All News - Fox44.com

Chance of Shower Overnight, Partly Cloudy & Nice Tomorrow

Jesse Gunkel / Chief Meteorologist — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:53:05 -0600

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69. West wind between 5 and 15 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. West wind between 5 and 15 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.

When Tiger Woods is likely to return

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:13:12 -0600

On Wednesday, Howard Stern conducted the “Tiger Woods Mistress Beauty Pageant” on his radio show (won by cocktail waitress Jamie Jungers). With one competitive rite of spring out of the way, we can now turn our attention to the next.

How soon will we know if Tiger is going to play in the Masters this April? And will he make Augusta National the site of his comeback or will he first return for a tune-up and circus act at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in late March, as the New York Post is reporting?

Renaming Port Allen road could prove costly for residents

Tyler Gamble, FNBR Reporter — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:23:23 -0600

Folks in Port Allen say hometown hero Tracy Porter put their city on the map, and now they want to give something back to him.

Mayor derek Lewis helped introduce an ordinance at the town council meeting Wednesday night.

The proposal would rename the street Porter grew up on in his honor.

But residents living there could face some road blocks if the name changes.

They would have one year to change everything from driver's licenses to social security checks.

Some say not everyone there has the means to do it.

Baker security camera controversy

Emily Turner — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:17:07 -0600

Baker's chief of police and the man in charge of the city's schools are at odds-- and they're bringing in the Attorney General’s office to help settle things.
Chief Mike Knaps wants his department to be granted access to security cameras in three Baker schools via the internet.
He says that way officers will be able to respond to emergency situations immediately and more efficiently.
But superintendent Estes Taplin believes it's a violation of student privacy.
Taplin is letting the Attorney General’s office decide the legality of Knaps' proposal.

Conan O'Brien's tour starts April 12

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:01:18 -0600

Conan O'Brien is back! He's hitting the road starting April 12 for his "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour" and will perform across the country until June 14.

Conan is barred from having his own TV show until September, according to his severance deal from NBC.

He will appear on stage performing musical numbers, skits and "occassional awkward silence," with his Tonight Show crew, including sidekick Andy Richter and The Tonight Show band, The Wrap reports.

Federal budget deficit breaks record

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:45:47 -0600

WASHINGTON — The government ran up the largest monthly deficit in history in February, keeping the flood of red ink on track to top last year's record for the full year.

The Treasury Department said Wednesday that the February deficit totaled $220.9 billion, 14 percent higher than the previous record set in February of last year.

The deficit through the first five months of this budget year totals $651.6 billion, 10.5 percent higher than a year ago.

Sony unveils PlayStation motion controller

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:09:57 -0600

Sony is on the Move.

During an event at the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco, the company officially unveiled the name of their upcoming Playstation 3 motion control device: Playstation Move. The controller will hit shelves this fall.

"It's fast, precise and accurate," said Peter Dille, Sony's senior VP of marketing. "We like to think this is the next generation of motion-gaming...we're really approaching this as a platform launch."

Can Nancy Pelosi Get the Votes?

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:50:54 -0600

Are there enough votes in the House to pass the Senate's health-care bill? As of today, it's clear there aren't. House Democratic leaders have brushed aside White House calls to bring the bill forward by March 18, when President Barack Obama heads to Asia. Nevertheless, analysts close to the Democratic leadership tell me they're confident the leadership will find some way to squeeze out the 216 votes needed for a majority.

Minority births on track to outnumber white births

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:18:28 -0600

WASHINGTON – Minorities make up nearly half the children born in the U.S., part of a historic trend in which minorities are expected to become the U.S. majority over the next 40 years.

In fact, demographers say this year could be the "tipping point" when the number of babies born to minorities outnumbers that of babies born to whites.

Texas education board's social studies vote may have wide impact

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:18:25 -0600

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas' state education board, rocked by primary elections that may push the influential panel's far-right leanings toward the center, is set to take its first vote on a new social studies curriculum that could reverberate in classrooms nationwide.

7.2 aftershock hits Chile as new president takes office

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:41:52 -0600

SANTIAGO, Chile – The strongest aftershock since Chile's devastating earthquake rocked the South American country Thursday as President Sebastian Pinera was sworn into office.

The 7.2-magnitude aftershock was stronger than the quake that destroyed the Haitian capital on Jan. 12.

Strong Storms Still Possible Late This Evening, Beautiful By Weekend

Jesse Gunkel / Chief Meteorologist — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:28:59 -0600

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. West wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Mexico’s Slim tops the list of world’s richest

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:23:55 -0600

Carlos Slim Helu takes No. 1 spot on Forbes World's Billionaires list as a record 164 10-figure titans return to the ranking amid the global economic recovery.

For the third time in three years, the world has a new richest man.

Riding surging prices of his various telecom holdings, including giant mobile outfit America Movil, Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu has beaten out Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the wealthiest person on earth and nab the top spot on the 2010 Forbes list of the World's Billionaires.

Attempt to Identify and Locate

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:10:45 -0600

The Lafayette Police Department is attempting to identify a suspect who stole a car from a residence in Lafayette and whose photo was captured on a traffic camera.

The vehicle, a 2008 Toyota Tundra, was stolen on December 9, 2010, at approximately 3:30 am, from a secure garage in Lafayette. The suspect’s photo was captured by a red light camera not long after the incident occurred as he sped through an intersection.

Jamie Jungers wins Tiger Woods mistress beauty pageant

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:00:14 -0600

Jamie Jungers won the Tiger Woods Mistress Beauty Pageant on the "Howard Stern Show" this morning. The winning alleged mistress earned $75,000 for her championship performance, and listeners were treated to juicy tidbits from Jungers, Jaimee Grubbs and Loredana Jolie.

According to tweets from listeners and attendees, Jungers claimed that Woods was well endowed. "Tiger's wood was nine inches," she evidently said. Former Playboy model Loredana Jolie, meanwhile, claimed Woods was "bigger and better" than Michael Jordan.

Zachary Police identify man found on McHugh Rd

Tyler Gamble, FNBR Reporter — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:55:56 -0600

Zachary Police have identified the man found dead on McHugh Road early Monday morning.

Police say the victim is 38-year-old Kelvin Moore.

Autopsy results show he was killed by a gunshot wound.

Wilson mayor taking petition to court

Tyler Gamble, FNBR Reporter — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:53:50 -0600

A last ditch effort is underway to stop a recall election for the mayor of Wilson.

Over the last few months, voters in the East Feliciana village got enough signatures on a petition to recall current mayor Joshua Thomas.

But Thomas says many of the signatures on the petition were forged.

He's meeting with a district judge Thursday morning, and he's hoping to get the petition thrown out.

If the petition holds up in court, the election decides if Thomas keeps his job.

The election is scheduled for March 27th.

Baton Rouge teen accused of over-charging LSU fans

Emily Turner — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:13:45 -0600

A Baton Rouge teen is busted after allegedly charging fans too much for snacks at LSU sporting events.

Authorities say 18-year-old Chadwick banks, a concession stand worker, is accused of double-swiping patron's credit cards at Alex Box Stadium and the PMAC.

They say banks pocketed cash from the register in order to balance the stand's records.

LSU police say Banks admitted to making $2500 worth of unauthorized transactions since last baseball season.

Anyone who thinks they may have been fraudulently charged by banks is encouraged to call LSUPD at 578-3231.

U.S. Border Patrol raids Satsuma construction site

Emily Turner — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:06:27 -0600

Nearly 20 suspected illegal immigrants are locked up after federal agents raided a construction site in Satsuma.

The Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office says it received complaints that illegal immigrants were part of a construction crew at the North Oaks Medical Center.

Today authorities arrested all workers unable to show proof they're in the U.S. legally.

A total of 18 men were brought into custody--half were taken away by border patrol agents the rest were booked into the Livingston Parish jail.

Unemployment rises in 30 states in January

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:30:14 -0600

WASHINGTON - Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.
The data is somewhat better than December, when 43 states reported higher unemployment rates, but worse than November, when rates fell in most states.

Still, five states reported record-high joblessness in January: California, at 12.5 percent; South Carolina, 12.6 percent; Florida, 11.9 percent; North Carolina, 11.1 percent; and Georgia, 10.4 percent.

House to vote on pullout from Afghanistan

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:12:13 -0600

WASHINGTON – In a test of congressional support for President Barack Obama's new Afghanistan strategy, lawmakers are set to vote on Wednesday on a resolution that would direct him to pull U.S. forces out of the war.

The resolution by liberal Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich is not expected to pass. But it could be an important indicator of how Obama's Democrats feel about the war, particularly ahead of November congressional elections in which Republicans are expected to make gains.

80's icon Corey Haim dies at 38

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:48:42 -0600

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actor Corey Haim has died, Access Hollywood has confirmed.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office confirmed the actor died at 2:15 AM on Wednesday at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank, Calif.

The Los Angeles Police Department said they received a call from the hospital before 4 AM confirming the actor's death.

He was transported from the home he shared with his mother, Judy, in Toluca Hills, Calif. to the hospital.

Social Security checks may get smaller

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:15:13 -0600

A little–noticed law could soon result in smaller Social Security checks for hundreds of thousands of the elderly and disabled who owe the U.S. money from defaulted loans and other debts more than a decade old.

Social Security benefits are off–limits to creditors, such as credit–card companies and banks. But the U.S. can collect debts to federal agencies by "offsetting," or withholding Social Security and disability payments.

'Jihad Jane' indictment shows terror's evolution

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:56:52 -0600

PHILADELPHIA – The self-described "Jihad Jane" who thought her blond hair and blue eyes would let her blend in as she sought to kill an artist in Sweden is a rare case of an American woman aiding in foreign terrorism and shows the evolution of the global threat, authorities say.

The suburban Philadelphia woman, Colleen R. LaRose, is accused in the indictment filed Tuesday of trying to recruit fighters, as well as agreeing to murder the artist, marry a terrorism suspect so he could move to Europe and martyr herself if necessary.

3D TV pricing revealed — with a catch

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:49:56 -0600

The biggest TV manufacturers are finally starting to reveal prices for their new 3D TV sets, and believe it or not, several of the new sets will actually cost about the same or even a bit less than last year's equivalent 2D models. That said, there's a catch: The active-shutter LCD glasses that you'll need to watch 3D video cost a pretty penny.

Samsung was the first of the big four TV makers to flip its 3D pricing cards over this week; Panasonic is up tomorrow, while Sony and LG will follow in the coming weeks and months.

Mild & Muggy with a Few Showers, Strong Storms Tomorrow Afternoon

Jesse Gunkel / Chief Meteorologist — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:12:17 -0600

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

EMS to pay for new $7.5 million facility

Tyler Gamble, FNBR Reporter — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:18:52 -0600

Many public agencies are trying to figure out how to do more with less, but Baton Rouge EMS officials say they've been saving up for a rainy day, and hope to build a new facility.

The agency has shared a building with the city police department downtown for the past 20 years.

During that time, EMS expanded, and officials say, they've outgrown the building.

Plans for the new facility are underway.

Officials say it would cost an estimated $7.5 million.

Disabled man demands a more "handicap-friendly" Baton Rouge

Emily Turner — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:25:47 -0600

A disabled man is giving city officials one month to make Baton Rouge more handicap-friendly…or he's taking them to court.

G. Washington Eames claims the downtown area is in total non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, federal regulations designed to give handicapped people full access to public goods, services and facilities.

Eames says over the past three years he's written multiple letters to city officials pointing out the problems with handicap parking and restroom access. He says he hasn’t gotten a response back yet.

Christians flee after Nigeria's massacre

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:13:48 -0600

JOS, Nigeria – Christian villagers in Nigeria fled their homes following threats of new attacks in the aftermath of a massacre, despite the presence Tuesday of troops designed to restore calm to the region.

As mass burials for some of the hundreds of victims of a three-hour orgy of violence took place near the city of Jos, survivors nursed wounds in hospitals.

China says committed to U.S. debt, wary on gold

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:41:18 -0600

China, the world's biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves, renewed its commitment to the U.S. Treasury market on Tuesday but said it would be wary of substantially boosting its gold holdings.

China

The country's chief currency regulator said China would attract more capital inflows this year, partly reflecting expectations of a stronger yuan, but he left the market none the wiser as to when Beijing might let the currency resume its rise.