A man identified as Bobby Dickerson, 49, apparently took his own life tonight, ending a standoff with police that stretched for seven hours after he shot and killed his estranged wife.

Police converged on a house in Gonzales Thursday afternoon after a man reportedly shot and killed his wife outside the residence and then retreated inside. The incident happened near the intersection of East Neal and Leblanc streets.

More helping hands will be ready when disaster strikes in your community. Basic medical training has been added to the requirements of the State Fire Marshal's Office. News 2's Lori Steele shows you what the inspectors are learning and how you'll benefit.

Cleaning is something few of us really like to do, so if a product could cut your cleaning time, wouldn't you be interested? The Ultimate Scrubber claims to blast away grime in half the time, but Does it Really Work?

Tax plan moves on

A man is fighting for his life after police say he was shot during a robbery. The incident happened overnight at the corner of Park Boulevard and Oleander Avenue in the Baton Rouge Garden District.

Many of you are pinching pennies at the grocery store, but rising costs aren't the only changes food companies are making. News 2's Rob Krieger has more on what some are doing to keep profits flowing.

A shorter work week for some state employees saves your tax dollars and a lot of gas. A four-day work week was implemented by the State Fire Marshal's Office, and News 2's Lori Steele explains the schedule, along with how much is getting done and being saved.

Mayor explains his billion dollar tax plan to one group, but took heat for not talking about it to another.

Recycling those energy efficient light bulbs is now more convenient.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain is taking a detour from campaigning in battleground states for a stop in New Orleans Wednesday, when he is expected to meet with Gov. Bobby Jindal. Some close to the McCain camp say the senator could name his vice president as early as this week, so there is speculation Jindal might be getting an offer.

Baton Rouge Metro Council members will decide Wednesday if nine government offices can collect more of your tax dollars. The council will decide if agencies like the Baton Rouge Fire Department and the Downtown Development District can roll their millages forward.

Head coach Vernon Langley is pretty pleased with his Glen Oaks football team heading into the 2008 season. The Panthers hope to contend with Zachary for the district title.

The school system in Central is back to square one after voters rejected a tax last weekend to build a new school complex. Even though proposals to raise sales and property taxes failed, the superintendent isn't giving up.

Voters in Central said no to new taxes that would have raised nearly $100 million to build a new school complex. School officials are now trying to figure out how to deal with the rapidly growing community.

It’s a busy weekend at LSU as Future Tigers gear up for football season. Sports 2 talks to Les Miles about his hopes for the new recruits.

The Baton Rouge Fire Department was busy battling arsons last night. News 2 talks to some of the victims who are now without a place to stay and how they are dealing with losing their homes.

Every off-season fans of LSU football receive a special invitation to learn from the entire Tiger coaching staff. The only catch is that this boot camp is just for the ladies.

There is controversy between council members and Mayor-President Kip Holden over a meeting to inform you about the mayor's tax plan. Pat Culbertson says the mayor should attend the meeting he's holding with voters in his district so they can make an educated decision about whether or not to approve the mayor's bond proposition.

State senators are rejecting a possible veto session over the use of your tax money, but a letter from Sen. Yvonne Dorsey to other lawmakers could still get her in hot water. Some lawmakers said they were surprised by the racial overtones in the letter, which urges legislators to support a veto session.

Voters in Central will decide the fate of a proposed tax for schools this weekend. The election will have two propositions, one for a three-quarter-cent sales tax and the other for a new property tax. The money would be used to build a $95 million school complex to house all students in the Central district.

Mayor Kip Holden wants voters in East Baton Rouge Parish to approve a billion-dollar tax increase for economic development, traffic and public safety issues. Some metro council members and taxpayers would like the package broken up into separate property and sales tax issues on the ballot.

Voting for a tax increase in East Baton Rouge Parish could save you money. The mayor's development plan includes $135 million for a new prison. According to the Sheriff's Office, it costs taxpayers around $3 million a year to house prisoners around the state because there's not enough space, and if nothing is done the cost could double in the next two years.

Baton Rouge's first 2008 case of West Nile virus surfaced just a few days ago. Our own Whitney Vann had it two years ago, so she's always looking for the best products to keep the rest of her family safe. With that in mind, she tested two new repellants -- but do they really work?

Pets are being dumped at the pound because of the current state of the economy.

The Brusly Panthers are doing a bit of rebuilding these days, but a familiar face on the west side may be enough to turn the program around.

Mayor Kip Holden outlined the final component of his tax proposal for development Wednesday, this time focusing on infrastructure improvements. Members of the Metro Council now have one week to decide whether or not to put the project on the November ballot, but some are worried they are being forced to make a decision too quickly.

Downtown changes are only a small piece of the tax plan you could be asked to vote on in East Baton Rouge Parish. Mayor Kip Holden was expected to announce a third component of the large tax plan he's been unveiling this week at the Metro Council on Wednesday afternoon.

A church congregation in Denham Springs will be moving back into its building after a fire eight months ago destroyed most of it.

Mayor Kip Holden’s announcement on a wide-range of infrastructure needs and his reasoning for his tax plan.