New Country 100.7 The Tiger : Baton Rouge

Jindal Calls For Resignation

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Jindal presses for resignation of union leader

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal has called on the executive director of a Louisiana education employees union to resign. At issue is a dispute between Jindal and the Louisiana Association of Educators over the governor's bid to allow children in poor-performing schools to attend private schools with state tax dollars. Jindal says comments made by Michael Walker Jones, the LAE's executive director, were offensive to parents. The governor said Thursday that Jones should leave his post for telling The Times-Picayune that parents in poverty "have no clue" what is the right education choice for their children because
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Another Theft

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:17:00 +0000

Thieves hit Live Oak High School job site

WATSON, La. (AP) - Officials say the fall opening of the new Live Oak High School in Watson could be delayed after thieves stolemore than $100,000 worth of copper and tools from the construction site. Bruce Bacon, the job superintendent for Woodrow Wilson Construction Co. says the thieves knew exactly what containers to break into. Bacon says the thieves climbed a utility pole, cut open a lock on a security camera, then took the camera. He said crews were still taking inventories Thursday to determine exactly what was taken. This was at least the eighth time that thieves were known
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Bowl Baton Rouge (w/ pics)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:22:00 +0000

RIVER CENTER READY FOR 2012 USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

From a USBC Press Release: BATON ROUGE, La. - After almost two months of construction, the transformation of the Baton Rouge River Center is nearly complete, and the one-of-a-kind bowling venue is ready to welcome more than 60,000 bowlers for the 2012 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships. The start of the 151-day event is just a few days away, and local media, dignitaries and tournament sponsors were given a sneak peek of the venue, which includes 48 tournament lanes, custom scoreboards, four showcase lanes, office and vendor space, locker room, squad room, concessions area and seating for more than 600 bowling
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Bowl Baton Rouge

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:22:00 +0000

Bowling Rouge

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:22:00 +0000

Citizens Lawsuits

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:36:00 +0000

No decision made on Citizens judgment appeal

(AP) - Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a decision won't be made until next week on whether the state's property insurer of last resort will pursue a U.S. Supreme Court appeal of a $93 million judgment against the company. Donelon said Wednesday that his office and leaders of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. continue to discusstheir remaining legal options. Citizens was found to have moved too slowly in dealing with claims after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. At issue is whether Citizens will pay $350,000 to a Washington-based law firm to ask the Supreme Court to consider anapplication for appeal
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Highway Hearings

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:52:00 +0000

Lawmakers hold highway hearings around state

(AP) - State lawmakers are holding a series of public hearings around Louisiana to discuss highway repair and construction plans. The nine meetings kick off Tuesday in Pineville and continue through next week. At each meeting, lawmakers on the House and Senate transportation committees and state transportation officials will outline the road projects planned for an area, as listed in the state's highway priority program, to let the public know how state and federal transportation funding is slated to be spent in the region. The hearings - called the "road show" by lawmakers - will be held in Bossier City,
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Hearing His Side

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:29:00 +0000

Michael Sandlin is suing to keep his tiger

Michael Sandlin, owner of the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, is currently suing to keep “Tony” the tiger. He has owned tigers since 1988, and has the same USDA license that LSU and the Baton Rouge Zoo have that allows you to keep and exhibit exotic animals. On numerous occasions, animal rights and animal welfare activists have tried to remove “Tony” from the truck stop. They cite numerous reasons for this, from claims of poor living conditions to the argument that exotic animals shouldn’t be in captivity at all. We spoke with Michael to hear his side of the story.
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Sex Offender Registration

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:53:00 +0000

High court appeal considered in registration case

(AP) - An attorney for a Louisiana man fighting lifetime sex offender registration says he is considering an appealto the U.S. Supreme Court. The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled last week that Jimmy L. Smith must register with state authorities as a sex offender and comply with other provisions such as having "sex offender" printed in orange letters on his driver's license. Smith received two prison sentences in 1995 for sex offenses involving juveniles. At the time, Smith was required to register for 10 years after his release from prison. He was discharged from the requirement in 2005. The dispute began
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Taking Another Shot At Keystone

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Vitter-Hoeven-Lugar, Bipartisan Group of Senators to Introduce Legislation to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline 44 Cosponsors Support the Bill

From Senator Vitter's Press Release:(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators David Vitter (R-La.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and a total of 44 senators today announced that they will introduce legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project under Congress’s authority enumerated in the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8. “This new bill is a lot like the old one, but it makes it definitive that Congress has the authority to push the Keystone XL Pipeline forward,” said Senator Vitter. “Everyone in Washington talks about saving the economy and creating jobs – the Keystone XL
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It Ought To Be A Law

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:34:00 +0000

Bill would require reporting of child abuse

(AP) - A New Orleans state senator wants to toughen Louisiana law that requires people to report child abuse, in response to the allegations of sexual abuse of boys involving a former Penn State University assistant football coach. Democratic Sen. J.P. Morrell has filed legislation to make it a felony if a person witnesses sexual abuse of a child and fails to report it to police. The prison sentence would be up to five years for conviction. Child care providers, members of the clergy, mental health workers, school teachers and others listed in the state children's code are required to
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Gulf Lease Sale

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:42:00 +0000

Offshore lease sale set for June

(AP) - The Department of Interior says it has set a June date for the next Gulf offshore oil and natural gas lease sale. The sale will include all available unleased areas in the Central Planning Area offshore Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The sale will take place in New Orleans on June 20. The proposed lease sale includes approximately 7,250 unleased blocks covering nearly 38 million acres. The blocks are located from three to about 230 miles offshore, in water depths ranging from nine to more than 11,115 feet in the central Gulf of Mexico. Federal officials estimate the region
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Big Year For BTR

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:35:00 +0000

Metro Airport traffic hits three-year high

Eds: APNewsNow. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - More passengers flew in and out of the Baton Rouge Metro Airport in 2011 than in any of the past three years, with over 809,000 total passengers using the airport. The airport said it had 404,735 passengers boarding aircraft in 2011 and 405,116 disembarking aircraft. The total represented a 4.0 percent increase over 2010. The 2011 December total passenger count was 66,873 passengers, a 4.5 percent increase over December 2010. Delta Air Lines had the highest market share of passengers from the airport at 38 percent of traffic, followed by United/Continental at 28 percent,
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Appetite For Life

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Celebrity TV chef hosts jambalaya cook-off

AP) - Celebrity TV chef Andrew Zimmern is in Louisiana for a jambalaya cook-off being filmed for his new MSNshow. Two past winners of an annual jambalaya championship in Gonzales are cooking in downtown Baton Rouge on Wednesday for the show"Appetite for Life with Andrew Zimmern." Jambalaya samples are on sale at lunchtime, with proceeds benefiting the Capital Area United Way. Several local food trucksalso are participating in a cook-off for the show. Each episode of the MSN series shows Zimmern in a different city to sample the food, while also helping charitable causes. Zimmern, a chef and food writer,
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Full Time Director

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:28:00 +0000

West Feliciana board hires director

AP) - West Feliciana Parish's Economic Development Board has voted to hire an economic director, moments after the parish Police Jury approved a new resolution of authority for the board. The board hired Dennis A. Manshack of Baton Rouge Monday to be the parish's first full-time business and industry hunter since April 2010. Manshack was chief operations officer and executive director of the Louisiana Economic Development Corp., a quasi-state agency,from 1997 to 2001, and most recently was a vice president at a Baton Rouge location of Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Co. of New Orleans. Manshack also served in other
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Mardi Gras HQ

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:28:00 +0000

Here is your 2012 Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parade Schedule! Look for us in these parades, we may throw you a little something special!

Sunday, January 29 from 10am - 4pm: The Baton Rouge Mardi Gras 2012 Dog Parade CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts

Taking place in Downtown Baton Rouge starting at North Blvd. and 5th Street. Visit www.caaws.org for more information

Saturday, February 4th at 1:00pm: Walker Mardi Gras Parade

walker.la.us/MardiGras.html

Saturday, February 4th at 6:00pm: The Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parade, Krewe of Jupiter and Juno

Taking place in downtown Baton Rouge www.kreweofjupiter.com

Friday, February 10th at 7pm: Krewe of Artemis Parade

Taking place in Downtown Baton Rouge www.keweofartemis.com

Saturday, February 11th at 2pm: Krewe of Mystique de la Capitale

Taking place in downtown Baton Rouge www.krewemystique.com

Saturday, February 11th at 6:30pm: The Krewe of Orion Parade

Taking place in downtown Baton Rouge www.kreweoforion.com

Saturday, February 11th at 3pm: The Krewe of Denham Springs Parade

Taking Place in Denham Springs www.kreweofdenhamsprings.com

Friday, February 17th at 7pm: Krewe of Southdowns Parade

Taking place in the Southdowns neighborhood www.southdowns.org

Saturday, February 18th at noon: Spanish Town Parade

Taking place in downtown Baton Rouge www.spanishtownmardigras.com

Saturday, February 18th at 4pm: Krewe of Poseidon Parade

Taking place in downtown Baton Rouge www.kreweofposeidon.com

Mardi Gras HQ

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:09:00 +0000

Here is your 2012 Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parade Schedule! Look for us in these parades, we may throw you a little something special! Sunday, January 29 from 10am - 4pm: The Baton Rouge Mardi Gras 2012 Dog Parade CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts Taking place in Downtown Baton Rouge starting at North Blvd. and 5th Street. Visit www.caaws.org for more information Saturday, February 4th at 1:00pm: Walker Mardi Gras Parade walker.la.us/MardiGras.html Saturday, February 4th at 6:00pm: The Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parade, Krewe of Jupiter and Juno Taking place in downtown Baton Rouge www.kreweofjupiter.com Friday, February 10th at 7pm: Krewe of Artemis Parade Taking place in
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Louisiana Unemployment

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:25:00 +0000

Louisiana jobless rate down in December

(AP) - Louisiana's unemployment rate dropped slightly in December. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics says the state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 6.8 percent, down from 6.9percent in November and 7.7 percent in December 2010. The agency also says that without seasonal adjustments, Louisiana had 47,400 more non-farm jobs in December than in December 2010 for a 2.5 percent increase. The number was unchanged from November 2011. Last month, 37 states and the District of Columbia posted jobless rate decreases, three posted increases and 10 were unchanged. Over the year, 46 states saw unemployment rate decreases while the rate
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The Boss Is In

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:50:00 +0000

Bruce Springsteen AND the E Street Band Join Jazz Fest 2012 Lineup on Sunday, April 29

From a Jazz Fest Press Release: New Orleans, LA (January 24, 2012)—The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell announced the addition of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Eddie Vedder to the lineup for the 2012 event, scheduled for April 27 – May 6. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band will close out the first weekend of the Festival on Sunday, April 29, while Eddie Vedder will perform Thursday, May 3.Springsteen's only other Jazz Fest appearance was in 2006 with his Seeger Sessions project on the heels of Hurricane Katrina, in what is widely regarded
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GBC Contest Rules

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:15:00 +0000

GUARANTY BROADCASTING GENERAL CONTEST RULES for all stations

including WDGL, WYPY, WTGE, KNXX, &WNXX

No Purchase Needed, to Enter or Win a Prize.
Prize(s) are non-transferable, and Cash will not be substituted for a prize.
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter and win, Other Age Requirements may apply.
Must have a valid LouisianaDrivers License, or License Issued in the USfor Proof of Id
You can win Once Every 30-days. For Cash Contest you can only win once during the runOf that contest. You can only win a Flyaway Trip or Major Prize once every 6-months.
By calling in to win, or entering a contest All participants automatically give permission for the Station to use their likeness, image and/or voice in promoting the contest and/or station, on air, or on the website.
Employees of this station, and other Guaranty Baton Rouge, Stations, employees of any other radio And TV station, other cable, news and media companies within one hundred (100) miles of Baton Rouge, LA. are Not eligible to win.
All decisions of The Management of this station or its representatives are final.
Winners are responsible for any and all Local, State, and Federal taxes / fees.
Some Prizes may be Mailed, Mailed prizes may take up to 4 weeks to receive
Contests are open to Louisiana residents only and void where prohibited by law.
The station is not responsible for any telephone or internet, technical, network, electronic, Computer hardware, or software failures, malfunctions, or phone disconnects, thatare related to entering or participating in a contest.
Contest Rules, and Contest Times, are subject to change at any time without notice, for certain contest, new rules and contest times may be broadcast on the air, as notice,that contest rules and contest times have been changed.
All winners must claim their prize(s) within thirty (30) days of the date won or the prize(s) is forfeited.
Prizes must be claimed Monday thru Friday from 9amto 5pmduring regular business hours. At the Station Studios at 929, Government Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802.

Ex-Mayor's Trial

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:52:00 +0000

Trial to start for St. Gabriel ex-mayor Grace

(AP) - The trial of former St. Gabriel Mayor George L. Grace opens Monday with jury selection. Grace was charged in September 2010 with several charges, including racketeering, extortion, obstruction of justice, bribery, mail and wire fraud as part of the FBI's "Operation Blighted Officials" sting. Five other area officials either pleaded guilty or were convicted as a result of the sting involving undercover agents posing as corrupt executives offering bribes for help in gaining municipal business for a fictional garbage can-cleaning service called Cifer 5000. Grace was the first official approached by the investigators, according to evidence presented by
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LSU Grades

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:51:00 +0000

LSU delays grading vote

(AP) - The LSU Faculty Senate has delayed a vote on switching to a new student grading system to give the matter further study. Some faculty members complained about the lack of time to discuss the plan prior to Thursday's scheduled vote, while others pointed out that the change would cost the university money during a time of state budget cuts to colleges. The proposed "plus-and-minus grading system" would award different scores for "plus and minus" letter grades in classes. Those supporting the switch argued it would allow for more accuracy and flexibility in assigning final grades for students. On a
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President Nixes Keystone Pipeline (hear from Congressman Cassidy)

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:15:00 +0000

President Obama rejects a Canada to the Gulf Coast pipeline

(AP) -- A senior Obama administration official says the White House will reject a Canadian company's plan to build an oil pipeline from Canada to Texas. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced, says a February deadline set by Congress doesn't allow for a proper review of the $7 billion project. The Feb. 21 deadline was set by a GOP-written provision as part of a tax bill that Obama signed into law just before Christmas. Obama had until that date to decide whether the pipeline was in the national interest.
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Deadly Intersection

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:02:00 +0000

Changes slated for deadly intersection in Addis

(AP) - The state is planning to make improvements to a busy La. Highway 1 intersection where three people died in car wrecks in the past nine months. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has scheduled a Jan. 25 meeting to discuss proposed plans to redesign the intersection of La. 1 and Sugar Plantation Parkway in Addis with "J-Turns." DOTD says the J-Turns should improve traffic flow and reduce the likelihood of wrecks, especially side-collisions. But Mayor Carroll Bourgeois says a traffic signal at the intersection would go much further in aiding public safety. Bourgeois said about 50,000 vehicles
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EBR Schools Search

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:56:00 +0000

E Baton Rouge schools chief search to take time

(AP) - The search for the next East Baton Rouge Parish school superintendent is taking longer than expected and could easily stretch into February. Six semifinalists are from Baton Rouge, Del Rio, Texas; Baltimore; Conyers, Ga.; the North Carolina education department, and Charleston County, S.C The six interviews originally expected to be this weekend are now scheduled Wednesday and on Jan. 23. The board then plans to come back Jan. 25 and narrow the field down further to perhaps three, perhaps fewer, finalists. The Chicago-area search firm PROACT started with 15 recommended candidates from a list of 44 applicants. A
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Health Care Changes

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:17:00 +0000

La's Medicaid privatization rollout rocky

(AP) - There've been startup problems in the first phase of a privatized "Bayou Health" care system for Louisiana's poor and uninsured. Only about 12 percent of eligible Medicaid recipients in southeast Louisiana have enrolled with one of five private health plans scheduled to take over their care in February. Beginning Monday, the Jindal administration will start assigning the remaining quarter-million unsigned participants to one of the companies. Doctors, hospitals and other health-care providers have raised so many questions about the new program that the state Department of Health and Hospitals has held daily conference calls with them. Callers complain
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DAD’S SUPPORT GROUP

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:02:00 +0000

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES IS HAVING A DAD’S SUPPORT GROUP. THEY HAVE MEETINGS COMING UP ON FEBRUARY 27^th AND MARCH 19^th AT THEIR HEADQUARTERS AT 2356 DRUSILLA LANE…

MENTOR-PARENT TRAINING SESSIONS

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

PARENTS HELPING PARENTS HAS A NUMBER OF MENTOR-PARENT TRAINING SESSIONS COMING UP OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. THEY’LL ALL BE AT 2356 DRUSILLA LANE, AND YOU MUST REGISTER AHEAD OF TIME…

ACTIVE FOR AUTISM RUN-AND-WALK

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:56:00 +0000

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES IS SPONSORING THE 3^rd ANNUAL “ACTIVE FOR AUTISM” RUN-AND-WALK. IT’LL BE MARCH 31^st AT 8 AM AT THE STATE POLICE TRAINING HEADQUARTERS. THEY’LL HAVE ALL KINDS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, TOO…

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:51:00 +0000

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES IS PRESENTING A TALK BY DR. PATRICK SCHWARTZ ON BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES IN THE HOME, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY. IT’LL BE MARCH 1^st FROM 9 TO 4 AT THE STATE POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY…

Families Helping Families

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:51:00 +0000

STYX

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:27:00 +0000

TALK 107.3 FM Welcomes STYX Feb 24th to the Texas Club! Tickets will go on sale this Saturday Jan 15th, $42 pre-sale priceand $50 day of the show. Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman and Ricky Phillips (along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo), have performed more live since ’99 than all of the previous years of its career combined. Two Super-Bowl appearances, Pollstar Box Office chart-topping tours with Def Leppard, Journey, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Bad Company (to name only a few), two more studio albums and no end in sight, STYX continues to conquer the
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West Sanitation Relocating To Baton Rouge

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:23:00 +0000

Governor Jindal and West Sanitation Services Announce Headquarters and Manufacturing Plant Relocation to Louisiana

From The Governor's Press Release: BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal and West Sanitation Services Inc. CEO Ben Elder announced the relocation of West Sanitation’s corporate headquarters from California to Baton Rouge and its manufacturing operations from Illinois to Baton Rouge. The relocation represents a $1.14 million capital investment and will create 44 new direct and indirect jobs. A manufacturer and distributor of odor control products for commercial and institutional restrooms, West Sanitation will consolidate operations in a Beaumont Drive industrial building near Airline Highway in Baton Rouge. The company’s jobs will average more than $38,000 per year, plus benefits.
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LSU Professor Discovers World’s Tiniest Vertebrate

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:08:00 +0000

Tiny frog called Paedophryne amauensis averages around 7 millimeters in size; fits in center of U.S. dime

From an LSU Press Release: BATON ROUGE – LSU’s Chris Austin recently discovered two new species of frogs in New Guinea, one of which is now the world’s tiniest known vertebrate, averaging only 7.7 millimeters in size – less than one-third of an inch. It ousts Paedocypris progenetica, an Indonesian fish averaging more than 8 millimeters, from the record. Austin, leading a team of scientists from the United States including LSU graduate student Eric Rittmeyer, made the discovery during a three-month long expedition to the island of New Guinea, the world’s largest and tallest tropical island. “It was particularly difficult to locate
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LSU Nixes Beer Idea

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:05:00 +0000

LSU Will Not Seek Licensing of Beer

From an LSU Press Release: January 11, 2012 BATON ROUGE – LSU will not proceed with licensing of an LSU branded beer, Chancellor Michael Martin said Wednesday, Jan 11. LSU had originally sought to license a beer product through an existing agreement with Collegiate Licensing Company. The license would have permitted Tin Roof Brewing Company, a local beer producer operated by LSU graduates, to produce a beer using LSU marks. “The intent was to create an educational opportunity for students to learn about the beer industry and business modeling, while also seeking new revenue for the university,” said Martin. “Ultimately, we have
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Down To A Half Dozen

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:50:00 +0000

6 semifinalists named for Baton Rouge school head

(AP) - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has narrowed the list to six semifinalists in its search for a new superintendent. The list includes two candidates, Herman Brister Sr. and Maria Pitre-Martin, who are either working or have worked for the parish school system; two sitting superintendents from small to midsize districts in Georgia and Texas; the chief of staff of the large Baltimore school system, and the communications chief of the county school system in Charleston, S.C. Interviews for the six are likely to begin next week, but dates have not been set. After those interviews, the
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Education Superintendent

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:44:00 +0000

BESE vote scheduled on La. school superintendent

(AP) - Louisiana's top education board is set to decide Wednesday whether to hire Recovery School District leader John White as the next state education superintendent. Gov. Bobby Jindal is pushing White for the job. The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has scheduled a special noon meeting to vote, only two days after the board's new term began. BESE President Penny Dastugue says White is expected to get the eight votes needed to win the position. Dastugue says White has the experience to lead Louisiana's education department. But the board is getting criticism by one of its own
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Coastal Restoration

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:47:00 +0000

State to unveil new coastal master plan

(AP) - A new blueprint for saving coastal Louisiana from sea level rise, hurricanes and erosion will be unveiled Thursday. The document will lay out strategies and challenges facing Louisiana as it struggles to deal with a host of problems along its coast. The new plan is a five-year update to a blueprint first published in 2007. The document needs to be approved by the Louisiana Legislature. The state will hold three public meetings on the new plan, which will include a list of projects state officials believe will help stem coastal land loss. Louisiana has lost 1,900 square miles
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SLU-Stadium Turf

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:23:00 +0000

SLU to replace stadium turf

(AP) - Southeastern Louisiana University's Strawberry Stadium is getting new turf - the stadium's first turf upgrade since the return of football to the university in 2003. The $525,000 project, which will include removal of the existing turf and track to make way for the new turf, is being financed by the Lion Athletics Association. The non-profit organization assists the university's athletics department by providing private financial support for scholarships, operations and athletic facilities. The new turf was used for one year during the 2010 season in the Superdome by the New Orleans Saints and Tulane University. The turf is replaced
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Jindal Inauguration (hear the audio)

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:38:00 +0000

Gov. Jindal begins 2nd term in office Monday

(AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal is beginning his second term in office with a focus on education and a pledge not to rest on the accomplishments of his first four years. Jindal will be sworn in Monday at the Old State Capitol, in a ceremony overshadowed by the college football championship game. The 40-year-old Republican made history when he took office in 2008, as the nation's first elected Indian-American governor and Louisiana's first nonwhite governor since Reconstruction. He made history again for his second term, winning his re-election bid with the highest margin in a Louisiana primary since the state
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Public Safety Tax

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:21:00 +0000

Time running out for crime panel tax plan

(AP) - A committee of East Baton Rouge Parish law enforcement leaders that expected to put a tax on the April ballot probably will not meet their Wednesday deadline. The committee has been working since August to draft a comprehensive plan to improve law enforcement and reduce crime by identifying important construction projects and initiatives. The group was successful in identifying a list of projects, but the committee appears to have faltered in its pursuit of financing. The committee named several crime-fighting priorities at its final meeting: a new parish prison, estimated at $165 million, and a new juvenile services
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Jindal Inauguration

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:38:00 +0000

Dardenne Steps Up LSU-Alabama Wager (w/ audio)

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:33:00 +0000

La. Lt. Gov. Dardenne issues golf challenge

(AP) - Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne is offering golfers in Alabama a chance to win free rounds of golf at Louisiana's Audubon Golf Trail courses if the Crimson Tide is victorious over LSU in the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans. It's a twist on the often-inconsequential "wagers" placed between politicians before major sporting events. Television ads are running throughout Alabama, featuring Dardenne encouraging golfing enthusiasts to visit www.LouisianaTravel.com and register for a chance to win one of 100 prizes, each comprising two rounds of golf at Audubon Golf Trail courses. The ads, funded entirely by a new grant
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Baton Rouge Schools

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:43:00 +0000

BR board delays selection of supt. semifinalists

(AP) - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has postponed until next week selecting semifinalists from the pool of 43 candidates vying for the position of superintendent. School Board President Barbara Freiberg said following Thursday night's executive session that PROACT, the search firm hired by the board, had recommended 15 of the applicants as semifinalists. Freiberg said she would have accepted that list, but some board members wanted more time to review all of the applicants before making a decision. PROACT on Tuesday released a list of 43 applicants seeking to replace current Superintendent John Dilworth, who plans to
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Dardenne Steps Up LSU-Alabama Wager

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:33:00 +0000

Before The Rematch...

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +0000

LSU and Alabama Come Together for “Building Champions through Service” Community Service Project in New Orleans

(From an LSU Press Release) January 6, 2011 BATON ROUGE – LSU and the University of Alabama are sponsoring a joint community service project, “Building Champions through Service,” on Sunday, Jan. 8, leading up to the Allstate BCS National Championship football game on Monday, Jan. 9. More than 400 students, faculty, staff and community members from both schools will volunteer to improve the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Louisiana, located at 1140 South Broad Street in New Orleans, starting at noon. The project is being coordinated by LSU Campus Life and UA Community Service Center. Volunteers will spend the afternoon
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Only In America Stops In Nola

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:58:00 +0000

'Cable Guy' tours country for History Channel

(AP) - Funny man Dan Whitney, the Blue Collar Comedy crew member known as "Larry the Cable Guy," says Louisiana and Alaska are among the states that gave him great fodder for the second season of his History Channel show "Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy," which premieres Jan. 11. The show takes quirky and humorous approaches to interesting people and places across the country. Season two opens with Whitney's venture to the Alaska frontier, where he goes on a stakeout with authorities to catch illegal moose hunters, learns some moose calls and helps one of the state's
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Truck Stop Tiger (w/ pics)

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:37:00 +0000

Another suit filed in truck stop tiger case

(AP) - The owner of a Grosse Tete truck stop has filed suit against the state of Louisiana and Iberville Parish in a last-ditch effort to keep a 550-pound tiger on display at the facility. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, comes two months after a Baton Rouge judge ruled Tony, a Siberian-Bengal mix, is not permitted by state law to remain at Tiger Truck Stop on Interstate 10. That ruling is being appealed. Michael Sandlin's suit contends the truck stop has a federal permit to keep the tiger, and that the state law and a 1993 Iberville Parish ordinance which prohibits
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Littering Education (interview w/ State Sen. Fred Mills)

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:46:00 +0000

Law requires litter course with driver's ed

(AP) - Louisiana teenagers in driver's education programs will learn the rules on littering. The law took effect Jan. 1. It adds litter education to the driver's education course required before 15 and 16-year-olds can get their licenses. State Sen. Fred Mills, R-St. Martinville, who sponsored the law, says the idea is to create an antilitter culture among youth that continues through life. The law increases the number of required driver's ed test questions from 30 to 32 and requires at least two of them to be on the economic effects of littering. Officials say a 2010 Keep Louisiana Beautiful survey
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Recommendation: Strengthen The Board Of Regents

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:43:00 +0000

Panel recommends against single college board

(AP) - The latest study panel looking at how best to govern Louisiana's public colleges is recommending against consolidating all college management into a single board. Instead, the Governance Commission suggested giving the Board of Regents more power over the four individual university system boards and the state dollars allocated to them. The proposals were among 21 suggestions in a final report adopted by the commission Tuesday, most of which would need legislative approval to be enacted. The study commission said that there was no direct link between the type of college governance structure and improved performance, and that the
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Who Wants the Job?

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:47:00 +0000

43 seek to run East Baton Rouge school system

(AP) - Forty-three people have applied to become superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish schools. Only seven are currently working as superintendents. A handful of applicants are second or third level administrators in large and mid-size school districts. The list also includes applicants who work for charter school management groups, individuals working for state departments of education, school principals, and several private educational consultants. East Baton Rouge Parish has about 43,300 students. The school board will meet Thursday with PROACT, the Chicago-area search firm, to name seven to 12 semifinalists from the list of 43 applicants. The candidate chosen by the
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Inauguration-Pomp and Circumstance

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:49:00 +0000

1,000 invited to Jindal's second inauguration

(AP) - Cannons will fire, F-15 fighter jets will fly overhead and Deacon John will sing "God Bless America" when Gov. Bobby Jindal is sworn into office at the Old State Capitol next week. Though events have been scaled back for Jindal's entrance into his second term of office, the inauguration Monday will be filled with the pomp and circumstance of previous swearing-in ceremonies. The governor's chief political strategist, Timmy Teepell, says 1,000 people received invitations to watch Jindal take the oath of office from the chief justice of Louisiana's Supreme Court. The ceremony is open to the public. Jindal's
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Sewer Rates

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Annual sewer fee boost kicks in

(AP) - Every Jan. 1 since 2004, East Baton Rouge Parish residents have seen a 4 percent increase in monthly sewer user fees that finance $1.3 billion in sewer improvements. An average household, using 8,600 gallons of water per month, will pay $40.60 per month in 2012, up $1.56 from 2011. Assistant Public Works Director Mark LeBlanc says LeBlanc says at the end of 2011, the city-parish had about $900 million of outstanding sewer debt and made payments of about $50 million. The fees are estimated to yield approximately $71 million for 2011 and $73 million this year. There are 136,833
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Littering Education

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:46:00 +0000

Baton Rouge Schools

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:58:00 +0000

Baton Rouge school board looks for new head

(AP) - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board will be busy as the new year begins. School board members are working to find a new superintendent to replace John Dilworth, who is leaving when his three-year contract expires June 30. PROACT, the Chicago-area search firm, had planned to release the names of the applicants for superintendent Monday, but school board members were still waiting on them. Domoine Rutledge, general counsel for the school system, said Monday that he may not get the list of applicants until Tuesday. Board President Barbara Freiberg says she hopes a new superintendent will be
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Funding Dispute

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:53:00 +0000

Funding flap sparks fire service changes

(AP) - Following a funding dispute, the Baker Fire Department will stop answering emergency calls Sunday from areas outside the city limits, and the responsibility will fall entirely on the Zachary Fire Department. Zachary and Baker have responded to calls in an unincorporated area of northwestern East Baton Rouge Parish for years but only began sharing fire protection tax revenues in 2008. The funding split has been 65 percent for Zachary and 35 percent for Baker, but Baker Fire Chief Danny Edwards said Zachary Mayor David Amrhein insisted on his city getting 81 percent of the annual revenue. Edwards says
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Ethics Training

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:04:00 +0000

New ethics training requirements start Sunday

(AP) - As many as 250,000 people across Louisiana who work in state and local government agencies face new training requirements with the start of the new year, to make sure they know their limitations under the state's ethics code. State Ethics Administrator Kathleen Allen says anyone deemed a "public servant" will be required to receive an hour of education and training on the ethics codes annually. Estimates are the requirement could apply to 250,000 people, like government employees, appointees to a public board or commission and volunteer firefighters, whether they are paid or not. Similar training already was mandated
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Subtract $8.1 Million

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:19:00 +0000

LSU Announces Mid-Year Budget Cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 28, 2011 BATON ROUGE – LSU has cut $8.1 million from its operating budget in response to mid-year budget cuts dictated by a $50 million reduction in funds for higher education due to a shortfall in state budget projections for the current fiscal year. Funds for nearly 60 positions at LSU have been impacted, 40 of which are vacant positions that were scheduled to be filled in the coming months. The remaining positions will be moved off of the university operating budget to other sources of funds. “These cuts have been spread throughout the campus to reduce
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From the 225 To the 305

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Baton Rouge based 3Lions Media lands the Social Media contract for the Discover Orange Bowl.

While many in Baton Rouge are focused on the Sugar Bowl and the 2012 BCS Championship Game, 3Lions Media also has the Orange Bowl and 2013 BCS Championship Game in their sight. The Orange Bowl came to 3Lions on referral in late November with a unique challenge. The Orange Bowl established their Facebook page a little over one year prior but had done so incorrectly and were forced to start over. They requested a plan from 3Lions not only to establish a new social media presence (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) but also a plan for engagement with the two teams for
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Pinnacle Shoots For Late Summer Completion

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:41:00 +0000

Work continues on Pinnacle's Baton Rouge casino

(AP) - First low water levels in the Mississippi River stopped Pinnacle Entertainment from installing the hulls for its L'Auberge Baton Rouge casino. Then the threat of flooding from high water caused further delays. The delays forced Pinnacle to seek the state Gaming Control Board's permission to extend the construction deadline to July 31. The board granted that request in September. Pinnacle officials now say the $357 million casino and hotel complex is on schedule for completion in late summer. Spokesman Jeff Wright says the first floor of the parking garage has been poured, and the exterior walls were poured
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Phase 1 Complete (hear from Davis Rhorer)

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:45:00 +0000

The North Blvd Town Square is open. (w/ pics and audio)

Construction finished early on phase 1 of the North Blvd. Town Square. It was originally supposed to take until February of 2012, but the fencing and road closures are gone, the fountains are pumping and the media screens are on. We grabbed a couple of pics of the Square. The gallery is on the right of the screen. We also spoke w/ Davis Rhorer from the Downtown Development District about what the Town Square means for downtown. scroll down and look to the right of the screen to find the full audio of the interview.
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Baton Rouge Schools

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Baton Rouge school projects nearly complete

(AP) - Two East Baton Rouge Parish schools will grow bigger by the time children return from winter break. Southeast Middle and Villa del Rey Elementary schools are getting more classrooms, eight and six respectively, and both projects are almost complete. Those additions are set to open when students return for the spring semester on Jan. 8. Each cost about $1.7 million. Construction is just beginning on a $1.6 million six-classroom expansion at Ryan Elementary. Completion is scheduled for June, in time for the start of the 2012-13 school year in August. The most construction activity will continue to occur
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COLON CANCER COALITION

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:40:00 +0000

The Colon Cancer Coalition is having their 2^nd Annual “Get Your Rear in Gear” 5k run. It will take place April 28^th at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. The money raised will be used to raise awareness of colorectal cancer right here in Baton Rouge. For more information, call 225-767-1156 COMMUNITY.

Sugar Harvest

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:14:00 +0000

Record sugar harvest expected

(AP) - The 2011 sugar cane harvest is close to wrapping up, and industry watchers say Louisiana farmers should produce record levels of raw sugar this year. Kenneth Gravois, sugar-cane specialist with the LSU AgCenter, says the total tonnage of cane harvested per acre in Louisiana will be somewhat average when the final numbers are tallied, but farmers will have an above average quality crop. Gravois says a mostly dry year with timely rains in July, followed by the heavy rainfall Tropical Storm Lee dumped on the state around Labor Day, created the right conditions for a high-quality crop. Gravois
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Nucor Phase 1

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:04:00 +0000

Work under way at La. Nucor site

(AP) - A large sugar cane field in St. James Parish, a target for heavy industry by parish and state leaders since the 1990s, is now a mass of cranes, trucks, trailers and other equipment and supplies. Officials say about 100 contractors for Charlotte, N.C., steelmaker Nucor Corp. are working at the east bank Mississippi River site to build the first of two direct reduced iron plants. Nucor, state and parish officials broke ground on the DRI plant in March. The plant, designed to prepare 2.5 million tons of iron ore pellets each year for steel making, is the first,
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Race To The Top

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:07:00 +0000

State wins federal education grant

(AP) - Louisiana is among seven states that will share $200 million in a Round Three federal Race to the Top grant. According to the announcement made by the U.S. Department of Education Louisiana's share will be $17.4 million. 20 districts and 28 charter schools, totaling a little more than a third of the state's public school population, signed up to participate in Round Three, including St. Landry Parish. St. Landry and St. Mary parishes were the only Acadiana parishes to sign up. Last week, St. Landry Parish schools interim superintendent Donnie Perron said the school system is participating in the
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Christmas Eve Bonfires

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:31:00 +0000

Weather prediction looking up for bonfire builders

(AP) - The weather's looking up for people who build Christmas Eve bonfires on the Mississippi River levees between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. National Weather Service Meteorologist Tim Erickson says showers are likely to be light and late, with winds less than 10 miles an hour. High winds or heavy rains could cancel the 7 p.m. event in St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes. Officials say more than 100 bonfire permits were issued this year. Lutcher Fire Chief Jason Amato says that officials will decide at 3 p.m. Saturday whether the fires can be lit. Monica Salins,
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A Christmas Tradition

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:05:00 +0000

thousands of folks in the Baton Rouge area visit 1 house in Denham Springs. (hear from Clyde Messenger)

For more than 40 years, the Messengers have put on a Christmas display for the public to enjoy. It features a lot of lights, animated Christmas scenes, a frozen "North Pole," and more than a few reminders of the reason for the season. Clyde Messenger tells Matt and Brian that more than 40,000 people will visit his home to see his family's Christmas display this year. (Scroll down and look to the right of the screen to hear the full interview)
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Top 10 of 2011! Geaux Tigers!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:47:00 +0000

LSU Research Featured in Physics World Top 10 Breakthroughs of 2011

(From an LSU Press Release) December 22, 2011 BATON ROUGE – LSU physicists were recently recognized as part of the Physics World Top 10 Physics Breakthroughs of 2011 for their studies recording the first real indication of a new type of neutrino oscillation. LSU Department of Physics & Astronomy Professors Thomas Kutter and Martin Tzanov and Professor Emeritus William Metcalf, along with graduate and undergraduate students, have been working for several years on an experiment in Japan called T2K, or Tokai to Kamioka, Long Baseline Neutrino Oscillation Experiment, which studies the most elusive of fundamental subatomic particles – the neutrino. In the spring
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Holden Grabs A Bell

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Baton Rouge mayor to ring bell for Salvation Army

(AP) - Baton Rouge's mayor is picking up a Salvation Army bell to help raise money for the charity. East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden's office says Holden plans a Thursday afternoon bell-ringing session at a local Wal-Mart, to collect contributions for the Salvation Army. Bell ringers, with their red kettles, raise donations that help pay for Christmas dinners, clothes, toys and basic necessities to families in need during the holidays.
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Road Home

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

State demanding $10M from Road Home contractor

(AP) - Louisiana is demanding nearly $10 million from the former contractor of the Road Home program for alleged overpayments to homeowners. The state says demand letters have been sent to ICF International, which administered the housing recovery program for three years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Pat Forbes of the state Office of Community Development said Wednesday that the state is seeking the money from the company - rather than homeowners - because the alleged improper payments would violate its contract. The Road Home program is funded with federal money. An ICF spokesman could not be reached for comment
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Tritium Leak

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:12:00 +0000

Entergy reports radioactive leak at nuclear plant (not a public health threat) - hear from Eric Olsen

(AP) - Officials at Entergy Corp.'s nuclear power plant near Baton Rouge say they have notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about a leak of radioactive hydrogen. An elevated level of tritium was found Wednesday in a groundwater monitoring well at the Entergy River Bend Station. Entergy says the leak is not considered a public health threat because it was only in one of 31 monitoring wells. Plant spokeswoman Katie Damratoski says Entergy is still investigating the source and cause of the leak. She says River Bend Station will check the contaminated well and those around it every month. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
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Louisiana Continues to Gain Population

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:09:00 +0000

Census gains accompany growth in jobs, business investment, as Louisiana is adding jobs at twice the rate of the South, U.S.

(from the Governor's press release) BATON ROUGE – According to new data released today by the U.S. Census, Louisiana continues to have more people moving into the state than moving out. Louisiana gained more than 6,100 people through net migration for the year ending July 1, 2011, as well as more than 12,000 people through net migration for the period of April 1, 2010 through July 1, 2011, which previously had not been reported. The U.S. Census Bureau’s latest measure of population patterns continues a strong trend for Louisiana after the state experienced more than 20 consecutive years of more people
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A cat soothes a baby when crying!! Watch the video!!

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:02:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWXigjFm4TM&feature=player_embedded#

Graduation Day

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:02:00 +0000

LSU Recognizes 1,651 Graduates at December Commencement

(From an LSU Press Release) December 16, 2011 BATON ROUGE – LSU recognized 1,651 graduates at the university’s 276th commencement exercises on campus Friday, Dec. 16. There is no main ceremony for December commencement, so each college held separate ceremonies to recognize their own individual students. The 1,651 graduates included 1,281 bachelor’s degrees, 258 master’s and professional degrees and 112 doctoral degrees. The graduates represented 54 Louisiana parishes, 33 states and 45 countries. The percentage of total graduates was split almost evenly with 51.3 percent men and 48.7 percent women. Among the undergraduates, 50.2 percent of the graduates were
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More Budget Cuts Coming

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:56:00 +0000

Revenue forecasting panel drops estimates by $198M

(AP) - Louisiana's income forecasting panel has cut the state's revenue projections by $198 million this year, a move that will force a new round of budget reductions in the middle of the fiscal year. The four-member Revenue Estimating Conference agreed Wednesday to adjust the estimates. The largest drops were in individual income and severance taxes, which have fallen below initial predictions. Gov. Bobby Jindal's top budget architect, Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater, says his office is working on a plan to close the deficit and hopes to present it to lawmakers Friday. The governor has 30 days to make
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Speaker's Advice

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Outgoing House speaker urges against partisanship

(AP) - Exiting Louisiana House Speaker Jim Tucker is advising rookie House members to avoid the pitfalls of partisan politics. Tucker's advice came Tuesday in the opening of a legislative orientation session. Tucker told incoming lawmakers, "You don't move the state forward through partisanship. There are ways to make it work with the other side." The Republican Tucker, who was a vocal and often-partisan critic of former Gov. Kathleen Blanco when he was chairman of the House Republican delegation, says he has realized that all points of view are important and should be accommodated. The House speaker from Terrytown, whose term
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Shrimp Season

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:32:00 +0000

Most inshore La. waters close to shrimping Tuesday

(AP) - The fall shrimp season for most Louisiana in-state waters closes on Tuesday State wildlife officials said in a Wednesday news release that open waters of Breton and Chandeleur sounds and other areas located within Shrimp Management Zone 1, will remain open until further notice. The inshore closure coincides with the Dec. 20 closure of a portion of outside waters approved earlier this month by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. The closure is being done to help ensure that small white shrimp grow to larger, more valuable sizes.
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National Guard-Farewell

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:09:00 +0000

30 Airmen take part in Hammond farewell

(AP) - Family members, friends and supporters were on hand Wednesday to say goodbye to about 30 National Guard airmen headed overseas to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Wednesday's ceremony was at Southeastern Louisiana University's Student Union Theater. The airmen are members of the 236th Combat Communications Squadron from the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing.. The Louisiana National Guard says that Brig. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, the adjutant general of the state National Guard, attended the ceremonies, telling families that the airmen were well trained and that he was confident they would do their families and the
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Widening 12

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:52:00 +0000

Gov. Jindal Breaks Ground On I-12 Widening Project in Livingston Parish, Announces Funding For Additional I-12 Widening Projects

(From the Governor's Press Release) DENHAM SPRINGS – Governor Bobby Jindal broke ground today on a $21.9 million project to widen 3.2 miles of I-12 from four to six travel lanes between Juban Road and the Walker interchange. The Governor also announced that the Juban to Walker project came in under bid and the state will be using the savings to widen an additional two to three miles of I-12. Governor Jindal said, “My number one priority as Governor is creating an environment where businesses want to invest and create jobs – and that means investing in and improving our roads.
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Reopening For Business

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:46:00 +0000

First offshore bids to be opened since oil spill

(AP) - The federal government is holding the first auction of offshore petroleum leases in the Gulf of Mexico since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster last year, despite a lawsuit challenging the sale. The Interior Department says bids will be opened as scheduled on Wednesday in New Orleans. Four environmental groups are challenging a study used to clear the sale. But they aren't seeking a federal court order to stop the auction. Instead, an attorney has said a judge might decide later to throw out the results if he agrees with the suit. The sale covers about 20.6 million
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Modernizing LSU's Animal Sciences

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:18:00 +0000

Governor Jindal Marks Groundbreaking for Renovation of New Laboratory Building at LSU’s Animal and Food Sciences Center

(From the Governor’s Press Release) BATON ROUGE - Today, Governor Bobby Jindal addressed the groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of the New Laboratory Building at LSU’s Animal and Food Sciences Center. Governor Jindal said, “Since taking office, we’ve been committed to helping our higher education institutions improve their facilities and learning environment for our students. That’s why we’ve worked with the Legislature to appropriate and finance more than a half a billion dollars in critical higher education infrastructure investments. The new laboratory space will put LSU at the forefront of animal and food science research across the nation and help our
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Jindal Inauguration

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:10:00 +0000

All Jindal's predecessors invited to inauguration

(AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal is inviting all four of his living predecessors to his Jan. 9 inauguration. That includes Edwin Edwards, who was released from prison earlier this year and remains on probation for a federal corruption conviction. Jindal spokesman Frank Collins says invitations will be sent to former Govs. Kathleen Blanco, Mike Foster, Buddy Roemer and Edwards for the swearing-in ceremony at the Old State Capitol. Collins says the invitations will go out later this week. Previous governors are traditionally invited to the inauguration. Edwards, a four-term former governor, was unable to attend Jindal's first swearing-in four years
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No New Trial For Tony

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Judge denies new trial motion for tiger owner

(AP) - A state district judge has denied a motion for a new trial requested by a Grosse Tete truck stop owner who keeps a tiger in a cage near Interstate 10. State District Judge Mike Caldwell denied a motion for a new trial filed on behalf of Michael Sandlin, owner of Tony, a 550-pound Siberian-Bengal tiger at Tiger Truck Stop Inc. The motion was filed Nov. 20 after Caldwell ruled the tiger would not be permitted to remain at Sandlin's truck stop. Sandlin's attorney, Steve LeBlanc, said on Friday he will file a motion with the 1st Circuit Court
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Oyster Season

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:01:00 +0000

Oyster season closing in 2 Terrebonne locations

(AP) - State fisheries officials are closing the oyster season in Sister Lake and Bay Junop in Terrebonne Parish. The closures are effective 30 minutes after sunset on Thursday. State biologists say the action is being taken to protect young developing oysters from additional harvesting.
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Fire At Mike Anderson's

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:02:00 +0000

Overnight blaze closes a Baton Rouge favorite. (hear from Mike Anderson)

"Worse than the fire we had 11 years ago." - Mike Anderson An overnight, 2 alarm fire has temporarily shut down Mike Anderson's Seafood restaurant on West Lee Dr. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. The banquet rooms and porch received the greatest damage, though the whole restaurant did suffer smoke damage. Scroll down and look to the right to hear from Barry Mounce(BRFD) and Mike Anderson.
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Baton Rouge Buses

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:04:00 +0000

Group to support tax for BR bus system

(AP) - An 18-member group has taken on the job of seeking a tax to support Baton Rouge's financially troubled bus system, which is facing a projected budget deficit that could force a shutdown by the middle of next year. The new Baton Rouge Transit Coalition has many of the same members that are part of a blue-ribbon commission appointed earlier this year by the mayor to develop recommendations for the Capital Area Transit System. The new group's membership comes the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, faith-based groups and local businesses. The transit system is facing a $2.1 million deficit in
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A British guy's take on American food

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I thought it would be fun to put a list together of his favorite things he has tried. Now remember, he has never had any of this before, so what we may eat regularly and take advantage of, he is LOVING!! In no particular order….

Chic-fil-a (OK, this is his favorite actually)

Wendy’s

Wings at Buffalo Wild Wings

Crab claws, oysters at Chimes

Wings at Hooter’s (Oh, and of course the picture he got with the waitresses!!)

Shrimp, chicken, and steak tacos at Superior

Numerous bagels from New York Bagel Company

Big Ben Burger from the Londoner (He did not finish it)

Side notes…

He HATED grits

Taco Bell is next on the list

Team Baldwin!!!

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:51:00 +0000

http://www.dlisted.com/2011/12/11/alec-baldwin-apologizes-alec-baldwin

LSU Football Makes Top 10... In The Classroom

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:26:00 +0000

LSU Football Receives Praise for Academic Scores Among Bowl Teams

BATON ROUGE – Much like its performance on the field, LSU received high rankings in the classroom in a study released Monday, Dec. 5, of the 70 Football Bowl Subdivision schools that will participate in the upcoming college football bowl season. LSU ranks eighth among the 70 bowl teams in Graduation Success Rate and tied for 12th among all bowl teams in the Academic Progress Rate. The report by the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport notes an overall Graduation Success Rate, or GSR, improvement from 67 percent to 68 percent for students on
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New Leadership

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:02:00 +0000

Jefferson Parish lawmaker to head House GOP

(AP) - A Jefferson Parish lawmaker has been tapped to be chairman of the House Republican Legislative Delegation for the upcoming term that begins in January. The delegation announced Wednesday that Rep. Tony Ligi of Metairie was elected to lead the group for the 2012-16 term. Republicans hold the majority in the Louisiana Legislature and will have 58 of the 105 House seats in the new term. Ligi will be in his second term in office. Before election to the Legislature, Ligi was chairman of the Republican Party of Jefferson Parish.
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I-10 Contractor Removed

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:54:00 +0000

State removes I-10 contractor - Hear from Jodi Conachen

(AP) - The state will replace the contractor on the $86.2 million project to widen Interstate 10 from the I-10/12 split to Siegen Lane. The work on the 4.1-mile stretch of interstate was originally set to be done by the end of this year. It was pushed back to fall 2012 earlier this year amid disputes between state officials and Austin Bridge & Road Inc. The director of communications for DOTD, Jodi Conachen, said in an email that a new contractor should be announced by Christmas "and DOTD is working with the bonding company to ensure that no additional delays
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Teacher Evaluations

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:29:00 +0000

BESE approves teacher evaluation standards. Hear from Chas Roemer

(AP) - The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has decided how it will tie teacher evaluations to student performance scores. A BESE panel Tuesday backed a plan for setting the scoring standards statewide, to comply with a law passed two years ago and started with a pilot program. A second vote was scheduled Wednesday, but a majority of BESE members already had agreed to the plan. Public school teachers will have half their review pegged to student performance data - not the flat standardized test scores, but the growth in student achievement on those tests. The law, championed
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NEW DEPUTIES

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:17:00 +0000

EBR sheriff to hire 8 deputies

(AP) - The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office will hire eight new deputies with a more-than-million-dollar grant it received from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. In addition to the new deputies, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says the $1.25 million will allow the office to create an Emergency Services Unit, which, among other things, will provide a rapid response to life-threatening incidents and other emergency situations. Gautreaux says the unit will be composed of eight deputies, two of whom have already been selected. The remaining six deputies will be chosen within the next few months.
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Mayoral Vetoes

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:44:00 +0000

Mayor Holden vetoes 2 items passed by the Metro Council. Hear Mayor Pro Tem Mike Walker's response.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike Walker stopped in w/ Matt and brian to sound off on his reaction to the Mayor's decision to veto 2 items that passed at the most recent Council meeting. Scroll down and look to the right to hear the interview
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Presidential Primary

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:34:00 +0000

Candidate sign-up period runs this week in La.

(AP) - Presidential politics comes to Louisiana this week, with the candidate sign-up period running from Wednesday to Friday for the state's March 24 presidential preference primary. The $6 million statewide election allows registered Democrats and Republicans to vote for who they want to get their party's presidential nomination. No Democrats are challenging President Barack Obama. The major Louisiana presidential primary election activity will occur among registered Republicans, where primary votes translate into delegate support for candidates seeking to be the party's nomination to challenge Obama in the general election. A GOP presidential contender must get at least 25 percent
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Christmas On the Rails

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:42:00 +0000

The Kansas City Southern "Holiday Express" train made a stop in Baton Rouge Friday night.

(from the KC Southern website) The 11th Annual Holiday Express train will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit 25 communities on 27 dates in seven states throughout The Kansas City Southern Railway Company service territory, including Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. Access to the Holiday Express train is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. The Holiday Express also has a charitable component. At each scheduled stop, The KCS Charitable Fund will make a contribution of gift cards to the local Salvation Army to provide warm clothing and other necessities for children in need.
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Middle School Weakness

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:54:00 +0000

Report hits quality of La. middle schools

(AP) - Louisiana and other Southern states need immediate changes in grades six, seven and eight to improve student achievement and ultimately high school graduation rates, a report released this past week says. Middle school is the "make-or-break point" of the public school system and needs a new mission to succeed, according to the study done by the Atlanta-based Southern Regional Education Board. The SREB is a nonprofit group that advises state education leaders. "States can no longer afford to let students muddle through the middle," the report stated. "They need to implement a road map for change now." The
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Shrimp Closure

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:44:00 +0000

State to close some offshore waters to shrimping

(AP) - State wildlife and fisheries regulators said the department will close a portion of Louisiana offshore territorial waters to shrimping on Dec. 20 at sunset. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission said Thursday that the action is designed to protect small white shrimp and provide the opportunity for those populations to grow to larger, more marketable sizes. The closure includes the following areas: the portion of state outside waters, south of the Inside/Outside Shrimp Line from the western shore of Freshwater Bayou Canal to the U.S. Coast Guard navigational light off the northwest shore of Caillou Boca. The area
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Superdome Architect Dies

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:37:00 +0000

Arthur Davis designed a number of New Orleans buildings.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Architect Arthur Q. Davis, who designed the Superdome with a partner and the New Orleans Arena next to it on his own, has dead. He was 91. Tharp-Sondheimer-Tharp Funeral Home says funeral arrangements are incomplete. Davis died Wednesday at Ochsner Baptist Medical Center. Davis' son, Quint Davis, created the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Other survivors include his wife, Mary Davis, and a daughter, Pam Friedler. Arthur Davis graduated from Tulane University, served in the Navy during World War II and went to Harvard University on the G.I. Bill, studying under such modernist masters as
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