State

Citrus trees at the Becnel’s family orchard were killed by a 10-foot storm surge brought by Hurricane Ida. Ben Becnel Jr. estimates that nearly 2,000 citrus trees were destroyed by the storm and 75% of his fruit was lost. (Photos by Craig Gautreaux/LSU AgCenter)

Citrus trees at the Becnel’s family orchard were killed by a 10-foot storm surge brought by Hurricane Ida. Ben Becnel Jr. estimates that nearly 2,000 citrus trees were destroyed by the storm and 75% of his fruit was lost. (Photos by Craig Gautreaux/LSU AgCenter)

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Louisiana citrus growers reeling from Ida damage

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, November 5, 2021
While Hurricane Ida came ashore more than two months ago, its effect on the Louisiana citrus and vegetable industry will be measured in years. Thousands of citrus trees were lost along with many fall vegetable crops across Plaquemines and St.

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Fiber optics expanded in Acadia Parish

Rebecca Chaisson
Friday, November 5, 2021
Louisiana reportedly has about 400,000 to 500,000 households without broadband access, according to the state official in charge of broadband development. But Veneeth Iyengar, executive director of the Broadband Development and Connectivity Office, believes that’s a lowball estimate.

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Website connects artists to consumers

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
A new platform designed to bridge a gap between artists, cultural communities, and consumers is called “Culturalyst” and can be found at culturalyst.com. Lt. Gov.

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Shot For 100 vaccine incentive program extended to Nov. 30

Rebecca Chaisson
Monday, November 1, 2021
Effective Monday, Louisiana’s Shot For $100 vaccine incentive program is back — and will extend to Nov. 30 for the general public including college students eligible for the COVID vaccine in Louisiana. Pending an anticipated CDC decision, families of 5-to-11-year-olds will soon be eligible.
John Bordelon and Dr. Cindy Courville are the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s 2021 Outstanding Alumni. The honorees were recognized during an Oct. 28, reception at the Alumni Center. (Photo by Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

John Bordelon and Dr. Cindy Courville are the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s 2021 Outstanding Alumni. The honorees were recognized during an Oct. 28, reception at the Alumni Center. (Photo by Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

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UL Lafayette honors Bordelon and Courville as 2021 Outstanding Alumni

Rebecca Chaisson
Monday, November 1, 2021
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Association has recognized bank president and CEO John Bordelon and strategic policy advisor Dr. Cindy Courville with the 2021 Outstanding Alumni Award. Bordelon and Courville received their awards during a reception held on Oct.

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U.S. energy’s environmental value stressed

Rebecca Chaisson
Saturday, October 30, 2021
U.S. energy was the most obvious and preferred source to combat rising gasoline prices and provide climate-advantaged production at Thursday’s USA Offshore Energy Gulf Coast Webcast. Organized by One Acadiana, the webcast featured Scott A.
Strawberries are typically grown on plastic or with a thick layer of pine straw to protect plants from strawberries sitting on the soil and rotting. (Photos by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

Strawberries are typically grown on plastic or with a thick layer of pine straw to protect plants from strawberries sitting on the soil and rotting. (Photos by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

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Strawberries are sensational

Rebecca Chaisson
Saturday, October 30, 2021
It’s strawberry planting time! Louisiana has a long history of strawberries dating back to the 1800s, and business really began to boom in the early 1900s. According to the LSU AgCenter’s latest data, the Louisiana strawberry industry has a gross farm value of $8.4 million.

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McNeese rodeo returns, Eunice student is on team

Rebecca Chaisson
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
McNeese State University’s 67th annual rodeo returns to Burton Coliseum with a special Halloween rodeo at 7:30 p.m. today open free to the public. The competition begins on Friday with the slack at noon and performances at 7:30 p.m. and resumes Saturdaywith the slack at 9 a.m.
LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh displays a dead boxwood that has been affected by boxwood dieback. (Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter)

LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh displays a dead boxwood that has been affected by boxwood dieback. (Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter)

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AgCenter takes boxwood disease training to Louisiana’s Nursery Capital

Rebecca Chaisson
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Cutlines: The first thing one notices when exiting Interstate 49 to Forest Hill in Rapides Parish is mile upon mile of plant nurseries — the largest concentration in the state, according to one attendee of a boxwood dieback disease identification and management training presentation on Oct. 19.
Louisiana National Guardsmen with the 2225th Multi-Role Bridge Company ferry emergency responders and equipment from Lafitte to Barataria to assist locals with recovery efforts, Jean Lafitte, La., Sept. 4, 2021. The only bridge to Barataria was damaged during Hurricane Ida and was rendered inoperable. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Steven McCoppin)

Louisiana National Guardsmen with the 2225th Multi-Role Bridge Company ferry emergency responders and equipment from Lafitte to Barataria to assist locals with recovery efforts, Jean Lafitte, La., Sept. 4, 2021. The only bridge to Barataria was damaged during Hurricane Ida and was rendered inoperable. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Steven McCoppin)

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Louisiana Guard winds down Ida response

Rebecca Chaisson
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
The Louisiana National Guard activated one hundred percent of its Soldiers and Airmen to respond to devastated communities around the state in the wake of Hurricane Ida’s destruction.