🌱 Two Dead In Hit And Run + 100 New Jobs At Food Manufacturing Plant

Good day, people of Baton Rouge! It's me again, Dan Casarella, your host of the Baton Rouge Daily.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and warm. High: 84 Low: 60.

Here are the top three stories today in Baton Rouge:

1. Two people are dead after a hit and run early Thursday morning. According to police, a 21-year-old and a 19-year-old died at the scene after being struck by an unknown vehicle. The incident occurred just before 1:30 a.m. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward. (The Advocate)
2. 100 new jobs are coming to Baton Rouge. Focus Foods, a Louisiana-based food manufacturing company, is expanding and relocating to the area. The company will be moving its corporate headquarters and manufacturing into the former Valluzzo-McDonald's distribution plant. The move will take place in August. (New Orleans CityBusiness)
3. The Baton Rouge Fire Department is working double-time to fill open positions. The department is currently short-staffed by about 68 firefighters. A newly introduced fast-track program will allow new firefighters to begin work in two weeks, instead of the usual six months. Click the link to learn more about the fast-track program. (WBRZ)

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Today in Baton Rouge:

• Fitness in the Stacks at Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Fitness in the Stacks at East Baton Rouge Parish Library (10:00 AM)
• Youth Peace Olympics Opening Ceremony at Ben Burge Park (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Baton Rouge Gallery announced its line-up for Movies & Music on the Lawn. Click here to check out all the upcoming events. (Facebook)
• Baton Rouge Police Department is hiring. Do you have what it takes to make Baton Rouge a better place? Click here to learn more. (Facebook)
• Louisiana Art & Science Museum invites you to their IN EMPATHY WE TRUST opening reception. The event will take place on May 27 at 6:30 p.m. (Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Hire A Pro To Tackle Mom's To-Do List (May 8)
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That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Dan Casarella

About me: Dan Casarella is a writer, podcast producer, and small business development specialist who formerly worked in late-night television. He’s produced many talk segments, including with President Joe Biden, Kobe Bryant, and Chadwick Boseman. Dan studied Media Studies and Production at Temple University. He also enjoys running, painting, and the highs and lows of Philadelphia’s sports teams.