(Radio News 07/31/06) Last year’s hurricanes emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness. An LSU AgCenter family economist recommends having a "grab and go box" that contains critical information you will need to reestablish yourself in the event of a disaster. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/31/06) What your homeowner’s insurance covers may surprise you, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker. Most people are aware that it covers your house and structures on your property, but the specialist says it covers much more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/31/06) Moving away to college can be a financial eye-opener for some teens, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker. Students should determine their fixed and flexible costs and prepare a livable budget before they make the big move. Students may desire things to be as nice as they were at home, but most students make sacrifices. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/31/06) Financing a college education could be a collaboration involving the student, family, school, state and lending agency ,says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 0731/06) There are pros and cons students must consider when deciding whether or not to work during their college years. Employment can enhance career opportunities later and include perks in the short term, but working while in school also can put a strain on studies. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 07/31/06) Growers fight a standing battle against weeds. Roundup Ready varieties are resistant to glyphosate herbicides, so growers can control weeds on these cotton or soybean varieties without harming their crops. Unfortunately, however, for growers who rotate Roundup Ready soybeans and cotton, volunteer growth from the previous season’s crop can become a weed. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(TV News 07/24/06) Robert Thevis always strived to be a good farmer, but now he is a certified Louisiana Master Farmer. Thevis and 13 other farmers from across the state are the first group to officially become Master Farmers. (Runtime: 1minute, 43 seconds)

(TV News 07/03/06) Monitoring for Asian soybean rust continues to be a priority for LSU AgCenter researchers. The disease threatens the state’s soybean crop, but, like most plant diseases, it needs the right weather conditions to develop. (Runtime: 1 minute, 23 seconds)

(TV News 07/17/06) Recent years have been rough on rice farmers. Even though they have produced near-record crops, low prices have left some struggling. LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dr. Johnny Saichuk says the struggles continue again this year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 20 seconds)

(TV News 07/10/06) Corn farmers will be in their fields harvesting early this year. The crop matured early, pushing the harvest up by two weeks. LSU AgCenter corn specialist Dr. David Lanclos says, "Mother Nature is just driving the crop way too fast." (Runtime: 1 minute, 7 seconds)

(Radio News 07/24/06) For several years now Clearfield technology has been helping rice growers battle the red rice weed, but the Clearfield lines available to growers didn’t perform as well as conventional varieties. Fortunately, experts say an experimental Clearfield variety could change that trend. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 0724/06) Thirteen Louisiana farmers can officially call themselves Master Farmers. The group was the first to complete the Louisiana Master Farmer program, which is a joint effort of the LSU AgCenter, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/24/06) Robert Thevis learned about conservation methods farmers could implement through the Louisiana Master Farmer program. As it turns out, he had been practicing some of them for years, but there were some changes he made to his farm to help him become a Master Farmer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/24/06) The rainfall deficit in many areas of the state has growers worried about their crops. LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Dr. David Lanclos says the state’s soybean crop looks good despite the lack of rain. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/24/06) Navigating the insurance claim process can be difficult, as many people found out following the 2005 hurricanes. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker advises that in the event of damage, consumers should contact their insurance agents immediately and keep records of all calls. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/17/06) Many Louisiana rice growers spent the early part of the planting season waiting on rain to flush their fields of salt. Despite the difficult start, experts say rice that made it into the fields is doing well. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/17/06) Recent years have been rough on Louisiana rice farmers. Even though they produced near-record crops, low prices have left some struggling, and this year their struggles continue with added problems of salt-water contamination from Hurricane Rita. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/17/06) Corn farmers will be in their fields harvesting early this year. According to LSU AgCenter corn specialist Dr. David Lanclos, the crop matured early, pushing the harvest up by two weeks. He says the crop across the state is mixed – depending on whether farmers irrigated or not or if they received adequate rainfall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/17/06) The dry weather across the state could result in yield reductions for corn, but LSU AgCenter corn specialist Dr. David Lanclos says he still thinks most corn farmers will fare well this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/10/06) Many youngsters start off excited about the prospects of summer but then quickly fall into a dull, boring routine. LSU AgCenter family life expert Dr. Diane Sasser says learning can extend into the summer months. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/17/06) Growers fight a standing battle against weeds. For growers who rotate Roundup Ready soybeans and cotton, sprouting growth from the previous season’s crop can become a weed, says LSU AgCenter researcher Dr. Donnie Miller. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio 7/10/06) Ten months ago U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore was charged with overseeing the relief effort of the worst natural disaster to hit the United States – Hurricane Katrina. He credits the lessons he learned as a Louisiana 4-H Club member with helping him during that difficult time. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/10/06) Ripe, juicy watermelon makes for a refreshing summer treat. In Louisiana, Washington Parish leads the state in the amount of watermelons acreage planted, but according to LSU AgCenter county agent Henry Harrison, the number of growers in that parish is declining. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio New 7/10/06) More than 300 people die each year from heat-related illnesses. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says drinking enough fluids can help you avoid dehydration during the hot summer months. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/03/06) Blueberries are brimming with nutrients and flavor, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Blueberries are low in calories and high in fiber. Reames says to choose dark blue berries that are not too soft. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/10/06) Water and electrolytes like sodium and potassium are important for energy levels. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says it’s easy to get the proper amount of water each day. But while people are getting enough water, they also are consuming too much sodium, she says. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/03/06) The microwave is a ubiquitous kitchen appliance, and the little box can offer a quick fix for any meal. Now LSU AgCenter researchers are using technology similar to the home microwave as a quick means of extracting antioxidants from plant materials. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/05/06) Logging onto the Internet can leave youngsters and teens vulnerable to online predators. New social sites give young people a place to chat with and meet new friends, but LSU AgCenter family development expert Dr. Diane Sasser says it also can give them a false sense of security. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/03/06) School is out, and that means youngsters have a lot of free time on their hands. While summer is a time for children to take a break from school work, experts say it is not unreasonable for parents to expect school-aged children to help out around the house. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/03/06) Keep it clean when cooking or eating outdoors, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. No one wants a picnic or cookout spoiled by foodborne illness. Reames stresses the importance of keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold. (Runtime: 60 seconds)