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BATON ROUGE – State officials announced safety guidelines Monday paving the way for movie and television production to return to Louisiana. The Louisiana Entertainment branch of Louisiana Economic Development says it developed the ruleset with input from industry professionals in order to keep workers and residents safe during the pandemic. Some of the safety measures…

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is starting August with more gains, and U.S. stocks are climbing in early Monday trading following encouraging reports from around the world on the economy. The S&P 500 was 0.7% higher, tacking more gains onto its four-month winning streak, with Big Tech once again leading the way. Treasury yields…

BATON ROUGE – A local literary contest that recognizes the works of African American authors is nearing its deadline for submissions.  Authors will no longer be able to submit work for consideration in the 14th annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence after Monday, August 31.  Prizes include a $15,000 cash award.  The Gaines…

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Joe Biden nears the announcement of his vice presidential choice, the top contenders and their advocates are making final appeals. The campaign hasn’t finalized a date for naming a running mate, but three people who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the plans said a public announcement likely wouldn’t happen before the…

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s public high school graduation rate has dropped, only a year after state leaders celebrated the state reaching a milestone. The Advocate reports the senior class of 2019 had a graduation rate of 80.1%, down from 81.4% a year earlier, according to the state Department of Education. But in a bright spot,…

ZACHARY – A line of cars stretched down the street and wrapped around the corner for free face masks and sanitation supplies. “There’s shortages all over. There are many stores where you can’t find these products,” said Baton Rouge school teacher, Wade Guillory.  Guillory was one of the first dozens of people who waited in…

BATON ROUGE- Starting August 10, the first day of virtual instruction, all East Baton Rouge Parish schools will distribute grab-n-go meals curbside. Although class will not be in session yet, each school in the parish will distribute on-site, hot meals from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Both breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup…

BATON ROUGE – Investigators with the Baton Rouge Police Department say a man with severe infirmities that were sustained during an accident was beaten up at a bus stop by two individuals who have since been arrested. According to authorities, on February 27 James David Brown and Devin Marie Dean attacked the previously mentioned man…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Once a coronavirus vaccine is approved as safe and effective, Americans should have widespread access within a reasonable time, Dr. Anthony Fauci assured lawmakers Friday. Appearing before a House panel investigating the nation’s response to the pandemic, Fauci expressed “cautious” optimism that a vaccine would be available, particularly by next year. “I…

NEW YORK (AP) — Strong gains for Big Tech stocks are helping to prop up Wall Street in early Friday trading following blowout profit reports from some of the market’s most influential companies. The S&P 500 was 0.1% higher after the first half hour of trading, on track to close out its fourth straight winning…

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana widens access to medical marijuana, tightens the rules on vaping in cars and makes it harder to restrict guns in cities and towns, as nearly 200 new laws take effect Saturday. Most of the provisions were passed in the Legislature’s shortened regular session that ended in June. Lawmakers agreed…

HAMMOND – The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting of a Hammond resident who was found dead at a Hammond equipment shop on Hwy 190. Investigators say 36-year-old Wayne Bourliea was killed during the shooting. Bourliea’s body was found Wednesday morning after a caller told officials an unidentified man was found lying…

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are falling in early Thursday trading on Wall Street as the market’s see-saw week snaps sharply back downward. The S&P 500 was 1.5% lower after the first 30 minutes of trading, following steeper losses in Europe and milder ones across much of Asia. Treasury yields also fell in a sign…

GEISMAR – Police suspect a man was impaired when he crashed head-on into another vehicle on LA 30 Wednesday morning, killing him. According to Louisiana State Police, the crash happened around 6 a.m. on LA 30 near Old Jefferson Highway. Investigators believed 31-year-old Robby Watts of Livingston was driving eastbound on the highway in his…

ATLANTA – A woman accused of intentionally crashing her car into another vehicle carrying her 3-month-old daughter and the child’s father has been charged with felony murder in the infant’s death, Atlanta police said Tuesday. Titayanna Phillips, 21, also was charged with aggravated assault in the crash Monday evening that also injured the father, news…

The U.S. government has announced intentions to withdraw nearly 12,000 troops from Germany.  CNN reports that the decision has attracted bipartisan congressional opposition and angered U.S. allies who see the move as a blow to NATO. Defense officials say pulling thousands of troops from Germany will take years to execute and potentially cost billions of dollars…

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins’ coronavirus outbreak could endanger the Major League Baseball season, Dr. Anthony Fauci said, as the number of their players testing positive rose to 15. The Marlins received positive test results for four additional players Tuesday, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person declined to…

NEW YORK (AP) — After repeatedly being denied service by high-end salons because her hair was perceived as “too difficult” to style, Kanessa Alexander took an unusual step. She opened a shop of her own in a predominantly white Boston neighborhood with four Black stylists serving all hair textures. “I wanted to be someplace where…

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio- Sometimes being different is good, even life-saving. One incredibly unique lobster experienced the truth of this when his odd appearance saved him from certain death.  According to ABC News, a little blue lobster found himself in an Ohio Red Lobster restaurant, on his way into a cooking vessel when two employees noticed that…

NEW ORLEANS – Saints QB Drew Brees and his wife Brittany announced another multi-million-dollar donation, this time helping provide more healthcare locations throughout the state.  The Brees family announced the donation on social media Monday morning. The pair says they’re donating the money in partnership with the Ochsner health system in order to help establish…