KTBS.com

Posted 11 hours 23 minutes 39 seconds ago
Posted In: News - First News

    It's getting warmer, and that means it's time to move your plants outside.  Smitty with Home Depot is back with more tips in Gray's Gardens.

Tagged As: first

Posted 11 hours 29 minutes 6 seconds ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Rick Rowe's all fired up for spring!  He's teamed up with Lowe's to build a backyard fire pit in this week's Rick's Renovations.

Tagged As: first, renovations, fire pit, backyard

Posted 11 hours 32 minutes 45 seconds ago
Posted In: News - First News

Polenta casserole
Ingredients:
Polenta Layer:
2 1/2 cups water
2/3 cup whole grain polenta (NOT quick-cooking)
2 sundried tomatoes, chopped
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp dried thyme
½ cup grated cheddar

Squash Layer:
1 ½ cups mashed winter squash
1 or 2 large eggs
¼ tsp salt
Pepper
2/3 cup grated cheddar

Greens Layer:
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped or minced
8-10 packed cups kale or other fresh greens
¼ cup water
¼ tsp salt

Directions:
For the polenta layer, bring the water to a boil in a heavy saucepan and whish in the polenta.  Add sundried tomatoes and seasoning.  Cook on low heat, stirring often, until the polenta is thick and creamy (about 10 minutes).  Stir in the cheese and set aside.

For the squash layer, cook, chop and mash the squash.  Then add egg, salt and pepper, and half the cheese, saving the rest for the top of the casserole.

For the greens layer, cook the garlic in olive oil briefly, stirring constantly, then add the greens, water and salt.  Cover and cook until the greens are tender, but still bright green (about 10 minutes for kale).

Layer polenta, greens, then squash in a lightly oiled baking dish.  Top with the remaining cheese and bake covered for 35 minutes.  Remove the foil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, until golden brown.  Allow to set for 5 to 10 minutes, then cut and serve.

Goat Cheese Toasts

These toasted slices of baguette spread with herbed chèvre are a good accompaniment for a light soup or stew such as Navarin of Spring Vegetables, or add them to your favorite green salad for a certain savoir faire.
 
Ingredients:
2 ½ ounces of goat cheese (chèvre)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or parsley
½ to 1 tablespoon milk or buttermilk
1 thin baguette (French bread) cut into about 12 slices
1 garlic clove (optional)

Directions:
In a small bowl with a fork, mash together the goat cheese and chives or parsley with enough milk or buttermilk to make a spreadable consistency and set aside.  Toast the baguette slices in a toaster or toaster oven, or on an ungreased baking sheet in the oven, until crisp and lightly browned.  If desired, slice the garlic clove in half and gently rub the cut sides on one side of each of the "toasts." Top each with the chèvre spread and serve immediately.

Quick Cinnamon Biscuits

Ingredients:
Cinnamon Sugar mix:
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
 
Biscuit Dough:
2 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream
 
Icing:
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons milk or heavy cream

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
 
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and set aside.
 
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Add 1 1/2 cups of the cream and stir briskly until the dough forms a ball, about 1 minute.  With your hands, fold the dough over a few times in the bowl, until all of the loose bits are incorporated and the dough is smooth. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Lightly flour your hands and gently pat the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle about 9 x 13 inches.  Brush the surface of the dough with the remaining tablespoon of cream.  Sprinkle evely with the cinnamon sugar mix.
 
Starting from a long side, roll the dough into a cylinder.  Slice into 9 equal rounds.  Place the biscuit rounds, cut side down, in an unoiled 8-inch square baking dish or pie plate.  Bake for about 30 minutes, until the biscuits are lightly browned.
 
While the biscuits bake, prepare the icing.  Mix together the confectioners' sugar and milk or cream until smooth.  When you remove the biscuits from the oven, immediately drizzle them with the icing. Serve warm.

Tagged As: first, casserole, vegetables, healthy, eating

Posted 1 day 12 hours 9 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Wedding plans are in full swing for Valerie and Stewart, as they prepare to "Tie the Knot" on our tab in June.  They've put a check mark next to the rings, the wedding gown and the bridesmaid dresses. Now, it's time to mail the invitations!  They've picked their top three choices from Hilburn Printing.

Vote for your pick now!

Tagged As: first, tie, knot, invitations, Hilburn Printing

Posted 1 day 12 hours 22 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News, News - Texarkana

    Bob's gearing up for the Jonquil Festival this weekend in Historic Washington, Arkansas.  He's touring the town and taking in the sites ahead of this month's KTBS 3 Community Caravan.  It's all part of his latest stop in Griffin's Arklatex.

Tagged As: first, Historic Washington, Arkansas, Community Caravan

Posted 1 day 12 hours 27 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

AIDS IMPACTING WOMEN: In general, women have a greater risk of developing HIV through heterosexual transmission.  According to AVERT.org, they are more than twice as likely to become
infected with HIV through unprotected sex than men.  Most of the women infected with the disease (98 percent) are believed to live in developing countries, where women may be less likely to argue for condom use and more likely to be subjected to non-consensual sex.

HIV/AIDS diagnoses are increasing among young adults in the United States.  Almost 50,000 people ages 13 to 24 were living with HIV at the end of 2006.  The disease especially affects young minority women.  In 2005, the majority of new HIV infections among 13 to 19 year olds occurred in blacks and Latinos.  In particular, women of these racial groups are suffering from disproportionate infection rates.  In 2004, 83 percent of newly diagnosed women ages 13 to 24 were of blacks and Latinas; yet they represented just 26 percent of all women in this age group in this country.

TESTING: CRITICAL FOR PREVENTION: Some experts blame the U.S. healthcare system's failure to routinely test patients for HIV as what's fueling the spread of AIDS.  Almost 60,000 Americans were infected with HIV in 2007, and 50 to 70 percent of new sexually transmitted infections are spread by people who do not know they are infected.  Some experts say the healthcare system is missing critical opportunities to identify and treat HIV-infected people in emergency rooms, doctors' offices, veterans' hospitals and prisons.  As a result, an alarming number of patients are not learning they are HIV positive until they are already sick with AIDS, which means their infection had progressed undetected for up to 10 years.  Recent research shows those who are diagnosed and start treatment earlier -- when their CD4 cell counts were below 500 rather than 350 -- have a big advantage: a 70 percent improved chance of survival in each year that follows. 

An HIV diagnoses can be devastating, but experts say new drugs can help people live longer, fuller lives. If a person begins treatment for HIV when they are 20 years old, she says they are expected to live for 43 more years.

Tagged As: first, HIV, AIDS

Posted 4 days 10 hours 6 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    It's been years in the making.  The Boys & Girls Club of Shreveport will soon have a new home.  Rick Rowe visited their current facility to find out more about how they're changing young people's lives.

Tagged As: first, boys, girls, club, Shreveport

Posted 4 days 10 hours 15 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Who's up for a big slice of pi? We're not talking about the dessert ... we're talking about the mathematical symbol!  Sunday, March 14 isn't just any ol' day.  In honor of the mathematical significance of pi, the day now helps promote the importance of math and science education.  To celebrate Pi Day, we invited Strawns' to come in and whip up some of their delectable desserts!

Tagged As: first, pi, pie, math, Strawns

Posted 4 days 10 hours 41 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    It's national nutrition month.  Spring is here, which means many Americans are starting to get back in shape for summer.  If you're one of the many struggling to lose weight, you might want to look at your plate.  Your portion sizes could be to blame.  Lexi McGee explains how much food you should really be eating.

Tagged As: first, portion, size, control, food, losing weight

Posted 5 days 9 hours 30 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

      There's fun, games and big bucks for Shreveport/Bossier, as the SWAC Basketball Tournament makes its first trip to the River Cities.  Commissioner Duer Sharp stopped by to tell us more about the tournament and it's impact on the Arklatex.
    Also, there's a career fair today at the CenturyTel Center in conjunction with the tournament. It's from 8:00 to 2:00.

Tagged As: first, SWAC, basketball, tournament, CenturyTel, career fair

Posted 5 days 9 hours 57 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    He's known for going after the creepiest crawly critters.  He's tackled everything from roaches to alligators, and he's back for more!  Season two of Billy the Exterminator premiered last night on A&E. Rick Rowe talks with the man behind the business for this week's 50 Cities 50 Stories.

Tagged As: first, Billy the Exterminator, exterminators, bugs, TV show

Posted 5 days 10 hours 5 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

      Mardi Gras is over, now it's time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!  Saturday, the group 4 Shreveport will hold its third St. Patty's Day Parade in the Broadmoor neighborhood.  This year's parade will have eight floats, four walking groups, three radio vans and four carts.  Emily Welch with 4 Shreveport and Shannon Shea with the Peter Pan Players stopped by to talk about the event.

Tagged As: first, 4 Shreveport, St. Patrick's Day, parade

Posted 6 days 9 hours 46 minutes ago by Elizabeth Bolt, news producer
Posted In: News - First News

    The YWCA is celebrating women this week.  They're holding a number of events, and you can get involved! From 11:45 to 1:00 today, they're holding a U-Club Ladies Luncheon.  Tomorrow they're holding a panel discussion titled "Defying All Odds".  For more information, call the YWCA at 222-2116.
    Executive Director Amy O'Pry stopped by to tell us more about the events this week.

Tagged As: YWCA, women, celebration

Posted 6 days 10 hours 5 minutes ago by Elizabeth Bolt, news producer
Posted In: News - First News

    It's easy to hide out indoors when it's cool outside, but staying in could have a huge impact on your health.  As Lexi McGee reports, a little sun has more benefits than you know.

Tagged As: first, vitamin D, sun

Posted 1 week 10 hours 46 minutes ago
Posted In: Homepage, News - First News

    Our herb garden is sprouting, and Smitty with Home Depot is back with more tips in our latest Gray's Gardens.  Today we're talking tomatoes.

Watch our garden grow live on our First News web page!

Tagged As: first, Gray's gardens, tomatoes, herbs

Posted 1 week 10 hours 53 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Rick Rowe's doing a little spring cleaning around the house, and at the same time making the old new again.  We're kicking off a new series called Rick's Renovations to help you get started on your spring projects.

Tagged As: first, renovations, projects

Posted 1 week 10 hours 53 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    They're the beauty nightmare of aging, but there's not much you can do to prevent those crow's feet.  Right?  New research suggests there is much more to it than genetics.  Lexi McGee has the do's and don'ts of keeping wrinkles away.

Tagged As: first, face, wrinkles, young

Posted 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

    We rely on them to get around.  Most Americans can't live without them, but cars can cost an arm and a leg.  The average American dishes out $200 a month on car insurance alone.  Here are some ways to keep your costs low.

Tagged As: first, car, insurance, save

Posted 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago
Posted In: Homepage, News - First News

     The wedding plans are in full swing for Valerie Taylor and Stewart Thompson.  Valerie has selected her top three choices for bridesmaid dresses.  Leigh Flood, owner of Bella Bridesmaid, stopped by to show us Valerie's choices and tell us about the latest trends in bridesmaid dresses.

Vote for your favorite dress!

Tagged As: first, Tie the Knot, bridesmaid, dresses, Valerie

Posted 1 week 1 day 12 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News, News - Texarkana, Sports

    Bob's walking with champions.  He's looking back at the careers of local sports legends, as he tours the Arklatex Sports Museum of Champions.  It's in the foyer of the Shreveport Convention Center.  It's open 9:00-5:00 weekdays, and on weekends when the convention center is open.  Admission is free.

Tagged As: first, sports, museum, Arklatex

Posted 1 week 4 days 6 hours ago by Amanda McCarter, news producer
Posted In: Homepage, News - First News

Spring is just around the corner and now is the time start thinking about your garden. We're helping you gear up for planting season with a new segment "Gray's Gardens" with Storm Team Meteorologist Jennifer Gray. She planted a herb garden with help from Smitty with Home Depot.
Today we're seeing our first sprouts!!!
You can watch Gray's Herb Garden grow live on our web cam. Can Gray keep her garden growing? Keep watching to find out.

Tagged As: Gray's, Gardens, herbs

Posted 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

    It's a life-changing phrase, "Move that bus!"  Rick Rowe was in Mineola, Texas for the Carr family's big reveal in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's latest stop.

Tagged As: first, Extreme Makeover, Ty Pennington, Carr family, Mineola, Texas

Posted 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

PRICE CHECK IN AISLE 9: Whether it's shoes, handbags or home décor, many Americans enjoy shopping for new items, at least once in a while.  But for some, shopping can have devastating consequences … hurling individuals into debt and tearing families apart as closets fill up.  The medical term for shopping addiction is omniomania, which is derived from the Greek words omnio and mania.  It translates, respectively, to "for sale" and "insanity."  According to a 2006 Stanford University study, an estimated 6 percent of the U.S. population suffers from the condition.  While it seems such an addiction would impact women at a higher rate, it affects both genders about equally.

Shopping addictions often occur in combination with other psychological disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders and personality disorders, among others. Experts disagree about how it should be classified.  Some say it should be referred to as an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while others argue it's an impulse control disorder.

Shopping addictions sometimes stem from childhood, as children are neglected by their parents and consequently develop low self-esteem.  Toys often become a substitute for loneliness.  Consumerism is a tool used by many to measure social worth: the more you have, the more superior you are. In addition to self worth, shopping is also used by many to cope with stress.

According to Ruth Engs, Ed.D., a professor of applied health at Indiana University, around 10 to 15 percent of shopping addicts are genetically prone to addictive behavior that may be triggered when combined with environmental factors.

RETAIL THERAPY OR TURMOIL? How can you tell the difference between normal shopping and compulsive shopping?  Experts say shopping is a problem when it negatively impacts other aspects of a person's life, such as relationships, finances, and when a person feels they cannot control their spending.

Tagged As: first

Posted 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

    More than 45 million Americans belong to a health club.  That's almost double the number about 15 years ago.  We spend $19 billion each year on gym memberships.  With times being tight, many are giving up their monthly gym fees, but Lexi McGee has some ways to save without interrupting your fitness routine.

Tagged As: first

Posted 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago by Amanda McCarter, news producer
Posted In: News - First News

If you're ready to go all in and do a green house this spring.
Dr. H.Y. Hanna with LSUAgCenter Red River Research Station has some hobby green house tips that can help your plants flourish.
This small green house is something anyone could put together in their backyard. Just a few plants could feed a household! Once it's set up their is very little maintenance, until the harvest.
But that is when you see your true gardening reward.