The blood orange colada at Modesto is made with white rum a holiday which commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the Second French Empire Though it's largely celebrated by Americans it's still a great day to hit up a local restaurant for Mexican food or take advantage of specials and cheap margaritas Here are six Baton Rouge-area Cinco de Mayo deals Did we miss one? Email serena.puang@theadvocate.com with details The Asian-Tex-Mex fusion place is offering a Cinco special: two traditional tacos beans or charro with one small house margarita for $20 Any small margarita is available for $10 or any large margarita for $15 They will also be running giveaways for coupons The local seafood staple will be having dine-in only specials: $2 house margaritas (frozen or on the rocks) $12 crawfish platters (three pounds) and crawfish queso from 11 a.m Guests will receive free chips and salsa with the purchase of an entrée The modern Indian cocktail bar is offering $5 margaritas and Mexican pints all day long. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the restaurant is running a special: 50% off all tequila shots (yes, according to their Instagram Modesto is hosting one complete with specialty shots Urban Daiquiris kicked off Cinco de Mayo festivities over the weekend but the party continues today with $5 margaritas and taco trucks At the restaurant inside the Queen Baton Rouge, 1717 Kitchen + Cocktails is offering two-for-one taco plates and other Mexican food specials. They will also be serving $2 Mexican draft beers and $3 house margaritas all night. For more information, visit thequeenbr.com/promotions/cinco-de-mayo/ Features coordinator Lauren Cheramie contributed to this report Email Serena Puang at serena.puang@theadvocate.com. Follow her on Instagram @dear.yall This story is only for subscribers like you${formattedName Email notifications are only sent once a day News Tips:newstips@theadvocate.com Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: This Burgersmith turkey patty on a wheat bun with roasted red peppers is a combination to try The "Mardi Gras Mambo Burger" is available during Mardi Gras at Burgersmith locations Burgersmith is saying goodbye to Siegen Lane The local restaurant chain has made the decision not to renew the lease on its location at 6212 Siegen Lane Customers have until the end of May to visit the location the closure will allow owner and founder Russ Unbricht to invest in updates and improvements to other locations in Baton Rouge Highland and Juban Crossing in Denham Springs “Current plans include expansion into new markets and other concepts,” Unbricht said in a news release “We plan to remodel the Perkins and Acadian locations' bathrooms and bar area a patio update and refreshed signage for the Highland location and new signage for the Juban Crossing location as well as a 5-year extension to the restaurant’s lease."  The menu at Burgersmith features the bison burger bourbon burger and southwest black bean burger along with appetizers like fried green beans the restaurant chain released a king cake burger sandwiched between two slices of Gambino's king cake with icing Email Lauren Cheramie at lauren.cheramie@theadvocate.com A swollen and swift moving Amite River flows beneath US 190 at the Livingston Parish line Authorities recovered the body of Timothy R Saturday evening after he drowned while trying to swim across the Amite River near Central East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies responded to an address near the Amite River Beach around 5 p.m witnesses told officers that Carey successfully swam from the East Baton Rouge Parish side to the Livingston Parish side of the river but began struggling on his return across the river fighting to keep his head above the water line before disappearing beneath the surface At least two people with Carey tried to rescue him but had to be rescued themselves Carey’s body was recovered by the EBRSO Maritime Division and Central Fire Department at 6:47 p.m “The river was high with a very swift current,” EBRSO spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks wrote in a press release Although the Amite River typically averages 3 to 4 feet in depth Over the years the river has gained a reputation as one of Louisiana’s deadliest bodies of water, due to its popularity for recreation strong undertows and large amounts of debris that accumulate in its waters more than a dozen fatal drownings have been reported on the Amite and Hicks noted that emergency crews are frequently called to incidents on the Amite “Unfortunately this happens a few times a year,” Hicks said Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident Email Aidan McCahill at aidan.mccahill@theadvocate.com or follow him on X BATON ROUGE - A 24-year-old man trying to swim across the Amite River drowned Saturday Emergency responders were called to BREC's Frenchtown Road Conservation Area just after 5 p.m Timothy Carey's body was recovered at 7 p.m Sheriff's investigators learned that Carey had tried to swim across the river Carey disappeared underwater and did not resurface Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBATON ROUGE Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge announced its new leader has been selected Sunnie Johnson-Lain will assume the position of CEO effective June 2 Johnson-Lain will replace long-time CEO Michael Acaldo who was chosen in August of 2024 as CEO of the National Council of the U.S RELATED: Long-time head of BR area St. Vincent de Paul selected for national position The following details are from a statement released by the Society of St Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge (SVdP-BR) announced today that the search for a new CEO has been successfully completed CEO of Catholic Charities Washtenaw County will join the organization as CEO on June 2 Sunnie succeeds former CEO Michael Acaldo whose leadership of SVdP-BR for over 34 years led to his selection as CEO of SVdP-USA last fall SVdP-BR’s CEO search was overseen by a committee of eight current and former Board members The search encompassed sources and prospects from local The committee was advised throughout by Connectly Recruiting & The Boland Group search firms specializing in the recruitment of CEOs for nonprofits and foundations Sunnie oversees a team offering 18 programs Sunnie rebranded the organization and significantly increased fundraising over the previous year As Chief Services & Strategy Officer for SVdP--Cincinnati in her 11-year tenure there Sunnie oversaw Strategic Planning and a staff administering nine programs in support of 1,100 Vincentians across 54 traditional conferences and another 1,000 volunteers Sunnie created SVdP – Cincinnati’s first Workforce Development Program and a residential year of service program for young adults ages 21-30 As Director of Conferences and Community Outreach for SVdP-Dayton Sunnie led 800 volunteers in 35 Conferences where she implemented a comprehensive training and faith formation program and created SVdP-Dayton’s first outreach center Sunnie Johnson-Lain said “It is a great honor to have been selected as CEO I am so grateful to Michael Acaldo and the talented SVDP-BR team for their excellent efforts that have resulted in a firm foundation I look forward to leading the Society in Baton Rouge into its next chapter and am eager to meet SVDP’s many neighbors and friends in Baton Rouge Vincent de Paul has been my home for nearly 20 years and I am looking forward to making Baton Rouge home as well.” noted: “This is a great day for the Society and the kind of visionary that the Society needs to help take us into the future Sunnie has a deep commitment to the essential elements of spirituality The Board of Directors and I look forward to welcoming her into our Baton Rouge family.” Diocesan Council President Kim Boudreaux added: “A Vincentian for 20 years and a dedicated Spiritual Advisor for the last 13 Sunnie understands the challenges and opportunities before us; we’re pleased to have her lead us going forward.” Click here to report a typo Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox Provided photo - Sunnie Johnson-Lain has been named the new CEO of St a nonprofit that serves the needy in 12 parishes Sunnie Johnson-Lain will begin her new role in June Vincent de Paul from her position as CEO of Catholic Charities in Ann Arbor she will be filling the position left vacant when longtime CEO Michael Acaldo left last fall to head the National Council of the U.S Vincent de Paul as a volunteer 21 years ago "It was the perfect combination of service In addition to her work with Catholic Charities in Michigan Johnson-Lain has also served in leadership roles with St Vincent de Paul programs in Cincinnati and Dayton it started its mission to serve people in need in 1865 at St Vincent de Paul provides emergency shelter hot meals and prescription medicine free of charge is to "extend mercy to people and uplift their dignity at a time that is challenging." Email Ellyn Couvillion at ecouvillion@theadvocate.com BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge native and Billboard charting rapper Kevin Gates is going on tour this fall including a stop at the Raising Cane's River Center.  Gates will bring The Amilo Tour to the capital city on Oct All of Gates' concerts on the tour will be hosted by Houston-based rapper DJ Chose.  the tour is named after the Italian word Amilo Tickets for Gates' tour go on presale Tuesday at 9 a.m Click here for more information about tickets.  A post shared by Kevin Gates (@iamkevingates) (WAFB) - Police said they have arrested a man for his alleged involvement in two armed robberies in the Mid-City area of Baton Rouge According to the Baton Rouge Police Department The investigation into the two armed robberies began in early April They added that Alexander was identified as the suspect after police heard witness statements Detectives said they are looking into the possibility that Alexander may have been involved in other robberies and burglaries in the Mid-City area the suspect was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of armed robbery BATON ROUGE — Three people were injured from an apparent ‘shootout’ overnight in the Capitol City Sources tell UWK the shootout was in the 10000 block of Florida Blvd there were at least three people with gunshot wounds calling for help from various locations One of the locations was on I-10 near I-12/College exit area for a man with a gunshot wound Another address officials responded to was the Circle K in the 2300 block of S Two people were found injured in the parking lot It’s believed the injuries stem from the shooting on Florida Blvd It’s unclear what led up to the original shooting on Florida Blvd Anyone with any information on this crime or any others in the city is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP Download the Unfiltered with Kiran app from the Apple App Store and Google Play to stay updated on the latest news across the Capital area.  Support UWK and its mission to deliver The News You Deserve. Unfiltered. Become a monthly patron on Patreon today and website in this browser for the next time I comment Drop us a line and we’ll be happy to follow up Let's ConnectFollow along on your favorite social media platform and get the latest updates directly in your feed Download our app or join our newsletter for instant access to breaking news and in-depth stories from anywhere While Cinco de Mayo falls on Monday this year there’s no reason you can’t start the week off with a bit of celebration Spend the holiday at your favorite restaurant or check out a few new restaurants hosting events on the big day Here’s a roundup of a few Cinco de Mayo events happening around town today Did we miss your favorite event? Let us know at [email protected] Head to this new restaurant for music, margaritas and Tex-Mex fare. Blue Iguana will be serving Mexican candy, green tea and Blue Iguana shots for $7, along with its speciality cocktails like the Banana Berry and Sueno Maya for $14. Find more information here Enjoy Mexican-inspired dishes in addition to regular menu offerings from this Peruvian restaurant. Grab your best fiesta hat and celebrate Cinco de Mayo. This event is from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Find more information here Indulge in a fusion of flavors with mini tacos from JINYA. Pair them with specialty drinks and regular menu items. Enjoy these Cinco specials during regular business hours. Find more information here Experience an outside bar, extended full-service patio, tacos, nachos, margaritas and specialty shots at this block party. The fiesta starts at 11 a.m., and live music from Night Hog begins at 6 p.m. Find more information here Celebrate the holiday with two-for-one taco plates, $3 house margaritas and $2 Mexican draft beers. These specials will be offered during regular business hours. Find more information here Enjoy margaritas, a food truck, tacos and live music throughout this event. Drink options include margaritas on the rocks, frozen or in a fish bowl with a plethora of flavor options. Find more information here Call the restaurant at 225-223-6164 for more details Find more information on Instagram Find more information on Instagram or call the restaurant at 225-300-4601 for details Find more information on Instagram or call the restaurant at 225-228-8701 for details Find more information on Instagram or call your nearest restaurant for details Find more information on Instagram, or make a reservation here Find more information on Instagram or call the restaurant at 225-387-2699 for details Call the restaurant at 225-256-3937 for details but call the restaurant at 225-218-4045 for details Find more information on Instagram or call the restaurant at 225-408-3390 for details Find more information on Instagram or call the restaurant at 225-388-9000 for details Spring break for college students is usually for spending time with family or friends before returning to school for the second half of the spring semester his first spring break on campus in Baton Rouge The then-true freshman spent his vacation week preparing to win the starting left tackle job against a four-year starter on LSU's offensive line Campbell was watching film and doing drill work to hit the ground running when the Tigers returned to practice as a team The 19-year-old went on to win the starting left tackle job from an upperclassman a job he never relinquished in his three seasons at LSU Forgoing his spring break to focus on football is one of many stories that encapsulate the fourth-overall pick's competitive drive along with inserting himself into a high school despite an injury and delivering a blow to Mike Vrabel's chest during a pre-draft workout that put the Patriots head coach on the ground "You guys have had some unbelievable players come through your franchise This kid has the makings to be another one of those legendary guys," LSU offensive line coach Brad Davis told Patriots.com "He is as conscientious of a human being as I've been around and he has a level of pride in his work that is unmatched "He spent countless hours in our weight room and with our nutritionist enhancing and evolving his body getting in the building at 5 am and starting to work on his body he would drive down to New Orleans and work with a physical therapist who would help him stretch and get himself realigned This kid put in hours upon hours and invested his own money from NIL Those are the things you guys would not see," Davis said Go behind the scenes for an exclusive look at Will Campbell's first 48 hours as the newest member of the New England Patriots The LSU offensive tackle was drafted by the Patriots 4th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft After focusing inward to win the starting left tackle job for a big-time college football program Campbell was instrumental in rebuilding an offensive line that had hit tough times the Tigers offensive line won the Joe Moore Award as the best offensive line in college football LSU's trenches took a step back for a few years until Campbell arrived on campus The Patriots are in a similar position where their offensive line has struggled over the last two seasons New England ranked last in run-blocking win rate and 31st in pass-blocking win rate while having a glaring need at left tackle which is why Campbell was a no-brainer selection in the first round to protect second-year QB Drake Maye's blindside Campbell will now hopefully set the tone for the Patriots offensive line "He changed the culture the day he walked in the room," Davis said "It was his commitment and devotion to his craft but also pouring into his teammates as well When you see this kid out there on the practice field but he's practicing and pushing himself harder than anybody else around him He re-established the standard in the room If you surround him with other individuals who aren't afraid of putting work in and breathe life into him he's going to be an All-Pro for a long time," Davis said Although the intangible qualities that Campbell brings to the football team are outstanding he still needs to pull his weight as the Patriots projected starting left tackle the LSU product has the athleticism and finishing ability to be a high-end starter in the NFL pundits poke holes in Campbell's scouting profile by pointing to his lack of ideal arm length with the 21-year-old measuring in with 32 ⅝-33 inch arms listing the top defenders that Campbell has faced in his time at LSU "He's played perhaps 15 first or second-round defensive ends He's played the best players in America every Saturday "I understand the value of metrics and historical data but you can't overlook or discount the amount of toughness and grit that this kid has to overcome what other people may consider a shortcoming Any challenge that somebody places on this kid he's gonna work his ass off to absolutely destroy it Pro Outlook with Duke Manyweather (Founder and CEO of OL Masterminds) As his offensive line coach for the last three seasons one would expect Davis to be highly complimentary of Campbell given the success the Patriots first-rounder had at LSU Patriots.com also spoke to the Founder and CEO of OL Masterminds Manyweather is a leading offensive line expert with over a decade of experience training NFL athletes including over 40 veterans several of whom have been named All-Pro and Pro Bowlers OL Masterminds was created to solve a problem: a lack of "continuity with development in the offseason for offensive linemen." During the offseason OL Masterminds hosts a summit where offensive linemen congregate to meet and exchange tricks of the trade While understanding that playing along the offensive line is a technique-based position with limited in-season practice reps Manyweather wanted to give offensive linemen expert training in the offseason so they could continue working on their craft much like a private coach does for quarterbacks Campbell began working with Manyweather to improve his game for his final collegiate season and has continued to train at OL Masterminds this offseason We started in early December and really identified some things that we want to work on," Manyweather said He is a guy who shows up every single day ready to work." Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft introduces first round draft pick Campbell is presented with the ceremonial #1 jersey and fields questions from the media Manyweather explained that Campbell excels due to his explosive movement skills and excellent hand usage Manyweather believes Campbell makes up for his arm length by using his hands and recovery talent There was a lot of talk about the arm length but when he's so effective and almost surgical with his hands with the way he latches on the guys—the independent hand usage When you get a guy that good with his hands sometimes it mitigates having a lack of length," Manyweather stated "I've seen a lot of guys that rely too much on their length It gets them in trouble because they don't know how to use their hands Will knows how to use his hands really well." Manyweather broke down several areas that stand out while evaluating Campbell's tape who registered a combine-best among tackles 9.91 relative athletic score at the NFL Scouting Combine uses his elite athleticism and great play strength to be a high-impact run blocker He's able to physically come off the ball and close space on defenders He's able to reach on the front side of any type of zone plays and really press defenders up the field He has the agility and then also body control to cut off the backside while also showing the athleticism and the tracking skills to climb up to the second level," said Manyweather That's really the model of his game that allowed him to be the fourth overall pick." The Patriots selected LSU OT Will Campbell in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft Manyweather pointed to one area of the first-round pick's game that they're working to improve Campbell tends to drift or overset to the outside allowing pass-rushers to beat the Pats rookie with inside moves to pressure the quarterback Manyweather identified that area of improvement early on in his work with Campbell I tell guys don't necessarily try to adjust to the rusher and then you want to get him to move off his rush path "As soon as you expand the set point and get him to even take one step off his rush path That was the biggest area I wanted to work with Will on." The follow-up to Manyweather's assertion is does Campbell drift outside in his pass set to compensate for his arm length Some believe that Campbell is drifting out to rushers because he doesn't have the long reach to stay square but Manyweather doesn't believe that's the case nah," Manyweather responded when asked if Campbell's drifting is related to his arm length "It's just adjusting your relationship to understand when you need to widen a rusher I've got All-Pro guys that come in that I'm still continuing to work on with them It's just getting that timing of what we call readjusting your positional leverage against a defender." Patriots first round draft pick Will Campbell discusses being selected by New England and what he brings to the organization Campbell will be working with the Patriots coaching staff beginning with rookie minicamp (May 9-11) through mandatory minicamp (June 9-11) the plan is for Campbell to continue working on his craft with Manyweather in his time off between the offseason workout program and the start of Patriots training camp in July Manyweather has also worked with Patriots third-rounder Jared Wilson this offseason "Both these guys are just really consistent players and tireless workers that I think are going to have a tremendous upside in New England," Manyweather said Between the two early draft selections and free-agent additions New England has significantly upgraded the talent level of the offensive line this offseason After where it ranked statistically last season it was an obvious need that the Patriots addressed with two top-100 draft picks and notable veteran signings in OT Morgan Moses and C Garrett Bradbury Along with being an upgrade at left tackle on the field Campbell projects as a potential future team captain Head coach Mike Vrabel emphasized targeting players who will rebuild a winning culture in Foxboro the Patriots are getting the complete package of high-end ability and excellent leadership DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer The Patriots added some speed and explosiveness to the backfield by drafting Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson in the second round Experts offered up their grades on the New England Patriots 2025 Draft Class here's everything you need to know about the newest Patriots rookies The 2025 NFL Draft has come to an end and New England's rookie class is taking shape From their creative hobbies to inspiring stories The New England Patriots selected 11 players in the 2025 NFL Draft See what the experts had to say about the Patriots day 3 draft picks from the 2025 NFL Draft Read the full transcript from Kobee Minor's press conference on Saturday Read the full transcript from Eliot Wolf's press conference on Saturday The Patriots continued to focus on the defensive side of the ball in rounds four and five of the NFL Draft The Patriots got started on the draft's third day by making their first pick on the defensive side of the ball Read the full transcript from Patriots VP of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden's press conference with the media on Saturday A look at the Patriots opponents from 2025 through 2027 The New England Patriots announced today that former wide receiver Julian Edelman has been voted into the Patriots Hall of Fame as the 37th inductee Tom Brady's historic Hall of Fame induction ceremony has been nominated for an Emmy Award Tracking all of the Patriots transactions during the free agent signing period New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft announced the selection of former Head Coach Bill Parcells for induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame as a contributor Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application He was a current student at Central High school and Sandra Cambre; along with numerous aunts He was preceded in death by his grandmothers Donna Ducote and Helen Fitch; his grandfathers Russell Wayne Perry Sr Kirk was loved and cared for by very many people He loved his family and friends more than life Brylea Templet will always be his forever love Everyone will always love Kirkwood and remember him for his beautiful red hair and the sweet and respectful person he was Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Chris joined FloridaGators.com in 2011 after nearly three decades as a sports reporter at newspapers in Tampa and Orlando including 10 years covering the UF athletic program and another 10 covering the NFL Scott has been a senior writer for the Florida Gators since 2010 A sign supporting Hillar Moore’s District Attorney Millage lines part of Government Street on Thursday District Attorney Hillar Moore displays a picture of Cendy Sammy Keophimanh who was arrested during a recent drug bust with the text “innocent until proven guilty” during a press conference at Baton Rouge Police Department Headquarters on Thursday Voters in East Baton Rouge Parish shot down District Attorney Hillar Moore's pleas for increased funding Saturday night rejecting his proposal for a new property tax The measure failed by a margin of 60% to 40% The tax would have raised $24 million a year and cost the average household in the parish roughly $5 a month It would have boosted the district attorney's budget from about $16 million to roughly $24 million but we respect voters just like we respect the juries when they don't come back in our favor," Moore said feel that they are already paying enough taxes that should support the offices." which covers the most populous parish in Louisiana was underfunded compared to the next two largest parishes District attorneys there operate on budgets of $24 million and $22 million allowing them to employ 20-30 more prosecutors Moore said he has no other option but to continue asking for more money from city-parish government which contributed about $8.7 million to the district attorney for 2025 Despite asking for a budget increase going into the year Moore's office got less than they asked for largely because of sweeping budget cuts due to lost sales tax revenue after the incorporation of St Mayor-President Sid Edwards and some staffers including Chief Administrative Officer Charlie Davis and Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Jeff LeDuff attended Moore's election night event to show support After the numbers got worse for the proposal the three huddled with Moore to talk about what's next The DA's proposal carried significant weight for the city-parish's budget; had it passed the city-parish would have received about $8.7 million it currently pays annually for prosecutors The tax's failure could lead to new scrutiny on how a parish that has fragmented into five cities pays for parishwide services George currently don't do enough to fund his office "Our truth of the matter is that not everyone in the parish is paying taxes that support our constitutional offices and I think we really need to take a look at how that taxation is done," Moore said Email Patrick Sloan-Turner at patrick.sloan-turner@theadvocate.com Nussmeier is the definition of a coach's son as his father Doug is a former NFL quarterback who is currently the offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints Nussmeier took over for Heisman winner Jayden Daniels in 2024 Nussmeier led the Tigers to a 9-4 record with a win in the Texas Bowl Thus ESPN's Jordan Reid has projected in a way too early draft that the Rams would trade up into the top ten securing a deal with Carolina to select Nussmeier with the seventh overall pick "Here's Matthew Stafford's heir apparent." Wrote Reid. "Stafford will turn 38 before the 2026 season so this is a great spot for the Rams to pick Nussmeier whose 79.1 QBR ranked 11th in the FBS in 2024 Nussmeier's arm is more flexible than powerful and his anticipation skills result in some of the most exciting throws I've seen on tape Interceptions are an issue -- he threw multiple picks in four games last season -- but he could be a first-round pick if he cleans those up." Nussmeier was the third quarterback off the board with Clemson's Cade Klubnik going first to the Browns and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers heading to the Jets at three Perhaps this opinion will change if Nussmeier takes a massive step in 2025 but there were too many games that left questions about his ability to beat top defenses he also had excellent weapons such as the late Kyren Lacy Nussmeier looked awful against South Carolina but it is concerning that his three worst games came against teams that were the closest resemblance to an NFL defense The Rams have a decision to make and if they like him then come on down Nussmeier but there if they pick a quarterback Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @RamsInsideronSI and tell us what you think about this QB option Please let us know your thoughts on this QB option when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE BROCK VIERRABrock Vierra, a UNLV graduate, is the Los Angeles Rams Beat Writer On Sports Illustrated. He also works as a college football reporter for our On Sports Illustrated team. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER Paul Missionary Baptist Church held its inaugural Crime Prevention event to make a difference in the Baton Rouge community Senior Pastor Derrick Shavers said the church is focused on the youth in the city and he wants to mentor them to break the cycle of ongoing juvenile crime.  “If we don’t pour into them then we’ll have another lost generation It’s my job not only as a pastor but as a Black man to pour into these young men,” Shavers said.  Keaven Grows is a member at the church and he said the event is a good chance for young men like him to connect with positive role models. He said he is thankful for Pastor Shavers for sowing a seed into his life and helping him strengthen his relationship with God.  I actually sit down and try to talk to my God and let Him know how I’m feeling Thank you for waking me up just something as simple as that,” Grows said.  Grows said he encourages kids his age to be involved in church.  “If your mama wakes you up and tells you to go to church That might just be the best day of your life East Baton Rouge Chief Deputy Public Defender Greg Cook said crime statistics show 84 percent of crime in Baton Rouge is committed by African Americans against African Americans He said this is an issue that needs to be addressed too many young males killing young males,” Cook said Cook said it is up to the community to get involved in the lives of the youth.  “We need to be actively involved in what our kids are doing in our communities,” he said.  Clerks help voters cast their ballot at East Baton Rouge Parish Library on Saturday Saturday is an election day in East Baton Rouge Parish with a new tax for the District Attorney's Office a seat in the state House of Representatives District Attorney Hillar Moore is asking voters to approve a new A mill is $1 of tax on every $1,000 of assessed property — the tax would bring in $24 million annually and cost the average household in the parish an extra $5 per month Moore says the tax would increase his budget from about $16 million to roughly $26 million which he says is on par with the district attorneys in Orleans and Jefferson parishes It would allow his office to operate independently of the city-parish and return about $8.7 million annually to the parish general fund Moore says his office has struggled to manage caseloads and pay adequate salaries to hire and keep prosecutors — there is currently a backlog of about 11,050 cases But Moore is seeking the funds at a time when many other taxes and propositions have failed at the ballot box Voters will also choose whether to renew five property taxes that fund the public school system The taxes pay for staff salaries and benefits maintenance and health and wellness programs Voters will also pick a new state representative for the 67th District which covers Gardere and Riverbend in the south Larry Selders vacated that seat to become a state senator; he replaced Cleo Fields Landry is Louisiana policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center and has worked at the State Capitol on behalf of the Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Health Marchbanks worked for John Delgado's 2016 campaign for mayor-president and for eight years in Delgado's law office and is now a construction project manager at SNA Contracting Myer has held a wide range of jobs in state government including the then-Department of Social Services the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and as deputy secretary for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections George will fill the last two seats on the first elected city council meaning any resident in the city limits can vote is running against Shaunn Wyche a Democrat Another race only involves voters in District 4 Talbot and Cook have long been involved in the St George movement and are endorsed by Mayor Dustin Yates Wyche and Madaffari have raised concerns about current St George leadership's transparency and salaries that were approved for city leaders Email Matthew Albright at MAlbright@theadvocate.com East Baton Rouge Parish residents who voted early opposed a new tax to fund the district attorneys' office with 57% voting "no" and 43% voting "yes," according the Secretary of State's office District Attorney Hillar Moore is asking voters to approve a new foster mom and Director of The Foster Village poses for a picture inside of the clothing boutique where foster children and those in need can get clothing Department of Children & Family Services Secretary David Matlock hands out an info pamphlet during the Foster Care Community Collaborative event at Family Youth Service Center on Tuesday Attendees pick up brochures and info guides at the entrance during the Foster Care Community Collaborative event at Family Youth Service Center on Tuesday Various toys and accessories are available for foster children and those in need at The Foster Village raises her hand to ask a question during the Foster Care Community Collaborative event at Family Youth Service Center on Tuesday Rebecca Braun gives a tour of the The Foster Village boutique and the different cubbies containing clothes itemized by age and gender on Tuesday Community members mingle as they walk into the well-attended Foster Care Community Collaborative event at Family Youth Service Center on Tuesday Department of Children & Family Services Regional Recruiter Kellye Worley presents the latest Baton Rogue foster care data to a full room during the Foster Care Community Collaborative event at Family Youth Service Center on Tuesday Department of Children & Family Services Regional Recruiter Kellye Worley walks around the room to answer questions form attendees during the Foster Care Community Collaborative event at Family Youth Service Center on Tuesday The event brought together different organizations community members and parents who are involved with foster care speaks about how the different organizations involved with foster care are collaborators rather than competitors during the Foster Care Community Collaborative event at Family Youth Service Center on Tuesday Rebecca Braun was working her shift at a donation center when she received a call from the state Department of Children & Family Services: A 14-year-old girl needed a place to stay for the night who currently fosters seven children at her Livingston Parish home The Louisiana woman has fostered nearly 100 children — from teenagers to a newborn baby she picked up from a Walmart The parish consistently has some of the highest numbers of children entering foster care in the state it had more than 220 foster children but only 21 certified foster homes The shortage is widespread across the state where children are entering foster care in growing numbers currently have zero foster homes available "You can't turn a blind eye once you see what's out here and you know that there's not enough people out here willing to do it with you … you just stay in the trenches a lot longer than you should," Braun said Children enter foster care after having to leave their families due mainly to neglect or abuse. Allegations of neglect are often connected with poverty, and Louisiana hovers at the top of the list of states with the highest rates. In 2024 Louisiana officials received more than 52,000 abuse and neglect reports and conducted more than 21,500 investigations 'once I get like 10 or 15 more foster parents doing this kind of work "But as long as there's only 21 homes in the parish I feel like it's not really fair for me to throw in the towel." She says being perfect is not a requirement to foster "You can be a normal person and be a foster parent You don't have to be extraordinary," Braun said The need for foster homes and related resources is dire statewide While the number of children in the foster care system has largely remained consistent over several decades a noticeable change occurred during peak COVID years The rates took a nosedive during the pandemic because fewer eyes were on children — not because fewer children needed foster care When schools reopened and masks were removed the number needing foster care quickly bounced back as more eyes were on victims of neglect or abuse In some parishes in the Capitol Region and surrounding area Last year East Baton Rouge Parish had the highest number of foster children in the state the numbers have more than doubled since 2019 Ascension and Tangipahoa have had numbers fall below 2019 rates Several state social service workers and child advocates say it is hard to pinpoint an exact reason for the rise and fall of cases in certain areas Causes can range from changes in unemployment and poverty rates to ebbs and flows in child welfare awareness and more mandated reporters The increase was alarming because COVID had already widened the gap between the number of foster children and parents said COVID hurt foster family recruitment due to lockdown or fears of catching the virus "We had less families coming in on the front end but on the back end we had more families leaving the program due to similar concerns the state has launched multiple foster parent recruitment initiatives A project in the past year included hiring a new team of regional foster care recruitment and retention employees led by Hooper Kellye Worley joined the team about a year ago and focuses on spreading awareness about the need for foster parents "The need for foster parents is really really huge right now," Worley told a group of about 40 people gathered in Baton Rouge at a local child and family welfare leadership collaborative meeting "Our foster parents are very overworked right now." Other resources for foster children are also stretched Louisiana has 18 branches of the national Court Appointed Special Advocates Association CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to help children in the foster system Those volunteers provide support as children go through the legal process for about a year executive director of the Capital Area CASA in East Baton Rouge her program had a volunteer for every child that needed one But foster care numbers have increased in the past three years in the parish a lot of the CASA programs are not being able to keep up with the number of children who are placed in foster care,” Traxler said “We have about 120 children on our waiting list right now.” The CASA of the 18th Judicial District Court Point Coupee and West Baton Rouge parishes The number of foster children in all three parishes more than doubled from 2019 to 2024 Executive Director Kendall Hebert said about only half of the children have an appointed CASA volunteer the newness of that CASA branch and a struggle to recruit CASA experienced a hit to its recruitment efforts Department of Justice issued hundreds of terminations of federal grant awards in late April and the national CASA was one of the recipients Louisiana CASA Executive Director Amanda Moody says while the cut is “not detrimental to our survival" given diversified funding efforts the $120,000 cut from the state impacted special projects — including one for recruitment Louisiana CASAs had a record-breaking month of volunteers joining in March Like CASA, other child welfare workers and groups are brainstorming ways to bring more people's eyes to the foster system with cost-efficient solutions.  Among the challenges are low daily rates for taking in foster children — families receive an average of $19 a day per child The state Legislature sets those rates and last increased them in 2021 They currently fall below the recommended average for Southern states more cars … we're resource-trapped," Matlock local volunteer community collaboratives and forming support groups are prioritized Matlock said community collaboratives like the one in Baton Rouge are to be implemented throughout the state Another focus is increasing faith-based collaborations with many churches spreading the word about foster parent recruitment and urging people to become certified DCFS is also testing ways to improve the registration and training process for foster parents "We're streamlining that and trying to make it more friendly to foster parents We're just making it a little more accessible," Matlock said Some organizations outside of DCFS have found success in prioritizing retention when it comes to foster parents a statewide foster program based in Monroe has focused on support campaigns for its foster parents meaning it serves children who are medically fragile or have special needs Methodist had 197 homes serving 173 foster kids across the state DCFS recommends about 40 children per month to be homed through Methodist Methodist prioritizes weekly in-person visits and phone calls and other extensive support services that Hennigan believes make a huge difference "We recognize that it's not enough to just recruit foster parents Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@theadvocate.com.  Most homes in Baton Rouge's Rouzan neighborhood have a pretty similar But this Deaux Parc Drive house stands out from the rest with its bold The unique property has won a number of awards including the People's Choice Award for Best Overall Home during the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge's Parade of Homes in 2023 four-and-a-half bathroom home features 24-foot ceilings dual floating brick walls and exposed wood inlaid steel beams From the front of the property to the outdoor living space the first floor is tiled with large format Italian porcelain White oak engineered hardwood is used throughout the remainder of the home with upgraded coatings for additional UV protection and energy efficiency provide lots of natural light to the primary entertainment and kitchen area Step down into the conversation pit where a reclining sectional sofa is anchored by a custom fireplace wall The sleek kitchen area features matte black custom cabinetry and floating white oak open shelving a 36-inch workstation and a second dishwasher can be closed off from the primary kitchen area Other kitchen appliances include a 36-inch built-in panel covered fridge and freezer A wall of windows gives the master bedroom an expansive view of the outdoor pool A sliding glass door offers easy access to the tanning ledge a freestanding tub and a smart toilet with features like a warmed seat includes floor-to-ceiling shoe storage and a custom vanity Scattered throughout the property are locally sourced Each tread on the custom floating staircase was cut from a single slab of ash The waterfall kitchen island is made of hand finished white oak gate and play set are among a number of pieces made from locally-sourced cypress An LED-lit knife-edge pool is arguably the star of the outdoor space The water sits at the same level as the deck and interior floor allowing for the pool temperature to remain cooler during the hot summer months Nearly 700 square feet of outdoor living space can be fully enclosed with automatic shades and a dedicated air conditioning system automated drop down TV or warm up by a suspended The outdoor cooking and dining area has a range of appliances including a hibachi grill A playground for children can be removed to expand a putting green space Control everything from lighting to security using a phone Integrated speakers are dotted throughout the home primary bedroom and the outdoor living area The Rouzan development sits near the Southdowns neighborhood located at the neighborhood's main entrance is home to a number of businesses including Sprouts Farmer's Market and Pizza Artista The East Baton Rouge Parish Library system recently opened its newest branch in the area The neighborhood also features an outdoor fitness trail a children's playground and a clubhouse with an Olympic-sized pool The Rouzan Homeowner's Association dues are currently $191 per month See the listing on Zillow here Email Caitie Zeilman at czeilman@theadvocate.com or follow her on Twitter Louisiana's John Foster takes the stage on 'American Idol' on Monday before finding out he had made the singing competition series' top 10 Louisiana 'American Idol' finalist John Foster meets his childhood crush Lambert is this week's 'Idol' mentor for 'Iconic Women in Music' night After a performance of Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About" and America's vote, Louisiana teen John Foster is now in "American Idol's" top 8 Some 45 family members and friends from Louisiana traveled to Hollywood for Sunday night's show It was "Iconic Women in Music" night on "Idol," with Miranda Lambert as guest mentor "John walked in with his cowboy hat and western shirt and his guitar and told me I was his first crush," Lambert said later "I had a really hard time making eye contact with her because Lambert advised him to play his guitar first during the first part of the song and not be afraid to pull that guitar to his side and interact with the audience "It's also my go-to karaoke song so I'm very familiar with it," Lambert said of "Something to Talk About." "I think Bonnie Raitt was perfect because it shows some personality and some sass," Lambert added Here's a reminder on how to vote for Foster (for a total of 30 votes): Voting opens at the beginning of the show and ends during the final commercial (around 8:50 p.m.) Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate.com Prior to making it on "American Idol," country singer John Foster played the bar restaurant and festival circuit in West Baton Rouge Louisiana and "American Idol" share a lengthy history starting with the singing competition series' third season and continuing to its curren… the daily lunch special at Benoit's Country Meat Block in Addis is meatloaf who in April made the "American Idol" Top 10 comment on John Foster's performance on Monday night's show Louisiana teen John Foster survived another round of cuts on 'American Idol' Sunday night and surely gave voters something to talk about With a performance of Bonnie Raitt's classic hit "Something to Talk About," the Addis 18-year-old advanced to the top 8 of the singing competition Read more about his preparation with Miranda Lambert here. Sporting a signature cowboy hat and toting his guitar Foster looked comfortable on stage as he belted the tune and interacted with the crowd Multiple family members and fans waved signs with his name on them Foster had judge Carrie Underwood singing along and Luke Bryan grinning from ear to ear Can't see the video below? Watch it here. Here's how to vote up to 30 times once the show starts: Email Emma Discher at EDischer@TheAdvocate.com or follow her on Twitter Voting clerk Will Clancy opens the curtain for Charlotte in the voting booth as she reaches out to grab her hand at East Baton Rouge Parish Library on Saturday a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives and runoff elections for two seats on the first elected St George City Council were all Baton Rouge-area ballots Saturday Follow with us live as we watch the results come in The district attorney's tax failed. Voters rejected Hillar Moore's request for a new property tax by a 60-40 margin Terry Landry is going to the Louisiana House of Representatives. Landry won 52% of the vote Malcom Myer got 42% of the vote and Sonny Marchbanks got 6% The city council races in St. George have been decided. Republicans Patty Cook and Jim Talbot will join the first-ever elected city council.  He'll represent an at-large district across the whole city The early voting results are in. Voters who went to the polls before election day rejected District Attorney Hillar Moore's tax proposal.  all but one of the five tax renewals for the school board passed among early voters; proposal 4 of 5 was failing by less than 100 votes But if the full election results mirror early voting both Republicans who were endorsed by city leaders — Jim Talbot and Patty Cook — won the early vote in two city council races Talbot had 59% of the vote to Shaunn Wyche's 41% We'll be watching the results come in live If you want to see where to watch the returns, or information about other elections in Louisiana, check here. Click here to find your polling place Here's a rundown of our previous coverage on the issues: Recently impounded geese and ducks mill about their enclosure at the West Baton Rouge Parish Shelter and Animal Control more people are picking up backyard farming in West Baton Rouge West Baton Rouge Parish Shelter and Animal Control is urging residents to brush up on their bird and bee laws before starting a backyard farm “What often happens is they’ll let chickens out the chickens go roaming around the neighborhood they’re resting on their cars and pooping on the cars and then we’ll get a complaint call about it,” said George Bragg superintendent of mosquito and animal control in the parish In 2024, 11 million Americans owned backyard chickens, according to American Pet Products Association data. Backyard chicken ownership was up 28% from 2023 West Baton Rouge Parish is handling more animal-related complaints than ever before The violations most often involve chickens and bees we didn’t even have a place to house those kinds of animals,” Bragg said “And now we’ve put up chicken coops on the premises (so) that we can house them when we impound those animals Bragg said he thought the uptick might stem from greater food supply anxiety, brought on by the price of eggs and the ongoing pain of inflation at the grocery store In a Facebook post on the animal control account addressing the parish quality and pricing of food have led more residents to take up hobby farming “They’re looking to do things organically in their backyard,” Bragg said residents should be aware of local ordinances and state law for owning animals The West Baton Rouge Code of Ordinances prohibits keeping bees chickens and other fowl in a residential subdivision on a lot of 1 acre or less The ordinances apply upon receiving a complaint that’s not the proper place for that to be happening,” he said He emphasized that the department does not want to discourage hobby farming but instead focuses on education I just want people to be aware of the ordinances.” Email Haley Miller at haley.miller@theadvocate.com lost the Lake Charles mayoral runoff to Marshall Simien Jr defeated incumbent Nicholas "Nic" Hunter on Saturday in a runoff election for mayor of Lake Charles Simien received 52% (7,703) of votes cast, while two-term incumbent Hunter had 48% (7,049), according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State The race saw a 32% turnout among registered voters held the Lake Charles City Council District A seat from 2005 to 2013 he served on the Port Board from 2003 to 2005 is a lawyer and president at Simien Law Firm Simien told The Advocate he is the best candidate for the office because of his experience in government and law degrees 20 to 25 years of public service and representation of businesses I'm a son of Lake Charles; this community raised me …," Simien said we had the strongest economy in the United States until the pandemic and I'm the person that's most qualified to get us there." began serving as Lake Charles mayor in 2017 the Republican was on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury from 2011 to 2017 Hunter is a partner in The Villa Harlequin restaurant Hunter congratulated Simien in a social media post after the results were in Saturday "Marshall is a good man and Lake Charles will be just fine moving forward I committed to him that it will be as seamless a transition as possible My family and I are doing well and ready for the next chapter God has in store for us," Hunter wrote It's been a great ride and we've accomplished a lot." Leading to the runoff, the best use for the Capital One tower in downtown Lake Charles became a common topic for voters. In late 2024 Hunter announced plans for the property that previously held the skyscraper Simien had questioned why the city would give up property and sales tax revenue from potential private investment at the site The two made it to the runoff during the March 29 election after Hunter received 47% of the vote Simien finished second with 29% of ballots cast James Steward and Khaid Taha fell short of advancing Email Courtney Pedersen at Courtney.Pedersen@TheAdvocate.com Kevin Gates performed at the Varsity Theatre on Monday Baton Rouge rapper Kevin Gates is headed back to his hometown for his national tour in the fall The rapper and singer/songwriter announced dates on social media for "The Amilio Tour," which features 36 shows Other stops include Boston, Nashville, Orlando, Los Angeles and Austin, with Houston-based rapper DJ Chose hosting each show Kevin Gates Gates is known for his songs like "Really Really" and "2 Phones" on his album "Islah." he performed in Baton Rouge at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for LSU's "Groovin' at LSU" concert that the university's student government puts on each year News Tips:nolanewstips@theadvocate.com George elected the last two members of its city council after a District 4 and at-large seat went to runoff Unofficial results have the District 4 race going to Republican Patty Cook or 47.47% of the vote with all 18 precincts reporting the Amite River and Babin Road/Tiger Bend Road Unofficial results also have Republican Jim Talbot winning the at-large city council seat against Democrat Shaunn Wyche with all precincts reporting BATON ROUGE - Voters in East Baton Rouge Parish rejected a property tax that would raise money for the East Baton Rouge District Attorney's staff according to complete but unofficial results generated through a 4-mill property tax to raise $24 million annually is needed to keep salaries competitive to other parishes in the state a 4-mill property tax would've cost $80 a year Moore spoke with WBRZ regarding the results as unofficial results have the measure losing by 20% with all precincts reporting "We're disappointed but we respect the voters like we respect the juries when they come back not in our favor," Moore said the residents of the entire parish are weary of elections feel that they are already paying enough taxes that should support the offices Truth of the matter is that not everyone in the parish is paying taxes that support our constitutional offices which is not only fund the district attorney but the [public defenders] and the coroner Moore also said that the office's feelings "go out to the employees and to the victims of crime" and that he felt as though he let those people down BATON ROUGE — A man accused of multiple armed robberies in Mid-City was arrested on Friday Baton Rouge Police said that 32-year-old Montrel Alexander became a suspect in two armed robberies that the agency had been investigating since April 11 The first robbery happened near a home on Rittiner Drive held a woman at knifepoint during the early hours of April 11 Police added that the suspected robber also attacked and beat her leaving her with a laceration on her head.  Police said that the female victim told them that she saw the man who robbed her earlier that morning He walked up to her and asked for a cigarette before returning to rob her The suspected robber was wearing the same clothes as the man who asked for a cigarette Alexander held another person at gunpoint and robbed them on April 13 at the St located just one block east of the Rittiner robbery along McGrath Street Police say that he shot into the air and ran away on foot after robbing the alleged victim.  Police noted that the suspects in both robberies were identified as having similar features and wearing similar clothes.  BRPD said Alexander was identified as the suspect after witnesses identified him as well as video surveillance footage and cell phone data placed him in the Mid-City area during both robberies Alexander's phone records obtained from a previous investigation show that he left the scene of the alleged April 11 robbery shortly after it reportedly took place.  he was booked for armed robbery and second-degree battery Police said he was previously arrested for various drug A man who was found dead with a gunshot wound on Sunday has been identified by the East Baton Rouge Coroner's Office was found shot dead in the backyard of a residence in the 5800 block of Kilona Drive East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office deputies received a call about the body just before 7 p.m The death is being investigated as a homicide Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@theadvocate.com BATON ROUGE - The state Office of Special Counsel has recommended that 19th Judicial District Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts be removed from the bench citing lies and misstatements in her campaign her personal life and during the investigation that resulted In a recommendation to the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana Special Counsel Michelle Beaty and Assistant Special Counsel Michael Bewers said they agreed with the hearing officer who concluded that Foxworth-Roberts should be removed from office and that she should have to pay for the cost of the investigation The most serious of the complaints considered during the investigation was the repeated claim that Foxworth-Roberts was a captain in the Army. That claim appeared in campaign ads and in media coverage The special counsel's brief said Foxworth-Roberts provided "misleading She ignored requests and subpoenas from her military records which investigators later got from the Army Foxworth-Roberts "lied in her sworn statement to the OSC claiming she attained the rank of Captain while serving in the Army," the brief said but she also "failed to achieve the rank of Captain twice Army Reserves at the rank of First Lieutenant." The brief said she misled police about the location of a reported burglary of her vehicle but authorities discovered that it was several miles away Former OSC Investigator Tim Parker said he worked on the case for more than two years "She presented stuff from her auto insurance saying I didn't file a claim on my auto insurance.' Later you did file one on your homeowner's insurance you just tried to flat-out muddy the water and not answer us truthfully.' For a judge to do that I found that extremely distressing," Parker said She also misdirected special counsel investigators by telling them that she didn't file an auto insurance claim for the items she said were stolen from her car She left out the fact that she had filed a claim with her homeowner's insurance policy she filed a second claim with her homeowner's insurance claiming a $19,000 diamond ring was stolen from the car She did not report the ring theft to police "There is a fundamental dishonesty which permeates Judge Foxworth-Roberts' words and actions throughout every aspect of this case," the brief said cases like Foxworth-Robert's are not common I think the closest we came to ever getting to remove a justice of the peace he resigned at the last minute," Parker said Foxworth-Roberts will go before the Judiciary Commission on May 23.  WBRZ reached out to Foxworth-Roberts and her legal team who declined to comment Sopapilla cheesecake and pulled pork hand pies with green chile pimento cheese from Louisiana Locavores While my favorite thing to order at Bldg 5 is the Little Italy board The salad was fresh and easy to enjoy for dinner but I could easily see this being a great lunch item I guess I'll just have to go back for more research When going to a sushi place for the first time my MO is to never go alone and to always split multiple rolls I’ve heard good things about Geisha — they’re sister restaurants with the Patio Tex-Mex Fusion I ordered the geisha roll (their signature) the mango tango roll and the cherry blossom roll All were good but the cherry blossom roll stole the show and I’m a big fan of their soy wrapping (in lieu of seaweed) One of the best parts of going to Festival International in Lafayette is getting the opportunity to try new-to-me dishes alongside old favorites the Louisiana Locavores booth called me back several times to try their barbacoa rice and gravy pulled pork and green chili pimento cheese hand pies Each dish was a unique twist on well-loved eats The hand pies were flavorful without being overstuffed (or too dry with a pepper jelly dipping sauce that added an extra-sweet zing to the savory pies The sopapilla cheesecake bars had a caramelized cinnamon-sugar layer on top adding delightful complexity to the rich cheesecake local ingredients in Louisiana Locavore's rice and gravy which layered extremely well with the smokiness of the shredded brisket This eatery can be found at local farmers markets and festivals so follow them on social media to see where they'll end up next MONROE — A Baton Rouge native won this year's Miss Louisiana's Teen 2025 pageant. An Episcopal junior, Virginia Kirkpatrick, was crowned this year's pageant winner on Sunday at a ceremony in Monroe. Kirkpatrick was previously crowned Miss Louisiana Port City Teen, qualifying her for a spot in the Miss Louisiana's Teen pageant. Kirkpatrick is also a track athlete at Episcopal, competing in multiple events, including the hurdles. "Virginia, I am so proud of you and cannot wait to watch you shine throughout this year. You have such a bright light, a kind heart, and the passion to lead and inspire others. I know you will represent our organization with so much grace and love," Miss Louisiana 2024 Olivia Grace George said in reaction to the news of Kirkpatrick's win. "This is only the beginning of an incredible journey, and I am cheering you on every step of the way!" Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The Bayou Barbie is back in Baton Rouge. Reese and the Chicago Sky played a WNBA preseason game inside of the PMAC on May 2, 2025. Former LSU Guard Hailey Van Lith also plays for the Sky. The final score was 89 to 62, with the Chicago Sky walking away with a win. Tip off for the game, which was played against the Brazil National Team, was at 8 p.m. CT. LSU WBB Coach Kim Mulkey presented her two former players with flowers and a traditional LSU Win! bar for their homecoming. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WNBA (@wnba) “We are excited to host a WNBA game in May featuring the Chicago Sky and Angel Reese,” Coach Kim Mulkey said “Angel played a major role in establishing our program at LSU and I know our fans are going to be excited to have her back in the PMAC She had such a great rookie season and we can’t wait to continue to watch her thrive in the WNBA.” “I’m very excited the Sky will play a preseason game at LSU,” Reese said “It will be amazing to return to Baton Rouge LSU was instrumental in preparing me for the WNBA and I can’t wait to hit the court in front of both Tigers and Sky fans!” Reese played as a Tiger for two seasons and was a part of the dynamic team that led LSU Women’s Basketball to its very first NCAA Championship in 2023 She was selected by the Chicago Sky during the 2024 WNBA Draft in the first round as the No Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WNBA (@wnba) BATON ROUGE — Sunshine Quality Solutions the John Deere dealer representing south Louisiana broke ground on a new Baton Rouge facility earlier this week crews began work on the location at the new Interstate 10 and Pecue Lane exit on Reiger Road Work on the facility will be led by local company Firmin Construction The new Sunshine location will feature service bays a showroom and increased inventory that will service the capital region The new facility will also allow training opportunities for students in FFA “This groundbreaking represents more than just a new building it’s an investment in our customers and in the future of this community,” CEO and President Rob Richter said “We are committed to delivering the highest level of service and this new facility will allow us to do just that.” The project is expected to be finished by early 2026 Sunshine currently has a facility on Airline Highway near Claycut Bayou dozens of Louisiana residents line up outside the main office of the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles on Independence Boulevard in Baton Rouge as the May 7 deadline for Real ID drivers licenses looms Three people escaped a house fire in White Plains early Sunday morning but two adult men were killed in the blaze According to a statement from the Baton Rouge Fire Department one survivor reported that he had left cooking unattended The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded at 7:25 a.m where firefighters arrived to find flames pouring from every window and door Crews entered the burning home in an attempt to rescue the two occupants who remained inside but both men had already succumbed to their injuries Three other residents managed to escape before firefighters arrived Investigators say his account matches evidence found at the scene Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties including the Hollywood Street Church of Christ next door Enjoy sunny and dry conditions through Monday with low humidity with multiple rounds expected through the end of the week Today & Tonight: The weather will be about as good as you can get for early May standards Skies will stay clear in the overnight hours Up Next: Monday will continue the great weather conditions Moisture will rapidly increase on Tuesday as a warm front moves through the region This will spark numerous showers and thunderstorms Round after round is expected after this point There is already early indications that severe weather and heavy rainfall will be possible Many could see rain totals up to 5" by the end of the week River Flooding: The National Weather Service has issued a RIVER FLOOD WARNING for the Mississippi River at Red River Landing as well as the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City The river has crested at around 59.5 feet with levels only slightly lower at the moment and the prison farmland between the two levees will be inundated All river islands along the reach from Red River Landing to Baton Rouge will remain inundated with recreational camps and river bottom farmland under water This gauge will fall below flood stage around May 14 The river has crested at around 42.3 feet with levels holding steady for now the grounds of the older part of Louisiana State University's campus become soggy This includes the area around the Veterinary Medicine building Levees protect the city of Baton Rouge and the main LSU campus at this level Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks This gauge will fall below flood stage around May 12 The river has crested at around 30.8 feet with levels holding steady for now navigation becomes difficult for smaller river craft Safety precautions for river traffic are urged the river will fall below flood stage around May 10 The river has crested at around 23.7 feet with levels holding steady for now slow-bell procedures will be enacted for river transportation the river will fall below flood stage around May 9 The river has crested at around 6.6 feet with levels holding steady for now Water will cover the lower end of Belleview Front Street in Berwick Vessel traffic will be affected by stronger river currents Vessel traffic safety rules will be strictly enforced by the U.S The river will fall below flood stage around May 9 Get the latest 7-day forecast and real-time weather updates HERE Watch live news HERE Several artist sketch and paint a live model during a figure drawing session at the LSU School of Art’s Glassell Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts on Thursday While this was the final session of the fall the organizers plan to start again in the spring with information appearing on the galleries Instagram page: @thegalleriesatlsu The LSU School of Art and LSU College of Art + Design invites contemporary local and regional artists to submit work to this year’s summer show: an open call which will be on view in Glassell Gallery located downtown at the Shaw Center for the Arts Contemporary visual artists and culture bearers who live study in — or are connected to — Louisiana are eligible to apply as well as local and college/university student-artists The call for entries is open from April 22 through June 10. Entries are accepted via artcall.org Those interested are asked to review the full submission guidelines and important dates The exhibition will be on view from July 12 through Aug Full details and guidelines can be found at felt-summercontemporary.artcall.org The application cycle for the Louisiana Cultural Districts Program is open until July 1 Communities across the state can apply to be officially recognized as a Cultural District by submitting a letter of interest the initial part of the program’s two-stage application process Approved districts receive access to: state historic tax credits for eligible rehabilitation expenses on revenue-generating historic buildings technical assistance from cultural development professionals and official designation as a Louisiana Cultural District Following the submission of letters of interest, selected applicants will be invited to submit full applications beginning May 31. The deadline for submitting applications is July 1. For more information and guidelines, visit crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/arts/cultural-districts/forms-applications/index The Louisiana Outdoors Forever Project Selection Board pre-application window for its second round of conservation funding is open now through June 23 helping bring $28 million more into Louisiana for conservation Project priorities are to expand conservation For more information, visit wlf.louisiana.gov/page/louisiana-outdoors-forever The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will host Music in the Gardens with three performances from musicians from around Louisiana Several local food trucks will be at the event The concert will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 8 in the Steele Burden Memorial Orangerie garden at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden, 4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge. Tickets will be $20 for adults and $5 for children, available for purchase at  fobgburden.com/ Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens members will receive 20% off for up to four tickets author and neuropsychologist at the Neuropsychology Center of Louisiana will speak on COVID-19 and its impact on the community 2 p.m Nemeth will discuss the results of her research into the type of personality adaptations that emerged during COVID-19 The Louisiana Affiliate of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America will host the 2025 HDSA Team Hope Walk at 8 a.m May 10 at BREC Highland Road Grand Pavilion All proceeds support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington’s disease and their families For more information about the event, contact Beth LaCour at beth_lacour@att.net. Online registration and donation information is available at louisiana.hdsa.org/events/2025-team-hope-walk-baton-rouge-la Love Impact Coalition will host the first Baton Rouge Free Clinic of 2025 The one-day health initiative provides free dental, vision and medical services — no insurance, ID or appointment is required. Services include: eye exams and prescription glasses, dental cleanings, dental extractions, dental fillings, STI/HIV screenings, physical exams, colon cancer screenings, maternal-health education and more. To volunteer, donate, or learn more, visit loveimpactcoalition.org Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge has launched its retail rescue food program in partnership with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank With funding from the Walmart Foundation and Feeding America the program aims to reduce food waste and address food insecurity Catholic Charities picks up food that would normally be discarded by retail stores then distributes it to clients through one of the monthly food distribution sites To continue and expand this life-saving ministry, the Faith-Full Food Program is seeking volunteers and donations from the community. To learn more about how you can get involved and support the program, visit ccdiobr.org. Email Joy Holden at joy.holden@theadvocate.com.  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Parish voted to approve tax renewals affecting funding toward schools while Central rejected a bond for Central's school construction fund the five renewals totaled to 19.87 mills in property taxes and included I Care a program that existed since 1986 to help and educate students on preventing substance abuse or crime Unofficial results showed all renewals passing with all 289 precincts reporting the Central Community School Board needed permission for a bond of $35 million to pay back over 20 years for building-related projects This article is brought to you by Visit Baton Rouge After making its way down from the lakes of Minnesota the Mississippi River winds its path through the capital city of Baton Rouge—a city saturated with history and culture Baton Rouge pulses to the rhythm of the river and invites travelers to slow down and enjoy the southern charms the city has to offer Whether you are looking for a night out on the town with friends or a fun-filled family weekend a visit to Louisiana’s Capital City will leave you inspired and refreshed Baton Rouge is known for its diverse culinary scene which draws foodie interest day or night Check out the Perkins Overpass District for a cool and comfortable vibe for lunch The area under the overpass has been creatively built up to host an array of fun eclectic restaurants ranging from quintessential Louisiana joints like Parrain’s Seafood to Asian fusion eateries like Chow Yum which serves up whimsical reimaginings of classic dishes If you’re looking to swap out your winter style with some summertime flair Baton Rouge has plenty of shopping options to complete your wardrobe wish list With up-to-date walkable shopping plazas such as Towne Center at Cedar Lodge and world-class malls like the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge you can find great deals while enjoying the leisure of having everything you need in one location And it’s not all sundresses and flip-flops Baton Rouge has notable menswear boutiques like Carriages Fine Clothier Massey’s and The Backpacker have excellent collections to help you make the most of your time adventuring in the summer sun The Frenchtown Conservation Area and the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature center are two places where you can encounter the magnificence of southern Louisiana wildlife without having to travel far there are ample golf and disc golf courses around the Baton Rouge area With two local collegiate teams to root for—LSU and Southern University—sports are a part of the daily lifeblood of Baton Rouge There are sporting events available nearly year-round with both tailgating and attending the event leaving you with memories for years to come which celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage also bring people from all walks of life together to celebrate the art Learning about the history of Baton Rouge and southeast Louisiana is another great way to connect with the city as you travel back in time The Capitol Park Museum will have you in awe as you traverse its grandiose displays that commemorate the diverse people who have made Louisiana the culturally rich tapestry that it is today the Knock Knock Children’s Museum offers enticing and interactive exhibits that will make for great memories—and pictures Both capitol buildings are open for tours and are free to the public The current Louisiana State Capitol building and the observation deck on the 27th floor provides a must-see view of the city is also revered as a Baton Rouge landmark and is operational 5 days a week as a museum keep an eye out for the quatrefoil design which is highly featured in the gothic construction of this iconic building The quatrefoil is a reoccurring motif in much of the city’s architecture and is featured in the jewelry and accessories made by local artisans like Mimosa Hand-Crafted Jewelry The symbol perfectly encapsulates the sophisticated and reminds visitors and locals that the past and present are forever intertwined in this captivating city For more information on Baton Rouge exciting offerings, check out: www.visitbatonrouge.com Brown has joined McGlinchey Stafford as a partner affiliated with its Baton Rouge office He will lead the firm’s government and internal investigations team and will advise businesses and individuals in government investigations and white collar matters attorney for the Western District of Louisiana during the Biden administration he spent nearly nine years as an assistant U.S Brown was an assistant district attorney in Ouachita Parish from 2002 to 2012 He earned a bachelor's and a master's in business administration both from Louisiana Tech University and a law degree from Southern University Law Center Brown received a distinguished alumni award from the law center Ronnie Foshee has joined the Baton Rouge commercial lending team of JD Bank as vice president commercial lender Foshee has nearly 40 years of experience in the financial services industry He earned a bachelor's in accounting and a master's in business administration He is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking Jordan Howard is the new project director of Geaux Far Louisiana Geaux Far Louisiana is an initiative from the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children that focuses on unifying the early childhood system to ensure families have access to seamless She earned a bachelor's in social work from Southern University and a master's in social work from LSU Kristen Hartley has joined Breaux Law Firm Hartley spent 17 years as an in-house senior staff counsel for Allstate Insurance She had a six-year tenure as an attorney member on the Louisiana Disciplinary Board She earned a bachelor's in political science from LSU and a law degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Ben Dunford is CEO and Melinda Estep is chief financial officer Dunford has a range of experience as health care executive including serving as chief financial officer of Texas Regional Medical Center chief operating officer of NorthStar Anesthesia president of Rural Physicians Group and most recently He earned a bachelor's in management information systems from Brigham Young University and a master's in business administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Estep has more than 25 years of experience in finance health care operations and business development She held executive officer roles with multiple health care companies chief financial officer of John Muir Health She earned a bachelor's in finance and a master's in health care administration Mark Romig has joined The Ehrhardt Group as a senior adviser Romig recently stepped down as chief marketing officer at New Orleans & Co He continues to serve as a senior adviser to the destination marketing and sales organization Romig has received some of the highest honors in tourism and public service including the French government's Ordre national du Mérite University of New Orleans' Alumnus of the Year the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award and the Will Mangham Leadership in Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Travel Association A cold front will roll through the area today and no humidity for the 2nd half of the weekend Today & Tonight: Everyone saw rain overnight A few showers will be possible through noon before a cold front bring a final round of isolated to at the max scattered showers and thunderstorms Any remaining showers and storms should be almost out of here by 3-4pm as much drier air filters in behind the front and lead to clear skies in the overnight hours Up Next: Sunday will feature very nice weather conditions These same conditions will last into Monday This will be the start of another unsettled pattern with multiple rounds of storms expected through the end of the week.  The river has crested at around 59.5 feet with levels slowly falling BATON ROUGE — Former LSU women's basketball star Angel Reese is returning to Baton Rouge for a WNBA preseason game with the Chicago Sky on Friday Reese and the Sky will be playing an exhibition game against the Brazilian National Team on May 2 at 7 p.m “We are excited to host a WNBA game in May featuring the Chicago Sky and Angel Reese,” Coach Kim Mulkey “Angel played a major role in establishing our program at LSU and I know our fans are going to be excited to have her back in the PMAC She had such a great rookie season and we can’t wait to continue to watch her thrive in the WNBA.” “It will be amazing to return to Baton Rouge a community that means so much to me," Reese said Reese was drafted by the Chicago Sky as the seventh pick of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft. Tickets to the game will be available on LSUtix.net. The return of the Bayou BarbieAngel Reese and the Chicago Sky will play a WNBA preseason game in the PMAC on May 2 at 7 p.m. CT against the Brazil National Team! pic.twitter.com/lidJLmvjlv 1 seeded Parkview Baptist Eagles 3-2 in the first game of the Division III select quarterfinals best-of-three series at Parkview on May 1 Dunham right fielder Jackson Peyton (22) reaches for home plate to score the first run after colliding with Parkview Baptist catcher Micah Landry (23) in the second inning on Thursday Dunham pitcher Jace Crane delivers a pitch against Parkview Baptist in the third inning on Thursday Dunham’s Brannon Cohn (35) cheers after teammate Jackson Peyton scored against Parkview Baptist in the second inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist third baseman Gatlyn Grace (6) scoops up the Dunham ground ball in the first inning on Thursday Dunham catcher Gabe Greene (12) moves the runners with a fly ball against Parkview Baptist in the fifth inning on Thursday Dunham pitcher Jace Crane lets a pitch fly against Parkview Baptist in the first inning on Thursday Dunham shortstop Josh Lim (44) slides home safely past Parkview Baptist catcher Micah Landry (23) in the third inning on Thursday Denham second baseman William Nikolaus (2) places the tag on Parkview Baptist runner Kelan Guidry (3) to catch him stealing in the first inning on Thursday Dunham center fielder August Scott (9) makes the catch against Parkview Baptist in the sixth inning on Thursday Dunham left fielder Reid Baron (7) drives the ball against Parkview Baptist in the second inning on Thursday Dunham pitcher Reid Baron (7) celebrates with his teammates after striking out a Parkview Baptist batter to end the game on Thursday Dunham head coach Hayden Jennings talks with an umpire in the fifth inning of the game against Parkview Baptist on Thursday Parkview Baptist second baseman Cade Durbin (15) makes the throw to first to get the Dunham runner in the fourth inning on Thursday Dunham second baseman William Nikolaus (2) looks to drive the ball against Parkview Baptist in the third inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist pitcher Jake Wooten (5) delivers a pitch against Dunham in the sixth inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist runner Sam Mitchell (2) celebrates after hitting a double against Dunham in the sixth inning on Thursday Dunham center fielder August Scott (9) fields a Parkview Baptist fly ball in the second inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist right fielder Henry Beckers (17) lays down the bunt against Dunham in the fourth inning on Thursday Dunham shortstop Josh Lim (44) slides into the bag safely before Parkview Baptist shortstop Kelan Guidry can place the tag in the third inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist third baseman Gatlyn Graves (6) tags Dunham outfielder Reid Baron (7) for the third out of the second inning on Thursday Dunham third baseman Dagen McMorris (16) makes the throw for the Parkview Baptist out in the seventh inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist left fielder Noah Graves (12) makes the catch on a Dunham pop fly in the second inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist first baseman Tyler Barrient (4) finishes his swing while watching the ball in flight against Dunham in the second inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist pitcher Sam Mitchell (2) delivers a pitch against Dunham in the first inning on Thursday Dunham head coach Hayden Jennings talks with the umpires at home plate before the game against Parkview Baptist on Thursday Parkview Baptist first baseman Tyler Barrient (4) tags Dunham outfielder August Scott (9) in the first inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist coach Phillip Hawke walks to home plate to exchange lineups with Dunham on Thursday Parkview Baptist first baseman Tyler Barrient (4) catches the ball to make the play on Dunham outfielder August Scott (9) in the first inning on Thursday Dunham first baseman Brooklyn Gremillion (13) catches the popup in the first inning of the game against Parkview Baptist on Thursday Parkview Baptist second baseman Cade Durbin (15) beats the throw against Dunham in the fourth inning on Thursday Dunham pitcher Jace Crane (1) delivers a pitch against Parkview Baptist in the first inning on Thursday Parkview Baptist pitcher Sam Mitchell (2) delivers a pitch against Dunham in the second inning on Thursday Tickets are on sale for Opera Louisiane's production of "Pagliacci" on May 16 and May 18 in the Manship Theatre in the Shaw Center for the Arts Tickets are $25-$100. Visit operalouisiane.com will celebrate Star Wars Day and Astronomy Day from 1 p.m May 4 with Star Wars Day at LASM: May the Fourth Be With You Admission to this family-friendly event is free as part of the Free First Sunday program The day will be filled with fun activities for all ages including hands-on "Star Wars"-themed crafts and activities Pennington Planetarium for a reduced price of $5 and demonstrations from the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Guests are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite "Star Wars" characters. A major highlight of the event is the 2 p.m. showing of "Star Wars: The Worlds Within" in the planetarium. Visit lasm.org The Louisiana Shakespeare Company's inaugural Louisiana Shakespeare Festival will be from 10 a.m The festival will include interactive performances enactments of iconic scenes from Shakespeare's plays performed in an open-air setting a hands-on activity where participants can create and use gall ink and displays featuring period costumes that bring the fashion of Shakespeare's time to life Admission is free. for more information, visit, lashakes.org will host its Spring Art Opening and Reception from 5 p.m This reception and opening will be held in conjunction with the Mid City Merchants’ annual Spring art festival Cool Nights," which happens annually and is always the Friday of Mother’s Day weekend The art hop starts at the intersection of Jefferson Highway and Goodwood Boulevard and continues down Government Street to the intersection of Government and 14th streets The Elizabethan Gallery's show will include work by Carol Hallock Admission is free. Call (225) 924-6437 or visit elizabethangallery.com Tickets are on sale for Christian Youth Theatre's production of the musical "CATS," opening May 22 in the Shaver Theatre in the LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building Tickets are $16-$22. Visit cytbatonrouge.org/shows/CATS-young-actors-edition/29 Registration is open for the Cité des Arts' two-week filmmaking workshop, "Movie Magic 101," for students in the sixth through 12th grades. The workshop runs from 1 to 3 p.m. June 30-July 11 at the theater. Cost is $330 for the course. Payment plans are available. Visit citedesarts.org "Thrift Style: An Exhibition on Feed Sack Upcycling," through May 10 Admission is free. For more information, visit louisianaoldstatecapitol.org will host a free chamber music concert titled “Music at the Mansion” at 4 p.m May 4 as part of Baton Rouge’s First Free Sunday initiative The Old Mansion will join other museums across the city and open its doors to the public on the first Sunday of every month from noon to 4 p.m The program will feature local musicians from the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra along with faculty members from LSU and the University of Louisiana Lafayette For more information, call (225) 342-9778 or visit laogm.org Email Robin Miller at romiller@theadvocate.com