Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Who torched this vacant Baton Rouge home before dawn?

You won't want to miss Bonsai Workshop at Agile Brewing on the Baton Rouge Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Sunday December 14th Patch AM
Sunday December 14th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Baton Rouge! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Who torched this vacant Baton Rouge home before dawn?
  • How falling crime collides with shrinking police resources in Baton Rouge
  • How fast is Louisiana really sinking—and what does Baton Rouge risk?

Also on today's calendar: Bonsai Workshop at Agile Brewing and 2 more events.

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

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Sunday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, with a high of 57 and low of 26 degrees.
  • Monday: Plenty of sunshine, but cool, temps: high: 50, low: 32.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 61 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Arson investigation underway following early morning house fire in Baton Rouge (wafb.com) — An early-morning fire destroyed a vacant home on E. Smiley Street in Baton Rouge and is now being investigated as arson. Firefighters kept the blaze from spreading widely, though a nearby house was damaged, and investigators are asking anyone with tips to contact Capital Region Crime Stoppers anonymously for a possible cash reward.
   

2. Baton Rouge crime rates decline for two consecutive years, chief says (louisianafirstnews.com) — Baton Rouge’s overall crime has fallen for two straight years, but homicides remain relatively steady and police staffing is under serious strain. Chief TJ Morse credits fewer repeat offenders and fewer shootings, yet warns frozen positions, budget cuts, and the failed Thrive BR initiative could limit parade security and other services without more community and business support.
   

3. Louisiana's sinking land threatens environment and economy (louisianafirstnews.com) — From Baton Rouge, reporters detail how Louisiana’s rapidly sinking land and rising seas are erasing thousands of square miles of coast, threatening jobs, seafood, and culture statewide. Local shrimpers, tour guides, and language advocates describe economic losses and efforts to protect authentic Louisiana seafood and French heritage. Scientists warn that without bold action, communities and traditions across the state could disappear.
   

4. Astronauts Could Live in Structures Made from Moon Rocks (eos.org) — Baton Rouge researchers and a Baton Rouge Magnet High School student are helping design “mooncrete” structures that could one day protect astronauts living on the Moon. Their simulations show that concrete made from lunar regolith could keep habitats at comfortable temperatures despite brutal lunar heat and cold. The work, presented this month in New Orleans, positions local scientists and students at the forefront of space habitat research.
   

📸 Around Baton Rouge

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Baton Rouge

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Baton Rouge Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Thankful to Baton Rouge Animal Control and CAA(Companion Animal Alliance).
    We successfully trapped loose neighborhood cat estimate 2-3 years old to be spayed preventing more kittens. After she gets treated at CAA she may be… (Nextdoor Delphine)
  • UPDATE: Tigger has been found!!!
    ATTN BATON ROUGE PEOPLE: my son’s 2 year old goldendoodle ran out of a home in the Woodlawn acres subdivision. He answers to the name Tigger. We need… (Nextdoor Bluebonnet Highlands)
  • ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Custodian in Baton Rouge. Apply here.
  • CBRE Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Lease Admin Supervisor (Eastern Region) 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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Baton Rouge