“After my first-ever sit-down interview last week with U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, running for the U.S. Senate against Democrat Mary Landrieu in the fall, two overriding impressions emerge. Both impressions will make it harder for Landrieu to defeat Cassidy’s challenge.” – Quin Hillyer/Baton Rouge Advocate

“From the looks of the lively 700 block of Bourbon Street Sunday night, you would have never known shots broke out there less than 24 hours earlier. Nine people were wounded, some of whom were visiting from out of town.” – WWL-TV

“The controversial environmental damages lawsuit filed by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East against 92 oil, gas and pipeline companies will remain in federal court, a federal judge ruled on Friday.” – NOLA.com

“Walking the perimeter of the sitting room in the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion, it is easy to forget that the palatial plantation-style house is home to a family of actual human beings. Paintings rest on carefully positioned easels, and well-fluffed couch cushions are placed just so on ornate, unsittable furniture. The sole sign of life: a pile of lesson books spread untidily across the top of a piano in the far corner of the room.” – BuzzFeed

“The Progressive Northshore Democrats has joined the list of organizations that oppose fracking in St. Tammany Parish. The political organization said it opposes the granting of any permits that would allow Helis Oil & Gas of New Orleans to dig a well near Mandeville and use the controversial hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, method to obtain oil from a layer of shale.” – NOLA.com

“The Baton Rouge Metro Council is again contemplating an anti-discrimination measure supported by the gay community, but it’s unclear how the proposal will fare when council members cast their votes.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Yes, as we know, national political eyes are now on Louisiana, more so than other states where Democrats could lose U. S. Senate seats come November.  If those races end up as they now stand, our nation’s last election in determining which party controls the U. S. Senate would be a December run-off for Senator Mary Landrieu’s seat.” – Forward-Now

“Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman has asked voters to decide this fall whether he can use tax dollars collected to pay off his office’s construction debts to also pay part of the cost to operate the city’s troubled lockup.” – NOLA.com

“Synthetic marijuana is illegal to use in Louisiana. It’s becoming the new drug of choice — exceeding cocaine — because many users think it’s a safe, modified version of marijuana. It’s not, say law enforcement and health officials.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Gov. Bobby Jindal proposed a light agenda to lawmakers, but he put a strong stamp on the 2014 legislative session through his vetoes, many of which struck down bills that had received overwhelming support in the House and Senate.” – Shreveport Times