Good morning, Baton Rouge.

City officials struggle with a growing blight as hundreds of EBR properties need to be condemned and bulldozed — a trashed church shows the impact of delayed action on broken promises in Baton Rouge.

The 34th annual Baker Buffalo Festival begins today at Baker City Park and will continue through Saturday — offering live music, vendor booths, food trucks, a car show and a parade float contest with over 30 floats.

Bed Bath & Beyond said on Tuesday it will change all 9 Kirkland’s Home stores in Louisiana to Bed Bath & Beyond stores over the next two years — the move brings the retailer back to real shops after its earlier bankruptcy and store closings.

Casinos in our state are moving from boats to land and adding more space and food options to draw more guests.

Baton Rouge’s The Queen made $8.1 million in winnings and had over 122,000 visitors in July — part of a trend where casinos in Bossier City, Kenner and New Orleans upgrade to boost business.

Michelle Sanders of Deep South Gypsies makes upcycled jewelry from repurposed items—she uses her family's antique roots and vintage style to create pieces sold online and at local pop-ups on Government Street.

At its September 2 meeting, the Zachary Community School Board honored retired custodian Betty Williams for her service at Northwestern Elementary — awarding her a trophy from Superintendent Ben Necaise and flowers from Principal Jonathan Coats — and recognized Northwestern Middle School students Kendall London Payne and Caleb Conner for their wins at Beta Club competitions. The students displayed their winning artwork from state and national Beta events.

The EPA spent $39 million cleaning up after last month’s explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland — an event that forced evacuations, layoffs, and lawsuits — and is now asking for more funds as cleanup continues.

A shrimp boat sank after hitting a hidden oil well — showing that thousands of wells drilled in coastal marshes are now underwater, risking leaks and boat dangers.

Researchers estimate that over 3,600 wells have been affected by erosion, and state funds may soon face high cleanup costs.

LSU safety Dashawn Spears made two key interceptions during the SEC opener against Florida on Sept 13 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge — one was a pick-six that helped secure the team’s 20-10 win.

Baton Rouge will host the 2026 American Darters Association National Championship at the Crowne Plaza from July 29 to Aug.

2. Visit Baton Rouge and its partners expect 500 competitors and their families to boost local spending—adding about $1 million to the economy—if visitors stay an average of six nights.

LSU football tight end Bauer Sharp will play in his final season as the Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana later this week, with head coach Brian Kelly and coach Frank Scelfo meeting for the first time in this storied in-state rivalry.

Bauer, an Oklahoma transfer who spent three seasons at SLU, has earned support from his parents who drive from Dothan every Friday—showing his journey from high school quarterback to key team player.

LSU staff have spent the week preparing Tiger Stadium so that 102,321 fans can fill the seats tomorrow.

Over 3,000 workers start early—cleaning, painting, and checking systems, while crews clear tons of trash after the game and repair any damage for the next event.

2nd Annual Luncheon & Kitchen Tour

10 AM – 1 PM — Acadian House Design + Renovation — Cost not listed — Enjoy a delightful luncheon and inspiring kitchen tours, all while supporting the Bella Bowman Foundation.

Blueprint for OASIS Accuracy Workshop

09:00 AM-06:00 PM — L'Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge — Check Official Website — Enhance your home health care skills and explore OASIS accuracy and emergency preparedness strategies.

Farm Fête

6-9 p.m. — Red Stick Farmers Market — Fundraiser — An evening of local flavors with farmers and chefs supporting community outreach.

Brew at the Zoo

Evening event — BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo — Fundraising for the zoo — Enjoy a variety of beers in a unique atmosphere while supporting local wildlife.

The Buddy Ride

11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. — 15001 River Rd, Baton Rouge — Donations welcome — Participate in the 7th Annual Buddy Ride to support Keep Tiger Town Beautiful and help clean up Baton Rouge.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra Concert

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. — Chelsea's Live — Tickets available — Experience the unique sound of Unknown Mortal Orchestra live in Baton Rouge.

Ruthie Foster Performance

7:30-9 p.m. — Manship Theatre — Cost info not provided — Experience the soulful sounds of Ruthie Foster, influenced by her gospel roots and vibrant musical journey.

Bachtoberfest

Evening — EBRPL - Main Library — Family-friendly event — Enjoy a cozy outdoor concert featuring beer, brats, and Bach melodies.

Fall Fest 2025

9 AM - 2 PM — Baton Roots Community Farm — Free entry — Experience hands-on urban farming and seasonal arts while connecting with the community this fall.

Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Manship Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the vibrant sounds of Red Hot Latin Jazz from the son of the legendary Tito Puente.