House Majority Whip Steve Scalise is expected to be elected to a sixth term as Congressman of Louisiana’s 1st District. There are five long shot challengers on the November 6th ballot, including Covington Democrat Jim Francis, who says Scalise has been negligent on gun control…
cut 5 (10) “…the schools”
Scalise has millions of dollars in his campaign war chest, but he’s expected to use that money to help vulnerable Republican House members in other parts of the country.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund objects to a camel taking the place of a deceased tiger at the Tiger Truck Stop along Interstate 10 in Iberville Parish. The A-L-D-F says wild animals do not belong in captivity, especially near gas fumes. But Tiger Truck Stop owner Mike Sandlin says he’s had tigers live past 20 years under his care…
cut 10 (09) “….20 years of age’

Louisiana Tech student Mason Andrews is trying to become the youngest solo pilot to fly around the world. The 18-year-old expects his journey will take 30 to 40 days to complete and La Tech Aviation Department Head Jordan Lyons says Andrews has been trained how to bail, if the worst happens…
cut 13 (08) “….survival school”
Andrews will spend 15 hours over the water when he flies from Japan to Alaska. He departed from Monroe on Sunday.

State Police has arrested five people for allegedly staging a two vehicle crash near Ville Platte in an effort to receive insurance claims for damaged property and fake bodily injuries. Master Trooper Brooks David says staging crashes is unfortunately a crime they see too often…
cut 16 (09) “…your money”
The five people arrested are from the Acadiana area and range in ages from 24 to 66 years old.

Jefferson Parish Republican Steve Scalise is looking to remain the US Rep for Louisiana’s 1st Congressional district. Matt Doyle reports Scalise faces five challengers on the November sixth ballot
Cut 1 (31) I’m Matt Doyle“

Livingston Parish deputies arrested eight individuals after a body of a dimembered man was found in the woods. Authorities say the victim is from Gonzales and had not been seen by family members since July 2nd. Sheriff Jason Ard calls it a bizarre case and they are still trying to figure out what took place.

State Police arrest five people for allegedly trying to stage a car crash involving two vehicles in Evangeline Parish. Master Trooper Brooks David says the subjects attempted to cash in on insurance claims for damage to vehicles and bodily injuries…
cut 15 (05) “…right away”
The five adults have been charged with insurance fraud and two of the subjects were also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile for having children involved in the staged crash.

18-year-old Louisiana Tech student Mason Andrews is attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo around the globe. La Tech aviation department head Jordan Lyons says Andrews will have to be alert at all times…
cut 12 (11) “…the aircraft”
Andrews left Monroe on Sunday and the trip should take 30 to 40 days.

Jefferson Parish Congressman Steve Scalise is set to seek his 6th term in office as representative of Louisiana’s 1st district. The House Majority Whip says he’s worked hard to get some big wins recently in the areas of flood protection and coastal restoration.
Cut 4 (12) “coastal restoration”
Five opponents have signed up to challenge Scalise on the November 6th ballot. They say Scalise is no longer in touch with his district.

The Tiger Truck Stop owner at the I-10 Grosse Tete exit has two new animals to replace the 17-year-old tiger that died in October from kidney failure. Mike Sandlin says state law prohibits him from getting another tiger, so he now has a camel and a coati (Khu-wha-tee), which is a raccoon, for visitors to see
Cut 8 (08) “…people”
Sandlin says he wants to obtain enough animals to create a petting zoo. But animal activists say a gas station is no place to have wild animals.

An 18-year-old Louisiana Tech student is on his way to becoming the youngest solo pilot to ever fly around the globe. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle

Less humid today, but it will still be hot with highs in the low to mid 90s.

Congressman Steve Scalise is looking to hold onto his Southeast Louisiana seat for the 6th time running. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Matt Doyle“

__________________________________

The famous, or infamous Tiger Truck Stop on I-10 in Iberville has a new cast of animals after their tiger passed away in October. Michael Farrar…

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Michael Farrar” 

__________________________________

an 18-year-old La. Tech student is on his way to becoming the youngest pilot to ever fly around the globe. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

Southeast Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise is set to seek his 6^th term in office as representative of Louisiana’s 1^st district. He’s regarded as one of the most influential members of Congress, and is the Republican Majority Whip. Scalise says he’s worked hard to get some big wins recently in the areas of flood protection and coastal restoration.

Cut 4  (12) “coastal restoration”

But one of Scalise’s challengers, Democrat Jim Francis of Covington, says the Congressman’s substantial national profile has put him out of touch with the district he represents. Francis, an IT director at a Covington Lab, says Scalise has been negligent on gun control, and says he supports moderate gun reforms.

Cut 5  (10)  “the schools”

Francis, who supports giving Medicare to all Americans, says he’s been particularly concerned with the Congressman’s positions on healthcare. Francis says despite its popularity, Scalise still voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would have hurt his constituents.

Cut 6 (08) “pay less”

Democrat Lee Ann Dugas of Kenner says she’s concerned that positions Scalise has adopted, such as support for the trade dispute with China. The disabled Gulf War Vet, who’s run for the seat three times before, says she would stand up to the President’s push for more tariffs.

Cut 7 (11) “soy beans”

Scalise is also being challenged by Democrat Tammy Savoie, as well as Independent Ferd Jones and Libertarian Howard Kearney.

___________________________________________

The Tiger Truck Stop owner at the I-10 Grosse Tete exit has two new animals to replace the 17-year-old tiger that died in October as a result of kidney failure. Mike Sandlin says state law prohibits him from getting another tiger, so he now has a camel and a coati (Khu-wha-tee), which is a type of raccoon, for visitors to see

Cut 8 (08)  “…people”

Cut 9 (12)  “…cat or two”

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has opposed the tiger exhibit at the gas station for many years. And they released a statement that says wild animals of any kind do not belong in captivity, especially in an environment like a truck stop. But Sandlin says he’s had tigers that lived past 20 years old under his care…

Cut 10 (09)   “20 years of age”

_____________________________________________________

18-year-old La. Tech student Mason Andrews is on his way to becoming the youngest pilot to ever circumnavigate the globe. The young man left Monroe airport on Sunday for the trip which should take 30 to 40 days. Aviation Department Head Jordan Lyons says it’ll be a taxing trip that will push Andrews physical tolerance.

Cut 11 (09) “of fatigue” 

Andrews is taking a path with over 14 stops that will lead him over the Atlantic to Paris, then down through the South pacific, and up to Alaska until he pilots his way back home.

And this isn’t any old road trip, as Andrews won’t be able to sit back and just put his propeller plane on cruise control. Lyons says he’ll have to be alert at all times throughout the trip.

Cut 12 (11) “the aircraft”

Lyons says every possible preparation has been made, from patience checks to flight simulators. If the worst does happen and Andrews has to bail, Lyons says the teen has been trained on how to handle it.

Cut 13 (08)  “survival school” 

Andrews is flying to raise awareness of Louisiana MedCamps

_____________________________________________

Five people have been arrested for insurance fraud related to an alleged staged crash in Evangeline Parish in 2015. Authorities say the crash was staged to facilitate a fraudulent insurance claim for property and bodily harm. State Police Spokesperson Master Trooper Brooks David says the crash included minors.

Cut 14 (10) “to 15”

David says the lengthy investigation revealed that all of the participants knew each other, and that the action was premeditated.

Cut 15 (13) “right away”

David encourage the public to report any cases of insurance fraud they witness. He says every time a fraudulent claim is filed, it compounds the state’s already sky high insurance rate problem.

A Natchitoches woman has been charged in the burning death of a six-month old child, who was set on fire last week. 25-year-old Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith has been charged with one count of first-degree murder for the death of Levi Cole Ellerbe. Authorities say she is not the child’s mother. and they say the investigation continues.

The LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating how 69-year-old Terry Angelle ended up bound in rope and floating in Bayou LaFourche on Sunday. Lt. Brennan Matherne says at this point his death has been classified as suspicious…
cut 13 (13) “…his person”
Matherne says they believe Angelle was in the bayou for several days.

The intense heat wave we’ve been experiencing will come to an end, but it will remain hot. State Climatologist Barry Keim says heat indices should be lower the rest of the week, as the wind will start blowing out of the north…
Cut 8 (10) “humidity levels”

The state’s sales tax holidays have been suspended until 2025 as a result of legislation approved in the last special session. For instance, we usually have a sales tax holiday for back to school shopping during the first weekend in August, but that’s not happening this year. The Tax Foundation’s Nicole Kaeding says sales tax holidays usually don’t produce cost savings for consumers, because retailers increase prices on those items and they don’t lead to a major dip in state revenue.
Cut 11 (10) “or locality”

Natchitoches Police announce the arrest of a woman connected to the burning death of a six-month-old child. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

We should get a break from the the oppressive heat tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the wind will shift out of the north after today…
cut 6 (09) “…heat index”
Keim says rain chances for the rest of the week should be 20 to 30%.

No more sales tax holidays in Louisiana until 2025 as a result of legislation approved in the last special session. But the Tax Foundation’s Nicole Kaeding says it’s not entirely bad news for the consumer. She says research shows retailers like to increase prices on items during sales tax holidays…
cut 10 (08) “…their prices”
The next sales tax holiday scheduled for Louisiana was to be held the first weekend in August, but again, it’s not happening this year.

A Galliano man was found in Bayou LaFourche yesterday bound in rope. LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Lt. Brennan Matherne, says a local firefighter responded to the call, and jumped into the bayou in an attempt to save 69-year-old Terry Angelle, only to discover the body was visibly decomposing.,,,
cut 14 (10) “…the dock”
Matherne says they have classified Angelle’s death as suspicious.

Sales tax holidays have been suspended as a result of the tax deal cut in the last special session. Jeff Palermo has more
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Natchitoches woman has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a six-month-old child that later died from burns to his body. 25-year-old Felicia Smith has been charged charged with one count of first-degree murder. It’s unclear what her relationship is with the child, who was kidnapped last Tuesday. Authorities say the investigation continues.

Governor John Bel Edwards sent an open letter to President Donald Trump imploring the Commander in Chief to consider the effects a trade war with China will have on the economy. Edwards cited a report from Forbes that says Louisiana is most at risk for damage from the tariffs. Edwards says it’s not a hostile letter, but a reminder about the dangers of a trade war.
Cut 3 (09) “than later.”
It’s likely the President will not be persuaded by Governor Edwards’ letter as last week Donald Trump threatened to put tariffs on all 505-billion dollars in Chinese imports.

The body of a Galliano man was found floating in Bayou Lafourche Sunday afternoon, bound in rope, with his bike on the dock. 69-year-old Terry Lafourche Parish Sherriff’s spokesperson Lt. Brennan Matherne says they are investigating it as a suspicious death.
Cut 12 (09) “to it”
Anyone who has information on Angelle’s death is urged to call authorities.

The state’s sales tax holidays have been suspended as a result of the tax deal cut in the last special session. The general sales tax holiday in August, hurricane preparedness holiday in May, and the “Second Amendment” tax holiday have been put on hold for the next seven years. Director of Special Projects at the Tax Foundation Nicole Kaeding says despite their popularity, the holidays don’t spur additional economic activity….
cut 9 (07) “…political gimmick”
And Kaeding says many times consumers retailiers will raise prices on items that are exempted from a sales tax.

A Natchitoches woman has been charged in the burning death of a six-month old child, who was set on fire last week. 25-year-old Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith has been charged with one count of first-degree murder for the death of Levi Cole Ellerbe. Authorities say she is not the child’s mother. and they say the investigation continues.

Governor John Bel Edwards has expressed his concerns with President Donald Trump over the trade war that’s erupted with China resulting in billions of dollars in new tariffs on products shipped between the two countries. In a letter to the White House, Edwards tells the President it will negatively affect agriculture and shipping…
cut 5 (12) “….duration”
So Edwards is hoping this trade war ends soon.

The LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating how 69-year-old Terry Angelle ended up bound in rope and floating in Bayou LaFourche on Sunday. Lt. Brennan Matherne says at this point his death has been classified as suspicious…
cut 13 (13) “…his person”
Matherne says they believe Angelle was in the bayou for several days.