Good morning, Lafayette.

Lafayette officials extended the open swim season at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center through Oct.

4. Starting this weekend, the pool is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. — admission remains $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Moncus Park is hosting Family Fun Month in August to help families connect with nature and the community.

Marketing director Mary Allie McGoffin said the celebration (part of the Bayou Vermilion District initiative) will offer engaging outdoor activities.

Acadiana's social scene is growing beyond bars and restaurants as community events, food trucks, fitness groups, outdoor concerts and farmers markets draw locals at Moncus Park + around town.

These park-based activities offer a relaxed alternative for gathering with friends and building new social routines.

Food Network named beignets as Louisiana's most iconic food after releasing its nationwide list on Aug.

18. The deep-fried pastries, dusted with powdered sugar and enjoyed with coffee (a staple in New Orleans), underscore a long-held tradition in local cuisine.

Today, UL Lafayette move-in week begins as 3,400 students arrive with freshmen checking in at SOUL Camp B and others set to move in Aug.

20-23. Temporary traffic changes affect campus routes with East St. Mary Blvd closures on Aug. 20-21 + reversed Rex Street to ease flow.

Louisiana schools must enforce a law from the 2024-2025 school year that requires students to turn off and stow phones during class unless an emergency or documented need applies, and violations can result in device confiscation + suspension with parent meetings.

Louisiana schools require students to keep phones off and stored under Act 313; violations may result in phone surrender, suspensions & parent meetings, with exceptions for emergency use or special education plans.

Teachers statewide have received a permanent pay raise through Gov. Jeff Landry's executive order effective July 1, with one-time stipends (teachers: $2,000, support staff: $1,000) for the 2026-27 school year; funds come from a $168 million reduction in the Minimum Foundation Program allocation.

Fire Station #11 closed Tuesday for a six‐month $505,000 renovation project — including roof replacement, foundation repairs, and HVAC updates — while firefighters relocated to 100 Montrose Avenue to ensure continued service.

Lafayette Consolidated Government officials and City Council Chair Kenneth Boudreaux will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. Aug.

25 at the Domingue Recreation Center to gather input on potential improvements for Mouton Park. Residents can share their experiences and suggest amenities for future planning.

Brent Gordon Jr., a sophomore cornerback, was added to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award as he shifted between outside corner and slot during the Cajuns scrimmage; coach Michael Desormeaux praised his mature play & focused practice.