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Thursday, April 30th, 2026

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Good morning, Baton Rouge. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 30th of April.

COMMUNITY NEWS

  • YMCA of the Capital Area will offer free swimming lessons for second graders this summer to teach water safety skills like floating and treading water. Local schools are joining the effort + the program aims to provide equal access regardless of income or zip code.  WBRZ
  • Winners each received one of five new Lexus vehicles in the Driving the Future contest (all proceeds supported Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital) yesterday.  WAFB 9
  • A new community garden opened yesterday at Jewel J. Newman Community Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. Councilman Anthony Kenney's office said the garden will offer plots, tools, workshops and produce swaps for residents to build connections.  WBRZ

BUSINESS NEWS

  • A regional job fair was held Wednesday at Raising Cane’s River Center, offering on-site interviews with over 100 local employers and giving job seekers a chance to connect directly with hiring managers.  WAFB 9

ECONOMY NEWS

  • Louisiana youth sports complexes are driving local economic growth by hosting travel tournaments and attracting thousands of visitors. Communities such as Youngsville (a fast growing town) and Baton Rouge see new businesses emerge as venues and tax incentives support family friendly events.  The Advocate

EDUCATION NEWS

  • East Ascension High School seniors jumped into a pond on Wednesday, April 29 to mark the last day of classes, continuing a tradition (over 20 years old) before graduation on May 6.  WBRZ
  • Southern University has added an outdoor amphitheater on campus along the Mississippi River bluff. The $1.7 million facility had a soft opening in March and will officially open when equipment is installed (students can reserve the new space through the Welcome Center).  225 Magazine
  • LSU Mock Trial gives students a chance to build law skills by practicing courtroom roles and teamwork. The team meets often to prepare for competitions held in a real courthouse (mimicking true trials) and offers hands-on experience.  LSU Reveille
  • Baton Rouge Community College opened its new mental health center (The Safe Space) on its Mid-City campus to provide counseling, relaxation pods, and seminar spaces to students, faculty and staff; the center builds on the school’s support programs, including a food pantry and clothes closet.  WBRZ
  • LSU film librarian John Hughes helped archive NASA's Artemis II mission by cataloging thousands of photos and videos during the crew's lunar flyby, ensuring space data remains available for future research.  LSU Reveille

GOVERNMENT NEWS

  • Gov. Jeff Landry unveiled an original Louisiana Purchase convention (signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and representatives) on display at the Old State Capitol on Wednesday, celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary; the exhibit will run through July 11.  WBRZ

REAL ESTATE NEWS

  • The new Vicari Center at 8150 Perkins Road near Iron Tribe Fitness and PetSuites will soon welcome Smoothie King, and a large anonymous restaurant will open by October — two suites remain available for boutique or office tenants in this busy retail area between Essen Lane and Bluebonnet Boulevard.  The Advocate

SPORTS NEWS

  • LSU beat Southeastern Louisiana 12-4 in Baton Rouge as Derek Curiel hit a homer and Danny Lachenmayer earned the win in relief — the Tigers improved to 25-21 and will host South Carolina Friday in a three-game series.  WJBO
  • LSU softball closes the regular season with a three-game series against Auburn starting Thursday evening at Tiger Park, as the team seeks to improve its 10-11 record ahead of the NCAA Tournament & SEC Tournament in Lexington May 5-9.  WBRZ

EVENTS

SUBMIT EVENT
  • 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.

    Fri, 5/1/26

    View event
  • 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.

    Sat, 5/9/26

    View event
  • 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.

    Tue, 5/12/26

    View event
  • Vincent Herring's Something Else Jazz Concert

    7:30-10:30 p.m. — Manship Theatre — Starting at $56 — Experience the high-energy soul jazz sounds from acclaimed alto saxophonist Vincent Herring and his supergroup, Something Else!

    Wed, 5/13/26

    View event
  • Gonzales Jambalaya Festival

    May 21-24 — Lamar Dixon Expo Center — Cost varies — Experience four days of wood-fired Louisiana heritage featuring delicious jambalaya and lively festivities.

    Thu, 5/21/26

    View event
  • Post Malone & Jelly Roll Concert

    7:30-10:30 p.m. — Tiger Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Experience genre-bending performances from Post Malone and Jelly Roll in an electrifying show.

    Sat, 5/23/26

    View event

REAL ESTATE

SUBMIT LISTING

No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.

JOB BOARD

SUBMIT JOB

No new job posts today. You can submit one here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUBMIT

No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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