Good morning, Lafayette.

Tractor Supply’s new store at 262 Ridge Rd opens tomorrow with a grand opening weekend offering daily giveaways and special deals on farm, garden, pet and outdoor supplies — a welcome new resource for local shoppers.

Lafayette-born Chris Fontenot hinted Tuesday on social media that he is exploring ways to revive Swamp Pop Sodas, a brand that went dormant after the COVID downturn (he did not promise a definite return).

Local fans of the sugary drink may soon see a new chapter unfold.

Louisiana filmmaker and historian Kyle Crosby, a native of South Lafourche and Grand Isle, received the 2026 Acadian Cultural Heritage Award on Aug.

12. Ellen Fucich from Vermilionville provided more details during his interview on MidDay with Darla.

Acadiana native Kylie Frey will open for Little Big Town at the Youngsville Amphitheater on Sept.

12 at 7:30 p.m. following a 6:30 p.m. set by local performer Thea Lissi.

The Current opened nominations for the sixth Undercurrent Awards to honor local Wavemakers.

Nominations close Aug. 31 while winners will be celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 4 at Acadiana Center for the Arts; CBS correspondent & Lafayette native David Begnaud will host, with tickets available Saturday, Aug. 15.

Ron Czajkowski, regional safety coordinator for Destination Zero Deaths — Acadiana, appeared on MidDay with Darla yesterday and reminded drivers, students, parents, and caretakers to follow safety rules for school buses, bicycles, and pedestrians as students returned to school.

This effort comes as Acadiana gears up for the academic term.

L.J. Alleman Fine Arts Magnet Academy held its topping out ceremony on Tuesday, Aug.

11, with the Rockin’ Trojans performing as officials marked progress replacing temporary butler buildings + starting a new facility at 600 Roselawn Blvd. that will open for the 2027–2028 school year to serve about 1,100 students.

Lafayette Parish Public Schools opened for 30,000 students today after a year of restructuring that included campus closures and a focus on academics and soft skills development.

Local police reminded drivers to obey school-zone rules for student safety.

Licensed practical nurses at Ochsner Lafayette General will become registered nurses through a new partnership with South Louisiana Community College.

The program offers tuition assistance, textbooks, uniforms, and a paid apprenticeship (including classroom and clinical training starting in the second semester) and aims to enroll 20 nurses by June 2028.

LUS opened a larger customer service center on West Congress near Ambassador Caffery, replacing its old Pinhook location.

It now offers expanded drive-thru and in-center services, including a police precinct, and operates 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. plus drive-thru until 7 p.m.

Taylor Farms is pulling guacamole and dips off shelves due to a possible salmonella contamination linked to jalapeños.

The recall, announced Aug. 9, affects products sold at grocery stores in multiple states including Louisiana.

Construction on the planned Buc-ee’s travel plaza in Lafayette will start soon after permits were issued along Louisiana Avenue north of I-10.

The $72 million project features a 74,000 sqft store, 120 gas pumps + 700 parking spaces and is scheduled to open in 2028.

Luc Godin will return as head coach for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Men’s Tennis program for the 2026-27 season, announced Interim Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Trey Frazier on Wednesday in Lafayette.

He previously coached at UL (2021-24) and worked at Washington over the past two years.