Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How are later school start times changing East Baton Rouge classrooms?

Happening soon: Holiday Pop-Up Bar at The Queen Baton Rouge on the Baton Rouge Patch calendar

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Greetings Baton Rouge! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How are later school start times changing East Baton Rouge classrooms?
  • How investigators say over $200,000 quietly left a local business
  • How a Baton Rouge therapist-educator earned a coveted 40 Under 40 spot

Also on today's calendar: George Bell & Friends Holiday Show and 1 more event.

Find out what's happening in Baton Rougefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Baton Rougefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Partly sunny, nice and warm, with a high of 76 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Sunday: Rather cloudy with a shower, temps: high: 78, low: 61.
  • Monday: Cloudy with a passing shower, with a high of 72 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. East Baton Rouge Parish Schools see positive effects from later start times (wbrz.com) — East Baton Rouge Parish public schools have shifted start times later, and one local high school is already seeing big benefits, including far fewer tardies and more alert students. Teachers report higher test performance, while students say extra sleep helps, even though it means staying on campus later into the afternoon.
   

2. Woman arrested for allegedly issuing over $200,000 in fraudulent payroll payments (wbrz.com) — Law enforcement in Baton Rouge say a former accounting manager for a local towing company has been arrested after an investigation into more than $200,000 in allegedly fraudulent payroll payments. Investigators report that, over several years, paychecks were issued to four people not employed by the company, with funds then transferred into the suspect’s personal account via Zelle.
   

3. LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education Alumna LaKeitha Poole, PhD, Named to Baton Rouge Business Report 40 Under 40 (lsu.edu) — An LSU alumna working in sport psychology and counseling at Baton Rouge–based LSU has been named to the Baton Rouge Business Report’s 2025 “40 Under 40.” She shares how her human sciences background, mental health advocacy, and decision to build a culturally responsive practice in Baton Rouge shape her work with athletes and the wider community.
   

4. Men's Tennis Inks Olaf Pieczkowski (lsusports.net) — LSU men’s tennis in Baton Rouge is adding highly ranked Polish player Olaf Pieczkowski to its roster for the spring 2026 season. The 19-year-old brings an ATP ranking of No. 458, multiple ITF titles, and strong junior credentials, and coaches say his competitive mindset should make an immediate impact for the Tigers.
   

5. Missing 1-year-old from Florida found in Baton Rouge amid federal operation (louisianafirstnews.com) — A missing 1-year-old from Florida was safely located in Baton Rouge as part of a major federal operation targeting missing children across several states. The multi-agency effort, Operation Northern Lights, recovered 43 children and led to multiple arrests on human trafficking and child endangerment charges, with support services provided to help kids begin healing.
   

📸 Around Baton Rouge

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This dog is running loose on Justin Avenue off of Brentwood.
    I just saw him, looking confused and lost. Please claim your dog asap before he gets on busy Brentwood. He wouldn’t come to me. (Nextdoor Country Club Estates)
  • Last night UPS delivered two packages for me to the wrong address.
    Whoever received them and returned them to us in our mailbox, thank you so very much. I wish I knew who you were so I could thank you personally. Our… (Nextdoor Shenandoah Estates)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Baton Rouge. Apply here.
  • MAPCO Express, Inc. posted a job opening for Store Associate - #203 - Lobdell Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA in Baton Rouge. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Baton Rouge here.

Ok Baton Rouge! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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