NATIONAL

“The Republican nominee suggests the U.S. should only defend NATO allies if they’ve paid their bills.” – Politico

“A defiant Ted Cruz on Thursday defended his decision not to endorse Donald Trump in his convention address, holding his ground during remarks to the Texas delegation.” – Fox News

“If 2016 is a disaster, Cruz will be the only major Republican to emerge from the Trump fiasco with his principles intact.” – The Federalist

“Late Wednesday night, a source within the Cruz team informed Daily Wire exclusively that the Trump campaign had sandbagged Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) over his speech at the Republican National Convention. Cruz spoke at the RNC, where he congratulated Trump on his campaign victory, then spoke about the necessity for freedom and finally stated that Americans should ‘vote your conscience.‘ He was met with resounding boos on the floor of the convention; his wife Heidi had to be rushed from the room; according to reports, one Republican delegate physically accosted Cruz, and Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson refused to meet with Cruz.” – Daily Wire

“Donald J. Trump, on the eve of accepting the Republican nomination for president, said Wednesday that if he were elected, he would not pressure Turkey or other authoritarian allies about conducting purges of their political adversaries or cracking down on civil liberties. The United States, he said, has to ‘fix our own mess’ before trying to alter the behavior of other nations.” – NY Times

“Happy hour in the jungle would be happy indeed. Tests show that two monkey-like creatures are fond of alcohol – and the stronger, the better.” – USA Today

“For decades commentators from left and right have decried the decline of morality, arguing that Americans are, in one form or another, increasingly likely to put their own selfish interests before the needs of society.” – Today.YouGov.com

“Among the unprecedented phenomenon on display here in Cleveland is the role of the Trump family. Specifically, the children of the nominee for president, Donald Trump. Tuesday night, Tiffany Trump and Donald J. Trump Jr. delivered prime-time speeches at the Republican National Convention.” – The Washington Post

“Sen. Ted Cruz did little to unify the Republican Party Wednesday night.” – The Blaze

LOUISIANA

“Tuesday morning on 710 KEEL, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry Spoke with Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about Sunday’s tragedy in Baton Rouge, what he said to the families of the victims, and what we can do to protect our law enforcement officers.” – 710Keel.com

“The man who ambushed and killed three law enforcement officers in Louisiana purportedly described his actions as a ‘necessary evil‘ in a self-described, handwritten manifesto that an Ohio man says was emailed to him by the gunman less than an hour before the shootings.” – KMBC.com

“Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., R-Alto, officially qualified for re-election at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge on Wednesday.” – MyArkLaMiss.com

“There has been much talk from elected office wannabes over the past few months, but this week we will find out who will run and who will not.” – BayouBuzz.com

“The mayor of Baton Rouge, whose city is embroiled in the aftermath of shootings and protests, has signed up to run for a congressional seat.” – WWL.com

“The Latest on the elections sign-up period (all times local): 4:40 p.m.” – Argus-Press.com

“Today is my 6,000th show. 
Can you believe it? The fact that there were so many people willing to back me and give me this amazing opportunity as well as continue to. I can’t thank everyone enough. From my sponsors, to the stations that put me on air, my family for putting up with me, and importantly you, the listeners. I couldn’t make it without you. Thank you!” –Facebook.com

“A 21-year-old man is in jail, accused of robbing and dragging a 95-year-old woman in front of Oak Court Mall.” – Fox8Live.com

“Saints quarterback Drew Brees looked like a guy in his mid-20s instead of a 36-year-old in Saturday’s preseason game against the New England Patriots. Brees is coming off a season where he threw 17 interceptions, some at critical times, and admitted an oblique injury and another undisclosed injury led to poor technique.”- LouisianaRadioNetwork.com

“Former lieutenant governor Bill Dodd, who passed away in 1991, wrote a book about Earl Long’s influence over Louisiana politics and explained that corruption here is ‘a way of life, inherited, and made quasi-respectable and legal by the French freebooters who founded’ our unique and colorful form of governance.” – LaPolitics.com