Good morning, Baton Rouge.

The Baton Rouge Zoo hosted its Rumble in the Jungle car show on Saturday, November 1, where car fans enjoyed classic cruisers and custom builds — visitors also saw over 600 animals including more than 200 endangered species.

All proceeds supported the zoo's conservation and education initiatives.

Baton Rouge volunteers and influencers like Jordan Basham are working to keep the community fridge at The Red Shoes on Government Street stocked amid SNAP uncertainty—donations now fill it up to seven times a day to help residents facing rising food costs.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church broke ground on a new building and Pope Hall after a 2024 fire destroyed the original structure.

Parishioners joined an All Saints’ Day service to mark the beginning of work—using saved relics from the old church in the new design.

On November 2nd in Port Allen, the Justice for Fatrell Organization held its annual Stop the Violence Awareness event to mark eight years since Fatrell Queen’s tragic death—prompting local residents to honor her memory and support efforts to curb violence.

The 10th annual Cap City Beer Fest kicked off on Sunday in downtown Baton Rouge as people enjoyed a variety of local, national, and international beers while supporting the Companion Animal Alliance.

The festival has raised over $150,000 in previous years to help fund vital animal care programs in the community.

A local preservation expert said that sharecropper-era cabins at Mulberry Grove Farm were torn down last week in Ascension Parish, raising concerns about saving local history.

Darryl Hambrick of the River Road African American Museum explained that strict guidelines and limited funding make maintaining historic structures difficult — he urged the community to learn more about preservation efforts.

Volunteers worked on Saturday at Mid City Civic Theater on Florida Boulevard, preparing the venue after Theatre Baton Rouge closed in March.

The theater will host productions and education programs with its first shows scheduled for summer 2026.

At the Raising Cane's River Center over the weekend, Animeverse drew crowds from across the state as fans shopped vendor booths, watched panels and joined cosplay contests — attendee Bralyn Hall hoped the event would return next year.

A WalletHub study ranked Louisiana 49th out of 50 for job seekers in 2025 because the state had low employment growth, few job opportunities, and a low median income.

The study used 34 job-market measures and showed that states with stronger economies had steadier work — a sign that Louisiana's job market faces challenges.

On Oct. 29, the LSU Student Senate met at the Student Union to pass SGR9—calling for more transparency in the presidential search—and to propose SGR11 to stop plans for a Charlie Kirk statue after Gov. Jeff Landry’s push.

LSU later emailed students for input on candidate forums while senators cautioned that the survey does not allow direct feedback to the Board of Regents.

Louisiana’s wetlands are being rebuilt by local and state groups to help protect communities from hurricanes and support local wildlife — organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and university partners lead the efforts.

Officials say the work will restore natural barriers and strengthen the coast for future generations.

A report by the Annie E.

Casey Foundation shows one in five Louisiana children live in poverty — a rate that may jump to one in three if SNAP benefits end amid a federal shutdown. In Baton Rouge, child poverty would rise from 25,520 to 37,769 if food stamps are cut — local officials said the increase would strain families.

Officials urged Baton Rouge residents to check batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when daylight saving time ended on November 2—prompting a timely reminder after clocks were set back.

LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M when athletic officials met with him to address his coaching strategy and the disconnect with LSU culture (sources noted that his approach did not meet team expectations).

The decision came following a series of meetings that reviewed his overall record and the need for changes in the offensive staff.

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.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Ticketed event — Experience the beloved Peanuts holiday special brought to life in a live performance.

ZZ Top Live Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the legendary rock band ZZ Top live in Baton Rouge.

Miss M Presents Mike West

7:30-10 p.m. — Mid City Ballroom — Cost not specified — Experience Mike West's blend of hillbilly country, bluegrass, and rock’n’roll with captivating storytelling.

Hadestown

7:30-9 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Group pricing available — Experience the acclaimed musical that won 8 Tony Awards® and a Grammy® for Best Musical Theater Album.