Good morning, Baton Rouge.

Yesterday, Cox Charities awarded a total of $38K in grants from employee contributions to eight Baton Rouge nonprofits.

Three groups, including Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge, received $11K each while five others got $1K.

Veterans return to Baton Rouge from Washington, D.C. this Saturday — organizers plan a welcoming ceremony at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, and guests should arrive by 9:30 p.m. to secure parking before the plane lands around 10:15 p.m.

Barrio Burrito Bar, a fast-growing Canadian chain, is building a 1,600+sqft Tex-Mex restaurant attached to CC’s Coffee House at Bluebonnet Square near Airline and Bluebonnet Boulevard; the lease will transfer next month as the restaurant opens in summer.

Louisiana’s Old State Capitol will display an exhibit (Bought for Song: A Young Nation Expands) featuring the Napoleon-signed Louisiana Purchase document from April 14 to July 11.

The museum invites visitors to explore this key piece of our state’s history.

The Louisiana Art and Science Museum will host Train Day on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as it celebrates its railroad roots with hands-on model railroad demos, planetarium shows and live steam trains at its historic depot.

WastePro's Industrial Waste Division will host a hiring event in Geismar on April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6177 Copperhead Road; applicants must bring a resume, record, DOT medical card and driver's license, and drivers can earn safety awards for three years of accident-free service.

Middle schoolers competed at the 72nd Louisiana State Science and Engineering Fair at LSU Student Union yesterday, showcasing projects from testing yarn insulation to building a device to address global warming + winners such as Bliss Barnes will represent Louisiana at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix later this year.

Harvest Commons Charter School will move into the former South Boulevard campus at 804 Mayflower Street this summer to open a K-5 school for 150-180 students.

The school plans $4.3 million in renovations (including a small farm and garden) under a 50-year lease with final vote set for April 16.

On Wednesday, EBR Metro Council approved a contract for road repair supervision covering nearly 350 roads over 133 miles, as Brentwood Place residents had long urged improvements beyond patching after rain exposed recurring issues.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is accepting 25 applicants for its annual eight-week Citizens Academy that provides hands-on experiences in academy training, 911 dispatch, gun range tours and firearm demonstrations; selected participants will meet Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at headquarters on Airline Highway.

Pathways to Triumph, a nonprofit founded by stroke survivor Jdele Brignac (and her husband Chad), will host a gala aimed at rebuilding life after stroke on May 16 at the LABI Center for Free Enterprise as part of Stroke Awareness Month.

Mama Plus Health policy group will host Black Maternal Health Advocacy Day at the Capitol on April 15 at 8 a.m. to urge lawmakers to act on high maternal death rates among Black mothers (a concern highlighted by a Tulane University study).

LSU baseball lost 10-7 to Bethune-Cookman Tuesday night in Baton Rouge after the Wildcats scored five runs in the seventh inning; the team will face Ole Miss at 6:30 p.m. Friday in an SEC matchup.

Dunham quarterback Elijah Haven became the first high school athlete to sign a deal with EA Sports on Apr 8 (MaxPreps report) as the No. 2 player in the Class of 2027 and the only team member still in high school after the Tigers won a state title in 2025.

LSU Tigers vs. Arizona Wildcats Softball

5-6 p.m. — Tiger Park — Tickets from $48 — Catch exciting collegiate softball action in Baton Rouge as the Tigers face off against the Wildcats.

LSU Concert Orchestra & Percussion Ensemble Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — LSU Student Union Theater — Ticketed event — Experience a captivating evening with the LSU Concert Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble featuring diverse repertoire.

LFAA State 3D Championship

Event Duration — Waddill Wildlife Refuge — $40 for adults, $30 for juniors — Compete in a thrilling archery challenge featuring 20 to 25 targets at known distances.

TRENDS in Baton Rouge Real Estate Seminar

Where Baton Rouge gets the "dirt" on all things real estate! We'll break-down the market to examine what's happening in each of the industry segments of residential, multifamily, office, industrial, retail, finance, and feature keynote from Dr. Loren Scott

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire

12:30-2:30 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Tickets available — Experience the thrill of your favorite monster trucks come to life.

Bridgerton - The Final Farewell

2-5 p.m. — Shaw Center for the Arts — $85 — Immerse yourself in a Bridgerton-inspired afternoon filled with florals, cocktails, and the chance to be crowned the Season's Diamond.

Spring Storytime for Children

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. — West Baton Rouge Parish Library Main Branch — Free entry — Enjoy stories, songs, and fun activities in a relaxed setting for kids.

An Evening with Emerson, Lake and Palmer

7:30-11:59 p.m. — Manship Theatre — Starting at $70 — Experience the authentic reunion performance of the legendary progressive rock band Emerson, Lake and Palmer with modern technology.

LSU Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers Softball Match

6-7 p.m. — Tiger Park — Tickets starting at $8 — Experience the thrill of college softball as the LSU Tigers take on the Auburn Tigers.

The Gonzales Magnolia Market

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Lamar Dixon Expo Center — Ticket prices vary — Discover unique gifts for Mother's Day, graduations, and more at this vibrant market.