Daily
Baton Rouge
Saturday, April 18th, 2026
Good morning, Baton Rouge. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 18th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Love the Boot Week starts today statewide, with volunteers (family, friends, and coworkers) encouraged to help clean up 64 parishes through April 26. WAFB 9
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Gardener Yasmyne Wells runs Just Growing Here, an enterprise that offers landscaping services, community garden installations and plant-based educational events across Baton Rouge. She plans to expand her work into farming and engage local youth in hands-on gardening experience + environmental education. 225 Magazine
- ➤ Hanley's Foods in Baton Rouge is a 14-year-old company that makes nine all-natural salad dressings, including the local favorite Sensation. It sells about 15,000 bottles a month in 2,000 grocery stores & food service outlets and is working to grow its national presence. The Advocate
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Dr. Andrew King (the last living academic to interview Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) spoke at St. Alban's Episcopal Church on Wednesday about his unique MLK interview. He explained how MLK switched from civil rights to anti-war views during a surprise visit to the University of Minnesota. LSU Reveille
- ➤ Baton Rouge native Rachel Marsh released her new novel Grandpere’s Ghost Swamp on March 24, chronicling 12-year-old Basil Theriot’s journey as a ghost from the bayou guides her to challenge family expectations and protect local wetlands & Cajun heritage. 225 Magazine
- ➤ Baton Rouge Blues Festival (April 17-18) kicks off a statewide season of spring festivals that feature local food, music, and cultural fun, with other events like New Orleans' French Quarter Festival and New Iberia's Spanish Festival drawing visitors across the state. The Advocate
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Louisiana oil expert Robert Mills said damage from the Iran war is similar to post-Katrina refinery challenges + causing concerns that future supply disruptions could raise fuel prices; his remarks followed Calumet Specialty Products keeping its north Louisiana refineries operational despite recent regional storms. The Advocate
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ LSU has opened its new $148M science building featuring state-of-the-art labs and student spaces; the 148,000-sqft facility began welcoming researchers last month and will host classes this fall at the corner of South Stadium Drive + Tower Drive. The project is designed to boost STEM and recruit more talent. The Advocate
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Love the Boot Week is underway today across (all 64 parishes) as volunteers work to clear litter and enhance local spaces, and organizers expect the event will surpass last year's nearly 27,000 participants. WAFB 9
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Sen. Gerald Boudreaux proposed a bill to let Medicaid cover FDA-approved weight-loss drugs for roughly 145,000 adults aiming to cut obesity-related costs; the Senate Health and Welfare Committee amended the proposal on Wednesday and will review it further as lawmakers weigh future spending. WBRZ
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Starting in May, L’Auberge Casino Hotel will convert its 18 Steak restaurant into Emeril's Chop House using a temporary casino floor spot with a Best of 18 Steak menu until then. Chow — Style Crawfish is being served from April 17-19 at Chow Yum, while Caroline’s Cookies gave free treats on April 17. 225 Magazine
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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156/Silence Concert
7-11 p.m. — Chelsea's Live — Tickets available — Experience an electrifying night with 156/Silence and Fox Lake in Baton Rouge.
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Dance With The Dead & Magic Sword
7-11 p.m. — Chelsea's Live — $ — Enjoy an unforgettable night of synthwave sounds as both bands deliver epic performances.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Baton Rouge
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