State

LSU launches AI assistant for university employees

(not verified)
Friday, December 13, 2024
LSU has launched a new artificial intelligence assistant for its faculty and staff. The system is called MikeGPT and is designed to quickly answer LSU-related questions and serve as a secure alternative to ChatGPT.
4-H’ers listen as organizers explain the history of Cajun prairies and how the students will go about planting the seeds at the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Anthony Bailey/AgCenter)

4-H’ers listen as organizers explain the history of Cajun prairies and how the students will go about planting the seeds at the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Anthony Bailey/AgCenter)

4-H students work to repopulate native species

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, December 13, 2024
A six-acre plot of land in Cameron Parish sat empty, shelly and unused. It is surrounded by the Mermentau River and contains the same fertile soil that supports rice farms surrounding the area.
Anna Timmerman, left, an LSU AgCenter horticulture agent in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes, recently was a guest on a Get It Growing TV segment about citrus. Get It Growing is hosted by AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg, right. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

Anna Timmerman, left, an LSU AgCenter horticulture agent in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes, recently was a guest on a Get It Growing TV segment about citrus. Get It Growing is hosted by AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg, right. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

Plant citrus when the time is right for your location

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, December 13, 2024
Citrus trees are abundant at retail garden centers during fall and early winter. They make beautiful holiday gifts, and they are one of the most popular types of fruit to grow in Louisiana home gardens.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign starts

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
While most people in Louisiana are enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season this year, impaired drivers get to hear the jingle-jangle of shiny, silver handcuffs as law enforcement agencies gear up for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
An aquaculture cage floats in the Caribbean Sea near Puerto Rico. (NOAA)

An aquaculture cage floats in the Caribbean Sea near Puerto Rico. (NOAA)

Trump’s floating fish farms might surface in the Gulf of Mexico despite opposition

(not verified)
Monday, December 9, 2024
Floating cages with fish by the thousands may be popping in the Gulf of Mexico under a controversial plan that was backed by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration four years ago and is likely to gain traction again after Trump begins his second term next month.

School performance scores increase

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, November 22, 2024
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) released 2024 performance scores for the state’s public schools and systems today.
Louisiana Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, left, and Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, speak in the Louisiana House of Representatives on the opening day of a legislative special session, Nov. 6 at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate, Pool)

Louisiana Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, left, and Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, speak in the Louisiana House of Representatives on the opening day of a legislative special session, Nov. 6 at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate, Pool)

Tax deal raises sales tax from 4.45% to 5%

(not verified)
Friday, November 22, 2024
State lawmakers have agreed to a pared-down version of Gov. Jeff Landry’s tax overhaul package but one that would still affect most people and businesses in Louisiana. The deal, hashed out in back-room negotiations Thursday, was expected to receive full approval Friday.