State

Coushatta Tribe holds groundbreaking ceremony for new hotel with 204-rooms. (Illustration courtesy of the Coushatta Tribal Council)

Coushatta Tribe holds groundbreaking ceremony for new hotel with 204-rooms. (Illustration courtesy of the Coushatta Tribal Council)

8-story, 204-room hotel planned at Coushatta

Chairman Jonathan Cernek and members of the Coushatta Tribal Council, and Coushatta Casino Resort General Manager Todd Stewart joined principals from TBE Architects, Yates Construction and the Wenaha Group in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new hotel on Wednesday.
Adam Gordon, of Oakdale, uses a drip torch during a prescribed burn training at the Louisiana Ecological Forestry Center near Florien on March 12. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Adam Gordon, of Oakdale, uses a drip torch during a prescribed burn training at the Louisiana Ecological Forestry Center near Florien on March 12. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Workshop teaches proper prescribed burning methods

Rodney McKay knows a lot about starting fires. Between 15 and 25 times a year, McKay heads into the woods with a drip torch, rakes and an array of other tools used to light fires, monitor their spread and manage the smoke they produce.
Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, seated, listens to Rep. Francis Thompson, R-Delhi, on opening day of the regular legislative session, March 11 at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (John Ballance/The Advocate, Pool)

Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, seated, listens to Rep. Francis Thompson, R-Delhi, on opening day of the regular legislative session, March 11 at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (John Ballance/The Advocate, Pool)

Louisiana lawmaker wants broader access to public records

Lawyers for Louisiana State University often deny public records requests for investigations into employee wrongdoing by citing the court case McMakin v. LSU. Now, McMakin is fighting back. Attorney and freshman state Rep.
Japanese magnolia flowers are extremely fragrant and make gorgeous cut flowers to bring in, arrange and enjoy. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Japanese magnolia flowers are extremely fragrant and make gorgeous cut flowers to bring in, arrange and enjoy. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Jane Japanese magnolia named Louisiana Super Plant for spring 2024

Japanese magnolias are completing their bloom and flushing out new, light green foliage. These beautiful trees are some of the first plants to signify that spring is just around the corner. With their pink-to-purple blooms, they’re one of the most strikingly beautiful trees.
Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek

Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek

Juvenile justice experts express caution about new crime laws

As Louisiana undertakes a massive overhaul of criminal justice laws, one of the most controversial changes is putting more 17-year-olds on trial for crimes as adults. The move backpedals on a measure passed seven years ago that treated teens under 18 as juveniles in most cases.
House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, left, jokes with President of the Senate Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, on opening day of the regular legislative session, Monday, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Photos by Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate Pool)

House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, left, jokes with President of the Senate Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, on opening day of the regular legislative session, Monday, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Photos by Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate Pool)

Stances firm but details scarce in Gov. Landry’s legislative agenda

Gov. Jeff Landry urged lawmakers to change state education policies and overhaul Louisiana’s constitution, but he didn’t say what specific proposals he supports during his opening speech of the state’s regular lawmaking session Monday.

LSU vision includes ‘statewide university’

The long-awaited strategic plan for Louisiana’s flagship university calls for a new vision of LSU, one administrators are calling the “statewide university.

Reward raised to $15,000 for Info on whooping crane killing near Mamou

The Center for Biological Diversity increased the total reward to $15,000 for information leading to a conviction in the illegal killing of a whooping crane near Mamou. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a $5,000 reward last week, and the Center is boosting the amount by $10,000.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a tropical perennial native to Asia that has a fast growth rate, grows well in containers and produces a wide range of colors and patterns. It blooms from early summer through late fall. (Photo by Claudia Husseneder)

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a tropical perennial native to Asia that has a fast growth rate, grows well in containers and produces a wide range of colors and patterns. It blooms from early summer through late fall. (Photo by Claudia Husseneder)

Get It Growing calendar entry deadline nearing

The deadline for “budding” and experienced photographers to submit their best photos for the LSU AgCenter’s 2025 Get It Growing calendar is rapidly approaching. The deadline for entries is March 31.
Rabbiteye blueberry is ideal for Louisiana landscapes, valued for both its fruit and ornamental qualities. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Rabbiteye blueberry is ideal for Louisiana landscapes, valued for both its fruit and ornamental qualities. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Fruitful beauty: Floweraing trees and shrubs for landscapes

It’s that time of year. The deciduous trees are putting on their leaves. The oaks and pines are producing copious amounts of pollen. Live oaks are shedding leaves to put on new growth.