WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• Life Begins @ 50 Expo this weekend

  April 16, 2013 10:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE - WBRZ Channel 2 and The Advocate present the "Life Begins @ 50" EXPO on Saturday, April 20 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Baton Rouge River Center. You'll see the latest products available and get answers to your questions for the 50-plus market and... more »

• News 2 Investigates: Suspect released twice before on murder charges Play Video

  January 22, 2013 3:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A News 2 investigation uncovered that a man dubbed as a "ZIP Code Thug" by Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley was released from jail two times on previous murder and attempted murder charges. Court documents News 2 obtained on Calvin "Dirt" Williams show he was arrested in... more »

• 2 dead after helicopter crashes in London

  January 16, 2013 6:49 AM

  LONDON - Police say two people were killed when a helicopter crashed during rush hour in central London after apparently hitting a construction crane on top of a building. The helicopter crashed just south of the River Thames near the Underground and mainline train station at Vauxhall, and the... more »

• Petraeus to testify about Libya Friday

  November 15, 2012 7:57 AM

  WASHINGTON - Former CIA Director David Petraeus will testify before the House Intelligence committee Friday on events that led to the death of the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans in an attack on the U.S. Consulate at Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11. Spokesmen for the committee say the... more »

• Register now for "St. Jude Give thanks. Walk."

  November 1, 2012 10:18 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Join WBRZ and St. Jude for the annual "St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk." The walk helps raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and takes place Saturday, Nov. 17 at BREC's Forest Community Park located at 13900 S. Harrells Ferry Road in Baton Rouge. ... more »

• Third man sentenced in shooting, murder attempt

  October 31, 2012 7:23 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison on an attempted first-degree murder charge and for taking part in a pattern of criminal street-gang activity that included the November 2010 shooting injury of a good Samaritan. On Tuesday, state District Judge Don... more »

• WBRZ kicks off Feed A Family 2012

  October 17, 2012 10:35 AM

  BATON ROUGE - In response to the increasing need to feed the hungry in our viewing area, WBRZ is conducting its 28th annual "Feed-A-Family" food drive. With the aid of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, and the Baton Rouge Clinic, WBRZ will place food collection barrels with the... more »

• Spencer Watts selected as next EBR Library director

  August 18, 2012 2:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Parish Library Board selected Spencer Watts as the next director. He was interviewed by the EBR Library Board this morning. Watts must pass a drug test and a background check before beginning to work. more »

• Bipartisan warnings that U. S. budget sequester is coming

  August 7, 2012 2:59 PM

  WASHINGTON - Republicans and Democrats are sounding the alarm: The budget sequester is coming and we have to do everything to stop it. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says it will be devastating to the military. Manufacturers say it will mean the loss of tens of thousands of jobs. The White... more »

• Privatization of state agency yields early savings

  July 23, 2012 5:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Legislative auditors say a contract with a private company based in Mandeville to privatize and run much of the claims processing and management handled by the state's Office of Risk Management has been producing results ahead of schedule. Emily Wilson, a performance audit manager for the state's... more »

• Plan your Louisiana coastal vacation with WBRZ

  June 20, 2012 10:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - If you're still thinking about where to go on your summer vacation, let WBRZ and the Louisiana Tourism Coastal Coalition help with a free getaway guide. Visit WBRZ.com or area McDonald's stores to get your free copy of LTCC's new "Getaway Guide", packed with information and... more »

• One hurt fighting overnight fire in Central

  June 6, 2012 12:07 PM

  CENTRAL - One person was hurt during efforts to put out a house fire last night in Central. Firefighters called to the scene at 2:30 a.m. said the entire house was in flames when they arrived. One firefighter had to be treated for heat exhaustion at the scene.... more »

• Platters founder Herb Reed dies at 83

  June 5, 2012 12:56 PM

  BOSTON - Herb Reed, the last surviving original member of the 1950s vocal group the Platters, has died. The group's hits like "Only You" propelled them to stardom. His manager says Reed died Monday in a Boston area hospice after a period of declining health. He was 83. Reed was... more »

• Ascension Schools introduce magnet program Play Video

  June 4, 2012 5:40 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE- Students in Ascension Parish will get an extra push to succeed next year thanks to the new Westside Magnet Program. The program will focus on students who live in Donaldsonville and need a more rigorous curriculum. "Some of the lessons they are teaching, he knows those and... more »

• Family: Teen bullied to death in Pointe Coupee Parish Play Video

  March 5, 2012 4:52 PM

  POINTE COUPEE PARISH- A 17-year-old student at Pointe Coupee Parish Central High School hung herself on the side of the football stadium Friday. Family members and people who knew her say she was bullied to death. "I think she did it because she was bullied," The teen's uncle, Michael... more »

• Manhunt for suspected rapist, kidnapper continues

  October 24, 2011 10:48 AM

  KENTWOOD - Law enforcement agents headed back out today to continue their search for a suspected kidnapper and rapist in Tangipahoa Parish. Kaunda Magee, 36, has been on the run for 12 days after leading deputies on a chase from Washington Parish into Tangipahoa. He has outstanding warrants for... more »

• Police Union President reacts to Chief White's comments

  October 10, 2011 8:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - This morning Police Union President Chris Stewart spoke on behalf of police officers offended by comments made by Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Dwayne White last week on the WJBO morning show with Clay Young and Kevin Meeks. Last week Chief White suggested officers may unconsciously... more »

• Justice Department sues state offices over voter registration

  July 13, 2011 12:33 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- Two state departments say they haven't seen details of a federal lawsuit, but are cooperating with the spirit and the letter of the law. The 1993 law requires voter registration at all state offices offering public assistance. The Department of Health and Hospitals and of Children and... more »

• Man dies in construction accident

  April 28, 2011 9:12 PM

  WEST FELICIANA PARISH- A man from Mississippi is dead after a machine he was driving ran over him on LA 66 in West Feliciana Parish. Deputies say 38-year-old Christopher Montgomery was an employee of Austin Bridge Company and working on a new bridge when the machine he was operating... more »

• Police arrest four as a result of ongoing investigation

  April 28, 2011 8:45 PM

  HOUMA- Four people are behind bars after police investigated illegal criminal activities. Police say 34-year-old Benjamin Martinez-Correa and 27-year-old Oscar Uliser-Bortillo were arrested for possession of fraudulent documents for identification purposes. An immigration hold was placed on Martinez-Correa and Uliser-Bortillo. Two more men are also behind bars as... more »

• Questions about dogs euthanized in Walker

  April 20, 2011 5:54 PM

  WALKER- A Walker man says the city euthanized his dogs while he was out of town. Mark Lambert says he did not receive any type of notice. He says it seems like there would at least be a notice taped to his door explaining what happened. Walker Mayor Bobby... more »

• Sorrento mayor, town attorney resigns

  April 19, 2011 3:34 PM

  SORRTENTO - Mayor Brenda Melancon, who was named interim mayor of Sorrento in October, has resigned from her post according to town officials. The town attorney, Erin Lanoux, has also stepped down according to town officials. Melancon reportedly resigned because of the recent news of irregularities in the... more »

• Report suggests BR/NOLA traffic getting better

  March 9, 2011 11:26 AM

  Baton Rouge - Believe it or not but Louisiana roads may be improving! At least that's the findings of the 2010 INRIX Traffic Congestion Report. The report cites an increase in funding as major reasons why roads are getting better in south LA. Read the official release below forwarded... more »

• Local Rapper arrested on drug charge

  February 26, 2011 3:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Local Rapper John Nguyen, a.k.a. "Yella" was arrested by East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputies accused of possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it. Investigators say they found half a pound of high grade Marijuana, a digital scale and nearly 18,000 dollars worth of cash inside his... more »

• Deputies searching for suspect in armed robbery in Springfield

  January 28, 2011 10:07 PM

  SPRINGFIELD- Several hundred dollars were stolen in an armed robbery at the Three Way One Stop in Springfield. The alleged thief left the scene on foot and headed northbound on LA 43. Investigators believe he may have gotten into a vehicle. Anyone with information is urged to call... more »

• Granddad Bandit to plead guilty in Virginia

  January 26, 2011 8:11 PM

  RICHMOND, Va- The Granddad Bandit will plead guilty to multiple bank robbery counts next month. Officials say 53-year-old Michael Francis Mara will plead guilty. Mara is accused of robbing more than two dozen banks in 13 states. He is charged with two robberies in Virginia and has agreed... more »

• Legislative elections in Acadiana, New Orleans

  January 21, 2011 3:22 PM

  NEW ORLEANS- Elections will begin Saturday to replace a legislator from New Orleans who went to Congress and a legislator from from Acadiana who took a state regulatory post. Democrats Errol Bailey, Roland Bathe, Wesley Bishop, and Willie Jones are all competing for the state House seat Cedric Richmond... more »

• Uncle: Firewood spat came before Ohio mom killed

  January 4, 2011 1:27 PM

  HOLMESVILLE, Ohio - The uncle of a 10-year-old Ohio boy suspected in his mother's shooting death says the boy had argued with her beforehand about whether to carry firewood into the home. The boy has been charged with murder as a juvenile and entered the equivalent of a not... more »

• SPLC complains about New Orleans schools

  December 2, 2010 4:39 PM

  NEW ORLEANS- A civil rights organization says that many children with disabilities aren't being served well by public schools. The Southern Poverty Law Center says 6.8% of students with disabilities graduate in schools run by the Louisiana Recovery School District. The SPLC also complained that Recovery District schools... more »

• Louisiana sees employment jump

  November 23, 2010 4:51 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - State labor officials say Louisiana's employment growth pace has risen a bit in October as the state recorded 19,200 non-farm jobs more than in October 2009. The Louisiana Workforce Commission said Tuesday that over the past 12 months, 17,900 jobs have been added to the service sector.... more »

• La. health dept. prepares for health care overhaul

  November 23, 2010 1:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Even as Louisiana fights the federal health care overhaul law in court, state officials are quietly putting in place the building blocks to enact its provisions, if they are upheld. Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal has called the new law an improper expansion of federal government. But while... more »

• Protestors rally against Melville ferry closure

  November 23, 2010 11:07 AM

  BATON ROUGE - About 50 people who use the Melville ferry that transports drivers from St. Landry to Pointe Coupee parishes have rallied at the Louisiana Capitol to protest the ferry's closure. The service across the Atchafalaya River is scheduled to end Dec. 31. Department of Transportation and Development officials... more »

• Tartuffe opens at the Swine Palace

  November 2, 2010 8:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE - "Tartuffe: Born Again" begins its run with a Pay-What-You-Can Preview on Wednesday, November 10th. The sneak preview will be Thursday, Nov. 11th with a ticket price of $12. The production opens on Friday, Nov. 12th, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 21st. Tickets are $12 for students, $15... more »

• Man arrested for drugs after asking cops for a ride

  October 20, 2010 1:00 PM

  Authorities say a 19-year-old Northern California man was arrested after he asked a police officer for a ride, agreed to be searched and was found to have cocaine in his pocket. Ongley Raymond Ocon III was charged with felony possession of cocaine. San Mateo County prosecutors say Ocon... more »

• FUTUREBR Workshops

  September 23, 2010 8:55 AM

  Upcoming Workshops: Thursday, September 23 Mid City Workshop Baton Rouge Community College Bonne Sante Wellness Center Arena 5310 Florida Blvd. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 19 North Baton Rouge Workshop Coca Cola Facility 9696 Plank Road 6:30-8:30 p.m. ... more »

• Jimi Hendrix's London apartment open to public

  September 16, 2010 12:53 PM

  A London apartment that Jimi Hendrix lived in is opening to the public as part of an exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of his death. Hendrix moved into the top floor of 23 Brook Street with his English girlfriend, Kathy Etchingham, in 1968, two years after he came to... more »

• White House says Obama is Christian, prays daily

  August 19, 2010 1:09 PM

  The White House says President Barack Obama is a Christian who prays daily. White House spokesman Bill Burton made the remark Thursday, hours after a poll showed 18 percent of Americans think Obama is Muslim, up from 11 percent who thought so last year. A third think he's... more »

• Iberville Parish plans for new hospital

  July 21, 2010 8:00 PM

  Iberville Parish has been without a hospital for more than a year, but now there's money for a new one. Parish President Mitchell Ourso hopes it will open in less than two years. River West Medical Center was the only hospital in the parish until it closed last year because... more »

• Pouncey denies allegations he took money at UF

  July 21, 2010 12:31 PM

  Former Florida Gators standout Maurkice Pouncey is denying allegations that he took money from a representative of a sports agent while he was still at the university. Pouncey says in a statement released by his attorney Wednesday that "it is an absolutely ridiculous claim." He says he has... more »

• Apple to give iPhone buyers free case

  July 16, 2010 12:41 PM

  Apple says it will give free protective cases to buyers of its latest iPhone model to alleviate the so-called "death grip" problem: holding the phone with a bare hand can muffle the wireless signal. Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs announced the giveaway Friday at the company's headquarters in Cupertino,... more »

• "Loss of a Teardrop Diamond" screenings

  July 16, 2010 5:50 AM

  The first screening will be on Friday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Baton Rouge at the Grand Cinema at 15365 George Oneal Road. On Saturday, July 17 the screening will be at 7:30 p.m. in Shreveport at the Robinson Film Center at 617 Texas Street. For more information click... more »

• Large alligator wanders into building at LSU

  July 8, 2010 1:49 PM

  Wildlife officials had to wrestle an alligator out of a building on the LSU campus Thursday afternoon. The seven-foot-long gator made its way into the LSU Landscaping Warehouse at 188 LSU Place, across the street from the LSU football practice facility. A university employee spotted the gator and... more »

• Widow lives with corpse of husband, twin

  July 6, 2010 12:40 PM

  A prosecutor in northern Pennsylvania says a 91-year-old woman who stored the corpses of her husband and twin sister on her property will be allowed to keep them if she installs a crypt. Bradford County District Attorney Daniel Barrett said Tuesday that Jean Stevens plans to build a crypt... more »

• CNN, Larry King to hold telethon to aid Gulf oil spill victims

  June 18, 2010 12:27 PM

  CNN and Larry King are presenting a telethon Monday to benefit victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Celebrities on the special two-hour edition of "Larry King Live" will include Justin Bieber (BEE'-bur), Ted Danson, Cameron Diaz, Randy Jackson and Robert Redford, as well as a performance by... more »

• Police: Natalee Holloway suspect confesses to Peru murder

  June 8, 2010 1:29 PM

  News reports in Peru say the longtime suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway has told police he killed a young Peruvian woman in a fit of rage. The reports say Joran Van der Sloot (YOHR'-uhn VAN'-dur-sloht)became angry when he found out the victim had looked up information about... more »

• High-tech upgrades at Livingston Parish schools

  June 7, 2010 5:07 PM

  High-tech upgrades on Livingston Parish school campuses are helping to curb crime. The school system is adding more cameras, even some on wheels. Surveillance cameras with 24 hour recording systems have been installed at most of the parish's high schools and middle schools. The cameras help administrators monitor parking lots... more »

• Power pole laying across Airline, near Scenic

  May 31, 2010 3:48 PM

  A power pole is down in the 1700 block of Airline Highway. Baton Rouge Police say that the northbound lanes of Scenic Highway and the westbound lanes of Airline Highway are blocked. Entergy says they have crews en route to pick up the pole. No customers are affected... more »

• Tracking Your Teen

  May 24, 2010 10:16 PM

  These days, you don't have to rely on your teen's words to know where they are going. All you need is the ingenuity of a little GPS technology. Several companies have harnessed that technology in the past several years into simple ways to track your teenager. Acadian Ambulance... more »

• Church pastor heading to court to defend his job

  May 24, 2010 5:33 PM

  Some church members at the First Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Baton Rouge claim their pastor misused their money and are now pushing to have him fired. However, the attempt to fire him was unsuccessful so far, and the battle will now head to court. The Pastor's Attorney,... more »

• Rand Paul: Obama's criticism of BP 'un-American'

  May 21, 2010 12:34 PM

  Taking another unconventional stand, Kentucky's Republican Senate nominee Rand Paul criticized President Barack Obama's handling of the Gulf oil spill Friday as anti-business and sounding "really un-American." Paul's defense of the oil company came during an interview as he tried to explain his controversial take on civil rights law,... more »

• Truck almost goes into school in Brusly

  May 13, 2010 1:06 PM

  News 2 is on the scene of an accident on La 1, in Brusly, right outside Lukeville Elementary. The accident involved two cars. One of the cars went through the fence surrounding the school and ended up right outside the school wall. Acadian Ambulance units were called out... more »

• Accused shooter says woman behind Central fight

  May 5, 2010 4:58 PM

  An accused shooter tells investigators a woman was behind a deadly fight in Central. It happened Tuesday night. East Baton Rouge Parish deputies say the fight ended at the intersection of Hooper and Sullivan. Kevin Carlock, 34, is now charged with killing his cousin, Kerry Carlock. Deputies say the... more »

• Shooting near Hooper Road and Sullivan Road

  May 4, 2010 9:09 PM

  News 2 is hearing reports of a shooting near Hooper Road and Sullivan Road. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Department says details are still being sorted out. The shooting is believed to have been between two family members. One was shot and the other is in custody. News 2... more »

• Iberville beating/rape update

  May 4, 2010 12:09 PM

  Federal Agents arrested Stevenson Marshall overnight. Detectives say he beat a couple in Iberville Parish so badly they had to be flown out of the BR area for Medical treatment. He is also accused of beating and raping a girl after beating the couple. He left the girl... more »

• State Auditor looks at hurricane clean-up in Livingston Parish

  May 3, 2010 12:42 PM

  The State Legislative Auditor was asked by Livingston Parish officials to examine clean-up methods following Hurricane Gustav. The findings were released today. Compiling the report included taking a look at debris contracts, work done and evidence to back it up. Three major findings: lack of evidence, possible ethics... more »

• Katrina evacuees show improvement in Texas schools

  April 7, 2010 12:28 PM

  Students displaced by 2005's Hurricane Katrina are making academic gains in Texas schools. The Texas Education Agency has released results of a study that tracked the progress of Katrina students. Katrina devastated coastal states in August 2005, sending more than 46,000 young evacuees from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and... more »

• Baton Rouge crime districts proposed

  March 30, 2010 4:55 PM

  UPDATE: State lawmakers have filed bills that would create crime prevention districts. Those districts cover the subdivisions of Broadmoor, Shenandoah Estates, Park Forest East and Westminster Pink Park. Some residents in Broadmoor hope they have the chance to vote change in. John Rosson's family has lived in the area... more »

• More crime prevention districts proposed

  March 30, 2010 1:50 PM

  State lawmakers have filed bills that would create crime prevention districts. Those districts cover the subdivisions of Broadmoor, Shenandoah Estates, Park Forest East and Westminster Pink Park. If the bill passes, residents of each neighborhood would vote on a tax increase to provide for more police protection. If the... more »

• Livingston Parish business secures multi-million dollar contract

  March 23, 2010 5:00 PM

  New York City placed a big order with a Holden-based company. The contract is worth more than $20 million. Ferrara Fire Apparatus will build 20 aerial fire trucks and 5 rescue vehicles for emergency crews in New York. The multi-million dollar job could actually put more people back to... more »

• LSU facing impending layoffs

  January 14, 2010 4:55 PM

  News 2 has learned of impending layoffs at Louisiana State University that could affect hundreds of people. The lay-offs are in anticipation to further state budget cuts to higher education in the coming years. The university plans to send out notices to give employees a heads-up. A source tells News... more »

• Drought easing in Louisiana

  September 20, 2009 7:20 PM

  For the first time since June, moderate drought conditions no longer appear in parts of Louisiana. However, the U.S. Drought Monitor still shows abnormally dry conditions across much of central and southern Louisiana and a stretch of south Mississippi. The drought monitor, which tracks conditions weekly, owed the easing... more »

• Denham Springs Police Chief retires

  August 28, 2009 4:52 PM

  After nearly 20 years on the job, Denham Springs Police Chief Jeff Wesley is calling it quits. Today was his last day on the job. Chief Wesley says, "after nearly 30 years in law enforcement, it was just time." He tells News Two his proudest moment was when the... more »

• Ethics Charges Over Controversial Flyer

  August 14, 2009 4:58 PM

  Baton Rouge businessman Scott Wilfong is facing charges from the Louisiana Board of Ethics. He's accused of failing to file a campaign finance disclosure report. Wilfong, who has ties to the Republican Party, says a client hired him to mass mail flyers last year. The flyers accused Baton Rouge Mayor... more »

• Sylvia Weatherspoon - Anchor, 5, 6 & 10 p.m.

  August 4, 2009 3:52 PM

  Sylvia Weatherspoon is the co-anchor of News 2 Louisiana at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. She began her career at WBRZ in December 1993. Sylvia joined the WBRZ team after working as the news director for WJBO-AM & WFMF-FM radio in Baton Rouge. She initially pursued a career in... more »