Severe weather warning for Baton Rouge area

with Matthew Albright | Assistant metro editor

Be alert: Forecasters are warning that potentially dangerous weather could sweep through our area later today. The predictions are eerily similar to those issued before the storm that pummeled the New Orleans area with tornadoes last week. 

Many schools are closed or sending kids home early today. So are many government offices and some businesses.

Stay with us for the latest throughout the day. 

The First Amendment protects...veggie burgers?!

In 2019, the Louisiana Legislature passed a "truth in labeling law" that banned the names of certain alternative foods, like cauliflower rice, veggie burgers and tofurky. Backed by the agricultural industry, lawmakers argued the products could confuse consumers.

But a federal judge has ruled that law unconstitutional; he says it violated the First Amendment rights of the companies that sell the products.

Here's what the bill did, why the judge ruled, and what's next for that one little corner of your grocery store (you know the one). 

A big vote on school board maps

The process of drawing new voting maps for the East Baton Rouge school board has been a bumpy one: The board's first demographer quit in frustration, civil rights groups have threatened lawsuits and a whopping 19 maps have been proposed.

This evening, the board plans to try and settle on one of those maps. Here's why that's important — and why it could be controversial. 

Thanks for reading, and stay safe out there!