Daily
Baton Rouge
Monday, May 18th, 2026
Good morning, Baton Rouge. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 18th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On Sunday, Boogie Down the Bayou returned to Gonzales to raise funds for veterans and first responders at VFW Post 3693. The event featured food + raffle, music and dancing to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. WBRZ
- ➤ LSU Hilltop Arboretum held its Spring Garden Tour on Sunday in Baton Rouge — the event showcased private gardens in Southdowns, Old Goodwood, Glenmore Place and Walden, highlighting local connections to the Louisiana landscape and support for pollinators. WBRZ
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Former LSU basketball star Shaquille O'Neal will speak at the commencement ceremony at the PMAC on Saturday, where he will share his insights with graduates. WAFB 9
- ➤ Voters in East Baton Rouge rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed the new City of St. George to form its own school system. WAFB 9
- ➤ LSU basketball stars Flau'Jae Johson and Shaquille O'Neal received their degrees at the PMAC commencement ceremony on Saturday, marking an important academic milestone. WAFB 9
- ➤ Louisiana teachers may not see a pay raise after voters defeated Amendment Three Saturday — the measure to shift education trust funds for salary increases was blocked. Teacher unions will meet this week while lawmakers consider new funding options. WBRZ
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ St. George voters rejected Amendment Two to form an independent school district, with 69% against statewide and 70% in East Baton Rouge, while Mayor Dustin Yates said he will resume work tomorrow to address local school funding and accountability concerns. WBRZ
- ➤ DOTD announced lane closures on I-10 for the widening project that start today and continue nightly until May 21, with ramps and off-ramps closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Drivers should expect weather-related changes during these closures. WBRZ
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Rain Will Bring Flowers, founded after the loss of a son to suicide, has trained 96,000 people in suicide prevention across 24 parishes to boost mental health support. The program continues to expand and help families cope with loss in our community. WAFB 9
- ➤ The La. Department of Health is promoting the 988 mental health helpline during Mental Health Awareness Month to provide 24/7 support for anyone in need. This ongoing effort makes help available at all times for those seeking mental health assistance. WAFB 9
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ A new feature revisits Baton Rouge's 2006 Most Likely to Succeed high school seniors, highlighting their paths from legal & medical careers to community leadership 20 years after graduation. The Advocate
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ LSU softball defeated Virginia Tech on Sunday in the Baton Rouge Regional Final — winning 7-2 and advancing to the NCAA Super Regionals to face top-seeded Alabama in Tuscaloosa next week. WBRZ
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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.
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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.
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OAL Annual Convention - Baton Rouge
All day — Crowne Plaza Executive Center — Registration required — Engage in valuable discussions and networking during this annual convention for the Optometry Association of Louisiana.
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Capital City Blues Extravaganza featuring Tucka
7:30-9 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Ticket information TBA — An unforgettable night of blues and soul awaits in Baton Rouge.
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Balmora Concert Featuring Contention, Holder, and Azshara
3 AM – 8 PM — Mid City Ballroom — Ticket prices vary — Experience an exciting lineup with Balmora and special guests in Baton Rouge.
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Cereal Box Collage Art Workshop
2-4 p.m. — West Baton Rouge Parish Library Main Branch — Free entry — Create colorful collages with pop artist Michael Albert in this fun hands-on workshop for kids and families.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Baton Rouge
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