🌱Fire Marshall Misused State Funds + LA College Sexual Assaults

Hello, neighbors! It's me again, Kayla Harrison, your host of the Baton Rouge Daily.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 64 Low: 39.

Here are the top stories today in Baton Rouge:

1. A recent audit of the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal revealed a severe misuse of state funds. Lt. Robert McCormick, former emergency management officer for the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), used his position to improperly direct state funds totaling $846,140 to companies doing business with or on behalf of his brother, Thomas McCormick. Auditors also found that some items were purchased using the McCormick brothers' personal funds and billed to OSFM at excessive rates. (WBRZ)
2. Between LSU, Southeastern State University, and UL Lafayette — the three biggest public universities in Louisiana with over 68,000 students enrolled between them — just 12 cases of sexual assault were reported in 2020. But experts and advocates say those numbers don’t reflect reality. The vast majority of sexual assaults on Louisiana college and university campuses aren’t being reported, sexual assault victim advocates said — due to "concerns about not being believed or supported." (Daily Comet)
3. Baton Rouge Police Homicide Detectives are investigating the shooting death of 35-year-old Lonnie Cashi on Beaumont Drive. (WAFB)
4. The injured deer that entered Our Lady of the Lake, running to the second floor of the hospital, was later euthanized. (Donaldsonville Chief)
5. A stolen firearm used in a domestic dispute leads to the arrest of a convicted felon in Baton Rouge. (BRProud.com)

Today's Baton Rouge Daily is brought to you by L.L.Bean, a Patch Brand Partner. Planning a trip this holiday? Find your perfect luggage match.

Today in Baton Rouge:

• Introduction to Microsoft Word - Delmont Gardens Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Toddler STEM Time Ages 2-5 - East Baton Rouge Parish Library (10:00 AM)
• Decorative Fall Leaves - East Baton Rouge Parish Library (10:30 AM)
• STEM Time! Ages 9-11 - East Baton Rouge Parish Library (2:30 PM)
• Teen Gaming Club - East Baton Rouge Parish Library (3:30 PM)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon. If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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.