State

63% Citizens rate increase approved

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 14, 2022
The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) has approved Louisiana Citizens’ request for a 63% rate increase on its residential property insurance policies beginning Jan. 1, 2023. The rate increase will not affect Citizens’ current policyholders until they renew their policy after that date.
Goldenrod produces an abundance of gorgeous golden flowers. Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter

Goldenrod produces an abundance of gorgeous golden flowers. Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter

‘Tis the season for sneezing

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 14, 2022
If you are like me, you suffer from seasonal allergies — sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes and coughing, all due to pollen from local, native plants that bloom in autumn. Among many culprits, two of the most common are goldenrod and ragweed.

Lights also brought shadows

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 14, 2022
By 1900, communities across south Louisiana were beginning to prosper again after the vicissitudes of the Civil War. Growing commerce brought new comforts that we take for granted today. Railroads and telegraph lines were bringing speedier communications between our towns for better or for worse.
The native persimmon has small fruit with lots of seeds, making them difficult to eat, even when ripe. They are known to attract deer and other wildlife. (Photo by Bob Mirabello/LSU AgCenter)

The native persimmon has small fruit with lots of seeds, making them difficult to eat, even when ripe. They are known to attract deer and other wildlife. (Photo by Bob Mirabello/LSU AgCenter)

The persimmon: A bitter, then sweet autumn treat

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
If you happen to be taking a walk in the all-too-brief temperate weather of October in Louisiana and stumble upon a tree with wide leaves and beautiful, yellow-orange fruit, don’t think about picking one and taking a bite. You will be in for a bitter disappointment.
One of Louisiana’s most prominent researchers, Dr. Steven Heymsfield at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, or PBRC, was tapped by Amazon to improve the body composition component of its Halo app, launched in 2020, using smartphone photography and artificial intelligence, or AI.

One of Louisiana’s most prominent researchers, Dr. Steven Heymsfield at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, or PBRC, was tapped by Amazon to improve the body composition component of its Halo app, launched in 2020, using smartphone photography and artificial intelligence, or AI.

LSU scientist works with Amazon to fight obesity, diabetes using smartphones, AI

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
One of Louisiana’s most prominent researchers, Dr. Steven Heymsfield at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, or PBRC, was tapped by Amazon to improve the body composition component of its Halo app, launched in 2020, using smartphone photography and artificial intelligence, or AI.
Cheryl Devall

Cheryl Devall

KRVS general manager Devall hits the ground running

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
The addition of 75 people to KRVS 88.7 FM’s membership during a recent 10-day donation drive is music to the ears of Cheryl Devall, who became KRVS’ general manager in April. The drive also brought in more than $43,000. That’s important.
Fallen leaves can be raked and used as mulch in landscape beds and gardens or composted. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Fallen leaves can be raked and used as mulch in landscape beds and gardens or composted. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Leave the leaves and join the festivities

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 7, 2022
By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist I say it each fall: This is an excellent time of year to work in the landscape. The weather is cooling, and the days are getting shorter.

Gold fever reached south Louisiana

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 7, 2022
The famous California gold rush in 1849 was caused by dreams of vast fortunes made by just wandering around and picking up nuggets — something like picking up pecans in the fall.