“Vitter was upfront about his rationale. He wanted to block Democratic President Barack Obama from making recess appointments when the Senate was recessed. And Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously, in effect, that the strategy outlined by Vitter and DeMint was valid — that the Senate really wasn’t in recess when the president used his recess appointment authority to name three members to the National Labor Relations Board in 2012.” – NOLA.com

“All this came to mind when I read that Union Theological Seminary in New York City has decided to divest its entire $108.4 million endowment fund of all instruments related to fossil fuel extraction or use. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t much care what Union Theological Seminary has to say about, well, anything. If ever there were an institution out of touch with the mainstream, this is it. Dietrich Bonhoefer, famous Lutheran theologian who was hanged by the Nazis near the end of World War II, summed it up pretty well after his studies there in the 1930s by saying, ‘There is no theology here.'” – David Dodson/Baton Rouge Business Report

“Whether next week’s special meeting of the state’s top school board will include a closed-door session is unclear, the president of the panel said Friday morning. ‘There may or may not be the need for executive session,’ Chas Roemer, president of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, said in a message to colleagues.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“The Mandeville City Council has backed off – temporarily – on a proposed resolution supporting a prohibition on fracking in the parish amid concerns that only one side of the emotional issue is being heard. Despite being urged by several audience members to approve the resolution offered by Councilman David Ellis, the council Thursday night (June 26) deferred action to allow more time to study and possibly refine its stance on the controversial drilling procedure.” – NOLA.com

“At an event held by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President, Stephen Waguespack spoke out against the Governor’s decision to ban common core.” – MyArkLaMiss.com

“More than $134 million in piecemeal funding that Gov. Bobby Jindal and lawmakers used to balance this year’s budget has yet to arrive in the state treasury, with the end of the fiscal year only days away.” – NOLA.com

“In a transaction that had fits and starts, St. Tammany Parish government is moving forward with buying the former Southeast Louisiana Hospital from the state.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“With state Sen. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, officially out of the congressional race in northeast Louisiana, the void is attracting likely candidates from across the 5th District, beginning with one who made a name for himself in Baton Rouge’s political waters. Mike Smith, a Republican from St. Francisville, tells LaPolitics he’s eyeing the race. Smith is president of MDSA Strategic Communications, which deals mostly with corporate public affairs but has also handled political races in the Baton Rouge region in the past.” – Baton Rouge Business Report

“Envisage Equity LLC, which invests in middle market companies with big expansion plans, has invested an undisclosed amount in Baton Rouge-based Marucci Sports LLC, according to R2F Investment Bankers LLC. R2F acted as a strategic adviser to Envisage on the investment in the bat and equipment maker.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“LSU junior right-hander Aaron Nola was named the 2014 National Pitcher of the Year Friday by the College Baseball Foundation. He will be presented with the award Saturday night in Lubbock, Texas, during the annual “Night of Champions” event at the Overton Hotel.” – NOLA.com