Tagged News

• Man sent to East Louisiana Mental Health System following sanity hearing for 2024 murder of EBR Schools employee

  June 8, 2026 7:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man was sent to the East Louisiana Mental Health System on Monday following a sanity hearing for the 2024 murder of an East Baton Rouge Parish Schools employee. Jaymie Thomas was arrested in October 2024 after Marcus Spears' body was found off Alexander Avenue. ... more »

• EBR Schools holds annual Gifted Screening Blitz

  June 8, 2026 1:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish School System invited families to a two-day event designed to identify students who could benefit from gifted and advanced academic programming. The annual Gifted Screening Blitz allowed students entering kindergarten through 12th grade to be screened for placement in the Scholastic... more »

• Assumption Parish Schools offers students the ability to take 100% of their classes online Play Video

  June 8, 2026 11:36 AM

  NAPOLEONVILLE — Assumption Parish Schools announced on Monday that it is offering students the ability to take 100% of their classes online through the Assumption Parish Schools Virtual Academy. Students enrolled in the program will remain part of the Assumption Parish School system, allowing them to participate in school... more »

• Assumption Parish Schools announces higher starting pay for teachers and staff Play Video

  June 1, 2026 4:26 PM

  NAPOLEONVILLE — The Assumption Parish School Board has approved starting pay raises for teachers and staff, the school system announced Monday. Beginning July 1, the starting salary for teachers with a bachelor's degree will be $48,900, up from $43,700. Several faculty positions are also seeing starting pay bumps.... more »

• West Baton Rouge Parish Mosquito Control to spray parks, schools after rainy Memorial Day weekend Play Video

  May 26, 2026 12:30 PM

  PORT ALLEN — Rain over the Memorial Day weekend created conditions for above-average floodwater mosquito activity throughout West Baton Rouge Parish. The parish's mosquito control agency says that spray truck operations are expected to begin Tuesday evening and run through Thursday night to help prevent an uptick in mosquito... more »

• Nearly 200 early childhood educators honored at celebration in Baton Rouge Play Video

  May 23, 2026 7:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish School System recognized 171 early childhood educators at a celebration at the Baton Rouge Marriott on Saturday. Honorees, which included 51 EBR pre-K teachers and 120 educators from partner childcare centers, charter schools and private providers, earned an "excellent" rating from... more »

• EBR Schools to provide free summer meals for kids in East Baton Rouge Parish

  May 22, 2026 5:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish School System announced it will be providing free summer meals for children across the parish on Friday. The school system's Child Nutrition Program will provide free breakfast and lunch to children 18 years old and younger from May 26 to July... more »

• East Baton Rouge Parish School System officials release statement regarding reported fights at graduations Play Video

  May 18, 2026 10:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Officials from the East Baton Rouge Parish School System released a statement on Monday regarding reported fights that broke out at two high school graduations. The fights reportedly occurred at the graduation ceremonies for Istrouma and Scotlandville Magnet high schools on Monday, both of which were... more »

• Two East Baton Rouge parish schools earn national recognition for excellence in arts education Play Video

  May 11, 2026 2:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Parish School System announced that Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts and Forest Heights Academy of Excellence have been named as Exemplary Schools by the Arts Schools Network for the 2026–2031 designation cycle. The Arts Schools Network is described as... more »

• EBR Schools says buses may arrive late due to weather and road conditions Play Video

  May 8, 2026 3:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE — EBR Schools said buses may be delayed during the Friday afternoon commute home, as heavy storms impact road conditions across the parish. The school system said transportation staff is working to navigate buses around heavy traffic and flooded roadways. "Student safety remains the top priority... more »

• Ascension Public Schools to roll out new gun detection technology on select campuses starting in May Play Video

  April 28, 2026 6:31 PM

  GEISMAR - Starting in May, Ascension Public Schools plans to test new security measures at three schools as part of a pilot program. School officials told students at Dutchtown High, Lowery Middle and Pecan Grove Primary to expect changes in the school arrival process. Dutchtown High Principal Barry... more »

• Iberville Parish schools implement clear backpack policy for next school year Play Video

  April 17, 2026 5:33 PM

  PLAQUEMINE — The Iberville Parish School District will implement a clear bag policy for the 2026-2027 school year, according to a social media announcement made Friday. Starting next school year, students in the school district will only be allowed to wear clear or mesh backpacks. The district said... more »

• Police: Teen refuses to enter school, shoots dad and threatens officer; car speeds away and hits house Play Video

  April 14, 2026 9:32 AM

  HAMMOND — A 13-year-old boy who refused to get out of his father's car at the Tangipahoa Alternative Programs campus Tuesday was detained by police after he shot his dad and approached a school resource officer with a handgun, Hammond officials said. The school was shut down after the... more »

• Patterson Junior High students to attend class virtually on Tuesday amid air conditioning outage

  April 14, 2026 7:59 AM

  PATTERSON — Patterson Junior High School students will attend class virtually on Tuesday as the campus experiences an air-conditioning outage. St. Mary Parish Schools said that the air conditioning outage started on Monday. Patterson Junior High students will have an at-home learning day as a result. Staff will... more »

• Get H.Y.P.E. visits EBR schools in preparation for LEAP testing Play Video

  April 13, 2026 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Students in Baton Rouge were treated to a special event on Monday as they gear up for LEAP testing. The Get H.Y.P.E. arts-integrated test preparation program visited Wedgewood Elementary and LaBelle Aire Elementary to offer an innovative approach to student preparation. The interactive program featured... more »

• House panel OKs Louisiana budget for upcoming fiscal year; final House vote set for Thursday Play Video

  April 13, 2026 12:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE – In the first step by the Legislature to transform Gov. Jeff Landry's proposed budget into its own, the House Appropriations Committee unanimously advanced House Bill 1 on Monday, generally following the governor's desire for a standstill state operating budget of $47 billion for the fiscal year starting... more »

• West Baton Rouge Parish schools to hold job fair for teachers Play Video

  March 23, 2026 6:29 PM

  PORT ALLEN — West Baton Rouge Parish Schools announced that a teacher job fair would be held on Tuesday, March 24. The fair will be held at the West Baton Rouge Convention Center from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. New hires for the 2026-2027 school year will receive a... more »

• Louisiana Senate committee advances $15M tutoring expansion to keep K-8 students on track Play Video

  March 19, 2026 1:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE (LSU Manship News Service) — A bill to expand Louisiana’s high-dosage tutoring program advanced in a Senate committee Wednesday even as a broader debate is shaping up over state funding for K-12 education. Sen. Patrick McMath, R-Mandeville, proposed spending an additional $15 million a year to provide... more »

• State health officials want to shift $6.5 million to expand mental health crisis response

  March 18, 2026 8:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Concerns about rising mental health issues have led the Louisiana Department of Health to seek to reallocate $6.5 million to expand its crisis response system. The department wants to use the extra money to help fund a new statewide hub that supports the Louisiana Crisis Response... more »

• East Baton Rouge Parish Schools to host community meeting on realignment and school start times

  March 13, 2026 2:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish School System announced plans on Friday to host a community meeting discussing the district's proposed realignment plans and adjustments to school start times. At the meeting, district leaders will provide information and gather feedback from families, educators and community members regarding... more »

• EBR School System holds second annual Community Wellness Expo Play Video

  February 26, 2026 6:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish School System held its second annual Community Wellness Expo at the Goodwood Library on Thursday. The event provided visitors with a variety of health resources, including blood pressure screenings, physical activity opportunities and immunizations. Organizers said the main goal was... more »

• Area students learn to garden, milk cows and more at Southern University Ag Center Expo Play Video

  February 25, 2026 2:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE — More than 800 students from around the capital area got hands-on with agriculture at Southern University's Ag Center Expo on Wednesday. The expo featured dozens of exhibits and interactive opportunities, allowing students to learn about ATV safety, milking a cow, gardening, drones, hydroponics and more. ... more »

• Mobile clinic headed to several East Baton Rouge Parish schools providing language development services Play Video

  February 23, 2026 11:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A mobile clinic is headed to several East Baton Rouge Parish schools to provide speech and language development services for English learners. As part of a partnership between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Southern University's School of Nursing and Allied Health, the Jag... more »

• Capital-area schools, universities announce plans to reopen, return to normal on Tuesday Play Video

  January 26, 2026 1:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Capital-area school districts began to announce plans to reopen and return to normal schedules on Tuesday after closing Monday for weather concerns. The following districts have announced plans to reopen: - Ascension Parish Public Schools - Assumption Parish Schools - Central Community School System - East... more »

• East Baton Rouge Parish students participate in second annual Young Techie and Gifted Expo Play Video

  January 16, 2026 10:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Students across East Baton Rouge Parish gathered at the second annual Young Techie and Gifted Expo on Friday. The annual event, hosted by the Instructional Technology Department, showcased student-led projects from elementary, middle and high school students covering several categories, including technology and engineering, computer science,... more »

• Three Baton Rouge charter schools attempting to obtain four-year renewals

  November 8, 2025 3:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Three Baton Rouge charter schools are attempting to continue operations through 2030 after the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board preliminarily voted on their charter renewals. The School Board voted on four-year renewals for Community School for Apprenticeship Learning Middle, The Emerge School for Autism and... more »

• Congressman Cleo Fields introduces bill providing teachers with student loan forgiveness

  October 20, 2025 5:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Congressman Cleo Fields introduced a bill on Sunday to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, providing undergraduate student loan forgiveness to public school teachers who completed eight consecutive years of teaching. The bill's goal is to attract and retain qualified educators nationwide during a teacher... more »

• BESE can take over Baker schools that consistently underperform, 1st Circuit rules Play Video

  September 24, 2025 7:13 PM

  BAKER — A state appeals court said Wednesday that Louisiana education officials can take over a pair of Baker schools that have received "F" grades in statewide assessments. A panel of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal reversed a Baton Rouge judge's decision preventing the state from taking over... more »

• Feds drop Blue Ribbon Schools program; state says it will find alternate way to honor schools Play Video

  September 10, 2025 2:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE — State education officials said Wednesday they would find a new way to honor Louisiana's top-performing schools after the federal government dropped its Blue Ribbon Schools program. The U.S. Department of Education notified state education departments last month that it was ending the recognition program "in the... more »

• EBR Schools is trying to improve transportation issues after child dropped off at wrong stop Play Video

  August 15, 2025 6:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - After a child was dropped off at the wrong bus stop, the East Baton Rouge Parish School District is working to fix transportation problems as students return this fall. Before school started, the district sent parents a survey asking those who didn’t intend to use bus... more »

• About 10,000 books collected through Brittany's Book Drive, distributed to schools Play Video

  August 15, 2025 4:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As students return to the classroom, books collected through Brittany's Book Drive are being sorted and delivered to school librarians. Around 10,000 books were collected through the 2025 drive. The community collected books and dropped them off at Essential Credit Union locations. Recently, school librarians hand-sorted... more »

• $350,000 safety and security grant awarded to 7 East Baton Rouge Parish schools Play Video

  August 12, 2025 4:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness awarded a $350,000 grant for safety and security upgrades to be split among seven East Baton Rouge Parish schools. Each of the following schools will receive $50,000: - LaBelle Air Elementary - McKinley Middle - Claiborne Elementary... more »

• West Feliciana students return Thursday with new Athletic Field House at heart of campuses Play Video

  August 6, 2025 2:50 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE — The first day of school for West Feliciana Parish students on Thursday includes an exciting new athletic building open to students at all grade levels. Wrestling, track, football and even food and nutrition classes will all take place in the new Athletic Field House at the... more »

• Amite County gears up for new 2025-26 school year Play Video

  August 5, 2025 6:49 PM

  LIBERTY, Miss. - Amite County residents are getting ready for the new school year that starts Wednesday. Parents and teachers spoke to WBRZ about the things that they are working on heading into the new year. For many, it's sleep schedules for their children after the long summer... more »

• Ascension Parish students return to classes with new technologies, strengthened security Play Video

  August 4, 2025 10:53 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - For the 2025-26 school year, the Ascension Parish School District is expanding technology in the classroom, bringing on more educational programs and continuing to strengthen security. In a rapidly advancing digital age, Chief Administrative Director Darby Lambert said the school system works year-round to get technology into... more »

• Zachary school district holds meeting on new tax proposal to raise teacher pay Play Video

  July 24, 2025 11:08 PM

  ZACHARY - On Thursday, the Zachary Community School District held a meeting to discuss a new tax proposal to raise teacher pay, allot funds for facility repairs and pay for technology while not raising taxes for citizens. "Instead of asking for any tax increases, what we want to do... more »

• It's almost time to go Back 2 School! A list of supply giveaways happening before the bell rings Play Video

  July 14, 2025 1:17 PM

  It's almost time to go Back 2 School, which means there will be several supply giveaways and donation drives in the coming weeks to make sure every child is ready for their bell to ring. Here's a list of supply drives: This is not an exhaustive list! If there's... more »

• More than 200 employees laid off as result of IDEA Bridge and Innovation campuses closing Play Video

  June 4, 2025 2:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Over 200 employees no longer have jobs as of May 24 following the closing of the IDEA Bridge and Innovation campuses in Baton Rouge. In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification issued by the Louisiana Workforce Commission in April, officials said the closings would affect 212... more »

• EBRPSS superintendent says students should be allowed to stay at their schools amid talks of new district Play Video

  May 20, 2025 6:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Parish School System superintendent LaMont Cole sent out a letter Monday saying that students should be allowed to remain at their original schools until they finish there before transitioning to the work-in-progress St. George school system . As part of his response letter,... more »

• WBRZ's John Pastorek emceeing event announcing 2025 Louisiana Student of the Year

  May 16, 2025 12:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Friday, WBRZ's John Patorek is emceeing the event hosted to announce the 2025 Louisiana Student of the Year. The event is hosted at the LSU Lod Cook Alumni Center on Friday at 12:30 p.m.. There were 24 finalists from around the state, among them five... more »

• Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says

  April 21, 2025 4:34 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday. Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans. The Trump administration ‘s... more »

• 2une In Previews: EBRPSS Spring Fling Hiring Event Play Video

  April 11, 2025 8:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Saturday, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System will host its annual Spring Fling, a hiring and retention event. The event is being held at Jefferson Terrace Academy on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Recruiters will be hiring on the spot and are looking... more »

• 2une In Preview: EBR Schools Wellness Expo Play Video

  April 10, 2025 1:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish School District is hosting a Wellness Expo this weekend. Organizers stopped by 2une In on Thursday to preview the event. Director of Health Sean Joffrion and EBR Schools Supervisor of Health Dwanna Drewery shared what attendees can expect from Saturday's event... more »

• Multiple capital area schools without power following weather, announce plans for students Play Video

  March 24, 2025 11:33 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Multiple capital area schools are without power after Monday morning's weather. In Iberville Parish, North Iberville Elementary and North Iberville High School will implement a continuous learning day and students should work on emergency learning packets. Buses will take students who have already arrived at school... more »

• BESE votes in favor of turning control of failing Baker schools over to charter company

  March 12, 2025 1:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education said it will turn control of two Baker schools that received four consecutive "F" ratings over to a charter company after the local school board voted to close both schools in February. BESE's School Innovation and Turnaround Committee... more »

• St. Mary Parish Schools transitioning to cashless bookkeeping after employee allegedly stole $205,000

  February 26, 2025 3:19 PM

  CENTERVILLE — The St. Mary Parish School Board has begun transitioning its bookkeeping to become cashless after a former school board employee allegedly stole $205,000 from a Patterson High School bank account, a state audit of the school system shows. The audit says the school board has changed its... more »

• EBR schools reviewing facilities; district says it has 20,000 more seats than students Play Video

  February 26, 2025 2:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish School District has scheduled meetings over the next six weeks to discuss possibly merging schools as it has more space than is needed for its 40,000 students. "The district currently has around 20,000 more seats than students, leading to under-enrolled schools,... more »

• Two hundred teenagers to be selected for participation in Early College Option in Ascension Parish Play Video

  February 18, 2025 7:10 AM

  GONZALES - Tuesday, the River Parish Community College system along with Ascension Parish Schools will host an open house for eighth graders and their parents to explore an early college option. RPCC allows high schoolers to receive a high school diploma while simultaneously earning a two-year associate's degree. They... more »

• Central breaks ground on city's first city hall in 20 years of existence Play Video

  February 13, 2025 12:15 PM

  CENTRAL — The City of Central announced Thursday that it broke ground on the city's first-ever city hall. The city, which has existed for 20 years, said that the new governmental building will anchor plans for Mainstreet 2030 Vision, a long-term plan to bring economic and community-driven development to... more »

• Future of two Baker schools in limbo as state considers intervention after consecutive 'F' ratings Play Video

  February 10, 2025 6:39 PM

  BAKER - The fate of Baker Heights Elementary School and Baker Middle School is up in the air after the school received over four consecutive "F" ratings each. Baker School District Superintendent James T. Stroder told parents in an email Monday that the consecutive failing ratings from the state... more »

• Principals reject one-time transfer opportunity for high school athletes Play Video

  January 31, 2025 10:38 AM

  BATON ROUGE - During the Louisiana High School Athletes Association principals' meeting Thursday night, local principals overwhelmingly voted to shut down a proposal that would have allowed varsity athletes a one-time transfer allowance. The Advocate reported the proposal was shut down by a staggering 273-66 margin. Some said... more »

• WBR Parish students staying in the classroom despite statewide increase in absenteeism Play Video

  January 28, 2025 6:32 PM

  PORT ALLEN — While chronic absenteeism among Louisiana students rose during the 2023-2024 school year, it lowered in West Baton Rouge Parish. According to data from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), nearly one in four students in the state was chronically absent from school. West Baton Rouge Parish... more »

• State works to jump-start effort to post Ten Commandments in public school classrooms Play Video

  January 23, 2025 2:55 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — Lawyers for the state of Louisiana returned to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday hoping to jump-start the effort to place a copy of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. A lower court has banned their placement in five school districts, and... more »

• Ascension Parish Schools, Livingston Parish Schools among districts affected by PowerSchool hack Play Video

  January 8, 2025 4:25 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE — Ascension Parish Schools and Livingston Parish Schools were among several school districts affected by a hack of educational software provider PowerSchool, administrators said Wednesday. PowerSchool told the school districts' IT departments about the hack late Tuesday, saying that someone used a compromised credential to access data stored... more »

• Assumption Parish residents will vote on multiple education propositions in Saturday's election Play Video

  December 4, 2024 6:01 PM

  NAPOLEONVILLE - The Assumption Parish Schools superintendent is urging residents to vote in favor of renewing three property taxes when they go into the voting booth on Saturday. Assumption Parish Superintendent John Barthelemy said the new taxes are the foundation of education in the parish. "We want to... more »

• Four propositions funding Iberville Parish Schools' salaries, facilities on December ballot Play Video

  December 2, 2024 6:36 PM

  PLAQUEMINE - The Superintendent of Iberville Parish Schools is urging people to vote in favor of four propositions on the Dec. 7 ballot. "We're not getting a penny more of state funding and we're not getting a penny more of federal money, so it's critical and vital for us... more »

• West Feliciana top school district in state, new test scores show; Zachary falls to fifth Play Video

  November 20, 2024 12:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE — West Feliciana schools are doing the best in the state when it comes to educating youngsters, according to data released Wednesday by the Louisiana Department of Education. The St. Francisville-based district rose from being second-ranked last year. Zachary, which was tops last year, fell to fifth.... more »

• Livingston Parish Schools, Sheriff's Office officials team to address rise of social media threats Play Video

  November 4, 2024 12:40 PM

  LIVINGSTON — After multiple threats were made to local schools on social media in recent weeks, Livingston Parish Public Schools and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that they are working to address the issue. The school system has mandated all middle school and high school campuses to... more »

• Landry names lawyer, spine surgeon, former air force general to multiple state agencies Play Video

  October 16, 2024 6:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry on Wednesday announced new appointments to the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, the Board of Regents and the State Police Commission. Robert L. "Skeeter" Salim was named to the Board of Supervisors, Khader Samer F. Shamieh was named to the Board... more »

• Two St. Mary schools closed early because of sewer problems

  September 6, 2024 12:46 PM

  FRANKLIN - Two St. Mary Parish schools dismissed early Friday due to sewer system problems, according to parish officials. Franklin Junior High and W.P. Foster Elementary dismissed at 9:30 a.m., according to the parish Office of Emergency Preparedness. The sewer problems and expected heavy rain made the closures necessary.... more »

• Live Oak Baptist Church opens its doors to first responders Play Video

  August 20, 2024 11:50 AM

  WATSON— Live Oak Baptist Church has created what they call a safe haven for first responders in the community. The church recently opened an air-conditioned side room reserved for first responders in their sanctuary building. It is accessible 24/7 and has food, water and clean restrooms. "It really... more »

• Subaru Baton Rouge gives EBR Parish elementary school $10k for classroom supplies Play Video

  August 16, 2024 1:03 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative and a partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, Subaru of Baton Rouge surprised teachers at Woodlawn Elementary School on Friday morning with a gift. According to Subaru, 92% of teachers nationwide have students from families who can't afford any school... more »

• Family and Youth Service Center concerned with truancy trends this school year after teen's death Play Video

  August 12, 2024 6:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Questions were raised after a 14-year-old was killed in Baton Rouge on the first day of school on Thursday. The Family and Youth Service Center says they are working to keep every child in school but have extremely limited resources available to track truancy. According to... more »