BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer East Baton Rouge Parish has finally completed a program to synchronize traffic signals across the parish. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome says 176 miles of fiber-optic cable have been installed to allow traffic engineers to adjust signals in real time. Officials say synchronizing traffic lights will help reduce congestion on busier driving corridors. Students in Louisiana will no longer be required to submit the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, or apply for the in-state TOPS scholarship in order to graduate. Read here for more about how the changes will affect future high school seniors. With the arrival of spring just around the corner, residents may want to dine al fresco at one of the areas delicious restaurants that offer patio seating. Here is a list of 16 area eateries those seeking fresh-air dining may want to try. | 