Today
in Lafayette
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Good morning, Lafayette. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 8th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Smoke & Barrel returns to Cajun Field on May 2 with a Derby Day event offering bourbon tastings, barbecue, and live music. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana. News 15
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The BYOB Hamburger & Hotdog Festival is coming soon in Lafayette where Al Hebert shared details and enjoyed a chili dog sample by Tim Cope at Emmy's Ice Cream Bar. News 15
- ➤ Festival International de Louisiane and CODOFIL have expanded the festival's 40th celebration by adding a French-focused stage called Francosphere. Moussa Sadou (the festival president and French immersion teacher) and Karla Ewing of CODOFIL discussed the plan on MidDay with Darla. News 15
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Consumer Reports and the Strategic Resource Group show that Louisiana’s lowest-priced grocery stores are Costco and Aldi, with Costco priced 21.4% below Walmart and Whole Foods carrying prices 39.7% above the baseline. The Daily Advertiser
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Four Lafayette educators were chosen for the Ron Clark Academy Experience in Atlanta in March—funded by a $1 million SONIC donation—to learn strategies that boost classroom engagement and success alongside 400 nationwide teachers. The Daily Advertiser
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Lawmakers advanced two bills to offer tax breaks for aerospace companies that commit $1 billion in investment and 200 permanent jobs by July 2031, with officials saying the measures aim to attract industry giants and boost local growth — Gov. Landry hopes companies like SpaceX join the effort. The Advocate
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Local sports fans can vote for the Acadiana Advocate's Player of the Week from high school track stars based on last week's events; the poll (closes today at noon) and the winner will be revealed on the Advocate Acadiana Facebook page. The Advocate
- ➤ Two Lafayette Ballers players, De'Edward Cormier and Devin Milton, will head to the ABA All-Star Game in Atlanta after the team finished its first season. CEO Amanda Perero praised the players for their contributions both on and off the court. News 15
- ➤ Daily Advertiser announced its 2025-26 All-Metro boys basketball teams that honor top talents from the 337-area. The list names MVP Jaydon Francis and Coach Troy Jones of Northside — key figures in the season — after 31 teams reached the playoffs. The Daily Advertiser
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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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