🌱 BR Rental Assistance Aid + Infant Found Alive In Field

Morning, Baton Rouge! It's Thursday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on around town today.

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First, today's weather:

Nice with periods of sun. High: 77 Low: 62.

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Here are the top three stories in Baton Rouge today:

1. Thousands of Baton Rouge residents are continuing to seek rental assistance as they struggle to pay rent due to pandemic-related hardships. On Wednesday, the Metro Council unanimously approved another $10 million in rental assistance aid. An additional $33 million could be approved as early as next week. This influx in funding could open the application process that had been previously closed as money ran low. (The Advocate)
2. An infant was found alive and healthy after being abandoned and spending the night in a field off Plank Road. The mother had checked herself in for medical treatment and mentioned the child, causing a frantic search for the infant. Thankfully, the eight-month-old was found healthy. Officials say the mother isn't facing charges as the incident seemed to stem from medical issues. (The Advocate)
3. A Baton Rouge native has become the first Black woman to lead the White House budget office. Shalanda Young was named director of the White House Office of Management and Budget with bipartisan support on Tuesday. "Congratulations on this historic achievement, Shalanda! You continue to make your home state proud," Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards tweeted. (WAFB)

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Today in Baton Rouge:

• St. Patrick's Day Story Craft - East Baton Rouge Parish Library (3:00 PM)
• Typing Lessons - East Baton Rouge Parish Library (3:00 PM)
• Writing for Everyday Life - East Baton Rouge Parish Library (4:00 PM)
• QUIRKY Ladies Book Club - Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library (6:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Looking for a great meal in Baton Rouge that has an equally great deal? Check out these five local meals available for $10 or less. (The Advocate)
• Baton Rouge Police Department is recruiting! To learn more about job opportunities with BRPD, visit geauxBRPD.com (Facebook)
• Trivia and tacos? Sign us up! Three Roll Estate is holding Trivia and Tacos each Thursday starting at 7:00 p.m. (Downtown Baton Rouge)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Bayou Home Show & Cannata's Festival of Food (March 19)
• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
• Add your event

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.