🌱 Shaq's Big Chicken Coming To Louisiana + YMCA Offers Summer Program

Hello again, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh edition of the Baton Rouge Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Couple of showers, t-storms. High: 88 Low: 75.
• Friday: T-storms possible in the a.m.. High: 91 Low: 76.

Here are the top three stories in Baton Rouge today:

1. Baton Rouge is getting its first look at Shaquille O'Neal's fast casual chicken restaurant as signs are now coming up for the restaurant's first Louisiana restaurant. Big Chicken is looking to have a location downtown at the soon-to-open Queen Baton Rouge Casino that is currently in the works. O'Neal and his partners have already set up in a dozen other states and are continuing to expand with a partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines. Although a firm opening date has not been provided for Queen Baton Rouge Casino, it is expected to begin operation in late summer. (WBRZ)
2. It is near the middle of summer break and kids still have around another month before returning to the classroom, and the Baton Rouge YMCA has some free at-home summer educational programs to help refresh the memories of kids who may have forgotten some material over the past few weeks. The STEM program serves as an exciting educational opportunity for children to remain interested in learning in a creative way. These free programs are available right from the comfort of your home for all ages, but if you would rather come to the YMCA, that is also an option. You can learn so much more about the YMCA summer camps and programs by clicking here. (BRProud.com)
3. Earlier this week, an inmate at West Baton Rouge Detention Center was found unresponsive in his cell, and he later died in a local hospital. Ty Thibodeaux, 27, was found unresponsive after he attempted to hang himself in his cell with his bed sheet Monday night. He was taken to a local hospital as soon as he was found but it was too late and he sadly lost his life. Thibodeaux was in the detention center since Jun. 15 on charges of aggravated second-degree battery and drug-related charges. (WBRZ)

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Today and tomorrow in Baton Rouge:

Thursday, July 6

• Launch Time Grab & Geaux At East Baton Rouge Parish Library (12:00 AM)
• Crafting For A Cause At Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library (1:00 PM)
• The Language Of Tea At Bluebonnet Regional Library (2:30 PM)
• Baton Rouge Chorus At Ingleside United Methodist Church (6:30 PM)

Friday, July 7

• Beach Highway Series: Cloaked Moonlight At Painting With A Twist (4:00 PM)
• Friday Evening Board And Card Games At Jason's Deli (6:00 PM)
• Original Music Gathering At La Divina Italian Cafe (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Baton Rouge Fire Department has released its Call Report for June 2023. Click the link to read more about the different incidents that the department responded to last month. (Baton Rouge Fire Department via Facebook)
• Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge wants to once again send a special thank you to Highland Road Animal Hospital for all they do to help animals in the community. The donations and assistance they give to The Dog Adoption House are crucial to the house's success. (Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge via Facebook)
• Chef Owen Hohl of Hot Tails in Prairieville has already been named the 2023 King of Louisiana Seafood after defeating 11 other competing chefs in Lake Charles. Now in August, he will put his skills up to the test again as he represents the state at the 19 annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off that will be taking place in New Orleans. (Louisiana Public Broadcasting via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.