WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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• Emails between fired chief, Mayor's office released Play Video

  February 19, 2013 5:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A string of emails News 2 obtained after filing a public records request weeks ago detail what former Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White identified as micromanagement by Mayor Kip Holden's office. Those claims also came to light during a public hearing on the chief's job status... more »

• Fired police chief: race issue in dept. Play Video

  February 18, 2013 10:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Allegations of racial misconduct hit a nerve here Monday when the fired police chief suggested there is a racial discrimination problem inside the police force, and not much is being done to fight it. Dewayne White sited an example during a hearing with Mayor Kip Holden. White... more »

• White finishes statement, Holden to render decision Play Video

  February 18, 2013 9:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Police Chief Dwayne White has finished his testimony at a special hearing into his future. Mayor-President Kip Holden said he would have a decision in the matter in about ten minutes. White testified for more than an hour telling Holden he and the police department had... more »

• People talking about chief's firing

  February 8, 2013 9:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE- People have lots of questions, two days after the police chief was fired. "It's our money. We deserve to know," said Joe Fougerousse. Fougerousse was enjoying the Krewe of Southdowns parade Friday night, but still thinking about the events that happened earlier in the week. Mayor... more »

• Day 2 Mayor doesn't answer question

  February 7, 2013 10:14 PM

  Baton Rouge - For the second day Mayor Kip Holden still wont answer questions about the termination of Police Chief DeWayne White. News searched for Holden through the city, and even waiting at his home. Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle told News 2 she believes the politics need to be removed... more »

• Fired chief levels serious allegations against Mayor Play Video

  February 7, 2013 2:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Through his attorney today, fired Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White leveled serious allegations that the East Baton Rouge Mayor's Office interfered with his duties and actively kept him from speaking to the media about issues with the department. White and his attorney, Jill Craft, made... more »

• Mayor Holden signs disaster declaration for EBR

  January 11, 2013 3:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Kip Holden officially declared a local disaster for East Baton Rouge Parish after two days of rainfall and localized flooding. The declaration activates parish emergency response plans and other activities. Holden's office noted that while the rain has stopped, the Amite and Comite rivers... more »

• Local leaders lend a hand at St. Vincent de Paul Play Video

  November 21, 2012 6:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE - District Attorney Hillar Moore, Mayor "Kip" Holden, LSU Gymnastics Coach D-D Breaux or Constable Reggie Brown could have carved your Thanksgiving Day turkey, if you eat at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The group of 12 local leaders competed in the 3rd Annual Community... more »

• Mayor: Baton Rouge joining fight against childhood obesity

  September 26, 2012 9:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is announcing new programs for the city designed to combat childhood obesity. The press conference is scheduled for 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. News 2's Olivia LaBorde will be there and have more about the battle against obesity tonight. more »

• EBR Mayor Pro Tem running for mayor-president Play Video

  February 14, 2012 10:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE- East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor Pro Tem Mike Walker tells News 2 he is running for Mayor-President in November. Walker has been on the council for 12 years. Current Mayor-President Kip Holden is seeking his third term in office. At least two Baton Rouge businessmen also say... more »

• New EBR program to help people get bank accounts Play Video

  January 12, 2012 5:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - If you live in East Baton Rouge and don't have a checking or a savings account, a new program hopes to help you change that. In a press conference Thursday, Mayor-President Kip Holden and 13 bank executives announced a partnership called "Bank on Baton Rouge. "... more »

• Mayor Holden rings bell for Salvation Army

  December 22, 2011 10:52 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge's mayor picked up a Salvation Army bell Thursday to help raise money for the charity . Mayor Kip Holden appeared at the Walmart on College to collect contributions for the nearly 150-year-old charitable organization. "It's a great time in Baton Rouge to see people... more »

• EMS admin: we need more workers Play Video

  November 22, 2011 6:03 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- Emergency Medical Services Administrator Pam Porter met with Mayor Kip Holden Tuesday afternoon to request 20 more workers to staff the 911 call center and to staff ambulances. But city finance workers said no to the original request Monday night, citing long-term funding as a concern. ... more »

• EBR taxpayers may cover cost of dispute

  November 2, 2011 5:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Your tax dollars may be used to help solve an ongoing dispute between the mayor and the sheriff. East Baton Rouge Parish-President Kip Holden says the current system to handle federal, emergency grant money saves lives. Homeland security money was under the control of the... more »

• Mayor's tax plan goes back to Metro Council

  August 9, 2011 5:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE- People in East Baton Rouge Parish may never get the chance to vote on Mayor-President Kip Holden's $748 million tax plan. Tomorrow night Metro Council could vote to keep it off the ballot in November. The Metro Council voted 9-3 to keep the proposal off the agenda... more »

• Tax package back on EBR Metro Council agenda

  August 3, 2011 3:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Kip Holden's package of tax increases are back on the East Baton Rouge Metro Council's agenda, after it was flatly rejected at their last meeting. Scott Dyer, the mayor's spokesperson, told News 2 the plan would be "basically the same", raising $748 million to pay... more »

• EBR Mayor-President blasts Council members on radio

  August 2, 2011 12:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE- East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden blasted Metro Council members' actions over his recent bond proposal on WJBO with Clay Young this morning. "We are looking at a Council that is turning into Washington politics, by a leader that all he's trying to do is get... more »

• Tax plan latest victim in Mayor-Metro Council spat

  July 27, 2011 10:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Metro Council refused Wednesday to put Mayor Kip Holden's tax plan in motion toward a ballot in the fall. It was Holden's third attempt to fund projects across the parish. It would have increased sales and property taxes to raise $740 million. ... more »

• Mayor Holden stands behind $748 million tax plan

  July 25, 2011 4:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden addressed a packed Baton Rouge Press Club today, defending and explaining his $748 million capital improvements plan. Unlike two other failed attempts to pass the tax plan, Holden said this time it will be broken into three components: infrastructure,... more »

• Mayor presents Future EBR plan

  June 22, 2011 5:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Mayor Kip Holden and planning consultant John Fregonese presented the draft for the Future EBR plan today at the Old State Capitol. Community members helped mold the plan for development in East Baton Rouge Parish over the next 20 to 30 years. For most people, the number... more »

• Mayor to pick police chief next week

  May 20, 2011 6:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden says he will name the city's next police chief no later than Wednesday, and he will be making the choice from the five candidates recommended by an advisory committee he assembled last month. The Advocate reports Holden interviewed the three local candidates on... more »

• Finalists for BRPD chief selected by committee

  May 11, 2011 5:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The final five candidates for the position of Baton Rouge Police Chief were selected by Mayor-President Kip Holden's advisory committee today. The committee chose the five after two days of talking to the ten candidates they'd voted to move on to the face-to-face interviews. The list... more »

• Holden planning for another bond proposal

  April 14, 2011 5:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he will support putting another bond proposal on the October or November ballot. The mayor says details are being ironed out. Voters rejected other recent tax increases that included everything from money for a downtown tourist attraction to roads and crime... more »

• Glen Oaks residents say new bridge is long overdue

  March 22, 2011 6:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Residents in the Glen Oaks area are upset about a bridge not being reopened. The Blue Grass Bridge on the corner of Blue Grass road and Sumrall road has been closed for more than a year. Residents have signed petitions and have held meetings with several... more »

• Mayor Flier still center of legal battles

  January 27, 2011 10:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A man caught in the middle of a political battle wants his day in court, and he's taking, the Louisiana ethics board with him. Scott Wilfong's company printed fliers alleging in-fidelity on the part of mayor Kip Holden. The mayor has since denied the allegations, but Wilfongs... more »

• Mayor Kip Holden to announce interim police chief

  November 4, 2010 9:20 AM

  Today Mayor-President Kip Holden is holding a press conference to announce an interim police chief. Chief Jeff LeDuff announced his retirement last month, and will leave office on November 30th. News 2 will be at the 2p.m. press conference and bring you the latest. more »

• Former DPW worker: taxpayers to pay for massive sewer system

  September 16, 2010 6:09 PM

  The Wet Weather Capacity Treatment Project is slated to stop sewage from overflowing onto Baton Rouge Streets, something that has been a problem for years and has cost the city more than $2.5 million since 2006. The EPA demanded the city stop the sewage problem. It will include two... more »

• Baton Rouge mayor announces city cleanup target

  September 9, 2010 12:34 PM

  Mayor Kip Holden announced today that a Mid City neighborhood would be the kick-off location for Baton Rouge's city-wide cleanup starting Monday. The mayor said at a press conference today that Operation Restore Pride would start Monday in the Valley Park neighborhood, which is bounded by Perkins Road, Delta... more »

• Mayor Holden's sister, others sentenced

  August 19, 2010 7:46 PM

  Ten employees ranging from Baton Rouge police officers to the high ranks on Baton Rouge City Court received their sentences after all pleaded guilty in a federal investigation known as "Operation Illegal Motion." Flitcher Bellm, a former senior prosecutor in Baton Rouge City Court, was handed the toughest sentence--... more »

• Mayor Holden, other mayors take oil spill boat tour

  June 21, 2010 10:27 AM

  East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden boarded a boat to tour the oil spill this morning, along with mayors from the other Gulf states. They boarded in the Lafitte area this morning after a briefing with BP and Coast Guard officials. Later, they will head to New Orleans... more »

• EBRSO creating own alert system after controversy

  June 10, 2010 7:37 PM

  The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is moving forward with creating its own alert messaging service after residents were delayed notification about two prison escapees last week. The prisoners escaped from the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Residents believe the call to notify them about what happened didn't go... more »

• Mayor Kip Holden talks about Ed Buggs

  May 5, 2010 4:43 PM

  We caught up with Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden to get his thoughts on the life of former WBRZ news anchor Ed Buggs. To view the video, click the "play video" icon. To view interviews with his brother, Clarence, and the man who hired him at WBRZ, former... more »

• Victims of crime demand change

  April 20, 2010 4:25 PM

  Dozens of people impacted by violent crime in Baton Rouge came together Tuesday to stamp it out of their neighborhoods. This week is National Crime Victims Week. Law enforcement leaders from across the parish said ending crime starts with the community. "You as the community can do... more »

• Mayor leads bike ride

  April 10, 2010 9:45 AM

  Mayor-President Kip Holden and his wife Lois led a three-mile bike ride this morning around the University Lakes. Family Bike Day is is part of the Mayor's Health City Initiative that promotes healthy eating and an active lifestyle. Today is the first of a two-day bicycle festival at... more »

• Scott Wilfong faces ethics charges

  March 11, 2010 7:34 AM

  An ethics panel has refused to throw out charges against Baton Rouge Republican activist Scott Wilfong, who is accused of violating campaign finance disclosure laws. The charges in the case stem from Wilfong's role in the circulation of an anti-Kip Holden flier in the 2008 mayor's race. Wilfong's attorney Crosby... more »

• BR mayor's sister arrested; accused of bribery, threatening

  December 30, 2009 8:40 AM

  The sister of Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden was arrested Tuesday for attempting to bribe a Baton Rouge man and threatening him, according to authorities. Evelyn Holden, 52, allegedly had a six-year affair with Marshall Jackson, 56. Holden is accused of trying to bribe the man for more cash... more »

• Mayor Kip Holden discusses bond proposal

  November 12, 2009 8:55 AM

  Mayor Kip Holden sat down with John Pastorek to explain why East Baton Rouge Parish needs the proposal passed this weekend. more »

• Mayor of Zachary on the tax proposal

  November 11, 2009 10:23 AM

  This weekend residents will vote on Mayor Kip Holden's bond proposal. The Mayor of Zachary Henry Martinez is against it, he joined John Pastorek with why he says it's not right for the parish. more »

• 22nd Greenlight Project groundbreaking

  November 5, 2009 5:41 AM

  City officials will break ground on construction of the Perkins at Stanford/Acadian Green Light Project today. The project will include a right of way with parking at the Acadian Village Shopping Center on the corner of Perkins Road at Acadian Thruway. The project will cost $2.4 million and should be... more »

• Mayor's Neighborhood Expo

  November 5, 2009 5:24 AM

  The Mayor's Neighborhood Expo will present information on services available to the public. Workshops and Presentations Presented By: Department of Public Works, Baton Rouge Police Department, Mayor's Office, Parish Attorney's Office and the City-Parish Planning Commission To find out more Expo information please call 389-3100 or email expo@brgov.com Mayor's... more »

• Bond proposal will be on Nov. 14 ballot

  October 12, 2009 5:05 PM

  The Baton Rouge Metro Council decided not to postpone a vote on Mayor Kip Holden's bond proposal. In a split vote, 6 - 6, the amendment to remove the item from the ballot was rejected today. The $900 million package will be on the November 14th ballot in East... more »

• Metro Council to debate bond issue

  October 12, 2009 10:23 AM

  The Baton Rouge Metro Council will decide today whether to postpone a vote on Mayor Kip Holden's bond proposal. The $900 million package is scheduled to be on the November 14th ballot in East Baton Rouge Parish. It includes plans for infrastructure improvements, a parish prison and commercial... more »

• Alive land will be negotiated after vote on bond

  September 28, 2009 4:12 PM

  Update: Mayor Kip Holden said the city will negotiate who owns the land where the proposed Alive Project would be built after the vote on the bond proposal in November. Holden announced at news briefing today that he believes this to be a "non-issue. Questions surfaced recently as to... more »

• Southern Univ. to host Chinese delegation

  September 22, 2009 11:35 PM

  A Chinese delegation, including executives from Broad International, will visit Southern University Wednesday. The company proposes building a facility on Southern's campus to produce electricity for all buildings. Broad wants to build similar facilities on more than 100 historically-black college and university campuses. Southern would be the... more »

• Brightside Lane Greenlight Project

  September 10, 2009 5:15 AM

  Today city officials will break ground on the Brightside Lane Greenlight Project in Baton Rouge. Plans include a two-lane roadway with a continuous center turn lane from River Road to west of Nicholson. The project will include sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes on both sides, and new turning lanes on River... more »

• Bond Proposal Vote

  September 2, 2009 5:30 AM

  The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council will meet at 4 p.m. today to vote on placing the tax issue on the November 14th ballot. The tax-plan calls for nearly $901 million in spending on redevelopment and infrastructure improvements parish-wide. The tax proposal includes the "Alive" park on the river... more »

• EBR Parish wwine flu plans

  September 1, 2009 8:59 AM

  East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President "Kip" Holden will announce the preparedness plans and report on the swine flu. There will be information on how to prevent the H1N1 infection, what steps to take if infected, and city-parish policies if they become necessary. more »

• New School Opens

  August 27, 2009 8:46 AM

  East Baton Rouge Parish School officials are celebrating the opening of the new Dufrocq Elementary School. The school has just completed a two year, $20 million dollar renovation. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held today where former and current students will attend. Special guests include new East Baton Rouge... more »

• Zachary wants projects in bond proposal

  August 24, 2009 5:01 PM

  A priority list has been compiled by leaders in Zachary. That list includes needed projects centering around drainage, sewerage and roads. Zachary Mayor Henry Martinez says the projects should be included in Mayor Kip Holden's bond proposal. The plan calls for $870 million in redevelopment and infrastructure improvements. None... more »