“Bernhard’s presence is problematic for Edwards, the state representative from Amite who’s already waging an active campaign for governor. Though he’s well thought of and certainly has the credentials to serve as governor, Edwards isn’t electable. Bernhard is.” – Sam Hanna/Ouachita Citizen

“Exxon Mobil’s fourth-quarter profit fell 16 percent as the company produced slightly less oil and gas and its refining business weakened.” – Monroe News-Star

“Lane Grigsby’s renegade consulting group continues to expand. Earlier this month, John LeBlanc, who has been LABI’s chief fiscal expert since 1998, joined two of his former colleagues to work with Grigsby. LABI’s former CEO, Dan Juneau, and its former governmental affairs director, Ginger Sawyer, teamed up with Grigsby late last year after retiring from LABI to form a loose-knit consulting firm dedicated to taking on pressing state issues. Also new to the team is political consultant Gordon Reese, who has worked with Grigsby in the past on political campaigns but is now officially part of the as-yet-unnamed consulting group.” – Baton Rouge Business Report

“We’re done with the most recent installment of ‘Polar Louisiana’ but our latest Arctic slammer is ending Thursday morning with an exclamation mark! Baton Rouge’s pre-dawn low of 17 degrees wasn’t a record, but it is the lowest reading for the city this winter. In fact, it’s the lowest reading for the Capital City since the low of 15 degrees on Feb. 5, of 1996, nearly 20 years ago! Metro Airport stayed at or below 20 degrees for roughly six hours Thursday morning with temps at or below freezing for 15 hours or more.” – WAFB

“People planning Super Bowl crawfish boils may be out of luck. Farmers say cold has kept crawfish scarce all winter, and many ponds are now iced over.” – Shreveport Times

“Three alleged kickback schemes financed by three crooked businessmen form the backbone of the federal corruption case against former Mayor Ray Nagin, and as expected, those city contractors were listed among the 33 possible witnesses that the government could call at Nagin’s bribery trial, which resumes Thursday after a two-day break for severe weather.” – WWL-TV

“Vancouver-based Methanex spent $145 million during the fourth quarter on the two methanol plants it is moving to Geismar.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“When Gave Cheramie learned that one of her school’s 1,500 students committed suicide at his family’s Galliano home, the South Lafourche High principal convened a meeting with administrators and teachers.” – Tri-Parish Times

“When Joseph “Gabe” Sonnier was selected in November as principal of Port Barre Elementary, there was no need to acquaint himself with details of the campus. After all, Sonnier had already spent 32 years there, including more than 20 as the school’s head custodian.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“One of Jefferson Parish’s oldest Mardi Gras parades announced late Wednesday that it won’t be rolling through the streets of Metairie this year. The captain of the Krewe of Atlas said declining revenue and rising costs forced them to cancel the parade, but they hope to roll again next year.” – WWL-TV