Today
in Lafayette
Thursday, February 26th, 2026
Good morning, Lafayette. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 26th of February.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Construction continues on Lafayette's first Trader Joe's store along Camellia Boulevard, with crews building its 16,000 sqft space and a $6.5 million price tag. If progress remains steady, the specialty grocer will open later this year. News 15
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UL Lafayette has named interim President Ramesh Kolluru as the sole finalist in its presidential search after months of community engagement — he will be recommended to the UL System Board in Baton Rouge tomorrow. KATC
- ➤ The University of Louisiana at Lafayette asked its system board today to approve the sale of five properties (including a 600-acre research farm in St. Martinville and a 50-acre ecology center in north Lafayette) to help close a $12M deficit. The board meets at 10 a.m. at McNeese State University. The Advocate
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Taxpayers filing 2025 returns now see a tax cut approved by Gov. Landry that lowers the top rate to 3% and boosts the standard deduction to $12,500—saving nearly $500 for middle-class families. The change also cuts corporate tax and adjusts sales tax to support business investment. The Advocate
- ➤ Louisiana's Children and Family Services announced a plan to recruit more foster parents by certifying 1,100 new homes and reactivating 200 by Dec. 31 to boost the ratio from 48 homes per 100 children (aiming to reduce wait times). It will also raise reimbursement rates for foster parents next fiscal year. The Advocate
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Two Acadiana men who underwent TAVR at Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital reunited with the life saving care team. Judge Gary LeGros, 70, and retired businessman Paul Toups, 84, said the minimally invasive procedure improved their breathing and helped them quickly return to daily life. The Advocate
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Tuesday night, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 1-0 at Russo Park when Mark Collins hit a solo home run and Sawyer Pruitt pitched six scoreless innings — the teams will meet again Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. KATC
- ➤ Lafayette native Carli Judice won her UFC bout over the weekend by defeating Juliana Miller with a unanimous decision in Houston. The win (improving her record to 6-2) sets her on course to climb further in the flyweight ranks. KATC
- ➤ Moncus Park will host the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championships on Dec. 12 where runners aged 7 to 18 will compete. Officials say the event is expected to bring over $8.5 million in business sales and more than 9,000 hotel room nights to the area. The Daily Advertiser
- ➤ Acadiana athletes won state titles over the weekend at the LHSAA Indoor Track and Field State Meet in Baton Rouge. Lafayette High claimed two relay wins + one pole vault win, while other local schools also earned podium finishes. KATC
- ➤ The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns track teams finished second at the Sun Belt Indoor Championships, which concluded Tuesday (Feb. 24) at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The women matched their best finish since 1998 while the men's team scored 112 points and the women earned 81. KATC
- ➤ The Louisiana softball team won 10-2 over Northern Iowa on Tuesday at Lamson Park thanks to a late-inning surge that produced four runs in the sixth inning and ended the game early via the run rule. Louisiana will play a doubleheader at the Texas A and M Invite later this week. KATC
- ➤ Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns pitcher Bethaney Noble earned SBC Pitcher of the Week honors after giving up one run over 15 innings this weekend in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. The team returns Tuesday at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park before starting a series in Bryan, Texas. KATC
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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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2026 Louisiana Environmental Conference and Trade Fair
8 AM – 12 PM — CAJUNDOME & Convention Center — Registration required — Explore vital environmental regulations and network with industry professionals.
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Candlelight: Tribute to Adele
8:30-9:45 p.m. — Petroleum Club of Lafayette — Get your tickets now to relive the music of Adele in a magical candlelight setting.
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Easter Fest
4-7 p.m. — Moncus Park — Free entry — Celebrate Easter with family-friendly activities and community fun at Moncus Park.
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