NATIONAL

“The Obama administration is giving in to Iranian demands about the scope of its nuclear program as negotiators work to finalize a framework agreement in the coming days, according to sources familiar with the administration’s position in the negotiations.” – Washington Free Beacon

“Saudi Arabia will not rule out building or acquiring nuclear weapons, the country’s ambassador to the United States has indicated.” – UK Independent

“Iran’s foreign minister sought Friday to dismiss concerns that his country’s preoccupation with the crisis in Yemen could pre-empt attempts to find common ground at nuclear talks with six world powers, saying the negotiations remained focused on sealing a deal.” – AP

“Mr. Obama, for reasons known only to him, reserves his most potent love bombs for Islam, perhaps in gratitude for the early education he received in Islamic schools in Indonesia. He was so blinded by gratitude that he can’t see the Islamic radicals everyone else sees clearly. No one at the White House dare call radical Islamic terrorists either ‘Islamic’ or ‘radical.'” – Wesley Pruden/Washington Times

“Senator Harry Reid, the tough tactician who has led Senate Democrats since 2005, will not seek re-election next year, bringing an end to a three-decade congressional career that culminated with his push of President Obama’s ambitious agenda against fierce Republican resistance.” – NY Times

“Former Taliban prisoner and U.S. Army soldier Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl told military investigators that he left his base in June 2009 to report on misconduct in his unit and always intended to come right back. That will also be his defense if and when he faces a court martial for desertion, according to his lawyer.” – Bloomberg

“But the Bergdahl situation matters at a different level than that. It matters because the White House, when confronted by who Bergdahl once, sought to smear the people who pointed out he was a deserter instead of dealing with reality. The smears included attacking honorable American soldiers who dared to point out their colleague was a deserter.” – Erick Erickson/RedState

“So, to recap: The Wall Street Journal claimed yesterday that Walker told an audience of New Hampshire Republicans that he supported a path to citizenship, which was — supposedly — a flip-flop from what Walker’s been telling reporters lately about opposing ‘amnesty.’ Except that it’s not a flip-flop, as I tried to explain. Walker’s supported a path to citizenship for nearly 15 years. As recently as this month, when asked by Chris Wallace if he can imagine a path to citizenship if illegals paid a penalty first, he replied, ‘I believe there’s a way you can do that.’ No flip-flop!” – Hot Air

“Documents obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation indicate that the wife of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders may have been able to use her clout to get away with loan fraud, nearly bankrupting the small college she was president of and collecting a sizable severance package in the process.” – Daily Caller

“Peddlers of grievances on ironic occasion embody the stereotypes they seek to eradicate. They might do better to police their own behaviors that advance stereotypes than to police those who simplistically apply impressions of individuals wholesale to groups. But it’s always easier to cast blame on external forces, if less effective, than to correct internal deficiencies.” – American Spectator

LOUISIANA

“Mr. Blow’s column and your editorial critical of my record as governor provide good examples of how liberals at The New York Times and I have a different opinion on how to measure successful governance and what it looks like in practice.” – Bobby Jindal/New York Times

“Higher education leaders are eyeing Gulf oil spill recovery money as a possible long-term financing source for Louisiana’s college campuses.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Lawmakers who want to scale back the tax breaks Louisiana doles out to businesses don’t appear to have public support on their side. A poll released Thursday from LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab says 72 percent of respondents support cutting taxes on business to attract them to the state. And 55 percent favor using state tax dollars to pay companies to come to Louisiana.” – Lake Charles American Press

“If the state takes away the Inventory tax, local government, and the local taxpayer, will suffer tremendously. It has just been announced that with a reduction in the value of tax assessments in inventory, the millage rate for our residents and businesses will have to increase, not because local government will want to, but in order to meet bondholder requirements for pay back in bond issues, local government will have to raise the millage (i.e. taxes) for everyone.” – Ronnie Harris/LAPolitics.com

“LSU’s Acacia fraternity has been shuttered — at least through 2018 — after the university concluded that it had hazed new members last fall. According to LSU, the university was notified of several allegations against the fraternity, including forced alcohol consumption and physical violence.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“The Independence Bowl is searching for a new title sponsor while making plans for a 2015 game. The bowl and Duck Commander parted ways earlier this week. On Thursday, the bowl made the announcement official with a press release saying both the bowl and Duck Commander mutually agreed to conclude the arrangement that lasted only one year.” – Shreveport Times

“According to sources, Southern University has suspended athletic director Dr. William Broussard for his role in the school’s reporting of APR data to the NCAA, although a statement released by the school calls the move a ‘temporary reassignment.'” – WAFB

“The U.S. Senate agreed Thursday to a proposal by David Vitter, R-La., to shield states from any negative effects of federal policy due to rejecting or abandoning the use of the Common Core educational standards.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“The San Antonio judge involved in one of Tom Benson’s family legal fights says the billionaire is ‘at war with himself.’ The Benson family power struggle plays out in court and in the public eye. You can find a list of recent FOX 8 stories and court documents connected to the drama.” – Fox 8 Live

Judge Tom Rickhoff used those words in a March 9 letter recently filed in a Texas federal court. The letter is written to the two receivers he appointed to replace Benson at trustee of the Texas trust fund.

“The last time LSU quarterback Brandon Harris talked to the media it was all about atoning for a miserable 2014 season. After LSU’s ninth spring practice Thursday, Harris sounded convinced that he’s well on his way. Harris was positively bubbly after what he called a great practice where he “threw a lot of touchdowns” and the spring in general where he seems to be having the fun he expected to happen last season.” – NOLA.com