Daily
Baton Rouge
Sunday, December 21st, 2025
Good morning, Baton Rouge. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 21st of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On Saturday afternoon, a local nonprofit and several faith groups joined forces to help the homeless ahead of Christmas, providing food, clothing, haircuts (and toys from Santa) to uplift spirits in Baton Rouge. In His Honor Ministries will hold five or six outreach events next year. WBRZ
- ➤ First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge packed 200 food boxes on Saturday morning to help families have holiday meals this Christmas. WAFB 9
- ➤ WBRZ's Sylvia Weatherspoon handed out toys at the St. Vincent dePaul Warehouse at 6190 Greenwell Springs Road on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.—children received pre-wrapped holiday gifts collected since late November. WBRZ
- ➤ Over 600 children gathered at the Dr. Leo S Butler Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 20 for District 10's Toy Giveaway. Guests enjoyed food, music, photos with Santa (and horse riding) as they celebrated the holiday season. WBRZ
- ➤ The Central Police Department hosted its annual Drive-thru Toy Giveaway Saturday, Dec. 20, where Santa (and the Grinch) gave over 1,000 children presents. Cars lined up in the parking lot as local kids enjoyed the festive moment. WBRZ
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The iconic Southern University Human Jukebox was awarded a key to the city on Friday, Dec. 19 after being named ESPN’s Band of the Year. WAFB 9
- ➤ Today, the renovated Lincoln Theatre welcomed local residents with its first public preview as it reconnects generations with its rich history. The historic venue will have a grand reopening in early 2026. WBRZ
- ➤ Tickets are now on sale for the annual spring Angola Prison Rodeo in West Feliciana Parish, offering a unique local event for the community. The rodeo promises a fresh experience as residents prepare to gather this spring. WAFB 9
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Former Southern University football player Devon Gales earned his communications degree from the University of Georgia this weekend (after a paralyzing spinal cord injury in 2015) and now mentors students as a physical education teacher and coach. WAFB 9
- ➤ In Baton Rouge, public school attendance dropped after federal immigration sweeps began earlier this month but improved as families returned. Superintendent LaMont Cole credited Principal John Hayman for encouraging parents to send their children back (four schools resumed regular attendance by Dec. 17). WBRZ
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Southern University is expected to hire Sacramento State's Ken Merchant as its next offensive coordinator after head coach Marshall Faulk said Kyle Caskey turned down the job at last week's board meeting. WAFB 9
- ➤ Southern in Baton Rouge hired Ken Merchant as its new offensive coordinator on Dec. 20, and he is set to lead the Jaguar offense in 2026 after a strong run at Sacramento State. WBRZ
- ➤ Local high school seniors wrapped up their season in the annual Red Stick Bowl on Saturday—Bulldogs edged the Wolves 34-30 in a competitive game featuring players from Plaquemine, East Ascension, Istrouma, and other local schools. WBRZ
-
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
7-9:30 p.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical blend of circus artistry and holiday cheer for the season.
-
Skating On the River
11:59 p.m. – 1:29 a.m. — Raising Cane's River Center Arena — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holiday season with Baton Rouge's favorite winter tradition of skating on the river.
-
Parish County Line Concert
9:00 – 10:30 PM — Texas Club — Ticket prices vary — Experience the heartfelt country music of Parish County Line in an intimate setting.
-
Alabama State vs. LSU Women's Basketball
3:00 – 4:30 PM — Pete Maravich Assembly Center — Free trial available — Watch the undefeated LSU Tigers face off against the Alabama State Lady Hornets in an exciting college basketball matchup.
-
Surreal In The Stacks Craft Event
4:30-7:30 p.m. — East Baton Rouge Parish Library — Free entry — Get creative and craft your own surreal costume at this imaginative community event.
-
The Louisiana Marathon
8 AM – 1 PM — A. Z. Young Park — $25-$170 — Celebrate 15 years of Louisiana spirit with a vibrant marathon experience featuring various race categories.
-
Louisiana Marathon 2026
7 a.m. — Louisiana Marathon — Check for registration fees — Experience the thrill of running in the heart of Baton Rouge.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I write to discover what I know.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Baton Rouge
Welcome to the Daily Baton Rouge, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Baton Rouge, Louisiana community. If you like the Daily Baton Rouge, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Baton Rouge.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Baton Rouge
A free Baton Rouge community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailybatonrouge.com/sitemap