🌱 BRPD Citizens Academy + Mysterious 'Boom' In East Baton Rouge

Happy Monday, Baton Rouge! Here's everything you need to know going on locallytoday.

First, today's weather:

Clouds and sun. High: 78 Low: 63.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Baton Rouge:

1. Starting in January, Baton Rouge police and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host a six-week Citizens Academy to give residents insight into the scope of police work within the city. The course, which will run from Jan. 25 through Mar. 8, is the first of its kind to be hosted by the department in at least 10 years. The Citizens Academy is part of an ongoing effort to improve the relationship between police and local communities, particularly as the city’s homicide rate reaches an all-time high and BRPD handles a slew of officer misconduct scandals. (The Advocate)
2. A mysterious "boom" rattled people in parts of East Baton Rouge late Friday night. Residents in neighborhoods along the Amite River reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by a huge vibration that shook their houses. No serious incidents have been reported to be linked with the incident at this time. (WBRZ)
3. On the first Sunday of every month, visitors at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Museum of Art can enjoy free admission between the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Exhibitions currently on view include Candice Lin: The Agnotology of Tigers, The Boneyard: The Ceramics Teaching Collection, and Form & Fire: American Studio Ceramics from the E. John Bullard Collection. Other Baton Rouge establishments participating in "First Free Sunday" include the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and Magnolia Mound Plantation. (BRProud.com)

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Today in Baton Rouge:

• Holiday Movie Breaks - East Baton Rouge Parish Library (10:00 AM)
• Bingo - Carver Branch Library (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Ringing in 2022 with a furry friend? Here's how to keep your pet safe during New Year's Eve fireworks. (Facebook)
• On Dec. 31, bring the kids to Louisiana Children's Museum to celebrate Noon Year’s Eve. The countdown to noon culminates in an explosion of colorful confetti and bubbles, and guests can enjoy making noisemakers and hats. (Instagram)
• Due to the large amount of trash expected after the holidays, Monday and Tuesday garbage collection may extend into the following morning. Please leave full carts at the curb if not collected by the end of the day on Monday or Tuesday. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Kayla Harrison

About me: Kayla Harrison is a Writing Arts professor, as well as a freelance writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She holds a Master's Degree in Writing Arts and is grateful to incorporate writing into everything she does. In her free time, you can find her listening to podcasts, writing poetry, and visiting local coffee shops.