(Radio News 2/27/06) Now is the time for taxpayers to consider how to use their tax refunds. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says the No. 1 priority should be paying off consumer debts. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio 2/27/06) Hurricane Katrina may have badly damaged the city of New Orleans, but it didn’t damage its spirit. Mardi Gras parades still will roll through the Crescent City and in cities and towns around Louisiana. Picnics on the parade routes always aare part of the celebrations, and LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to be mindful of food safety. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/27/06) Consumers who make only the minimum payments to credit card companies can expect to write bigger checks. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says credit card issuers are increasing their minimum payment requirements. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/27/06) LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker encourages taxpayers to take advantage of opportunities to minimize their tax bills. Tax forms such as the 1040EZ and 1040A are simple to use, but using other forms and itemizing deductions may produce better results and greater savings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) An agricultural economist with the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses at USDA says it’s easier to produce ethanol from sugar than from starch. But Dr. Hosein Shapouri, who spoke at the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Outlook Conference, says it’s not being done in the U. S. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) The United States’ ethanol industry is growing, according to Dr. Hosein Shapouri, an ag economist in the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses with the USDA. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) Evidence of drowned termites exists near floodwalls, but entomologists believe some Formosan subterranean termites survived the flood. They are using monitors to watch for termite activity. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) The floodwalls built around New Orleans are attractive to termites. Bagasse, an organic material LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Gregg Henderson describes as a favored food source for Formosan termites, was used for spacers in the seams of the walls. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/20/06) Can termites damage a levee? LSU AgCenter entomolgist Dr. Gregg Hendersom first posed that question when he found Formosan termites feeding on a sidewalk near the New Orleans Convention Center in August of 2000. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/13/06) Early in a new year people strive to lose weight, but shedding a few pounds shouldn’t be the only goal. Living a healthy life should be the ultimate goal, an LSU AgCenter nutritionist says. (Runtime: 60 seconds)