Louisiana’s senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the White House botched the handling of a Chinese spy balloon that flew over the whole USA last week. During his weekly press teleconference, Cassidy said he feels the president’s failure to react to the first balloon makes us look vulnerable to foreign powers, and places our national security at risk…:

CUT 04 (09)      “…to our airspace.”

At least 3 unidentified objects have been shot down in the days since.

A silent alarm at the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement unit building, Sunday night, alerted deputies of a break-in. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tommy Carnline says officers found 33-year-old Monica Matthews had gotten in to use the bathroom, she told them. Carnline says she faces several charges…:

CUT 10 (09)      “…run free.”

Nothing was taken from the sheriff’s building.

A Mandeville state lawmaker files legislation for the spring session that would give local governments the authority they need to remove members of local library control boards, should they feel the need. Republican Representative Paul Hollis says this is about kids getting access to adult reading material, and taxpayers shouldn’t be asked to pay for some of the books he’s seen in libraries…:

CUT 08 (12)      “…your mind.”

In Tangipahoa Parish, citizen efforts have successfully stayed the euthanization of 65-year-old Ponchatoula city mascot Hardhide the alligator. Her owner, T-Mike Kliebert, says she’ll get to spend her remaining years instead on the Kliebert family farm…:

Cut 14  (05)      “…her life.”

Numerous people petitioned state Wildlife & Fisheries to NOT put Hardhide to sleep.