NYT Columnist Blames Scott Walker for Teacher Layoffs That Occurred Before He Was Governor  —  New York Times columnist Gail Collins writes about Wisconsin governor Scott Walker's recent speech in Iowa: … There are two problems in this section of Collins's column: First …

Massive FBI investigation targets Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, Cylvia Hayes  —  U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall's office is overseeing a federal grand jury investigation into Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes.  (The Oregonian)  —  A federal grand jury in Portland …

Obama adviser John Podesta's biggest regret: Keeping America in dark about UFOs  —  Yahoo News 14 hrs ago  —  Outgoing senior Obama adviser John Podesta reflected on his latest White House stint Friday, listing his favorite moments and biggest regrets from the past year.

Barbara Bush: ‘I changed my mind’ about Bush dynasty  —  BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Two years ago, former first lady Barbara Bush said there had been “enough Bushes” in the White House.  —  On Friday night here, the family matriarch declared — lest there be any doubt — that she had changed her mind.

Obama intends to ‘run through the tape’  —  President Obama says he is ready to “run through the tape” to promote his agenda during his final two years in office.  —  “I've only got two years left, but two years is a long time,” the president told Democratic supporters at a fundraiser in San Francisco on Friday.

Two dead in shooting at New Orleans Mardi Gras parade  —  Reuters 16 hrs ago  —  NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Two people were killed in a shooting during a popular parade in New Orleans, police said on Friday, in an event shaking the city as it prepares for additional revelry culminating in Mardi Gras on Tuesday.

Naked Came The Class Warriors  —  Shaila Dewan, in the Upshot, notes that a number of Republican governors are proposing tax increases — but that in every case the tax hike would fall most heavily on those with lower incomes, and many are proposing simultaneous tax cuts for business and/or the wealthy.

Senate GOP pushes pro-Netanyahu resolution  —  If congressional Republican wanted to make the ongoing controversy surrounding Benjamin Netanyahu even more of a partisan food fight, this is clearly the way to do exactly that. … How subtle.  —  If Cornyn is expecting unanimous support for his resolution …

Family: Deadly Pasco shooting not racially motivated  —  PASCO, Wash. - Witnesses say a man was running away when he was shot by police officers in Pasco who had responded to a report he was throwing rocks at cars.  —  Witnesses told the Tri-City Herald Antonio Zambrano-Montes had run …

Money Makes Crazy  —  Monetary policy probably won't be a major issue in the 2016 campaign, but it should be.  It is, after all, extremely important, and the Republican base and many leading politicians have strong views about the Federal Reserve and its conduct.