Tagged News

• Baton Rouge animal shelter asks for emergency foster parents due to overcrowding

  December 6, 2025 12:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An animal shelter in Baton Rouge is asking the public for help as it urgently searches for emergency foster parents and adopters for at least 40 dogs. The Companion Animal Alliance released a message on Friday asking the public to help foster animals as the shelter... more »

• CATS Chief Financial Officer resigns, citing workplace hostility Play Video

  November 24, 2025 6:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Chief Financial Officer of Capital Area Transit System resigned, citing concerns regarding executive leadership within the agency. The resignation letter was dated for Nov. 12, and at last week's meeting of CATS, former CFO Sunnie Hines was removed as a signatory from CATS's accounts. ... more »

• Cara's House Ascension Parish Animal Shelter hosts free pet vaccination clinic Play Video

  November 16, 2025 2:55 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - Cara's House animal shelter hosted a free pet vaccination clinic on Sunday at the Athletes in Motion building in Prairieville. The free clinic offered DAPPV shots for dogs and FVRCP shots for cats while also providing microchips and rabies vaccines for $5 each. Cara's House, an... more »

• CATS to waive all fares on Election Day for poll access Play Video

  November 6, 2025 9:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) will waive all route fares on Nov. 15 to assist those traveling to the polls on Election Day. Riders can board any bus on Nov. 15 free of charge throughout the service area; regular routes and schedules will still apply.... more »

• 10th annual Cap City Beer Fest raises money for Companion Animal Alliance Play Video

  November 2, 2025 7:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The 10th annual Cap City Beer Fest kicked off on Sunday as attendees gathered on 4th Street and Spanish Town Road to enjoy local, national and international craft beer and homebrews. The dog-friendly beer tasting event held in downtown Baton Rouge benefitted the Companion Animal Alliance,... more »

• Companion Animal Alliance looks to home 150 animals by Friday as shelter exceeds capacity

  August 7, 2025 8:02 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Companion Animal Alliance is at capacity and is looking to house 150 animals by Friday. CAA said it houses more than 270 cats and 250 dogs, taking in more than 70 animals in a single 24-hour period earlier this week. "As the open-intake animal shelter... more »

• Pet Wellness and Safety Pop-Up offers free resources to keep furry friends happy and healthy Play Video

  July 22, 2025 2:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Pet-owners can go to the upcoming Summertime Pet Wellness & Safety Pop-Up for free resources to protect their four-legged friends from seasonal challenges. The pop-up is at the Charles R. Kelly Community Center on Thursday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event... more »

• Companion Animal Alliance urging potential foster parents to adopt dozens of animals by Wednesday Play Video

  June 17, 2025 5:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Animal shelters across Louisiana are facing critical overcrowding, with "kitten and puppy season" in full swing. Shelters like Companion Animal Alliance in Baton Rouge are at capacity and pleading for community support. "We are constantly getting more animals in every single hour, and so any animal... more »

• Woman overwhelmed after rescuing 29 abandoned kittens, urges responsible pet care Play Video

  May 10, 2025 8:59 PM

  WATSON - More than 30 cats were abandoned by their owners and taken in by a local woman who is now facing the overwhelming challenge of caring for them. After years of rescuing and fostering animals, Devona Foster is now caring for 29 kittens — and four very overwhelmed... more »

• CATS strike comes to an end; bus drivers return to work Sunday, officials say Play Video

  March 8, 2025 2:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Capital Area Transit System announced on Saturday that bus drivers will return to work this weekend after workers went on strike for frustrating work conditions. After many union drivers walked off the job earlier this month, CATS and the local transit union entered an interest... more »

• Union leadership says bus drivers could return to work by Friday morning if CATS agrees to terms Play Video

  March 6, 2025 3:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE — An organizer with the local bus drivers union chapter said its drivers are willing to return to work and end their ongoing strike as early as Thursday, with drivers returning to work Friday, if Capital Area Transit System leadership agrees not to retaliate against the drivers who... more »

• Sleepy Hollow Drive home uninhabitable after fire started in dryer that killed two cats Play Video

  February 4, 2025 12:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Sleepy Hollow Drive home is uninhabitable after a fire that started in a dryer consumed the house and killed two cats, St. George Fire said Tuesday. Firefighters responded to the Sleepy Hollow house fire near the intersection of George O'Neal Road on Friday around 7:49... more »

• Bus union unhappy with CATS contract negotiations; votes to go on strike Play Video

  January 24, 2025 4:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Capital Area Transit System bus operators are asking for more money and a safer work environment, but contract negotiations have stalled. The bus operators are unionized and Friday voted to go on strike. Ninety-one percent of the union membership voted in favor of the strike. ... more »

• CATS announces service changes due to freezing weather, snow Play Video

  January 20, 2025 1:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System is further adjusting its service schedule as freezing temperatures and snowfall sweep Louisiana on Tuesday CATS said Tuesday that service will be suspended on Wednesday after previously being suspended on Monday and Tuesday. Service will hopefully return Thursday. Updates... more »

• North Baton Rouge residents pushing for early polling location, saying lack of site creates barrier Play Video

  October 28, 2024 6:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE — With early voting ending Tuesday, some residents in North Baton Rouge are raising concerns about limited access to polling sites in their area. Charles Bethley is a longtime resident of North Baton Rouge and said that traveling from the heart of North Baton Rouge to the... more »

• Gonzales animal shelter taking in 17 cats displaced by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

  October 28, 2024 3:42 PM

  GONZALES — Seventeen cats rescued from North Carolina shelters following a dam break will be taken in by Gonzales-based animal shelter Rescue Alliance on Monday afternoon. The animals at the shelters in Henderson, North Carolina, were displaced due to the flooding from Hurricane Helene and were "in immediate danger... more »

• LSU Vet Med acquires new technology to provide advanced cancer treatment

  September 25, 2024 12:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The LSU vet school has acquired new technology to improve its cancer treatment by making it more comfortable for its patients. The new linear accelerator provides stereotactic radiotherapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy - which is a lot of words that mean pets with cancer will... more »

• CATS begins work on new North Transit Center Play Video

  July 9, 2024 3:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE— CATS officials broke ground on a new North Transit Center outside the Our Lady of the Lake North Emergency Room along Airline Highway. The new center is part of a larger project to create a nine mile corridor connecting north and south Baton Rouge. CEO Theo... more »

• Free flea treatment being offered to Zachary pet parents Play Video

  June 11, 2024 1:19 PM

  ZACHARY - The summer months can be some of the worst for pet owners as fleas thrive in heat and humidity. The Animal Center of Zachary wants to help out! Pet owners can sign up for a national clinical study of a new flea medication and receive three free... more »

• CATS striving to improve service, but problems persist Play Video

  June 7, 2024 1:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Lynn Mearidy gets around Baton Rouge using CATS on Demand, a service provided by the city-parish bus system that schedules trips in accessible vehicles for riders with certain disabilities. She said it's sometimes less on-demand, and more waiting for a ride that arrives late or doesn't... more »

• More than 30 cats rescued from horrible living situation, brought to Baton Rouge shelter Play Video

  May 29, 2024 5:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - More than 30 cats were rescued from a hoarder in Rayne and brought to a Baton Rouge animal shelter. One week ago, non-profit animal organization Cat Haven went to the house that was said to be hoarding over 50 cats. Director of Development Amber Harrell described... more »

• Animal rescue group pleads with public to spay, neuter pets

  May 24, 2023 4:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Companion Animal Alliance of Baton Rouge on Wednesday issued a plea to area residents, asking them to spay and neuter their pets and to adopt when looking to add a pet to their home. The group said that it's up against troubling math, as demonstrated... more »

• Former CATS employee sues bus system over termination, leaked drug test debacle Play Video

  December 29, 2022 5:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former Capital Area Transit System Comptroller John Cutrone filed a lawsuit against the bus system alleging he was retaliated against and fired after notifying CATS administration about several instances involving potential waste and mismanagement. In January, Cutrone was given a random drug test and failed. His... more »

• IRS sends CATS half-million-dollar seizure notice, some board members unaware Play Video

  September 6, 2022 5:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Documents obtained by the WBRZ Investigative Unit show the IRS sent the Capital Area Transit System a $515,859.50 seizure notice for unpaid employer shared responsibility payments for the tax period ending in 2017. Watch live newscasts here A spokeswoman for CATS told WBRZ, the bus system... more »

• Amid unpaid bills and multiple bus fires this year, bus system downplays problems Play Video

  July 21, 2022 5:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - For the first time in months, the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) addressed stories that have cast the public bus system in a negative light—downplaying multiple bills that were not paid on time and multiple bus fires. Thursday morning, another CATS bus had to be towed... more »

• CATS health account frozen after bus system falls behind on bills again Play Video

  July 20, 2022 5:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Employees working at the Capital Area Transit System learned that their health reimbursement accounts were frozen because the public bus system did not pay its bills. Watch live newscasts here This is the second time that has happened. WBRZ exposed in April that employees' health... more »

• Nakamoto: Despite reporting issues, driver told to keep driving CATS bus before it erupted into flames Play Video

  June 27, 2022 5:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Audio recordings obtained by the WBRZ Investigative Unit show a CATS bus driver notified dispatchers about problems on her bus one hour before it went up in flames but was told to keep driving. The audio obtained through a public records request is between a CATS driver... more »

• CATS bus erupts into flames near mall Friday Play Video

  June 10, 2022 5:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A public transit bus erupted into flames near the Mall of Louisiana Friday. No one was hurt when the CATS bus burst into flames. It was not immediately clear what sparked the fire. Video shared with WBRZ showed flames were burning from underneath and... more »

• Photos: Firefighters rescue kittens trapped in car engine

  May 24, 2022 2:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Firefighters saved five kittens that were stuck inside a car's engine block. The St. George Fire Department shared photos of the rescue. The department said the crew was able to get all five felines out without damaging the vehicle. more »

• CATS will discuss firing demoted CEO who appears to have retained $191,000 salary Play Video

  May 17, 2022 10:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System will discuss possibly firing embattled bus boss Bill Deville Wednesday. The CATS board scheduled an emergency meeting to determine Deville's future after he was removed as CEO following a WBRZ Investigative Unit report earlier this year. Dwana Williams was appointed... more »

• Former CATS CEO who pushed for bus tax: 'The public has been grossly ripped off' Play Video

  April 12, 2022 5:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Former CATS CEO Brian Marshall, who helped push for a tax to fund the public bus system more than ten years ago, is stunned by the ongoing mismanagement at the bus company featured in numerous WBRZ Investigative Unit reports . Stream WBRZ newscasts online here Monday... more »

• CATS mum on what former bus boss will do after being stripped of CEO title, though he keeps his big salary Play Video

  April 8, 2022 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The board overseeing the city bus company voted Monday to de-frock the CEO from his position, though he will get to stay on at the department and keep his six-figure pay. As of Monday night, the Capital Area Transit System couldn't tell WBRZ what role Bill... more »

• Nakamoto: New CATS manager was fired from previous government job, facing sexual harassment lawsuit Play Video

  April 6, 2022 5:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is again making questionable decisions with who leads the agency. Stream WBRZ newscasts here Board members tell WBRZ, CATS hired Keith Cunningham as the agency's interim CAO days ago. Cunningham most recently worked for the Louisiana Housing Corporation where he... more »

• Nakamoto investigation questions CATS' tardiness in paying healthcare premiums for employees Play Video

  April 5, 2022 5:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - CATS employees' health insurance may have lapsed for two days after the bus company was late paying its bills, an email obtained by WBRZ shows. The latest issue comes amid a series of WBRZ Investigative Unit and Chris Nakamoto reports on the bus system, which have... more »

• Confidence in CATS leadership fading as selective enforcement of drug policies exposed by WBRZ Play Video

  March 25, 2022 6:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Confidence is waning in the leadership at the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) following a story by the WBRZ Investigative Unit that showed the man in charge of finances at the agency tested positive for meth. The failed drug test WBRZ obtained showed John Cutrone... more »

• Bus system says drug policy applies to drivers, not bosses, after Nakamoto exposes exec with positive meth test Play Video

  March 24, 2022 5:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) is calling on the Baton Rouge bus system to rehire any employee who was terminated for a failed drug test. The demand comes 24-hours after the WBRZ Investigative Unit exposed the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is once again selectively enforcing its zero-tolerance... more »

• Bus system fires leader who was recorded talking about millions in missing money Play Video

  January 6, 2022 5:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) parted ways with Chief Administrative Officer Pearlina Thomas in a brief, three-sentence letter this week. Sources provided that letter to the WBRZ Investigative Unit. It was written and signed by CEO Bill Deville. "Thank you for your services. Effective immediately,... more »

• CATS property tax renewal approved by voters Saturday

  November 13, 2021 9:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A ten-year tax renewal funding the public transit system here was approved by voters Saturday. Voters in the city of Baton Rouge and Baker backed the CATS property tax renewal, which costs about $100 for each $100,000 of a home's assessed value. The average homeowner may... more »

• Bus system CEO accepts large car allowance one year after agency canceled them Play Video

  October 27, 2021 5:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) CEO Bill Deville accepted thousands of dollars in a car and phone allowance last year, despite the agency canceling car allowances for 13 of its highest paid employees the year before. Deville earns nearly $191,000 per year, and his gross... more »

• Controversy at CATS, leaked audio hints at millions in missing dollars Play Video

  October 20, 2021 6:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Leaked audio that surfaced this week between the second-in-command at the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) and a former employee raises questions about whether millions of dollars are missing. The conversation was so concerning, East Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Dwight Hudson forwarded it to District Attorney... more »

• CATS parts with employee who was the focus of WBRZ report Play Video

  October 18, 2021 5:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) parted ways with an employee who was the focus of a WBRZ Investigative Unit report after he failed a pre-employment drug screen. Following WBRZ's story, sources told the WBRZ Investigative Unit, Garrick Rose showed up to work with a blood-alcohol... more »

• Police: Man was driving nearly double the speed limit when he caused deadly crash on Florida Boulevard

  October 13, 2021 6:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man was arrested Wednesday and booked on charges relating to a deadly car accident in the middle of June. Baton Rouge Police Department said 42-year-old Leroy Fields was driving over the speed limit on Florida Boulevard when he hit another car at the North 19th... more »

• Bus Rapid Transit moves forward with final authorization of $15M federal grant

  September 22, 2021 12:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Mayor's Office announced Wednesday that the revitalization of Plank Road has taken another step forward this week with a request for final Metro Council acceptance of a highly competitive $15 million federal grant awarded to Baton Rouge for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.... more »

• LSU SVM: Ensuring your pet's safety during summertime heat, holiday activities

  June 30, 2021 8:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE - With summertime underway, road trips and outdoor outings become occasions to enjoy time with beloved pets. But our favorite furry friends may also have a few special needs during summer. A recent news release from LSU's School of Veterinary Medicine touched on what some of these... more »

• Rescue dogs flown out of La. to ease stress on shelters during hurricane season

  June 23, 2021 4:24 PM

  GRAND RAPIDS - A plane carrying over 150 Louisiana shelter dogs landed in Michigan Wednesday afternoon. Dogs were moved out of Louisiana to relieve animal shelters during hurricane season. The BISSELL Pet Foundation flew shelter pets to West Michigan Regional Airport, where they will be shared between six shelters... more »

• CATS to become more COVID safe with contactless bus fare payment system

  January 20, 2021 6:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) in Baton Rouge has received $337,500.00 in federal funding to support a technology upgrade that will make it more COVID safe. Officials say CATS will receive funding to support the integration of contactless bus fare payments through smart card technology... more »

• CATS: Changes to Route 11 result in seven canceled stops Wednesday

  October 21, 2020 11:01 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) in Baton Rouge announced Wednesday that a change will be made to Bus Route 11. The organization says its Northside Circulator outbound will have a Wednesday detour until 6 p.m. and as a result, the stops listed below will be... more »

• LSU Vets: How to keep your pets safe during Hurricane Delta

  October 8, 2020 7:18 AM

  BATON ROUGE - As Delta rolls on a path towards Louisiana, residents are making swift preparations to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Many residents have furry members of the family and their needs are also important during hurricanes. Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU SVM)... more »

• CATS workers plan Tuesday afternoon protest, citing ' mismanagement of millage'

  September 22, 2020 11:15 AM

  Baton Rouge – A local Baton Rouge union announced Tuesday that as CATS management goes to the full CATS Board to ask for a millage increase, it will lead a protest outside of the board meeting. According to ATU Local 1546 -Baton Rouge, LA's press release, the group feels... more »

• Capital Area Transit System (CATS) reminds riders to wear masks

  July 7, 2020 11:02 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Residents in the Capital City have been diligent when it comes to wearing masks, according to Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome during a Tuesday morning interview with WBRZ. Later that morning, Capital Area Transit System (CATS) reminded residents that just as they must wear masks while frequenting... more »

• Capital Area Transit System to receive over $3 million for new vehicles

  June 2, 2020 11:37 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Transit System will receive $3,872,089 in federal funds to purchase new electric buses. The new vehicles will replace older models that have reached their maximum use and are no longer best-suited to current infrastructure needs. The funds were made possible by a... more »

• Animal shelter in Baton Rouge in need of donations

  May 29, 2020 5:56 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Capital Area Animal Welfare Society (CAAWS), a non-profit that cares for Baton Rouge's homeless animal population, is asking the public for donations to help them provide for the many dogs and cats temporarily housed in their shelter. In mid-May, CAAWS representatives took to Facebook with... more »

• New study suggests cats can catch COVID-19, but experts say this is no cause for concern

  April 3, 2020 11:55 AM

  According to CNN , a recent study out of China revealed that cats may be susceptible to contracting COVID-19. And, the study also indicated that cats can transfer the illness to each other. While ferrets joined the ranks of their feline cousins in susceptibility to COVID-19, dogs, pigs,... more »

• CATS to temporarily waive fares during COVID-19 pandemic

  March 19, 2020 8:09 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Capital Area Transit System (CATS) has announced that as a result of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, the bus systems is waiving fares for all customers. This goes into effect Thursday, March 19 and will continue until further notice. CATS also asks all customers to... more »