NATIONAL

“Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell sat down for a rare face-to-face meeting on the last day of November. The agenda was straightforward — plotting out the legislative agenda for the end of the year — but what transpired has pushed the relationship between the veteran Senate leaders, never warm and fuzzy, to a new low of bitterness and distrust.” – Politico

“Defense Secretary Ash Carter used his personal email account to conduct some of his professional correspondence during his first months on the job earlier this year, the Pentagon admitted late Wednesday.” – Fox News

“The Spire of Dublin has a new look this week in honor of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The Spire is over 350 feet tall and dominates the skyline. Using mostly lighting, they changed it into what is surely the largest ever representation of a lightsaber. It’s really breathtaking, as you can see in this video:” – Red State

“Lindsey Graham still really doesn’t like Donald Trump, but thinks he could be pushed in the right direction on foreign policy with some coaching.” – Mediate

“It took just one question about Marco Rubio’s signature legislative achievement, the Senate’s Gang of Eight comprehensive immigration reform bill, to expose the tortured divisions inside the Republican field on the question of immigration. Rubio offered a talking-points answer that embraced a position — a path to citizenship — that is anathema to many Republicans, while at the same time sidestepping some key questions about his policy proposals. Then rival Ted Cruz rewrote his own history on the subject, followed by aides explaining that Cruz has now adopted a position — ‘attrition through enforcement’ — that is likely to rekindle old fights in the GOP.” – Washington Examiner

“Mike Huckabee, a longtime ally of Tony Perkins and other conservative leaders who last week secretly voted to endorse Ted Cruz for president, says it’s ‘disappointing’ the group decided to back a relative newcomer like Cruz.” – National Review

“According to survey data released today, drinking and cigarette smoking are less common among teenagers today than at any point in the last four decades. In this year’s Monitoring the Future (MTF) Study, which is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, 35.3 percentof high school seniors reported that they had consumed alcohol in the previous month, compared to 68.2 percent in 1975, when the survey began. Past-month cigarette smoking fell from 36.7 percent to 11.4 percent during the same period.” – Reason.com

“In recent months, Denmark has taken a fairly harsh stance toward refugees. In September, for example, authorities published an ad in Lebanese newspapers carrying an unmistakable message to foreigners who might think about seeking asylum: Don’t come to Denmark.” – Hot Air

“Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)’s first major legislative achievement is a total and complete sell-out of the American people masquerading as an appropriations bill.” – Breitbart

“Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was confronted by a Fox News Channel host Wednesday over previous comments he had previously made in favor of legalizing individuals who are in the U.S. illegally.” – The Blaze

LOUISIANA

“Many people take the humorous approach when it comes to family Christmas card photos. But what happens when that photo goes viral and threats begin pouring in. That’s what has happened to Rosepine natives, Lanie and James Johnson.” – KALB.com

“Those pushing to keep New Orleans’ Confederate monuments where they stand are hopeful about Thursday’s council meeting – but not optimistic.” – Fox8Live.com

“The National Guard Bureau will deploy 13 new cyber protection teams composed of about 500 soldiers across the nation to help protect the network infrastructure, the military arm announced Dec. 9. The Air Guard will also deploy four new ‘Cyber Operations Squadrons’ in Idaho, Michigan, Texas and Virginia, along with a “cyber Information Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) squadron” in California and a “cyber ISR group” in Massachusetts. Collectively the deployments are geared toward a federal effort to protect against mounting cyberthreats. The teams will run simulations, and share contacts, information and resources with local organizations to help thwart and prevent attacks.” – GoVTech.com

“Gov.-elect John Bel Edwards tapped an ex-congressman and a former state representative among several appointments to his cabinet and personal staff announced Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 16).” – NOLA.com

“With a new governor about to take over the reins of state, LSU and other Louisiana colleges are making a full court press for more funding. They have a good argument to make. But what do taxpayers get in return? Have universities like LSU made their case for what they are presently doing with the money they have been receiving up until now?” – Jim Brown

“A man who barricaded himself in his grandmother’s house in Kenner on Wednesday (Dec. 16), resisting SWAT team efforts to lure him out, is wanted in connection with a shooting that happened on Friday, police said. The SWAT team was releasing tear gas into the house at 3215 Northwestern Drive about 1:30 p.m. to flush him out, said Lt. Brian McGregor, a Police Department spokesman.” – NOLA.com

“Though he says he won’t make a decision until after the Christmas holidays, Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle most likely will enter the U.S. Senate race to succeed David Vitter. If Angelle gets in, his candidacy will play a pivotal role in separating the men from the boys.” – HannaPub.com

“The man accused of killing a JPSO deputy will be extradited to Louisiana. U.S. marshals picked up 48-year-old James Darby Tuesday morning in Tuscaloosa, Ala.” – Fox8Live.com