Lafayette
![Six people holding illustrations of themselves on a stage](https://media.thecurrentla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/16163656/8TG_5073.jpg)
Nominate someone making a difference for Undercurrent Awards 2024
We want to hear about the best people you know, so we can throw them a big party.
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Acadiana sees ‘low surge’ of COVID cases, respiratory illness
Both main hospital groups in Acadiana report an increase in cases of COVID and other respiratory illnesses.
![Woman in red jacket smiles at ceremony](https://media.thecurrentla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/14150651/415083751_883426497107817_2820708685152805782_n.jpeg)
Boulet aims to ‘rightsize’ LCG’s finances in proposed budget
Short on splashy projects, the budget, introduced to the councils this week, focuses instead on LCG’s financial plumbing.
![A man in a checkered shirt sits at a round wooden table.](https://media.thecurrentla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/16160046/ACA.antirecidivismpilot.001.jpg)
Breaking the cycle: Pilot program aims to keep rural Acadiana residents out of prison
Beacon Community Connections, a nonprofit addressing social determinants of health, is working on a program to break the cycle of re-incarceration.
![Woman in red jacket smiles at ceremony](https://media.thecurrentla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/14150651/415083751_883426497107817_2820708685152805782_n.jpeg)
Boulet releases budget message. Read it here.
Finding ways to reduce costs but maintain key investments tops her list of priorities.
![Looking under LCG's hood](https://media.thecurrentla.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/14162455/council-preview.jpg)
Minimum wage increase in the works for LCG employees
The pay plan targets severe worker shortages at Lafayette Consolidated Government. Some departments have vacancy rates 25% or more.
![Looking under LCG's hood](https://media.thecurrentla.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/14162455/council-preview.jpg)
Lafayette posts strong sales tax receipts in May
Taxable sales in Lafayette Parish topped $714 million in May, the strongest May on record. So far this year, total receipts hit $3.5 billion.
![Looking under LCG's hood](https://media.thecurrentla.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/14162455/council-preview.jpg)
Council Preview: Proposed budget, emergency prep, gas station veto
LCG will kick off the annual budget cycle. Council members will weigh the veto of a proposed gas station.
![The current Heymann Perforrming Arts Center near Ochsner Lafayette General](https://media.thecurrentla.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/14155252/Heymanncenter-with-sign.jpg)
Plan for Heymann Center replacement hits reset
A new study contracted by the Heymann Commission will look at the current site, examining updates to the historic facility or new builds on that site.
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Column: Lafayette’s golden age of food variety
Adventurous eaters rejoice! Lafayette’s buffet of restaurants has more choices than ever.
![Two workers unpack boxes in a room](https://media.thecurrentla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/28123725/8TG_6521.jpeg)
Catholic Charities scrambles to fund homeless shelter after Landry cut funding
Catholic Charities of Acadiana is scrambling to fund its emergency shelter after a recent decision by Gov. Jeff Landry to cut $1M in state funds to operate it.