Today
in Lafayette
Thursday, January 1st, 2026
Good morning, Lafayette. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 1st of January.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A grease fire damaged the Popeyes on Pinhook Road on New Year's Eve, causing heavy smoke, damaged gas fryers, and disconnected utilities; the restaurant remains closed for repairs. News 15
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Trader Joe’s has confirmed plans to build near River Ranch at the corner of Camellia Boulevard and Bluebird Drive while Northgate Mall was acquired by local developer Jacoby Landry, who will rebrand it as The Hub with mixed-use spaces and green areas. The Advocate
- ➤ Dutch Bros Coffee opened Dec. 31 at 5711 Johnston St. near Acadiana Mall, offering a drive-thru experience and seasonal drinks like the Irish Cream Kicker. It operates (5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sun to Thurs, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri to Sat). The Advocate
- ➤ Trader Joe’s bought land on Camellia Boulevard and Bluebird Drive with plans to open its store by mid-year, marking a top business story for 2025—while developer Jacoby Landry’s $2.8M purchase of Northgate Mall signals plans to redevelop the aging property for mixed use. The Advocate
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Louisiana Department of Health released its list of popular baby names recorded in 2025, showing Noah as the top boy name with 214 cases and Amelia as the top girl name with 191. Vital records captured statewide births over the year. KATC
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Residents disposing of Christmas trees should place them on the curb on their normal garbage day, as collection began Dec. 30. Trees must be free of decorations and stands and will be mulched at the Dean Domingues Compost Facility or dropped off at sites until Jan. 11 (ID required). The Advocate
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Acadiana hospitals report nearly 1 in 9 ER patients showing flu symptoms with many school-age children affected, and Lafayette doctor Britni Hebert warns that low vaccination rates are raising risks of heart attacks + strokes as flu season progresses. The Advocate
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UL men’s basketball kept turnovers low until two late mistakes led to a 63-58 loss to South Alabama at the Cajundome on Wednesday. The Cajuns dropped to 3-12 and will face Southern Miss at noon Saturday in Lafayette. The Advocate
- ➤ UL women's basketball will play Troy today at 4 p.m. at the Cajundome. Coach Brodhead said the team, fresh off a win over Dillard, will try a mixed man-to-man and zone defense + focus on rebounding to counter Troy's high-scoring attack. The Advocate
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Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Louisiana Ragin Cajuns Women's Basketball
5:59-9:59 p.m. — CAJUNDOME & Convention Center — Check the scoreboard as the home team faces the Chanticleers in a thrilling women's basketball matchup.
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Candlelight Tribute to Queen and The Beatles
6-7 p.m. — Petroleum Club of Lafayette — Tickets required — Experience enchanting candlelight performances of legendary hits by Queen and The Beatles.
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Hadestown Show
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. — Heymann Performing Arts Center — Ticket information available — Experience the acclaimed musical where a song can change your fate.
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The Rest & Renewal Experience
11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Enterprise Business Center of Louisiana — Ages 18+ — A curated experience centered on vision and connection to release the weight of 2025 and move into 2026 with renewed direction.
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