Florida State

Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State

New Orleans, LA

Louisiana Inspired highlights volunteer opportunities across south Louisiana. If your organization has specific volunteer opportunities, email us at lainspired@theadvocate.com with details on the volunteer opportunity, organization and the contact/registration information volunteers would need. Acadiana: The United Houma Nation, 400 Monarch Drive, Houma, is a state-recognized tribe of approximately 17,000 tribal...

Volunteer opportunities in Acadiana, Baton Rouge and New Orleans

Construction on the first phase of the project to dredge and beautify the University Lakes will begin this month after the project received final approval, according to a news release. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit approving the work on Friday, and construction on Phase 1 work...

Construction begins soon on LSU lakes project. Here's a timeline of what's happening when.

Lafayette, LA

HTeaO, a Texas-based iced-tea franchise, could open a location in Lafayette near River Ranch. Owners of the property at 1606 Kaliste Saloom Road were granted a variance last month by Lafayette Consolidated Government’s Board of Zoning Adjustments to build at the location despite not meeting the frontage buildout requirements due to a billboard and other constraints on the lot that is just over half an acre, documents show.

See which Texas-based franchise could open its first Louisiana location near River Ranch

A truck flipped on its side during a crash on Jefferson Highway near Government Street on Friday afternoon. All lanes of Jefferson in the direction of Government Street are closed and traffic began to pile up. Baton Rouge Emergency Medical Services did not take anybody to the hospital because of...

Truck flips over on Jefferson Highway near Government Street; road closed, traffic backing up

East Baton Rouge Parish appears likely to try again to create a new fee for property owners to fix its beleaguered stormwater system — though the fee could be smaller than one previously proposed. Yet some parish leaders say more effort should be spent seeking alternative options besides charging...

Baton Rouge could soon try — again — to create a new stormwater fee. But it could be smaller.

West Feliciana Parish, LA

Saint Francisville, LA

The body of a St. Francisville woman who went missing after a boat crash last weekend was found Thursday afternoon, according to the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office. Rachel Hann, 38, had been missing since the boat crash at about 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 28. She was a passenger on a 16-foot aluminum vessel when it hit a moving barge in the Mississippi River near St. Francisville.

Body of missing woman in Mississippi River found, WFPSO says

The football player has become a landmark of sorts for drivers exiting Interstate 10 at Dalrymple in Baton Rouge. They usually turn right for the LSU campus after stopping, so it only made sense that Charles Barbier would paint the player in purple and gold. Barbier is the artist who...

Expanding interstate threatens fate of Barbier's LSU football player painting at Dalrymple

Abandoned properties have piled up on LaSalle Street in Lafayette’s La Place neighborhood for years, causing blight and prompting demolitions. All 13 lots in the 100 block of LaSalle have been or are currently adjudicated, a class of tax delinquency unique to Louisiana that leaves properties virtually untouchable for years.

Lafayette has unlocked hundreds of adjudicated properties. But hundreds more remain.

INDUSTRIAL: 408 Industrial Parkway, description, install driveway and storage area; applicant, TRL Properties; contractor, business owner; $20,000. CHURCH: 504 Guilbeau Road, Suite C, description, install meeting space portion wall, kitchen sink and cabinets; applicant, Abounding Grace Fellowship; contractor, business owner; $25,000. RESTAURANT: 3145 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, description, two added changing...

Who's building where in Acadiana? Here are the building permits issued May 24-30

Port Allen, LA

A 3-year-old died in a UTV accident late Friday night, according to the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office. Deputies say a UTV operated by juveniles was driving off the roadway late Friday night on U.S. 190 in Port Allen when it overturned, killing the juvenile. No arrests have been...

3-year-old dead after UTV accident in Port Allen, WBRSO says

Mississippi State

Denham Springs, LA

After Denham Springs police Cpl. Shawn Kelly died in the hospital Friday from injuries sustained in a May shooting, city residents gathered Saturday for a fundraiser event to support his family. Kelly was shot May 11 while responding to a call of a man, Justin Roberts, and a woman arguing...

After Denham Springs police officer Shawn Kelly dies, community hosts fundraising event

A maintenance worker forced his way into an apartment at a complex near the LSU campus in the middle of the night last summer, attacked a resident, threatened to kill her, then jumped out of a window and fell four stories to his death, a new lawsuit claims. The resident,...

Maintenance man attacked tenant, leapt from 4-story window at off-LSU apartment, lawsuit says

The Denham Springs community came together to hold a benefit for Officer Shawn Kelly at the Denham Springs Municipal Oaks Pavilion. The event saw plate lunches, a car show, music and more to help raise money for the family. Cpl. Kelly passed away on June 2nd after being shot in the line of duty on May 11.

Photos: Denham Springs Community holds benefit for Cpl. Kelly Family

Keep up with what businesses are building where around Baton Rouge. Is there a building under construction or renovation in your neighborhood and you want to know what it is? Send an email with a picture or the location to tboone@theadvocate.com.

Here's what's under construction around Baton Rouge, from restaurants to grocery stores

Weeks after police officer Shawn Kelly was shot and critically injured while responding to a report of a disturbance at a local shopping center, members of the Denham Springs community are still showing their unwavering support as Kelly continues to fight for his life. On Saturday, residents will host a...

A month after tragedy, Denham Springs still rallies around critically wounded officer

A Denham Springs police officer who was critically injured in a shooting last month near I-12 died Friday afternoon in the hospital, the department said. Cpl. Shawn Kelly was shot multiple times shortly before 4:30 p.m. May 11 in the parking lot of Spring Park Plaza on South Range Avenue.

Denham Springs police officer Shawn Kelly dies of injuries from shooting

The meeting started with public comments from north Louisiana principals Mickey McCarty of Neville and Gordon Ford of Lincoln Prep. Both spoke about the status of a delayed vote on the select/nonselect agenda items from January’s annual convention. From there, the LHSAA’s executive committee’s summer meeting went on as...

Though opinions were voiced, LHSAA's latest select/nonselect system vote likely in 2024

For more than 50 years orphaned girls and boys were cared for at St. Mary's Orphanage in Lafayette. Bishop Jules Jeanmard of the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette is credited with making the orphanage a reality, opening in 1923 or 1924 within walking distance of St. John the Evangelist Cathedral and the bishop's home.

One building remains of St. Mary's Orphanage in Lafayette

East Baton Rouge's chief public defender has been ousted after two tumultuous years during which large numbers of her employees departed, judges criticized the office's management and a state lawmaker repeatedly called for a change in leadership. In a scheduled board meeting Friday afternoon, state public defender leaders declined to...

East Baton Rouge's chief public defender ousted after two tumultuous years

A man was arrested Thursday, accused of fatally shooting another man at a Boardwalk Drive motel late last year. Adarryl James Young, 32, was taken into custody in the Nov. 10 killing of 24-year-old Hen'Trell Johnson at the FairBridge Inn Express, spokesman Lt. L'Jean McKneely said. Johnson died at the scene.

In deadly shooting at motel along troubled I-12 corridor, Baton Rouge police make arrest

An employee of a Popeyes on O'Neal Lane near Interstate 12 shot a co-worker who was taken to the hospital Wednesday night, Baton Rouge Police said. The two employees got into a fight, and one of the workers shot the other around 10:30 p.m., a police spokesman said. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

A worker at a Baton Rouge Popeyes was shot during a fight with a co-worker, police say

Zachary, LA

A man who evaded authorities for nearly 24 hours after allegedly shooting another man in the head and leading a high-speed chase through two parishes was apprehended Friday afternoon, according to East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis. Zachary police said Jack Ealy Jr., 51, shot Kenneth O'Connor Jr., 37, in...

Suspect in Zachary shooting, high-speed chase apprehended, EFPSO says

The victim who died in Wednesday's triple shooting on Prescott was attempting to stop a fight between an ex-boyfriend and the new boyfriend of one of the shooting victims before he was shot, Baton Rouge police said. Lenni Douglas, 18, was shot a little after 10 p.m. in a residential...

Victim in fatal shooting tried to stop fight between boyfriend, ex, Baton Rouge police say

Tangipahoa Parish, LA

Tangipahoa, LA

A man wanted for murder shot and killed himself as deputies attempted to take him into custody Thursday night, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said. Tommie Diamond, 26, was wanted on counts of second degree murder, obstruction of justice and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile in relation to the shooting death of Calvin Felton on May 28, according to TPSO Chief Jimmy Travis.

Murder suspect shoots, kills himself during standoff with Tangipahoa authorities

Houston, TX

More lightning in the area scrubbed the restart of the Tulane-Sam Houston game in the NCAA Baton Rouge regional, putting the 8:06 p.m. scheduled start of the LSU-Oregon State game in serious jeopardy. The Tulane-Sam Houston game was to resume at 5:55 p.m., but by 6:30 p.m. the tarp was...

6:40 p.m. update: More lightning in the area still impacting NCAA Baton Rouge regional

The man accused of shooting another man in the head and leading authorities on a chase through two parishes Thursday is still on the run, the Zachary Police Department said Friday. Police identified the suspect as Jack Ealy Jr., 51. They say he shot 37-year-old Kenneth O'Connor Jr. and left...

Suspect in shooting, high-speed chase still on the run, Zachary Police say; ID released

A former executive director of Lake Wellness Center, one of four companies contracted with the Lafayette District Attorney's Office caught up in a federal bribery scandal, alleged in a lawsuit that she was wrongfully terminated in 2021 for "pointing out illegal and fraudulent billing." LWC, in its response to the...

Treatment center, owner linked to DA's office bribery scheme prevail in whistleblower lawsuit

There are times you just want a light bite while enjoying coffee with friends. When you’re at French Truck Coffee, the ever-reliable, trendy avocado toast does the trick. Thick focaccia bread is toasted and coated with delicious avocado spread and topped with pickled red onions. It comes with a small side of seasoned tomato salad for topping, of which I do liberally. And while you can pick it up and eat it with your hands, the tasty density of the toast and toppings makes it fork-and-knife worthy. (Lauren Cheramie, features reporter)

Avocado toast, Ora King Salmon and more: Best things we ate this week

Scotlandville, LA

Brusly, LA

Central, LA

Baker, LA

Addis, LA

Sunshine, LA

Greenwell Springs, LA

Plaquemine, LA

Dennis Mills, LA

Watson, LA

Prairieville, LA

Bueche, LA

Leblanc, LA

Glynn, LA

Carville, LA

Walker, LA

Erwinville, LA

Rougon, LA

NewsBreak

New Baton Rouge bridge site may be picked earlier than planned; here are the details

The site of a new Mississippi River bridge aimed at easing daily traffic jams in the Baton Rouge area may be picked by spring 2024, instead...

New Baton Rouge bridge site may be picked earlier than planned; here are the details

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