BREC, the Baton Rouge Parks and Recreation Commission, is reducing its workforce by 10% to improve efficiency and better serve the community. Janet Simmons, the interim director, said the focus is on removing redundant positions and strengthening operations, not just cutting costs.

The City of Central is preparing to open a new City Hall as part of its Main Street 2030 plan. Mayor Wade Evans says the project will anchor the city’s first true downtown along Sullivan Road. The plan includes infrastructure upgrades, a future multi-use arena, and a municipal hub near schools and the historic football stadium. The city aims to create a sense of place, support economic growth, and improve residents’ access to services. A grand opening is planned for April.

Walt Leger, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, shared an optimistic outlook for the city following the inauguration of New Orleans’ new mayor and city council. Leger emphasized collaboration, urgency, and excellence as key drivers for progress, aligning with the mayor’s executive orders on public safety, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility. He highlighted major upcoming events, including Mardi Gras and Rockin’ 1000, as economic drivers for the region. Leger also discussed Vision Plan 2035, a collaborative roadmap focused on neighborhoods, culture, and regional connectivity to strengthen New Orleans’ long-term growth.

It was a busy week at Talk 107.3 FM, but Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s schedule was even more packed. Joining Brian Haldane on the morning show, Murrill walked listeners through several high-profile legal issues, including extradition disputes, abortion pill enforcement, federal testimony, and a pending Supreme Court case.

The Louisiana Marathon returns this weekend, marking 15 years as one of Baton Rouge’s biggest annual events. Race Director Mike Wattigny says excitement is high, with every Saturday race sold out and visitors arriving from around the world. The Explore Louisiana Expo opens today at the River Center with panels, live music, and the always-popular Baby Gator photo op. Saturday features the Window World Quarter Marathon, 5K, and Kids Marathon, while Sunday’s full and half marathon kick off at 7 a.m. Finish Fest delivers food, music, and Louisiana culture all weekend long.

The explosion at Smitty’s in Roseland was not an isolated event. According to independent chemist Scott Smith, the damage spread far beyond the facility. Contamination has moved through Tangipahoa Parish and continues downriver toward Lake Pontchartrain.Although the fire is out, Smith says the disaster is ongoing. Chemicals and oil still flow through drainage ditches, ponds, and creeks. Those waterways connect directly to the Tangipahoa River, allowing pollution to travel miles from the original site.

Shelby, owner of Red Stick Bread and Board, joined Foodie Friday to share how her Baton Rouge micro bakery rose from a COVID hobby to a thriving cottage business. After buying a 25-pound bag of flour and teaching herself pizza dough, she dove into sourdough to find better bread for her diabetic diet. Today she crafts light, traditional king cakes made with sourdough discard, plus cookies, breads and custom charcuterie boards. Shelby bakes everything in her home oven and sells through social media, offering artisan king cakes perfect for Mardi Gras balls and Carnival season gatherings.

As students return to class after the holiday break, Baton Rouge schools are already planning for a busy and important year. Education leaders say 2026 will bring major decisions that affect families, teachers, and students across the city.

A new sports movie arrives tomorrow, and it hits close to home for college football fans. Signing Tony Raymond dives into the intense, emotional, and often chaotic world of college recruiting. Most importantly, it tells that story with humor and heart.

As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, community leaders across Baton Rouge are putting action behind the holiday’s core mission: service, opportunity, and progress. Metro Councilman Darryl Hurst is leading one of those efforts with a hands-on workforce development program that runs January 17–19 and targets high school students interested in nontraditional career paths.