State

Program provides free books young readers

Louisiana, in collaboration with Scholastic, announced Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables (READ), a new state-funded book and literacy program designed to help support Louisiana pre-K4 through 5th grade students who are not yet reading on grade level.
Alena Allen

Alena Allen

LSU Law Center dean named

LSU has named Alena Allen dean of the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Allen, a Louisiana native, is currently deputy director for the Association of American Law Schools and professor of law at the University of Arkansas School of Law.
Cover crops are used to renew soil health by adding organic matter back to the soil to improve the overall soil structure. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Cover crops are used to renew soil health by adding organic matter back to the soil to improve the overall soil structure. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Are cover crops and crop rotation beneficial for home gardeners?

This week, the Southern Cover Crops Council held its annual conference in Baton Rouge, and I was fortunate to sit in on panel discussions with farmers and specialty crops (vegetables, fruits, nuts and nursery crops) producers. Cover cropping was once a common practice in agricultural history.

Did Coolidge eat his Rice-O-La?

When planter, politician and entrepreneur Henri Gueydan began to manufacture his Rice-O-La breakfast cereal in 1923, he also launched an advertising campaign that could have been the inspiration for the flamboyant Hadacol promotions decades later. The campaign might have been anticipated.
Gov. John Bel Edwards on Friday unveiled his last state budget proposal to a joint legislative committee. (Photo by Molly Ryan//LSU Manship School News Service)

Gov. John Bel Edwards on Friday unveiled his last state budget proposal to a joint legislative committee. (Photo by Molly Ryan//LSU Manship School News Service)

Edwards proposes budget with teacher pay raise

Gov. John Bel Edwards proposed a budget Friday that includes a $2,000 pay raise for K-12 teachers that could climb to $3,000 if more money becomes available. He also called for a $1,000 pay raise for support workers at schools. Those basic raises would cost the state about $200 million each year.
Farmers markets help support communities and Black farmers.

Farmers markets help support communities and Black farmers.

Celebrating Black History Month in the garden

For nearly 50 years, Black History Month has been celebrated in the U.S. The story took root when Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian, and minister Jesse Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1926.
Washington reporters Ashley Parker and Michael C. Bender talked about covering President Trump. (Photos by Matthew Perschall/LSU Manship School News Service)

Washington reporters Ashley Parker and Michael C. Bender talked about covering President Trump. (Photos by Matthew Perschall/LSU Manship School News Service)

Washington reporters talk about covering Trump

Ashley Parker was enjoying sleeping in on a fall Saturday in 2019, her husband tending to their young daughter. Then her phone started vibrating nonstop.
Brushes, scouring pads, sandpaper and lubricating oils are best for hand pruner maintenance. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Brushes, scouring pads, sandpaper and lubricating oils are best for hand pruner maintenance. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Clean up those dull, rusty garden tools before pruning

Benjamin Franklin said, “The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.” I would take that one step further and say that taking care of one’s tools is insurance on your investment. Everything requires a little maintenance, and garden tools are no exception.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, left, has called for legislation to restrict what children and teens  can check out from public libraries. State Rep. Julie Emerson, center, and Sen. Health Cloud will carry bills to achieve those objectives in the regular session that starts April 10. (Photo by Remi Tallo/Louisiana Illuminator)

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, left, has called for legislation to restrict what children and teens can check out from public libraries. State Rep. Julie Emerson, center, and Sen. Health Cloud will carry bills to achieve those objectives in the regular session that starts April 10. (Photo by Remi Tallo/Louisiana Illuminator)

Attorney general, legislators call for restricting minors’ access to library materials

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has called for legislation to restrict what children and teens can check out from public libraries. He released a report Tuesday on what he considers sexually explicit materials available to minors at libraries.