NATIONAL

“The Supreme Court tumult increases chances of prison for the ex-Virginia governor, and could complicate the New Jersey senator’s trial.” – Politico

“Taylor Swift used her acceptance speech for Album of the Year at Monday night’s Grammy Awards to hit back at Kanye West, whose track about having sex with Swift — along with his claim that he made “the b**** famous” — infuriated the 26-year-old pop superstar.” – Fox News

“I have a (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) rule for federal government departments, agencies, commissions and boards: Barring a Constitutional amendment, if a bureaucracy was created after 1800 – it shouldn’t exist.” – Red State

“Within hours of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s death over the weekend, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell drew a line in the sand: No new justice would be confirmed until after the presidential election.” – Washington Post

“At Saturday’s debate in South Carolina, Donald Trump called into question the idea that Jeb Bush’s brother, George W. Bush, ‘kept us safe’ by pointing out the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack occurred while the older Bush was president. Trump repeated that attack in a Monday afternoon press conference. It’s a line of attack that might otherwise sink a Republican candidate, but Trump has benefited from his own image as a lifelong New Yorker who speaks (relatively) eloquently about what his fellow citizens went through during and after that day. His finest emotional moment, in fact, may have come in the debate last month while responding to Ted Cruz’s criticism of Trump’s ‘New York values.'” – Weekly Standard

“People persist in assuming that because I work at a conservative magazine, I have some deep insight into the workings of the Republican party. I explain that every prediction I’ve made since joining NR has been wrong, but that doesn’t stop them. So lately, when asked who I think will get the nomination, I’ve been saying Paul Ryan.” – National Review

“We are entering uncharted waters in the history of the U.S. system of checks and balances, with potentially momentous consequences. Having gridlocked the Senate for years, Republicans now want to gridlock the Supreme Court with a campaign of partisan sabotage aimed at denying the president’s constitutional duty to pick nominees.” – Washington Post

“He said the same thing last week about suing Cruz if he doesn’t play nice, which is a weirdly conditional approach to the idea of someone whom you think is constitutionally ineligible becoming president. But we’ve been over that. Read this post if you missed it on Friday. What I want to know is what he means when he says the RNC should ‘intervene.’ Intervene in what?” – Hot Air

“Senate Republicans united behind Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in insisting that President Barack Obama’s successor fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death. Democrats looking to reclaim the Senate majority immediately accused them of putting politics ahead of their constitutional responsibility.” – The Blaze

“The Southern Poverty Law Center, always seeming to hover in the shadows whenever honest citizens and organizations try to stand up for this country, is at it again. In addition to the usual suspects – which includes pretty much anyone who disagrees with the American radical Left – SPLC has been increasingly attacking people and groups who express concern about Islamic terrorism –adding them to SPLC’s infamous ‘Hate Watch’ list.” – Breitbart

LOUISIANA

“For the most part, Louisiana has not raised taxes on alcohol since 1948, but that could soon change as the Legislature deals with the state budget crisis.” – HoumaToday.com

“One area facing deep cuts as a result of the state’s budget deficit is the TOPS college tuition program.” – KPLCTV.com

“The morning after Governor John Bel Edwards addressed state lawmakers on the opening day of the special legislative session, top members of his administration faced lawmakers who are not sold on the governor’s plans to make state government leaner.” – Fox8Live.com

“Fixing the state budget, that’s what lawmakers were trying to do today at the capitol.” – KALB.com

“One of the keys to a long life is exercise. If you put in the hard work, you’ll get results that keep you fit.” – Fox8Live.com

“A gun advocacy group hosted a President’s Day Second Amendment ‘Gun Rights’ rally in Texarkana Monday night.” – KTBS.com

“District 22 Senator Fred Mills joined Rob and Brandon on Acadiana’s Morning News to discuss Governor Edwards’ proposed budget plans, the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and more.” – KPEL965.com

“Louisiana lawmakers have agreed to $38 million in spending cuts across state agencies, one of the first steps to rebalance the state’s budget, The Associated Press reports.” – Business Report

“Louisiana lawmakers spent their first full day of the special budget session, hearing a grim state financial forecast and sifting through various tax hike proposals.” – WWLTV.com

“A Stuart, Fla. resident who is working in Cameron won $50,000 playing Powerball, Louisiana Lottery officials said.” – KPLCTV.com