Tagged News

• Appeals court won't dismiss fired officers' lawsuit against Baton Rouge Police Department Play Video

  June 2, 2026 8:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An appeals court sided with three fired Baton Rouge Police officers, agreeing with a lower court's decision that they could continue in a legal fight against their former employer. Former BRPD Street Crimes Unit officers Doug Chutz, Troy Lawrence Sr., and Todd Thomas filed a lawsuit... more »

• BR man sentenced to 10 years in prison after approaching house, asking occupant for $10, shooting them Play Video

  June 2, 2026 7:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after knocking on a Baton Rouge home's door and asking its occupant for $10 before shooting him, court records show Clayton Smith, 22, entered a guilty plea on attempted second-degree murder charges on Monday, court records say.... more »

• Louisiana inmate sentenced to 5 years after sending fentanyl hoax letter to U.S. Supreme Court Play Video

  May 29, 2026 12:20 PM

  SHREVEPORT — A Louisiana inmate was sentenced to five years in Federal Prison after pleading guilty to a fentanyl hoax aimed at the United States Supreme Court. According to the United States Attorney's Office, 40-year-old Alvieyle Moore, an inmate at the Jackson Parish Jail, mailed a threatening letter to... more »

• Race close for Baton Rouge Family Court post; mixed results for crime district fund, fire service Play Video

  May 16, 2026 8:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE – A pair of attorneys practicing family law faced off Saturday in a contest for an open seat on the East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court. Democrat Caulette “Twin” Jackson-Guillard was leading Republican Joseph Cataldie by a slim margin with eight out of 123 precincts reporting unofficial... more »

• Voters protest Supreme Court's decision to strike down Louisiana's congressional map ahead of May 16 election Play Video

  May 15, 2026 7:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Several groups across the state mobilized on Friday at the state capitol to protest the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Louisiana's congressional map. Advocates said the decision weakened majority minority districts. "It's important to have this crowd of people out here for everyone to... more »

• Donaldsonville mayoral candidate pleads guilty after being accused of selling stolen copper Play Video

  May 11, 2026 7:41 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE — A man who ran for mayor in Donaldsonville in 2023 pleaded guilty on Friday after he was arrested for allegedly stealing over 30,000 pounds of burned copper. According to court documents, between May 1, 2024, and Oct. 10, 2024, 69-year-old Glenn Price received about 31,348 pounds of... more »

• Judicial committee says judge violated judicial ethics by making false statements about campaign rival Play Video

  May 8, 2026 1:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A committee under the Louisiana Supreme Court said a candidate for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court violated judicial ethics by making a false statement about his campaign rival at the Baton Rouge Press Club. At the event, 22nd Judicial District Judge William Burris claimed that... more »

• Democratic, Black state legislators: Suspending election following Callais decision is undemocratic Play Video

  May 4, 2026 1:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Members of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and the Louisiana House Democratic Caucus gathered in a Baton Rouge church that was once led by a civil rights leader to oppose Gov. Jeff Landry's decision to suspend the primary election for t he U.S. Representative race so that... more »

• Louisiana Democrats address Supreme Court decision on congressional maps Play Video

  May 1, 2026 2:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Democratic Party will hold a press conference on Friday addressing the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Louisiana’s second majority Black congressional district. In a 6-3 ruling on Wednesday, the court’s conservative majority found that the district, represented by Democrat Cleo Fields, relied... more »

• Garret Graves, Rep. Cleo Fields, Gov. Landry, others react to Supreme Court map decision Play Video

  April 29, 2026 1:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The U.S. Supreme Court said Wednesday that a Louisiana congressional map featuring two majority-minority districts was unconstitutional because race was the driving factor behind its creation. The impact on the 2026 House races wasn't immediately apparent; early voting starts Saturday for the May 16 party primaries. ... more »

• Supreme Court sides with Dow; no change necessary for now for aquifer cleanup

  April 28, 2026 5:44 PM

  PLAQUEMINE — The Louisiana Supreme Court said Tuesday it wouldn't order changes in how groundwater is being cleaned up near Plaquemine, but added that residents are free to ask regulators for a new assessment. In 2013, a court found Dow Chemical Corp. responsible for elevated levels of certain chemicals... more »

• Suspects in Caleb Wilson hazing death appear in court as Wilson's family sits in front row Play Video

  April 28, 2026 11:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Tuesday morning, all five suspects arrested in connection with Caleb Wilson's hazing death appeared in court. Four of the suspects — Isaiah Smith, Kyle Thurman, Caleb McCray and Winston Sanders — appeared in a 19th JDC courtroom in person, while Jayden Landrum attempted to appear in... more »

• House fire on Broad Court caused by portable air conditioning unit powered by extension cord

  April 27, 2026 5:50 PM

  ST. GEORGE — The St. George Fire Department responded to a Sunday night house fire on Broad Court. According to the department, fire crews arrived around 8:10 p.m. to find smoke coming from a single-story residence. Firefighters extinguished the flames within minutes before checking for extension into the... more »

• Fire crews respond to Sunday night structure fire on Broad Court

  April 26, 2026 10:00 PM

  ST. GEORGE — Crews with the St. George Fire Department are currently on the scene of a working structure fire at the 13700 block of Broad Court. The department asks that the public please avoid the area at this time. No additional information was immediately available. more »

• St. George Fire Department responds to structure fire on Starwood Court near Gardere Lane

  April 26, 2026 4:44 PM

  ST. GEORGE — The St. George Fire Department is currently on the scene of a structure fire at the 8100 block of Starwood Court near the intersection of Port Drive off Gardere Lane. Officials ask that the public please avoid the area at this time. more »

• Legislature passes plan to consolidate Orleans Parish court clerk offices after heated debate

  April 24, 2026 1:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana House on Thursday voted 63-28 to eliminate the New Orleans clerk of criminal court position, a move that would prevent newly elected clerk Calvin Duncan from serving his term. Duncan, who was sworn in on April 22 after winning 68% of the vote, will... more »

• 1 dead, 5 injured in mass shooting inside Mall of Louisiana; 5 people in custody Play Video

  April 23, 2026 2:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An argument between two groups of people led to gunfire at the Mall of Louisiana's food court on Thursday. One person was killed and five others were injured in the lunchtime melee. "It does not appear to be a random act of violence," Police Chief... more »

• Gonzales woman dies after being hit along La. 44, State Police say Play Video

  April 20, 2026 11:50 AM

  GALVEZ — A Gonzales woman walking along La. 44 died after being struck by a pickup truck, State Police said Monday. Jacqueline Merritt, 20, was hit Sunday night by a Chevrolet Silverado while walking in the southbound lane, troopers said. A Dodge Ram then hit the Chevy. The... more »

• Supreme Court says Plaquemines Parish lawsuit over erosion must be heard in federal court Play Video

  April 17, 2026 11:59 AM

  WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court handed a win Friday to oil and gas companies fighting lawsuits over coastal land loss and environmental degradation in Louisiana. The unanimous procedural decision gives the companies a new day in federal court after a state jury ordered Chevron to pay upward of $740... more »

• Federal appeals court finds prisoner health care at Angola met standards set by Eighth Amendment, reports say Play Video

  April 13, 2026 12:26 PM

  ANGOLA — Following a previous court ruling, a federal appeals court found that prisoner health care at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola met standards set by the Eighth Amendment, The Advocate reported on Monday. This overturns a lower court's 2023 order that would have required the prison to... more »

• Louisiana Supreme Court alerts residents to text message scam involving traffic tickets

  April 10, 2026 2:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Supreme Court alerted residents to a text message scam involving traffic tickets on Friday. According to the court, several individuals have received text messages from the "Louisiana Superior Court" claiming that they have an outstanding traffic ticket and must pay a fee or face... more »

• Man accused of New Year's Eve shooting that injured 2-year-old pleads not guilty Play Video

  April 9, 2026 2:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man accused of shooting a 2-year-old girl on New Year's Eve pleaded not guilty to all charges he faces at a court appearence on Thursday. Landrick Ruffin Jr., 27, faces six counts of attempted first-degree murder for the shooting that happened along 79th Avenue... more »

• Woman accused of kidnapping and killing 73-year-old boyfriend pleads not guilty Play Video

  April 6, 2026 11:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A woman pleaded not guilty on Monday in the kidnapping and death of a 73-year-old Baton Rouge man in November 2025. Breanna Terrance pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and obstruction of justice after her boyfriend, Woodrow Vaughn , was found dead in the... more »

• Meshell Hale, convicted of killing domestic partner, loses appeal at state Supreme Court Play Video

  April 2, 2026 6:17 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — The state Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to take up an appeal from a woman convicted of second-degree murder in the poisoning of her domestic partner. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeal last September had ruled the evidence against Meshell Hale was sufficient. She had been... more »

• Prosecutors say Venezuelan man tried to solicit sex from undercover agent posing as a teenager Play Video

  April 1, 2026 4:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Federal prosecutors said Wednesday that a Venezuelan man has pleaded guilty to the attempted "coercion and enticement" of a purported minor into sexual activity. Kleider Enrique Garcia Ochoa, age 30, faces a prison term ranging from 10 years to life, and is subject to deportation at... more »

• Baton Rouge man convicted of killing two women in abandoned apartment Play Video

  March 23, 2026 10:03 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge man was convicted of killing two women in an abandoned apartment seven months apart on Friday, according to a report by The Advocate . Police originally noted 37-year-old Cedric Lang as a person of interest when 26-year-old Christina Hobbs was found shot to... more »

• Family reacts to new indictment in Southern University student's death Play Video

  March 22, 2026 4:45 PM

  WILKINSON COUNTY, Miss. — Derick Hollins Jr., one of three people accused of killing Southern University student Steven Harris , has been indicted in Mississippi on murder charges, Harris' mother told WBRZ. Harris was killed in 2024. Investigators believe he was lured to Wilkinson County, Mississippi, where he was... more »

• Appeals court affirms decision to have new judge handle Madison Brooks-related case Play Video

  March 20, 2026 2:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A state appeals court says that although the judge initially assigned to handle the trial of a man accused of raping Madison Brooks has not shown any sign of bias, another judge should take up the case "in the interest of justice." Judge Gail Horne Ray,... more »

• Appeals court says again that ex-BRPD officer can sue Black Lives Matter leader for protest injuries Play Video

  March 19, 2026 2:31 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — A split panel of a federal appeals court said Thursday that a former Baton Rouge police officer injured during a protest after Alton Sterling's death in 2016 deserves his day in court. John Ford was hit by a "rock-like" object thrown by a person protesting Sterling's... more »

• LSU law students given opportunity to argue in front of military court Play Video

  March 18, 2026 7:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE — LSU law students had the chance to argue before a U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday morning. The two students submitted briefs to the court and participated in a real hearing at the LSU Law School. Organizers called it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... more »

• Impacted by tariffs? Court rules that companies are entitled to refunds Play Video

  March 4, 2026 5:36 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — In a defeat for the Trump administration, a federal judge in New York ruled Wednesday that companies that paid tariffs struck down last month by Supreme Court are due refunds. Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade wrote that “all importers of record’’... more »

• State Supreme Court says it will take up homicide case after 2 courts reach different decisions Play Video

  March 3, 2026 7:26 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Supreme Court said Tuesday it would take a look at an East Baton Rouge homicide case after two lower courts reached different decisions on whether the accused man was guilty. In 2023, Judge Eboni Johnson Rose convicted Curtis Stewart Jr. of second-degree murder and... more »

• LSU president says school ready to post the Ten Commandments, if someone provides them

  February 27, 2026 3:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The president of the LSU System said Friday that the university is ready to post a copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, as required by the Legislature, once someone steps up and provides enough copies of the Judeo-Christian tenets. After the Board of Supervisors... more »

• Venezuelan man accused of participating in sex trafficking scheme enters guilty plea

  February 20, 2026 2:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man accused of sex trafficking entered a guilty plea for conspiring to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion. According to court documents, Venezuelan citizen Allbert Herrera Machado entered a guilty plea in December for conspiring to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and... more »

• Louisiana leaders react following Supreme Court's decision to strike down Trump administration's tariffs Play Video

  February 20, 2026 12:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Several Louisiana leaders shared their opinions following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Donald Trump's tariffs on Friday. The tariffs, originally imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and several trade acts, allowed the president to regulate importation. President Trump also... more »

• After flap over book bans, Livingston librarian can pursue defamation case, state Supreme Court says Play Video

  February 10, 2026 11:36 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana Supreme Court is allowing a librarian's defamation lawsuit to continue, ruling Tuesday that Amanda Jones can press her claim that a Lafayette man and his organization harmed her with allegations that she promoted pornography among children. Justices voted unanimously to dismiss a request by... more »

• Appeals court rules for Louisiana in fight over access to discounted drugs

  February 9, 2026 2:37 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — A federal appeals court has upheld Louisiana's restrictions against pharmaceutical companies who wanted to limit the number of drug stores that can offer discounted medicines. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday said states possess the right to rule on public health and consumer... more »

• Mansura man sentenced to life after 2022 carjacking and death of Lafayette ride-share driver Play Video

  January 30, 2026 7:18 PM

  LAFAYETTE – A federal judge this week sentenced a Mansura man to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to a carjacking that left a Lafayette Parish woman dead, prosecutors announced Friday. Ella Goodie was a ride-share driver who had offered to help Brandon Jermaine Francisco, 39, get to... more »

• Judge bars federal prosecutors from seeking death penalty against Luigi Mangione

  January 30, 2026 10:38 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors can’t seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a judge ruled Friday, foiling the Trump administration’s bid to see him executed for what it called a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” U.S. District Judge... more »

• Louisiana justices won't put Foxworth-Roberts back on bench; prompting possible appeal to US Supreme Court Play Video

  January 29, 2026 12:43 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Supreme Court on Thursday turned down an appeal from an East Baton Rouge Parish judge who said she shouldn't have been kicked off the bench for lying to voters about her military service during her 2020 campaign and to police officers as they investigated a... more »

• Baton Rouge songwriter awarded full ownership of hit song by U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

  January 16, 2026 1:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A ruling by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals transferring ownership of a song back to a Baton Rouge songwriter on Monday could potentially change the way music companies transfer intellectual property back to songwriters, according to a report by The Advocate . Songwriter and... more »

• SCOTUS hears oral arguments in Louisiana coastal case; industry organizations react Play Video

  January 12, 2026 2:16 PM

  WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard opening arguments in Chevron v. Plaquemines , a court case stemming from allegations that oil and gas companies, including Chevron, caused damage to Louisiana's coast. In April 2025, Chevron was ordered to pay $740 million to repair Louisiana's coastline after... more »

• Two Lafayette men plead guilty in multi-state theft conspiracy following Homeland Security investigation Play Video

  January 5, 2026 12:12 PM

  DENHAM SPRINGS — Two Lafayette men pleaded guilty in federal court following a Homeland Security investigation that led to a multi-state theft conspiracy. U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced on Dec. 19 that Dennis Sizemore, 54, and Gregory Brazell, 41, pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to a theft... more »

• Maduro says 'I was captured' as he pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges Play Video

  January 5, 2026 9:51 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) — A defiant Nicolás Maduro declared himself the “president of my country” as he protested his capture and pleaded not guilty on Monday to the federal drug trafficking charges that the Trump administration used to justify removing him from power. “I was captured,” Maduro said in... more »

• WBRZ Investigative Unit: Louisiana Supreme Court removes EBR judge for 'pattern of dishonesty' Play Video

  December 10, 2025 4:55 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Supreme Court on Thursday removed an East Baton Rouge Parish judge from the bench, finding that she lied to voters while running for office in 2020 and to police as they investigated a car burglary earlier that year. The justices voted 4-3 to remove... more »

• 19th JDC domestic violence intervention training celebrates inaugural graduation

  December 5, 2025 11:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Judge Foxworth-Roberts and the Domestic Violence Intervention Court Team celebrated the inaugural graduation of the 19th Judicial District Domestic Violence Intervention Court Pilot Program on Friday morning. The program, launched in 2024, aims to reduce the chances of offenders continuing domestic violence, increase victim safety and... more »

• Supreme Court says Louisiana's TikTok lawsuit can go on after questions about venue Play Video

  November 27, 2025 6:47 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Supreme Court has refused to toss out the state’s lawsuit against the TikTok social media platform amid a dispute over whether the case started in the wrong parish. Six of seven justices voted Wednesday to leave in place a decision by the state’s 1st... more »

• East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court hosts fourth annual National Adoption Day Play Video

  November 21, 2025 12:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court held its fourth Annual National Adoption Day Program on Friday to celebrate the adoption of children and the creation of "forever families." With more than 100,000 children in foster care across the country, the holiday recognizes over 90,000 children... more »

• Daniel Callihan sentenced to two life terms in federal court for death of Loranger woman and her daughter Play Video

  November 19, 2025 3:49 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — A man who admitted killing a Loranger woman and one of her daughters was sentenced to life in prison at a federal court hearing Wednesday, extending penalties previously imposed in Louisiana and Mississippi state courts. Daniel Callihan was accused of killing Callie Brunett at her home... more »

• Curtin trial delayed while state seeks ruling on how evidence of purported sexual assault should be handled Play Video

  November 17, 2025 12:38 PM

  LIVINGSTON — The scheduled retrial of a woman accused of taking part in the videotaped sexual assault of an unconscious woman has been postponed while state prosecutors seek Supreme Court guidance on how certain evidence should be handled. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeal ruled last week that District... more »

• A New Orleans man who had his murder conviction tossed wins election as city's chief record keeper

  November 16, 2025 4:11 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A New Orleans man who spent three decades in prison before his murder conviction was vacated won election Saturday to serve as the city’s chief criminal court record keeper, despite the state challenging his past. The city’s newly elected clerk of criminal court, Calvin Duncan,... more »

• Governor OKs parole chance for killer; decades ago, co-defendants benefited from court's clerical error

  November 12, 2025 4:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry says a Midwesterner sentenced to life in prison for the 1981 killing of a Baton Rouge man should be given a term of years and become eligible for parole. William Ollis, 75, had gone before the state Pardons Board in May and it... more »

• 1st Circuit says LSU law professor's challenge to paid leave was filed prematurely Play Video

  November 10, 2025 4:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A state appeals court has ruled that it was too early for an LSU law professor to sue the school over his removal from the classroom because an investigation into anonymous complaints wasn't yet complete. Then-LSU Chancellor William F. Tate IV suspended Ken M. Levy with... more »

• Former BREC employee's appeal hearing grows tense as ethics complaint surfaces Play Video

  October 31, 2025 5:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A former BREC employee is continuing her fight to get her job back, saying she was wrongfully terminated for refusing to follow improper financial orders. Friday marked the second day of testimony before the BREC Board of Commissioners in the appeal hearing for Tonya Smith, who... more »

• Baton Rouge man accused of killing former partner in March shooting at OLOL deemed fit to stand trial Play Video

  October 24, 2025 11:00 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Roland Domino, a man accused of killing his former domestic partner outside her job at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in March, was found competent to stand trial in a Baton Rouge courtroom. Domino, 61, allegedly killed Patricia Jackson after the pair had an... more »

• Baton Rouge man convicted of killing girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter sentenced to life in prison Play Video

  October 9, 2025 6:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man convicted of burying the body of his then-girlfriend's two-year-old daughter was sentenced to life in prison. Phillip Gardner, 34, was found guilty of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in May after the 2021 death of Nevaeh Allen. He then buried her body in... more »

• Addis replaces Mayor's Court system with new Magistrate Court Play Video

  September 22, 2025 7:06 PM

  ADDIS - The City of Addis is making a major change to its justice system. Instead of the mayor presiding over cases, a newly created magistrate court will now take over. Mayor’s courts are common in small towns across Louisiana, but officials in Addis say the system has been... more »

• Trial continues for man accused of killing woman, stabbing her multiple times while streaming on Facebook Live

  September 10, 2025 9:03 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Accused killer Earl Lee Johnson is facing life in prison for a murder that he streamed on social media. Opening statements began on Wednesday at the 19th Judicial District Court, after two and a half days of jury selection . The district attorney's office started laying... more »

• Immigration court set to open up in Baton Rouge in mid October Play Video

  September 2, 2025 6:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A new immigration court is set to open in Baton Rouge on Oct. 20, according to the Executive Office for Immigration Review. The court will be located at 451 Florida Street, Suite 500. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,... more »