Good morning, Baton Rouge.

BREC is offering free splash pads and community pools across East Baton Rouge Parish as a relief from the heat advisory; seven splash pads and three pools are available with hours varying by location (City-Brooks and Anna T.

Jordan have specific schedules, while Howell Community Park offers swim lessons only).

East Ascension Sportsman’s League will host its 65th annual Kids Fishing Rodeo on July 25 at Twin Lakes Mobile Estates in Geismar.

Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. (fishing is from 7 to 9 a.m.) and the event is free for children ages 2-14 with prizes and food provided by sponsors.

Sr. Vincent de Paul opened a cooling station on North 17th Street on Tuesday, July 21.

The station operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. when temperatures hit 95°F or above, and the charity will add more emergency centers across Baton Rouge over the weekend.

Little Lennon Play Cafe now begins its soft opening on Lee Drive as a safe indoor play spot for children ages 0 to 6.

The facility provides a play area, cafe and private birthday party bookings while operating Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Firefighters from Baton Rouge and St. George responded to a house fire on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, along Weiner Creek Drive near Coursey Boulevard and Cedarcrest Avenue — they rescued a dog from the burning garage.

Baton Rouge added approximately 7,900 nonfarm jobs between May 2025 and May 2026, boosting metro employment to a record high of 440,800 in April.

A study by Leaders for a Better Louisiana showed a 1.8% increase that outpaced other metro areas.

A learning center in Ascension Parish is helping non-speaking autistic individuals build words one letter at a time using alternative devices at Vibe Learning Center, and it also offers tutoring for students with ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences.

FranU has launched Project FRANCIS to support students by offering academic coaching, tutoring referrals and early intervention to help improve graduation rates.

The program is funded by a Title III Strengthening Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education and connects students with peer mentors and success teams.

A workforce analysis from the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership shows River Parishes Community College’s Process Technology program helps graduates earn median salaries above $130k within five years — far exceeding local income averages and keeping nearly all graduates in Louisiana. This fall, RPCC will offer accredited evening classes at Donaldsonville High School for working adults.

Entergy Louisiana is swapping wooden utility poles for steel ones that can handle 140 mph winds in Baton Rouge as part of a $1.9 billion plan to improve grid resilience.

Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis said the upgrades are essential to protect power during stronger storms.

Louisiana gained nearly 24,000 residents in 2024 as fewer people left the state (84,194 out-migrants, the lowest since 2010), marking its first population growth since 2017 as officials highlight a rise in young families.

LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center received a $5.66 million grant renewal from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to continue its obesity and nutrition research through 2031.

A spokesperson said the renewal builds on more than 20 years of collaborative research in Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Department of Health reported on Tuesday, July 21 that six patients were hospitalized with cyclosporiasis, raising total cases from 55 to 68.

There have been no deaths from the infection.

A new $1 million student housing project named Jaguar Colosseum will convert a vacant building near Southern University into six furnished apartments for more than 20 students, adding community and study spaces.

Construction is set to begin soon with an opening scheduled for early 2027 on north Baton Rouge’s Scenic Highway.

Of Montreal & Sloppy Jane Concert

7-10:30 p.m. — Chelsea's Live — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening of dynamic performances from Of Montreal and Sloppy Jane in Baton Rouge.