Good morning, Baton Rouge.

Six residents were displaced when a home on Belhaven Circle caught fire Thursday, Aug.

20 around 5:37 p.m., heavy smoke and water damage affected the property before firefighters contained the blaze by 5:55 p.m. and the Red Cross was contacted to assist with relocation.

Greco's 2 Specialty Pet Supply on Greenwell Springs Road announced its closing on Facebook Wednesday due to rising business costs and health challenges; the store is holding a Going Out of Business Sale with 50% off remaining inventory and will continue local deliveries during the transition.

A free outdoor concert series called Sundays in St. George will be at Highland Road Park on Oct.

11 and Oct. 18 from 2-6 p.m. It will feature live music from Phat Hat and Parish County Line & an arts market with local food vendors and artisans.

U.S. News & World Report ranked nine Baton Rouge area high schools in Louisiana’s top 25, with Baton Rouge Magnet High School as the highest ranked at 209th nationwide.

It earned a score of 98.84 based on high graduation rates and test performance.

Niles Haymer II, a 16-year-old student at Baton Rouge Magnet High, won 100 Black Men of America's first national oratorical contest in New York City with a speech on leadership.

He credited guidance from his mentor in the Project Excel program for sharpening his public speaking skills.

Louisiana students will spend more time moving in PE as new K-12 physical education standards approved by the state board will take effect in 2027; the updated guidelines let teachers tailor lessons to available space and promote lifelong fitness.

The Scotlandville Branch of the EBR Parish Library reopened after major renovations (expanding the space to more than 24,000 sqft), providing modern resources for local readers.

The heatwave persists with upper 90s temperatures and feel-like values near 108° today.

Friday may bring showers and overnight storms (from rising moisture) while a drier air mass is set for the weekend.

Twenty-two parishes have burn bans because of dry, high temperatures; open burning now carries penalties of $500 for civil citations and up to $1,000 plus jail time for property damage.

Fire officials say the bans help prevent strain on crews and protect citizens.

St. George city pitched a pilot partnership with Uber to offer residents 50% off rides that start and end within city limits.

The discount program, funded up to $500,000 with a $50,000 Uber grant, is expected to be voted on next Tuesday and may launch in October.

On Thursday, the Louisiana Department of Health asked residents and visitors to avoid parts of Henderson Lake due to a blue-green algae bloom detected via satellite imagery.

Officials recommend testing for toxins and urge people (especially children and pets) to stay clear of the affected water.

Baton Rouge parks and law enforcement are partnering with NFL FLAG to launch a new youth flag football league, expanding access for young players.

Registration will open on Sept. 17 (with a kickoff jamboree at Memorial Park on Dec. 5) and the seven-week season will begin Jan. 13 with a $45 fee per child.

LSU football season will start on Sept.

5 with a game against Clemson at Death Valley as head coach Lane Kiffin prepares the team and plans to update fans after Thursday’s practice at 11:45 a.m.