News

In-person sugarcane field day returns with new varieties, more

By V. Todd Miller vtmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu ST. GABRIEL — Two newly released sugarcane varieties took center stage at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station’s first live field day since 2019 after the coronavirus pandemic forced a virtual version last year.

PSC working to strengthen the power grid

Commissioner Mike Francis has issued the following press release to inform the residents of Louisiana of the inner workings of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. The PSC does great work but (un)fortunately it can be considered great night time reading for most.

UL Lafayette Summer Commencement set for Aug. 6 at Cajundome

LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will confer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees on Friday, Aug. 6, during Summer 2021 Commencement. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the Cajundome. Health and safety will be a focus.

Air cargo facility to locate at Lake Charles airport

Shot At A Million winners named

Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Health announced the third winners of the Shot At A Million COVID-19 campaign.

You can have August, and February too

August has always been my least favorite month, and I suspect I am not alone. The experts tell us that its hot, humid weather makes this the most physically stressful month of the year in south Louisiana. August temperatures get as warm as the body’s temperature, or warmer.

Striking up some ratings for the Olympics

Maybe croquet could improve the ratings for the 2021 Summer Olympics? Please allow me to explain. The COVID-delayed 2020 Olympics are on track to be the lowest watched games of the 21st century, according to marketing research firm Zeta Global.

Have you visited a presidential home lately?

While in Santa Claus, Indiana, to cool off at Holiday World, the Tyree family took a side trip to tour the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in nearby Lincoln City. “But I thought Abraham Lincoln was from Kentucky!” a co-worker objected.

Your crape myrtle questions answered

There’s a lot going on with crape myrtles this summer. I’ve gotten quite a few calls about these highly prized ornamental trees of the South. With all of the rain that we have had over the past month, we have already surpassed our annual average rainfall and we are only halfway through the year.

School Board ends year with budget surplus

June is the final budget month for the St. Landry Parish School Board and the year is ending with a $3.1 million surplus in its General Fund.