Voters in Baton Rouge and around the state are exercising their right to vote today on this first day of early voting. Charles and Kathleen Gendusa were among those that cast their vote on the first day the polls opened. They say they were hoping to go before the lines got long, and they were so eager to vote, they even showed up a day early.

Cut 12 (09) “back today”

Early voting will be open from 8:30 am until 6 pm every day except Sunday through November 1.

With only two weeks to go until the election, there are concerns about parties being able to reunite after US Senate candidates have been bashing one another within their own party. Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Stephen Handwerk, expects this will make it harder for the party to come together behind whoever makes the runoff.

Cut 6 (07) “attacking you”

Thirty two percent of all cancer deaths in Louisiana are related to smoking, according to data from the American Cancer Society. Melissa Martin with the Louisiana Department of Health says they’re doing what they can to reduce the number of smokers, which starts with keeping kids from lighting up in the first place.

Cut 9 (07) “our state”

Louisiana came in fifth in the nation on the report.

Conversations are underway about building a new interstate through central Louisiana. Malcom Morris with the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition says a new interstate that runs east and west would have tremendous benefits for the military bases in and around CENLA.

Cut 5 (12) “…to them”

He says it will be at least a decade before construction begins.