Tagged News

• Lafayette judge under fire for alleged connection to video featuring racist remarks

  December 14, 2021 7:59 AM

  LAFAYETTE - A Louisiana judge is facing widespread criticism for her alleged connection to a video containing racist slurs. According to KATC , Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet and her family were the victims of an armed burglary Saturday. The suspect, a 59-year-old man named Robert Handy,... more »

• CATS property tax renewal approved by voters Saturday

  November 13, 2021 9:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A ten-year tax renewal funding the public transit system here was approved by voters Saturday. Voters in the city of Baton Rouge and Baker backed the CATS property tax renewal, which costs about $100 for each $100,000 of a home's assessed value. The average homeowner may... more »

• Senator Cleo Fields to address public regarding new mandatory Kindergarten law Play Video

  June 22, 2021 6:17 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Senator Cleo Fields (D- Baton Rouge) is scheduled to address the public regarding the passage of his mandatory Kindergarten Bill, SB 10, during a Tuesday morning press conference. The bill, which was recently signed into law, requires that parents send their children to kindergarten or offer... more »

• Top La. Dept. of Justice official gets hefty pay cut after investigation into 'offensive' office jokes

  January 19, 2021 4:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The head of the state justice department’s criminal division will be disciplined by what amounts to a $20,000 pay cut after an administrative investigation found concerning behavior. WBRZ Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto first reported last month that Patrick Magee, who runs the criminal division of the... more »

• La. absentee ballot showing vote for President Trump found stolen, opened and dumped in TX trash Play Video

  October 30, 2020 10:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Federal mail investigators are trying to track down a Louisiana absentee voter in Texas whose mail-in ballot was found opened and left in the trash, presumably stolen from a mail facility in Houston. “Postal Inspectors are working to identify [the voter] and will work swiftly with... more »

• Alex Billioux, La. Dept. of Health COVID doc, leaving job

  September 9, 2020 7:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Dr. Alex Billioux, the state's high-profile assistant secretary of health, will leave the job in a few weeks. The Department of Health confirmed Billioux was leaving the state job at the end of September. He wants to focus more time with his family, the state... more »

• Home of state's chief technology officer catches fire as government deals with ransomware attack

  November 18, 2019 5:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The home of the state's chief technology officer caught on fire as the owner was working to counter a ransomware attack on Louisiana government computers and its network Monday. The fire at the home of Richard Howze was reported around 4 p.m. Tax records showed Howze... more »

• Governor John Bel Edwards wins re-election; more results here Play Video

  November 16, 2019 5:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards will keep his job as the Deep South's only Democratic governor, in a blow to President Donald Trump, who tried to boost his opponent. On Saturday, voters narrowly reelected Edwards to a second term, snubbing Republican businessman Eddie... more »

• Candidates neck and neck in new poll - Undecided voters increase

  November 14, 2019 4:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE – One thing seems to be sure in the last series of polls forecasting who will win the gubernatorial race in Louisiana Saturday: It’ll be a long night of watching and waiting for election results. “This race will go down to the wire,” pollster John Couvillon said... more »

• No major complaints related to EBR voting Saturday

  October 12, 2019 6:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE - IT was a relatively smooth election day in EBR, considering the contentious battle over whether voters in the St. George area will form their own city. Registrar Steve Raborn told WBRZ around 6 p.m. Saturday, there hadn't been many complaints. There were one or two... more »

• Pension debt payment outlined should St. George effort pass Saturday Play Video

  October 9, 2019 6:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Metro Council signed off on a plan outlining how a newly formed City of St. George would pay back its portion of the pension debt should voters approve the incorporation Saturday. The issue has been a bone of contention for government policy scholars and people who... more »

• See how Abraham, Edwards and Rispone poll in last-minute survey

  October 7, 2019 1:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Voters’ minds in Louisiana were relatively unchanged over the last two weeks, showing incumbent Governor John Bel Edwards leads the polls, but not showing an outright win Saturday. Two polls were released Monday – including polling by JMC Analytics . Of people who had made... more »

• President sends tweet about La. governor's race

  October 1, 2019 10:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Louisiana’s political landscape found itself the topic of the president’s tweeting Tuesday as President Donald Trump typed his support for both republicans challenging the incumbent governor – either candidate will do, the president wrote, to force a runoff. The president pushed for voters to cast ballots... more »

• Candidate for rural area state house seat arrested in meth case

  September 19, 2019 4:33 PM

  KENTWOOD – A woman purported to be a candidate for a state house seat in the upcoming election was arrested in a drug case this week. Sheriff’s deputies in Tangipahoa Parish arrested Marylee Bellau, 26, and Joseph Hammons, 49. Bellau was charged with possession of drugs, possession of... more »

• LSU board holds 'evaluation' of university president F. King Alexander

  September 11, 2019 11:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The Board of Supervisors of LSU evaluated University President F. King Alexander Thursday but made no immdeiate decision concerning his future at the school. The Board of Supervisors, the governing agency of the university system led by its flagship LSU campus in Baton Rouge, scheduled an... more »

• Edwin Edwards discharged from hospital

  September 3, 2019 4:04 PM

  UPDATE: Edwards was discharged from the hospital Wednesday evening. A spokesperson for the former governor said he appeared much better, and is "fine, lucid, laughing." ***** BATON ROUGE - Former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards was taken to the hospital Tuesday after becoming unresponsive. Family... more »

• Former Gov. Kathleen Blanco, 76, dies after losing battle with cancer Play Video

  August 18, 2019 4:42 PM

  LAFAYETTE – Former Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco has died. Blanco had been in the care of hospice for the last few months, WBRZ learned. A family spokesperson said she died at 2:54 Sunday afternoon in Lafayette. She was 76. Blanco was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 2011,... more »

• Argument over felon voting becoming terse circus

  November 13, 2018 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE – There were more swings Tuesday in what has become a fight over how confusing state laws are interpreted. The governor’s office fired back at the interim Secretary of State – who on Friday and again Monday – called for an investigation and audit into how the... more »

• Metro area backs fantasy sports betting proposal

  November 6, 2018 11:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Metro parishes approved and will now participate in fantasy sports betting after a vote Tuesday night. Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana parish voters supported the proposal. In East Feliciana, voters approved... more »

• Ascension sheriff expected to retire early after daughter wins judgeship Tuesday

  November 6, 2018 11:36 PM

  GONZALES – Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley’s daughter was elected to a parish judge seat Tuesday evening, leading to the sheriff’s expected early retirement . Erin Wiley Lanoux was elected with 58 percent of the vote compared to Kim Landry’s 42 percent. Lanoux garnered 22,382 votes of the... more »

• State republican lawmaker to leave House

  December 18, 2017 11:23 AM

  HAMMOND – State Rep. Chris Broadwater has resigned his position in state government, WBRZ learned Monday. Broadwater, a republican, is elected from State House District 86 which covers rural areas east, northeast and northwest of downtown Hammond. Broadwater was elected in 2011 and his final term was set to... more »

• After governor's aid resigns, State senator calls for inquiry over harassment allegations

  November 29, 2017 10:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE – A state senator called for an investigation following the abrupt resignation of a high-ranking governor's office administrator last week. First reported by LaPolitics and locally by WBRZ, Johnny Anderson resigned as deputy chief of staff from the governor's office just before Thanksgiving. Anderson had been accused... more »

• Governor warns of state fiscal cliff

  July 20, 2017 4:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Governor John Bel Edwards said the state is approaching a fiscal cliff and the legislature needs to work together to address a $1 billion shortfall forecast to hit in 2018. The concern was revealed in a letter to State Rep. Taylor Barras, the Speaker of the... more »

• Embattled state police commissioner resigns amid reports of impropriety

  July 18, 2017 5:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards is taking another look at a member of the State Police Commission in light of recently-revealed indications that the commissioner improperly used his authority to try to get tickets fixed. > NEW: Friday, the governor said commissioner Calvin Braxton resigned. “[Friday],... more »

• Rep. Scalise out of ICU, remains hospitalized after shooting

  June 23, 2017 2:08 PM

  WASHINGTON, D.C. - Louisiana U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise is out of the intensive care unit at the hospital where he's been since he was shot last week. ABC News confirmed he was out of ICU but still in the hospital. Friday, he was listed in “fair condition.” Scalise,... more »

• Mayor leaves town after controversial firing of police chief

  June 19, 2017 2:52 PM

  KILLIAN – You could say Killian Mayor Craig McGehee went out in a blaze of glory – resigning from his position as mayor after abruptly firing the police chief in a controversial move that got the entire town talking last week. McGehee resigned his position as mayor in a... more »

• In campus memo, LSU President grateful of state budget deal

  June 16, 2017 6:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE – LSU President F. King Alexander was appreciative of lawmakers' ability to deal with state budget issues and fund TOPS at the end of a special session at the legislature this week. TOPS was funded 100% and higher education funding was restored to July 2016 levels. ... more »

• Lawmakers at State Capitol disturbed about D.C. shooting, some events canceled

  June 14, 2017 10:30 AM

  BATON ROUGE – State lawmakers were rattled with news of the shooting of U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise Wednesday. Scalise, the House Majority Whip, represents Louisiana's New Orleans-area congressional district and previously served in both the Louisiana House and Senate. His current and former colleagues expressed their concern Wednesday morning.... more »

• Strain discusses infrastructure concerns in meeting with president, vice president

  June 12, 2017 11:22 AM

  WASHINGTON, D.C. - State agriculture chief Mike Strain stressed the need for more attention on old infrastructure in a recent meeting with the president and vice president. Strain was part of a meeting with White House officials last week. Details of the visit were released Monday. Strain discussed... more »

• Killer's release from prison rescinded after WBRZ report highlights concerns

  April 21, 2017 4:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Following a lengthy investigative report by WBRZ Thursday, the parole board rescinded a convicted killer's scheduled release. Samuel Galbraith was sentenced to 71 years for the death of Karen Hill, a 21-year-old woman he kidnapped, tied to at tree, raped and shot in the head. Hill... more »

• Governor hopes to increase minimum wage Play Video

  April 4, 2017 11:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE – The governor hopes to sway politicians into approving an increase in the state's minimum wage. The plan was outlined Tuesday as part of Governor John Bel Edwards' plans for the upcoming regular meeting of state lawmakers at the capitol in downtown Baton Rouge. The session, known... more »

• Edwin Edwards hospitalized, WBRZ has learned Play Video

  December 13, 2016 11:19 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Edwin Edwards has once again been admitted into an area hospital, WBRZ learned Tuesday morning. Edwards, 89, has been admitted for pneumonia. It's a recurring illness he suffers from, sources said. They added he would likely be hospitalized for another week. About a year ago... more »

• Boustany endorses Kennedy in Senate runoff

  November 15, 2016 1:41 PM

  LAFAYETTE - Charles Boustany endorsed John Kennedy for U.S. Senate Tuesday. Boustany failed to make the December runoff election. Kennedy and Foster Campbell are vying for current U.S. Senator David Vitter's seat in Washington. Kennedy and Boustany had heated political debates leading to the election last week. But,... more »

• Fayard endorses Campbell for U.S. Senate

  November 15, 2016 11:54 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Caroline Fayard endorsed fellow Democrat Foster Campbell for U.S. Senate Tuesday. Fayard failed to make the December runoff election. Campbell and John Kennedy are vying for current U.S. Senator David Vitter's seat in Washington. Campbell and Fayard had heated political debates leading to the election... more »

• Grand jury hearing involving Ascension president postponed until Friday

  November 14, 2016 4:56 PM

  GONZALES - The Louisiana Attorney General's Office will take over a bribery investigation involving Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa. Ascension Parish District Attorney Ricky Babin told Chris Nakamoto , the chief investigator of WBRZ's Investigative Unit , the A.G. will handle the case going forward because Babin's office has... more »

• High heel wearing, pot smoking musician did better than some politicians Tuesday

  November 10, 2016 12:03 PM

  LAFAYETTE - Perhaps the loudest message voters sent came in the quiet loss of Jacob "Dorian Phibian" Hebert's congressional bid for the Lafayette area Tuesday night. While his political career is over for now - maybe forever, as he wrote before the election he doesn't "ever want to talk... more »

• Long lines but only minor issues on Election Day in La.

  November 8, 2016 8:00 AM

  BATON ROUGE- After a lengthy campaign season, polls have closed signaling an end to a contentious presidential election but the beginning of runoff elections in the state. Polls closed at 8 p.m. though anyone in line before the closing time will be allowed to vote. Polls opened at 6... more »

• Early voting ends with nearly 20% casting ballots early Play Video

  November 1, 2016 7:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE - By the end of early voting Tuesday evening, nearly 20% of registered voters in Louisiana are expected to have cast ballots early. Early voting started last Tuesday and continued each day except Sunday until Tuesday at 6 p.m. State election officials said it's likely 550,000 voters... more »

• Voting machine only for VIPs confiscated by La. Secretary of State

  October 28, 2016 4:43 PM

  ELMWOOD - The Secretary of State's office has taken custody of a voting machine that was being used to allow select people to vote in a private conference room inside a Jefferson Parish governmental office. The machine was located in the office area of the Jefferson Parish registrar of... more »

• Boustany files suit over book's prostitution claims

  October 3, 2016 6:39 PM

  LAFAYETTE - Congressman Charles Boustany filed a lawsuit Monday against the author of a new book and the book's publishers. Boustany's attorney, Jimmy Faircloth, said a newly-published book about the murder of eight prostitutes in Jennings, Louisiana, falsely accuses Boustany of having a relationship with the women. The suit... more »

• New Roads Mayor bonds out of jail after Wednesday indictment Play Video

  August 3, 2016 10:40 AM

  NEW ROADS – Mayor Robert Myer was indicted and a judge swiftly issued a warrant for his arrest on malfeasance and abuse of power charges Wednesday afternoon. He turned himself in and later bonded out of Pointe Coupee Parish Jail Wednesday afternoon on $50,000 bond. All day, a line... more »

• Mayor quits as Nakamoto, WBRZ Investigative Unit report looms

  May 17, 2016 1:32 PM

  GREENSBURG - The mayor of this small town resigned amid a WBRZ Investigative Unit inquiry into where he resides. The story is still being finalized for a television presentation later this week, but Burke Jones wrote in an email Tuesday, he was stepping down. The story is scheduled to... more »

• 2-vote loss, other upsets in Saturday election

  March 6, 2016 12:28 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The presidential preference primary and numerous municipal elections brought voters to polling locations across the region Saturday. Hillary Clinton ended the night the presidential primary leader for democrats. Donald Trump edged out Ted Cruz as the primary leader for republicans. Fewer than 11,000 votes separated Trump... more »

• Tom Benson keeps getting richer

  March 1, 2016 3:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The state's richest man just keeps getting richer. Tom Benson climbed almost 200 places to become the 810th richest person in the world, Forbes reported in its annual "World's Billionaires" listing . Benson is the 288th richest person in the United States. The magazine reported... more »

• The governor's evening address: read it here Play Video

  February 11, 2016 7:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - In a 2,023 word address Thursday night, Governor John Bel Edwards attempted to sell Louisianans on higher taxes to fill the state's growing budget hole. The state is looking at a near $1 billion hole in the current fiscal year which will end this summer. The... more »

• President Obama left the 747 in Washington for his trip to Baton Rouge

  January 13, 2016 10:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - President Obama landed at Baton Rouge Metro Airport ahead of his estimated time of arrival Wednesday evening. Air Force One touched down about 7:42. He flew in a smaller airplane than the typical Boeing 747 famously associated with the Air Force One tag. Instead, he... more »

• Search warrant issued to check state office in possible malfeasance investigation

  December 10, 2015 10:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE – A state investigator searched the office of a former government official Thursday in relation to possible malfeasance in office. The WBRZ Investigative Unit obtained the search warrant signed by 19th JDC Judge Beau Higginbotham. The order g a ve a criminal investigator with the Louisiana Office... more »

• Landry unseats Caldwell in attorney general's race

  November 21, 2015 8:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former Acadiana congressman Jeff Landry unseated Louisiana's incumbent attorney general Buddy Caldwell in Saturday night's election. Landry defeated Caldwell 609,883 to 473,165 in the unofficial results, a 56-44 percent margin. Landry honed in on Caldwell's connections during his campaign, accusing the incumbent of a "Buddy... more »

• Nungesser wins lieutenant governor's seat Play Video

  November 21, 2015 8:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser defeated East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden in the runoff for lieutenant governor Saturday night. Nungesser won by a 55-45 percent margin over Holden -- 628,596 to 505,514 in the unofficial tally. In his victory speech Nungesser called Holden... more »

• Judge to decide if cop in jail should be released on bond

  November 20, 2015 4:07 PM

  MARKSVILLE - Lawyers for Norris Greenhouse, Jr., one of two part time city marshals in Avyolles Parish charged with the murder of a six-year-old, have filed a motion for Greenhouse to be immediately released from jail. Greenhouse and Derrick Stafford, the other officer involved in the death investigation, are... more »

• State Police to alert sheriffs of refugees

  November 19, 2015 8:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State Police will discuss re-settlement initiatives of Syrian refugees with local sheriffs. In a conference call with the Louisiana Sheriff's Association Thursday, it was revealed the Fusion Center at State Police Headquarters will share information with local authorities. State officials will provide information to others as... more »

• Police officers arrested for shooting, killing 6-year-old Play Video

  November 6, 2015 10:26 PM

  MARKSVILLE – Two of four city marshals involved in a deadly shooting where a six-year-old died were booked into jail Friday night. Derrick Stafford and Norris Greenhouse were charged with murder and attempted murder for the shooting death of Jeremy Mardis and the shooting and injury of his father,... more »

• Vitter attacked by other candidates after debate Play Video

  October 16, 2015 12:04 AM

  RUSTON - As the race for governor weans closer to election day, candidates are getting edgier and are speaking more of what's on their minds. Thursday, there was a debate featuring all four major candidates. It was held at Louisiana Tech in North Louisiana. Three of the candidates... more »