Loropetalums are pretty much smoked!Most of the ones we’ve seen so far have lost all of their foliage. Several are outright dead. The ones that are alive will have to be cut back to about one-quarter  of their current size and allowed to grow back out. When this happens, they will be left bare.

To be sure, officials involved in economic development in Caddo Parish are eager to find a viable tenant who will create jobs at the former General Motors plant. Perhaps too eager. The deal cut with Elio Motors to build a three-wheeled vehicle and hire 1,500 workers is stuck in neutral, having faced delay after delay.