NATIONAL

“Republican Rep. Paul Ryan succeeded retiring John Boehner as House speaker on Thursday, appealing for unity and “understanding” as he embarks on the tough task of trying to heal deep divisions in the party and the chamber itself.” – Fox News

“The CNBC-moderated debate became a debate about CNBC, as various candidates and the audience turned the tables on the network’s three moderators.” – Politico

“Last night at the CNBC debate, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) had a very, very good night. Even leftwing activists liked his answers and attack on the media. Liberal Hollywood comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted, ‘I hate Ted Cruz with the power of a million chainsaws revving but I agree with everything he just said.’” – Red State

“Christian photographers have had to close up shop, Christian bakers have been slapped with hefty fines, a county clerk was thrown in jail, and the list goes on and on and on when it comes to how Christians have been treated when they refused to involve their businesses in any way with what could be considered support of same-sex marriage, a violation of their religious beliefs.” – Town Hall

“It will be one of the big post-debate fact checks, the kind that gets candidates awarded multiple Pinocchios or told their pants are on fire.” – Washington Examiner

“The father of Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.), a Republican presidential candidate, said Wednesday that LGBT activists will try to legalize pedophilia.” – Washington Post

“It was once said of Winston Churchill that he was a man with a brilliant future behind him. One could say the same about Jeb Bush — the once promising and conservative governor of Florida — who now risks tarnishing his reputation if he continues to run an embarrassing campaign. Churchill surprised everyone with his comeback, but the odds of Jeb getting the soufflé to rise twice are long.” – Daily Caller

“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has refused to answer an Oct. 13 subpoena from by Rep. Lamar Smith (R) of Texas, chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Rep. Smith, a prominent climate change denier, demanded that internal communications surrounding a recent climate change study by NOAA scientists be turned over to his committee for examination.” – Hot Air

“U.S. Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) was joined by eight other Republicans in voting for Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) in Thursday’s House speaker election, a largely symbolic gesture as Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) victory proved to be inevitable. Shortly after the election concluded, Brat revealed the reason behind his vote.” – The Blaze

“The newly elected Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) 58% may have called for bipartisanship in the House of Representatives, but his respect for the Democratic minority does not appear to include hugs.” – Breitbart

LOUISIANA

“The battle for the 12th district senate race is more important than many people realize, because it represents the classic dichotomy so often seen in Louisiana races. It’s a competition  between a candidate with experience running a business, and another candidate who  has “spent a life in public service” (code talk for a lifetime of feeding  at the government trough).” – Larants.thedeadpelican.com

“The video of a South Carolina police officer dragging a student across her classroom has opened conversations not only about police brutality but about how schools should handle children who don’t follow the rules. Reaction from New Orleans area teachers Wednesday (Oct. 28) ranged from sympathy with the Spring Valley, S.C., school resource officer to total opposition, and revealed a divide in how people think about student misbehavior and how to handle it.” – NOLA.com

“Fueled by improved student performance and controversial bonus points, Louisiana public high school letter grades are at an all-time high, the state Department of Education announced Thursday morning.” –The New Orleans Advocate

“Two educators in South Louisiana each received a national award and cash prize from a billionaire on Wednesday.” – WAFB.com

“Several parishes and cities in areas around southeast Louisiana are calling for trick-or-treaters to move their activities to Friday due to a forecast of some inclement weather in the forecast Saturday.” – WWLTV.com

“Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards offered sharply differing views on the state takeover of troubled public schools, according to comments to the Louisiana School Boards Association released Wednesday.” –The Baton Rouge Advocate

“At the beginning of the last budget cycle, Louisiana was looking at some of the most Draconian cuts to higher education in the country. The legislature raised money for the system by increasing taxes and cutting business incentives. In Illinois, where another governor has suggested cutting higher education funding, the legislature is still deadlocked on a compromise, months behind schedule.” – Education Dive

“A North Carolina businessman has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for extorting a Tulane University student for sex and similarly coercing a 15-year-old boy.” – KNOE.com

“About 90 percent of students who have qualified for scholarships through TOPS since 2005 have accepted them and enrolled in Louisiana colleges and universities.” – The Baton Rouge Advocate

“A pair of notable Heisman candidates, in Georgia running back Nick Chubb and Baylor quarterback Seth Russell, have each suffered injuries in recent weeks.” – NOLA.com