Play of the Year: Vote for your favorite play of the 2026 season

Port Barre Cracklin Festival raises over $1M for charity

The Port Barre Cracklin Festival, organized by the Port Barre Lions Club, raised over $1 million for charitable organizations supporting health care and youth programs across Louisiana. Over its 40-year history, the festival has donated millions while providing food, entertainment, and community engagement to visitors.

Lafayette rejects permit for 'AI bar' downtown

The Lafayette City Council rejected a conditional use permit for Plush Syndicate, a planned downtown venue at 201 Jefferson Street that gained attention online as an "AI bar." Following the rejection, Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet's administration suspended accepting new conditional use permit applications for downtown bars.

Port Barre celebrates 40th anniversary of Cracklin Festival

Port Barre is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its annual Cracklin Festival, a beloved community tradition that began as a simple fundraising initiative and has grown into a major regional event. The festival remains an important gathering for residents and visitors to celebrate local culture and heritage.

$22M in state funding moves Homewood detention pond project closer to completion

The state will reimburse $22 million toward the Homewood detention pond project in Lafayette, a significant step toward completing the infrastructure designed to manage stormwater and reduce flooding in the area. The funding boost should accelerate the project's timeline and bring residents closer to improved drainage protection.

New market and deli planned for Lafayette’s northside

A new grocery store and deli is opening on Lafayette's northside to improve access to fresh food for residents in that area. The expansion aims to address food accessibility challenges in the neighborhood.

Six new firefighters graduate from Lafayette Fire Department academy

Six new firefighters have completed the Lafayette Fire Department's 22-week academy training program and are now joining the department. The graduates represent fresh additions to the fire department's workforce serving the Lafayette area.

Victim of Lafayette shooting on S. Sterling Street dies; no arrests

Lafayette man dies after shooting on South Sterling Street

Third suspect wanted in connection with September shooting in Patterson

St. Martinville man killed in early morning 2-vehicle tractor crash

St. Martinville man dies in head-on collision with tractor

AT&T begins shutting off landlines in 53 Louisiana communities

AT&T has begun shutting off landlines in 53 Louisiana communities as part of a Federal Communications Commission order, with Verizon and Lumen also planning similar shutdowns. The transition affects customers across multiple parishes in the state who rely on traditional phone service.

As sugarcane is cut, Louisiana mills face labor shortages

Louisiana's sugarcane mills are struggling to meet production demands due to a cap on H-2B visas that allow foreign workers to process sugarcane and crawfish, two of Acadiana's signature agricultural products. The visa restrictions are threatening the productivity and viability of these critical regional industries during the busy harvest season.

No major damage or injuries in Thursday fire at UL Lafayette dorm

A fire broke out Thursday night in a residence hall at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, but officials reported no injuries and no major damage. The incident occurred on the UL Lafayette campus.

Arrests of public officials connected with new charges, State Police confirm

Three public officials in Evangeline Parish, including a candidate for Opelousas Police Chief, were re-arrested Thursday on new charges, according to Louisiana State Police. The re-arrests represent a significant development in what appears to be an ongoing investigation involving local government figures in the Acadiana region.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry eyes 2027 re-election bid, highlights record

Gov. Jeff Landry announced plans for infrastructure investments during a Thursday visit to New Orleans while simultaneously launching his 2027 re-election campaign. The governor highlighted his record as he prepares for a second term.

Gov. Landry announces over $1 billion fiber network expansion for Louisiana

Governor Jeff Landry announced a statewide fiber network expansion totaling over $1 billion for Louisiana. This major infrastructure investment will bring high-speed broadband access to underserved areas across the state, including Acadiana parishes.

Should federal land in Louisiana be open for alligator hunting? Have your say

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public input on a proposal to open federal lands across Louisiana for alligator hunting. The initiative would expand hunting opportunities on federally managed properties throughout the state, including areas in Acadiana.

Missing Opelousas teenage boy found safe