As we’ve seen an excess number of wrecks this week between Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state Department of Transportation reports there were 2,423 crashes on that stretch of I-10 from 2014 through 2016. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says one thing that has helped is cable barriers:
Cut 6 (11) “we can”
He says of all those crashes, 19 were fatal and 20 people died mostly due to tailgating and distractions.

Today is the Great American Smokeout, a day every year that tobacco users are encouraged to quit. Lance Barbour with the American Cancer Society says they offer tips on their website on how to drop the habit…:
Cut 15 (08) “smoke free”
He says 22% of adults smoke in Louisiana, and 1/3 of cancers here are the direct result of tobacco use.

The steady increase in gas prices is continuing. AAA says there is still strong fall demand for gasoline and it’s chipping away at inventory. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $2.34, up almost 10 cents over the past month.

Governor Edwards and Ag Commissioner Mike Strain continue their listening tour with farmers today in Ferriday and Slaughter. The tour started earlier this week in Mooringsport and Bastrop as a way to hear about concerns within the agriculture industry. Edwards says producers are worried that state budget cuts impact ag research at LSU and Southern.:
Cut 10 (05) “those operations”
The tour will end tomorrow with stops in Ville Platte and Arnaudville.

According to the Associated Press, Governor Edwards recent trip to Puerto Rico to discuss ongoing hurricane recovery cost taxpayers 51-hundred dollars. Much of the cost went towards security detail.