This fall will see some important races of local interest on the ballot in addition to the presidential race. The Bayou State will elect a new United States senator and the 4th Congressional District will elect a new member to the U.S. House of Representatives.

I have a daily ritual. If possible, at 5:30 p.m. every day, I sit down with a rum and coke with a little cherry juice added in to watch the national news followed by the local news. After that hour is over, I am either depressed, angry or befuddled. Sometimes all three.