Omicron variant detected in Louisiana, guilty verdict in sex crime trial, shooting on Spanish Town Road in Baton Rouge

The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Jennifer Wadsworth | Assistant metro editor

Good morning. It's been a busy week. Here's what we've been writing about lately.

'Time to pay attention'

Louisiana's first case of the omicron coronavirus variant was reported Friday night, though lots of questions remain about how much of a threat it poses compared to the delta strain. Whatever the case, health experts say "it's time to pay attention," and that the best defense remains the vaccine, as Blake Paterson reports.

Mardi Gras 2022

After the pandemic forced Baton Rouge to skip or scale back the usual Mardi Gras festivities in 2021, local krewes and public leaders are cautiously optimistic about parades and balls returning next year. A city-parish spokesman told our reporter Terry Jones that about half the permits have been issued, and that officials are "very hopeful to see everything move forward."

Sex crimes trial

A Livingston Parish jury on Friday returned a guilty verdict against a woman accused of helping an ex-sheriff’s deputy rape and film an unconscious victim. James Finn has the story.

Spanish Town Road shooting

Someone was fatally shot on Spanish Town Road and North 18th Street Friday evening. Elyse Carmosino covered the scene, which adds to the city's already record number of homicides in 2021.

Thanks for checking in. Stay safe, and enjoy your weekend.