News

Lightning at least temporarily halting Festival International Friday evening in Lafayette

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2025

Festival International de Louisiane in downtown Lafayette is temporarily shutting down tonight because of lightning.

19-year-old indicted for December 2024 killing in Opelousas

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2025

A St. Landry Parish grand jury indicted a 19-year-old for a December 2024 murder.

Lafayette Judge Royale Colbert testifies before state judiciary commission, may face censure

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2025

NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Judiciary Commission is considering how to discipline 15th Judicial District Court Judge Royale Colbert after a hearing Friday in which they questioned the sincerit…

Lafayette man accused in 1-year-old's murder facing additional first-degree rape charges

BY ASHLEY WHITE | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2025

A Lafayette man, who is accused in the murder of a 1-year-old boy, was indicted on first-degree rape charges in connection with that investigation.

Lake Charles man indicted on 8 counts of rape in connection with multi-parish crimes

BY ASHLEY WHITE | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2025

A Lake Charles man was indicted by a Lafayette Parish grand jury on multiple counts of first-degree rape, which carries a life sentence if convicted.

UL solar farm to be part of national Department of Energy research network

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2025

The U.S. Department of Energy's Sandia National Laboratories designated UL Lafayette's Louisiana Solar Energy Lab as a regional test center for emerging solar technologies.

'This feels like home': Moroccan band electrifies second night of Festival International

BY JOANNA BROWN | Staff writer
Apr 25, 2025

In Yallah Yallah's Festival International debut, the Moroccan and Middle Eastern '80s pop throwback band had the crowd jumping, dancing and singing.

Will massive home development project worsen Youngsville traffic? Mayor points to road improvements

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Updated Apr 25, 2025

A 700-acre, 1,600-home community is coming to Youngsville, with construction beginning as early as next year.

Q&A with 20 Under 40 honoree Ezra Angelle: 'We need to focus on fostering opportunities for growth and innovation'

by Adam Daigle | Acadiana business editor
Apr 25, 2025

Ezra Angelle is owner of Motier Lafayette clothing store.

Acadiana Business Briefs for April 27, 2025

Apr 24, 2025

Walmart to remodel 18 south Louisiana stores

How much rain did Lafayette Parish actually get? Find out here

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

Heavy rainfall overnight brought flash flooding throughout the Acadiana region on Thursday.

Kaplan woman arrested for allegedly shooting up an Abbeville home, police say

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

Vermilion Parish deputies arrested a Kaplan woman after she allegedly shot up an Abbeville home.

Chattanooga mayor on Lafayette, other big town issues: 'The problem is leadership and focus'

BY KRISTIN ASKELSON | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

Big Towns, a summit celebrating mid-sized cities and what they do to thrive, on Thursday wrapped up two days of discussions with a keynote session with Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mayor Tim Kelly.

Photos: Flooding overtakes streets, yards and businesses in Lafayette area

Advocate Staff
Apr 24, 2025

Pops Poboys was cleaning up the mess left behind on Thursday after flash flooding invaded downtown Lafayette, taking over streets and splashing inside of the restaurant.

Here's a list of highways, streets closed across Acadiana due to flash flooding

BY JA'KORI MADISON | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

Louisiana Department Of Transportation and Development announced several road and highway closures due to severe weather.

Third person arrested in connection to March shooting in Crowley, police say

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

Crowley police arrested the alleged shooter in connection to a March 31 incident that left a woman injured.

There was so much rain across Acadiana that even Jim Cantore took notice

BY MARCO CARTOLANO | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

Acadiana woke up to knee-deep flash floods in downtown Lafayette and nearby towns, and a famous meteorologist has taken notice.

More than 40 calls received by dispatch regarding flooded cars, Lafayette Police say

BY JA'KORI MADISON | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

Numerous calls were received by Lafayette police department's dispatch Thursday morning after heavy flooding impacted the Lafayette area.

Lafayette flooding won't affect Festival International on Thursday: 'We're rebuilding right now'

BY JOANNA BROWN | Staff writer
Updated Apr 24, 2025

Festival International de Louisiane expects to start on time today, after heavy rains and flash floods impacted the downtown Lafayette area Thursday morning.

New Iberia police: Stay off roads after significant flash flooding

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

New Iberia police are telling residents to stay off the road after severe rainfall and flash flooding swept through parts of the Acadiana region on Thursday.

City official: Flooding in downtown Lafayette 'not a failure of the system'

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

At least one downtown Lafayette business and several homes in Lafayette Parish flooded early Thursday morning as between 4-8 inches of rain fell in a short period of time.

Headed to work from Youngsville? Here are the current road closures there

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

Heavy rainfall overnight brought significant flooding throughout parts of Youngsville and Lafayette Parish.

Nearly two dozen streets flooded in Lafayette during heavy rain. Here's the list.

BY MARCO CARTOLANO | Staff writer
Updated Apr 24, 2025

A line of thunderstorms lead to heavy rain and flash flooding across Acadiana on Thursday,.

Downtown Lafayette floods, water enters businesses as Festival International kicks off

By JUSTIN MITCHELL | Staff writer
Updated Apr 24, 2025

Thunderstorms and heavy rain flooded downtown Lafayette early Thursday morning, hours before thousands of people, food and arts vendors and musicians are expected to fill the streets for the s…

New traffic light by Lafayette High deemed a ‘public necessity,’ is one step closer to reality

BY ASHLEY WHITE | Staff writer
Apr 24, 2025

A much-needed traffic light by Lafayette High School is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Acadiana newsmakers: Hires at Ronald McDonald House, Acadian Ambulance

Apr 24, 2025

Lauren Fitts has been hired as campaign manager for Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana.

Jeanerette man gets 60 years for 2020 drive-by shooting that killed 8-year-old

By STEPHEN MARCANTEL | Staff writer
Apr 23, 2025

A Jeanerette man pled guilty to a drive-by shooting that led to the death of an 8-year-old boy.

Lafayette, state DOTD exchanging parts of Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Johnston Street for city project

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR | Staff writer
Apr 23, 2025

Lafayette is giving part of Ambassador Caffery Parkway to the state in exchange for a portion of Johnston Street and Bertrand Drive so the city can install and widen sidewalks as part of its p…