Ready to renew your US passport? You can now apply online - Baton Rouge news - NewsLocker (2024)

WASHINGTON (AP) — There’s an easier way to renew your passport — online.The State Department has opened a trial run allowing a limited number of people to apply for their updated travel documents with a few clicks. You can’t just start anytime — windows will open at midday Eastern time each day and then close once the system has reached its daily limit.The department says it’s taking it slow so it can monitor how the

Landspout tornado hits National Weather Service office in Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES - A landspout tornado hit the National Weather Service building in Lake Charles Thursday night.According to the National Weather Service, the quickly-forming land spout hit from 6:26 p.m. and 6:27 p.m. NWS said it picked up outside equipment and slung it across the parking lot and across the road to the airport.There was minor damage to employees' vehicles, but no other damage or injuries.Landspouts are a type of tornado which are not attached to a rotating thunderstorm, otherwise

New York man arrested during I-12 stop for felony child exploitation charges

HAMMOND - Louisiana State Police said they arrested a 33-year-old during a vehicle inspection for child exploitation charges Wednesday afternoon.Harpeet Signh of South Richmond, New York, was arrested after troopers conducted a routine commercial vehicle inspection on I-12 near LA Hwy 1249. During the inspection, troopers interviewed Singh and a juvenile, and they contacted their Special Victims Unit. Afterward, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Singh.Singh was booked in the Tangipah

New York man arrested after I-12 vehicle inspection for felony child exploitation charges

HAMMOND - Louisiana State Police said they arrested a 33-year-old during a vehicle inspection for child exploitation charges Wednesday afternoon.Harpeet Signh of South Richmond, New York, was arrested after troopers conducted a routine commercial vehicle inspection on I-12 near LA Hwy 1249. During the inspection, troopers interviewed Singh and a juvenile, and they contacted their Special Victims Unit. Afterward, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Singh.Singh was booked in the Tangipah

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Sports2-A-Days Preview: Istrouma Indians

BATON ROUGE - Sid Edwards and the Istrouma Indians are hoping for more in year two after a great opening season turning the program around.A second round playoff game and a six and six season were a step up, but Coach Edwards notes that many of the players from last years team have moved on. Istrouma is looking to lock up their quarterback position where there is currently an ongoing battle, but Frank Alexander is currently in the lead during summer 7 on 7's. The Indians need

Police seeking information on people who stole Dodge Charger from dealership

GONZALES - The Gonzales Police Department is seeking information on a group of people who stole a 2022 Dodge Charger from a dealership Tuesday.According to the Gonzales Police Department, at least three unknown people in hoodies and gloves entered the property of Ross Downing Buick and GMC located at the corner of Burnside Avenue and Hwy 30 to steal the charger.The three were seen running down a street east of the dealership after being dropped off by a dark colored Buick Lacrosse. The three we

Sheriff: Black bears becoming increasingly common in Pointe Coupee neighborhoods

NEW ROADS - Residents in Pointe Coupee Parish say black bears are creeping a little too close to home. Last Saturday night, a hungry bear helped itself to a few stalks of corn from Gus May's corn patch in his yard. May, a longtime resident of Ventress, says this was never an issue before. "It's not a big bunch of damage it's just a strange occurrence for us in this area," May said. Another resident in Fordoche lost all the honey from the bee hives in his yard after a

17-year-old arrested for attempted murder after May shooting in Tickfaw that injured 11-year-old girl

TICKFAW - A 17-year-old involved in a Tickfaw shooting that left an 11-year-old injured back in May was arrested Thursday, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office.Ja'den James, 17, of Tickfaw, was arrested for attempted first-degree murder, illegal use of weapons, and illegal possession of a handgun.The 11-year-old girl has recovered and is doing well.Permalink| Comments

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Three Baton Rouge natives among 200 indicted by DOJ in nationwide fraud scheme

WASHINGTON (AP) — Three Baton Rouge natives were among the nearly 200 people charged in a sweeping nationwide crackdown on healthcare fraud schemes with false claims topping $2.7 billion, the Justice Department said on Thursday.Kevin Andre Hills, Devin Tyrone Stampley Jr. and Asia Deshan Guess were all indicted in federal court for conspiracy to acquire and obtain promethazine with codeine and hydrocodone-acetaminophen, court filings show.The DOJ says they allegedly used nearly 100 fa

NFL ordered to pay over $4.7 billion to customers after jury rules against them in Sunday Ticket case

LOS ANGELES - A jury in the U.S. District Court ruled that the NFL violated antitrust laws in distributing out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on a premium subscription service and has awarded more than $4.7 billion in damages Thursday, according to ESPN.The jury ordered the league to pay $4.7 billion in damages to the residential class and $96 million in damages to the commercial class.The lawsuit covered 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses who paid for the package of ou

Grand jury indicts second person in 2012 death of man found in trunk; case delayed over jurisdiction

CLINTON — A grand jury in the Felicianas has indicted a man on first-degree murder in the 2012 killing of a man whose body was found in the trunk of a car in Baton Rouge. There was a yearslong delay in proceedings amid questions over which prosecutors had jurisdiction.Christopher Harris, 29, was indicted May 6 and arrested this month. A co-defendant, Demarcos Gross, 31, was initially charged 11 years ago, but Louisiana's 1st Circuit Court of Appeals didn't let the case go forward as i

Tenants report maintenance issues at apartment complex, management responds

BATON ROUGE - Some tenants living at the Concord Condominiums say they're having trouble getting their maintenance requests addressed. It's the same property that's had a history of poor money management. Last year the office manager was fired over poor record keeping.Five tenants have reached out to 2 On Your Side with concerns. Their problems range from a collapsed ceiling to appliances that don't work and bug infestations.One tenant says she's experiencing "extreme issues" in regard to maint

Former Regions Bank manager pleads guilty in embezzlement of $250,000 from Plank Road branch

BATON ROUGE - A Plaquemine man pled guilty bank fraud charges after more than $250,000 was taken from customer accounts at a Regions Bank branch, according to the United States Department of Justice.Eric Schouest, 53, received convictions for embezzlement and bank fraud after managing Regions Bank Plank Road branch. He moved customers' money into his own accounts and using it to pay personal expenses, including his house and car. The thefts happened in 2020 and 2021. He was an employee from 201

Variety of Independence Day events planned across Greater Baton Rouge area through July 4 weekend

BATON ROUGE — The capital region has no shortage of events ahead of the celebration of the nation's 248th birthday.Here's a list of the events leading up to Independence Day across multiple parishes, including WBRZ's Fireworks on the Mississippi at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 4:Ascension ParishStars and Stripes: A Celebration at Conway
June 27 (6-9 p.m.); 7900 La. 44, Gonzales
A family-friendly, free event featuring kids' activities, music by Dustin Guedry and a fireworks show.Fireworks

New pictures from fire at car dealership believed to have been caused by electrical malfunction

NAPOLEONVILLE - Six fire crews worked for hours Wednesday evening to put out a fire at a car dealership. Investigators believe the cause was electrical. Napoleonville Fire Chief Don Blanchard said his department got a call that the Barbera Chevrolet was on fire around 6 p.m. When his crew got to the scene, flames were already through the roof of the building. Due to wind conditions and a large fuel supply inside the building, the fire spread and grew quickly. Blanchar

Man dies from injuries after being shot Wednesday evening

BATON ROUGE - A man died from his injuries after being shot Wednesday evening.Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting death of 29-year-old Patrick White. White was found on North Acadian Thruway near Bogan Walk Wednesday shortly after 6 p.m..White was taken to a hospital where he died Thursday morning. There was no further information regarding a motive or a possible suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.Permalink| Comments

Man arrested for armed robbery of Plattenville business after threatening employee, customer

PLATTENVILLE - A Bertrandville man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly threatened two people at gunpoint and robbed from a business. The Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office said its deputies responded to a business on Spur 70 on May 24. Deputies found that a masked person had brandished a firearm and threatened an employee and another customer, demanding money. The suspect then fled the area. Divone Davis, 33, was identified as a suspect after an investigation. D

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: Vehicle fire on I-10 EB closes one lane near Lobdell; traffic backed up to Grosse Tete

LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell has closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: Vehicle fire on closes I-10 EB near Lobdell

Update at 2:30 p.m. :  I-10 east is closed once again. ------------------------------LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: Right lane blocked after vehicle fire on I-10 EB near Lobdell

Update at 4:30 p.m.: The right lane remains blocked on I-10 East at Mile Marker 149 due to a vehicle fire. Congestion is approaching LA-3000 (Ramah). ------------------------------LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: One land open after vehicle fire closes I-10 EB near Lobdell

Update at 3:30 p.m.: I-10 Eastbound is back to one lane open near Lobdell.------------------------------LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

TEAM 2 TRAFFIC: All lanes open after vehicle fire on I-10 EB near Lobdell

Update at 6:30 p.m.: All lanes are now open on I-10 East at Mile Marker 149. Congestion remains approaching LA-3000 (Ramah).------------------------------LOBDELL — A vehicle fire on Interstate 10 eastbound near Lobdell closed one lane and caused congestion approaching four miles, LaDOTD said Thursday.The left lane is now open, but traffic is backed up as far back as Grosse Tete. Expect major delays.Permalink| Comments

Baton Rouge Police searching for man accused of groping a 12-year-old

BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Police are searching for a man who alluded capture after he allegedly groped a pre-teen, an arrest warrant says.Kelvin Carter, 31, is wanted by officers for indecent behavior with a juvenile, as well as criminal damage to property and resisting an officer, the warrant signed Tuesday says.Carter was staying at the Lee Drive home of a woman he knew when the sexual assault occurred. According to an affidavit, Carter groped the girl around 2 a.m. on Tuesday for a

Higgins, Carter introduce legislation giving FDA authority to destroy contaminated imported seafood

BATON ROUGE — Clay Higgins and Troy Carter, congressmen from opposite sides of the aisle, have introduced a new bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration authority to destroy imported products that pose a significant public health concern, specifically contaminated seafood, the pair said in a release Thursday.The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act would expand the FDA's authority to destroy hazardous items to food products. They are currently only responsible for destroy

Two alleged drug dealers arrested during traffic stop near Slidell

SLIDELL - A traffic stop led to the arrests of two alleged drug dealers Tuesday night. As deputies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office attempted to pull over a vehicle on Highway 11 Tuesday night, they saw the driver and passenger throw something out the the window, which was later determined to be an ounce of methamphetamine. The driver, 44-year-old Kasey Johnson, and the passenger, 43-year-old Jason Hotard, were taken into custody. Deputies found the two men to have

Morgan City man arrested on DWI charges while boating on Bayou Long

MORGAN CITY — Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents arrested a Morgan City man for operating a boat while impaired in St. Martin Parish, officials say. Brodie Anslum, 30, was arrested June 22 on DWI charges after agents saw him driving a boat while under the influence on Bayou Long. After they made contact with him, LDWF agents booked him into the Morgan City Police Department Jail.Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or the road will lose their driver's licens

St. George City Hall and Transition District meet, approves December tax election

ST. GEORGE - St. George's emergency meeting Thursday resulted in an unanimous vote to set a Dec. 7 election  allowing St. George to take control of a 2% sales tax.The meeting followed another emergency meeting Monday where the St. George Transition District voted, requesting the East Baton Rouge government transfer 2% of sales tax revenue. If the tax transfer was approved, St. George could land nearly $50 million in sales tax from East Baton Rouge. Despite requests to the East

US Supreme Court rejects nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would have shielded members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids but also would have provided billions of dollars to combat the opioid epidemic.After deliberating more than six months, the justices in a 5-4 vote blocked an agreement hammered out with state and local governments and victims. The Sacklers would have contrib

The Supreme Court rejects a nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would have shielded members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids but also would have provided billions of dollars to combat the opioid epidemic.After deliberating more than six months, the justices in a 5-4 vote blocked an agreement hammered out with state and local governments and victims. The Sacklers would have co

Gonzales man arrested for allegedly shooting, killing wife

GONZALES - A man was arrested for second-degree murder after he allegedly shot and killed his wife. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said Sean Morris, 50, was arrested Wednesday after a shooting on Garcon Road in Gonzales. When deputies arrived they found Morris' wife, 44-year-old Brenda Morris, dead from a gunshot wound.Morris reportedly shot Brenda during an altercation. He was arrested and booked for second-degree murder, illegal use of weapons, and eight counts of pos