“Residents living above an oil-rich shale formation that stretches across southwest Mississippi and Louisiana have been waiting on a boom for years. A steady trickle of drilling is already boosting the rural region’s economy, and spending by two oil companies could make 2014 the year that many other locals finally cash in on the oil far beneath their feet.” – Yahoo! News

“There was a lot of chatter before Cassidy announced his campaign that Congressman John Fleming would try to take on Landrieu.  Maginnis told KEEL Morning News that some conservatives might still want Fleming instead.” – KEEL

“Sentencing for a former BP engineer found guilty of obstructing justice in the government’s investigation of the Deepwater Horizon disaster has been pushed back while his lawyers fight the conviction.” – WDSU

“‘Made in NOLA’ — that’s where health and environmental experts want Mardi Gras throws to come from. They say beads from China are made from toxic waste the U.S. ships off, and they’re concerned it ends up in our bodies, landfills and water supply.” – Lafayette Advertiser

“Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal’s latest moves indicate he is gearing up for a presidential bid.” – National Review

“Over a five-year period, state government gave up about $3 billion in taxes to encourage companies to come to Louisiana or to stay here, according to a report prepared by Purpera and his financial auditors. That’s out of a $5.4 billion that otherwise would have been collected through ‘corporate and franchise tax.'” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Louisiana lawmakers are seeking alternative methods to pay down state pension debt this year, by filing legislation ahead of the 2014 session to raise the retirement age for new hires and even tax marijuana if it should ever be legalized. Meanwhile, pension leaders hope lawmakers will also turn their attention to approving benefits increases for state workers who haven’t seen cost-of-living adjustments since 2008.” – NOLA.com

“Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, edging closer to the end of his second term in office, is sounding more and more like a possible presidential candidate in 2016.” – Shreveport Times

“This winter’s record snowfalls haven’t been widespread enough to create anything more than typical high water farther south on the Mississippi River, National Weather Service hydrologist Jeff Graschel said.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“The NAACP filed a federal lawsuit this month seeking to make it easier for a minority to win election to one of Terrebonne’s five district judge seats.” – Houma Courier