Eagle 98.1 : Baton Rouge

Legacy Lawsuit Compromise

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:38:00 -0400

Will accelerate both cleanup and production.

BATON ROUGE – Governor Bobby Jindal’s point-person on legacy lawsuits – Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle – has reached a compromise with landowners, oil and gas industry representatives and key legislators involved in solving the legacy lawsuit issue. Secretary Angelle said this compromise accomplishes two goals, including accelerating environmental clean-up from exploration and production activities, and ensuring that the party responsible for environmental damage is actually held responsible for cleaning it up. Secretary Angelle said, “Louisiana has a long and distinguished history of oil and gas production as well as being a unique slice of America that offers some of
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Record March

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:05:00 -0400

Bowling tourney, big-budget movie help set new mark for sales tax collections

(From the Mayor's Press Release) Fueled in part by a national bowling tournament and the filming of a big-budget Tom Cruise movie, East Baton sales-tax collections had their strongest March ever this year. Figures released today showed that the 2-percent sales tax dedicated to the city-parish general fund generated $15.5 million in March, even surpassing the $15.1 million that was collected in March 2006 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. March 2012 was up a little more than $1 million more than the same month last year, when a total of $14.4 million in sales taxes was collected. “This is great news for the
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BR Housing

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:33:00 -0400

Baton Rouge area homes sales increase in April

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Baton Rouge area homes sales rose 21 percent in April, with real estate agents in the eight-parish region selling 616 homes compared with 510 that month a year ago. The dollar volume rose 16 percent to $116.1 million, compared with $100.4 million in April 2011. The figures were compiled by the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors. Sales were up in East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston parishes, which make up the lion's share of the market. For the year through April, home sales are up 18 percent to 2,213, while dollar volume is up
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ISTROUMA HS REUNION

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:21:00 -0400

ISTROUMA HIGH SCHOOL HAS THEIR 40-YEAR REUNION COMING UP. IT’LL BE JULY 20^th, 21^ST, AND 22^nd…

Info – 225-261-1216

LSU UNION

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:25:00 -0400

THE LSU UNION ART GALLERY HAS A FREE EXHIBITION COMING UP CALLED, “RE-DUCKS.” IT’LL FEATURE THE WORK OF CHUCK JONES ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 100^th BIRTHDAY AND WILL RUN FROM JUNE 8^th THOUGH JULY 29^th…

Info – 225-578-5162

Forum 35

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:27:00 -0400

THE FORUM 35 ART MELT IS ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR THEIR MULTI-MEDIA JURIED ART EXHIBIT. ENTRIES MUST BE TURNED IN BY JUNE 1^st…

Info – www.artmelt.org

Swollfest

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:28:00 -0400

THE ANNUAL SWOLLFEST FISHING RODEO IS COMING UP IN GRAND ISLE JUNE 7^th THROUGH 9^th. PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION AND THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION…

Info – www.swollfest.com

ST. FRANCISVILLE TRANSITORY THEATRE

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:30:00 -0400

THE ST. FRANCISVILLE TRANSITORY THEATRE IS PUTTING ON THE MUSICAL, “THE LAST FIVE YEARS.” IT’LL RUN JUNE 1^stAND 2^nd AT THE THEATER ON ROYAL STREET…

Info – 225-721-2124

BATON ROUGE BALLET THEATRE

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:32:00 -0400

THE BATON ROUGE BALLET THEATRES YOUTH BALLET WILL PERFORM A LIGHT-HEARTED COMIC BALLET CALLED, “GRADUATION BALL.” THERE’LL BE 30 FREE PERFORMANCES AROUND BATON ROUGE BETWEEN JUNE 4^th AND 15^th…

Info – 225-766-8379

Census Problems (w/ audio from Senator Vitter)

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:46:00 -0400

How many people in Washington Parish did the census skip???

Senator David Vitter is looking into some calls to his office from Washington Parish from folks who say the census never counted them. Vitter tells Matt and Brian that he's sure it was just an oversight and not "something sinister." But he added that his alarms are going up because of the lack of action from the bureau. To follow up, Vitter has sent the Director of the bureau a letter. the text of that letter is below. The audio of Senator Vitter's conversation with Matt and Brian is available under the headline pic. _________________________________________________________________________________ Director Robert GrovesUnited States Census Bureau4600 Silver Hill
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS LOUISIANA

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:13:00 -0400

SPECIAL OLYMPICS LOUISIANA HAS A FUND-RAISER CALLED “FREE TO LEARN.” BUYING A TICKET GIVES YOU A SHOT AT WINNING $100,000 THAT YOU CAN SPEND ON ANY KIND OF EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVOR. YOU HAVE TO BUY YOUR TICKET BY JULY 18^th…

Info – 800-345-6644

Women Out Reaching Women

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:08:00 -0400

WOMEN OUTREACHING WOMEN HAS A GOLF TOURNAMENT COMING UP IN OCTOBER TO RAISE MONEY FOR THEIR SHELTER IN DENHAM SPRINGS. THE ENTRY FEE INCLUDES GOLF, DINNER, DOOR PRIZES, AND MORE…

Info – 225-791-3940

CAPITAL AREA CORPORATE RECYCLING COUNCIL

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:10:00 -0400

THE CAPITAL AREA CORPORATE RECYCLING COUNCIL OFFERS REFURBISHED COMPUTERS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, AS WELL AS SCHOOLS, NON-PROFIT GROUPS, AND CHURCHES. STUDENTS, TOO…

Info – 225-379-3577

Girl Scouts

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:59:00 -0400

GIRL SCOUTS LOUISIANA EAST AND THE YMCA ARE OFFERING SWIMMING LESSONS AT FOUR YMCAs IN BATON ROUGE. THE PROGRAM WILL RUN MAY 21^st THROUGH 24^th…

Info – 225-927-8946, ext 1224

Johnny Jones BB Camp

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:02:00 -0400

License To Win

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 06:11:00 -0400

EAGLE 98.1 HAS YOUR “LICENSE TO WIN.” FREE MONEY!...LISTEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AT 7:20 AM FOUR THE FIRST TWO NUMBERS, YOU’LL NEED TO WIN. THEN, IN THE 11 AM HOUR, WE’LL GIVE YOU TWO MORE NUMBERS FOR A TOTAL OF FOUR NUMBERS. IF YOU’VE GOT ALL FOUR NUMBERS IN YOUR LOUISIANA DRIVER’S LICENSE NUMBER, THEN YOU’VE GOT A LICENSE TO WIN; CALLER NUMBER 9 AT 499-98-98,
CAN WIN $98 IN CASH. WHEN WE ANNOUNCE THE WINNER, IT STARTS ALL OVER, AND YOU’LL GET TWO NEW NUMBERS THAT YOU’LL NEED TO WIN. WE’LL PLAY “LICENSE TO WIN” IN THE 11-O’CLOCK, AND 5-O’CLOCK HOURS; YOU MUST BE 18 OR OLDER TO PLAY, AND HAVE A VALID LOUISIANA DRIVER’S LICENSE. YOU CAN ONLY WIN ONCE. KEEP LISTENING TO PLAY “LICENSE TO WIN”...FROM THE STATION WITH WALTON & JOHNSON IN THE MORNING AND MORE FREE MONEY WINNERS, EAGLE 98.1.

CONTEST RULES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Contest begins Monday April 30th, 2012, and runs weekdays from 7am to 6pm to Friday June 22nd, 2012. EAGLE 98.1,WDGL-FM will conduct an on air contest instructing listeners to listen for the four matching numbers in their Valid Louisiana Drivers License. When you match the numbers in your Valid Louisiana Drivers license, be the 9th caller to 225-499-98-98 and win $98 Dollars. The first numbers will be called at or near 7:20am Monday through Friday, those 2 numbers will be needed along with another 2-numbers that will given out in the 11am hour, once there is a Winner that matches all 4-numbers given out in their Valid Louisiana Drivers License, 2-New Numbers will given out and they will be needed for the next contest time. “License to Win” will be played Monday through Friday in the 11am, and 5pm hours.
No Purchase Necessary. Prize(s) are non-transferable.
Must be 18 years of age or older to win.
Must have a Valid Louisiana issued Drivers License, to Play, and for Proof of identification.
One winner per Household during this contest. Listeners/Contestants can win a Cash Prize Only Once during this Contest. Listeners that attempt to win or call in and win more than one cash prize during this contest will only receive the first cash prize they win, and will not receive any Cash prizes they attempt to win after their first Cash Prize has been won.
All participants automatically give WDGL-FM (Eagle 98.1) the right to use their likeness, image and/or voice in promoting the contest and/or station.
Employees of WDGL-FM (Eagle 98.1), Guaranty Broadcasting Baton Rouge, LLC., its advertising agencies, employees of any other radio broadcasting company with stations within one hundred (100) air miles of Baton Rouge, LA. or anyone in their household are not eligible to win.
Winners are responsible for any and all Local, State, and Federal taxes / fees.
This contest is open to Louisiana residents only and is void where prohibited by law.
Cash Prizes will be Mailed, Cash Prizes can take Up to 4-to-5 Weeks to Receive. WDGL-FM (Eagle 98.1), is not responsible for lost mail, Errors or Delays caused by the postal service.
All Decisions of WDGL-FM, Eagle 98.1, its management, or representatives are final.
Contest Rules and Play Times May be changed at Anytime During the contest Without Notice. On Some Holidays the contest will not be played.

... And Where Are The Kids In Your Argument? (w/ audio)

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:57:00 -0400

Norman Browning, President of Local Schools For Local Children, says there’s 1 thing glaringly missing from the argument opposing the breakaway school district.

As the bills required to put the SEBR school district on the November ballot move forward at the State Capitol, the opposition to the breakaway district continues to fight the proposed change. In the House Appropriations Committee, some of the arguments against the breakaway district were resolved with the addition of a few amendments to the bills. The amendments added would put 2.5 million dollars in a trust fund to address “legacy costs” for retired teachers and construction costs. Norman Browning, President of Local Schools For Local Children, says there’s 1 thing glaringly missing from the argument opposing the breakaway school
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Gulf Oil Spill-Fraud

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:31:00 -0400

Man accused of defrauding spill victims' fund

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a 41-year-old businessman who moved to New Orleans from Georgia after the catastrophic BP oil spill in 2010 has been charged with defrauding a compensation fund set up for victims. The Justice Department says Dwayne Smith was charged last week on one count of mail fraud. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten alleges Smith moved to New Orleans four months after the Deepwater Horizon explosion and set up a business called D&D Designs. Smith is accused of getting $100,000 from the Gulf Coast Claims Facility that he was not owed. He allegedly submitted false tax
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Please Reconsider

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:03:00 -0400

Lawmakers ask NFL to reconsider Saints penalties

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana Legislature is asking the NFL to reconsider the penalties imposed on the New Orleans Saints because of its bounty program. The formal request received final legislative passage with a 28-1 Senate vote Monday. In the resolution, lawmakers say there is "widespread public opinion throughout the state of Louisiana and beyond that the penalties imposed upon the Saints are too harsh and should be reconsidered." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Saints coach Sean Payton for the 2012 season. General manager Mickey Loomis got an eight-game suspension, assistant coach Joe Vitt received six gamesand
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Nitro Jam

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:08:00 -0400

Police Impersonator Caught

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:46:00 -0400

Gonzales man arrested on robbery count

GONZALES, La. (AP) - Ascension Parish sheriff's deputies have arrested a 53-year-old Gonzales man on one count each of simple robbery and impersonating a police officer. Sheriff's Lt. Col. Bobby Webre says Wayne A. Melancon Jr. was booked into the Ascension Parish Friday night. Webre says Melancon is accused of using a flashing white light on his van and a shirt with a badge-like emblem to pull over a Geismar woman last week. Melancon allegedly told the victim he was investigating drug activity in the area and ordered her to place her purse on the hood of the car. When
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Agritourism Workshop

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:41:00 -0400

La-Miss agritourism workshop June 6 in Vidalia

VIDALIA, La. (AP) - The LSU AgCenter and Mississippi State University Extension Service will hold a workshop in Vidalia for landowners interested in starting or expanding an outdoor recreational business. Topics include revenue potential from different businesses, business plan development and legal considerations. Dora Hatch, the AgCenter's agritourism coordinator. says land management specialists, attorneys and bankers will explain how to draft a business plan outline. The workshop is June 6 at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center. It costs $20 per person or $30 for a couple. Lunch is included. The money is due by June 1. The Walton Family
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Satchmo Fest

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:32:00 -0400

Annual festival celebrating Satchmo is Aug. 3-5

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The 12th annual Satchmo SummerFest will be held Aug. 3-5 at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint. The festival is dedicated to the life, legacy and music of New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. It will feature three days of seminars about the history and influence of jazz music in New Orleans and about Armstrong's life and talent. The festival is free and open to the public. Stages will feature music from some of the city's finest traditional jazz, contemporary jazz and brass bands, as well as children's programming. Satchmo SummerFest also will host
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From LSU to The Food Network

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:11:00 -0400

La caterer a contestant on Food Network Star

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - An advocate of healthy eating who caters for Louisiana movie and television productions is among competitors on this season of "Food Network Star," which began over the weekend. The 35-year-old Cristie Schoen double-majored in performing arts and German at Louisiana State University, then headed to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Tired of "working three jobs" to support her acting efforts in LA, she signed on with Tomkats Catering, which serves on-location meals to movie and TV crews. She later did the same work in New York while further pursuing acting. She now runs Tree
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The Great Southern Rally

Sat, 12 May 2012 16:18:00 -0400

NALCO Continues To Grow

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:49:00 -0400

Nalco Announces New Dry Polymer Production Facility in St. John the Baptist Parish

From the Governor's Press Release:GARYVILLE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal and Ecolab Executive Vice President Jim Seifert announced that Nalco Company will build a dry polymer production facility at its Garyville plant, creating 22 new direct jobs, retaining 235 existing jobs and resulting in an estimated 167 new indirect jobs. Nalco, which completed a merger with Ecolab Inc. late last year, will invest $18.7 million in the expansion. Nalco will produce dry polymers, which are used to remove contaminants from wastewater, to increase production efficiency in the paper industry and to recover minerals in the mining industry. Average annual salaries for
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Its Budget Day In The House

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:19:00 -0400

House plans to debate $25B budget for next year

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana House expects to spend much of the day Thursday debating next year's $25 billion budget. The spending plans would pay for agency operating expenses and programs in the new fiscal year that begins July 1. At issue among conservative lawmakers is how much one-time money they want to patch into the budget, versus how deeply they want to cut. On the chopping block and most vulnerable to further reductions are health care services and public college programs. The budget proposal contains an estimated $270 million in one-time money to pay for continuing programs
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Johnny Jones BB Camp

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:59:00 -0400

BASKETBALL CAMPS
www.lsusports.net/camps
2012 JOHNNY JONES
REGISTER ONLINE AT:
Join our new Head Basketball Coach, Johnny Jones, this
summer for the 1st Annual Johnny Jones Basketball Camps!
All camps will be held in our brand new practice facility and the
legendary Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Campers will learn
and improve fundamental basketball skills, learn how to be a
team player, and most importantly…Have fun!
Hope to see you there, GEAUX TIGERS!
CAMP IS OPEN TO ANY/ALL ENTRANTS LIMITED ONLY BY NUMBER, AGE, GRADE LEVEL, OR GENDER
2012 CAMP DATES
DAY CAMP: JUNE 11-14
FATHER-SON CAMP: JUNE 15-16
INCLUDES: CAMP T-SHIRT, BASKETBALL, AND AN AUTOGRAPHED PICTURE WITH COACH JONES,
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED. REGISTRATION WILL BE MONDAY JUNE 11TH FROM 8AM TO 9AM,
CAMP WILL RUN EACH DAY FROM 9AM TO 4 PM, AGES: 3RD – 8TH GRADERS,
CLOSING CEREMONIES ON THURSDAY JUNE 14TH AT 3:30 PM. COST: $250
INCLUDES: OVERNIGHT STAY IN LSU DORM, CAMP T-SHIRT, BASKETBALL FOR SONS, AND AN
AUTOGRAPHED PICTURE WITH COACH JONES, FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER AND SATURDAY
BREAKFAST WILL BE PROVIDED. REGISTRATION WILL BE FRIDAY JUNE 15TH FROM 5PM TO 6PM,
CAMP WILL END SATURDAY AT 2PM, FATHERS OF ALL AGES, SONS FROM 1ST – 8TH GRADES,
COST: $205. PER ADDITIONAL SON IS $75.
TIGER CUB CAMP: JUNE 25-28
INCLUDES: CAMP T-SHIRT, BASKETBALL, AND AN AUTOGRAPHED PICTURE WITH COACH JONES,
REGISTRATION WILL BE JUNE 25TH FROM 8AM TO 9AM, CAMP WILL RUN EACH DAY FROM 9AM TO
12 PM, AGES: 1ST – 3RD GRADERS, COST: $140
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
225.578.8217 – tigerbasketballcamps@yahoo.com

Walker - "Humbled By Support"

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:30:00 -0400

Mike Walker's Mayoral campaign reporting over a quarter of a million dollars raised.

From Mike Walker's Press Release: May 10, 2012 – Baton Rouge, La. – Today, Mayor Pro Tem and candidate for Mayor-President Mike Walker submitted a campaign finance report to the Louisiana Board of Ethics showing that his campaign has raised over $250,000 for the November 6 primary election. From the period of January 1 to April 30, 2012, the Walker campaign has received 455 individual donations covering each of East Baton Rouge Parish’s 12 Metro Council districts. The report shows the campaign with over $170,000 cash on hand as of the April 30 closing date. “I am truly humbled by this outpouring of
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LSU Chancellor

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:15:00 -0400

LSU chancellor approached about another job

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - LSU Chancellor Michael Martin says he's being seriously considered for the chancellor position at Colorado State University. Martin said he has not been made an offer, but will strongly consider it if he is offered the position. Colorado State University System spokesman Kyle Henley tells the newspaper the university's chancellor search committee met Monday night and forwarded one candidate's name to the CSU System's Board of Governor's with a unanimous vote. Henley said he couldn't confirm whether Martin is the candidate in question. He says a special meeting of the board could take place as
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Rural Roads

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:04:00 -0400

$325M borrowing plan for rural roads near complete

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A $325 million borrowing plan to repair and upgrade rural roads across Louisiana is near final legislative passage. The proposal by Jonesboro Rep. Jim Fannin is up for a House vote Wednesday. If approved there, it heads to Gov. Bobby Jindal, who supports it. Every parish but Orleans Parish would be eligible for the highway repair money, which would pay for work on roads not eligible for federal matching dollars in the highway program. The proposal would let the Department of Transportation and Development borrow dollars by selling bonds to investors for upfront cash. The
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Sales Tax Holiday

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:28:00 -0400

Governor Jindal Highlights 2012 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

BATON ROUGE – Louisiana residents can stock up on flashlights, batteries, generators, and other storm-related items free of the 4 percent state sales tax during the 2012 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday on Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27. Governor Bobby Jindal said, “With every approaching storm season, we always hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to get a game plan and stock up on supplies now in order to keep our families and property safe in case a storm threatens our coast.” The sales tax holiday exempts the first $1500 of the
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Jindal-Education

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:03:00 -0400

Jindal signs private school tuition tax break

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed into law a bill that creates a new tax break program that will give rebates for donations to voucher programs that allow students to attend private schools. Jindal says it will give children in failing public schools more opportunities to get an improved education. He signed the measure Monday. The tax break begins with the 2013-14 school year. The bill provides a nearly dollar-for-dollar state tax rebate to people and businesses who donate money to nonprofit organizations that give the private school scholarships to students. Opponents say the tax break
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Threat Arrest

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:07:00 -0400

Man arrested in threats against district attorney

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Police have arrested a 21-year-old Baker man for threatening on Twitter to shoot East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore outside the trial of rapper Torence "Lil Boosie" Hatch. Dedrick Deandre Green was booked Monday on counts of public intimidation and terrorizing. Moore said the tweets were upsetting. Sheriff's deputies working security at the trial located Green sitting in the courtroom where Hatch's murder trial was being conducted. It could not be determined if Green has an attorney.
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OLOL Driving The Future

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:06:00 -0400

Click Here For More Details

Section Of River Rd To Close Starting Monday

Sat, 05 May 2012 18:10:00 -0400

Sewer work to close River Road between Florida and North Blvd.

6-day closure set to begin Monday, May 7 The City-Parish Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division announced today that River Road between North Boulevard and Florida Street will be closed to all traffic starting Monday, May 7th at 9:00 a.m. for sewer work. The closure is expected to last until Sunday, May 13th at 6 p.m. River Road will be completely closed to traffic for the entire duration of the closure. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes. Trucks should follow the signs denoting the main detour route - Government Street. N. 9th Street - East Boulevard, S. 10th Street and Florida
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Anti-Bullying Bill Takes New Approach (w/ audio from Sen Rick Ward)

Fri, 04 May 2012 15:55:00 -0400

SB 709 clears committee

State Senator Rick Ward has authored an anti-bullying bill that is taking a different approach to fight a growing problem. SB 709 focuses on defining what bullying is, as opposed to focusing on the victim. As lawmakers have tried to tackle the issue of bullying, bills have looked at the victims, and why they were being bullied. For example, if a kid is bullied because he’s a different race, religion, or sexual orientation, then the bully would be guilty of bullying. What Senator Ward is proposing shifts the focus from the “why” to the “what.” SB 709 spells out a three pronged
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Natural Gas Exports

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:03:00 -0400

Key agreement signed for LNG terminal

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The governor's office has announced the latest development in plans for a $6 billion liquefied natural gas export terminal in southwestern Louisiana. A Thursday news release says Sempra Energy Inc., has reached an agreement with an affiliate of a French company, GDF Suez, to develop the facility. It is the third and final commercial agreement signed by Sempra for development of the terminal, which will export 12 million metric tons per year. Earlier agreements had been announced with Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsui & Co. Ltd. Construction is expected to begin in 2013. The governor's office
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Lab School Closing

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:34:00 -0400

School Board votes to close EBR Lab Academy

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has voted to close EBR Lab Academy at the end of this school year. The vote came Thursday after more than a dozen students made emotional pleas to keep their school open. The school's future was cast in doubt last week when the state-run Recovery School District announced it was taking over Istrouma High School. Since EBR Lab is housed on the Istrouma High campus, the school of 203 students was facing imminent loss of its space. School officials say closing EBR Lab Academy will eliminate 13 positions, saving
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Vote Yourself A Raise (w/ audio from Brian Melancon)... it passed 7-3

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:05:00 -0400

The Ascension Parish Council will vote on a pay raise for themselves tonight.

The Ascension Parish Council hasn't had a raise in pay in 15 years, and there's a proposal to change that on the agenda tonight. At tonight's meeting, they will vote on approving a thirty three percent raise for themselves. Council member Brian Melancon told Matt and Brian this morning that he'll be voting no for a number of reasons. Melancon said he feels that the amount of the raise is a bit much. He also feels that if council members are voting on a raise, it shouldn't take effect in the current term as this one would. There is some speculation as to
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Vote Yourself A Raise (w/ audio from Brian Melancon)

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:05:00 -0400

B.R.A.V.E. Project (w/ audio from DA Hillar Moore)

Wed, 02 May 2012 12:48:00 -0400

Officials launch Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination Project

Local version of Operation Ceasefire Kicks Off in Zip Code 70805 (From the Mayor's Press Release)Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden, District Attorney Hillar Moore, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux and Police Chief Dewayne White announced Wednesday that they are teaming up with juvenile services, probation and parole, social agencies, LSU and the faith-based community to launch a new program to curb violence in East Baton Rouge Parish. The new Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination Project will target known violent and drug-trade offenders in criminal hotspots, beginning with zip code 70805 in North Baton Rouge. A roughly three-mile square area, zip code 70805 has 13.5 percent of
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Emergency Director Resigns

Wed, 02 May 2012 12:43:00 -0400

Livingston Parish emergency director resigns

LIVINGSTON, La. (AP) - Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks says the parish's director of emergency preparedness has resigned. Ricks says he has begun the search for a director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness and will have a replacement for James Tullier in the job well before hurricane season starts June 1. He said he talked to a couple of candidates by phone Tuesday and plans to interview a candidate face-to-face Wednesday. Asked the reason for Tullier's resignation, Ricks said it was an internal matter. In February, Ricks appointed Tullier to replace Mark Benton, who served as OEP director under
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B.R.A.V.E. Project Kicks Off In North BR

Wed, 02 May 2012 12:48:00 -0400

Tigers/Razorbacks In Fayetteville… Yes, Fayetteville

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:58:00 -0400

LSU-Arkansas again slated for Friday kickoff

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - LSU's game at Arkansas in the 2012 season will be played on a Friday to accommodate network television. CBS, which has broadcast rights for the game, has notified the universities that kickoff will be on Nov. 23 in Fayetteville at 1:30 Central time. The game will mark only the second time the Tigers have played in Fayetteville. Usually, Arkansas has hosted LSU in Little Rock. The only other time that LSU has played in Fayetteville came in 1992, when the Razorbacks beat the Tigers, 30-6, in what was Arkansas' first year in the Southeastern Conference.
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Section Of Staring To Reopen

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:56:00 -0400

Staring Lane reopens Wednesday, May 2, between Highland Road and Kingcrest Parkway

(From the Mayor's Press Release) Baton Rouge, LA — Effective Wednesday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m., workers will reopen a segment of Staring Lane between Highland Road and Kingcrest Parkway, previously closed to non-local traffic for three weeks in order for crews to install and test new sewer pipeline as part of a Green Light Plan project to widen the roadway.Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden thanked Baton Rouge residents for their patience and support and commended Green Light Plan and Sanitary Sewer Overflow program construction crews for their hard work throughout the closure period in completing the work on schedule. “What we saw
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Perfect X 16

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:45:00 -0400

Three more bowlers shoot 300 at Baton Rouge River Center

(From a USBC Press Release) Jon Benning of Franklin, Wis., Chris Dunham of Indianapolis and Sam Carter of Ben Lomond, Calif., each rolled perfect games at the USBC Open Championships this week. Benning started with games of 233 and 142 before finding his groove en route to a 675 series April 25. The 46-year-old right-hander added 573 in doubles and 561 in singles for a 1,809 all-events total. Dunham ended his team event April 27 with 15 consecutive strikes, which included the 14th perfect game of the 2012 Open Championships. The 44-year-old right-hander posted games of 223, 199 and 300 for a 722
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Louisiana Budget

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:21:00 -0400

House committee to unveil plan for $211M deficit

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The House budget-writing committee is unveiling its plans Tuesday for filling a $211 million deficit this year, after working behind the scenes with the governor's office on ideas for plugging the gap. The Appropriations Committee also is expected to rework next year's $25 billion budget proposal to account for a more than $300 million drop in projected state revenue in the new year that begins July 1. Public colleges and health care services are most vulnerable to cuts. But lawmakers also are weighing whether to use the state's "rainy day" fund to offset some of
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Retirement Problems (W/ audio from Sen. Elbert Guillory)

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:06:00 -0400

How can the state's pension problems be fixed?

As Lawmakers continue to look at fixing the state's retirement problems, Matt and Brian talked w/ State Senator Elbert Guillory about walking that line b/t keeping promises and keeping the state from going broke. The full interview is available under the headline pic
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Bicentennial Babies

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:06:00 -0400

Bicentennial Babies Recognized Monday in Hospitals Throughout the State

Baton Rouge, La– As part of the state’s Bicentennial celebration, the Louisiana Hospital Association, the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission and birthing hospitals in the state are bestowing the honor of official “Bicentennial Baby” to any baby born Monday, the date of Louisiana’s 200th anniversary of statehood. “By the end of the day, we expect to have recognized between 200 and 250 babies around the state,” said John Matessino, LHA president and CEO. “Each baby gets to take home a memorable keepsake - a piece of history.” Each baby born in a Louisiana hospital today will receive the Louisiana Bicentennial medal and a
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Happy Birthday To Us

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:30:00 -0400

Louisiana celebrates 200 years of statehood

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - When officials from the United States arrived in newly acquired Louisiana in 1804 to consider the prospects of the area for statehood, they found a bewildering landscape that could not have been more different from the New England countryside that gave birth to the nation just a few decades earlier. The federal group found a population made up almost entirely of French-speakers, a third of whom were free people of color. They delegation was perplexed, according to Connie Zeanah Atkinson, professor of U.S. history at the University of New Orleans. In 1804, the area that would
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JAZZ FEST-SPRINGSTEEN

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:31:00 -0400

Springsteen packs them in for Jazz Fest

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Bruce Springsteen has closed out the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with a 2 1/2-hour show that combined crowd-pleasers such as "Born to Run" with the cover tune of his new CD, "Wrecking Ball." Fans began staking out spots when the Fair Grounds opened at 11 a.m. Sunday, rushing from the entrance gates to spread blankets and set up chairs close to the stage. By the time Springsteen stepped on stage fans were stretched around the fairgrounds track, some standing 10 to 12 people deep. At one point New Orleans blues
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Baton Rouge Schools

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:06:00 -0400

RSD touts plan for BR schools

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The state agency charged with taking over poorly performing public schools in Louisiana says five of its schools in Baton Rouge will benefit from a new initiative involving area businesses, colleges and nonprofit organizations. The Louisiana Recovery School District announced the plans Thursday at Capitol High School in Baton Rouge. Capitol is part of the initiative along with Istrouma High School, Glen Oaks Middle School, Dalton Elementary School and Lanier Elementary School. Among those working with the RSD to help turn the schools around are Entergy Corp., LSU, Southern University, Baton Rouge Community College, Capital
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Livingston-FEMA Funds

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:11:00 -0400

Livingston Parish to appeal to FEMA again

LIVINGSTON, La. (AP) - The Livingston Parish Council has voted to set a deadline of July 31 for making yet another appeal to FEMA. The council is seeking payment of about $54 million in disputed costs incurred during debris cleanup following Hurricane Gustav. The council instructed attorney Shelby Easterly, retained by the council several months ago to gather evidence supporting the parish's claim for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's reimbursement, to complete his collection of evidence and be prepared for oral arguments before the agency in Washington, D.C. Easterly recently received data relative to the case, and he has requested
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Southern Scholarship Awards

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:39:00 -0400

School Vouchers

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:01:00 -0400

Private schools can now apply for voucher program

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - State education officials have released the application that private school administrators are to fill out to participate in Louisiana's new voucher tuition program. Legislation establishing the statewide voucher program was signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal last week. Students in public schools graded by the state with a C, D or F, and who are from low-to-moderate-income families, will be eligible to go to private schools at state expense. The education department said this week that schools wanting to accept those students should submit their application by May 18.
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New Degrees

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:16:00 -0400

Grambling, La. Tech programs get initial approval

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System has approved three new academic degree program proposals for two northeastern Louisiana universities. During a meeting Tuesday in Baton Rouge, the board approved a proposal from Grambling State University to develop a master of arts degree program in teaching and a letter of intent to establish a bachelor of science degree in child development and early literacy. The board also approved a proposal by Louisiana Tech University to start a doctoral program in molecular sciences and nanotechnology. All academic programs await final approval by the Louisiana Board of Regents.
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Gulf Oil Spill-Settlement

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:07:00 -0400

Judge to hold hearing on Gulf oil spill settlement

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal judge in New Orleans is set to preside over a hearing on a proposed class-action settlement that would resolve billions of dollars in claims against BP over the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. BP PLC and a team of plaintiffs' attorneys are seeking U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier's preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, which is designed to resolve more than 100,000 claims by people and businesses who blame the spill for economic losses. Barbier is scheduled to hear their request on Wednesday. BP estimates it will pay about $7.8 billion to
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American Idol-Louisiana

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:09:00 -0400

Westlake, neighbors gear up for AI and Ledet

WESTLAKE, La. (AP) - Westlake singing sensation Josh Ledet is among the Top 6 performers on this season of American Idol and family and friends in his hometown this week are hoping to push him into the Top 3. Members of Team Josh will host a viewing party Wednesday at the Westlake Multi-Purpose Complex, where friends and family will gather to watch the performance and cast votes afterward. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The City of Westlake donated the facility, a big screen and surround-sound system to watch the show. Food and door prizes will be provided as well
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On To The Full Senate (W/ audio from Norman Browning)

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:27:00 -0400

Sen Bodi White's Bill that paves the way for the Breakaway SE BR school district clears its 2nd

SB 563 cleared its second hurdle Monday. This is the bill that lays the foundation for the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School District to breakaway from the EBR School District . It passed through the Senate Finance Committee, and heads to the full Senate floor. While in the Finance Committee, the proposed district was restored to its original form. It will cover the area that forms the wegde between I10 and I-12 out to the Parish lines. Senator Dan Claitor had the bill amended to move the line up to Airline hwy instead of I-10. In the Finance Committee, that amendment was removed. Norman
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Deadly Intersection

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:08:00 -0400

Another lawsuit filed over dangerous intersection

PORT ALLEN, La. (AP) - Relatives of a woman killed in a wreck at an intersection that area residents describe as hazardous have filed suit against the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The lawsuit was filed in state court in Port Allen on Monday by the daughters of Ann Hope Browne, the sister of LSU football coach Les Miles. The lawsuit claims the state knew the intersection at La. Highway 1 and Sugar Plantation Parkway was dangerous but failed to address it. It's the second lawsuit filed against the state this month related to traffic deaths at the intersection. A
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Jindal Travel

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:05:00 -0400

Jindal to attend school summit in New Jersey

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal will travel to New Jersey next week to speak to a pro-voucher group, only two weeks after the Louisiana governor signed a bill that creates a statewide voucher program that will use tax dollars to send children to private schools. The American Federation for Children said Monday that Jindal is participating in its 2012 national policy meeting, which is set for May 3 and 4. Louisiana's Republican governor will be on a speaker list that also includes New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. The statewide voucher program will begin with the 2012-13 school year,
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Boudin Capital

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:26:00 -0400

La. lawmakers dub their latest "boudin capital"

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana now has two cities designated the "Boudin Capital of the World." Lawmakers this session have given final passage to a measure that crowns the south central Louisiana city of Scott with the title. Years ago, the Legislature named Broussard the same thing. Carencro Rep. Stephen Ortego says Scott is planning to start a boudin festival and wants to better be able to market its culture. Five boudin businesses in the city sell more than 1.3 million pounds of the Cajun sausage each year, totaling $5 million, according to the legislation. But the city of Jennings
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Goodbye To The "S" Curve (w/ audio from Geaux Wider)

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:49:00 -0400

I-12 gets straightened out.

From a Geaux Wider Press Release: Baton Rouge— The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) held a press conference announcing that I-12 eastbound traffic will be shifted to the new eastbound Amite River Bridge on the morning of April 24, weather permitting. This movement will eliminate the “S-curve” for eastbound I-12 traffic, marking a major construction milestone for the DOTD Geaux Wider Program. The “S-curve” took eastbound travelers across the median area and onto the lanes of the westbound Amite River Bridge. The new traffic pattern will keep travelers in the eastbound direction using a lane shift instead of the “S” curve.
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Vitter-Louisiana

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:52:00 -0400

Sen. Vitter in La. for events next Monday

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - U.S. Sen. David Vitter is scheduled to hold a town hall-style meeting in East Feliciana Parish next Monday. The Louisiana Republican is holding the meeting between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in the town of Slaughter. The town hall meeting is in keeping with Vitter's promise to hold a meeting in each Louisiana parish during every session of Congress. Also next Monday, April 30, Vitter is expected to speak at the Louisiana State University's College of Engineering and at the event celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Louisiana statehood at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
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Lobbyist Cap

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:22:00 -0400

Cap on legislative wining and dining moves to $56

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Lobbyists can spend more money wining and dining legislators and other public officials starting July 1. The rate will go up from $54 to $56 per occasion. The law from 2008 started out setting a $50 per event limit, but a provision in the law allows increases based on the federal Consumer Price Index for food and beverage. The law gave the Louisiana Board of Ethics the authority to monitor the situation annually and promulgate rules to increase the amount. The board has voted to move forward with rules to raise the limit, because the
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A Life Sentence Might Not Be (w/ audio from Rep Pat Smith)

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:20:00 -0400

HB 543 by Representative Patricia Smith moves forward.

“3 strikes and you’re out” has put a number of nonviolent repeat offenders in prison for life, and Representative Patricia Smith (D- BR) wants to change that. She has introduced HB 543 that would “give hope to some of these nonviolent offenders” of possibly getting out of prison. The bill would allow for review of prisoners after they’ve served a minimum sentence from a graduated scale based on their age when they began their sentence. Inmates aged 18-25 would serve a minimum of 25 years, 25-35 would serve 20 years, 35-50 would serve 15 years and over 50 would serve
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Heavy Weight World Championship

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:06:00 -0400

To purchase your tickets Click Here!

The Case Against The CATS Tax

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:56:00 -0400

hear from community leaders, and follow the links to the info

Here are a few links to sites that have info against of the CATS Tax: BR TEA party looks at Homestead Exemption problem BR TEA Party's position Taxbusters' position Who else is against the tax? Also, underneath the headline pic is audio from a number of interviews on the station leading up to the vote. You can hear from and click here to read the case FOR the tax.
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The Case For The CATS Tax

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:14:00 -0400

hear from David Aguillard of Catholic Charities and Jared Loftus from the CATS Board

Here are a few links to sites that have info in favor of the CATS Tax: Read about Comprehensive Transit Reform pro forma budget for CATS if Tax passes The Center For Planning Excellence's take Also, underneath the headline pic is audio from a number of interviews on the station leading up to the vote. You can hear from Adam Knapp from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, David Aguillard from Catholic Charities, and Jared Loftus from the CATS Board.
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School Travel

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:36:00 -0400

New travel rules delayed in East Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - 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 provision that would pay out only some of the daily meal allowance on the first and last days of the trip. Board member Vereta Lee also objected to a change that would increase from $300 to $500 the qualification for a travel advance. The board is planning to take the
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Deadly Intersection

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:17:00 -0400

Family sues state in intersection hazard

PORT ALLEN, La. (AP) - Relatives of three people killed in a wreck at an intersection described by Addis residents as dangerous have filed suit against the state Department of Transportation and Development. The lawsuit filed Tuesday says state engineers had evidence the crossing was unsafe but failed to address it in a timely manner. The newspaper says Jodi Conachen with the DOTD referred all questions to the state Attorney General's Office. In February, the state announced plans to redesign the intersection of La. Highway 1 and Sugar Plantation Parkway in Addis to improve safety on a roadway.
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BP-Settlement

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:20:00 -0400

Judge asked to sign off on BP oil spill settlement

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - BP and a team of plaintiffs' attorneys have presented a federal judge with the details of a proposed class-action settlement designed to resolve billions of dollars in economic damage claims spawned by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The company and lawyers representing more than 100,000 individuals and businesses are asking U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to give his preliminary approval to the agreement filed Wednesday in New Orleans. Barbier hasn't indicated when he will rule. London-based BP PLC estimates it will pay about $7.8 billion to resolve private party claims, but the
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Will Pending Legislation Kill The Cats Tax?

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:31:00 -0400

Is funding the problem, or is it autonomy?

A bill by Representative Regina Barrow may cause folks to say no to higher taxes this weekend. The Bill is HB 629, it’s in the House Municipal and Parochial Affairs Committee, and it would remove oversight on fare hikes and proposed route changes from the Metro Council. This would mean that the CATS Board would have greater autonomy over how to spend their money. This brings up the question, which is the problem, lack of funding, or lack of control? CATS says they are already handling their money well. They say things are run in an efficient way, but they
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Baton Rouge Spending

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:14:00 -0400

Baton Rouge retail spending up 8 percent in Feb.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Retail spending by businesses and consumers in East Baton Rouge Parish rose 8 percent in February, the strongest February in four years. That's according to figures from the city-parish Finance Department. Based on sales tax collection figures, February had $626.8 million in total spending compared to $579.2 million that month last year. The totals do not include vehicle sales. Retail spending has been on the upswing since last year, one of a handful of indicators that bodes well for the health of the local economy. East Baton Rouge sales tax collections had dropped 6 percent
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Obama Challenger

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:16:00 -0400

No Louisiana delegates to Obama challenger

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana won't assign any delegates to a Tennessee lawyer who finished a distant second to President Barack Obama in the state's Democratic primary because he didn't meet the qualifications required. The state Democratic Party announced Monday that John Wolfe failed to comply with the party's delegate selection plan for the March primary election. He missed deadlines to certify an authorized representative for his campaign in the state and to provide a necessary statement of participation to the state party. Wolfe got almost 12 percent of the statewide vote. Analysts said he would have earned an estimated
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Smoking Ban

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:05:00 -0400

Louisiana House agrees to extend smoking ban

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana House has agreed to prohibit smoking within 25 feet of the entrance to any building where smoking already is banned. Republican Rep. Frank Hoffmann, of West Monroe, says he's pushing the proposal because of the dangers of secondhand cigarette smoke. Louisiana prohibits smoking in restaurants, public places, public buildings and many places of employment. Hoffmann's proposal would extend the ban to within 25 feet of those buildings' entrances and to their wheelchair ramps. It wouldn't apply to places like casinos, bars and private residences, which are exempt from the state's smoking ban. The
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OLOL Car Giveaway!

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:10:00 -0400

Let’s Show Them How We Roll!

Downtown Drives the Future For

Taylor Porter Law Firm and the Downtown Development District invite you to a lunchtime event benefiting an important cause. Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital is raffling five beautiful Lexus vehicles; tickets are $50 each and 100% of the proceeds help drive the future of lifesaving care for our kids. OLOL Children’s Hospital is a not-for-profit hospital and never turns a child away, regardless of ability to pay.

To support this effort, Taylor Porter Law Firm is hosting a ticket drive:

Roll on Over and Park Awhile

Wednesday, April 18th
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | North Boulevard Town Square
See the cars, buy tickets on site and buy lunch from local food trucks
(A percentage of food sales also goes to support OLOL Children’s Hospital.)

Each ticket you purchase gives you five chances to win a Lexus! Five Cars- Five Winners! The drawings will take place on May 17. Win or not, you’ll be helping Louisiana’s children receive the healthcare they deserve. To learn more about the hospital, visit www.ololchildrens.org.

If you can’t leave your desk April 18^th, purchase your tickets online by clicking here or calling 855-50-DRIVE (855-503-7483).

What To Do W/ Government Street?

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:12:00 -0400

Experts study Government St. traffic

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Traffic consultants are once again studying whether Baton Rouge's Government Street needs to go on a diet. Spurred by safety concerns and the ongoing sense that the street's traffic moves too fast for its urban setting, the Metropolitan Planning Organization has hired ABMB Engineers to look at whether a so-called "road diet" would work. The firm is studying two options: Each would reduce the four-lane street to one lane in each direction and give a third lane back for wider sidewalks, bike lanes or on-street parking. But one option would have a center turn lane
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Baton Rouge Shooting

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:04:00 -0400

Man found shot to death in driveway

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Baton Rouge police are investigating the shooting death of a 29-year-old man. Cpl. L'Jean McKneely says Brandon Harris died early Sunday morning of multiple gunshot wounds. Harris was found dead in his driveway. Police have not identified a motive or a suspect.
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War of 1812-Bicentennial

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:08:00 -0400

New Orleans to kick off War of 1812 bicentennial

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Nine ships, including three tall military sailing ships, will adorn the Mississippi River in New Orleans this week as the nation kicks off the bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812. The ships are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday afternoon. There will be three U.S. Navy warships, three international warships and the sailing ships, including the Coast Guard's Cutter Eagle. The public can visit the ships for free between Wednesday and Sunday. Also coming to New Orleans will be more than 2,000 sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen taking part in the commemoration. New Orleans is kicking
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Oil Spill-Conference

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:03:00 -0400

Nicholls to hold oil spill conference

THIBODAUX, La. (AP) - Nicholls State University will hold a conference Wednesday reviewing the effects of the BP oil spill two years ago. Keynote speaker is Donald Boesch, appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. Boesch is a professor of marine science at the University of Maryland. Other speakers include Robert Dickey of the Food and Drug Administration, state health officer Jimmy Guidry and LSU environmental sciences professor Ed Overton. The conference will be held in the student union building with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. It is
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Breakaway District Bill Moves Forward

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:44:00 -0400

but not before being amended.

Bodi White’s bill that would lay the groundwork from the Southeast Baton Rouge breakaway school district clears its first legislative hurdle, but not before getting a major tweak. Dan Claitor got amended the bill to move the southern border of the district from I-10 to Airline Highway. This move does two things. First, it eliminates two schools from the proposed district. Second, it eliminates an area that would’ve provided some much needed tax revenue to fund the new district. Senator White tells Matt and Brian that he doesn’t know what the ramifications of losing this taxing area will have on
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Strip Club Fine

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:02:00 -0400

St. Helena Parish strip club fined

GREENSBURG, La. (AP) - The state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control says The Oak Ridge Lounge, one of two strip clubs in St. Helena Parish, will be forbidden to sell liquor for eight weeks and must pay a $1,000 fine. In addition, the club must pass an ATC inspection before it can reopen, according to an agreement reached between an attorney for the club and the state agency. The suspension of the Oak Ridge Lounge's liquor license takes effect Monday. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says the club was cited last month for unsanitary conditions, refilling premium liquor bottles with
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East Feliciana Schools

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:03:00 -0400

E. Feliciana picks new school chief

CLINTON, La. (AP) - The East Feliciana Parish School Board has voted to name Henderson Lewis as the next superintendent of schools. Thursday's 10-1 vote came after the public had a chance to meet Lewis and the other finalist, Edna Lusk Thomas. The board also questioned the two separately behind closed doors. The board appointed Thomas in January as the parish's interim assistant superintendent to act in the absence of Superintendent Douglas Beauchamp, who is taking leave before his June 30 retirement. Lewis is director of academics and instructional technology for Algiers Charter Schools Association, overseeing academic programs for eight
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Livingston-Rapper Arrested

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:01:00 -0400

Denham Springs rapper arrested

DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (AP) - The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office says deputies got a search warrant for a Denham Springs-area rapper's home after his latest CD cover showed him with a handgun, kneeling over a body. WAFB-TV reports that Keith Johnson - rapper O G Smoov - is jailed in lieu of $150,000 bond. Deputies allegedly found a .25-caliber handgun and illegal drugs in his home. The sheriff's office says Johnson is a convicted felon who cannot legally possess a firearm. It says deputies also found a pound of marijuana and three doses of Alprazolam. Johnson was booked with possessing a
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Motel Gator

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:31:00 -0400

Alligator visits Port Allen motel, bites guest

PORT ALLEN, La. (AP) - Authorities say a 6-foot alligator showed up at the front door of a Super 8 Motel in Port Allen and bit a guest. West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Mike Cazes tells says his office got the call about the alligator around About 4 p.m. Wednesday. Matt Marszal, the motel's front desk clerk, said the gator bit one of the motel guests who tried to catch it before Animal Control workers showed up. Marszal said the man was taken to the hospital. Once Animal Control workers arrived, He said the gator was subdued within 5 minutes.
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Union Pacific Looking At Upgrades In Donaldsonville

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:39:00 -0400

UP to upgrade stretch of railroad tracks

DONALDSONVILLE, La. (AP) - A stretch of Union Pacific railroad tracks running through Donaldsonville will receive a face-lift later this year which may include clearing away the high grass and weeds growing along railroad rights of way inside city limits. Paul Miller, senior special agent with Union Pacific Railroad, told the city council Tuesday that his company plans to erect a high security fence along a segment of the tracks through Donaldsonville. Miller says the project includes erecting an 8-foot fence along the north side of the railroad between La. Highway 308 and St. Patrick Street, as well as clearing
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McIlhenny-Wetlands

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:20:00 -0400

Famous hot sauce takes on wetlands cause

AVERY ISLAND, La. (AP) - The company that makes Tabasco sauce will use its spicy products to raise money to restore wetlands. Paul McIlhenny, chairman and CEO of the McIlhenny Company, said Wednesday that Tabasco boxes will carry the headline: "Tabasco is hot on America's WETLAND and fired up to help save it." McIlhenny, who is a board member of the foundation, said Louisiana's wetlands are disappearing at the rate of a football field every hour. The package directs buyers to the foundation's web site. Valsin A. Marmillion, managing director of the foundation, says, any money raised by the Tabasco
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Historic Breaches

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:42:00 -0400

Bypassing corps in quest for historic levee label

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - An advocacy group is bypassing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and going straight to the National Parks Service in a quest to have two spots where levees failed during Hurricane Katrina added to the National Registry of Historic Places. Levees.org has worked since 2010 to gain the historic designation for the sites where breaches caused catastrophic floods. Although a Park Service official has the final say, the corps gets to weigh in because it owns one site. But the corps said this week its comments may not come until the end of May as it
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PRETTY BABY AND PRETTY PET CONTEST

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:53:00 -0400

THE FAMILY RESOURCE CLINIC IN LIVINGSTON PARISH IS HAVING ITS 3^rd ANNUAL PRETTY BABY AND PRETTY PET CONTEST. THERE ARE SEVERAL AGE CATEGORIES, THE DEADLINE IS MAY 15^th, AND THE ENTRY FEE IS $25…

Info – 225-686-1123

ZACHARY POLICE EXPLORERS

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:54:00 -0400

THE ZACHARY POLICE EXPLORERS ARE HAVING THEIR 2^nd ANNUAL SAFETY FESTIVAL. IT’LL BE SATURDAY, MAY 5^th, FROM 5 TO 9 BEHIND THE ZACHARY POLICE STATION…

Info – 225-654-0073

SOUTHERN STYLE CAR SHOW

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:50:00 -0400

THE SOUTHERN STYLE CAR SHOW IS COMING UP THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 8^th AT THE DAYS INN IN DENHAM SPRINGS. IT’S OPEN TO ALL CLASSES, AND MOTORCYCLES ARE WELCOME. PROCEEDS BENEFIT LIVINGSTON PARISH’S CHRISTMAS CRUSADE OF CHILDREN

Info – 225-207-9304

BEAT THE ODDS CASINO NIGHT

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:52:00 -0400

THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IS HAVING THEIR BEAT THE ODDS CASINO NIGHT ON MAY 12^th AT THE CAPITOL PARK WELCOME CENTER. THERE’LL BE CASINO GAMES AND A SILENT AUCTION…

Info – 225-929-7674

Truancy Center

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:36:00 -0400

Baton Rouge truancy center set to open

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A center to help boost public school attendance and reduce juvenile crime in East Baton Rouge Parish is set to open its doors this fall. The project recently cleared its final hurdle when Gov. Bobby Jindal signed off on a three-year, no-cost lease that will allow the new Family and Youth Service Center to be housed at the former Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said Tuesday that he hopes the center will be open in August for the beginning of the school year and that it will
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Registered Sex Offender Targeting Athletes

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:03:00 -0400

Police: Man posing as woman in scam

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Baton Rouge police are investigating a man who has posed as a woman and contacted several area high school student athletes about offering them work or money. Sgt. Don Kelly said in a news release at least three athletes have been contacted by the man by telephone, and one of them met the man, who was dressed as a woman, in person. Kelly said the unidentified man, a registered sex offender, claims to represent legitimate organizations but is offering non-existent jobs and cash vouchers. Police believe the man obtained the athletes' phone numbers by calling
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Earth Day

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:31:00 -0400

"Live Green, Live Long" is this year's theme

From a Press Release: The Louisiana Earth Day celebration, one of the nation’s largest environmental festivals, will take place April 22nd in downtown Baton Rouge from noon until 8:30 p.m. The theme for this year’s festival, “Live Green, Live Long,” ties together the environment, health, and the economy. Creative exhibits and activities produced by over 400 volunteers will educate and inspire festival-goers on how they can live green and live healthy at home and at work. Regional music and food provide a chance for all ages to celebrate the unique beauty of our state. In addition to returning activities such
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STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:33:00 -0400

THE NEW VENTURE THEATRE IS PRESENTING STEEL MAGNOLIAS. PERFORMANCES WILL BE APRIL 20^th, 21^st, AND 22^nd AT THE INDEPENDENCE PARK THEATRE…

Info – 225-216-0660

ST. JOHN’S ANNUAL FESTIVAL DE LA PRAIRIE

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:34:00 -0400

ST. JOHN’S ANNUAL FESTIVAL DE LA PRAIRIE IS COMING UP THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 27^th. IT’LL BE ON THE CHURCH GROUNDS ON HIGHWAY 73 IN PRAIRIEVILLE…

Info – 225-673-8307

PACIFIC INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:35:00 -0400

PACIFIC INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE NEEDS FAMILIES TO HOST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM MORE THAN 40 COUNTRIES. YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT A FOREIGN CULTURE AND, AT THE SAME TIME, SHARE THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE…

Info – 800-828-9001