State

Edwards won’t switch parties

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Outgoing Gov. John Bel Edwards is a conservative, Southern Democrat who some have speculated might have been better served if he had been willing to switch parties. Edwards angered many Democrats when he signed one of the strictest state abortion bans in the country.
Gov. John Bel Edwards will leave his chicken coop and hens for Gov.-elect Jeff Landry when he leaves office. (Piper Hutchinson/Louisiana Illuminator)

Gov. John Bel Edwards will leave his chicken coop and hens for Gov.-elect Jeff Landry when he leaves office. (Piper Hutchinson/Louisiana Illuminator)

Governor’s Mansion chickens to remain in residence through transition

(not verified)
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Gov. John Bel Edwards’ chickens will remain in residence at the Governor’s Mansion even after their owner leaves office. Edwards intended to take the chickens with him back to his home in Amite at the end of his term next month, but he has decided to leave them after Gov.

Remap appeal rejected

(not verified)
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
In Louisiana’s congressional redistricting case, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday denied the state’s petition to try to halt the lawsuit based on an unusual argument that says private individuals don’t have the right to sue over voting rights. Other aspects of the Robinson v.
Keep wildlife and ecosystem services in mind when selecting plants. (Photo provided by Norman Winter)

Keep wildlife and ecosystem services in mind when selecting plants. (Photo provided by Norman Winter)

Cool season planting guide

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, December 8, 2023
December — and winter in general — in Louisiana is a fine time to plant in the landscape. Now is the time to add trees, shrubs and cool-season annual and perennial bedding plants. The key is to know what to plant, where to plant and what the intended use of the space is.
New LSU President William Tate addresses the media on his first day on the job. (JC Canicosa/Louisiana Illuminator)

New LSU President William Tate addresses the media on his first day on the job. (JC Canicosa/Louisiana Illuminator)

Tax policy, not tenure, will be LSU’s top legislative concern, Tate says

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
LSU President William Tate listed tax policy as his primary concern going into the first year of Gov.-elect Jeff Landry’s tenure with a new legislature being seated. He shared his thoughts Wednesday (Nov. 29) in an address to the school’s Faculty Senate.
2024 Get It Growing calendar entries sought. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

2024 Get It Growing calendar entries sought. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Photographers! Get It Growing calendar entries are being sought

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, December 1, 2023
If you feel your photography skills are ready to be showcased, then you are encouraged to submit your best work in the call for entries for the 2025 edition of the LSU AgCenter Get It Growing calendar.
By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its latest version of the Hardiness Zone Map. This mapping system categorizes geographic regions according to their average annual minimum winter temperatures. The map helps by assisting gardeners, horticulturists and landscaping experts in choosing plants suited to specific climates. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map has a history dating back several decades, and it has undergone multiple revisions

By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its latest version of the Hardiness Zone Map. This mapping system categorizes geographic regions according to their average annual minimum winter temperatures. The map helps by assisting gardeners, horticulturists and landscaping experts in choosing plants suited to specific climates. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map has a history dating back several decades, and it has undergone multiple revisions

Climate check: The updated USDA Hardiness Zone Map

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, December 1, 2023
In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its latest version of the Hardiness Zone Map. This mapping system categorizes geographic regions according to their average annual minimum winter temperatures.
Young pine trees sport dead, brown needles and charred bark in a forest along Lonzie Doyle Road near the Westport community in Rapides Parish on Sept. 5, 2023. This forest burned in the Highway 113 Fire, which damaged about 8,000 acres. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Young pine trees sport dead, brown needles and charred bark in a forest along Lonzie Doyle Road near the Westport community in Rapides Parish on Sept. 5, 2023. This forest burned in the Highway 113 Fire, which damaged about 8,000 acres. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Drought, excessive heat cost $1.69B to La. Ag, forestry

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, December 1, 2023
Louisiana agriculture and forestry suffered $1.69 billion in damage due to this summer’s drought and excessive heat, according to preliminary estimates by LSU AgCenter experts.