By John Summers | WBR Independent | March 7, 2026 PORT ALLEN — A major fire broke out Saturday morning at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, sending a massive column of black smoke visible across both sides of the Mississippi River and prompting a large-scale mutual aid response from fire departments across
March 07, 2026
By John Summers | WBR Independent | March 6, 2026 PORT ALLEN — Angélique Roché's first job at the West Baton Rouge Museum wasn't as an author. It was as a 15-year-old camp counselor, back when the building was still known as the Sugar Museum. On Sunday, March 1,
March 06, 2026
Resident Pushes Port Allen to Think Beyond Demolition and Put Properties Back Into Use PORT ALLEN — As Port Allen continues to make progress on blight removal, at least one resident is pushing city officials to think harder about what comes after the bulldozer leaves. A community member who spoke at
March 05, 2026
This update was originally scheduled for Friday but was delayed as the editor was on site assisting with ongoing work at the property. PORT ALLEN – Progress continues at Theodore "Mr. Teddy" Melancon's home on Gladiolus Street as a new contractor takes the lead, a local business
March 05, 2026
By John Summers | WBR Independent | March 4, 2026 PORT ALLEN — U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields says he "strongly oppose[s]" any federal detention facility in his district, joining a growing wave of elected officials and residents pushing back against reports that the federal government is considering a warehouse
March 04, 2026
Local students present original research projects as program rebuilds post-COVID participation PORT ALLEN, LA — Students from across the Baton Rouge area gathered at the West Baton Rouge Museum last Thursday, February 26, to compete in the regional round of National History Day, presenting original research projects on topics ranging from
March 03, 2026
By John Summers March 3, 2026 ERWINVILLE — The West Baton Rouge Parish Council on Thursday unanimously approved a $133,299.75 change order for the new Erwinville fire and sheriff substation after soil conditions at the construction site deteriorated — a problem the project's own geotechnical consultant said could
March 03, 2026
GROSSE TETE — A two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 eastbound near the Iberville–West Baton Rouge parish line left one person dead and another hospitalized early Tuesday morning, snarling traffic during the morning commute. The West Baton Rouge Fire Department said crews responded to the crash on I-10 eastbound near the
March 03, 2026
By John Summers | WBR Independent | March 2, 2026 ERWINVILLE — A grass fire burned several acres near Section Road in the Erwinville area of West Baton Rouge Parish Monday afternoon, charring fields surrounded by homes just four days after Parish President Jason Manola publicly defended the decision not to issue a
March 02, 2026