NATIONAL

“On the first day of a two-day Iowa swing back in August, Jeb Bush flew from Davenport to Ankeny in a private plane. The next day, after he spent more than four hours bounding around the State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, a top adviser attributed Bush’s high energy level to having spent less time in transit.” – Politico

“President Obama announced Thursday he will keep 5,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016, in a stark reversal from earlier pledges to end the war on his watch — though Republicans still questioned whether the residual force will be enough to support Afghan forces and U.S. allies.” – Fox News

“Thanks to George Washington, Barack Obama cannot seek a third term, but the president confidently proclaimed this week that he believes he could secure another four years in the White House — a boast some analysts quickly cast as wholly unrealistic, perhaps even politically delusional.” – Washington Times

“Weighing In – A.F. Branco political cartoon” – Conservative Daily News

“Our 8th Annual RedState Gathering is going to be in Denver next year. Yes, I will be there as head of the host committee.” – Red State

“Republican presidential contender Dr. Ben Carson has put his public campaign events on hold for two more weeks to go on book tour for his new tome “A More Perfect Union” and catch up on fundraising events…” – Hot Air

“While the House Speakership remains in limbo, plans to repeal Obamacare via reconciliation are still moving forward. Last week, the House Budget Committee advanced the bill, which would gut key Obamacare provisions, along with defunding Planned Parenthood for a year–to the House floor (via the Hill):” – Town Hall

“Texas rancher Ken Aderholt said he emerged frustrated from a Tuesday night Bureau of Land Management meeting in Fort Worth — full of many of the same unanswered questions and growing concerns about the land that’s been in his family for over 70 years.” – The Blaze

“Ahead of its required disclosure of third quarter fundraising, the Jeb Bush campaign says it is cutting back and being more frugal in its campaign spending.” – Breitbart

“For many Dems, Bernie Sanders won Tuesday night’s debate, but judging from this chyron on MSNBC last night, Hillary Clinton can still do no wrong:” – Twitchy

LOUISIANA

“Democrat John Bel Edwards leads the pack in the race to be Louisiana’s next governor, according to a new WAFB-TV/Raycom Media poll. But a whopping 37% of voters are still undecided, the poll shows.” – WAFB.com

“Louisiana’s four major candidates for governor have spent $13.5 million on the race, with Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter’s campaign shelling out $6.2 million of that on its own.” – Washington Times

“A small plane has crashed near Hammond Northshore Regional Airport in Louisiana, witnesses and federal officials say, but details about casualties are not yet available.” – BNONews.com

“In an effort to clear the more than 100,000 outstanding misdemeanor warrants currently clogging the court system, Baton Rouge officials to turn the city’s jail into a temporary 24-hour misdemeanor jail using money set aside by law for that purpose. ” – WAFB.com

“The teacher’s union that has a monopoly agreement with the Vermilion Parish School Board is the Vermilion Association of Educators (VAE), as I’ve discussed previously. They’re a local chapter of the Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE), which is a state chapter of the National Education Association (NEA). The VAE and LAE, local and state chapters respectively, like to pretend that they only focus on education issues. However, their parent organization doesn’t even pretend. I’d like to bring some attention to the NEA’s platform, where they state:” – Preaux Teacher

“The 7th Annual Zombie Walk of Alexandria will be held Saturday.” – KATC.com

“Kyle Green Jr., a Marrero Democrat who is challenging state Rep. Robert Billiot in the race for Jefferson Parish’s House District 83 seat, was accused of hitting, kicking, and choking his wife last year, court records show.” – NOLA.com

“Proposed increases in federal environmental regulations and volatile energy prices could hamper Louisiana’s economic growth over the next two years, according to economist Loren Scott, who delivered his annual economic outlook at Business Report’s Top 100 Luncheon today.” – Business Report

“Washington, DC – The coalition of conservatives and conservative organizations that recently forced Rep. Kevin McCarthy to forsake his pursuit of the the top post in the United States House today launched a campaign opposing Rep. Paul Ryan.” – Psychlone Contacts

“You knew it was coming. For 30 minutes and 47 seconds South Carolina had done the impossible: contain Leonard Fournette.” – Sports Illustrated