Today
in Lafayette
Friday, September 12th, 2025
Good morning, Lafayette. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 12th of September.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Noble Plastics is investing $8.5M to expand its St. Landry Parish headquarters—this expansion will supply parts to First Solar’s new factory in Iberia and create 29 direct jobs while retaining 56 current positions. Construction will start later this quarter and finish by the end of 2026. The Daily Advertiser
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Carencro baker Nina Maria Charles will compete on Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship on Sept.15 where she will craft spooky desserts for a judging panel and vie for a $25,000 prize. Her journey from a self-taught baker who began with a cake for her nephew to running a thriving business—including a food truck—promises to inspire our local community. The Daily Advertiser
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ AOC Community Media is hosting fall digital storytelling camps for youth ages 10–15 that align with Lafayette Parish School System’s school breaks. The camps will offer hands-on sessions in video production, TV broadcasting, and stop-motion animation, with the first session starting September 17 and additional sessions to follow in the fall. KATC
- ➤ Seven students from Lafayette Parish Public Schools were named National Merit Scholarship finalists from over 16,000 semifinalists competing for nearly $26 million in awards. They earned the honor by achieving high scores on the 2024 Preliminary SAT and submitting strong applications — a sign of the district’s academic excellence. The Advocate
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ An ancient 20‑foot cypress board that once hung in the State Capitol is missing, with retired Dr. Julius Mullins saying it was taken from former Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s office in Gonzales—leaving donor Walter Stebbins’ family and state officials frustrated. State agencies have confirmed the board is state property, but no branch has stepped in to reclaim it. The Advocate
- ➤ Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet introduced a plan to build a subsurface drainage system on Johnston Street to reduce flooding in downtown, in Freetown-Port Rico and on the campus; she said the project, estimated at up to $12 million, will include community feedback and seeks state + federal funding while construction may start early next year. The plan is part of ongoing efforts to upgrade the city's aging drainage system. The Advocate
- ➤ Lafayette’s Parks, Art, Recreation and Culture Department has launched an online reservation system called CivicRec that lets residents book recreation centers, athletic fields and pavilions. The system shows real-time availability, accepts payments and issues rental permits during normal business hours. The Advocate
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Ochsner Health Center — Bertrand at 1100 Bertrand Drive opened on Sept. 2 as a renovated 100,000-square-foot outpatient facility providing internal medicine, orthopedics, sports medicine and physical therapy. The new $35 million center relocated services from Ochsner UHC and is designed to expand specialty care, support medical education and add jobs in the Acadiana region. KATC
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Cajuns football team is set to face No. 25 Missouri this weekend when the game will kick off at noon—shifted from 3 p.m. because of near 100-degree heat—and redshirt freshman Daniel Beale will start while the team plays with a depleted offensive line after two starters are out and O-lineman John Bragg has left. News 15
- ➤ Lafayette Parish prep football began Week 2 with non-district games on Thursday and continues today with a homecoming contest where Lafayette faces its former coach’s new team and an unbeaten Carencro meets Lafayette Christian Academy. The action will finish on Sept 13 when St. Edmund hosts Sacred Heart — a key Saturday night lights matchup. The Daily Advertiser
- ➤ St. Thomas More girls volleyball is chasing a five-peat this season as the Cougars start with a seven-game winning streak despite losing some starters last year. Coach Jessica Burke said key seniors and new players — including sophomore Claire Thompson, Morgan Dunn, and Virginia Blanchard — are growing the team’s chemistry for a state title run. The Daily Advertiser
- ➤ On Thursday night, Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy hosted Abbeville in the Bayou Blitz—the Tigers built on their 35-14 win over Prairieville while the Wildcats tried to rebound after a road loss to Washington-Marion. News 15
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Movies at Moncus: Shrek
Sunset — Moncus Park — $10 parking per vehicle — Enjoy a rescheduled screening of the beloved animated classic Shrek along with themed family activities and local food vendors.
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Redwine and Justus Concert
7 PM - 1 AM — Whiskey & Vine — Ticket info not provided — Experience the fusion of traditional jazz and Cajun Musettes with clarinetist Ben Redwine and Chas Justus.
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Alyse Young Live Performance
6-10 p.m. — Bushido-Lafayette — Cost information not provided — Enjoy an evening of live music with the talented local artist Alyse Young.
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Ben Folds Concert
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Heymann Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the genre-bending music of acclaimed singer-songwriter Ben Folds in a captivating live performance.
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Full Throttle Tour 2025
7-9 p.m. — CAJUNDOME & Convention Center — Ticket prices may vary — Country superstar Jason Aldean hits the stage with special guests Nate Smith, RaeLynn, and Dee Jay Silver.
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Bayou Fest & Boat Parade 2025
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District — Registration fee applies — Celebrate the Bayou Vermilion with paddling, music, contests, and fun for all ages.
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Downtown Rising 2025
11 a.m. – 8 p.m. — Parc International — Tickets available — Celebrate music and community with The Wailers and local artists in an epic reggae event.
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ACLA Latin Music Festival
4 PM – 10 PM — Parc International — Check back for more details — A family-friendly multicultural celebration of Latin music since 2002.
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Alyse Young Live at La Pizzeria
6-10 p.m. — La Pizzeria Lafayette — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of soulful music from Lafayette's own singer-songwriter Alyse Young.
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PetSmart Adoption Event
10 AM – 1 PM — PetSmart — Free entry — Meet adorable adoptable cats and dogs ready to find their forever homes.
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