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Ethan Tuttle

@ethantuttlewafb

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Proposed health insurance increases for Baton Rouge city-parish workers and retirees are facing pushback ahead of a Metro Council vote scheduled for Wednesday.

If approved, the changes would mean an additional $1,600 per year for families and $400 per year for individuals.

Firefighters Association President Jake Morgan says the administration met with the union Monday night, and while proposed increases have come down, they're still significant.

"We were looking at 30-50 percent premium increases across the board. Now, we're sitting at 20-30 percent premium increases which is still drastic," Morgan said.

According to Morgan, the proposal includes 20% premium increases for HMO and POS plans, 30% increases for high-deductible plans, deductible increases of $400 for individuals and $1,200 for families, and the elimination of the spousal incentive plan.

Morgan also says the union was largely left out of the process until recently.

Curt Monte, who spent more than two decades representing firefighters at the local and state levels, says committee meetings between the parish and the union used to happen regularly — but no longer do.

"You know the core group of folks that really keep the city running are the core group of folks that have really been left in the dark here," Monte said.

Monte retired less than six months ago. He says if the proposal goes through as presented, it would amount to a 5% cut to his take-home pay.

"It's frightening... If this continues at this pace it would be a struggle to support my family," Monte said.

A spokesperson for the mayor's office says employee groups helped shape the proposal and prompted changes, and that Mayor-President Sid Edwards personally reviewed the impact and directed deeper premium cuts. The administration says it will move forward with Wednesday's vote. by @ethantuttlewafb

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A football game between Capitol High and Thrive Academy ended in a full-scale brawl on Oct. 9 — the second such incident in just weeks. 🏈

Deputies previously had to use tasers to break up a violent crowd after a fight broke out between Carroll High and Assumption High near the end of their game. The LHSAA responded by barring Assumption from playing home games for the rest of the season and suspending Carroll's team for the remainder of the year, with coaches facing punishment as well.

Now the LHSAA is reviewing the Capitol-Thrive incident. Both schools have a two-day window to submit written reports as part of the process. The association's sportsmanship committee will review the findings, investigate, and meet with both schools before deciding what happens next.

Thrive Academy says it has already conducted its own internal investigation, reviewed video footage, and shared its findings with the LHSAA. The school says it will discipline students through its own process in addition to whatever the LHSAA decides.

Capitol High did not respond to our request for comment by the time this post was published. by @ethantuttlewafb

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Ahead of #LSU's road-matchup with #Kentucky, we spoke to @wkytnews sports director Lee Howard to give us a closer look at the Wildcats.

Catch this chat and much more on Weekend Kickoff Saturday at 8:30AM. by @ethantuttlewafb

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A video showing the shooting of a horse named Buster has drawn thousands of views since it was posted to social media — and later taken down — within the past few days.

Kelly Bass says he leases the land where the horse died. He can be heard in the video urging the people involved to stop. He says he then called law enforcement.

"It's a shame. It's just abuse, it's not right, not right at all," Bass said.

Accounts of the horse's condition differ. Gloria Hagan, who owns the land and knew the horse's owner, says the horse was so thin its ribs were visible and that it had defecated green liquid not long before it was shot.

Bass disputes that.

Standing over Buster's gravesite, he said: "There was nothing wrong with the horse. It wasn't sick or nothing, just a good horse."

The parish has addressed the video in a Facebook statement, calling it "deeply disturbing" and confirming at least one parish employee was involved.

"Anyone involved in this incident has been immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a full investigation," the post reads.

At the St. Helena Sheriff's Office, we found at least two people booked within the past 24 hours on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The sheriff would not confirm whether those charges are connected to this case, so we are not naming them.
Bass says what he witnessed was shocking, and he wants someone held accountable. by @ethantuttlewafb

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One year ago today, a violent struggle inside the Iberville Parish Courthouse changed the Plaquemine community forever.

Deputy Charles Riley was shot and killed after a struggle with a suspect inside the courthouse. Deputy Brett Stassi Jr. — the son of Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi — was severely injured in the same incident.

"I don't know of anybody that I've ever talked to that had to face what we had happen that day," Sheriff Stassi said. "Where you lose one of your own deputies and your own son is also injured in the incident."

Now, the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office is dedicating the entire month of October to law enforcement, with a special focus on honoring Riley's memory.

"Today we want to remember Charles Riley who gave his life in defense of others. That is truly the mark of a hero," Stassi said.

Riley wasn't just a deputy — he was a father of two young girls, and part of what Stassi calls "a very strong family."

The Sheriff's Office is handing out blue light bulbs for residents to display in honor of Riley's sacrifice. A limited number are available for pickup at the Sheriff's Office on the first floor of the Iberville Parish Courthouse, as well as the Eastbank and North End substations.

So if you see a blue light shining as you drive through town, know it's more than just a symbol — it's a reminder of the sacrifice Deputy Charles Riley made, and the family, friends and community he left behind. by @ethantuttlewafb

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The Parole Project in Baton Rouge is getting a $1 million boost from BlackRock to expand its workforce program — helping connect people coming home from prison with jobs.

Andrew Hundley with the Parole Project says there's often a stigma attached to hiring someone coming home from prison, and a lot of employers don't want to be the first to take a chance. But he says once an employer hires one formerly incarcerated person, they'll often hire a second, because "formerly incarcerated people by and large want to prove themselves."

The program was selected from more than 1,000 applicants, one of just 15 chosen.

Logan Perron served nearly five years in Angola after being convicted on multiple drug offense charges, including possession with intent to distribute, and gun charges. He says the death of his brother motivated him to turn his life around. "I know he would've wanted me to be better. So, I used that hurt as motivation," Perron said.

Perron found the Parole Project with nowhere else to go. The organization helped him with housing and helped him adjust from life in prison to life in society. Now 34, he's certified in the electrical field and looking for work.

Hundley says a quarter of the $1 million will go toward housing, clothing and transportation for people coming home from prison. The rest will cover training expenses and hiring employment specialists.

"Just give me a chance and I'll show you it's worth the chance you're taking," Perron said. by @ethantuttlewafb

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This throwback footage captures the pure, unfiltered electricity of a Southern University gameday on the Bluff, centered on the unmistakable heartbeat of HBCU culture: the world-renowned Human Jukebox.

In the clip, band members reflect on the relentless grind, discipline, and pride that come with wearing the blue and gold uniform—putting in countless hours on the practice field just to deliver precision and power on Saturday.

Meanwhile, local fans and attendees lining the stands and tailgates share that familiar anticipation you can only find at A.W. Mumford Stadium. For the community, game day isn't just about football—it’s about the roar of the brass, the booming cadence of the drumline, and the unmatched tradition passed down through generations.

Drop your favorite Human Jukebox memory in the comments below! by @ethantuttlewafb

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Matt and Ethan each picked three college football teams from this week’s rankings and made their case. Who’s overrated? Who’s underrated? Drop your picks 👀

🏈 Watch Weekend Kickoff Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. on WAFB. by @ethantuttlewafb

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LSU has been designated as a distinguished military college by the Department of War.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made the announcement, naming LSU as one of five schools joining what he's calling "America's Corps of Cadets."

"We need more officers from academic institutions like our military academies and senior military colleges. Today we're going to make that happen," Hegseth said.

The designation gives LSU's Reserve Officer Training Corps, or ROTC, priority when it comes to becoming an active duty commissioned military officer.

Retired Col. Joseph Musacchia, commandant of cadets at LSU, said the designation strengthens both the military and the ability of LSU students to contribute to national defense. He said it could also lead to more federal funding for scholarships if enrollment grows.

LSU was founded in 1860 with the nickname "The Ole War Skule" and has a long history of military training on campus.

James Gregory, director of the LSU Military Museum, said LSU was once a distinguished military college before, and the new designation is a sign of what's ahead for the university's role in national defense. by @ethantuttlewafb

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Livingston Parish is expanding its jail, adding a 174-bed maximum security facility next to the LPSO training facility in Walker. Sheriff Jason Ard says the project will save money — the parish currently pays $26.39 a day to house inmates out of parish, compared to $3.50 a day locally. The parish council approved the expansion earlier this year, with the project not to exceed $10 million. Bidding opens in late November, with completion expected in late 2027. by @ethantuttlewafb

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A Baton Rouge pastor says a church expansion project is stalled after paying a contractor nearly $100,000 for work that was never finished.

Pastor Edward Hayes says Edvante Showers, a church member for about three months, was hired to expand the building as the congregation grew. A contract for $82,000 later grew to $140,000 because of change orders. Hayes says Showers provided a license number and insurance papers claiming he was qualified for the work.

Months later, with little progress, Hayes says he started asking questions.

"We realized that something was going on. We confronted him numerous times and it was always, 'I purchased them, it's on its way' but it never showed up," Hayes said.

Showers is accused of identity theft after authorities say he used someone else's contractor's license. They say entering his name into the state's contractor search engine returned zero results. The Louisiana Board of Contractors also has no listing for Showers, according to an affidavit arrest warrant issued by Baton Rouge police.

Construction equipment remains scattered across the building. The HVAC system still has not been replaced.

Attorney Donald Dobbins, who represents Hayes, says he hopes Showers "will get his day with the licensing board" and that the church can be made whole. Hayes and Dobbins say the money involved came from the congregation.

"They made vows, they made pledges, to make this happen," Hayes said.

WAFB reached out to Showers for comment on the incomplete work and the ongoing investigation. His response: "No comment." by @ethantuttlewafb

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Game day energy is already ramping up in Baton Rouge! RVs are rolling into the lot just minutes from the stadium, tailgaters are firing up some good ol' fashioned Southern cooking, and fans are stocking up for the long haul ahead of LSU's matchup against Texas A&M.

Even A&M fans are making the trip — some picking Baton Rouge for their annual away-game tradition. One LSU student says he's never seen so many Aggie fans on campus before a game.

One fan summed up the matchup in a single word: "Electric." ⚡ by @ethantuttlewafb

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