A jury awarded Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jeff Hughes $300,000 after finding The Advocate defamed him in a 2019 editorial. The jury was initially split 6-6 and deliberated 45 minutes. Hughes had asked for $10 million.
August 27, 2026
Ashlee Bergeron built the Full Moon Market from a photography studio in Plaquemine. After a year and a half and more than 40 vendors, she's bringing the monthly artisan market to Brusly's St. James Park starting Aug. 28.
August 26, 2026
The WBR School Board honored longtime teacher and coach Henry Knox, heard from the district's new bus manager after back-to-back incidents, adopted a budget with a $574,000 surplus, and heard a parent's plea about special education and charter school transfers.
August 25, 2026
A West Baton Rouge grand jury indicted Breyonne D. Dorsey and Christopher Butler on second-degree murder and obstruction of justice charges in the death of 7-year-old Paris Williams, who was found unresponsive in an Addis home on July 1.
August 25, 2026
ExxonMobil's Project Holly and Community Coffee's Project Fusion will bring a combined $308 million in investment to West Baton Rouge Parish, generating an estimated $34 million in tax revenue for local taxing bodies over 20 years.
August 24, 2026
Former Port Allen Mayor Derek Lewis, 65, has died. The coroner's office confirmed his death to WBR Independent and said it is under active investigation.
August 20, 2026
The Addis Town Council heard its 2025 audit came back clean for the fourth straight year, with a $2.1 million surplus. The town also closed on a $50,000 property purchase next to town hall and authorized the mayor to solicit demolition bids for two adjacent properties.
August 20, 2026
A Louisiana Supreme Court justice is suing The Advocate over a 2019 editorial in a trial underway in Iberville Parish. DA Tony Clayton returned as plaintiff's counsel. The defense accused Hughes of coaching a witness during a break.
August 19, 2026
The Port Allen City Council declined to introduce an ordinance that would have let the city marshal's office keep operating in Ward 3. A motion by Councilman Hubble got no second. Without the ordinance, required under House Bill 1038, the marshal's deputies lose police authority.
August 18, 2026
