Fundraising, polls show runoff likely in mayor-president race
Lafayette looks to have a real race on its hands in this fall’s mayor-president election as challengers to incumbent Mayor-President Josh Guillory are showing early signs of success.
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Lafayette’s flood risk is worse than it seems, and we’ve built right into it
For decades, Lafayette has grown into flood prone areas, but that has come with a hidden risk.
‘I felt like a woman’: Partnership helps breast cancer survivors find the right fit
A new collaboration between Miles Perret Cancer Services Center and local lingerie store La Femme is helping survivors acclimate to life in their changed bodies.
Council Preview: Moving City Court and more adjudicated lots for Habitat
Lafayette’s City Council is looking for news on the $9.5 million City Court relocation this week, while both councils will consider plans to give 14 adjudicated properties to Lafayette’s Habitat for Humanity.
The Lafayette City Council failed to adopt a budget for the fiscal year that begins Nov. 1 at least in part because of proposed pay raises for city police, firefighters and marshals.
Source: The Acadiana Advocate
In an email sent shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, Judge informed the board of his resignation as president effective 5 p.m. Monday. No explanation was provided. His term as president was set to expire Oct. 31.
Source: The Advocate
Authorities in Beauregard Parish, where more than 30,000 acres have been burned in the Tiger Isle fire outside of Merryville, reported 50% containment by day’s end Sunday after completing a thermal map imaging of the fire.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator
Danny Gillane believes a majority of the Library Board of Control has no interest in building a new branch north of the Evangeline Thruway. In 2019, $8 million was set aside for the project, which has hit several delays.
Source: The Advocate
Packed ballots overwhelm Louisiana’s young voters
With so many races and candidates, the wide scope of this fall’s elections can be a turn-off for young voters.
Lafayette cricket population grows from weather conditions
The large, black crickets seen all around Acadiana are field crickets, and are the culprit for the nighttime noise. The year’s weather conditions have created the perfect conditions for the current cricket swarm. Source: The Acadiana Advocate
New program puts Lafayette community in charge of adjudicated properties
Lafayette is looking to a new idea to offload adjudicated properties: putting communities in charge of their fates
Column: Why are we tearing down a functioning city courthouse?
No one was asking for a new city courthouse. That means we’re paying a high public premium to subsidize a private development.
The board also appointed Assistant Director Sarah Monroe to serve as interim director. Ousted Director Danny Gillane had sued to nullify his termination on the grounds that the board’s vote to fire him during a closed session violated open meetings law.
Source: The Advocate
The declaration follows statewide emergency issued last week. Lafayette opened a cooling center Thursday as the summer heatwave and drought intensify.
Source: KATC
Attorney Gary McGoffin filed the petition Thursday morning on behalf of former Library Director Danny Gillane, who initiated the retirement process the day after the library board apparently voted illegally to fire him. By retiring, Gillane hopes to retain access to accrued sick days and health benefits through Lafayette Consolidated Government.
Source: The Advocate
Board moves forward with land purchase for Northside library
Due to supply chain issues created by the pandemic, the board is moving forward with a plan for a smaller library than could have been built if the process had been initiated earlier.
Louisiana had been strong on school vaccines. Rates are now falling.
More parents are opting out of school vaccination schedules for common childhood illnesses. Rates among Louisiana kindergartners fell below the threshold for herd immunity against measles.
Proposed police-mental health collaboration deferred indefinitely
A plan to pair Lafayette police with mental health professionals was scuttled this week in favor of a reset, further delaying the search for a solution.
Know someone making a difference in Lafayette? Nominate them for Undercurrent Awards 2023
Nominations for Undercurrent 2023 are open. Tell us about the wavemakers in your life!