Today
in Lafayette
Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
Good morning, Lafayette. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 17th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ ARCH has launched Groundwork to address homelessness in Lafayette as hundreds face uncertainty each night about where to sleep. The inaugural meeting focused on efficient use of donor and tax dollars — future sessions will tackle other community needs. News 15
- ➤ Parish Proud and Love Our Schools will partner to beautify schools in the Scott area on Sept. 20 by painting, planting, graveling, and picking up litter at four school sites including Acadiana High—where registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers will register onsite as transportation is provided to Scott Middle, L. Leo Judice Elementary and Westside Elementary. The Advocate
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Jeff Landry announced a plan to speed up work between LED and state agencies so local businesses can compete — the project, called Project Lightning Speed, will add cabinet liaisons to connect agencies faster for future projects. The Advocate
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Lafayette ADA Gary Haynes, who is on trial in federal court, said FBI recordings implicate former DA Mike Harson in a 2012 bribery scheme—Haynes noted cash was left on Harson’s desk during a recorded conversation. The Advocate
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Festivals Acadiens et Créoles in Lafayette will spotlight Cajun and Creole cooking this fall — the event will kick off with an official boudin cutting and offer cooking demonstrations by local chefs on Saturday October 11 and Sunday October 12. Enjoy a food adventure featuring local dishes such as crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. News 15
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ One Acadiana launched its free online Elections Hub to help Lafayette Parish voters prepare for the Oct 11 election by offering a ballot guide for two local millage renewals—one for the school system and one for Bayou Vermilion District—and a new video series with interviews from local leaders. Early voting runs from Sept 27 through Oct 4 and the site will update with resources after the Oct 11 vote. The Daily Advertiser
- ➤ The Louisiana Workforce Commission and local partners are providing emergency sessions to help over 500 SafeSource workers affected by the suspension of operations at their Broussard facilities; the final in-person session runs tomorrow from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Broussard Civic Center — additional support will be offered online. KATC
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Chagas disease is now considered endemic in the U.S. and local kissing bugs carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi—studies show that up to 70% of collected bugs are infected and there have been 13 confirmed cases in the state. The Daily Advertiser
- ➤ The White House has opened applications for a $50 billion fund to help rural hospitals in Acadiana that may close if Medicaid cuts take effect. Six hospitals including Iberia Medical Center must submit detailed proposals by early November—this step is crucial for sustaining their operations. News 15
- ➤ Ochsner opened a new $35M, 100,000-square-foot health center at 1100 Bertrand Drive that expands internal medicine, orthopedics and sports medicine services in Lafayette. The center, which began treating patients Sept. 2 and held a ribbon-cutting Sept. 10, serves as a training hub for LSU Health New Orleans—helping boost care capacity by 28% in its first year—while creating new jobs for local workers. The Daily Advertiser
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The Lafayette City Planning Commission approved developer Cliff Guidry’s preliminary plat to merge 444 Jefferson St with its adjacent parking area and replace the former Handy Stop building with a 21-unit condo project featuring 23 ground-floor parking spaces. Guidry said 20 units will be single bedroom while the top unit will be a five-bedroom penthouse for Airbnb—commissioners kept the traffic impact analysis requirement in place. The Advocate
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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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Sax in the City: Dee Lucas with The Dave Mouton EXPerience
7-10 p.m. — Brass Room — Tickets available — Experience a night of jazz featuring soulful saxophone and vibrant performances.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
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Reveal the authorAbout Today in Lafayette
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