was down 5 percent compared to the 2009 school year, and sheriff's... more »

• 3 kids left in hot car, brain-damaged, blinded

  July 15, 2011 5:16 PM

  NEW ROADS - The Pointe Coupee Parish sheriff says a 26-year-old woman was booked with attempted second-degree murder and cruelty after allegedly leaving her three small children in a hot car so long they were blistered, brain-damaged and blind. Sheriff Beauregard "Bud" Torres III said Friday that one child... more »

• Police, DA prosecute parents of juvenile criminals

  June 16, 2011 7:11 PM

  BATONR ROUGE - Now that kids are out of school, law enforcement agencies wants to make sure they stay out of trouble. If not, their parents could end up in trouble with them. Rickey Jones, 18, says he's the leader of a Baton Rouge gang called the "City Boyz".... more »

• Need a "Mommy Makeover"?

  June 15, 2011 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Getting back into shape after you've had kids is hard and often not done. In Wednesday's Expert Advice segment Dr. Anthony Stephens answers a viewer's question about a "mommy makeover". Stephens says the phrase is commonly used to market a series of plastic surgery options that... more »

• Longer curfew considered for kids in EBR

  May 3, 2011 10:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Keeping teens off the streets of Baton Rouge and out of trouble could be supported by a tougher curfew. City leaders say that would give businesses and police more power over groups of troublesome teens. But others argue the government shouldn't be parenting kids or parents. ... more »

• Martial arts a cure for bullying for some school kids

  April 18, 2011 9:37 PM

  BRUSLY- More school children are turning to martial arts as bullying cases in the classroom climb. "I guess the discipline in the school, a lot of the old ways were taken out so now they need a different form of discipline," said owner of The Martial Way Troy Maranto.... more »

• Baton Rouge academy gives hope to special needs children

  April 4, 2011 10:52 AM

  BATON ROUGE - They provide hope in more ways than one to many local children with special needs. They're the Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy. Jeff Hand with the Academy and Denton Faerber with LSU stopped by 2une In to tell you how you can help children with special... more »

• Attempt to take children has daycares on alert

  February 23, 2011 6:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Police need your help looking for a man who went into a church preschool and tried to take a child. Police describe him as 5'9 to 5'11, around 180 lbs, with brown hair. He was seen leaving the scene in a new model red... more »

• Schools seek parents of truant kids

  January 30, 2011 3:10 PM

  MONROE- Parents of eight Monroe City School students who have been habitually truant have been ordered to appear in court and could face jail time. Safe Schools Healthy Students director Phedra Brantley tells The News Star that the system is targeting 20 families whose students have been truant for... more »

• Three adults, found with kids at meth lab, arrested

  November 13, 2010 10:55 AM

  NEW IBERIA, La. (AP) - Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office narcotics agents arrested three adults found with two children this week inside a working methamphetamine lab. Agents found the lab inside a mobile home Wednesday in a mobile home park in Iberia Parish, sheriff's spokesman Ryan Turner told The Advocate of... more »

• Livingston Parish deals with Halloween hassle

  October 25, 2010 6:28 PM

  Kids in Livingston Parish could rack up on candy this Halloween, after confusion on when the parish will celebrate the holiday. In 2004, the parish council voted to celebrate Halloween on the following Monday if it fell on a Sunday. Council members didn't want to interfere with high school... more »

• Fewer kids killed on highways in '09

  September 23, 2010 11:10 AM

  Fewer children were killed on the highway in 2009, but auto accidents remain the leading cause of death for kids, ages 3 to 4. The Transportation Department released numbers showing 1,314 children were killed in highway crashes last year. That's a 3 percent decline from 2008, when 1,350 kids... more »

• Don't forget to Pick Up the Kids after the Bank Job

  September 21, 2010 7:57 PM

  A woman accused of robbing a bank in Oregon stopped to pick up her kids on the way home. Police say Erica F. Anderson walked into the bank, handed the teller a note demanding cash, then drove off in a car with a man. A witness gave police a description... more »

• Kids displaced by Katrina lag 5 years later

  August 22, 2010 12:25 PM

  A new study finds that children who lived in emergency trailer parks or hotels for long periods after Hurricane Katrina are far more likely to have serious emotional problems. In a report being released Monday, researcher Irwin Redlener says at least 20,000 of those children still have serious emotional disorders... more »

• Bus accident in Prairieville

  August 13, 2010 8:51 AM

  Five kids were taken to the hospital with minor injuries after their school bus crashed in Prarieville. It happened about 7:30 a.m. at Hwy 930 and Jo Boy Road. The kids were headed to Galvez Middle School. According to the Ascension Parish School System, a driver tried to pass the... more »

• Fun Food Recipes for Kids

  August 3, 2010 3:02 PM

  Here are a few recipes for your kids, that are not only healthy, but also fun to make: 1. PEANUT BUTTER & BLUEBERRIES - 1/4 C peanut butter - 2T blueberry pure fruit spread - 1/2 tsp maple syrup - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract - 1 C fresh blueberries... more »

• American Heart Association challenges kids to Go Healthy

  July 19, 2010 7:31 AM

  The American Heart Association is challenging kids to go healthy. Louisiana has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in the nation. Children and families attending the 2010 Go Healthy Challenge will receive information about physical activity, nutrition, as well as on other health and wellness topics. Go Healthy Challenge... more »

• Oil spill: 2 kids, aunt, raise $2000 for wildlife

  June 12, 2010 3:12 PM

  New Orleans children and the aunt they're visiting in Alexandria have raised $2,000 to help save wildlife endangered by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Their aunt, Lizette Smith, says a lemonade stand outside her boutique last summer gave Mark Terrillion something to do while his little sister, Lizette,... more »

• Guns claim kids' lives in both urban, rural areas

  May 24, 2010 5:33 AM

  A new study finds that children in America's most rural areas are as likely to die by gunshot as kids in the biggest cities. Murders involving guns are more common among city youth, but gun suicides and accidental fatal shootings are more common among rural kids. Dr. Michael Nance of... more »

• Research links pesticides with ADHD in children

  May 17, 2010 6:33 AM

  A new study suggests a possible link between children's attention-deficit disorder and exposure to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables. The study in the journal Pediatrics found detectable levels of pesticide compounds in the urine of almost all the children studied. The kids with higher levels had increased chances... more »

• Chatroulette: A social networking wildcard

  May 3, 2010 6:25 PM

  As school kids get ready to break for the summer, many of them will spend more time using social networking sites online. There's a new site out there that allows kids to meet folks from across the globe. It's called Chatroulette, and its a wild card when it... more »

• Dancing with the Stars helps raise money for Big Buddy

  April 29, 2010 8:31 AM

  Put your dance shoes on and get ready to cheer for Dave Nussbaum at Dancing with the Stars Baton Rouge! Gay Mack and Paula Pennington de la Bretonne sat down with Whitney Vann and explained how the money raised helps Big Buddy. Dancing with the Stars Baton Rouge Saturday, May... more »

• Parental text controls

  March 24, 2010 3:01 PM

  Update: Parents now have an easy and fast way to keep their kids from texting and driving. A representative from Verizon Wireless, one of the large carries selling android phones, tells News 2 the service is available right now and can be activated or shut off at their discretion.... more »

• 2 Your Health for March 10

  March 10, 2010 5:35 PM

  Sports injuries among children, the link between health and better sex, and how chewing gum may give you wrinkles are all discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• 2 Your Health for Feb. 22

  February 22, 2010 5:44 PM

  A call to change the shape of hot dogs and other foods, high blood pressure and migraines are all discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• Aunt, grandfather booked in cruelty

  February 8, 2010 6:20 AM

  Police have arrested a woman for allegedly forcing her nieces to put their hands on a hot stove. An arrest warrant says 31-year-old Nedra Berry grabbed the hands of the girls, who are 11 and 12, on Jan. 29, and held them on a hot stove at a Baton Rouge... more »

• 2 Your Health for Feb. 5

  February 5, 2010 5:47 PM

  The Give Kids a Smile program, childhood development and COPD are all discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• 2 Your Health for Jan. 25

  January 25, 2010 5:47 PM

  Risks linked to gum disease during pregnancy and the benefit of menus with nutritional information are discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• 2 Your Health for Jan. 22

  January 22, 2010 5:46 PM

  A new device to help people with heart disease and high cholesterol among children are discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• Graco strollers recalled due to safety hazard

  January 20, 2010 10:07 AM

  Graco Children's Products Inc. is recalling 1.5 million strollers after some children had their fingertips amputated by hinges on the products. The recall includes certain model numbers of Graco's Passage, Alano and Spree Strollers and Travel Systems. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the company received seven reports of children... more »

• 2 Your Health for Jan. 19

  January 19, 2010 5:40 PM

  A crib recall, an effort to fight childhood obesity in Louisiana, the benefit of umbilical cord blood in the fight against cancer, and artificial muscles are all discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• Baton Rouge missionary talks about Haiti work

  January 13, 2010 4:21 PM

  GLENN BARRAS SAYS HIS PHONE HASN'T STOPPED RINGING ALL MORNING. MOST OF THE CALLS HAVE BEEN FROM PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT THE SERVANTS OF ALL MINISTRY STAFF AND KIDS. THE FACILITY IS AN ORPHANAGE BARRAS AND HIS WIFE TOOK OVER IN 2008. BARRAS SAYS, "MOST OF OUR KIDS ARE NOT TRUE... more »

• 50 million blinds recalled as strangulation hazard

  December 15, 2009 9:08 AM

  The government and the window covering industry recalled more than 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds because of the risk children may be strangled by the cords. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said five deaths and 16 near-strangulations from Roman shades have been reported since 2006, while three deaths... more »

• Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office spreads the holiday spirit

  November 30, 2009 4:54 PM

  Tough economic times are forcing many to rely on a 20-year-old tradition in Livingston Parish. Through the Christmas Crusade program, the Sheriff's Office uses your donations to purchase new toys for those 12-years-old and under. Each year, about 1,500 kids receive gifts. Sheriff Willie Graves says they expect more... more »

• 2 Your Health for Nov. 23

  November 23, 2009 5:39 PM

  A possible crib recall, the link between ADHD and toxins, and migraines in kids are discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• Man jailed, accused of injecting kids with drug

  November 18, 2009 11:18 AM

  A man from Pierre Part is behind bars, accused of injecting two boys with the drug Oxycodone. Michael Morales was arrested Tuesday. Assumption Parish deputies say the incident occurred last month when the boys attended a bon fire near Morales' house. It's still under investigation. more »

• Charity Auction for Pat's Coats for Kids

  November 16, 2009 6:42 AM

  Coldwell Banker ONE is having an auction to help raise money for Pat's Coats for Kids. Diane Moran and Brenda Temple joined Whitney Vann with a look at what's up for grabs. Coldwell Banker ONE 2nd Annual Charity Auction benefiting Pat's Coats for Kids Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ralph &... more »

• Baby Grand coming to Woman's Hospital

  November 10, 2009 10:44 AM

  This morning Dr. Stephen Lee and Angela Hammett sat down with Whitney Vann and talked about Baby Grand. Baby Grand Woman's Hospital Saturday, November 14th 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. FREE more »

• White House trick or treating

  October 30, 2009 8:42 PM

  School kids will get to try "trick or treat" or "Hail to the Chief" when they get the chance to knock on the White House door for Halloween. The White House says the first-family will have enough treats for about 2,000 children. Later, the president and first lady along with... more »

• 2 Your Health for Oct. 29

  October 29, 2009 5:39 PM

  The link between sleep and childhood obesity, a warning about weight-gain associated with psychiatric drugs and how tai chi may help people with arthritis are all discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• 2 Your Health for Oct. 26

  October 26, 2009 5:40 PM

  Unhealthy cereals, vitamin D recommendations for kids and eye supplements are all discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• Super Science Saturday

  October 13, 2009 11:11 AM

  This weekend kids from pre-kindergarten to high school seniors can learn all about science with fun experiments at LSU. Anne Taylor and George Stanley joined Whitney Vann and Dave Nussbaum with a preview of some of the fun experiments. Super Science Saturday Saturday, October 17 10 a.m. - 2... more »

• La., Miss. get grants for uninsured kids

  October 1, 2009 9:10 AM

  Louisiana and Mississippi agencies get a total of nearly $2.2 million to help find uninsured children who are eligible for either of two programs, and enroll them. The aim is to get eligible children into Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. The Louisiana State Department of Health and Hospitals... more »

• 2 Your Health for Sept. 28

  September 28, 2009 5:38 PM

  The risk of lung cancer from hormone therapy, kids reactions to medication, and snoring and sleep apnea are all discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »