| By DREW BROACH | Staff writer |
ADVICE AND DISSENT: Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s staff advisers, along with some from outside her administration, wrapped up interviews with six semifinalists for New Orleans police chief, even as members of the City Council balked at the secretive process and threatened to block the mayor’s nominee. The external advisers recommended these three finalists for the job. HIGHER STANDARD: Most Louisiana public school systems require seventh and eighth graders to pass three out of four classes in the core curriculum to advance to the next grade. St. Tammany Parish, controversially, has decided to raise the bar. WHERE THE WILD THINGS GROW: Remember the Madore family, who scattered wildflower seeds across their front yard in Metairie, spawning a garden that attracted butterflies, bees, dragonflies and a code enforcement citation? The government has agreed to let them keep the garden, with certain conditions. Welcome to the weekend. See the latest news, sports and entertainment coverage at NOLA.com. Drew. | 