(Radio 05/01/06) Spikes in natural gas prices can result in huge home utility bills, and LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel says price instability may be a way of life for the foreseeable future. Using blinds and curtains are a start toward reducing the amount of energy you use, but it’s even more effective to shade the exterior of your home during the summer to keep it cooler. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/08/06) Climbing out of debt is no easy task, but LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says a consolidation loan may help. If you manage to get of debt, Tucker also has advice so you don’t fall prey to the same bad habits. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/08/06) Some homeowners could become victims of predatory home lenders. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says these lenders prey on people in need of cash. She says consider all options before taking out a loan and shop around for the best option. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio 05/01/06) You may have seen the energy star label on computers or appliances. LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel explains what it is and how it could help you save money. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/08/06) Is your retirement at risk? LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says if you put all your eggs in one basket it could be. Some employers automatically buy company stock with their contribution to your 401k. Tucker says to make sure your contribution is in other stocks. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/08/06) As companies downsize and merge, many workers could be faced with the option of early retirement. But you should carefully weigh the options before making a decision. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/08/06) With summer approaching, many parents are wondering what to do with their "tweens." Tweens are youngsters between the ages of 10 and 13 that aren’t quite teenagers yet, but old enough to want some independence. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio 05/01/06) For many youngsters their closest encounter with agriculture is in the grocery store. But events such as the LSU AgCenter's AgMagic bring children face to face or foot to hoof with animals, plants and insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio 05/01/06) Maintaining your air conditioner can save you money and help your health in the long run. Changing the filter regularly can increase airflow into the system and prevent dirt from building up. LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio 05/01/06) LSU AgCenter 4-H agents are working with the St. Bernard Unified School to give youngsters in the devastated community something to do. 4-H agent Wayne Burgess meets with students three days a week as part of an after-school program. He says the program helps the kids release energy and stress while learning something along the way. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 05/29/06) Areas of Greater New Orleans are fire ant free, and LSU AgCenter entomologists want to keep it that way. They have launched FAST or Fire Ant Surge Threat Prevention to keep fire ant populations down. (Runtime: 1 minute, 41 seconds)

(TV News 05/15/06) The wheat harvest will begin early this year. Conducive weather helped wheat mature early, and growers are expecting a good crop. Growers in Louisiana planted around 110,000 acres of wheat this year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 17 seconds)

(Video News 05/22/06) For a decade one variety has dominated Louisiana’s sugarcane industry, but researchers have developed two new varieties that could diversify the varieties grown in the state. The varieties, called L 99-226 and L 99-233, have greater yield potential than LCP 85-384. (Runtime: 1minute, 15 seconds)

(Video News 05/08/06) The storm surge from Hurricane Katrina inundated St. Bernard Parish. Eight months later, the community is attempting to recover. Every day families return, and LSU AgCenter 4-H agents are working with an after-school program that offers youngsters a break from Katrina-induced stress. (Runtime: 1 minute, 47 seconds)

(Video News 05/01/06) For many youngsters their closest encounter with agriculture is the grocery store. But LSU AgCenter events such as AgMagic bring children face to face or foot to hoof with animals, plants and insects. (Runtime: 1 minute, 11seconds)

(Radio News 05/29/06) While the city of New Orleans is working hard to get residents back, LSU AgCenter entomologists are working to keep fire ants out. Flood waters destroyed fire ants in many areas. The researchers launched a campaign to stop fire ants from re-infesting flood-damaged areas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/29/06) Fire ants are moving now. Fire ant mating season – which is late in New Orleans because of flooding from hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the droughts that followed – has begun. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Linda Hooper-Bui is working to get bait spread throughout the city to disrupt fire ants from starting new colonies. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/29/06) New methods of controlling mosquito populations could lie in breaking the reproductive cycle. LSU AgCenter mosquito researcher Dr. Wayne Kramer explains they are looking at egg-laying females and that he is interested in testing new products, especially those active in the larval stage where it is most cost-effective and mosquitoes are easiest to manage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/29/06) As mosquitoes become more abundant and active each year, attention turns to mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus. LSU AgCenter mosquito researcher Dr. Wayne Kramer is studying the cycle of West Nile virus. Beyond helping him understand the virus, Kramer says ultimately his research could lead to protecting the public from this potentially dangerous disease. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/22/06) May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Yet about one quarter of American adults report doing no significant physical activity. People are beginning to realize the importance of exercise in reducing the risks of chronic diseases. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames offers tips to keep you exercising. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/22/06) Swarms of honey bees can cause great concern for homeowners, especially if the swarms turn up next to areas where children play or pets stay. Solitary bees are not so alarming, but they do play a beneficial role. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/22/06) It’s May. You’re driving down the highway. Your car is being bombarded by love bugs. The dry weather may have kept them at bay for a while, but LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says they are making their spring appearance and that environmental conditions are right for high populations in some areas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/15/06) Louisiana had a dry start to the year with little rain in the winter and spring. While this was bad for some crops, it could be good news for sugarcane growers. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/15/06) Recent rains have brought a wave of mosquitoes to Louisiana. LSU AgCenter entomologist and mosquito expert Dr. Wayne Kramer says the public can help keep mosquito populations down. To eliminate all possible mosquito habitats, keep yards clear of standing water. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/15/06) Sugarcane growers have two new options when planting sugarcane this year. Two varieties were released to growers that should alleviate some of the problems they are having with the most popular variety. The varieties, called L 99-226 and L 99-233, have greater yield potential than 384. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/15/06) The wheat is turning an amber hue, and that signals the start of the harvest, which will be early this year thanks to dry weather. Growers in Louisiana planted around 110,000 acres of wheat this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/15/06) Wheat prices are between $3 and $3.50 a bushel, but the outlook going into fall has prices reaching $. LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell says this will likely increase the acreage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)