Eight people have been arrested in connection to a dismembered male body found in the woods outside of Walker. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Bureau of Economic Analysis says Louisiana’s Gross Domestic Product grew for the first quarter of this year at a rate of two-point-three percent, which is faster than 35 other states. In a statement, Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a sign Louisiana’s economy is steadily improving and his administration continues to work towards bringing record economic development deals.

The exchange on capital punishment between Gov. John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry continues to escalate. The last execution in Louisiana took place in 2010, when the drugs for a lethal injection were last available. Solictor General for the AG’s office, Liz Murrill, says they still believe the governor can do more to get executions scheduled….
Cut 12 (11) “…where he stands.”
But the governor’s office points out that Landry hasn’t offered a single bill dealing with capital punishment since he took office in 2016.

Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin provided the big surprise at qualifying when he decided in the final minutes to enter the special election for Secretary of State. Ardoin had said he was not interested in running for the elected position and said today he never purposely misled anyone…
cut 10 (07) “….anticipating doing it”
Ardoin says he came to the decision after encouragement from friends and family.

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.

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.