LOUISIANA

“Using stuffed pink unicorns to dispel what they call myths about Common Core, officials of a statewide group that backs the standards said Wednesday morning they are launching a marketing campaign to defeat legislative efforts to repeal the overhaul.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“The bill’s author, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, proposed a series of amendments for his religious freedom bill this week, after it became obvious several Louisiana legislators weren’t comfortable supporting the legislation. Gov. Bobby Jindal has made the bill a priority, and his office worked with Johnson to adjust the proposal, so it would be more amenable to members.” – NOLA.com

“Protecting their rights is what Louisiana’s Marriage and Conscience Act (H.B. 707) would do. This bill would prohibit the government from taking ‘any adverse action against a person’ due to that person’s ‘religious belief[s] or moral convictions[s] about the institution of marriage.'” – Daily Signal

“State legislators are weeks away from settling on a solution to Louisiana’s huge budget deficit, but on Tuesday, they said one thing is clear: They don’t expect much help from Gov. Bobby Jindal in solving the problem.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“This much has not changed: Jindal will veto any attempt at a net tax increase. He is willing, however, to support a tax increase if it is offset by either a tax cut, credit or rebate elsewhere in the budget. The concept is supposed to reflect ‘revenue neutrality,’ a term that may as well be a four-letter word around the Capitol. The policy structure is driving lawmakers crazy, but most recognize it as one that must be followed.” – LAPolitics.com

“Before taking over as East Baton Rouge Parish’s next school superintendent, Warren Drake is likely to spend May and June as a consultant, working in tandem with outgoing Superintendent Bernard Taylor.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“It is imperative Congress has its say on a deal with far-reaching and historic implications like the current negotiations with Iran,” said Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette. “The Administration’s eagerness to cut a deal has cast serious doubt on whether we have pursued all possible avenues, using every available tool in our toolbox to get the best possible deal.” – NOLA.com

“Healthcare and higher education were at the forefront of impassioned public testimony as the Louisiana House of Representatives Appropriations committee heard citizens talk about programs and schools that make a difference in their lives. Parents of children in need of special services told the stories of their families and the need to restore funding to the programs that serve their needs.” – Alexandria Town Talk

“Percy Sledge, singer of ‘When a Man Loves a Woman,’ the wrenching soul classic and No. 1 hit from 1966, died Tuesday morning in Baton Rouge.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“School Board members said they’re going to investigate claims of discrimination at South Terrebonne High following one mother’s complaint about cheerleading tryouts where the boys didn’t have to compete.” – Houma Courier

NATIONAL

“If the intent of the Hillary campaign machine is to portray her as a woman of the people, a champion of the little gal, the staging of her rollout has been shockingly counterproductive. Because she will be raising more than a billion dollars and already has at her command vast resources, we cannot attribute the ongoing fiasco to short staffing or lack of expert advice.” – American Thinker

“Hillary Clinton ignored questions from congressional investigators in December 2012 about her use of a personal e-mail account while secretary of state.” – Fox News

“Because of her global profile and the lack of other prominent Democrats in the field, the former first lady, Senator and Secretary of State enters the race in a position that is perhaps unmatched in modern U.S. presidential politics. However, the path she’s on has striking similarities to another potential candidate who has already noted he has no intention of running: Mitt Romney.” – Las Vegas Review-Journal

“Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Tuesday that the U.S. should be doing more to reassure NATO allies in the face of Russian aggression. Rubio said Russia was deploying spy ships and provocative air patrols at a level not seen since during the Cold War in the 1960s.” – The Hill

“On Monday, I wrote about how Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) is the foreign policy antithesis to Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) in the 2016 GOP presidential field, frequently sparring directly with his fellow member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. To collect some of Rubio’s foreign-policy uber-hawkery in one place, I’ve compiled a list of seven highly questionable judgments by the Cuban-American freshman senator.” – Matt Welch/Reason

“The announcement was made over the weekend that CBS News would be replacing the 78-year old Bob Schieffer as the host of its Face The Nation Sunday show with a representative of a new generation of biased leftwing Beltway insiders.” – Scott McKay/American Spectator

“Loretta Lynch is still waiting to be confirmed as attorney general, and her allies are hoping a hunger strike will do the trick.” – POLITICO

“Labor giant SEIU invested about $20 million on worker organizing committees in 2014, and they’re going to see a return on that investment on Wednesday as protesters assemble outside McDonald’s.” – Washington Free Beacon

“Just before the pre-interview commercial break, Jarrett walked on-set and could be seen hugging BBC anchor Katty Kay and ABC commentator Cokie Roberts. Jarrett was about to give anchor Mika Brzezinski a hug as well, when one of the show’s graphics was played over the shot of the studio. Just before the show cut to commercial, co-host Joe Scarborough could be heard saying, ‘Valerie, come give me a hug.'” – Breitbart

“Former Patriots star Aaron Hernandez has been convicted on all counts in the June 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, including first-degree murder. He has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.” – Boston.com