State

Frozen blooms of Japanese magnolias will become mushy when ice thaws. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Frozen blooms of Japanese magnolias will become mushy when ice thaws. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Proactive steps to protect your plants

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 19, 2024
By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist When winter weather forecasts call for freezing temperatures, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard both your home and plants from the impending cold snap.
LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto speaks during the Louisiana Agricultural Outlook Forum Jan. 10 at the State Evacuation Shelter near Alexandria. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto speaks during the Louisiana Agricultural Outlook Forum Jan. 10 at the State Evacuation Shelter near Alexandria. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Farmers should get some relief on input costs in 2024 challenges likely to remain

Olivia McClure / omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, January 19, 2024
After a year of economic challenges amplified by unfavorable weather, Louisiana farmers recently got some good news from LSU AgCenter experts. The costs of inputs like fertilizer and fuel, while still high, are trending downward.
Gov. Jeff Landry shakes hands with Louisiana lawmakers while entering the State Capitol’s House chamber on Jan. 15, the first day of a special session on redistricting and election matters. (Michael Johnson/The Advocate, Pool)

Gov. Jeff Landry shakes hands with Louisiana lawmakers while entering the State Capitol’s House chamber on Jan. 15, the first day of a special session on redistricting and election matters. (Michael Johnson/The Advocate, Pool)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Bipartisan push for Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district

Piper Hutchinson / Louisiana Illuminator
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
On the first day of a federal court-ordered redistricting special session, which also fell on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Louisiana’s elected officials appeared to adopt a motto from the civil rights leader. “It’s never the wrong time to do the right thing,” King said in a 1964 speech.
Icy blooms. (LSU AgCenter photo)

Icy blooms. (LSU AgCenter photo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Prepare now for the coming cold snap

Johnny Morgan / jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, January 12, 2024
Winter is about to make its presence known, and with it comes many questions about protecting landscape plants, pipes and pets when the temperature drops. LSU AgCenter professionals say everyone should pay attention to the forecasts to know ahead of time when freezing weather is approaching.
The Red-N-Sweet watermelon has dark red, sweet flesh. It was the last watermelon released from the Calhoun Research Station. Photo by Kerry D. Heafner

The Red-N-Sweet watermelon has dark red, sweet flesh. It was the last watermelon released from the Calhoun Research Station. Photo by Kerry D. Heafner

Exclusive Subscriber Content

LSU watermelon nominated for Slow Food Ark of Taste

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 12, 2024
A watermelon cultivar developed at the now closed LSU AgCenter Calhoun Research Station has been nominated for boarding onto the Slow Food Ark of Taste. The Red-N-Sweet is a 1987 LSU release.
A great way to minimize your inputs while maximizing your outputs is to use plants athat are edible. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

A great way to minimize your inputs while maximizing your outputs is to use plants athat are edible. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

It’s a new year in the garden and time to plan

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, January 12, 2024
With a new year upon us, now is the time to sit down and reflect on last year and what you would like to do with your garden and landscape in 2024. There are some consistent gardening trends across the U.S.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Special session targets elections, redistricting

Piper Hutchinson / Louisiana Illuminator
Friday, January 12, 2024
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has ordered state lawmakers into a special session to begin Monday on redistricting and elections.
Gov.-elect Jeff Landry and how wife, Sharon, wave as they walk down the capitol steps on Sunday for the inauguration ceremony.(Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Gov.-elect Jeff Landry and how wife, Sharon, wave as they walk down the capitol steps on Sunday for the inauguration ceremony.(Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

It's official: Landry is governor

Harlan Kirgan
Monday, January 8, 2024
By Harlan Kirgan The Eunice News BATON ROUGE — A weather-driven change in inauguration plans moving the inauguration of Republican Jeff Landry as 57th governor of Louisiana from Monday to Sunday suggests the direction of his administration.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Area McNeese grads named

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
McNeese State University conferred degrees on 537 graduates during two ceremonies for the university’s 161st commencement Dec. 8 in McNeese’s Legacy Center. The ceremony for the Burton College of Education and colleges of business and liberal arts was held at 9 a.m.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Evangeline Parish sharing Mardi Gras with Texas town

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
The band schedule for the inaugural Mardi Gras Celebration in Bastrop, Texas, has been announced, according to the Evangeline Parish Tourist Commission. The following is the schedule for Saturday, Feb. 3: 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Barney Sledge; 11:15 a.m. to noon, DJ T Rob; Noon. to 1:30 p.m.