The Case of the Missing Quorum reached fever pitch today, as City Councilpeople Cynthia Hedge-Morrell and Jon Johnson didn't show up for the first meeting called since the duo walked out of the May 3 meeting in protest. Another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, and the four Councillors who showed up this morning hoped the absent members would shed some light on their intentions by the end of the day. But instead they issued a statement about a different sort of light.

For proponents of the new Tulane Stadium, the best defense might be a good offense. Plans for the stadium were stymied earlier this month when the City Council approved an Interim Zoning District, which prevents the university from moving forward on the project without approval from the city. Despite the setback, Tulane continues to mount an offensive attack, agreeing with the City to a series of three community forums over the next couple of months and also filing a suit appealing the City Council’s decision on the IZD.

In the wake of two recent drowning incidents, the University of New Orleans is shutting off public access to the sandy beach that is the former site of Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park. On weekends, large crowds gather at the spot to barbecue, take in the sun and, despite no swimming signs, to wade in the water. But the deaths of Bilder Lopez and Shone Badon, both 17, in separate swimming accidents over the last two months have pushed UNO to restrict further access. In a statement, the university said they plan to close the beach "until further notice" and ramp up security. "No Trespassing signs will be posted soon," the statement said.

In addition to knowing their way around a pie, Bywater's Michael Friedman and Greg Augarten have been picking up some other business know-how lately. The storefront that the duo behind Pizza Delicious are hoping to turn into a permanent restaurant has required some quick construction learning. And, as NPR points out, they've also had to navigate the unseemly waters of Facebook advertising. On today's Morning Edition, the Planet Money team spotlights the pizza duo's negligible success with Facebook advertising in front of the social media company's gargantuan IPO. Read the story here.

While Chad Ochocinco's appeal might've rang a certain bell for Roger Goodell, the NFL commish is now getting calls from another body that's not afraid to weigh in on business that they're not really a part of. The state Senate took some time out from working out the budget to consider a tough resolution  yesterday asking Goodell to reconsider the Bounty Bans he inflicted on the WhoDat Nation. 

As usual, Buddy Roemer has enough attention and credibility to knock on the door, but he doesn't have the numbers to cross the threshold. Virtually mirroring his frequent GOP debate denial, the former Louisiana governor is sitting atop the polls of the Americans Elect presidential primary, which has been seeking to put a third major candidate on the November ballot that was nominated directly by voters. But, with the voting over, Roemer lacks the minimum number of votes required to become this grassroots movement's candidate.

The only person charged with a crime in connection to the Big Oozy would appear to be an open-and-shut case for the feds. Former BP Engineer Kurt Mix allegedly destroyed text messages that discuss the amount of oil that was pulsing out of the Macondo well around this time in 2010. Since the texts are nowhere to be found, one might assume he was caught in the act. But yesterday, Mix said he has secret evidence that will get him off the hook. For now, the evidence will remain a secret unless a judge rules otherwise because of somebody else's attorney-client privilege. Until then, we'll mine past secrets for clues as to what it could be.

A new local newspaper will turn spare change into a cover price. Mary Devon-Dupuy reports on a burgeoning organization that will help homeless people, both in print and in the pocket.

by Shay Sokol

METAIRIE -- Today the family of Eric Robinson – a 41-year-old man who was shot in the head and his body burned on January 7, 2012 – announced at the Crimestoppers headquarters in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in Metairie an increased reward of $8,000 for any information leading to the arrest and indictment of the murderer(s). The initial reward was $2,500, before family and friends of Robinson held a fundraiser to raise the reward.

by Leon Perniciaro

Our sunburns might be fading, but our need for quality brain stimulation never will. After a brief, Jazzfest-hangover-related hiatus, NoDef SpeakEasy returns with all of this week's lectures, presentations and other mind-requiring activities happening around the city. his week, check out the New Orleans Fringe Fest’s discussion on theatre as a social tool, hear a lecture on Ethiopia and World War II, and, in case you're ever not hungover, learn how to make New Orleans brunch.