Today
in Lafayette
Thursday, February 19th, 2026
Good morning, Lafayette. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 19th of February.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A sleeping Lafayette Parish resident was rescued from a burning home on Herdsman Lane in Judice on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m. — a neighbor spotted the flames while firefighters struggled with limited hydrant access and later said an electrical malfunction ignited the blaze. News 15
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Festival International de Louisiane has released its music lineup for its 40th anniversary celebration, set for April 22-26 in Lafayette — the schedule features international headline acts like Stephen Marley along with local favorites across multiple genres. News 15
- ➤ Lafayette will host a busy weekend of culture from Feb. 20 to 22 — including a Mardi Gras costume exhibit at the Lafayette Museum, a 90s Hip-Hop on Strings concert at the Petroleum Club, a Pointe Noire film screening at Cité des Arts, and community talks and workshops for families. The Daily Advertiser
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UL Lafayette's search committee is reviewing applications from 12 candidates for its next permanent president; the list will narrow to four semi-finalists today in Baton Rouge, with interviews set for next week in Lafayette (the interim president Dr. Ramesh Kolluru is among the candidates). News 15
- ➤ Niche released rankings on Feb. 18 showing University of Louisiana at Lafayette as the fourth best public university in Louisiana (based on academics, admissions, and student life data). The Daily Advertiser
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Jeff Landry praised CVS for launching a $5 million scholarship program for pharmacy students at UL-Monroe and Xavier (available for the 2026–2027 academic year). The initiative aims to reduce financial barriers for diverse candidates and strengthen local health care talent. The Advocate
- ➤ UL Lafayette received nearly $25M in federal funds for projects, including a $5M semiconductor training center (one of four key initiatives) that boost workforce training and research. The funding, approved by Congress, supports public safety and national defense efforts on campus. The Daily Advertiser
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Ochsner Lafayette General plans to open a standalone emergency department in Broussard to bring critical care closer to residents in a growing area. Construction starts this spring — the 14,000 sqft facility is expected to complete in summer 2027. BY Local News
- ➤ February is Heart Disease Awareness Month as new data shows that over the past decade heart disease deaths dropped by 15% even though it remains the leading killer while stroke deaths rose by 8%. News 15
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ St. Thomas More boys soccer reached the Division II semifinals after a physical 2-1 win over Neville on Tuesday at their home field. Coach Dane Adams praised the team’s grit as they prepare for a fierce semifinal match against Teurlings Catholic. The Advocate
- ➤ LSU baseball remains undefeated at 5-0 since Friday, Feb. 13, highlighted by Jake Brown (he has hit four home runs) and strong bullpen play. The Tigers will soon travel to Jacksonville to face Indiana, Notre Dame and UCF. The Daily Advertiser
- ➤ St. Thomas More boys basketball coach Danny Broussard reached his 1,186th win on Feb. 17, becoming the fifth all-time winningest coach in high school basketball; he guided his team to a 68-44 win over Rayne amid a strong win streak. The Daily Advertiser
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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.
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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.
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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.
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NoCap Live in Concert
9 p.m. — The District Event Center — No refunds — Experience an electrifying night with NoCap live in Lafayette.
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Shadows Arts & Crafts Festival
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Shadows-on-the-Teche — $5 admission for adults — Browse original hand-crafted items and enjoy local food and drinks in a beautiful garden setting.
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Toughest Monster Truck Tour
3–5 p.m. — CAJUNDOME & Convention Center — Tickets required — Experience the thrills of monster trucks and Freestyle Motocross in an action-packed event.
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Rocky Dale Davis Live
7:30-11:59 PM — Club 337 — $25 General Admission, $35 VIP — Enjoy a night of laughs with comedian Rocky Dale Davis at Lafayette's own Club 337.
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Jill Butler and her Joyride Band Performing Hits
7:30 p.m. — Heymann Performing Arts Center — Cost Info Not Provided — Enjoy an evening of soulful music inspired by Roberta Flack and Quincy Jones with Jill Butler and her Joyride Band.
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Louisiana Energy Education Workshop for Teachers
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette — Free entry — A workshop for 6th-12th grade science teachers focused on energy education with meals provided.
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