State

Chaste trees make a great accent planting for the landscape. (Photo by Anna Ribbeck/LSU AgCenter)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Vitex is one of Louisiana’s finest blooming trees

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist

Friday, May 31, 2024

If you’ve admired the stunning display of purple flowers in the landscape in recent weeks, you’ve witnessed one of Louisiana’s finest blooming small trees or large shrubs: the vitex, also known as the chaste tree.

A NOAA summary infographic showing hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms predicted from NOAA’s 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Hurricane season is here; prepare now for potential storms

Todd Miller / vtmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu

Friday, May 24, 2024

Hurricane season is once again upon us, and the LSU AgCenter has recommendations to mitigate potential damage and losses to yards, homes and animals as well as tips for keeping food and cleaning supplies on hand.

Setting up a memorial garden can be a deeply personal and therapeutic process. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Memorial gardens: Living tributes to loved ones

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist

Friday, May 24, 2024

Memorial gardens offer a beautiful and meaningful way to honor family members, friends and even pets who have passed away.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley and Gov. Jeff Landry presented the Let Teachers Teach recommendations in a joint news conference. (Allison Allsop)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Landry, Brumley push for sweeping classroom changes for teachers

Allison Allsop / Louisiana Illuminator

Friday, May 24, 2024

Louisiana’s governor and the state’s K-12 public school leader unveiled recommendations they say will free teachers to focus on classroom instruction rather than what they consider bureaucratic hindrances.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Abortion pill possession to be a crime

Elizabeth White / LSU Manship School News Service

Friday, May 24, 2024

The Louisiana Senate Thursday approved a bill that would classify abortion pills as dangerous controlled substances, sending it to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk for his signature.

Rep. Delisha Boyd proposed reducing the penalties for using marijuana paraphernalia. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana House

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Bill eases penalties for paraphernalia

Jordyn Wilson / LSU Manship School News Service

Thursday, May 23, 2024

he Louisiana Senate on Tuesday approved an amended version of a House bill that would decriminalize the possession and use of drug paraphernalia, such as pipes and bongs, by making it a civil offense punishable by a fine but no jail time.

Rep. Vanessa LaFleur, D-Baton Rouge

Exclusive Subscriber Content

House says no to school bus heat, air conditioning

Maddie Scott / LSU Manship School News Service

Thursday, May 23, 2024

A Senate bill that would have required heating and air-conditioning systems in school buses failed on the Louisiana House floor Tuesday. The House rejected the measure 42-57 after nearly 1 ½ hours of debate.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Medical marijuana farming could expand

Wesley Muller / Louisiana Illuminator

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

The two public universities that have held exclusive rights over medical marijuana farming in Louisiana could soon lose their duopoly after the Legislature approved a bill that will fully privatize cultivation in the state.

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., speaks to the Louisiana Seafood Safety Task Force on Nov. 27, 2023. (Photo byWes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Graves undecided on election

Piper Hutchinson / Louisiana Illuminator

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves is committed to running for re-election this fall — but uncommitted on the district.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Republicans spike bill to shield records from public

Piper Hutchinson / Louisiana Illuminator

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

The sponsor of a controversial bill to shield most records of the Louisiana governor’s office from the public withdrew his bill Monday, killing it for the legislative session.