Good morning, Lafayette.

Lafayette nurse and youth director Bridgette Mouton from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish is one of eight finalists for the national Lumen Christi Award, with each finalist receiving $15,000 and the winner set to get $100,000 this fall (she works extra nursing shifts to fund her ministry).

Moncus Park is expanding its schedule with nearly 90 free public events this fall, offering a range of fitness, nature, and culture activities to help local families connect (its largest programming season since opening).

Empire Today is offering up to 70% off select flooring with free in-home consults until Monday, Sept.

21. Lafayette residents can book an appointment to compare carpet, hardwood, vinyl, and laminate options + get an all-inclusive project estimate.

Coastal Machine & Supply in Carencro will launch a $25.5M expansion that adds 129 jobs at its NE Evangeline Thruway facility.

The manufacturer will build a 20,000-sqft addition followed by a 100,000-sqft expansion to boost aerospace and defense work, officials said today.

Local leaders predict that SpaceX's growth will boost the city's population above New Orleans in 10 to 15 years.

Officials and residents met on Sept. 2 at the Downtown Convention Center to discuss potential funding for the long-delayed I-49 Connector project.

Louisiana residents learn to tell apart venomous snakes by noting that copperheads display copper tones and hourglass patterns in wooded and rocky areas while cottonmouths are dark and primarily found near water (like swamps and marshes).

The guide highlights key visual differences to help ensure safe encounters.

A UL Lafayette student drone team competed in DARPA Lift Challenge in Dayton on Sept.

2, successfully lifting a payload twice its weight. The five engineering students, chosen as one of 132 teams from nearly 500 proposals, gained valuable hands-on experience in aerospace innovation & advanced engineering techniques.

Residents met on Wednesday, Sept.

2 at the Downtown Convention Center in Lafayette to share views on the long-delayed I-49 Connector project; officials noted a potential funding boost tied to SpaceX's growing role in the region that may expedite future work.

Louisiana taxpayers have until Friday, Sept.

4 to claim over $17 million in state income tax refunds by submitting claims online or by mail — unclaimed refunds will later move to the state treasurer’s unclaimed property division.

City and parish officials approved the abandonment of a 60-foot right-of-way on Live Oak Boulevard cutting through the campus of Asbury United Methodist Church because most drivers use adjacent streets for quicker access.

Church officials plan to reconfigure the area for better pedestrian safety.

Louisiana officials approved a $27.5 billion tax incentive package for SpaceX’s Project Osprey in Vermilion Parish — a deal that includes nearly $23.8 billion in property tax exemptions, $3.6 billion in sales tax rebates and a flat annual fee.

The state expects SpaceX to create at least 3,000 jobs when construction begins next year.

Healthy Blue Medicaid coverage for more than 290,000 members ends Dec.

31, 2026. Members must choose a new plan from four options during a special enrollment period from Oct. 15 to Nov. 16 (those who do not will be assigned one) while eligibility remains intact.