| BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
Losing control: A judge’s action this week will strip Jessica Brandt, widow of automotive magnate Ray Brandt, of control over an empire of dealerships and collision centers across Louisiana and Mississippi. John Simerman has been covering the riveting battle over Ray Brandt’s $300 estate and has the latest. Severed foot, DNA and a positive ID: The details of a cold case murder investigation that included a partially dismembered body in St. Tammany Parish and a severed foot found in a bucket in Biloxi were released this morning. The bizarre story dates to July 2016, when the dismembered, badly decomposed body was found by a passerby. How dry we are: If it feels like forever since we've had any real rain it's because, well, it's been a while. And it looks like that dry pattern will continue. Drought, anyone? New in Avondale: Big changes coming to the former Avondale Shipyard on the west bank of Jefferson Parish? The industrial site takes on a new name today, and is promising a "re-launch" in search of new business. Stay tuned. Put on your (chicken) dancin' shoes: Oktoberfest is here, friends. Ian McNulty checked in with the good folks of Deutsches Haus to get the beer lineup. Mighty impressive! And of course there’s much more than beer – check it out. For even more food and drink coverage, please sign up for our Where NOLA Eats newsletter. Festin' on the river: Speaking of festivals, Gretna Fest 2022 kicks off tonight. Lots of food and music on a site in downtown Gretna right near the Mississippi River. The Revivalists, Tank and the Bangas and John Fogerty are in the music lineup, Keith Spera writes. Thanks for reading Lunch Line today – and remember, you can keep up all day long at NOLA.com. Bob | 