Good morning, Lafayette.

Inaugural Give Acadiana Day supports donations for five local nonprofits and will be held Saturday, Aug.

8 at the Cajundome from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizers plan to accept items at the main site and at satellite drop-offs (including locations in Breaux Bridge, Crowley, New Iberia, Opelousas, and Youngsville).

This fall, downtown Lafayette will come alive with cultural events including the free three-day Festivals Acadiens et Créoles beginning Friday with the iconic Cutting of the Boudin, live Cajun and zydeco music, regional crafts and food.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy Latin Music Festival shows and the self-guided Cajun Boudin Trail.

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile celebrated 90 years as it made a two-day stop in Acadiana on Thursday and Friday, drawing crowds at Rouses locations in Lafayette and Youngsville while Hot Doggers Nacho Nora and Cookout Caroline drove the 27-foot hot dog on wheels.

The Bayou Vermilion District will unveil the Living Bayou Exhibit on the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Acadiana floods, featuring outdoor panels, a photo exhibit, and personal accounts from locals.

Ellen Fucich (marketing and communications rep at Vermilionville) discussed the event on MidDay with Darla.

Al Hebert visited Soul Haus Kitchen in Lafayette on Friday to sample hearty soul food including boiled seafood hot boxes, slow-braised oxtails, red beans, and banana pudding (sponsored by Kirk's U Needa Butcher).

Pasture mealybugs threaten Louisiana sugarcane after being found in 14 parishes, and farmers have received an emergency exemption to spray insecticides as experts work to develop a response.

Growers race to protect the crop as the new pest quickly damages fields.

The Lafayette Parish School Board approved a $4.3 million investment (with the Pugh Family Foundation) to support ACE schools for over 1,400 students through the 2028-2029 school year and a teacher incentive plan that pays up to $1,800 if teachers miss no more than 10 days in the year.

Officials advise residents to stop roadside donations and instead support trusted local organizations (such as volunteering, donating supplies, or serving meals) to help those facing homelessness while keeping intersections safe.

Lafayette Consolidated Government’s 'Change the Way We Give' initiative provides coordinated support across the community.

Millennial home ownership in Lafayette spiked from 24,228 in 2018 to 33,005 by 2023 while renters dropped by over 5,000—RentCafe data shows 60.9% of local millennials now own homes, ranking the area 11th among surveyed markets.

LSU football was picked to finish fifth in this season's SEC preseason poll released July 24 with five players earning first-team honors — a sign of high expectations for Lane Kiffin's debut as head coach.

The Tigers will face Texas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M this season.

Acadiana Roller Derby hosts a doubleheader on Saturday, Aug.

8 at Blackham Coliseum: doors open at 4:00 p.m. with the bout starting at 5:00 p.m.; a regular bout between Acadiana and West Florida Roller Derby will be followed by a fun mash-up bout (featuring local food and vendor offerings) for all ages.

Zydeco Sunday at Rock'n'Bowl

5-11 p.m. — Rock'n'Bowl® de Lafayette — $17.43 total — Experience lively Zydeco music and a vibrant atmosphere.

Back to School Potluck

6-8 p.m. — Blue Moon Saloon & Guest House — Drinks available — Bring a dish to share and connect with local educators and community members.