BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT | Staff writer Rep. Steve Scalise is set to be one of the most powerful people in Congress. The Louisiana congressman's Republican colleagues unanimously voted him majority leader, which will make him the Speaker of the House's second in command if Republicans take the chamber as expected. Here's what that means for Scalise and his home state. Remember that one time Garth Brooks played Tiger Stadium, and it got so loud the seismograph picked it up? The country superstar remembers it too, and he won't stop talking about it. Here's how Brooks brought up the once-in-a-lifetime show in announcing a residency in Las Vegas. Baton Rouge's chief public defender, Lisa Parker, has already been facing controversy, including a slew of resignations, calls from a state legislator for her to resign, and criticism by at least one local judge. But now judges in Ascension, Assumption and St. James Parishes are also raising concerns; Parker was temporarily appointed to oversee their district too, during a search for a full replacement. We obtained a letter from those judges complaining of missed court dates, poor communication and other problems. Here's what they said. |