Good morning, Lafayette.

Laura Hanes, News 15’s community marketing director, was named Lafayette Kiwanian of the Year Tuesday night at the Petroleum Club, and she credited the honor to the collective work of the Lafayette Kiwanis Club in advancing civic causes.

Moncus Park received a $50K grant from Kubota on Tuesday, Sept.

22 to fund trail development, habitat restoration, and maintenance of public gathering spaces; the grant was split as half cash + half equipment under the Hometown Proud program.

Moncus Park secured a $50,000 grant and a new Kubota tractor as one of 10 recipients of the Kubota Hometown Proud grant program, which will support its Back 50 project for trail maintenance and natural area improvements on its 100-acre greenspace.

AT&T & the Ruth W. Brooks Senior Ministry distributed 25 refurbished laptops to Lafayette seniors on Sept.

23 to help bridge the digital divide. The computers give recipients connected access to family and essential services.

The Acadiana Center for the Arts has named Carolyn Schumacher, David Strother and Richard Broussard co-chairs of a $10m campaign for the Louisiana Music Museum at the former Lafayette Hardware store next to the ACA.

Since April 2025, $5.5m has been raised and the project will boost local economic activity.

SpaceX is planning to build its largest facility in Vermillion Parish on an 18-mile stretch covering 136,000 acres, with construction to begin by the end of 2027 and a first launch planned for 2029.

The company posted four job openings and expects to create over 3,000 jobs.

Louisiana now has a 54% educational attainment rate, up from 44% in 2019, with 85,000 students earning credentials in 2026 and hitting a target for 2030.

Education leaders say gaps remain and stress the need for high-demand programs (and equitable access).

Dr. Brian Schubert (director of the School of Geosciences at UL Lafayette) has been named to the '50 Under 50' list by the Geological Society of America for his climate research and student mentorship.

His work brings national recognition for his efforts to understand Earth’s history.

Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency on Sept.

23 to let farmers use tax-exempt dyed diesel through the fall harvest until Oct. 22, & he also called for a temporary U.S. diesel export ban to lower rising fuel costs.

LSU released its injury report for the Texas A&M game, listing tight end Trey'Dez Green, safety Dashawn Spears, and wide receiver Phillip Wright as out; Spears is expected to miss the season while starting safety Tamarcus Cooley is questionable and cornerback Ja'Keem Jackson is doubtful.

Lafayette Christian and Teurlings Catholic will renew their non-district football rivalry Friday night, Sept.

25. The teams have not met since 2023 and local fans are eager to see the game.