State

Virginia creeper, left, and poison ivy, right, grow alongside each other on a trail in the Clark Creek Natural Area. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Virginia creeper, left, and poison ivy, right, grow alongside each other on a trail in the Clark Creek Natural Area. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Leaves of three, let it be

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, May 20, 2022
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Leaves of three, let it be.” For those who have spent time in the great outdoors, this is a rite of passage, much like the art of making s’mores. So, what am I talking about, and why is this important?

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Louisiana budget 2022-23: Winners and losers

Julie O’Donoghue / Louisiana Illuminator
Friday, May 20, 2022
The Louisiana Legislature passed its final version of the 2022-2023 state budget proposal Thursday, totaling an unprecedented $47 billion with a focus on major bridge projects, increasing salaries for lower-paid government workers and paying off state debt.

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Lawmakers, grieving parents differ on how tough to get on fentanyl

Greg LaRose / Louisiana Illuminator
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Sen. Glen Womack, R-Harrisonburg, and Rep. Marcus Bryant, D-New Iberia, have combined their individual proposals to create Millie’s Law, named after Millie Harvey. The 28-year-old woman died of an overdose in 2017 after taking heroin that she didn’t know included fentanyl.

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Critical race theory bills killed

JC Canicosa / Louisiana Illuminator
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Louisiana Illuminator The Louisiana House Education Committee rejected two bills Tuesday that would have made it illegal for schools to teach that people of any race or national origin are still affected by racism or oppression, among other topics.

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House passes bill restricting transgender athletes

Piper Hutchinson / LSU Manship School News Service
Thursday, May 19, 2022
The House passed a bill Tuesday that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity.

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La. House committee advances bill to ban hair discrimination

Piper Hutchinson / LSU Manship School News Service
Thursday, May 19, 2022
The Louisiana House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure advanced a bill Monday that would prohibit discrimination based on certain hairstyles. House Bill 41, sponsored by Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans, would amend discrimination law to include “natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle.”
Beyond Midnight bluebeard has dark, glossy foliage and deep blue flowers. (Photo provided by Elena Fennell)

Beyond Midnight bluebeard has dark, glossy foliage and deep blue flowers. (Photo provided by Elena Fennell)

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Something blue — and a little pink, too

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, May 13, 2022
If you are looking for a small, flowering shrub that tolerates drought and heat while attracting pollinators, look no further than bluebeard. No, I am not talking about the French folklore tale from the 1600s. I’m talking about a low, mounding deciduous shrub from the mint family.
Wings dropped by swarming termites. (Photo by Qian “Karen” Sun/LSU AgCenter)

Wings dropped by swarming termites. (Photo by Qian “Karen” Sun/LSU AgCenter)

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Mother’s Day is gone, but termites aren’t

Johnny Morgan / jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, May 13, 2022
LSU AgCenter urban entomologist Karen Sun says right now is when Formosan subterranean termites swarm and spread their colonies. The swarm season for this destructive pest starts as early as April and lasts through June, with a peak in early to mid-May around Mother’s Day.
Taxes due.

Taxes due.

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Louisiana state income tax filing deadline is Monday

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
The filing and payment deadline for 2021 state individual income tax is Monday. Taxpayers can file their returns electronically through Louisiana File Online, the state’s free web portal for individual tax filers.