“We’re now two weeks away from the end of what some are calling one of the most quiet legislative sessions we’ve had in Louisiana under Governor Bobby Jindal’s Administration. Jeremy Alford with Lapolitics.com says by far the biggest issue left for lawmakers to work out is the funding mechanism for public schools.” – WWL-TV

“The Louisiana Legislature has turned into a burial ground for sweeping anti-Common Core bills, which means the last hope for critics of the new academic standards and tests is Gov. Bobby Jindal.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Bob Odom, who served seven terms as Louisiana’s agriculture commissioner and was a top Democratic powerbroker in his heyday, died Saturday, his long-time aide said.” – NOLA.com

“Unlike Kathleen, there are many people in Baton Rouge willing to take a firm stance on the issue of incorporating St. George. According to a December 2013 poll conducted by LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, 40 percent of the registered voters contacted inside the proposed incorporation area supported creating a new, independent city, and 35 percent opposed the idea. But that says nothing of the parish as a whole, which was 50-29 against the incorporation in the poll.” – New Orleans Gambit

“A $3.6 billion spending plan for public schools cleared its second hurdle Monday morning when the Senate Finance Committee approved it. The vote was 10-1. The measure, Senate Concurrent Resolution 55, next faces action in the full Senate. The plan is known inside state government as the Minimum Foundation Program, or MFP.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Another legislative session, another pile of rejected bills to rework Louisiana’s free college tuition program called TOPS.” – NOLA.com

“U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, brought four of his Republican colleagues for a visit to our region, giving them a chance to see where much of our nation’s energy is produced and giving locals a chance to share some of our unique challenges with some influential officials.” – Thibodaux Daily Comet

“As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers puts the finishing touches on its enhanced $14.5 billion storm protection system for New Orleans, Corps and local officials see it as the best protection the city has ever had. But some engineers and storm experts familiar with the system’s history see something else.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Nicolas Cage just can’t stay away from New Orleans, it would seem. On Friday (May 16) — the same day that his latest film, the acclaimed, Southern-set drama ‘Joe,’ opened in the Crescent City — it was revealed that one of the former Oscar winner’s next roles will be as a Louisiana congressman tainted by a sex scandal in a political drama titled ‘The Runner.'” – NOLA.com

“The Big Easy, Naptown or the Twin Cities. That’s the choice facing NFL owners when they vote Tuesday on the site of the next Super Bowl, choosing between New Orleans, Indianapolis and Minneapolis.” – Fox8Live