Baton Rouge News

The 2014 session of the Louisiana Legislature convened at noon with lawmakers expected to take up a range issues from medial marijuana to educational standards before the session ends by 6 p.m. June.

Eight months after a deadly plane took the life of pilot John Fowler of Mississippi, residents on Rue Jennifer in Baker are relieved to see one of the homes destroyed by the crash is finally being torn down.

A pregnant woman and her boyfriend were arrested on drug and property damage charges after an incident at a hotel over the weekend.

The last two Desperado's employees charged in the federal drug and prostitution case have indicated they'll plead guilty.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal addresses the state Legislature during the opening session March 12, 2012, in Baton Rouge.

Deputies on Sunday arrested a Greenwell Springs man accused of accepting $3,500 cash for a home improvement job in January, only to blow the money on a cocaine habit without completing the contracted work.

More than 170 soldiers from the 205th Engineer Battalion of the Louisiana National Guard received the War Cross Medal for their service overseas Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge.

Advocate staff photo by RICHARD ALAN HANNON -- Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Service Office have complained to the Metro Council that its building at 4560 North Boulevard is in "deplorable conditions," on Friday in Baton Rouge.

Outgoing PJAL President Melvin Haymon of Vernon Parish hosted the convention. The new president is Lisa Nelson of St. Martin Parish.

When they crossed the finish line together Saturday morning clad in identical pink shirts and clutching matching pink flowers, sisters Teal Wintz and Angela Watts smiled.

A rescue van drove all through the night to deliver seven dogs to Stray Rescue of St. Louis, Mo.

HABITAT HOME EXPO: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Baton Rouge River Center, 275 S. River Road.

When jail inmate William "Billy" Bates Colvin's mother expressed concern about bringing her son face wash last year, he told her not to worry, saying the guards at the Pointe Coupee Parish Jail never search him after he meets with visitors.

"I would rather address the problem on the front end rather than on the back end, because we're not going to adopt our way out of this mess."

For 30 years, twice a day, Michell Bond has been feeding ducks at Capitol Lake. But, today she noticed a strange film covering the surface of the water.

It began at 7:00 p.m., and it included a parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic Flame of Hope.

Baton Rouge police on Friday arrested a 34-year-old woman accused of serving as the lookout and getaway driver in the armed robbery of several thousand dollars from a man on Plank Road in June.

Already accused of placing the weapon that killed 5-year-old Jon'Qualon Pitre last week underneath the boy's home, a 16-year-old Opelousas boy is now charged with pulling the trigger.

Advocate staff file photo by PATRICK DENNIS -- The exterior of the East Baton Rouge School Board offices building on South Foster Drive.

West Baton Rouge Parish welcomed a new tool on Friday, Project Lifesaver. It includes a device that can be placed on anyone who wanders --- including autistic children, making it quicker and easier for officials to track them down.