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Red Cross urges residents to start preparations

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

NEW ORLEANS — This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 5-11) and the American Red Cross of Louisiana is urging residents to take action and begin pre-season preparations now to be ready before hurricane season arrives on June 1.

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House OKs constitutional convention

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

A bill calling for a constitutional convention, a key part of Gov. Jeff Landry’s agenda, passed the House floor in a 75-27 Tuesday after a lengthy debate and various amendments.

Large flower heads on tall stalks make zinnias excellent cut flower selections

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Zesty zinnias named Louisiana Super Plant for spring 2024

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, May 3, 2024

I am pleased to share that Zesty zinnias (Zinnia elegans) have been named a Louisiana Super Plant for spring 2024. Zinnias are beloved flowers for the garden for their bright, cheerful colors and large flower heads on tall, single stalks.

The central theme of gothic gardens is dark. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Dark shades for a thrilling gothic garden

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, April 26, 2024

Gardening has seen many trends in the past 200 years. Many reflect societal shifts, technological advances and ever-evolving aesthetic changes. The early 19th century highlighted the Victorian age, when many landscape designs used bedding plants placed in complex patterns.

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Budget bills pass House

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, April 26, 2024

The House of Representatives advanced House Bill 1 (HB1) by a unanimous vote of the members present (104-0) sending it to the Senate for further consideration.

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Mercury and fish advisories issued for 11 waterways

Rebecca Chaisson

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Louisiana Departments of Health, Environmental Quality, and Wildlife and Fisheries issued a series of fish consumption advisories for 11 bodies of water. These most recent advisories include one new warning and updates to ten previously issued warnings.

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Louisiana’s nonfarm employment continues to increase over the year

Rebecca Chaisson

Monday, April 22, 2024

Data released Friday by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows nonfarm employment continues to add jobs over the year. The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for March 2024 is 1,957,900 jobs, an increase of 500 jobs from the March 2023 figure of 1,957,400 jobs.

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Lawmakers make first move on $4B in K-12 funding

(not verified)

Friday, April 19, 2024

Legislators took the first steps Tuesday toward approving more than $4 billion for Louisiana’s K-12 public schools in the coming academic year.

Right now is a great time to get those vegetable gardens growing. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Spring showers to summer flowers checklist

Rebecca Chaisson

Friday, April 19, 2024

As we transition from the lower temperatures of winter to the vibrant energy of spring, gardeners throughout the state are rolling up their sleeves, ready to nurture their green spaces into lush, blooming spaces.

Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, pictured at the March 21, 2023, Senate Finance Committee meeting. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

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Bill advances to exempt most state government records from public disclosure

(not verified)

Friday, April 19, 2024

A Louisiana Senate panel signed off on a bill Wednesday that would essentially rewrite state public records law by exempting nearly every record at all levels of government from public scrutiny.