Good morning, Baton Rouge.

LSU’s new homecoming king and queen, Kalayna Walker and T'Senre Gray, said they felt joy and disbelief when crowned and became the second black pair to win the title—gaining over two million TikTok views as their moment went viral.

They added that staying true to themselves proved that being authentic is more important than the crown—a message that inspired many on campus.

Students criticized the decision to close Unity Field as excessive after LSU increased security following a campus shooting — they argue the move disrupts student activities even as officials say it improves safety.

Sharon Clark, a state board member and school leader, said better data collection is needed to fix the rise in student absences that increased between 2022 and 2024 before falling slightly last year—she leads a new truancy work group that met in Baton Rouge to study how different school rules make tracking hard. The group will use a consistent method across schools to help spot problems early and improve student success.

Yesterday, the Louisiana Safety Highway Commission held the second annual 1 Million Steps 2 Safety 5k run/walk at the Louisiana State Police Headquarters with over 200 runners including five-time Olympian Danielle Scott-Aruda to promote pedestrian safety during Pedestrian Safety Month—attendees also experienced a jambalaya cook-off and a resource fair addressing local road safety concerns.

Baton Rouge hospitals now offer intensity-modulated radiation therapy to treat breast cancer patients after chemotherapy or surgery, a technique that uses prone positioning (allowing the breast to pull away from the body) to reduce radiation risk to the lung and heart.

The Economist released its Carrie Bradshaw Index comparing studio apartment affordability in 100 U.S. cities and found that Baton Rouge is one of the most affordable with a required income of $28,000 — much less than New Orleans' $50,800.

Shreveport also remains affordable with a required wage of $29,600 — showing that Louisiana renters can spend less than 30% of their income on rent.

Baton Rouge ranks third in midsize cities for baseball fans as a WalletHub study ranked it 27th overall among 333 cities with baseball teams—local evaluations used 31 indicators like team performance, ticket prices and stadium access for teams such as LSU Tigers Baseball, Southern University Baseball, Baton Rouge Rougarou and Louisiana Mariners Baseball.

Last Saturday, LSU alumnus Shaquille O’Neal visited Baton Rouge during the LSU versus Texas A&M game and met fans at a truck promoting his Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies — he joked about beating Texas A&M gear and shared his tips for good Cajun tailgate food.

Nearby tailgates at the LSU Law Center's East Annex kept the spirit high despite rain as enthusiastic fans enjoyed the game day atmosphere.

Baton Rouge area high school football games in week 8 featured many competitive matchups—Denham Springs beat Prairieville 51-13 while St. Amant edged Live Oak 55-52—and several other teams posted key wins.

Fred McNair made his debut as Southern's interim head coach in a game where Florida A&M outscored the Jaguars 43-35 after scoring three straight touchdowns in the fourth quarter—Ashton Strother ran for three second-half touchdowns as Southern allowed over 500 yards of offense and dropped to a 1-7 record in SWAC play.

At Death Valley, No.20 LSU fell behind No.3 Texas A&M as the Aggies built an early lead and took control with strong drives, even though LSU scored a safety and field goal to tie in the first half.

Texas A&M extended their advantage in the second half with quick touchdown runs and passes—cementing their dominance in the game.

Family Fright Night: Halloween Concert in the Cosmos

Spooky Concert in the Cosmos — Evening — Louisiana Art & Science Museum — Check event pricing — Enjoy classic Halloween movies and tunes with stunning visuals in the planetarium.

Blackberry Smoke Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening with Blackberry Smoke, known for their soulful Southern rock sound.

Ozzmosis Tribute Event

7-10 p.m. — L'Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge — Tickets required — Experience the legendary music of Ozzy Osbourne performed by top musicians.

Louisiana Book Festival

09:00 AM-06:00 PM — State Library of Louisiana — Check Official Website — Celebrate literature with engaging activities, book signings, and discussions for readers of all ages.

Blippi: Join the Band Tour

2-3:30 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Tickets available — Enjoy a family-friendly live music experience with Blippi and friends.

Merry Market

9 AM - 5 PM — Rev Center — Free entry — Explore local vendors showcasing handmade goods, artwork, and culinary delights.

The Fall Round Up

8 AM - 3 PM — Hollingsworth Richards Ford — $30 — Celebrate Mustang and Ford-powered vehicles with jambalaya, silent auctions, and fun for a good cause.

Aloha Baton Rouge Showdown 2025

7:00-8:30 a.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Competitors vie for coveted Summit bids in this exciting cheerleading showdown.

UCA Baton Rouge Regional Cheerleading Competition

7-10 a.m. — 275 S River Rd, Baton Rouge — In-person event — Witness local cheer teams showcase their skills at this exciting competition.

Military and Veteran Caregivers Summit

4-8 p.m. — 151 S Wooddale Blvd, Baton Rouge — Free entry — Celebrate and empower caregivers of veterans with expert-led panels and networking opportunities.