Today
in Lafayette
Saturday, January 31st, 2026
Good morning, Lafayette. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 31st of January.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ After 30 years serving the community, Pat's Downtown closed permanently as owner Pat Dupuis retired from the restaurant business. The downtown venue, known for its fried shrimp, bread pudding and burgers, began as Pat's Lunch Connection on Kaliste Saloom Road. News 15
- ➤ SMASH Pickleball and Restaurant will open in the former Lafayette Health Club at 2905 Kaliste Saloom Road, offering a rooftop bar, full service restaurant and pickleball amenities. Developers Adam Johnston and Chase Landry spent 1.5 million on the building and plan to restore it. The Advocate
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Local reporter Al Hebert visited Parc de Oaks Food Truck Park on Friday to sample treats from Southern Kreole Cravings & Pastry Food Truck and speak with Chef Logan Alfred about his culinary creations. The piece is sponsored by Kirk's U Needa Butcher. News 15
- ➤ Festival International passes are now on sale; they offer live music viewing, skipping lines, and A/C restrooms (plus kids under 10 can attend for free with an adult pass) while supporting the nonprofit event's community efforts. Choose between the Lagniappe and Bons Temps levels to best suit your needs. The Current
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ According to U.S. News & World Report, Louisiana ranked sixth for affordability with a cost of living 11.7% lower than the national average, while lower household incomes & a higher poverty rate add challenges for residents. The Daily Advertiser
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Southside High School student Anzlie Ingram, who has played clarinet for eight years, will fulfill her longtime dream by performing at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, Feb. 8. She was chosen through a rigorous audition process and mentored by professor David Ashton (UL Lafayette). The Advocate
- ➤ LPSS will allow students to wear sweatpants Monday because temperatures are forecast to be below freezing (helping kids stay warm while waiting for the bus). Students in Kindergarten to 5th grade may wear jackets with hoods while grades 6 to 12 must wear hoodless coats as set by district policy. BY Local News
- ➤ The Lafayette Parish School System will hold two community meetings in February to share plans for a new K–8 school and gather input from families. The meetings are set at Paul Breaux Middle School (5:30–7:30 p.m.) and Dr. Raphael Baranco Elementary (5:30–7:30 p.m.). BY Local News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Lafayette officials continue warming shelter services at Dupuis Recreation Center (1212 E. Pont Des Mouton Road) through Monday. The shelter closed Sunday daytime for cleaning and now offers overnight care with free LTS rides and relocated basketball games at Carencro High School. City of Lafayette
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ LSU basketball began its SEC season when the Tigers met Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. CT on ESPNU. Fans followed live scores and updates during the game. The Daily Advertiser
- ➤ Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns held off Georgia State (82-72) in Sun Belt Conference play on Thursday night at the Cajundome, marking their ninth win in 27 meetings; redshirt sophomore De’Vion Lavergne scored a career-high 23 points with eight field goals and seven assists. News 15
-
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.
-
Roux Fest Gumbo Cookoff
5-8 p.m. — Blackham Coliseum — Proceeds support local nonprofits — Experience a vibrant gumbo showdown blending tradition and innovation with live music.
-
The Hub Lafayette Runwell 5K Walk/Run
8 AM – 12 PM — Geaux Run by Fleet Feet — Registration fees apply — Enjoy a family-friendly 5K and Kids Fun Run in Lafayette.
-
SPE International Conference on Formation Damage Control
February 18-20 — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette — Check website for cost — A conference focusing on engineering challenges in formation damage control.
-
Chris Thomas King Concert
7:30-11:30 p.m. — Acadiana Center for the Arts — Ticketed event — Experience the soulful sounds of Chris Thomas King, a significant figure in folk blues history.
-
Ragin' Cajuns All Girl Cheer Clinic
3:00–6:00 p.m. — EK Long Annex — Registration required — Elevate your cheer skills with hands-on training and recruitment opportunities led by experienced coaches.
-
Candlelight Concert: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons
6:00-6:59 p.m. — Petroleum Club of Lafayette — Tickets required — Experience a magical evening of live music featuring the hits of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons.
-
NoCap Live in Concert
9 p.m. — The District Event Center — No refunds — Experience an electrifying night with NoCap live in Lafayette.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The price of greatness is responsibility.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Today in Lafayette
Welcome to the Today in Lafayette, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Lafayette, Louisiana community. If you like the Today in Lafayette, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Lafayette.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Lafayette and across Louisiana. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Today in Lafayette
A free Lafayette community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://todayinlafayette.com/sitemap