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• AAA: 31M drivers to take Memorial Day road trip

  May 22, 2013 9:59 AM

  NEW YORK - It's going to be another busy Memorial Day weekend on the nation's highways. During Thursday and Monday, 31.2 million Americans will drive 50 miles or more to a beach, campground or other getaway, according to car lobbying group AAA. That's a small increase from last... more »

• Lawmaker pushes tolls on Sunshine Bridge

  March 11, 2013 8:01 AM

  ST. JAMES - Travelers may once again have to pay money to cross the Sunshine Bridge in St. James Parish, if one state lawmaker has his way. State Sen. Troy Brown has been meeting with officials Ascension, Assumption and St. James parishes to tout his plan to draft legislation during... more »

• NTSB: 787 battery approval should be reconsidered

  February 7, 2013 11:03 AM

  WASHINGTON- A top federal safety official says the government should reconsider its approval of the kind of batteries used in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner because they can explode into fires, a specter that manufacturer testing did not pick up. National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Hersman says Thursday that Boeing's safety... more »

• Airport braces for Super Bowl exodus

  February 4, 2013 7:11 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - With the Super Bowl over, airport officials were bracing for a massive exodus of visitors on Monday. Spokeswoman Michelle Wilcut says about 42,000 people are expected to board planes at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport - a big jump from the 33,000 who boarded after the... more »

• Area hotels book for the big game

  January 31, 2013 10:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Hotels in the area are filling-up as Super Bowl fans look outside New Orleans for a place to stay for the game this weekend. Ninety percent of rooms in the Capital City are expected to be booked by the time the game starts Sunday. And, the city... more »

• FAA grounds Boeing 787s to address battery fires

  January 16, 2013 5:56 PM

  WASHINGTON - Federal officials say they are temporarily grounding Boeing's 787 Dreamliners until the risk of possible battery fires is addressed. The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it will issue an emergency safety order requiring airlines to temporarily cease operating the 787, Boeing's newest and most technologically advanced plane. The... more »

• Baton Rouge preparing for Super Bowl fans

  January 15, 2013 10:28 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Party in New Orleans, stay in Baton Rouge. That's the message the NFL is spreading ahead of Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on Feb. 3. Hotel and travel agents expect the Baton Rouge market to be at 90 percent capacity for the big game, so... more »

• Gas prices staying down as 2013 starts

  January 7, 2013 10:33 AM

  NEW YORK - U.S. drivers are hoping 2013 doesn't start off like 2012 at the gas pump. So far, so good. Gasoline now averages $3.30 a gallon, up about half a penny since Jan. 1. A year ago, gas rose about 10 cents in the first week or so because... more »

• Survivors of Ore. bus crash prepare to go home

  January 1, 2013 3:34 PM

  PENDLETON, Ore. - Survivors of a fatal bus crash on a rural Oregon highway are retrieving their passports and other belongings so they can finish their journey to Canada. State police officers escorted some survivors one-by-one Tuesday to collect their property, which was strewn across a hillside as the tour... more »

• Louisiana flyers could need passport to travel Play Video

  December 18, 2012 5:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Office of Motor Vehicles will know in the next few days if Louisiana air travelers will need a passport to travel by Jan. 15, 2013. Commissioner Stephen Campbell warned people to wait before changing their plans, in case the state is offered an extension to... more »

• ID deadline approaching for La. travelers

  December 18, 2012 10:35 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana residents could be seeing a big change in traveler ID requirements come January 15. After that point, a state driver's license will no longer be accepted as a proper form of identification in order to fly. That means Lousiana travelers will have to show... more »

• Pilots approve new contract with American Airlines

  December 7, 2012 1:34 PM

  DALLAS - Pilots at American Airlines are approving a new labor contract, which could clear the way for consideration of a merger with US Airways. The pilots' union announced the results Friday. Pilots rejected a similar offer in August, but union leaders lobbied hard for passage the second time around.... more »

• La. citizens may need passports to fly outside the state Play Video

  November 26, 2012 6:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana residents may have to use passports to board commercial airplanes instead of state-issued identification cards after Jan. 15. Louisiana is one of many states not in compliance with the federal Real ID Act of 2005, which mandates more provisions in obtaining an ID and updated... more »

• Busier airports, full planes seen on Thanksgiving

  November 7, 2012 11:15 AM

  NEW YORK - Travelers can expect airports to be busier and planes to be fuller than ever this Thanksgiving. And flights will be costlier. That's the outlook from the main trade group representing U.S. airlines two weeks ahead of the holiday. Airlines for America expects nearly 24 million travelers to... more »

• Travel slowly creeps back to life in Northeast

  November 1, 2012 1:18 PM

  NEW YORK - Superstorm Sandy is gone, the sun is shining, but many folks in the Northeast are still stuck in a transit nightmare. Even though airports, rail lines, buses and even the New York City subway have reopened, most aren't at normal capacity, leaving gigantic lines and gridlocked traffic.... more »

• Northeast air travel resumes as JFK, Newark reopen

  October 31, 2012 11:25 AM

  NEW YORK - Air travelers stranded in the Northeast are a little closer to getting home. Two of New York City's three major airports are open. Flights are slowly resuming at John F. Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International. LaGuardia is still closed. Airlines say they are beginning limited... more »

• Jindal on the road for GOP events Play Video

  October 25, 2012 10:11 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal is expected to return to Louisiana on Thursday after hitting the road again for Republican candidates and groups. Jindal's office said the Louisiana governor traveled to Iowa on Wednesday for a Mitt Romney presidential campaign event, followed by a speech at a Republican Party... more »

• Jindal on the road in Iowa, Florida for GOP events

  October 24, 2012 5:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal is on the road again for Republican candidates and groups. Jindal's office said the Louisiana governor traveled to Iowa on Wednesday for a Mitt Romney presidential campaign event, followed by a speech to the Scott County Republican Party's Ronald Reagan Dinner. A day later,... more »

• Cubans welcome easing of exit visa requirement

  October 16, 2012 2:28 PM

  HAVANA - Cubans on the streets of Havana are expressing delight and astonishment over the government's decision to end its exit visa requirement. For the first time in more than a half-century, Cubans who want to travel overseas will only need to show a passport and a visa from the... more »

• Gov. Jindal on the road much of this week

  September 24, 2012 4:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal is traveling around the country much of this week for Republican causes. The governor's office says Jindal headed to Atlanta on Monday and Tuesday for Republican Governors Association events. On Wednesday, Jindal's office says the governor will be in Iowa for a campaign bus... more »

• Major airlines raise some fares $10 each way

  September 13, 2012 11:47 AM

  DALLAS- Led by Southwest Airlines, several airlines are raising prices again. Southwest raised fares Wednesday by $10 per round trip on a limited number of routes. United Airlines expanded the increase later in the day to cover most of its U.S. flights. American Airlines said Thursday that it matched the... more »

• Jindal travels to New Hampshire for GOP event

  September 13, 2012 10:22 AM

  BEDFORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's Republican candidate for governor is getting a boost from Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who also used his trip to the presidential battleground state to criticize President Barack Obama. Jindal spoke Thursday at the New Hampshire Republican Party's "Unity Breakfast," aimed at bringing together former rivals... more »

• Lt. Gov. Dardenne promotes state in Dallas

  September 13, 2012 7:38 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne is promoting the state's assets in neighboring Texas. Dardenne is in Dallas to promote Louisiana Culinary Trails through a partnership with the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association and Texas Monthly magazine. The magazine is co-hosting Thursday's event for news media and food... more »

• Isaac stalling elected officials' GOP travel plans

  August 27, 2012 10:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's Republican elected officials are scrapping or delaying Florida travel plans for the GOP's national convention. Some who had arrived in Tampa quickly turned around and headed home to wait for Tropical Storm Isaac. Gov. Bobby Jindal hasn't officially canceled his plans to speak at the convention,... more »

• Shooting victim arrives back in Baton Rouge

  July 26, 2012 2:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE -The Baton Rouge teen wounded during a shooting rampage at a Colorado movie theater landed in Louisiana a short time ago. Bonnie Kate Pourciau, 18, was shot in the leg during the midnight premiere of the new Batman movie last week in Aurora, Colo. She went through... more »

• Jindal attends GOP fundraisers in West Virginia

  June 19, 2012 5:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal is raising money for Republicans in West Virginia. The governor's office said Jindal was attending fundraisers Tuesday for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Maloney and for the West Virginia Republican Party. Maloney is trying to unseat Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in the state. more »

• DOTD data shows new I-12 lanes show improved travel times

  June 13, 2012 2:49 PM

  Baton Rouge- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has announced that data gathered by the department's traffic management center since new lanes were opened on I-12 between O'Neal Lane and Juban Road show a major improvement in travel times for drivers traveling the corridor. The data shows... more »

• Gov. Jindal travels to Virginia, Illinois

  June 7, 2012 5:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal is back on the road for GOP causes, with scheduled stops including a Mitt Romney fundraiser in Chicago. The Republican governor's office said Thursday that Jindal is attending a Friday fundraiser for Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's political action committee. Later that day, he's headed... more »

• Judge eases ex-BP engineer's travel limits

  May 29, 2012 3:35 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal magistrate has agreed to ease the travel restrictions he imposed on a former BP engineer charged with deleting text messages about the company's response to the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. Magistrate Daniel Knowles III ruled Tuesday that 50-year-old Kurt Mix,... more »

• Airport Commission limits travel following News 2 investigation Play Video

  May 1, 2012 10:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Commission voted in changes to commissioner airport travel Tuesday following a News 2 investigation. Commissioners can now only take two trips a year and can't travel outside the country. The board says the move was made after a News 2 report... more »

• Cuba about to ease travel restrictions

  May 1, 2012 12:25 PM

  HAVANA - Cuba appears close to a momentous decision to end a half-century of travel restrictions that have made it difficult to leave the Communist-run island, with one senior official saying a "radical and profound" change is weeks away. That comment, by Parliament Chief Ricardo Alarcon, has residents, exiles and... more »

• Jindal travels to Utah, Colorado and New Mexico

  April 26, 2012 2:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal is heading southwest for a string of Republican money-raising events. Jindal's office said the GOP governor was traveling to Salt Lake City on Thursday for a fundraiser to support Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and to Denver for a fundraiser for the Colorado Republican Party.... more »

• New travel rules delayed in East Baton Rouge

  April 19, 2012 7:42 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has delayed a vote on a proposal to change its travel rules so all employees get a flat daily per diem for meals rather than having to submit original receipts. A couple of board members did not like a... more »

• News 2 investigates Airport Commission travel

  March 15, 2012 10:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Some Airport Commissioners are calling for limits on their own travel after a News 2 investigation. We looked at four years worth of conference trips, from Boston to San Diego, and found thousands were spent to learn about airports across the country. The Airport Commission spent... more »

• How to save money on your vacation Play Video

  March 8, 2012 5:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Travel agents estimate the cost of a plane ticket could go up 10 percent before Memorial Day, along with up to $100 fuel surcharges for cruises, thanks to gas prices. Some have forecast gas to jump to $5 a gallon by the end of the summer. ... more »

• How to get the most for your travel dollar

  March 8, 2012 10:24 AM

  BATON ROUGE-- With gas prices expected to soar, News 2 goes in search of answers on how to get the most for your travel dollar this summer. It will cost you more to fly to your vacation destination. Airlines increased ticket prices due to higher fuel costs. But you can... more »

• Mexican official: US travel warning 'ridiculous'

  February 15, 2012 7:45 AM

  MEXICO CITY - Mexico's top domestic security official says a U.S. State Department travel warning on almost half of Mexico's states is "ridiculous" and "out of proportion." Interior Department Alejandro Poire says millions of tourists visit Mexico without incident. Poire said Tuesday in a news conference that he believes "these... more »

• DOTD ramp meters are working

  November 16, 2011 11:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development reported today that crashes have decreased and travel times have improved since ramp meters began to be installed along Interstate 12 last year. Specifically, the office reports a 12 percent decrease in crashes and a 17 percent improvement in... more »

• LSU mounts up for West Virginia

  September 21, 2011 5:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Just days before the weekend, some people are still trying to figure out a way to get to Morgantown to watch the matchup between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the LSU Tigers. Specialty package trips have been sold out for nearly a month now, and Jim Dumigan,... more »

• Lawmaker pulls suggestion for a pay cut

  June 2, 2011 6:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state House chambers grew testy today after one lawmaker asked his colleagues to take a pay cut, and faced a firestorm of criticism. Rep. Mack "Bodi" White, R-Baton Rouge, proposed an amendment asking lawmakers in the House take a seven-percent cut to their expenses. He... more »

• La. judge denies O'Keefe permission to travel

  May 25, 2011 10:30 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal magistrate in New Orleans has refused to let conservative activist James O'Keefe make several trips outside New Jersey while he's on probation for a case in which he was accused of trying to tamper with the phones in Sen. Mary Landrieu's office. Last week,... more »

• State Dept. urges Americans not to go to Japan

  March 13, 2011 9:35 AM

  WASHINGTON- The State Department is advising U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to Japan at this time. The Asian nation, a close American ally, was struck by devastating earthquakes, a deadly tsunami and is now threatened by possible radiation leaks from several nuclear reactors damaged in the natural disaster. Japan's... more »

• Soaring gas prices dip deeper into people's wallets

  March 7, 2011 5:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Higher gas prices this summer would mean you won't just be paying more at the pump. With fuel up more than 75 cents from this time last year, you'll be forking over more cash almost everywhere you turn. Planning a vacation? You can plan on fuel... more »

• Air travelers may have been exposed to measles

  February 27, 2011 10:08 AM

  WASHINGTON- Public health officials are warning travelers and workers present at four U.S. airports on two recent days that they may have been exposed to measles from a traveler arriving from London. Authorities said Saturday that a New Mexico woman later confirmed to have measles arrived at Washington Dulles... more »

• Jindal headed to Washington Mardi Gras

  February 10, 2011 2:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal is heading to the nation's capital for the annual Washington Mardi Gras celebration, which includes attending parties, rubbing elbows with members of Congress and lobbyists, and collecting another round of campaign cash. The governor's office announced the trip Thursday, saying Jindal was traveling to... more »

• State Dept. advises against travel to Egypt

  January 28, 2011 2:00 PM

  WASHINGTON - The State Department is urging Americans to defer any non-essential travel to Egypt because of the large anti-government protests and warning U.S. citizens already in the country to stay put until the situation stabilizes. In a travel alert issued on Friday, the department said the situation in the... more »

• EBR school board looks to trim travel costs

  January 23, 2011 12:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board is discussing ways to cut back on the cost of professional travel. The Advocate newspaper said expense reports showed 167 different trips costing more than $240,000 that 17 different board took since January 2005. The issue was brought up... more »

• Wintry weather setting back holiday travel plans

  December 25, 2010 9:30 AM

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - With a rare Christmas snowfall descending on the Southeast and likely headed for the Mid-Atlantic, airlines canceled hundreds of flights and urged travelers to rethink their plans, while travel authorities warned of potentially dangerous roads. After blanketing parts of the Midwest and hampering motorists there on Christmas... more »

• Higher gas prices won't slot most holiday shoppers

  November 27, 2010 1:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Many Americans are determined not to let higher gas be the Grinch that spoils their holiday spending plans. Gas prices on average have risen about 17 cents since Labor Day to $2.86 per gallon because of rising oil prices. By one analyst's estimate, that means Americans are... more »

• TSA's Pistole says screeners braced for boycott

  November 24, 2010 11:11 AM

  UNDATED - A protest group based on the Internet says it's sending hundreds of activists to 27 U.S. airports today to protest the enhanced screening procedures. But so far, no serious disruptions are reported. One man says he'll be handing out copies of the Constitution at the Baltimore airport --... more »

• Jindal travels to Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois

  October 27, 2010 2:24 PM

  Gov. Bobby Jindal's making another trip to Iowa, a state pivotal in presidential elections, as part of a multistate tour to campaign for GOP gubernatorial candidates. Jindal's office says the governor was traveling to Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois on Wednesday, all stops in a Republican Governors Association tour of states... more »

• LSU Alumni Association won't travel to Fla. game

  October 6, 2010 6:53 PM

  The LSU Alumni Association will not travel to the Florida game for the first time in eight years. That decision was made in the spring when the association saw a lack of interest. News 2’s Rob Krieger spoke with one sports travel agent, who said there’s another reason... more »

• State audits LHSAA, finds $400,000 in questionable expenses

  September 27, 2010 10:34 PM

  Questionable expenses were found after an audit of the group that regulates high school sports. The Louisiana High School Athletic Association's former Commissioner Tommy Henry said the organization's Board of Directors approved every purchase, making those purchases legitimate buys in his eyes. Now, the organization said it's no longer business... more »

• Too much supply, forces prices down

  September 27, 2010 11:26 AM

  Gas prices, are going down. Slightly. A slower driving season and too much supply is forcing the slide in gas pump prices. According to AAA Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular fuel was $2.69. That's 3.2 cents lower than it was a week ago and 19... more »

• JetBlue brings back "All You Can Jet" passes

  August 18, 2010 9:23 AM

  JetBlue is bringing back its popular All-You-Can-Jet pass, which allows anyone to travel to an unlimited number of cities over a one-month period. It's a chance for the airline to fill empty seats during what is traditionally the slowest time of the year and hopefully, for JetBlue, to create... more »

• Sources: US considers Cuba travel restrictions

  August 17, 2010 11:33 AM

  American travel to Cuba could be possible. U.S. and congressional leaders say, the Obama administration is considering easing restrictions to the nation. A decision could be announced sometime this week. Washington insiders told the Associated Press Tuesday, while there are discussions, a decision on the move to increase "people-to-people"... more »

• New Roads/St. Francisville ferry out of service

  May 5, 2010 6:39 AM

  The 35-car ferry between St. Francisville and New Roads is out of service after an oil leak developed in one of the vessel's main engines. A 17-car ferry boat will be moved from Edgard to the New Roads/St. Francisville ferry landing to permit service to resume by Wednesday. Vehicle restrictions... more »

• Amtrak launches podcast for Sunset Limited

  April 13, 2010 5:28 AM

  Passengers riding on Amtrak's Sunset Limited long-distance train between New Orleans and Los Angeles can now download a podcast which provides information about the areas they are traveling through on the train. The free podcast includes 100, three-minute points of interest, including history, attractions and natural features. Topics range from... more »

• Travel policy to be reviewed in Iberia

  February 4, 2010 7:16 AM

  The Iberia Parish Council has voted to appoint a special committee to review its travel policy. Questions about past travel policy abuse have prompted creation of the committee. The council has two conventions scheduled for late February and March. Vehicle use and general expenses will be among the topics reviewed. more »

• Super Bowl travel packages selling fast

  January 25, 2010 4:22 PM

  Travel agents in Baton Rouge spent the day fielding calls from dozens of excited "Who Dat" fans planning on heading to Miami for the Super Bowl. At Malcolm Travel, Super Bowl packages are being offered to people who are ready to open up their wallets. The cheapest package... more »

• DOTD issues winter weather travel advisory

  January 6, 2010 2:02 PM

  With the possibility of snow, rain and sleet in the forecast for Thursday, the state Department of Transportation and Development announced they are prepared to deal with winter weather conditions. DOTD officials say they will be monitoring the roads for ice, and crews will be on standby to apply... more »

• Plane overshoots Jamaica runway

  December 23, 2009 6:53 AM

  Officials in Jamaica say more than 40 people were injured, including four seriously when an American Airlines flight overshot a runway during a heavy rainstorm in Kingston. Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz says the airplane is cracked in three places and that 44 people were taken to local hospitals with... more »