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🌱 Patch AM: Why are East Baton Rouge overdose deaths finally trending downward?

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Hello Baton Rouge! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why are East Baton Rouge overdose deaths finally trending downward?
  • How one Baton Rouge church is quietly responding to ICE raids
  • How a Baton Rouge diaper drive overflowed with community generosity

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 77 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Friday: Sunny, cooler and less humid, temps: high: 63, low: 41.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and warmer, with a high of 76 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Overdose numbers in East Baton Rouge Parish are trending down for the fifth year (wbrz.com) — Fatal overdoses in East Baton Rouge Parish have declined for five straight years, dropping from a 2021 peak of 311 deaths to 99 so far this year, with more cases pending. Local officials credit tighter fentanyl controls, drug busts, expanded outreach, and wider Narcan access, while stressing the opioid crisis is still far from over.
   

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

2. Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge celebrates tradition amid immigration crackdowns (louisianafirstnews.com) — A Baton Rouge Episcopal church is pressing ahead with its Las Posadas tradition while quietly expanding support for Hispanic and Latino neighbors worried about recent immigration crackdowns and ICE raids in the city. St. Margaret’s Episcopal is shifting classes to Zoom, organizing parishioners to provide rides, and helping La Mesa families with rent and food so fearful residents can stay connected and supported.
   

3. Diaper Drive Delivers Support to Families in Need (brparents.com) — Baton Rouge fundraising professionals recently teamed up to collect more than 600 diapers for the Junior League of Baton Rouge Diaper Bank, easing costs for local families. The Greater Baton Rouge AFP chapter used in-person donations and QR code ordering to boost participation. Organizers stress that one in three Louisiana families with young children struggles to afford diapers.
   

4. Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Dec. 17, 2025 (shreveporttimes.com) — If you bought a Louisiana Lottery ticket, you can now check the Dec. 17 winning numbers and see how to claim prizes in Baton Rouge. Winners of more than $600 can mail tickets or visit the Louisiana Lottery headquarters on Laurel Street, which cashes prizes of any amount on weekdays. Smaller prizes are redeemable at retailers statewide.
   

5. ‘I cried most of the day': A holiday surprise brings hope to Baton Rouge students and their families (wafb.com) — Baton Rouge students facing tough circumstances were treated to an all-expenses-paid Christmas shopping spree at Macy’s, organized by local nonprofit BRidge Agency with help from city and state law enforcement. Families who’ve endured trauma, including a house fire and relocation to Baton Rouge, say the surprise brought hope and made Christmas possible when it seemed out of reach.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Today my wife & I celebrated our 63rd wedding anniversary.
    I am grateful for have such a patient wife. Apropos marriage I am reminded of the boy who asked his fathere what it costs to get married. "Son, I don… (Nextdoor Magnolia Woods)
  • 2 pups found on Sunday with the help of neighbors and strangers off and on wooddale blvd.
    They are together but want to go home. Both small. Only have photo of one. Please spread the word. https://neighbors.ring.com/n/ZlNNobNcEz (Nextdoor Old Goodwood)
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Freight/Receiving in Baton Rouge. Apply here.
  • Jetro Restaurant Depot posted a job opening for Porter 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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