State

Abundant nectar produced by goldenrod attracts pollinators such as bees. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Abundant nectar produced by goldenrod attracts pollinators such as bees. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Don’t blame the goldenrod — it’s the ragweed!

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 22, 2021
If you are like me, you suffer from seasonal allergies — sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes and cough, all due to pollen from local, native plants that bloom in autumn. Among many culprits, two of the most common are goldenrod and ragweed.
Members of the 2021 Homecoming Court at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are, from left, Cheramie Wagoner, Katherine Bryant, Ayree Jaylynn Johnson, Sydney Babin, Brianna Franklin, T.J. Wisham, Trevian Ambroise, Joseph Irish Caldwell, Reed Broussard, and Anjolaoluwa Oni. The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will face the Texas State Bobcats at 4 p.m. Oct. 30 at Cajun Field. (Photo courtesy of University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

Members of the 2021 Homecoming Court at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are, from left, Cheramie Wagoner, Katherine Bryant, Ayree Jaylynn Johnson, Sydney Babin, Brianna Franklin, T.J. Wisham, Trevian Ambroise, Joseph Irish Caldwell, Reed Broussard, and Anjolaoluwa Oni. The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will face the Texas State Bobcats at 4 p.m. Oct. 30 at Cajun Field. (Photo courtesy of University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

UL Lafayette names homecoming royalty

Harlan Kirgan
Monday, October 18, 2021
Members of the 2021 Homecoming Court at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are, from left, Cheramie Wagoner, Katherine Bryant, Ayree Jaylynn Johnson, Sydney Babin, Brianna Franklin, T.J. Wisham, Trevian Ambroise, Joseph Irish Caldwell, Reed Broussard, and Anjolaoluwa Oni.
Gourds can be used to make decorative ornaments, utensils and even birdhouses. (Photo by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

Gourds can be used to make decorative ornaments, utensils and even birdhouses. (Photo by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

Spice up your home, garden with fall favorites

Harlan Kirgan
Saturday, October 16, 2021
The novelist Samuel Butler once said, “Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers, we more than gain in fruit.” Fortunately for the Gulf South, this isn’t exactly true, as many flowers are still in bloom.

Are mastodon bones still hiding here?

Harlan Kirgan
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Mastodons, those prehistoric animals that looked like fuzzy elephants, may have been among the earliest animals to graze the Cajun prairies, and there may have been more of them than we think.

Iota woman appointed to child death panel

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Pamela Q. Cart of Iota has been reappointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards to the Louisiana State Child Death Review Panel. Cart is a forensic relations specialist at the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency.
Dr. Lawrence Feingold

Dr. Lawrence Feingold

Theologian, writer Feingold to give Levy Lecture at UL Lafayette

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Dr. Lawrence Feingold will discuss “Jewish – Christian Dialogue: ‘The Glory of Thy People Israel’” for this year’s Flora Plonsky Levy Lecture at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The lecture will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Angelle Hall on campus. It is free and open to the public.
Pollen-producing sunflowers are perfect for home gardeners who are planting to support pollinators.

Pollen-producing sunflowers are perfect for home gardeners who are planting to support pollinators.

Sunflowers always face the sun

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 8, 2021
Perhaps one of the most brilliant and uplifting of flowers is the sunflower. Native to North America and made popular throughout Europe, this plant has a long history. Helen Keller once said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.
Cajun French Music Association

Cajun French Music Association

CFMA Lake Charles announces 2 inductees into Hall of Fame

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
The Cajun French Music Association Lake Charles Chapter plans to induct two musicians into its Hall of Fame on Nov. 7. The late Cajun fiddler player Adam Landreneau and harmonica player Isom Fontenot are the honorees.

St. Landry Parish sales tax revenue up over last year

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Total sales tax collection in St. Landry Parish through September were up 12.8% over the same period in 2002, according to the monthly report released by St. Landry Parish School Board sales tax division. In August, the year-to-date collections in the parish were up by 1.3%.