“Mary L. Landrieu is one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the U.S. Senate, and her chances of reelection this fall could come down to her ability to turn out African American voters like Barbara Brown.” – Los Angeles Times

“This week will be crucial to Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s gambit that state lawmakers will let him ask New Orleans voters to raise their property and sales taxes to pay for police and fire safety improvements.” – NOLA.com

“The police officer at the center of the referee arrest controversy in Covington has turned in his retirement papers.” – WWL-TV

“A recent report from Axiall to the state Department of Environmental Quality reveals more than 100,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals were released during a fire at the company’s Westlake plant in December, an amount that far exceeds what is permitted by state officials.” – Lake Charles American Press

“Lafayette-based PetroQuest Energy reported first-quarter earnings of $10 million, or 15 cents per share, compared to $2.6 million, or 4 cents per share, a year ago, and more than the company’s entire 2013 profit. The company said increased oil production,up 93 percent, and oil and gas revenue boosted results.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“St. George incorporation organizers fear the annexation requests, which were filed late Friday, will invalidate the signatures they have been collecting since last fall. That’s because the petition, by law, includes a map of the existing city limits as well as the proposed new city. Those boundaries will change if the mall and hospitals become part of the city of Baton Rouge.” – Baton Rouge Business Report

“A firefighter was arrested for allegedly taking pictures and recording video of women walking and running around the LSU Lakes on Monday.” – WAFB

“For the fourth year in a row, state Rep. Dee Richard is on a mission to reduce the number of contracts scattered across state government. His co-pilot for the journey is state Treasurer John Kennedy.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“During the final moments of Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s inaugural address this morning, a five or six year-old drum major from The Roots of Music walked timidly out onto the Saenger Theatre’s massive stage, positioning himself in front of the podium. The crowd laughed nervously, not sure whether the tiniest member of the marching band had made a mistake in his choreography, until the mayor drove home the point he made consistently in his remarks: that New Orleans should continue to invest in the next generation to preserve the city’s future.” – New Orleans Gambit

“The Green Army, led by retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, has launched an attack on legislation seeking to uproot a lawsuit filed by a New Orleans area levee board against oil companies blamed for destroying the coast.” – Shreveport Times