As we’ve seen an excess number of wrecks this week, the state Department of Transportation reports there were 2,423 crashes on Interstate 10 between Exit 100 in Lafayette and the Baton Rouge Mississippi River Bridge from January 1st of 2014 to the end of 2016. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson:
Cut 4 (11) “pay attention”
Of those crashes, 19 were fatal and 20 people died.

Today is the Great American Smokeout, the day tobacco users are encouraged to quit smoking, chewing tobacco or using other tobacco related products. Lance Barbour with the American Cancer Society says Louisiana ranks among the highest in the number of smokers and smoking related illness…:
Cut 13 (12) “tobacco use”
Barbour says research shows that those who quit smoking will experience health benefits.

A new crime lab has opened in Shreveport to assist 29 north Louisiana parishes. Kelley Ray tells us about this crime fighting tool…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

According to 24/7 Wall Street’s list of America’s 25 Murder Capitals, Louisiana had three cities rank. New Orleans came in at number 4, Shreveport ranked 18 and Baton Rouge came in at number 22 for most murders.