Today
in Lafayette
Tuesday, April 7th, 2026
Good morning, Lafayette. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 7th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Downtown Lafayette will host a variety of events this weekend at Parc Sans Souci. Friday features Downtown Alive! from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday offers a wellness event and Second Saturday ArtWalk from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday's Bach Brunch runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. KATC
- ➤ The F5 festival benefiting Team Gleason will be at Blackham Coliseum on April 30 from 4-8 p.m. with a cooking contest and auction to raise funds for ALS support - tickets cost $45 and the event expects to draw 1,500 people while aiming to top $1 million raised in previous years. The Advocate
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Pelican Engineering, led by James Palmer, is Louisiana’s only contract manufacturer for circuit boards and bought an 80,000 sqft facility last month to expand its operations. The company serves customers nationwide + plans to hire at least five employees this year. The Advocate
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Monsignor Keith DeRouen displays a personal gallery of religious art in his Lafayette home (featuring an original Clementine Hunter piece) that reflects decades of cherished family memories and service. The pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church plans to retire here and host gatherings with loved ones. The Advocate
- ➤ Scott is ready to host its 13th annual Boudin Festival from Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12. The event offers carnival rides, an arts and crafts vendor area, and Sunday Mass, and it features enhanced security with two metal detector gates (north and south). KATC
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Consumer Reports compared grocery prices and found that in Louisiana, Costco and Aldi offer the lowest prices with Costco items 21.4% cheaper than Walmart's baseline while Whole Foods charges 39.7% more plus the study only included chains with local locations. The Daily Advertiser
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Superintendent Touchet said the school district sent its final audit draft to Kolder Slaven & Company a month ago and is now working with EisnerAmper from Lafayette on finalizing the report for the state auditor. He stressed that earlier partial information did not give a full picture. BY Local News
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges residents and business owners statewide to turn off nonessential outdoor lights from 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. to help migratory birds navigate safely along the Gulf Coast this spring. KATC
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Lafayette Utilities System earned the national RP3 award from the American Public Power Association on April 6 for safe, reliable electric service + ongoing system improvements. The three-year recognition highlights its strong performance in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. The Daily Advertiser
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UL baseball coach Matt Deggs was suspended for two games after confronting the James Madison dugout during a 5-1 loss on Saturday in Harrisonburg. He will serve his suspension (at Southeastern on Wednesday as his team meets Southern Mississippi on Friday) and he apologized for his temper. The Advocate
- ➤ North Vermilion softball showed strong contention for the Division II title by beating No. 1 Griffins 12-4 in Pineville last week. Coach Prejean praised the team's quick adjustments (with standout efforts by pitcher Kallie Gibson and third baseman Reese Charpentier) as they aim to climb playoff rankings. The Advocate
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Southeastern Louisiana Lions vs. Louisiana Ragin Cajuns Baseball
6-10 p.m. — ML 'Tigue' Moore Field at Russo Park — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a thrilling college baseball matchup between two local teams.
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Fit for All Series: Tai Chi
Tai Chi in the Park — Time TBD — Moncus Park — Free entry — Slow down and move with intention through gentle, low-impact Tai Chi exercises.
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Artist Talk with Kathy Reed and Steve Breaux
4:30 – 6:00 PM — Acadiana Center for the Arts — Free entry — Engage with accomplished artists discussing their work and influence in the local arts community.
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Coastal Carolina Chanticleers vs Louisiana Ragin Cajuns Softball
12 – 4 AM — Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park — Entry price varies — Catch the excitement of college softball as Coastal Carolina takes on the Ragin Cajuns.
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Comedy on the Swamp
9-11 a.m. — Feed & Seed Lafayette — Free admission — Local wheelchair comedian sharing laughs and meaningful messages from Lafayette, Louisiana.
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2026 Annual Session of the Louisiana Dental Hygienists' Association
7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. — City Club at River Ranch — Registration required — Enhance your skills with engaging sessions and networking opportunities for dental professionals.
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Festival After Party with Pirates and Bards
8 PM – 2 AM — Artmosphere — Check for ticket info — A night of banjo twang, sea shanties, and street-singin’ chaos awaits.
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Lafayette Utility Coordination Diggers Night Out
5:45-8 p.m. — River Oaks Catering — Free entry — Network with utility professionals at a fun evening focused on damage prevention and socializing.
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Acadiana Go Red for Women Luncheon
11 AM – 2 PM — Le Pavillon at Parc Lafayette — Ticket details not provided — Celebrate women's heart health with the American Heart Association's annual event featuring expert talks and community awareness.
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Kappa Derby Day Party
3-9 p.m. — Calvary Creek — Fundraiser event — Celebrate the Derby with style while supporting community initiatives.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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