Good morning, Lafayette.

A WalletHub study reports that Louisiana ranks highest in at-risk youth, with 16.6% disconnected youth, poverty + teen births, and low education rates pointing to serious challenges for young adults.

Delcambre hosts its 74th Shrimp Festival, featuring signature shrimp dishes, live music, carnival rides & a boat parade as it continues through Sunday in an event that began as a fundraiser for local firefighters and now supports community organizations.

UL hosted the Pioneering Louisiana event Tuesday to showcase advances in semiconductors, energy, biotechnology and aerospace through student-led projects and partner displays.

State and federal representatives reviewed how investments are growing research and workforce opportunities (annual economic impact exceeds $4.4 billion).

A recent WalletHub study found that Louisiana had the highest rate of at-risk youth, with 16.6% of young adults not in school or work.

The report also noted high youth poverty and teen birth rates in the state.

A new LawnStarter list found 37 Louisiana parishes are highly vulnerable to hurricanes, with Terrebonne, Jefferson & Orleans among the nation’s top 10 based on storm history and cleanup costs.

The ranking was released on Aug. 14.

Lafayette Transit System is set to upgrade its fleet, replacing aging buses and modernizing maintenance facilities with nearly $3 million from federal grants received today.

The funding supports enhanced rider features such as onboard Wi-Fi + real-time route information, and additional buses will be added in early 2027.

Extreme heat persists in Louisiana, and sleep experts advise setting AC at 60 to 67 degrees for a good night’s sleep instead of the 78 degrees recommended for the day.

The National Sleep Foundation and Healthline note that a cooler room helps maintain a proper internal body temperature.

Lee Venable closed on a $2 million deal to buy the 22-acre former Prairie Elementary site from the Lafayette Parish School Board and plans to develop the property into a multi-business complex—some buildings will be torn down while others remodeled with operations expected in two to three years.

Opelousas Catholic is preparing for the 2026 football season after a playoff run in 2025.

Head coach Kent Mason (focused on building relationships during the offseason) is setting a strong foundation for next season.