State

LSU’s Memorial Tower displays the time on Monday, March 20, 2023, on Tower Drive in Baton Rouge. (Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator)

LSU’s Memorial Tower displays the time on Monday, March 20, 2023, on Tower Drive in Baton Rouge. (Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator)

LSU faculty, staff lack confidence in university leadership, survey finds

Only 40% of faculty at Louisiana’s flagship university reported feeling confident in their senior leadership to make the right decisions for the institution, a survey of LSU employees showed.

Louisiana K-3 reading scores jump 10% on state’s first universal literacy screener

Louisiana students in grades K-3 improved their reading scores by 10 percentage points on the state’s first universal literary screener. The percentage of K-3 students reading on grade level jumped from 44.6% on the beginning of year screener to 54.6% on the end of year screener.
Fall webworms make webbed areas at the ends of tree branches and form an aggregation there, where they feed on the foliage. Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter

Fall webworms make webbed areas at the ends of tree branches and form an aggregation there, where they feed on the foliage. Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter

Weaving worries: Fall webworm garden takeover

Step outside just about anywhere in Louisiana right now, and you’re likely to spot dozens of hairy, white caterpillars crawling around. Sometimes, you may even see one fall from overhead, seemingly out of the sky.

LSU President William Tate to receive raise, contract extension

The LSU Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a three-year contract extension and a $25,000 raise for LSU System President William Tate. Tate, who has led the system and the main campus for three years, will receive an annual salary of $750,000, an increase from $725,000.

Higher Ed receives funding boost

Louisiana’s colleges and universities are taking home millions for construction and other budget needs. It’s perhaps the last such funding boost before the loss of state tax revenue could slash a quarter of a billion dollars from their operations in the 2026-27 academic year.
Drooping leaves on this azalea show symptoms of root rot. (Photo by Page Langlois/LSU AgCenter)

Drooping leaves on this azalea show symptoms of root rot. (Photo by Page Langlois/LSU AgCenter)

What’s killing your plants may surprise you

One of the most common causes of plant death is water — more specifically, too much or too little water. You might be surprised to learn it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference. Watering correctly is a fundamental aspect of caring for both indoor and outdoor plants and trees.
The above map shows the total amounts awarded and number of locations to be served by the RDOF and GUMBO 1.0 programs, by parish. (Image source: Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office)

The above map shows the total amounts awarded and number of locations to be served by the RDOF and GUMBO 1.0 programs, by parish. (Image source: Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office)

Federal broadband expansion projects see mixed progress in La.

Louisiana has completed several of its American Rescue Plan Act rural broadband projects across the state, while a separate federal broadband program is lagging behind schedule.
Containers 10 gallons and larger are great for production of vegetables.

Containers 10 gallons and larger are great for production of vegetables.

Tiny gardens, big harvests: Growing vegetables in small spaces

As land becomes more urbanized and shrinking lot sizes limit outdoor space, growing a garden may feel like an out-of-reach fantasy to many people. Urban and suburban dwellers need not despair, however.

More child abuse victims can sue after Louisiana Supreme Court reversal

Adults abused as children decades ago will be able to sue over the mistreatment under a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling released Wednesday. Justices overturned their decision from March that declared a “lookback window” for lawsuits over older child abuse allegations unconstitutional.