(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 News 2/13/06) An agricultural economist warns there are some people who want to change the direction of farm policy without understanding that agriculture and food are different from other commodities. (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) 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 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 2/13/06) Heart disease kills more than 500,000 women each year. That’s more than the next seven causes of death combined. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says February is American Heart Month. (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 2/20/06) 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 2/13/06) 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)

(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 2/13/06) To answer the question of whether it's done yet, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to consult a food thermometer. That message is part of an effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to encourage home cooks to use food thermometers when cooking meat and egg dishes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) Strawberry growing practices have changed in recent years. Growers used to spray their berries with water to protect them during a freeze, but farmers now prefer to use row covers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 02/06/06) Louisiana strawberries already are at produce stands, grocery stores and farmers markets. Some growers have been picking berries for more than a month now. Mild weather has produced a sweet and early crop. (Runtime: 1 minute 16 seconds)

(TV News 2/27/06) When investigating hurricane damage in New Orleans, the trails lead to the levees. Two LSU AgCenter entomologists are following a trail of termites that led to the levees more than five years ago. (Runtime: 2 minutes 10 seconds)

(Radio News 2/6/06) Changes are on the horizon for farm policy as the 2007 Farm Bill takes shape. The agricultural industry is wondering how this new farm bill will differ from the two previous bills in 1996 and 2002. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) The fabled bedbug is infesting beds around New York City. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says even though the major infestations are more than a thousand miles away, he is getting calls from people worrying and wondering about these pests. While bedbugs deserve their bad reputation, there is a misconception surrounding them, Pollet says. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 2/20/06) Globalization and technological developments have changed the face of agriculture. Farmers are wondering if new farm policies will help them deal with these changes or ultimately hurt them. (Runtime 1 minute 11 seconds)

(Radio News 2/6/06) If an early strawberry season sounds sweet, it is. Louisiana growers are producing berries that are ripening early and are very sweet. Consumers can find Louisiana strawberries at produce stands, grocery stores and farmers markets. Some growers have been picking berries for more than a month now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 2/13/06) An agricultural economist warns there are some people who want to change the direction of farm policy without understanding that agriculture and food are different from other commodities. (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)

(TV News 02/13/06) Producing ethanol from sugarcane would be a boost for Louisiana’s sugarcane farmers. But is it a viable option? The issue was addressed at the LSU AgCenter's Ag Outlook Conference. (Runtime: 1 minute 31 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) There are two factors that could weigh heavily in the 2007 Farm Bill - the federal budget and requests from the World Trade Organization. (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 2/13/06) You’ll likely see the bites before you see the bugs. The first signs of a bedbug infestation often are bites on the body. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet say people often will mistake bedbug bites for mosquito bites. (Runtime: 60 seconds)