Good morning, Baton Rouge.

Today, Baton Rouge hosts the free Louisiana Red Beans and Rice Heritage and Music Festival downtown from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a red beans cook-off, health fair, car show and live music by Big Freedia and others.

On Saturday, the LSU Rural Life Museum holds the 20th Annual Zapp’s International Beerfest with over 200 beers available and on Sunday Southern University and Perkins Rowe offer a live blues and soul show and a crawfish boil with a gourmet dish contest — ticket prices vary by event.

Baton Rouge police arrested suspect Roland Domino (60) on the Mississippi River Bridge shortly after 7 p.m. on Wednesday for the fatal shooting of Patricia Jackson (58) outside OLOL Hospital after a parking lot argument.

Alex Foret and Isabelle Tatman are running for student government with their Foret-Tatman: Forward ticket, promising clearer rules and better cell service on football game days.

Their campaign was reinstated on Sunday after a disqualification for alleged bribery, and the elections began March 20 and continue today—students will soon decide if their fresh approach brings real change.

LSU Student Government candidates held a debate Tuesday to discuss accountability, sustainable change and internal reform before the March 20-21 elections.

Fronted by the reinstated Forward campaign—and joined by the We’re All In and Unite tickets—they shared ideas like bringing milkshakes back to the Dairy Store and rebuilding Kirby Smith Hall to improve campus life.

A state senator announced on Thursday that he filed legislation to form a new St. George school district matching the city's boundaries, which would give East Baton Rouge its fifth district and open for students in fall 2026.

Bill details (including a measure for state per-pupil funding) will be released in early April as the legislative session starts on April 14.

Legislators have proposed a law to move BREC, which runs over 170 parks and has a near $116 million budget for fiscal 2025, under the control of the city-parish government—state Rep. Dixon McMakin filed House Bill 87 to merge services and cut costs, and he also introduced House Bill 86 to cut the park board from nine to five members by having each city mayor serve as a commissioner. BREC warned that these changes could risk its current funding, while some local leaders voiced mixed views on the proposals.

Congressman Cleo Fields hosted a town hall meeting in District 6 where he answered questions about the future of Congress and addressed concerns over potential Medicaid cuts + a new Congressional map that the US Supreme Court will hear in an hour-long oral argument.

Southern University students at the meeting pushed for more action as Fields noted that lower courts upheld the map despite a lawsuit alleging it violates the Voting Rights Act.

Baton Rouge hosted one of the largest wheelchair tennis tournaments in the world at the 34th annual Cajun Classic at the Paula G.

Manship YMCA and Highland Road courts—where 100 athletes battled through intense tiebreakers and close sets. 19-year-old Sydney Fowler from Clemson led her doubles team to a runner-up finish after a final match lost by two points.

Five-star wide receiver Tristan Keys has committed to join LSU's 2026 recruiting class—he chose LSU over Alabama, Tennessee and Texas A&M and is now the top-ranked member of the class.

Miss LSU 2025 Pageant

4:30-8 p.m. | LSU Student Union Theater | Ticket required | Experience the charitable competition supporting hearing and speech organizations.

Meditative Sound Bath Immersion Experience

7-9 p.m. — Unitarian Church — $27-$30 — Relax and recharge in a multi-sensory sound healing experience featuring crystal bowls, meditation, and gentle music.

Louisiana Sportsman Show

9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center Exhibition Halls — Check website for entry fees — Engage with diverse exhibitors and speakers in the outdoor sports community.

A Night at the Movies: The Sounds of Cinema

Evening event — River Center Theatre for Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with the Baton Rouge Symphony and classic film music.

Baton Rouge Concert Band Spring Concert

5-7 p.m. — EBRPL - Main Library — Free entry — Experience a vibrant musical journey featuring a rich variety of styles and emotions.

Houndmouth Live Concert

7-9:30 p.m. | Chelsea's Live | Ticket prices may vary | Experience the captivating sounds of Houndmouth in an intimate Baton Rouge setting.

The Way to Work Career Fair April 1

Looking for a new job opportunity? HOPE Ministries’ The Way to Work is hosting a Career Fair on Tuesday, April 1st, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 4643 Winbourne Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70805. Bring your resume, dress for success, and connect with local employers! Register here https://expt.io/EaqSoL !

Teach225's Annual Teacher Career Fair

Are you a new grad looking for your first teaching job or an experienced teacher wanting to explore options? Join Teach 225 for its Annual Teacher Career Fair on Wednesday, April 2, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Baton Rouge PPA Challenger

Various times — Stacks Pickleball — Grounds pass required — Watch top pickleball players compete in the PPA Challenger Series.

Downtown Beautification Day

2-4 p.m. — 247 Florida St, Baton Rouge — Free entry — Get your hands dirty while enhancing the beauty of downtown Baton Rouge as part of a community cleanup event.