Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Baton Rouge’s new 2026 budget cuts affect daily services?

Also, don't miss 4th Annual Listening Room Film Festival on the Baton Rouge Patch calendar

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Friday December 12th Patch AM
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Hello Baton Rouge! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Baton Rouge’s new 2026 budget cuts affect daily services?
  • How an early I-10/12 finish reshaped Baton Rouge traffic forever
  • How a BRCC student got behind-the-scenes with wildlife enforcement

Also on today's calendar: Bonsai Workshop at Agile Brewing and 1 more event.

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

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, with a high of 74 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Saturday: Sunshine and warm, temps: high: 76, low: 50.
  • Sunday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, with a high of 58 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Baton Rouge passes 2026 budget; Indigo exhibit at the Whitney: Archie Manning reflects on key college game (wrkf.org) — Baton Rouge’s 2026 city-parish budget is set, with the Metro Council approving Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ plan that includes roughly 11% cuts across most departments and a 33% staff reduction to close a deficit. The episode also spotlights an indigo-themed exhibit honoring enslaved women at Whitney Plantation and shares Archie Manning’s memories of a pivotal Sugar Bowl performance.
   

2. WBRZ FLASHBACK: Ahead of schedule I-10/12 widening improves traffic between Denham Springs, Baton Rouge (wbrz.com) — A look back at the late-1990s I-10/12 widening highlights how finishing the project 400 days early eased congestion between Denham Springs and Baton Rouge. The work expanded key stretches near College Drive and Acadian Thruway to three lanes, using round-the-clock crews and a mobile concrete plant at Airline and I-12.
   

3. Student completes the LDWF Enforcement Division Internship Program (louisianasportsman.com) — A Baton Rouge Community College student just wrapped up a hands-on internship with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division, presenting his final project this week at the agency’s Baton Rouge headquarters. The program, launched in 2021, lets college students shadow wildlife agents on patrols, training, and public outreach, and LDWF is inviting more schools to partner for future internships.
   

4. Holiday season depression: Doctor offers coping strategies for seasonal affective disorder (wafb.com) — If the holidays feel heavy in Baton Rouge, a local mental health doctor says you’re far from alone and offers practical ways to cope. From setting boundaries and managing finances to reaching out for professional help or calling 988, her advice focuses on realistic self-care and checking on friends and family who may be struggling this season.
   

5. House Republicans elect Landry-backed lawmaker to serve as majority leader in 2026 session (wbrz.com) — State lawmakers meeting in Baton Rouge have chosen Rep. Michael Echols of Monroe as the next majority leader for the Louisiana House’s Republican delegation, aligning with Gov. Jeff Landry’s preference. The move signals a tighter partnership between Landry and House leadership as they shape the 2026 legislative agenda, including future debates over how to tackle high insurance rates statewide.
   

📸 Around Baton Rouge

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Do You Have “The Answer?” Find Out at Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation’s Premier Gala —Ernie Ballard Read on Patch
  • Eastbound Interstate 90 near North Bend is closed due to a mudslide, with additional reports of flooding and power outages in the region.
    8:01AM on Dec 11: Eastbound Interstate 90 near North Bend is closed due to a mudslide. (Nextdoor )
  • Just a human spreading Christmas cheer to a child in need located at my home will be adding more but for now i have these packed and ready to go to their next home sizes are in pictures.
    “Please take me and give to a child in need” located behind my mail box at 8030 skysail avenue Baton Rouge la 70820 (Nextdoor Tigerland)
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for House Cleaner in Baton Rouge. Apply here.
  • The Cleaning Authority, LLC posted a job opening for Housekeeper 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 couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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