NATIONAL

“Carly Fiorina may have narrowly qualified for the main stage at Wednesday night’s Republican presidential debate — but the former Hewlett Packard boss made the most of it, once again grabbing the spotlight with an impassioned appeal to defund Planned Parenthood and tough retorts against front-runner Donald Trump.” – Fox News

“The only two viable potential replacements for John Boehner as speaker of the House say they back the Ohio Republican and will oppose any effort to remove him from power. But other high-ranking Republicans are testing the waters should the embattled speaker be forced out.” – Politico

“Man, the foreigners are just crazy! They do stuff wrong. You don’t sell your own freakin’ kidneys! You only get two, and besides, Planned Parenthood hates the competition. Well anyway, here’s why China won’t be taking over the world in the next couple of weeks.” – Red State

“Pope Francis makes his first visit to the United States next week, and security is pretty intense in the cities where he will be visiting. And it’s for a good reason: while there are no specific threats against the pontiff, there is at least some chatter making officials nervous for the Pope’s safety.” –  Town Hall

“It’s not out online yet, but Time Magazine announced that their next cover story will be a picture of a certain high profile Democrat presidential candidate with the title, ‘Bernie. Socialize This, America.’ It was first reported on Morning Joe.” – Hot Air

“President Barack Obama told CEOs on Wednesday that the American economy is strong and would be stronger if not for Republican gridlock in Congress.” – The Blaze

“Ahmed Mohamed, 14, an Irving MacArthur High student who invents as a hobby, talks about being detained and interrogated after bringing a homemade clock to school Monday that was mistaken for a hoax bomb.” – Conservative Daily News

“Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, said Thursday he couldn’t make it though the entire Republican presidential debate Wednesday.” – Washington Times

“Wednesday during CNN’s Republican presidential debate, Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) and his opponent, Donald Trump, got into a heated exchange in which Walker highlighted Trump’s political inexperience.” – Breitbart

“Here’s a breakdown of how much time each candidate spoke during last night’s GOP debate, according to the NYT:” – Twitchy

LOUISIANA

“Politics with a Punch is held monthly on stage before a live audience. It is our own local version of “Politically Incorrect.” It is a fast-paced, free-wheeling, no-holds barred discussion of what is happening in our city, state and nation.” – Ringside Politics

“A council agenda published this week allots time for submissions from the Historic District Landmarks Commission, which recommended the removal of four Confederate monuments; the Human Relations Commission, which also recommended removal of all four statues; and the Vieux Carre Commission, which suggested the relocation of the Battle of Liberty Place monument.” – WDSU.com

“Violent crime across New Orleans is motivating residents to protect themselves. While some purchase surveillance cameras, others are turning to firearms.”  – Fox 8 Live

“Some days it takes courage to go to the pump.” – WDSU.com

“In politics, sometimes the biggest surprise is no surprise. That was the case when no major Democrat made a last-minute entry into the governor’s race — leaving the field exactly as U.S. Sen. David Vitter, the consistent frontrunner, wanted it.” – Best of New Orleans

“Civil Service director Shannon Templet has left the top job at the state government agency that oversees personnel practices and pay for about 37,500 classified employees.” – The Baton Rouge Advocate

“Gov. Bobby Jindal has asked coastal restoration officials to change state policy to allow some of the BP oil spill settlement to be used to pay for part of a $350 million Louisiana 1 bridge connecting Port Fourchon with Golden Meadow.” – NOLA.com

“A Bossier City man faces up to five years in prison for illegally selling a gun to an out-of-state resident.” – KSLA.com

“It’s time for Politics with a Punch, election season 2015, and you’re invited.” – Bayou Buzz

“The LSU Tigers (1-0) face the Auburn Tigers (2-0) in a critical Southeastern Conference matchup Saturday at 2:30 p.m in Tiger Stadium.” –The Baton Rouge Advocate