Good morning, Lafayette.

Franklin’s pocket park on Main Street received national recognition for its revitalization — Mayor Eugene Foulcard explained the park’s unique features to reporter Al Hebert.

Traffic at Middlebrook Elementary builds as cars turning onto Starling Lane cause congestion around 7:30 a.m. Lafayette Parish School System officials are considering short-term fixes (magnet academy drop-offs contribute to the issue) while police report no complaints.

Buc-ee’s confirmed a 74,000 sqft store opening at the corner of Louisiana Avenue and Interstate 10 by July 2027—crews have raised the ground level on the flood-prone site while road improvements are planned to ease traffic.

Pop’s Poboys owner Jasmyne Cormier said that after a busy 2025 with openings like Doc’s Pop-In and Central Pizza in Broussard, the business will pause expansion in 2026 to refine its current venues and boost customer value & manage economic challenges.

The Lafayette Genealogical Society seeks to engage younger residents in exploring family ties and preserving local history.

The group meets at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday at Southside Regional Library (6101 Johnston St.) and offers free research sessions on the first Saturday at 9:30 a.m. downtown.

Southside High School student Anzlie Ingram was selected to perform clarinet at Carnegie Hall as part of the elite Honors Performance Series — she will join top high school musicians on Feb.

8 in New York City.

Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. received a $65,000 raise that boosted his salary to $300,000 and extended his Lafayette Parish Schools contract until Dec.

31, 2029 following a board evaluation scoring 3.8 out of 4 (up from 3.5 last year).

Love Our Schools visited classrooms to honor educators nominated as finalists in the Education All-Star Awards — 15 finalists chosen from 2,500 nominations across nine public schools — with winners to be revealed on Feb.

7 at half-time during the men’s basketball game at Cajundome.

Twins Burgers and Sweets is mixing TikTok fun with tradition by selling handcrafted gingerbread twin cookies and naturally colored King Cakes in Lafayette as Mardi Gras season kicks off.

The bakery is boosting production to meet rising online orders to keep treats available for customers.

A building permit approved last week shows a $250,000 tenant renovation for The Gleason Group office at 151 Southpark Road with work by Gleason Ledet Construction, and additional permits were issued for other local commercial and residential projects.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mardi Gras Mambo II

1-3 p.m. — Painting with a Twist — $30 per person — Enjoy a family-friendly art session in a lively atmosphere.

Courir de Mardi Gras

10 AM – 4 PM — Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District — Free entry — Experience a vibrant family-friendly Mardi Gras run with traditional music and gumbo gathering.