Along with state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, Governor Edwards cut the ribbon today on a $125-million widening project of Interstate 10, between I-49 and Breaux Bridge. Adding an extra lane, widened shoulders and a concrete barrier between east and westbound lanes. Edwards say improvements like this benefit almost everyone…:

CUT 11         (09)    “…stop and go traffic.”

According to sportswriter Glenn Guilbeau, with Outkick.com, former LSU defensive coordinator and current Baylor head coach Dave Aranda is the favorite name on the short list to replace Ed Orgeron at LSU. Guilbeau says Aranda is still well thought of in Baton Rouge…:

CUT 13         (08)    “…qualified”

Also on the shortlist: Billy Napier of UL-Lafayette and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell

Nicholls State University is mourning the loss of three students; killed Saturday in a head-on crash in Lafourche Parish. They are 19-year-old Lily Dufrene, and 18-year-olds Michaila Bowling and Hali Coss. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says their vehicle was hit when 39-year-old Joey Clement (CLAY-monn) tried to pass in a no-passing zone. He says Clement is charged with 4^th offense DWI…:

CUT 07         (11)    “…Lafourche Parish jail.”

Just in time for Thanksgiving travel, gasoline prices come down a bit; about a penny and a half since last week, and down 4-cents since last month. Currently at a statewide average of $3.09 for regular. GasBuddy.com’s Patrick DeHaan says it’s about oil prices; right now at $85 a barrel…:

CUT 03         (10)    “…ahead of Thanksgiving.”

Seven people lost their lives over the weekend in two fatal crashes in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes involving suspected drunk drivers. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

A woman in the Caddo Parish town of Keithville is under arrest after an infant in her care tested positive for methamphetamine. The child was taken to a hospital by a family member, and a blood test confirmed the meth in the child’s system. 24-year-old Tiffany Wilson is charged with aggravated battery.

Governor John Bel Edwards, DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson and other officials cut ribbons today on the recently completed widening of Interstate 10, between I-49 and Breaux Bridge. The project was a $125-million investment, says the governor…:

CUT 09(12)      “…westbound traffic.”

He says improvements of this kind sends a positive message to out-of-state business interests looking to invest in Louisiana.

Sports reporter Glen Guilbeau with Outkick-dot-com reports Baylor Head Coach Dave Aranda, Louisiana’s Billy Napier and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell are the three finalists to replace Ed Orgeron as LSU’s head coach. Guilbeau says Aranda, who spent four years as LSU’s defensive coordinator, is the front-runner…:

CUT 12(12)      “…what Woodward wants.”

The 45-year-old Aranda is in his second season as head coach of the Bears and has them in contention for a Big 12 championship with a nine and two record. He left LSU to go to Baylor in 2019.

Folks at Nichols State University are mourning the deaths of three students killed in Saturday crash in Lafourche Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says they believe 39-year-old Joey Clement (CLAY-monn) was impaired when his pick-up truck slammed into an SUV…:

CUT 06         (11)    “…that crash.”

The victims are identified as 19-year-old Lily Dufrene and 18-year-olds Hali Coss and Michaila Bowling. Clement is charged with FOURTH offense DWI.

Governor Edwards and other officials today marked the completion of a $125-million I-10 widening project between I-49 and Breaux Bridge; marking nearly a billion dollars spent on intestates during his governorship. The governor says spending money on such infrastructure projects is beneficial to the motoring public…:

CUT 10         (09)    “…to travel here.”

Here’s something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving week: gasoline prices have dropped slightly. Patrick DeHaan with GasBuddy.com says regular gas is down about a penny & a half this week, and down about 4-cents from last month. DeHaan says if you’re traveling out-of-state for the holiday be prepared for some sticker shock…:

CUT 05         (05)    “…higher prices.

The national average price of regular gas is $3.41. The statewide average is $3.09.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting last night in Metairie. They says last night at about 10, a trooper observed a man walking with a gun in one hand and a knife in the other. When he attempted to question the man, the suspect fled on foot. At some point during the chase, officers with the East Jefferson Levee District joined in. When the suspect turned suddenly and pointed his gun at them, all three officers fired; killing the man. The matter is under investigation

Governor Edwards and other officials today marked the completion of a 125-million-dollar I-10 widening project between I-49 and Breaux Bridge. He says the continuing improvements to I-10 are a plus to business and help ease the commute times for everyone else.

Cut  11 (09)  “…and go traffic.”  

Drivers in Louisiana have something to be thankful for…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says State Police are investigating a deadly crash that occurred Friday night in Terrebonne Parish. He says this two-vehicle wreck killed four people including the suspected impaired driver, 42-year-old Charles Triggs of Raceland…

Cut 8 (13) “..was killed.”

The three other people killed in this wreck have been identified as 21-year-old Dannon Fulwiley of Raceland, 23-year-old Corey Porter of Raceland, and 25-year-old Ariana Lachico of Houma.

An investigation continues into a deadly officer-involved shooting in Metairie. It happened Sunday night on Airline Highway underneath the Causeway Boulevard bridge.  A state police investigation of the incident remains ongoing with no information released so far on the identity of the person who was shot or the circumstances that led to the shooting.

Gas Buddy Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says the average price for regular gas in Louisiana is down a penny and half with the statewide average at $3.09 a gallon. DeHaan says the price of oil dropping $10 a barrel, the Department of Interior issuing new leases on federal lands, and less demand in Europe as some countries are facing COVID lockdowns are reasons for the drop in prices.

Cut 4 (11) “…of oil.”

The national average for regular gas is $3.41 a gallon.

Governor Edwards and other officials today marked the completion of the I-10 widening project between I-49 and LA-328. The ribbon-cutting involved the replacement of more than seven miles of pavement.

Cut 9 (12) “…westbound traffic.”

Since 2016, just shy of one billion dollars has been spent on I-10 projects statewide.

Seven people lost their lives in two fatal crashes in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes involving suspected drunk drivers. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Nicholls State University is mourning the death of three students who were killed in a two-vehicle crash in Lafourche Parish involving a suspected drunk driver just after midnight on Saturday. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says they believe 39-year-old Joey Clement (Clay-monh) was impaired when his pick-up truck slammed into an SUV…Brennan says Clement displayed signs of impairment and was arrested for DWI fourth offense…

Cut 7 (11) “….Lafourche Parish jail”  

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the families cover the funeral expenses.

There’s something to be thankful for at the pump this week. Gas Buddy Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says the average price for regular gas in Louisiana is down a penny and half with the statewide average at $3.09 a gallon, down four cents from last month. He says it has to do with the price of oil which was $85 a barrel.

Cut 3 (10) “…ahead of Thanksgiving.”

The state receives a $1.5 million grant to address human trafficking. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

If you haven’t already done so you have a week from today to register for FEMA assistance related to damage caused by Hurricane Ida that led to a disaster declaration in 25 Louisiana parishes. At last word, more than well over a half-million applications for FEMA assistance had been approved and more than a billion dollars had been paid out. Visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 to reach FEMA’s disaster helpline between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Nicholls State University is mourning the death of three students who were killed in a two-vehicle crash in Lafourche Parish involving a suspected drunk driver just after midnight on Saturday. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says they believe 39-year-old Joey Clement (Clay-monh) was impaired when his pick-up truck slammed into an SUV…

 Cut 6 (11) “…that crash.” 

The three victims are from Luling (Loo-ling).

Alexandria State Representative Lance Harris has been named the new Chairman of the House Education Committee. One of the big education issue Mr. Harris says he is ready to tackle is Critical Race Theory.

Cut 15 (12)  “…decisions on it.”

Harris has been in the legislature since 2012.

As we move into the holiday season Governor Edwards continues to encourage COVID vaccinations and for those who already are, he’s also touting booster shots. Vaccine immunity has been shown to drop after six months on the two-dose vaccines, and two months after the one-dose vaccine, so Edwards says it’s best to add a booster.

Cut 9 (07)  “…as well.”

The CDC says more than 48% of Louisianans are fully vaccinated.

As Louisianans sit down for their Thanksgiving meal know that the price tag for the meal is lower than the national average. That’s according to the Louisiana Farm Bureau and spokesman Avery Davidson on the costs of a dinner to feed ten people.

Cut 4 (10) “…average of $68.72. “

He says compared to 2019 your meal costs about $5 more.

The newly established Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention receives a $1.5 million federal grant to improve outcomes for young victims of the crime. Executive Director of the office Dr. Dana Hunter says they will continue to work with key experts in the community to combat human trafficking.

Cut 10 (07)  “…and recovery.”

Hunter says the majority of child trafficking victims are homebred, meaning they are groomed and lured into the crime locally.

Alexandria State Representative Lance Harris has been named the new Chairman of the House Education Committee. Harris has been in the Legislature since 2012 and has served on key committees like Appropriations, Retirement, and the Joint Budget Committee. Harris says he’ll “hit the ground running” as EducationChair.

Cut 14 (14)  “…state education system.”

Your Thanksgiving meal might cost a bit more this year, but Louisiana residents are paying less than the national average. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Governor Edwards will participate in a ribbon-cutting today for the widening project on I-10 from I-49 to Beaux Bridge at 10 a.m. And then a press conference at the Capitol at 2:30. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter will be at the press conference for a housing announcement for those affected by Hurricanes Laura and Delta and the May floods.