“Can Rob Maness take a hint?  Establishment Republicans would like the outsider candidate to get out of the way so that Bill Cassidy can take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu one on one in November.  That message was sent again on Monday in Shreveport.” – KTBS

“Louisiana could face a $1.2 billion budget shortfall next year, based on projections discussed during a Joint Legislative Budget Committee meeting Thursday. Barry Dusse, director of the governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, told lawmakers that the administration is looking for solutions to address the grim projection.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“The president of the LSU Alumni Association, Dr. Charlie Roberts, resigned Wednesday afternoon in the midst of a pending lawsuit related to a sex scandal.” – WAFB

“About 6,900 of the 101,700 Louisianians who bought health insurance through the Affordable Care Act could lose their coverage unless they provide documents to the federal government proving their citizenship and immigration status.” – NOLA.com

“Advocates for the so-called ‘fairness ordinance’ were disappointed — but not surprised — by the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council’s resounding vote Wednesday to reject a proposed local law banning discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Authorities said a maintenance man working at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola was arrested Wednesday afternoon on allegations of inappropriate conduct with an inmate.” – WAFB

“As New Orleans immigrant rights advocates gathered Thursday to march on behalf of a detained Honduran immigrant, they learned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement planned to release the man later in the day.” – NOLA.com

“With all the focus on Thursday’s debut of the SEC Network, ESPN’s Dan Margulis said the joke around the network studios in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been ‘What will we do Aug. 15?’ Of course, there is a plan. The SEC Network is no one-off media event, like a single game or a concert.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“A state judge has refused a Jindal administration request to throw out much of a lawsuit against the governor accusing him of illegally meddling in the use of Common Core education standards.” – NOLA.com

“Sophomore Anthony Jennings and freshman Brandon Harris remain in a deadlock for the No. 1 quarterback job entering the first significant scrimmage, as far as number of plays, on Saturday morning.” – Shreveport Times