State

DOTD announces state projects

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced Tuesday that 29 projects around the state received bids in June. Sixteen contractors presented apparent low bids totaling $190.5 million. Projects awarded and their apparent low bids included the following.
Some figs, like LSU Purple, turn a dark color as they ripen.

Some figs, like LSU Purple, turn a dark color as they ripen.

Tips for a successful Louisiana fig harvest

Harlan Kirgan
Thursday, July 3, 2025
The figs are green, plump and plentiful. Yes, it’s almost fig harvest season in Louisiana, and soon it will be time to use the delicious, nutritious fruit in preserves, baked treats and other goodies.

Students improve LEAP Mastery+ rates

Harlan Kirgan
Thursday, July 3, 2025
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) on Thursday released 2025 results from the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP), showing a one percentage point increase in overall student proficiency for grades 3–8.
Chef Karlos Knott of the Cajun Saucer in Arnaudville is crowned the 2025 King of Louisiana Seafood at the 18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off held June 27 at The Harbor Center in Slidell. Knott is standing to the right of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. (Submitted photo)

Chef Karlos Knott of the Cajun Saucer in Arnaudville is crowned the 2025 King of Louisiana Seafood at the 18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off held June 27 at The Harbor Center in Slidell. Knott is standing to the right of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. (Submitted photo)

Arnaudville chef is King of Louisiana Seafood

Harlan Kirgan
Thursday, July 3, 2025
SLIDELL — Chef Karlos Knott of The Cajun Saucer in Arnaudville is the 2025 King of Louisiana Seafood beating 11 other chefs to win the 18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off presented by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.
This rain garden features hibiscus. (Photo by Damon Abdi/LSU AgCenter)

This rain garden features hibiscus. (Photo by Damon Abdi/LSU AgCenter)

Turn your yard’s low spot into a high point with a rain garden

(not verified)
Friday, June 27, 2025
From the LSU AgCenter Summer in Louisiana tends to bring afternoon downpours. Where does all that rainwater go? Some of it is absorbed by the ground and plants. Some pools in low spots. And some turns into runoff, rushing into ditches, drains and, ultimately, natural waterways.
Vermillionaire cuphea’s tubular flowers are the perfect shape and size for hummingbirds’ long beaks and tongues, allowing them to access the plant’s abundant nectar.

Vermillionaire cuphea’s tubular flowers are the perfect shape and size for hummingbirds’ long beaks and tongues, allowing them to access the plant’s abundant nectar.

Hummingbirds love heat-tolerant Vermillionaire cuphea

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 13, 2025
If you’re searching for a plant that will attract hummingbirds to your garden and handle the Louisiana summer like a champ, look no further than Vermillionaire cuphea — one of the LSU AgCenter’s 2025 Louisiana Super Plant selections.
Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to reporters about his legislative agenda to bring down high auto insurance rates on April 9. Also shown, second from right, is House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, of Eunice. (Photo byWes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to reporters about his legislative agenda to bring down high auto insurance rates on April 9. Also shown, second from right, is House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, of Eunice. (Photo byWes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Legislation focuses on consumers and targets trial lawyers

(not verified)
Friday, June 13, 2025
The Louisiana Legislature wrapped up its 2025 regular session Thursday having passed an agenda to try to lower insurance rates with legislation that focused on consumers and so-called “tort reform” policy targeting personal injury lawyers on the belief they are the cause of the state’s high...

Teacher pay raise sent to voters

(not verified)
Friday, June 13, 2025
The Louisiana House voted 98-1 Thursday to give final legislative approval to $53.5 billion budget package for the upcoming fiscal year without objecting to any of the major changes that the Senate had made earlier this week.

Senate adds $1.2B to state budget bill

Myra Miller
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
By Julie O’Donoghue Louisiana Illuminator The Louisiana Legislature’s leaders want to spend $1.2 billion that would typically be deposited into a state savings account on infrastructure, economic development and technology upgrades. State lawmakers are expected to send Gov.
Southern highbush blueberries ripen earlier than rabbiteye blueberries. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Southern highbush blueberries ripen earlier than rabbiteye blueberries. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

This is blueberry season in Louisiana

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, June 6, 2025
School is out, and summer is near. Here’s something else to celebrate: Blueberries — those refreshing, deeply hued orbs of sweetness — are now ripening on bushes across Louisiana. Blueberries are among the easiest fruit crops to grow.