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The Advocate - Baton Rouge Daily
 
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The Advocate's Top Headlines


with Jennifer Wadsworth | Assistant metro editor

Good morning. As we round off another weekend, let's take a look at our latest headlines. 


'This one hurts so bad'

Demarcus Dunn was supposed to walk down the aisle on Aug. 14. But on the eve of his wedding, the Baker police lieutenant succumbed to COVID. He was 36.

Family and friends remembered him as a generous spirit, quick to smile and see the best in people. 

One of his cousins, who spoke to our reporter Elyse Carmosino for this piece, told us his death felt like ripping off a bandage: "This one hurts so bad."


Crash sends cops to ER

BRPD officers investigating a crash on I-10 early Saturday were struck by a drunken driver, officials told us. The collision seriously wounded two officers, leaving one with head trauma and the other with two broken legs. A third came away with less severe injuries. The driver, police say, was a 27-year-old fugitive. 

Here's the story. 


Helicopter pilot stranded

A man who crashed his helicopter in the Mississippi River was found floating on a propane bottle 12 hours later by Bayou Sara 12 hours later. Here's what officials said about the improbable rescue. 


Accused killer begs for 'mercy'

Oscar Lozada, who's accused of killing and dismembering his wife, implored the court to set him free, saying he's a changed man. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore III shared some strong words about that request. 

Joe Gyan has the scoop.  


As always, thanks for reading. Until next time, stay safe and stay cool. 

Today's top stories

On eve of his wedding, Baker police lieutenant dies of COVID: 'This one hurts so bad'

The whole family looked forward to the balmy summer day when Demarcus Dunn and Francine James would tie the knot.  Read more

Husband accused in Brusly High teacher's slaying seeks 'mercy' from judge; DA calls it offensive

A Baton Rouge man awaiting trial in the 2011 killing and dismembering of his wife, Brusly High School teacher Sylviane Finck Lozada, is beg… Read more

Helicopter pilot who crashed into Mississippi River found 12 hours later floating on propane bottle

A helicopter pilot who crashed in the Mississippi River Friday was found by rescuers 12 hours later clinging to a propane bottle by the mou… Read more

 
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Drunk driver crashes into BRPD officers investigating separate collision on I-10, police say

Three Baton Rouge police officers were hospitalized early Saturday after officials say a drunk driver crashed into them while they were inv… Read more

COVID is worse than ever. But Louisiana isn't shutting down like it did before. Here's why

Inside Louisiana’s hospitals, the battle against COVID-19 is as dire as ever. Patients in the state’s COVID wards, mostly unvaccinated, are… Read more

Child found dead in hot car on Oak Grove Drive, Baton Rouge police say

A baby was found dead inside a hot car in Baton Rouge Friday afternoon, according to BRPD. Read more

 
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Mark Ballard: Anti-mask debate just the latest in school-related protests

“They can’t arrest all of us,” the Rev. Tony Spell, of Central, shouted last week spurring an angry crowd of people who refused to don mask… Read more

After 10 students caught COVID, this Louisiana school district tested over 300 more

St. Helena Parish public schools tested nearly 400 students for COVID-19 this week out of “an abundance of caution,” the superintendent sai… Read more

Vaccine verification, COVID tests and 1,000 quarantines mark new school year in East Baton Rouge

Less than two weeks into the new school year, the East Baton Rouge Parish school system has instituted far-reaching changes aimed at curbin… Read more