News Flash

Apply For Section 8 Online on Monday Morning

The City of Baton Rouge’s Office of Community Development will begin accepting applications for its Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program Waiting List:

Applications will be accepted July 23, 2018, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (CT). App...

Mayor Broome Brings ACE Training to Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, LA — July 18, 2018 — Today, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome’s Healthy City Initiative, in partnership with The Louisiana Adverse Childhood Experiences Educator Program and the Louisiana ACE Initiative, announ...

Keen Independent Research Selected to Conduct Disparity Study

BATON ROUGE, LA — July 16, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced that the City-Parish intends to award a contract to Keen Independent Research to conduct its disparity study subject to successful contrac...

Statement by the Mayor-President on the Death of Councilman Amoroso

BATON ROUGE, LA — June 30, 2018 — It is with deep sadness that I inform our parish of the tragic death of Councilman Buddy Amoroso. Buddy was a colleague and a friend, and a true example of a dedicated public servant.

This tragic loss will be felt...

Mayor Broome Launches Vendor Self-Service Portal

BATON ROUGE, LA — June 25, 2018 — This morning, Mayor Broome announced the launch of the Vendor Self Service (VSS) portal, a new website that streamlines the processes used by vendors to register and do business with the City-...

Join Mayor Broome for Clean Sweep EBR Day on Saturday, June 23

BATON ROUGE, LA — June 22, 2018 — Join Mayor Broome in partnership with Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful, Visit Baton Rouge, and alongside metro council members, local business leaders, and community partners to pick up litter aroun...

Red Stick Ready Day Set for Saturday, July 14, at Mall of Louisiana

The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (MOHSEP) will host the Annual Red Stick Ready Day at the Mall of Louisiana on Saturday, July 14th, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

“Baton Rou...

Baton Rouge Named 'Most Water Wise City' in U.S., Led by Students at Southeast Middle School

BATON ROUGE, LA — June 13, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced that Baton Rouge has been named the “Most Water Wise City” in the nation, which comes after a month-long competition during the month of April 2018 in which hundreds o...

Broome Administration Launches Robocall Tool to Deter Illegal Road Signs

BATON ROUGE, LA — June 12, 2018 — Baton Rouge has a new weapon to battle illegal signs that litter curbs, poles, and public rights-of-way throughout the parish. Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced that roboca...

Statement by the Mayor-President on St. George

BATON ROUGE, LA — June 11, 2018 — City of St. George organizers presented new, inaccurate findings regarding the city-parish’s finances during today’s Baton Rouge Press Club meeting. To correct the misinfor...

Mayor Broome Announces EMS Mental Health Program

BATON ROUGE, LA — June 6, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the creation of the East Baton Rouge Parish EMS Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team. The CISM team provides quality support to ...

Law Enforcement Officers Leo Program

A series of public open-dialogue discussions, so that youth ages 25 and younger can hear from and talk with local law enforcement officials to establish better relationships and a mutual understanding.

Learn about the variety of ...

AT&T Louisiana Donates $40,000 to Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program

BATON ROUGE, LA — May 24, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced that AT&T Louisiana has contributed $40,000 to the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program as part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s philanthropic initiati...

Enhanced crime incident data available on Open Data BR

The Open Data BR team has upgraded the transparency and searchability of crime incidents in the Open Data BR portal. The BRPD Crime Incidents dataset now displays ZIP Code, Metro Council district, and crime prevention district information for every offens...

Teen Volunteers, City Workers to Participate in Corridor Beautification Project May 19

BATON ROUGE, LA — May 17, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the next Corridor Beautification effort, in partnership with DOTD, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, and Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful. The cleanup and beautification efforts ...

Mayor Broome to Host Fifth Annual Family Fit Day on Saturday, May 19

BATON ROUGE, LA — May 16, 2018 — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, Healthy BR, BREC, Humana, Ochsner Health System, and Our Lady of the Lake invite residents to attend the Fifth Annual Baton Rouge Family Fit Day on Saturda...

MOHSEP Awarded Highest Honor by Emergency Management Accreditation Program

BATON ROUGE, LA — May 9, 2018 — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome’s Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (MOHSEP) was recently evaluated by the Emergency Management Accreditatio...

Mayor Broome Launches Buy Baton Rouge Program

BATON ROUGE, LA — May 4, 2018 — In celebration of Small Business Week, Mayor Broome kicked off Buy Baton Rouge, a new program aimed at encouraging purchases of goods and services from local businesses throughout the c...

Mayor Broome Presents Hurricane Awareness Tour 2018

BATON ROUGE, LA — May 2, 2018 — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (MOHSEP), and the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport will host the 2018 National ...

Mayor’s Women’s Advancement Commission to Launch Survivor Listening Sessions

BATON ROUGE, LA — April 30, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and her Women’s Advancement Commission announced a series of Survivor Listening Sessions that will be held throughout the Baton Rouge com...

Mayor's Statement on the River Center Library

BATON ROUGE, LA — April 26, 2018 — There are two parties involved in the construction of the River Center Branch Library. WHLC Architecture – Schwartz/Silver, a joint venture, is the architect of record tasked with t...

Mayor Broome's Statement on River Center Library Work

BATON ROUGE, LA — April 23, 2018 — Today, the WHLC design team provided my administration with an update regarding the River Center Branch Library. We learned that large equipment will be required to complete the remedial work on the building. As...

Statement on Inspection Results of River Center Library

Per WHLC Architecture regarding the River Center Branch Library:

After an analysis of the library building, two compromised steel connections were found by the structural engineer. Repair measures are being taken this afternoon.

We anticipate the repair mea...

Statement by the Mayor-President on the River Center Branch Library

The River Center Branch Library, which is currently under construction on North Boulevard, experienced a settlement event at approximately 4:45pm this afternoon. As a precautionary measure, the surrounding streets and businesses were closed to the public....

Baton Rouge Wins IDC 2018 Smart Cities North America Award

BATON ROUGE, LA — April 13, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome announced that Baton Rouge is the winner of an IDC Smart Cities North America Award for its Public Safety Common Operational Platform (PSCOP), a digital app...

Saturday's Clean Sweep EBR Day CANCELED

BATON ROUGE, LA — April 13, 2018 — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced Friday that Clean Sweep EBR Day, a parish-wide cleanup initiative scheduled for Saturday, April 14, has been canceled due to the threat of thund...

Mayor Broome, Community Partners Utilize Rapid Rehousing Funds for Homelessness Initiative

BATON ROUGE, LA — April 11, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the results of the Homelessness to Housing Initiative, a program aimed at securing permanent housing for citizens previously living beneath the North Bouleva...

Mayor Broome, STAR Invite the Community to Start By Believing

BATON ROUGE, LA — April 3, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome and Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response® (STAR) invite the community to show their support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence ...

Statement by the Mayor-President on Alton Sterling investigation

BATON ROUGE, LA — March 30, 2018 — Today, Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul concluded his administrative investigation and has made a decision in the Alton Sterling case. 

I have placed my trust in Chief Paul and fully support his decision. I a...

Mayor Broome’s Remarks Regarding AG Decision in Alton Sterling Case

The attorney general has made a decision based on a possible criminal act.

My continued sympathy and prayers go out to the Sterling family who have been waiting for justice and closure for nearly two years.

My thanks, appreciation, and gratitude go to every...

Mayor Broome Kicks off Economic Development Listening Tour

BATON ROUGE, LA — March 21, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the start of an economic development listening tour aimed at addressing workforce development challenges faced by local businesses.

&l...

2017 Tax Roll Data Now Available on Open Data BR

The 2017 East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor Tax Roll is now available on Open Data BR, the City-Parish’s official open data portal. This dataset contains a full listing of 2017 tax parcels in East Baton Rouge Parish and the cities of Baton Rouge, Baker, Cen...

City-Parish Releases RFP for Citywide Disparity Study

BATON ROUGE, LA — March 19, 2018 — Mayor Sharon Weston Broome today announced the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge has released a request for proposals (RFP) to provide technical and administrative support for the development of a ...

Recruitment Open for HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START Program

   Welcoming Families to Apply with Children

Ages Birth – 5Early Head Start Applicants (Birth – 35 months)Head Start Applicants (Age 3 by September 30 or 5 after September 30)Including children with Special NeedsApplications are available...

Mayor Broome's Statement on Fallen Officer

BATON ROUGE, LA — March 13, 2018 — I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of the Zachary firefighter and policeman who lost his life while bravely serving his community. I join all of East Baton Rouge Parish in expressing my gratitude for his s...

City-Parish to Stage HESCO Baskets along Downtown Levee

BATON ROUGE, LA — March 8, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced that as a precautionary measure, East Baton Rouge Parish will deploy HESCO protection baskets this weekend along a small section of the do...

Former Baton Rouge Fire Chief Dies

On the morning of March 6, 2018 former Baton Rouge Fire Chief Robin L. Hurst died at his home in St. Francisville.  Chief Hurst had a very distinguished career with the fire service in Louisiana.  He worked for the Baton Rouge Fire Depar...

Mayor Broome Proposes Cost-Effective Alternatives to TramLinkBR

BATON ROUGE, LA — February 27, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced that her administration would not move forward with the TramLinkBR project as initially envisioned. Instead, she will work with CATS and other ...

Mayor Broome Appoints Director of Environmental Services

BATON ROUGE, LA — February 26, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the appointment of Richard Speer, P.E., as Director of Environmental Services.

In this role, Mr. Speer will oversee the operations of t...

Mayor Broome launches New City-Parish Website to Serve as Digital Front Door for Local Government

BATON ROUGE, LA — February 26, 2018 — In line with her commitment to transparency, technology, and digital citizen engagement, Mayor Broome announced this morning the launch of the City-Parish’s new website, BRLA.gov.  The new site replaces the f...

Mayor Broome Announces Cradle to K Parent Club

 BATON ROUGE, LA — February 22, 2018 — Today, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome announced the creation of the Cradle to K Parent Club, the second phase of her Cradle to K initiative.The Cradle to K Parent Club brings parents together in a suppo...

EBR Joins Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers

BATON ROUGE, LA – January 23 2018 – Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced today that the Parish of East Baton Rouge is taking a long-needed step to hold accountable the companies responsible for dumping millions of do...

Mayor Broome Administration Announces $1M Award for St. Vincent de Paul Shelter

BATON ROUGE, LA — January 29, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced that $1M in disaster recovery funds will be dedicated to the expansion of St. Vincent de Paul’s Day and Disaster/Emergency Sh...

Mayor Broome Administration Announces Two New Hires

BATON ROUGE, LA — January 3, 2018 — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome is pleased to announce two new additions to her administration. As of today, the Mayor-President announces Veneeth Iyengar as Assistant Chief A...

Mayor Broome Introduces Resolution Opposing Rent Charged to FEMA MHU Occupants

BATON ROUGE, LA — January 19, 2018 — Mayor Broome has introduced a resolution to the East Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council opposing FEMA’s decision to charge rent to citizens still occupying a Manufactured Housing Unit as a r...

Mayor Broome Issues Preventive Tips Regarding Influenza

BATON ROUGE, La. — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative, in collaboration with local healthcare partners, are providing citizens with preventive tips and information about the ...

Mayor Broome to Sign Fast-Track Cities Treaty at HIV Summit

BATON ROUGE, LA. — January 18, 2018 — On Saturday, January 20, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome will host an HIV Summit at the BRCC Magnolia Theatre from 8:30am — 1:30pm. The Summit will be led by Mayor Broome, Natalie Co...

Mayor Issues Statement on Buckskin ''Bill'' Black

BATON ROUGE, LA — January 12, 2018 — I am deeply saddened by the loss of the beloved Buckskin Bill, Mr. William “Bill” Black. So many in our community have fond memories of Buckskin Bill and his cherished t...

Mayor Issues Statement on Closure of Sam's Club

BATON ROUGE, LA — January 12, 2018 — My office was informed yesterday of the closure of Sam’s Club at 9598 Cortana Place. Sam's Club is closing 63 stores nationwide, attributing the decision to the need to better fulfill onli...

Mayor visits officer who was shot on 2/11/18 call

BATON ROUGE, LA — February 12, 2018 — Last night, one of our own BRPD officers sustained gunshot injuries while responding to a call on Lettsworth Street. I immediately went to the hospital once I was made aware of the inciden...

Mayor-President Broome Announces Women’s Advancement Commission

BATON ROUGE, LA — January 11, 2018 — Today Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the creation of her Women’s Advancement Commission which will promote policies and services that address and respond to the needs of wo...

Murphy Paul to be sworn in as new Baton Rouge Police Chief

BATON ROUGE, LA. — Murphy Paul, recently selected by Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome to be Chief of the Baton Rouge Police Department, will be officially sworn in on Monday, January 8. The ceremony, which is open to the p...

Over 1,000 Free Smoke Alarms Installed in East Baton Rouge Parish

BATON ROUGE, LA — January 30, 2018 — In response to the spike in fire-related accidents in the early days of 2018, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome championed an initiative to distribute free smoke alarms to residents of East Baton...

Over 1,000 Free Smoke Alarms Installed in East Baton Rouge Parish

BATON ROUGE, LA — January 30, 2018 — In response to the spike in fire-related accidents in the early days of 2018, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome championed an initiative to distribute free smoke alarms to residents of East Baton...

Mayor Broome Creates Blight Strike Team

BATON ROUGE, LA — February 15, 2018 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the creation of a Blight Strike Team tasked with reviewing the blight elimination process and recommending administrative changes to i...

Metro Council Approves 2018 Budget

BATON ROUGE, La. — December 12, 2017 — The East Baton Rouge Metro Council today approved Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome’s 2018 budget. The General Fund operating budget of $319 million has less than a 1 percent increase...

Executive Order to Expand Small Business Participation in City-Parish Contracts

BATON ROUGE, La. — November 13, 2017 — In accordance with her commitment to equitable progress and prosperity across East Baton Rouge Parish, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome today issued an executive order to expand efforts to increase the enterprise...

Baton Rouge Ranked Fifth Most Digital City in U.S. Among Mid-Sized Cities

BATON ROUGE, La. – Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome today announced that Baton Rouge has been named the fifth most digital city in the U.S. by the Center for Digital Government among cities with a population of 125,000 to 249,999. This disti...