Good morning, Baton Rouge.

Books for Boots seeks 2,500 handmade bookmarks for service members and families this summer in its Leave Your Mark campaign; the nonprofit will host the Red, White, & Boots Festival at Gonzales VFW Post 3693 on Saturday, Aug.

29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to raise funds.

Staff Sgt. Lauren Tassin returned home after an 8-month deployment in the Middle East due to conflict in Iran and reunited with her family in Tangipahoa Parish.

Her 9-year-old son Reed was the first to greet her while her husband, Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Deputy Tim May, swept her off her feet.

A law firm is renovating its upper floors on 400 Convention St under a permit issued last week for +5,910 sqft+ renovations.

East Baton Rouge Parish also approved permits between June 15 and 18 for store remodels, a mental health office and a charter school.

Shelby Bordelon, a Southeastern graduate student, was crowned Miss Louisiana Saturday evening in Monroe and earned a $15,000 scholarship.

She will use her nonprofit, Claire's Promise, to raise drunk driving awareness and will represent Louisiana at the Miss America Pageant in late August.

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board voted on June 11 to give Superintendent LaMont Cole the power to revise school job descriptions and add new titles for two years.

Cole will provide a report on current titles (by Jan. 15) and a policy recommendation (by Mar. 15, 2027).

Several parishes continue to recover after Tropical Storm Arthur brought floodwaters last week while Baton Rouge was mostly spared; officials urge residents to prepare an emergency kit and evacuation plan given that 45% of East Baton Rouge is in a flood zone (important as hurricane season ramps up).

The LDH is taking applications for two funding opportunities today to modernize rural health systems - the Capital Improvement Program funds facility updates while the Telehealth Infrastructure Program boosts technology for better care in underserved areas.

Cara's House Animal Shelter in Sorrento closed for two weeks after a transferred dog may have been exposed to canine distemper (only employees have access) and plans to reopen on July 6.

A Baton Rouge family is fighting to save its 1950s-built home from demolition as they urge city leaders to reconsider the plan.

The family hopes officials will explore preservation options (they say the home holds decades of community history).

A young family in Moureaville is cleaning up after Tropical Storm Arthur flooded their home just days after buying new home insurance without flood coverage.

Fire chief Cody Jackson said the storm ruined walls + belongings and state officials advised keeping damage records for claims.

LSU has added three-star wide receiver Gary Burney Jr., a Parkway High School senior from Bossier City, after he flipped his commitment from Houston to join the class of 2027.

Andrew Duhon Live

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Manship Theatre — Tickets required — Experience heartfelt storytelling through music with Andrew Duhon in Baton Rouge.

Difference Maker Summit 2026

9 AM - 2 PM — Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel — Free entry — A day of empowering nonprofit leaders with workshops, networking, and community connection.

Chris Vincent Headlines at Muddy Waters Blues Festival

8 PM — The Basin Music Hall — Cost Info Not Provided — Experience a night of soulful music with Chris Vincent at a vibrant local festival.

Austin Meade Concert

7:00-10:30 p.m. — Texas Club — Ticket purchase required — Enjoy an electrifying night with live music by Austin Meade at the Texas Club.

Jerry Seinfeld Live

8-11 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a night of laughter with the comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld.

Red Stick Speed Dating Event

6:30-8:30 p.m. — TBR Books & Tea — $25 — Experience a fun and engaging opportunity to meet new people in Baton Rouge.