Tagged News

• Instagram rolling out new features to prevent social media addiction

  December 7, 2021 4:59 AM

  For years now, health experts have been warning against the dangers of social media addiction. According to one Healthline article , s ome experts estimate up to ten percent of people in the United States are battling social media addiction. What is social media addiction? This form... more »

• Facebook changes its company name to 'Meta Platforms Inc.'

  October 29, 2021 9:33 AM

  Over the past year, Facebook has implemented a number of changes while battling one PR crisis after another. The social media platform has battled controversies that range from concerns over its role in the dissemination of 'fake news' to issues about questionable content on Facebook Live. As Facebook... more »

• TikTok bans 'Milk Crate Challenge' videos because of injuries

  August 27, 2021 2:31 PM

  Citing safety concerns, one social media platform banned videos featuring a trending 'challenge' that often led to the injuries of participants. TikTok announced Friday that it will no longer feature 'milk crate challenge' videos According to CNN , the social networking service deleted search results for "#milk crate... more »

• TikTok's masked vigilante takes a stand against online bullying

  August 16, 2021 8:53 AM

  A masked vigilante called the Great Londini is taking action against online bullies and he's gaining an increasing amount of fans in the process. A recent BBC News report shed light on the group represented by the masked man. The vigilante also refers to himself as 'Leo,' but... more »

• YouTube suspends Senator Rand Paul for seven days

  August 11, 2021 5:53 AM

  Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, has been suspended from YouTube for one week due to his connection with a video that claims that masks are ineffective in fighting COVID-19, according to CNN . The news outlet reports that a YouTube spokesperson said, "This resulted in a first strike... more »

• Fugitive arrested after responding to police department on Facebook

  July 17, 2021 7:15 PM

  TULSA - A woman was arrested after commenting on a police department's Facebook page about a warrant for her arrest. Tulsa Police Department posted their "Weekly Most Wanted" fugitive Wednesday that highlighted Lorraine Graves, a suspect in a murder case. Lorraine was wanted in connection to the murder... more »

• Man shot and killed while trying to buy car in Texas neighborhood

  June 14, 2021 2:22 PM

  HOUSTON - A Texas man was shot to death after he met up with two men who were supposed to sell him a car. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday afternoon Kelvin Shepard, 20, and his friend went to a Houston neighborhood to look at the vehicle. KTRK... more »

• Florida woman trespasses at high school to gain Instagram followers, police say

  May 12, 2021 9:38 PM

  MIAMI - A woman has been charged and ordered to stay away from a Miami high school after trespassing and pretending to be a student in order to gain followers on social media. According to police, Audrey Nicole Francisquini, 28, entered American Senior High School on Monday, portraying herself... more »

• Woman who went viral for using Gorilla Glue in hair goes to St. Bernard Parish hospital for treatment

  February 6, 2021 7:05 PM

  ST. BERNARD PARISH - A Louisiana resident went viral on social media after she posted a video explaining how she hasn't been able to do anything with her hair due to the fact that it's stuck to her head. She goes by the name, Tessica, on her Instagram. Three... more »

• Time for 'cultural unity,' Baton Rouge private school says while addressing students' offensive social media post

  January 20, 2021 5:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Organizations continue to grapple with offensive or abhorrent remarks amid ongoing political and cultural divides. Wednesday, Parkview Baptist was the latest to address social media posts featuring students using offensive language. Monday, on Martin Luther King Day, students were seen in a picture message with the... more »

• Twitter says its Thursday evening blip was due to tech issues, not hackers

  October 16, 2020 8:01 AM

  In recent months, critical organizations and big name companies have experienced technical difficulties due to attempts by hackers. So, when Twitter temporarily crashed on Thursday (Oct. 15) evening, many users wondered if the popular social media company had become the latest target of cyber criminals. Twitter quickly addressed the... more »

• K-pop fans unite to drown out racially insensitive tweets

  June 3, 2020 11:54 AM

  On Wednesday morning, the hashtag #WhiteLivesMatter was trending on Twitter. But if a user were to investigate the reason for the hashtag's spot among trending topics, they'd find that K-Pop fans were behind the majority of recent #WhiteLivesMatter tweets. When some users utilized the hashtag to promote opinions... more »

• BRCC set to hold Spring 2020 Virtual Graduation Ceremony

  May 14, 2020 2:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Community College will host a virtual commencement ceremony honoring its Spring 2020 graduates on Friday, May 29. The school will begin the virtual commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. All will be able to view the ceremony on the college’s Facebook page .... more »

• McDonald's customer asks for bagel with extra cream cheese, is given a 'McMonstrosity'

  February 27, 2020 9:17 AM

  Most fast-food customers have experienced first-world problem of asking for extra ketchup and getting 30 packets that they're not quite sure what to do with. But one McDonald's customer in Canada experienced this to the fifth degree when he ordered a bagel with extra cream cheese and got more... more »

• Facebook, Instagram experiencing outages Thanksgiving Day

  November 28, 2019 11:37 AM

  Users are reporting intermittent outages across both Facebook and Instagram Thursday morning. The parent company acknowledged on Twitter that both social media sites and apps were not loading properly for all users. We’re aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing Facebook’s family of apps, including... more »

• More kids arrested after photo of student with gun is circulated with threat online

  December 21, 2017 1:34 PM

  PLAQUEMINE – Additional arrests have been made related to a picture circulated on the internet that caused a panic at an area school last week. The Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office said two students were charged with disturbing the peace by alarming the public for their role in the scare.... more »

• Teen reported missing after meeting man through social media found; man arrested

  July 12, 2017 1:15 PM

  UPDATE: The missing teen has been found and the 22-year-old man she met through social media has been arrested on charges of simple kidnapping. He was booked into the Orleans Parish Prison at 3:15 p.m. on July 12. ORIGINAL: NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Police Department is asking... more »

• Boy sends apology note to police after 'testing' 911 system

  May 15, 2017 3:09 PM

  PORTLAND, Maine - A police department in Maine says a young boy has formally apologized after he "tested" the 911 system. A Facebook post shared by the South Portland Police Department says the boy returned home after school and decided to dial the number usually reserved for emergency calls.... more »

• Band director no longer at Dutchtown Middle School after racial slur post Play Video

  May 5, 2017 8:11 PM

  UPDATE: Richard Bresowar is no longer at Dutchtown Middle School. DUTCHTOWN- The band director at Dutchtown Middle School used a version of the N-word this week in a social media post. Richard Bresowar responded to a Facebook post by Ascension Parish Councilman Daniel Satterlee who was asking for... more »

• Manhunt intensifies for Cleveland murder suspect Play Video

  April 16, 2017 6:13 PM

  CLEVELAND - Cleveland police say they are searching for a homicide suspect who shared a video of the fatal shooting of an elderly man on Facebook. Police say Steve Stephens shot 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr., a retiree who was out collecting aluminum cans, Sunday and shared a video of... more »

• LSU researchers take aim at weather messages on social media

  April 4, 2017 11:18 AM

  The Geography and Anthropology Department at Louisiana State University is conducting research about the use of weather information on social media. This study will collect data from willing survey participants on a state by state basis, around the United States. By taking the time to fill-out a brief survey... more »

• Student arrested after social media threats closed New Orleans school

  March 30, 2017 11:56 AM

  NEW ORLEANS – A 15-year-old student has been arrested after police say he posted threats on social media that caused the closure of Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. According to a report from WWL , the teen was arrested on Thursday afternoon at his home. According to... more »

• Teen accused of sharing intimate photos on social media

  March 13, 2017 8:11 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Police say a Baton Rouge teen was arrested Sunday after he shared intimate photos of a woman on social media. According to arrest documents, a female victim told Baton Rouge Police that Brodrick Tuggle took a photo of her performing sexual acts and shared it on... more »

• Argument over social media ends in cafeteria brawl

  February 16, 2017 10:36 AM

  LOREAUVILLE – Deputies say two people were hurt in a brawl over social media at a high school cafeteria in Iberia Parish Thursday morning. According to Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, the fight happened around 7:15 a.m. in the Loreauville High School cafeteria. Deputies say a 16-year-old armed with a... more »

• Former BR Police Union president defends controversial Facebook post Play Video

  January 4, 2017 5:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Chris Stewart, the former President of the Baton Rouge Police Union, is defending his social media post tonight that implied our area is about to see Chicago-style crime. The long time Police Union president's post drew the attention of newly-elected Mayor Sharon Weston Broome and political analysts.... more »

• Facebook users checking in at pipeline protest to confuse law enforcement

  October 31, 2016 5:33 PM

  CANNON BALL, North Dakota - It's unlikely all the people Facebook users see check in at Standing Rock Indian Reservation are actually there; instead, they're part of a social media force in an on-going fight over a pipeline. Hundreds of thousands of people have checked in - a Facebook... more »

• Twitter to shut down Vine video sharing app

  October 27, 2016 12:52 PM

  Twitter announced Thursday that it will be discontinuing its popular mobile app that allows users to share short snippets of video. In a statement Thursday afternoon, Twitter said that Vine will be discontinued “in the coming months.” The social media giant said that the website will remain online... more »

• WATCH: Suspect appears to Snapchat overnight police chase Play Video

  October 27, 2016 11:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A man claiming to be the suspect in a high-speed chase and officer-involved shooting told followers on a social media app he loved his friends and was going away "for a very long time" as he documented his run from the law Wednesday night. Authorities have... more »

• EACHUS: new storm, social media monster brewing?

  September 27, 2016 9:38 AM

  The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Invest 97L. An invest is, quite simply, an area being investigated for further development. The particular system is expected to become a tropical depression and eventually Tropical Storm Matthew. Here is the official message from the National Hurricane Center as of 8am EDT Wednesday:... more »

• First Lady Donna Edwards joins Facebook and Twitter

  August 2, 2016 1:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Louisiana's First Lady Donna Edwards is now on social media. An official Facebook and Twitter account was launched on Tuesday for First Lady Edwards in order to better connect with Louisianians. The first lady's social platforms will include information about upcoming events and appearances, in... more »

• Man arrested for threatening St. Charles officers on social media

  July 20, 2016 12:14 PM

  HAHNVILLE- One man is behind bars Wednesday after investigators say he posted on social media threatening police officers. According to a WWLTV report , St. Charles Parish Sherrif's Office charged Victor Pablo with terrorizing and threatening a public official. Deputies say Pablo posted a threat on social media,... more »

• How can I help Mike the Tiger fight cancer?

  May 27, 2016 3:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Tigers fans, or animal lovers in general, can now contribute to the effort to give Mike VI the best fighting chance possible as the big cat prepares to undergo treatment for a rare form of cancer. A university spokesperson says LSU has set up a contribution... more »

• Registered sex offender caught using social media

  May 20, 2016 10:26 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Sheriff’s deputies say a man was taken into custody after he was accused of using social media despite his registered sex offender status. 33-year-old Daniel Allen Smith, of Baton Rouge, was booked on charges of unlawful use of social media and knowingly providing false information to... more »

• Police arrest "infamous" purse-swinger in viral video

  May 13, 2016 2:30 PM

  GONZALES - Police in Gonzales have arrested a fourth woman in connection with a brawl at a high school graduation ceremony earlier this week. Travonshay Mills, 22, was arrested Friday evening for the brawl that erupted at East Ascension High School’s graduation ceremony Wednesday night . Gonzales Police say... more »

• People share safety tips on social media after home invasion, rape

  May 7, 2016 12:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Neighbors have found calm on the internet, sharing safety tips and conversation as they grapple with the reality that a rapist is loose in their community. The Baton Rouge Garden District Facebook page has been active since word spread about a home invasion and rape Thursday... more »

• WBRZ viewers react to anchor John Mahaffey's passing

  April 22, 2016 11:35 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Former WBRZ News 2 anchor John Mahaffey died overnight following a blood clot that happened after a Thursday surgery. Mahaffey led the WBRZ news team during the Golden Years of TV - from the 1970s until he retired in May 1999. He is remembered as being... more »

• Social media uproar caused by 4/20 Bob Marley Snapchat filter

  April 20, 2016 5:33 PM

  Snapchat has contributed what most of the web seems to consider the most “tone-deaf” celebration of the informal hippie holiday known as 4/20 with a photo filter that attempts to make users look like reggae legend Bob Marley. Apr. 20 has been associated with the use of marijuana for... more »

• Iberville School Board postpones decision on social media ban Play Video

  April 5, 2016 12:18 AM

  PLAQUEMINE - There's a possible crackdown in the works on what Iberville Parish School Board members are allowed to post on social media. An item on the agenda Monday night would have banned board members from talking about board issues online. The school system regulates how its staff and students... more »

• Rare dolphin dies after beachgoers use it as a selfie prop

  February 18, 2016 4:53 PM

  LA PLATA, Argentina - One of a pair of extremely rare La Plata dolphins died after beachgoers in South America brought the mammal ashore to pet and take selfies with it. Video and images from the event emerged on social media Thursday, causing outrage among many due to the... more »

• Mystery of NOLA Charity Hospital 'Christmas tree' solved

  December 29, 2015 1:31 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A social media firestorm ignited after photos surfaced of what appears to be a light coming from the abandoned Charity Hospital in New Orleans. A viewer of WWL-TV, Mike Arbon, shared pictures with the station of what he said looked like a small bright Christmas tree... more »

• Facebook group seeks to rename Lee Circle in memory of Allen Toussaint

  November 13, 2015 8:37 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- The city of New Orleans is still mourning the loss of music legend Allen Toussaint, but a social media campaign is trying to keep a piece of him in the city. The movement on Facebook aims to rename Lee Cirle in honor of the jazz great. Muscian Glen... more »

• November 13, 2015 Morning News Pop Play Video

  November 13, 2015 8:09 AM

  Early morning fire claims at least one life on Madison Avenue Narcotics agents investigate house fire in Denham Springs that sent four people to the hospital Social media movement aims to rename Lee Cirle after New Orleans Music Legend Allen Toussaint Game on: A weekend without rain more »

• LSU: 'Noose' on social media not what it looks like Play Video

  November 12, 2015 12:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU said a picture of what appeared to be a noose hanging from a campus tree Thursday was not what it appeared to be. The picture was posted on social media and quickly spread through the LSU community. It showed what looked like a loop at... more »

• 14-year-old to face terrorizing charges for Hammond school threat Play Video

  October 27, 2015 9:49 AM

  HAMMOND - Authorities said Tuesday that a 14-year-old in Hammond will face terrorizing charges for a threatening social media post. Hammond Police Chief Roddy Devall and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said they believe the boy made the post as a prank, but will have to face the consequences... more »

• Slidell teens arrested after making online threats

  October 20, 2015 1:22 PM

  SLIDELL - A pair of students have been arrested for making threats involving the use of firearms against three other students in Slidell. The arrests follow threats made on social media by the teens, aged 13 and 14 years old, against other students at Clearwood Junior High School. ... more »

• 'Bomb' on social media leads to arrest

  October 13, 2015 11:22 AM

  B ATON ROUGE- Authorities arrested a man after he made threatening phone calls and videos where he claimed to have explosive devices. Authorities say Dean Hebert, 35, called a man and left a voicemail saying it was 'a great day to die.' Hebert also visited the victim's workplace and... more »

• Katrina snow globes cause social media death threats

  August 26, 2015 5:13 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A souvenir commemorating Hurricane Katrina has caused an uproar on social media as some people see an artist's work as minimization of the pain and tragic loss of life that came with the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. A range of opinions have been expressed, even... more »

• AG's Cyber Crime Unit leads online investigation training sessions

  August 19, 2015 11:31 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Attorney General's Office this week hosted almost 300 law enforcement officers and prosecutors for training sessions geared toward improving the overall quality of their response to online investigations. 85 law enforcement agencies from around the state were represented at sessions held in Monday in New... more »