State

Wilted plants show signs of lacking the water necessary for healthy growth. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Wilted plants show signs of lacking the water necessary for healthy growth. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Dos and don’ts in the garden during droughts

It’s beginning to look like fall all around us as plants go into survival mode during this heat wave. Temperatures continue to soar, and the rain is nowhere to be found.
Louisiana Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain views smoldering trees from a portion of the Tiger Island fire in Beauregard Parish on Aug. 23. (Jenn Finley/La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry)

Louisiana Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain views smoldering trees from a portion of the Tiger Island fire in Beauregard Parish on Aug. 23. (Jenn Finley/La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry)

Louisiana ag commissioner warns of continued wildfire risk

The Louisiana official who leads the state’s wildfire fighting efforts says he will ask the legislature for more resources next year, including additional personnel and a tanker plane that can drop water on blazes.

UL Lafayette to host Science Day for high schoolers curious about majors, careers

Hundreds of prospective scientists will learn about what being a science major at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is like during Science Day 2023. UL Lafayette’s Ray P. Authement College of Sciences will host this year’s Science Day from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 20 on campus.

Small Business Summit planned in Lafayette

Registration is open for the 2023 Louisiana Small Business Summit, the annual Louisiana Economic Development event that connects small business leaders with an array of resources available to them from across the state.
Soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 528th Engineer Battalion use bulldozers to move burnt forestry and clear a firebreak near Pirate’s Cove in Florien on Aug. 29,. The Pirates Cove area caught fire on Aug. 25 and Louisiana Army National Guard aviators helped with the initial response. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis)

Soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 528th Engineer Battalion use bulldozers to move burnt forestry and clear a firebreak near Pirate’s Cove in Florien on Aug. 29,. The Pirates Cove area caught fire on Aug. 25 and Louisiana Army National Guard aviators helped with the initial response. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis)

La. Guard aviators, engineers execute rapid response to Pirates Cove wildfires

Louisiana National Guard aviation and engineering assets were activated to assist the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal office in fighting wildfires on Aug. 23 and 24.

LDH urges residents to take air quality precautions due to fires

Extreme heat and drought have contributed to wildfires throughout Louisiana, which can negatively impact air quality. LDH is urging residents in areas where wildfires are burning or air quality is otherwise poor to take precautions to minimize the impact poor air quality can have on their health.

Gov. Edwards Issues executive order suspending all prescribed burns  

On Friday, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an executive order suspending all prescribed burns in Louisiana including those used for forest, agricultural and coastal land management as the state continues to battle hundreds of fires throughout Louisiana due to the extreme drought.
Water plants early in the morning or late in the evening at the base of the plant to prevent water evaporation. (LSU AgCenter file photos)

Water plants early in the morning or late in the evening at the base of the plant to prevent water evaporation. (LSU AgCenter file photos)

Nurturing your garden in late summer

As we ride out this last stretch of summer, it’s time to start looking forward to fall gardening weather. There are some tasks to be handled this month. Here is a list of what to do in the garden and landscape this month and into September.

Deadline approaches to claim state tax refunds

Monday is the deadline to claim millions of dollars in state tax refunds before they move to the state’s Unclaimed Property fund.