Tagged News

• Army Corps revises timeline, says recent efforts have slowed saltwater intrusion on Miss. River

  October 12, 2023 1:19 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Efforts to slow the incursion of saltwater in the Mississippi River have succeeded, to an extent, but the "wedge" is still moving upstream, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A revised timeline released on Thursday shows the saltwater flow will reach water treatment facilities... more »

• Capital Area water companies say saltwater intrusion not a threat to local supply

  September 25, 2023 12:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Several utilities that provide fresh water to Capital Area homes and businesses on Monday said a saltwater intrusion concern downriver should not have effects in or around Baton Rouge. Extremely low levels in the Mississippi River have allowed saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico to move... more »

• 'Old Bridge' to close to eastbound traffic for much of the weekend

  August 4, 2023 6:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Drivers who take the U.S. 190 "Old Bridge" eastbound will be sent on a detour for much of Saturday and Sunday as crews tend to emergency railroad repair work. The Department of Transportation and Development will close U.S. 190 east at LA 415 from 7 a.m.... more »

• 10 sites remain for new Mississippi River bridge; top 3 options to be decided in May Play Video

  March 28, 2022 11:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The list of potential locations for a new bridge over the Mississippi River was cut in half Monday, with the expectation that three final options would be chosen by the end of May. "One thing [is] for sure, what we got out there's not working," Fred... more »

• As legislative session looms, fight over Mississippi River Bridge funding brews Play Video

  March 11, 2022 11:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As lawmakers return to the State Capitol for the legislative session, which opens Monday, a battle over proposed funding for a new Mississippi River Bridge has already begun. In the executive budget proposal unveiled in January, Gov. John Bel Edwards proposes setting aside $500 million in... more »

• In latest estimate, DOTD says Mississippi River bridge project to cost $2 billion Play Video

  February 23, 2022 10:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The project to construct a new bridge over the Mississippi River is now expected to cost $2 billion, state transportation officials said Wednesday. The latest price tag for the long-awaited project was unveiled as the Department of Transportation and Development presented its latest budget during a... more »

• Police: River Rd. drive-by that killed child was a targeted attack Play Video

  December 10, 2021 7:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man and his 5-year-old nephew were killed after their car was fired upon along the levee near LSU's campus Friday night. Baton Rouge Police said the shooting was reported around 6 p.m. on River Road near Gourrier Avenue. According to a BRPD spokesperson, a vehicle... more »

• Coast Guard suspends search for man overboard near Baton Rouge

  December 3, 2021 6:43 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search of the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge for an American Queen crewmember who fell overboard Wednesday. Rescue crews searched more than 100 miles of the Lower Mississippi River for approximately 32 hours. The search began after Coast... more »

• Amid severe flooding and with few options, NOLA officials dumped untreated sewage into Mississippi River

  September 3, 2021 5:14 AM

  NEW ORLEANS — Hurricane Ida left the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board with an extensive problem that led to the decision to dump untreated sewage into the Mississippi River, WWL-TV reports. Before Ida made landfall, officials anticipated sewage issues and urged locals to cut their usage of wastewater.... more »

• Hopeful Guinness record setter's 55-day kayak journey down Mississippi River ends in Louisiana

  July 14, 2021 10:29 AM

  Traci Lynn Martin, a nurse from Missouri, was a woman on a mission when she boarded her kayak on May 17 and began a 55-day long trip down the Mississippi River. According to The Advocate , Martin had her sights set on becoming a Guinness world record holder. ... more »

• Mississippi River cruises set to dock in Baton Rouge for first time in a year Play Video

  March 22, 2021 10:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE - On Tuesday morning the American Jazz, a river cruise ship, will dock in downtown Baton Rouge, becoming the first ship to bring passengers to the capital city since the COVID-19 pandemic brought cruise liners to a halt. American Jazz is expected to dock Tuesday at 7... more »

• War hero's headstone and others discarded like trash; AG's office investigating Play Video

  August 3, 2020 5:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Attorney General's office is investigating a number of headstones that were discarded like trash underneath the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. At least one of the discarded grave markers is from Port Hudson National Cemetery and memorializes a soldier who died in 1967. It is... more »

• Landowner frustrated over Comite Diversion Canal land acquisition process Play Video

  March 5, 2020 5:57 PM

  UPDATE During the last week of April, John and Teresa Cop received a check for $1.18 million. The parties involved reached an agreement in April for all five acres of land. ZACHARY - State leaders have repeatedly said that the plan is to complete the Comite Diversion Canal project... more »

• Alligator spotted by levee downtown Play Video

  July 6, 2019 12:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Some folks just wanted to have a relaxing breakfast down by the levee this morning when they were joined by an uninvited guest. At first they thought it was just a log floating in the current, but soon realized that it was an alligator once... more »

• Big Muddy not falling anytime soon, may set flood duration record

  April 26, 2019 9:08 AM

  A frontal boundary spanning from the Southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic is likely to support unsettled weather for a large part of the eastern half of the country during the first week of May. An upper level trough over the Northwest will cause disturbances and surface low pressure systems to... more »

• First Monday morning commute over the Sunshine Bridge Play Video

  December 3, 2018 9:13 AM

  ASCENSION PARISH - The Monday morning drive over the Sunshine Bridge was without incident for the most part as two lanes of travel are open. The partial reopening comes ahead of the mid-December deadline DOTD initially announced in the weeks following the crash that caused the bridge to shutdown.... more »

• Late start at Donaldsonville schools continues Play Video

  October 18, 2018 11:36 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE - There are no plans to change the later start time for the five Ascension Parish schools on the west side of the Mississippi River, according to a spokesperson Thursday. Employees need the extra hour to detour around the damaged Sunshine Bridge near Donaldsonville, but the late start time... more »

• Sunshine Bridge closure hurts sugar cane farmers Play Video

  October 16, 2018 11:43 PM

  SORRENTO - The closure of the Sunshine Bridge near Donaldsonville couldn't come at a worse time for sugar cane farmers on the east side of the Mississippi River. Harvest season just began and all the cane must be transported to sugar mills on the west side of the river. ... more »

• Plaquemine ferry picks up more slack from Sunshine Bridge closure, now adding second boat to weekend service Play Video

  October 15, 2018 11:55 PM

  UPDATE: During the duration of the Sunshine Bridge closure, additional ferry service hours will be: -Monday thru Friday, a second boat will run from 5:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. -Monday thru Friday, the first boat will run 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. -Saturday... more »

• Officials expect Sunshine Bridge to remain closed for months Play Video

  October 12, 2018 6:04 AM

  DONALDSONVILLE – Damage to the Sunshine Bridge from a barge collision last week is far more extensive than originally thought, leading state officials to believe the crossing will be closed well beyond October. An update released by DOTD officials Monday said repairs to the highway linking both sides of... more »

• Some Metro Council members like new road tax plan better than last one Play Video

  June 20, 2018 11:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome had a series of private meetings with metro council members Wednesday about a number of issues including her new road tax plan. The mayor wants the metro council to place the initiative on the December ballot. "I like that the funding source... more »

• New tax plan for bridge across Mississippi River Play Video

  April 5, 2018 11:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Would you vote for higher taxes if it paid for a new bridge across the Mississippi River? Voters in five parishes may soon get the chance. State Senator Rick Ward (R-Port Allen) has proposed creating a special taxing district encompassing East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension,... more »

• Officials monitoring levees northwest of Baton Rouge; Usual high water issues

  March 14, 2018 11:05 AM

  LETTSWORTH – Local and federal officials have been busy dealing with seepage and minor slides along the Mississippi River levee system northwest of Baton Rouge. Seepage has been reported along the levee in Pointe Coupee Parish but officials stressed Wednesday morning, issues have not risen to a crisis level.... more »

• Memphis dumping its wastewater into the Mississippi River

  March 9, 2018 7:16 PM

  MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A series of very unfortunate events prompted the city of Memphis, Tennessee, to pump wastewater into a fast-moving, southern-flowing Mississippi River. High water caused a pump failure at a city treatment plant, officials said Friday. A backup pump is running but it won't be able to... more »

• As water seeps under levee, officials to ease concern with HESCO baskets Play Video

  March 8, 2018 2:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Water began seeping from the ground and creating patches of moisture on streets, curbs and lawns along the Mississippi River levee south of downtown Baton Rouge Thursday. It's a usual – and mostly innocent – sign that the river is rising. As the river nears 40... more »

• Coast Guard investigating oil discharge in river

  January 4, 2018 10:14 PM

  GRAMERCY - An oil discharge on the Mississippi River prompted a cleanup effort spearheaded by federal officials Thursday. The Coast Guard released details of the incident late Thursday. It said earlier in the day, about 2,500 gallons of fuel oil discharged from the Petroleum Fuel and Terminal Mt. Airy... 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 »

• Coast Guard, good Samaritans help burning ship in the gulf

  January 16, 2017 2:23 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard and good Samaritans are responding to a vessel that caught fire 150 miles south of Southwest Pass Monday morning. Watchstanders at the Eighth Coast Guard District command center received a report at 3:28 a.m. from the National Command Center of an electrical fire... more »

• Mississippi River levels require levee inspections from Baton Rouge to Venice

  March 21, 2016 11:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE -The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began phase II of flood inspections along the Mississippi River on Monday. The phase begins after the river rose 15 feet at the Carrollton gage in the New Orleans District. The phase II activation applies to levees along the Mississippi River from... more »

• Roads closed, traffic gridlocked as storms pass through Baton Rouge

  March 10, 2016 12:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As severe weather passes over Baton Rouge, drivers traveling on the interstates can expect to have serious traffic delays. DOTD officials say a stalled tractor trailer blocked the left lane on I-10 west on the Mississippi River Bridge. Congestion from that incident backed up traffic to... more »

• Finally, Mississippi drops below flood stage

  February 4, 2016 11:49 AM

  BATON ROUGE - For the first time in 31 days, the Mississippi River has dropped below flood stage. Thursday morning, the river was just lower than flood stage of 35 feet in Baton Rouge. It crested at 43.5 feet between January 18th and 21st. The rising river required... more »

• I-10W reopened after truck loses load on bridge

  January 29, 2016 11:15 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Traffic officials shut down the westbound side of I-10 over the Mississippi River bridge after a truck loaded with steel construction materials lost its load. DOTD shut the interstate down at the I-10 / I-110 split in order to divert traffic to US-190. The ramp from... more »

• Span of Mississippi River near Hahnville reopened after barge capsize

  January 27, 2016 3:30 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard announced they’ve reopened a stretch of the Mississippi River near Hahnville that was closed to traffic after a barge capsized. The span of river that was affected was from mile marker 127 to mile marker 129. The Mississippi was closed in that area... more »

• Barge collision closes Mississippi River near Hahnville

  January 26, 2016 6:11 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard say they’re responding to yet another barge collision between two towing vessels near mile marker 129 on the Mississippi River near Hahnville. The Mississippi River has been closed from mile marker 126 to mile marker 131, according to the Guard. The Coast... more »

• Corps of Engineers begins closing bays at Bonnet Carre Spillway

  January 25, 2016 12:22 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Members of the U. S. Corps of Engineers started closing bays along the Bonnet Carre Spillway Monday as water levels in the Mississippi River began to slowly return to normal. The Corps opened 210 bays of the Spillway on Jan. 10 to divert water from the... more »

• Coast Guard reopens stretch of Miss. River near Plaquemines Parish

  January 22, 2016 11:24 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard says they reopened the Mississippi River to one-way traffic for a stretch of the river near West Pointe à la Hache Thursday night. Vessels planning to travel the area from mile marker 50 to mile marker 52 should contact the tow vessel Kyle... more »

• Coast Guard response to breakaway barges near Plaquemines Parish continues

  January 21, 2016 12:53 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is still responding to a barge breakaway involving 22 vessels that happened on the Mississippi River near West Pointe à la Hache Wednesday. The river remains closed between mile markers 50 and 53 with the Guard overseeing operations to assess the location of... more »

• 22 barge breakaway closes stretch of Mississippi River

  January 20, 2016 6:16 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard says they’re responding to a 22 barge breakaway on the Mississippi River near West Pointe à la Hache. The Guard reports all 22 barges were loaded with coal and petroleum coke when they broke free at mile marker 54 on the river. ... more »

• PHOTOS: flooding Mississippi River reaches crest

  January 19, 2016 10:43 AM

  Aerial photos of the Baton Rouge area are coming into the WBRZ Weather Team as the Mississippi River is cresting. While the river is leveling off at many regional gauges, it will not recede very quickly. Water can be seen inundating river plain north and west of Baton Rouge.... more »

• Mississippi River cresting this week Play Video

  January 18, 2016 11:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The swollen Mississippi started cresting Monday. At Red River Landing, the river crested at 60 1/2 feet, 12 feet above flood stage. In downtown, the crest is forecast to happen Tuesday ten feet above the 35-foot flood stage. " It was pretty amazing watching it... more »

• Plaquemine Ferry to suspend service Monday due to Miss. River levels

  January 15, 2016 1:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Traffic officials announced Friday that Plaquemine Ferry service will be suspended starting Monday due to high Mississippi River stages. LA DOTD said they will be monitoring the conditions of the river closely over the weekend, and in the event that the river rises to a level... more »

• Areas in West Feliciana parish flooded

  January 14, 2016 6:37 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - High water in West Feliciana Parish as a result of Mississippi River flooding has parish officials on standby. The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office told News 2 they are monitoring water levels 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "Most of the properties that have been... more »

• Edwards heads upriver for flood briefings

  January 13, 2016 11:30 AM

  VIDALIA, La. - For his second day on the job, Gov. John Bel Edwards headed to briefings on flood fighting efforts along the Mississippi River. State emergency managers briefed the new governor on current operations along the Mississippi River as well as future concerns and plans for flooding along... more »

• Two barge collisions with bridges reported along flooding Mississippi

  January 12, 2016 12:20 PM

  VICKSBURG, Miss. - Two barges carrying coal down the Mississippi River sank Tuesday after colliding with a railroad bridge near Vicksburg, the second such collision in less than 24 hours according to the Coast Guard. WAPT-TV reported 22 barges containing coal were headed south down the Mississippi when they... more »

• Coast Guard issues Western Rivers high water closures, restrictions

  January 11, 2016 1:10 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard announced a number of river closures, restrictions and other advisories Monday as a part of ongoing response efforts to Midwest flooding. A press release from the 8th District details all closures and restrictions throughout this period of high water and flooding with the... more »

• Jindal holds command group meeting to discuss possible flooding Play Video

  January 8, 2016 2:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal held a Unified Command Group meeting with state agency leaders and emergency response officials Friday to assess current and future response efforts to flooding of the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River. Gov.-elect John Bel Edwards and his incoming team were present at the... more »

• Bonnet Carre Spillway to be opened Sunday morning Play Video

  January 7, 2016 7:36 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Heavy rain in the Mississippi Valley and rising Mississippi River water stages and flow have prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to decide to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway this Sunday morning. The spillway opening is to keep the volume of the river flows at... more »

• Corps warns opening Morganza is likely after Jan. 11th Play Video

  January 6, 2016 8:47 PM

  MORGANZA - At a meeting Wednesday night with people who live near a flood control structure north of Baton Rouge, the Army Corps. of Engineers warned the floodgates may need to be opened. The US Army Corp says #MississsippiRiver will likely force them to open the Morganza Floodgates... more »

• Daily levee inspections begin along Mississippi River Play Video

  January 6, 2016 5:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Daily levee inspections of the Mississippi River levees have begun as the river continues to rise. This morning, the Pontchartrain Levee District began monitoring the levees daily and checks around the clock are about to start. Already, seepage from the river is occurring in some neighborhoods... more »

• Sandbags, Guard members head out to prepare for flooding

  January 6, 2016 4:34 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana National Guard mobilized dozens of members and began moving equipment around to flood-prone areas of the state as river levels continue to rise. Guard officials said 70 people have been mobilized so far, and more are expected to be activated in the coming days.... more »

• Bonnet Carre Spillway could be opened by Saturday Play Video

  January 5, 2016 5:38 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Representatives with the Army Corps of Engineers said they're prepared to recommend the Bonnet Carre Spillway be opened fully by the end of the week. The recommendation could be made as early as Wednesday, according to Colonel Rick Hansen of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.... more »

• Corps to discuss flood threat Tuesday

  January 4, 2016 2:21 PM

  MORGANZA - People here and in other floodways should expect their annual warning in the mail from the Army Corps of Engineers. The corps said Monday, it disseminated its yearly memo to residents and landowners, reminding them that floodways along the Mississippi River could be activated in a high... more »

• West Feliciana braces for flooding Play Video

  December 31, 2015 5:04 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - People in West Feliciana Parish are watching close and gearing up as Mississippi River flood waters continue to flow south. For the past week Missouri has dealt with heavy flooding. In West Feliciana you can see the river rising, and even some tourists have stopped by to... more »

• High water warning issued for lower Mississippi River

  December 31, 2015 1:01 PM

  MEMPHIS - The Coast Guard issued a high water safety warning Thursday for the Lower Mississippi River after heavy rains and flooding further up the river system. Capt. Timothy Wendy, commander of that stretch of that river for the USCG, issued the warning due to rising water levels as... more »

• Gov. Jindal declares state of emergency ahead of imminent Miss. River flooding

  December 30, 2015 12:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor Bobby Jindal issued a state of emergency as the threat of flooding along the Mississippi River, Red River and other bodies of water in the state looms. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning along the length of the Mississippi River with predicted... more »

• November 20, 2015 Morning News Pop Play Video

  November 20, 2015 7:04 AM

  Here are today's top stories: 1 person taken to the hospital in shooting on Monet Drive Long list of projects could mean a new bridge in 30 years Many key positions up for grabs in Saturday's election Frosty cold front to cross Louisiana Updates all... more »

• November 17, 2015 Morning News Pop Play Video

  November 17, 2015 8:14 AM

  Here are today's top stories: Jindal issues order to halt refugee resettlement in La. Police scratching their heads at car on guardrail Man swimming Mississippi River to raise money for famililies of fallen service members Heavy rain, severe storms possible in Louisiana, Mississippi Updates all... more »

• All lanes reopen after crash on LA-1 S

  October 15, 2015 7:34 AM

  BATON ROUGE- All lanes are now open on LA-1 South on the Intercoastal Canal Bridge in Port Allen following an earlier accident. Traffic from the crash has backed up Essen Road on both I-10 and I-12 Westbound in Baton Rouge. Drivers are advised to use US-190 West as an... more »