Podcast appearances and mentions of lafayette parish

Discover Lafayette welcomes Heather Borges, owner of Bee Organized Lafayette, a professional organizing and life-transition company serving the Lafayette area. January is National Organizing Month, and this first conversation of 2026 kicks off the new year with practical insight into why organization is so personal and so powerful. Heather shares her path from nursing to professional organizing. A graduate of UL-Lafayette in 2009, she spent 16 years as a nurse, including work as a dialysis nurse, in home health, and as a school nurse for Lafayette Parish for 11 years. Heather explains that home health nursing, in particular, exposed her to how people actually live in their homes and how clutter can affect safety and daily functioning. Burned out after COVID but still wanting to serve with compassion, she began researching professional organizing and discovered Bee Organized, a nationally based franchise that is locally owned and operated. After years of prayer and discernment, she made the leap, supported by her family and husband, calling it a step away from security but toward purpose. Heather describes Bee Organized as a tight knit franchise community based out of Kansas City, Kansas, with regular Zoom meetings and a strong culture of encouragement. She explains that the company's approach is grounded in compassion, sustainability, and truly understanding how each client functions in their space. As she puts it, “We're not just going to make things look pretty on the shelf. We're really listening to you and seeing how you function, how you want it to function.” A recurring theme of the conversation is how overwhelmed people feel by their belongings. Heather says many clients tell her they feel paralyzed, explaining, “They go into the room, and then they just back out and close the door… ‘I can't. I don't know where to start.'” Her response is reassurance and process: “Nope, we got it. We are going to help you go through it.” Bee Organized prefers clients to be present during sessions so the systems created are realistic and maintainable. “Our goal is for you to be able to maintain it,” she says. Heather walks through Bee Organized's complimentary in-home consultation process, where she assesses personalities, volume of belongings, and how a client wants a space to work. She emphasizes that square footage alone doesn't tell the story: “A 1,400-square-foot home may have double the stuff as the 1,400-square-foot home across the street.” During consultations, she takes notes, photos, and measurements, and provides an estimate within 24 hours. She also offers flexible options for those who prefer to send photos or videos instead of an in-person visit. A key part of Bee Organized's philosophy is recognizing different organizing personalities. Heather explains several types, including the “Crammer Jammer Stacker,” which she describes as “organized chaos,” where someone has a lot in one space but knows exactly where everything is. She also discusses the “Aspire,” who buys supplies for hobbies they hope to do someday; the “Just in Case” person who stocks up out of caution; the “Memory Keeper,” who holds onto sentimental items; and the “Money Minded,” who struggles to part with expensive purchases. These insights help her team, called “the Bees,” approach each job with empathy and strategy. Some of the most moving moments come when Heather talks about memory-based organizing. She shares stories of helping clients preserve meaning without forcing them to discard cherished items. One example involved turning her own late grandfather's Western shirts into teddy bears for grandchildren, with the remaining shirts donated to a nursing home. “We do not force you to get rid of things because those memories are special to you,” she says. Bee Organized also offers keepsake boxes, memory albums, T-shirt quilts, and access to a local vendor list to support these projects. Beyond home organization, Bee Organized Lafayette provides packing and unpacking for moves, downsizing support, commercial organization for spaces like coffee shops and spas, donation drop-offs, help selling items online, and pre-estate-sale organization. Heather notes, “We're not an estate sale company… we're charging you our hourly rate,” emphasizing transparency and flexibility. Concierge services include holiday decorating, gift wrapping, personal shopping, and seasonal setup and takedown. Heather also shares practical advice listeners can use immediately. One of her favorite tips is the “this-and-that bucket,” where items that accumulate during the day go into one container and must be dealt with within 24 hours. “Everything has a home,” she repeats throughout the conversation, explaining that visual clutter often becomes mental clutter. She encourages people to finish the task of grocery shopping by putting groceries away, rather than leaving them on the counter to become a source of stress. Reflecting on what surprised her most about this work, Heather says she didn't expect the emotional impact. “I've had people cry, and they tell me they can breathe again.” She describes seeing clients feel lighter, calmer, and energized by their spaces, sometimes comparing the experience to a “fresh start.” Heather invites listeners to take advantage of National Organizing Month in January and begin decluttering, one space at a time. Bee Organized Lafayette can be reached at https://beeorganized.com/pages/lafayette or you can call Heather at (337) 341-2025. As Heather reminds us, “One box at a time. One spot at a time.”

In this episode, Adam Daigle, Business Editor of The Acadiana Advocate, returns to break down Lafayette and Acadiana's top five business stories of 2025. With years of experience tracking economic trends, major developments, and the people shaping our community, Adam offers an inside look at what's driving growth—and what challenges remain. From the long-awaited arrival of Trader Joe's to manufacturing growth, real estate trends, and the future of North Lafayette, this conversation is packed with insight. A Post-Covid Economy: Stabilizing but Still Shifting Adam notes that Acadiana has mostly returned to pre-pandemic normalcy, but some sectors continue to adjust: Restaurants: Sales are outpacing inflation overall, but performance is uneven. High-traffic corridors like Kaliste Saloom are thriving, while many locally-owned restaurants still struggle with tight margins, rising costs, and increased competition. Retail: Still strong—people are spending, and parish retail sales continue to grow. Manufacturing: One of the region's most promising economic bright spots. Well-paying jobs, steady growth, and diversification beyond oil and gas continue to strengthen the sector. Manufacturing Momentum—Even After Setbacks While Acadiana added thousands of manufacturing jobs since 2020, the closure of SafeSource Direct was a painful blow. The PPE manufacturer, built during the pandemic, couldn't compete with ultra-low-cost Chinese imports. The result: 700 local jobs lost, many held by women and graduates of drug court programs. Even so, Adam emphasizes that manufacturing remains a major growth engine. Companies continue to diversify away from oil and gas, and Louisiana's industrial corridor—from I-49 to Hwy 90—remains active and expanding. Real Estate & Housing Trends Adam continues to follow Lafayette's housing market closely: Higher-end homes that once sat on the market are now moving again. Sales volume is rising month-to-month. Rental demand remains extremely high, driven by population growth and a historic low in first-time homebuyers (just 21% nationally, with the average of a first-time homebuyer being 40 years of age nationally). Lafayette continues to see brisk apartment construction to meet demand. The market is tight—but not dangerously overbuilt. Adam Daigle's Top Five Business Stories of 2025 1. Trader Joe's Is (Finally) Coming to Lafayette The biggest story of the year: Trader Joe's is officially in the works for the corner of Bluebird Drive and Camellia Blvd. in Lafayette. Because the company is notoriously secretive, even the appearance of a permit created excitement. The land deal is expected to be finalized soon, with construction likely leading to an opening in late 2026 or early 2027. Fun fact: Lafayette will become one of only three cities in the U. S. that have both a Buc-ee's and a Trader Joe's. 2. Northgate Mall Sold to Local Investor Jacoby Landry North Lafayette's aging Northgate Mall has new life ahead. Entrepreneur Jacoby Landry purchased the property with a long-term vision for transforming the site—not simply filling it with retail, but creating a mixed-use redevelopment with potential for office, residential, and community uses. Jacoby is rebranding Northgate Mall as “The Hub,” inspired by Lafayette's nickname, Hub City, and the I-10/I-49 cloverleaf, which will be reflected in its new logo. The redevelopment will focus on mixed-use commerce, green spaces, and lighting to ensure safety and create a welcoming atmosphere. Years of deferred maintenance mean slow, steady work ahead, but the project is finally backed by a local owner committed to revitalization. The first major opening recently announced is Xtreme Health Club, a full-service fitness facility taking over the former Planet Fitness space. Owned and operated by Jacoby Landry’s sister, Rachel McCorvey, the facility will feature a nutritionist, weight management services, Botox, IV drips, sauna, hot tub, salt room, cold plunge, a health bar, and two indoor pickleball courts. Pilates and boxing fitness will also be offered, bringing Red's Health Club-like amenities to North Lafayette on a smaller, community-focused scale. It's expected to open in early 2026. 3. Buc-ee's Delayed… Again The massive travel center planned for I-10 is still happening, but Buc-ee's has pushed back construction. The company is re-evaluating store designs nationwide, impacting multiple projects—not just Lafayette's. The new projected opening is 2028. Even with delays, the development will be a major economic catalyst, generating hundreds of jobs and significant sales-tax revenue. 4. SafeSource Direct Closure One of the biggest economic losses of the year was the shutdown of SafeSource Direct's facilities in Broussard and Lafayette Parish. Global PPE competition, especially from China, made U.S. glove manufacturing unsustainable. Key impacts: 700 local jobs lost Loss of a major employer of graduates from local drug court programs Decrease in regional PPE manufacturing capacity 5. The Passing of Red Lerille Lafayette lost an icon with the death of Red Lerille, founder of Red Lerille's Health & Racquet Club and beloved community figure. Adam reflected on: Red's unmatched work ethic His legacy as Mr. America in his youth His lifelong devotion to improving Lafayette The enormous public response to stories about him Red's influence on local fitness, business, and civic life is irreplaceable. Yet, his family follows in his loving footsteps and Red Lerille’s Health Club will remain a bedrock of our local fitness community. Community Leaders to Watch: Mandi Mitchell of LEDA Adam highlights Mandi Mitchell, CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, as one of the region's most impactful leaders. “She’s got an incredible background working as an Assistant Secretary with the Louisiana Economic Development. It was a great grab to get her back here in Lafayette.” Her accomplishments include: Reviving the long-stalled Buc-ee's project Supporting the Northgate Mall redevelopment and mentoring owner Jacoby Landry to achieve great success Recruiting new business and manufacturing opportunities Expanding LEDA's role into urban planning and talent development Empowering local entrepreneurs through mentorship programs Mandi Mitchell’s philosophy that has inspired Adam Daigle and his favorite quote of the year: “If you want to change Lafayette, you have to build the people here to do it. The cavalry's not coming.” What's Ahead for 2026 Adam anticipates several big developments in the coming year: • Major Youngsville Mega-Development A massive mixed-use expansion planned south of Chemin Metairie—bigger than Sugar Mill Pond. • Continued Manufacturing Expansion Projects like First Solar's facility in New Iberia and partnerships with companies such as Noble Plastics will bring hundreds of new jobs and long-term growth. • New Downtown Hotel An 84-room boutique hotel breaking ground at the former Don's Seafood site—adding much-needed lodging to downtown Lafayette. • Drone Technology Hub Two drone companies, DMR Technologies and Drone Institute, LLC, are moving into the former Reptile Tannery Facility which was originally the L. A. Frey Meat packing plant building at 105 Dorset Avenue, positioning Lafayette as a future leader in drone manufacturing, training, and emergency-response tech. • Proposed Indoor Sports Complex A public–private partnership near the Cajundome and Cajun Field could bring a regional-scale sports facility to Lafayette, boosting tourism and event hosting. Restaurant Closures & Market Saturation Lafayette continues to lose 20–30 restaurants per year—a typical number, but Adam notes rising oversaturation and operating costs. Fast-casual and takeout remain strong, but dine-in restaurants face higher risk and shrinking margins. Even kitchen-ready restaurant spaces are sitting vacant longer than usual. Pinhook Road & Redevelopment Questions Despite frequent headlines about dilapidated hotels and blighted property, Adam does not expect major redevelopment along Pinhook Road in the short term. LCG is focusing instead on stabilizing the city's expanding “empty urban core,” particularly the Evangeline Thruway and Johnson Street corridor near UL Where to Read More from Adam Adam continues to document Acadiana's economic story through: The Acadiana Advocate The Advocate Business Newsletter Regular digital reporting at theadvocate.com You can subscribe to the Acadiana Advocate either digitally and/or print editions here. Adam Daigle’s work combines hard data with human stories—spotlighting the entrepreneurs, workers, and leaders shaping Lafayette's future. We thank him and the Acadiana Advocate for our valued partnership. Each Monday morning, the Business online newsletter shares Discover Lafayette’s latest podcast news.

Over the weekend, Thrive EBR, the tax rededication plan meant to help pull East Baton Rouge out of a $21 million deficit, failed on all three measures. This means the 2026 budget will include nearly 11% cuts to departments across the board and 33% cuts to staff, at the very least.Report for America Corps member Alex Cox tells us more about what this means for the parish. Residents of New Orleans and Baton Rouge weren't the only ones to go to the polls last weekend. On Saturday, voters in Lafayette Parish weighed in on millages to fund infrastructure projects, road repairs, rural firefighters and a no-kill animal shelter. Camden Doherty, a reporter for The Current in Lafayette, spoke with WWNO's Sara Henegan for more. Arts New Orleans will unveil its latest mural in downtown this week — the 11th large-scale outdoor mural from the organization. The mural collection is titled ‘Unframed' and sponsored by the Helis Foundation.Artist Annie Moran and strategic projects director from Arts New Orleans, Lindsay Glatz, tell us more about the latest work and an upcoming dedication ceremony. __Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Fabian Patin, a Lafayette architect whose name has become synonymous with the preservation and beautification of Rotary Point, a peaceful sanctuary on the Bayou Vermilion, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss his decades-long dedication to Lafayette's waterways and the enduring spirit of civic service that drives the Rotary Club of Lafayette. He has been a loyal member of the club for decades. Origins of Rotary Point and the Bayou Vermilion Revival Rotary Point came to life in the 1980s through a partnership among the Rotary Clubs of Lafayette, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and the creation of Bayou Vermilion District. At the time, Lafayette was in the throes of the oil bust, and the once-vibrant bayou had fallen into neglect and pollution. Patin recalled how his colleague, attorney, Bob Cole, then Lafayette Chamber president, looked beyond the downturn: “Rather than worrying about it, Bob said, let's do some things to improve it. We've got a bayou; it's not the best one now, but it can be.” Cole's optimism led to the creation of a master plan for the Vermilion River. Half the funding came from private citizens and companies, the other half from the City of Lafayette. That plan inspired state legislation to create the Bayou Vermilion District, a nine-member commission—of which Fabian was an original commissioner—charged with implementing restoration and access projects. To secure federal funding under the Dingell-Johnson Act, Lafayette needed a 20 percent local match. Fabian and local leaders convinced the Parish Council to contribute the unused 400-foot right-of-way from West Bayou Parkway to the Vermilion as the local match. The federal funds, championed by then U.S. Senator John Breaux, completed the financing. Fabian recalled, "If you give us the right to use that land for our 20 percent match, that can be our 20 percent—and it worked.” How Rotary Point Got Its Name Initially conceived as a simple boat launch, the site evolved when Fabian—active in both the Bayou Vermilion District and Rotary—saw an opportunity: “If I can go to our Rotary Clubs and say, look, if we call it Rotary Point, I think I can get our clubs to pay for the overlook.” That promise birthed Rotary Point, with local Rotary Clubs funding the overlook while the Bayou Vermilion District handled access improvements. It became one of the first public boat launches on the Vermilion and a shared symbol of civic collaboration. Stewardship and Beautification Through the years, the Bayou Vermilion District has continued major maintenance—most notably replacing the aging wooden bulkhead with steel reinforcements—while the Rotary Club of Lafayette maintains and beautifies the grounds. Fabian, now 81 years of age, can still be found there almost every day: mowing, planting, spreading mulch, or supervising upgrades. The site now features benches, picnic tables, irrigation, flowering azaleas, and majestic live oaks—many planted to honor international Rotary presidents. Fabian explained how community partnerships brought the space to life: Azalea Trail volunteers donated 35 azaleas. Trees Acadiana, led by Sarah Schoeffler, provided and planted dozens of plants and live oaks. Compost from Lafayette Parish enriched the soil, coordinated by Rotarian Stan Messenger, who negotiated increased deliveries of mulch and soil for the park. Dr. Jim Rees established a Peace Pole inscribed in eight languages reading “May peace prevail on Earth.” Centennial Monument and the Sugar Mill Gears In 2020, to commemorate the Rotary Club of Lafayette's 100th anniversary, Fabian spearheaded the construction of a striking centennial monument. The centerpiece: enormous gears salvaged from historic sugar mills, a visual echo of Rotary's gear-wheel emblem. “We poured concrete on site. Rotarians learned how to pour concrete.” Despite an initial $100,000 goal reduced by COVID-era constraints to $18,

Our guest today is Chad Sonnier, Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) for Lafayette Parish. With over four decades of service in fire protection and emergency response, Chad Sonnier brings unmatched experience to the role of coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofits, and the private sector. "I was 18 years old, hired to be in the fire service and helping people in their time of need. It is something I've really become accustomed to, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I mean, people call 911 at their worst time of day or worst time in their life, and, we're there to help them, that's what we're there for." Chad served as City of Scott's Fire Chief before being named to his current post. He had served with the Lafayette Fire Department for years before his appointment with the City of Scott. Over the course of his career, Chad has worked as a hazmat technician, fire engineer, fire coordinator, and hazmat chief. In 2020, he was inducted into the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame—a testament to his lifelong passion for public safety. “Helping people is my passion. I couldn't imagine doing anything else,” Chad Sonnier shares. A Newly Formed Office The department was officially created in 2024 by Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet, who recognized the growing federal and state mandates in emergency management and the need to keep her community safe. It now operates independently of 911 services, with a broader scope that includes emergency responses to events such as hurricanes, mass gatherings like Mardi Gras, hazardous material accidents, and unexpected “no-notice” events such as train derailments. This year in 2025, for the first time, Lafayette's Emergency Operations Center partially activated its services during Mardi Gras. Agencies including fire, police, Acadian Ambulance, local hospitals, and even federal partners like the FBI and ATF, worked side by side to ensure public safety. “When you're face to face in the same room, communications are so much better,” Chad explains. Beyond Hurricanes: Preparedness in Action While hurricanes are top of mind for many residents, Chad addressed the wide range of emergencies his office addresses to help those most in need: Warming and cooling centers – Established for residents without reliable heating or air conditioning, with help from partners such as Catholic Charities, Red Cross, and even private companies like Stines, which donated large cooling fans. Volunteer organizations – Hundreds of volunteers with local nonprofits and faith-based groups (VOADs) play an essential role in long-term recovery. These groups often provide building supplies, roof repairs, and mold remediation for families still suffering from past storms. College partnerships – Student-athletes contribute required service hours by assisting disaster victims, creating meaningful community connections. Chad reflects, “I was taken aback by how many people are willing to help, especially in Lafayette Parish. If it wasn't for these nonprofits, I don't know where a lot of people would be today.” Planning Ahead and Responding Fast Chad contrasts his years as a firefighter—where speed and immediate action are critical—with the long-term strategic planning required in his current role. Chad Sonnier served as Fire Chief of the City of Scott for 23 years His office scripts hurricane responses a week in advance of landfall, but also prepares in advance for sudden emergencies that occur without warning. “No-notice events” like hazardous material spills require rapid mobilization of shelters, water, food, and safe housing, often within an hour to ninety minutes. Recreation centers, the Cajundome, and other facilities are pre-designated as shelters or reunification centers,

Real estate expert Bill Bacque of Market Scope Consulting, whose career has spanned over 53 years in the housing industry, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss real estate trends. Formerly with Van Eaton & Romero—later acquired by Latter & Blum—Bill is now retired, but his passion for tracking housing statistics and analyzing market trends remains strong. In this episode, Bill shares a data-rich, thoughtful overview of how the housing market in Lafayette has evolved and what lies ahead. “If you look at average sales price over the last 50 years, the overall trend has been up,” Bill began. “That being said, there have been periods… where sales and average prices actually drifted downward. But values were always recouped.” Bill dug into what he called the “Covid years,” pointing out the extraordinary surge in home sales from 2018 to 2021. “In Lafayette Parish, we went from 3,380 transactions in 2018 to 4,830 in 2021—a 43% increase.” Much of this, he explained, was driven by families realizing during the lockdown that they needed more space, "after six months of living together with your wife and three children, working out of your house, eating at your house, living in your house. People began to say, I need a bigger place. Maybe double the size." And this phenomenon was coupled with historically low interest rates. “By January of 2021, the interest rate was 2.65%.” But as quickly as the boom came, it corrected. From 2021 to 2024, Lafayette experienced a 34% drop in sales. “We literally gave it all back,” Bill said. “Sales are back to 2018 levels. Statistics through May of 2025 show that we are about equal to where we were in May of 2018." Bill broke down the dramatic rise in average sales prices during COVID, noting that from 2018 to 2022, the average price of a home rose from $223,500 to $285,000, a $50,000 increase in the average cost of a home in four years. However, from 2022 to 2025, the average price has only nudged upward 2.6%, reaching $292,200. “So the average sales price is beginning to stabilize.” He further explained the numbers shared: "I would put some clarification that the average sales price takes into consideration the upper income properties as well as the lower ones. This average sales price includes new construction sales and existing sales. If you back out the new construction sales, the average sales price in Lafayette Parish is about $275,000.00." Photo of Bill Bacque at his home by Leslie Westbrook, Acadiana Advocate. One big issue affecting today's buyers? Affordability. “There's been a significant erosion,” Bill noted, citing both rising home prices and higher interest rates. He shared that the average age for a first-time homebuyer in the U.S. is now 38 to 39 years old—compared to 22 when he bought his first home for under $10,000 in Lake Charles. "What we're seeing on a national standard basis is that the average age now for a first time buyer is 38 to 39 years old. When I bought my first house in 1973, I was 22 years old. That was the thing that happened then. I can't remember what the first house cost, but it was less than $10,000. It was a little bitty house. It was about the size of an apartment." Homeowners insurance is now a major wildcard. “My son found a home under $300,000, qualified, but the deal fell through because insurance added another $500 a month,” Bill shared. This isn't a unique story—buyers across South Louisiana are finding it harder to afford not just a mortgage but the added costs of ownership. We also talked about the evolving design of homes. Post-Covid, people want dedicated workspaces, and Bill said square footage is being used more efficiently. Yet affordability challenges persist. “In 2018, homes under $150,000 made up 24% of our sales. Today, it's 12.3%,” he said. Meanwhile, homes over $300,000 have grown from 16% of sales to 31%. Another key point Bill raised: “The companies are not the brand anymore. The agents are the brand.

Robert Daigle on Why He Invested in Upper LafayetteOriginally recorded in October 2013 /Aired on Upper Lafayette On the Move This episode of Discover Lafayette takes us back to an insightful conversation with the late Robert Daigle, the visionary managing partner of River Ranch Development Company and the developer of the Village of River Ranch, a 320-acre traditional neighborhood development that reshaped residential life in Lafayette. In October 2013, Robert addressed an Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation meeting to share why he and his team chose to invest in the northern part of Lafayette Parish—an area traditionally overlooked but ripe with potential. His message, filled with clarity and foresight, remains strikingly relevant today as growth continues to expand beyond I-10. David Welch, Robert Daigle, Jan Swift, and Lewis Stirling at an Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation meeting in 2013. Robert's personal connection to Upper Lafayette, having grown up on Louisiana Avenue across from the municipal golf course, sparked his early interest. But sentiment alone didn't drive his decision. He outlined six strategic reasons that led to the launch of Couret Farms, a smart growth community designed to meet the needs of a modern workforce and lifestyle needs in the northern part of Lafayette Parish: Job Growth – Post-hurricane recovery and shifting insurance priorities led to a surge in businesses relocating north of I-10. Proximity to job centers, including major employers like Halliburton, made Upper Lafayette a natural location for residential development. Real Estate Value – With South Lafayette experiencing saturation and skyrocketing prices, the undeveloped, high, and beautiful land in Upper Lafayette offered both affordability and opportunity. Lack of Competition – As with River Ranch, Daigle sought to create a unique offering. At the time, Upper Lafayette had no smart growth communities, positioning Couret Farms as the only game in town. Community Support – Daigle emphasized the importance of being "wanted." In Carencro, support from Mayor Glenn Brasseaux and a cooperative endeavor to extend utilities exemplified the kind of local partnership he considered essential to success. Access to Retail and Services – Developments flourish when services and shopping are nearby. Daigle cited the Target center and Super 1 Foods as game-changing additions that signaled a tipping point for further investment. Public Education – The long-standing challenge of underperforming schools in Upper Lafayette had been a deterrent. But the winds of change were blowing. Daigle's commitment to establishing a charter school within Couret Farms showed his belief that quality education is not just a necessity—but a catalyst for community transformation. Robert Daigle breaking ground at Couret Farms, along with Kevin Hawkins and Bobby Hines. Robert closed his talk by urging the community to prioritize education reform, emphasizing that the future of Upper Lafayette hinged on the success of its schools. His legacy continues to inspire development rooted in thoughtful planning, civic cooperation, and long-term community investment. This timeless interview reminds us that true visionaries see not just what is, but what could be—and are willing to take the arrows that come with being pioneers.

From the coast to the Capitol, this week's show explores the many ways Louisiana's farmers are preserving tradition, shaping policy, and feeding the future. Neil Melancon travels to Leeville, where a member of the United Houma Nation is honoring tradition while using modern farming methods to cultivate oysters. Avery Davidson heads to Lafayette Parish to introduce the 2025 Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. We also catch up with Louisiana Farm Bureau leaders—both at the Capitol and in the field. Plus, Kristen Oaks White gets her father-in-law and husband on camera to reveal the secrets behind perfect, farm-raised steaks in a new Feasting on Agriculture. Show NotesLearn more about Bayou Rosa Oysters.See more Road To Leadership profiles here.Learn more about Kristen's day with her husband at the farm here.Subscribe to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast.Join Louisiana Farm Bureau FederationLearn more about Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention

Discover Lafayette welcomes Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission's Executive Director Ben Berthelot and Jesse Guidry, Vice President of Communications, two of the most passionate advocates for Lafayette's cultural and culinary identity. “You don't have to go to a museum to experience our culture – you can be immersed in it. You can eat it, dance with it, and live it," says Jesse Guidry. Together, they explore the evolution of the Eat Lafayette campaign, which began over 20 years ago under the tutelage of Charlie Goodson of Cafe Vermilionville. Origniating with just 18 restaurants participating, Eat Lafayette has grown into a powerful initiative celebrating the unique flavors of Acadiana. The conversation dives deep into the importance of supporting locally owned restaurants, especially in a changing economic and tourism landscape. Restaurants wanting to participate in Eat Lafayette can visit https://www.lafayettetravel.com/eatlafayette/registration/ to sign up. Ben and Jesse share how Lafayette has become a destination for food lovers, and how LCVC continues to adapt, from creating searchable dining districts throughout Lafayette Parish on Eat Lafayette's website, to launching an upcoming Eat Lafayette mobile app expected to launch this summer that will spotlight local eateries and experiences for locals and tourists alike to rely upon. They discuss new collaborations such as the Acadiana Eats Festival, year-round culinary promotions, and the importance of sustaining mom-and-pop businesses as cultural ambassadors as they are keepers of our local tradition. Key Topics Covered: The origin and growth of Eat Lafayette Why now is a critical time to support local restaurants How Lafayette's culinary identity contributes to tourism and economic development The creation of a new app to help users discover local dining by location, cuisine, and occasion Strategies for year-round restaurant promotion Challenges facing restaurateurs today: staffing, rising food costs, and competition The power of community collaboration through events like Festival International Lafayette's potential as a top U.S. destination Fun personal insights from Ben and Jesse, including hobbies like home cooking, dance, and coaching Visit https://www.lafayettetravel.com/food-drink/local-restaurants/ for a listing of all locally-owned, Louisiana-owned, and national favority restaurants in our community. Notable Quotes: Ben Berthelot: "One of my favorite quotes is by a colleague in Irving, Texas, which has really grown. She says if you build a place that people want to visit, you'll build a place that people want to live. And if you build a place where people want to live, you'll build a place where business wants to be. And if you build a place where business wants to be, then you're back to a place where people wamt to visit. It is a cycle. That's how I think and how I want to lead our organization. Tourism is economic development. Get someone here once, and they fall in love with Lafayette." Jesse Guidry: "There is no more important time than now to support our locally owned restaurants. And that's how Eat Lafayette started over 20 years ago. It was driven by the restaurants saying they needed help during the summertime. So it started with 18 restaurants in a two week campaign, and grew to a three month campaign, with over 200 restaurants at one point, with the whole emphasis of being where am I going to go eat tonight? And we want you to go eat at a locally owned restaurant. Support our mom and pops, who are the reason that we were named Tastiest Town of the South, the best food city in the United States, and all of those awards that we've gotten over the years." Links & Resources:

Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas joined Discover Lafayette to discuss his mission to protect the citizens of Lafayette and to become the best marshal's office nationally. A 30-year veteran of the Lafayette City Police Department who worked his way up the ranks, as a detective and eventually serving as deputy and interim chief of police, Marshal Reggie was elected Lafayette City Marshal in December 2020. On January 8th, 2025, he celebrated his fourth anniversary in office. Of note, Marshal Reggie was the first African American to be elected citywide in the history of Lafayette. The Marshal's office is chiefly responsible for keeping the city court safe and secure, serving subpoenas to people called to court, and executing arrest warrants for people who have not complied with the law or court order. In the City of Lafayette, there are two city court judges, Judge Douglas J. Saloom and interim Judge Vanessa Harris, who was called to served upon the untimely death of Judge Jules Edwards. Salary and benefits for the marshal's office staff are paid for by the City of Lafayette. Everything else is funded by a percentage of criminal and civil fines and fees paid for citations and tickets. The employees are at-will employees. "We have 32 sworn officers, as well as ten reserve officers. We have another 30 to 35 clerks that work in the building, handling the court, the tickets, the civil part,the criminal part, and the supervisors. We might have 400 people come through the door on any given day, and each person has to be searched to make sure everyone is safe." The City Court territorial jurisdiction extends over all territory in the corporate limits of the City of Lafayette, plus the Third and Tenth Wards of Lafayette Parish. The court handles claims for personal injury, general damages, contract, open account, and commercial paper where the amount of the claim doesn't exceed $35,000, and small claims suits that do not exceed $5,000. It also handles landlord-tenant matters (Evictions) and violations of state misdemeanor criminal laws and/or Lafayette Consolidated Government City Ordinance violations that occur within the City of Lafayette. First time domestic violence cases also go through City Court. Marshal Reggie mentioned the important work of the late Judge Jules Edwards, who endeavored to assist first time offenders, to keep them from getting in deeper trouble and ending up in Angola. When Marshal Reggie was elected, they started the "Renewal Program", where participants learn to manage anger, control their behavior, and become better citizens. Upon completing the program, their efforts are recognized, and they have the opportunity to move forward with a clean slate by having their offense expunged from their record. "The renewal program was something that I started when I first took office, along with Judge Edwards. When a first time offender gets sentenced by the judge, normally they have to do community service. With this program, they attend eight weeks of classes and we have people that have made major mistakes come in and talk to them. Maybe a guy that did 25 years in jail or was on drugs, stuff like that. So we show them things that, hey, this is where you don't want to be at, but this is what you can accomplish if you're doing the right thing." Seventy juveniles have participated so far with great success. "Most schools have zero tolerance. Now, if you get in a fight at school, you go to jail. Some of us older people remember when we were in school, you would have to go sit in a corner after a fight, but you didn't go to jail. So now, you are arrested, you have to come to court and pay fines. I started seeing where the parents weren't able to pay the fines, and the kids would wind up in juvenile detention. So the Renewal Program gives a second chance and the charge won't remain on their permanent record. The kids have to be serious about the program, can't miss any days,

Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, announced its selection of 12 educators from across the country to join the Company’s third annual Teacher Fellows Cohort. During the school year, these skilled K-8 educators will work alongside Scholastic Education Solutions’ product development, research and marketing teams and assist with the development of various education-focused programs. Scott Brewer, a sixth-grade teacher at Eagle View Middle School has been selected to join the 2024-25 teacher Fellows Cohort. Scott has 19 years’ experience as a Pennsylvania educator, and has worked with students and teachers across various K-8 settings. The 2024-2025 Teacher Fellows will serve through August 2025 and are listed below: Sherri Amos, Grade 4 Teacher, Copeland Elementary School, Augusta, GA Anna Catherine Boyd, Grade 6 and 8 Teacher, Brewer Middle School, Greenwood, SC Scott Brewer, Grade 6 Teacher, Eagle View Middle School, Mechanicsburg, PA Andrea Childes, Grade 5 Teacher, Highcroft Ridge Elementary School, Chesterfield, MO Milagros Sanchez-Cohen, Kindergarten Teacher, Horeb Christian School, Hialeah, FL Alexandra Felix, Grade 2 Teacher, P.S. 122 Mamie Fay School, Astoria, NY Bridget Jordan, Grade 1 and 4 Teacher, Baltimore Highlands Elementary School, Baltimore, MD Katie Kim, Grade 5 Teacher, Warner Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles, CA Paul King, Grade 6 Teacher, Global Village Academy North, Thornton, CO Morgan Meaux Mercado, Grade 3 Teacher, Dr. Raphael A. Baranco Elementary School, Lafayette Parish, LA Keke Powell, Grade 2 Teacher, Sunfield Elementary School, Buda, TX Hope Clinton, Grade 8 Teacher, AZ Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Shannon Bernard and Michelle Luquette, representatives of On Track by 5 Alliance for the Lafayette Parish Public School System, join Discover Lafayette to discuss their department's mission to improve the quality and access of early care and education for children from birth to age 5 years of age. The research is clear: 90% of brain development occurs before age 5. Great work is being done to improve early childhood educational options for young people which is being funded through School Readiness Tax Credits and the generosity of Lafayette businesses. You can actually designate up to $5,000.00 of your state tax dollars that are owed each year to go to On Track by 5 Alliance, and then get a refundable tax credit of that same amount. How does this work? In January of 2008, Louisiana established a package of refundable state tax credits for businesses designed to support quality child care pursuant to LA R. S. 47:6107. A business is defined as any for-profit or not for-profit entity, which includes sole proprietors, partnerships, limited liability corporations, and corporations. Your CPA can help you file for this refund if you give them a heads up before filing your tax documents. See below for Michelle Luquette's contact information to ask questions on this detail. How to Claim the School Readiness Tax Credit for Businesses? To file the SRTC for businesses: a) Filing Individually: complete tax form IT-540; b) Filing as a corporation or franchise: complete tax form CIFT-620; c) Filing for non-profit organization: complete tax form CIFT - 620. These tax credits provide businesses with a dollar-for-dollar credit of up to $5000 for donations made to Child Care Resource and Referral agencies that are contracted by the Department of Education. On Track by 5 Alliance is such an agency and your contributions go directly to benefit children that live in Lafayette Parish. You can make this designation each and every year, get a tax refund, and know that your money is being dedicated to early childhood educational efforts for our must vulnerable and in-need young people. Pictures above were taken when Ochsner's Lafayette General adopted Campbell Academy Childcare Center. Ochsner's Lafayette General participates in the School Readiness Tax Credit as a non-profit, giving OTb5 $5000 contribution per entity in its health system and in return Ochsner's entities get their contribution back with the dollar-for-dollar refundable tax credit program. These dollars are invested directly into our publicly funded childcare centers and Campbell Academy was able to get a Frog Street Pre-K curriculum. OTb5's mission is to have all children in Lafayette Parish kindergarten ready! Paul Molbert said this is part of their "Healthy State" initiative as education is one of the key components of improving the healthcare status of our citizens. The School Readiness Tax Credit and ON TRACK programs here in Lafayette are so special because they serve learning centers and programs only in Lafayette Parish. Lafayette applied to be a Childcare Resource and Referral Agency just for Lafayette parish, so businesses know their dollars are staying in the parish and serving local centers when they designate . This tax credit not only boosts the economy by investing money back into the parish, but also ensures that children will become contributing members of society. In Lafayette Parish there are 58 publicly funded centers (meaning they accept childcare tax dollar assistance) and over 100 centers total which service over 6,000 children. Some publicly funded centers include Gifted Early Learning Center, Little Blessings, Little Miracles, and LA 4 (a public pre-school). In a typical school day, children are learning through play, such as dramatic play, sensory play, and manipulatives. Manipulatives are tools like string beads for counting and puzzles which develop the child's fine motor skills.

The Lafayette Parish school system could soon see nine schools closed or consolidated. But community members are pushing back, despite declines in enrollment. Christiaan Mader, founder and editor of The Current, tells us about the potential overhaul of the city's school system. Early voting is already underway, and in East Baton Rouge Parish, voters will be choosing their next mayor-president. And so far, it's looking like a tight race between the top three candidates: incumbent Sharon Weston-Broome, Democratic challenger Ted James, and Republican Sid Edwards. Here on Louisiana Considered, we'll be bringing you conversations with all three of these candidates throughout the week. Today, we hear from Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome, who shares her campaign strategy, previous record and addresses a recent ad scandal.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Hollie Girouard, proprietor of Ton's Drive-In and Ton's Downtown joins Discover Lafayette in partnership with Eat Lafayette to discuss her family's multigenerational success in the restaurant business. While Hollie is known for her dedication to Ton's, she is also well-known for her athletic prowess, having been a volleyball player for teams at ESA and UL - Lafayette, the latter of which she graduated from with a degree in Graphic Design. She is a third-generation proprietor of Ton's, following in the footsteps of her hardworking grandparents and parents. Hollie knows the restaurant business inside and out, having grown up in it and working from a young age, as soon as her grandmother gave her permission to clean tables and help out doing whatever was needed. Ton's in Broussard is beloved for its classic American and Cajun comfort food, including fried chicken, hamburgers, and regional favorites. Hollie's grandparents, Rosemary and Alton Girouard, originally opened Ton's in May of 1963. At that time, Rosemary left her job at a downtown Lafayette dress shop to run the restaurant full time. Alton stayed on working for the Lafayette Hardware Store (located then at the corner of Vermilion and Buchanan in downtown Lafayette) during the day, joining Rosemary in the evenings at the restaurant. Their children, Karl and Yvette Girouard, also worked at Ton's, and when Karl married Hollie's mom, Juanita, in 1973, she became an integral part of the family business. Rosemary and Alton Girouard. Hollie Girouard describes her grandmother as "a business woman. She was the heart and soul driving the restaurant. It was her dream." As Ton's attracted more business in the decade after its founding, the restaurant expanded in 1973 to a new location across the street in Broussard in what had originally been Bonin's Bar. Hollie shared that when her grandparents were remodeling the space to accommodate their new restaruant, they paid for the demolition work by giving the beautiful oak bar in Bonin's to the contractor as a payment for services. "The original oak bar is somewhere in New Orleans," says Hollie. The new Ton's restaurant was equipped with a drive-thru window, the first in Lafayette Parish, and also offered indoor dining and outdoor seating. Ton's has maintained many of its original menu items offered from its first day of operation. The chili, seasoning blend, and hamburgers which attracted avid fans still taste the same to someone visiting after forty years away. Hollie says the original pizza pans are now used as pot lids. And many of the employees' families have worked at Ton's over the years; Danielle, the general manager and head cook at the Broussard location, is a third generation employee as her grandmother, Edna, worked with Hollie's grandmother in the early days. Regina, Danielle's mother, worked with Hollie's mother, Juanita, in Ton's second generation of operations. Yvette, Alton, Rosemary, Juanita (holding Hollie) and Karl Girouard. Eat Lafayette honored Ton's Drive-In as it celebrated its 60th anniversary of successful business operations. Pictured are Hollie Girouard along with her parents, Karl and Juanita Girouard. Hollie calls herself "a glorified errand girl, running back and forth between the restaurants. I take my cues from the general managers!" Both restaurants source their food as local as possible, and Hollie says, "The crawfish are always being within 10 miles of the restaurant. We grow things in the garden." The top seller is the burger and plate lunches at the Broussard location have the same rotation each week as people expect the continuity. So on Tuesday, you can expect to see calf liver and onions as a plate lunch option, with the usual classic comfort foods offered each day. Catering is offered and Ton's provides food for sports tournaments, as well individuals looking for great comfort food. "Miss Laura," who has worked at Ton's since before Hollie was born,

Frank Randol of Randol's Restaurant in Breaux Bridge, joins Discover Lafayette in partnership with Eat Lafayette, a yearlong celebration of our locally owned restaurants, to share news of the revival of his unique Cajun restaurant and dancehall concept, a longtime staple in Lafayette. Breaux Bridge is only 15 minutes from Lafayette and is part of a corridor surrounding Lafayette Parish that is ripe for growth. And Frank is a young 78 years old, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War who still exudes energy and a passion for being a changemaker. Frank is a force of nature who works nonstop to promote the beauty of our local culture. Frank has been in the seafood business for 53 years, and is renowned for his contribution to sustaining and promoting our Cajun culture. As part of that dedication, Frank currently serves as Secretary of the Gulf Seafood Foundation and has always been an avid supporter of Eat Lafayette. He focuses on wild-caught seafood with no additives, only South Louisiana seafood, with a bent toward crawfish, softshell crab, and other seasonal specialties. Hamburger steak is also a popular dish craved by Randol's longtime patrons. His experience in the seafood business defines Frank Randol. In 1971, he opened a seafood processing facility in Henderson and operated it for nine years before opening the original Randol's Restaurant in 1980 when he moved operations to his family property on Kaliste Saloom Road. Over the years, he welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world to his restaurant and dancehall who were looking to experience authentic Cajun culture. To learn more about Frank's historic career, please listen to our original interview on Discover Lafayette here. In 2021, the owners of Superior Grill offered Frank a price for his Kaliste Saloom property that he couldn't refuse. The money afforded him the opportunity to take off two years to consider his future, and he kept his general manager, Jimmy LaGrange, employed alongside him as they contemplated their next move. "It takes two people to do nothing well for two years," Frank jokes. But in reality, Frank had not only wealth in money, but also wealth in ideas, creativity, love of Cajun food and culture, and a desire to continue in the restaurant business. "When you throw yourself into something for so many decades, you can't just go cold turkey. People need to embrace the Cajun Culture. It's already branded and known worldwide." Randol's menu is patterned after the former Randol's choices, repurposed and retested to ensure perfection for today's market. A mini-market for fresh seafood purchases is in the works and will be open soon. Today, the restaurant's success is Frank's main priority. Not one to stay retired, Frank envisioned a revival of his original Randol's concept, and purchased the land where the former Mulate's Restaurant was located at 325 W. Mills Avenue, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, resurrecting his successful Cajun food/Dance Hall concept enjoyed by people for so many decades. Frank says, "Mulate's was the perfect spot. It needed work, but it polished up well! The building is 80 years old on high ground and survived the storms in May of this year. We patterned the bathrooms after the high end facilities at Superior Grill, with glass walls that you can't see through, with 400 square feet of space." Many of acclaimed mural artist Robert Dafford's works are on the walls at Randol's, and Frank says "It's a historical setting where you can feel the spirit of our culture. It's alive." Frank Randol is just as passionate about sharing his love of Cajun food and culture as he when he took his “Cajun Fest” on the road across the U. S. so many years ago. The World's Fair held in New Orleans in 1984 ignited an interest in all things Cajun and Frank Randol ensured that accurate information on its heritage was shared. Frank was glowingly written up by the Chicago Tribune on October 25, 1989,

Carencro Mayor Charlotte Stemmans Clavier joins Discover Lafayette to share her journey in business and politics. A life long resident of Carencro, Charlotte grew up in a political family. Both of her grandfathers served as police jurors for Lafayette Parish. Back in the day when political business was handled a bit more informally, and before open meeting laws, one of her granddads, Eddie Stemmans, would include her in political outings. Charlotte remembers "being the little girl sitting on an ice chest, that would go get them a beer. After watching it a little bit, I realized I wanted to do this! I've seen all sides of politics, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I always enjoyed it and knew I would run for public office." Pictured from left: Carencro Police Chief David Anderson, Mayor Charlotte Stemmans Clavier, along with City Council members Alfred Sinegal, Jordan Arceneaux, Danielle Caprito, Antoine Babineaux, Jr., and Taylor James. Charlotte graduated from Carencro High and three years later from Tulane University.  While in college, she worked as an intern for Jim Gelpi, the founder of The Alliance for Good Government. She loved the experience and it shaped her attitude in serving others at the highest level of integrity and fiscal responsibility. Studying at Tulane also shaped her and Charlotte recalled the challenging studies offered by the university with a demanding expectation that students master educational materials. With her experience of working in the family business, Stemmans, Inc. - The Horse Supply Specialists, Charlotte was used to hard work and says, "I went to work at 11, ran my first store at 12, so my idea of college was different." Today, Charlotte is President of Stemmans, located on Gloria Switch Road, and responsible for the day to day operations of this iconic, family-owned store, originally opened in 1968 as a tack shop by her parents, Don and Janet Stemmans. She has worked in the business for 35 years. Growing up in the horse industry has shaped Charlotte's life; she gives back to the industry by currently serving as Vice President of Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, which represents all racehorse owners and riders in the state. While Charlotte hasn't ridden a horse in years, she is the proud owner of racehorses and at our interview was looking forward to Evangeline Downs opening night on April 5, 2024. Charlotte served as mayor pro tempore of Carencro from 1999 until 2003, during the tenure of former Mayor Tommy Angelle. She was elected mayor in November 2022. "I love, love, love what I do. It's the perfect job for me. I have a great group of people that work with me. Carencro is a community on the grow. We're a blessed town. Many people are moving in, moving north, due to high insurance rates. There are 1400 homes in active development in the City of Carencro." With its rapid growth, there are many infrastructure needs to be addressed such as sewer plants, replacing old gas and water lines. Charlotte is also advocating for a new light to be installed by DOTD at the busy intersection of Ira and University Avenue. "I am proud to announce that we are beginning the next phase of replacing our old water lines and moving one step closer to Carencro's occasional brown water issues becoming a thing of the past. Thank you to our fantastic Water and Sewer Department and Fenstermaker and Associates for moving our city forward with top-tier water infrastructure." - Mayor Charlotte ClavierPosted by City of Carencro Government on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 News of the $8.9 million Louisiana Avenue extension from Butcher Switch Road to Gloria Switch Road, is exciting news for Carencro. Not only will this open up opportunities for development, but it will greatly assist commuter traffic. The project is expected to take a year or so to complete. The City of Carencro offers lots of fun activities for residents and visitors alike.

Adam Daigle, Business Editor of the Acadiana Advocate, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss the biggest business news of 2023. The #1 story of the year is the incredible strides made in 2023 insofar as job creation is concerned. Iberia Parish is on fire with the recent announcement of First Solar's $1.1 Billion investment to take place on thirty acres at the Acadiana Regional Airport. First Solar will produce high-performance photovoltaic (PV) solar modules. The project is expected to be complete in the first half of 2026 and up to 700 high-paying jobs are anticipated to be created. This enterprise is unique in Louisiana in that it is tied to a new solar training program at UL-Lafayette where students will be educated on designing solar panels. First Solar was founded in 1999 and is among the top 10 solar panel manufacturers in the world. Along with this major announcement, other large regional employers include Amazon at 1300 employees and Stuller at 1500 employees, who have both exceeded projections for local employees. The #2 business story of the year is the large number of local restaurants which closed in early 2023, including the iconic Cafe Vermilionville, Lotus Garden, Grub Burger, The Point Seafood and Steakhouse, BJ's Pizza, and Luna Bar & Grill. By July 2023, the number of closings had settled down. The #3 story of the year is the shake-up at the news desk at KATC, seeing the departure of longtime and popular news anchors Marcelle Fontenot and Jim Hummel who will be joining KADN in January 2024. The move is one being conducted nationally by KATC's owner, E. W. Scripps Co., as a cost-cutting measure. While there will no longer be live news read by anchors at the 5 pm, 6 pm or 10 pm news slots, the company will invest in more reporters to cover breaking news stories throughout the day. Marcelle Fontenot and Jim Hummel recently announced they had resigned from KATC News and will be joining the news desk at KADN in Lafayette. The #4 story is the recently announced departure of Anita Begnaud, CEO of the Lafayette Downtown Development Authority, whose last day will be on December 20, 2023. Anita will be moving on to work with her former boss at One Acadiana, Jason El Koubi, as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Under Anita's leadership, the DDA was instrumental in seeing the completion of a myriad of commercial projects in Downtown Lafayette which had languished for years. She brought energy and excitement to her role as CEO and will be sorely missed. Anita Begnaud, CEO of the Lafayette Downtown Development Authority since 2018, recently announce that she will be leaving to work with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership as VP of Marketing and Communications. The #5 business story is the explosive growth occuring in the corridor at Kaliste Saloom Road and Ambassador Caffery Parkway, including the opening this year of Topgolf on December 15 and Dave & Busters which opened November 27. Adam says attracting these type of entertainment venues "brings Lafayette up a class, akin to going from a Double-A to a Triple-A baseball club" as it causes investors to take a closer look at our market and reexamine what is possible in the commercial realm. Other important commercial additions include the recently opened Chimes Restaurant and the development of the Camellia Blvd corridor near Verot School Road which is filling in with medical offices and a new Rouse's, expected to open in early winter. This whole corridor is now serving as the commercial core of Lafayette Parish, is easily accessible by other towns in the parish, and is the economic powerhouse of the Lafayette community generating tax dollars that would have seemed impossible just a few short years ago. As Adam says, "Costco is a sales tax machine!" Discover Lafayette is proud to name attorney Chris Granger as the recipient of our third annual Business Catalyst of the...

This episode was recorded on September 27th. We are talking with Phanat “PX” about running for State Senate in District 22, which covers Saint Martin Parish, Iberia Parish, and a small portion of Lafayette Parish. We will discuss what he is running on and his plans. http://www.electpx.com — Find this and past episodes at: https://anchor.fm/the-tea-podcast — The Tea Podcast is proudly sponsored by Chase Group Construction, The Music Academy of Acadiana, and Electronic Protection Systems.

This episode was recorded on August 11th. Justin has been elected to serve as Lafayette Parish's new Tax Assessor. Justin grew up in Thibodeaux and came to Lafayette to study at USL(UL Lafayette) and earn a bachelor's in Computer Information Systems. Making Lafayette his home, Justin is now Enterprise Data Integration Manager for First Horizon Bank and has served two terms as Vice President of the Lafayette Parish School Board(district 6 rep). He is now running for Lafayette Tax Assessor. We will talk about his coming up story, Lafayette Parish schools, and what he plans to do if elected as Lafayette Tax Assessor. — The Tea Podcast is proudly sponsored by Chase Group Construction, The Music Academy of Acadiana, and and Electronic Protection Systems.

"My Number 1 priority was not leasing my building. I didn't want my power in business to be held in someone else's hands. This was also the recommendation of the Louisiana Small Business Administration to me as I looked at securing my future: 'You need to own the building!' So I tell others: Own the building. When you do that, you stay to work a little bit longer. You pick up the slack where needed. For me....this investment is my whole retirement on the line." Our guest is Denise Champagne-McClure, owner of The Coffeeweed Cottage in Lafayette, which opened on May 18, 2023. While Denise never earned a college degree, her business acumen can be put up against any individual who has earned an MBA. She works hard, she's humble, she's an incredible business entrepreneur, and has an eye for creating a successful business model. Coffeeweed Cottage's name is derived from the term for chicory, the name of a coffee substitute from the roasted root of the chicory plant. Denise loves the taste of chicory coffee and wanted something unique and different associated with her shop. And trust us....the coffee is delicious! Denise's store is at 410 Poydras Street, at the corner of W. Simcoe and Poydras Street in North Lafayette, not far from University Avenue near the Four Corners. She purchased the 3000 square foot property in 2022, the site of the oldest mechanic shop in Lafayette owned by a multi-general family business whose roots trace back to Cecilia where Denise grew up. Before finalizing her site selection, she drove around all areas of Lafayette Parish and knew that this oldest neighborhood in Lafayette, in the original  Vordenbauman Addition, in the area close to the Fightingville and LaPlace neighborhoods, was the exact right spot. With the help of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center and Lafayette Economic Development Authority, Denise was given guidance on how to open the business of her dreams. She brought a rich and varied business background that made her a good candidate for opening up this unique endeavor: she was trained in horticulture and had worked for Coburn's for 15 years in bath/kitchen fixture sales, having moved up the ranks from the bottom up. Note: Denise shared her gratitude to Coburn's for the experience they afforded her, as well as to the people at LEDA, especially Mark Mouton and Lauren Titus who helped her navigate the process of developing a three-year business plan and qualifying for a loan. Denise was inspired to reach her full potential when attending an Unleashed event by Dirk Beveridge. She realized that she could do anything she put her mind to when she heard his message about creating transformation through creating a culture of innovation and growth.  For more information on Dirk please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkbeveridge/ As with any entrepreneur, Denise has had to put all of her savings on the line, as well as mortgage her house to make this endeavor a reality. When you think about shopping options in Lafayette, as well as any other town, this is why it is important to think about shopping locally. Local vendors not only offer unique products, they give back to their community through donations to charities and in-kind contributions, and also sacrifice personally to ensure that employees who live in Lafayette are paid. Coffeeweed Cottage offers a unique array of services. One of the most unique services is their Grow Bar, where you can schedule a 'plant bar' for events as diverse as a bachelorette party, a team building event for work, a family get together, or birthday celebration. A $50 deposit for your event will go toward the cost of the event, where you and your friends can pick a favorite plant, a cute pot, and learn how to care for it. If your plant doesn't make it, you have a 30-day guarantee to swap it out for another plant or have Denise and her team nurse it back it health!

Ever wondered what goes into determining the value of your property and how it affects your tax bill? Join us on our latest episode as we pick the brains of Walter Campbell, a hopeful for the position of tax assessor. Walter reveals the nuts and bolts of property valuation and taxation, spilling the secrets behind the figures that land on your tax bill. We delve into the importance of this role, and how it influences not just the real estate market but the wallets of every homeowner in the Parish.We navigate the world of property assessment, learning about the four-year reassessment cycle mandated by law, and how unexpected events like floods can swing these values. Walter candidly shares his passion for public service, his 15-year journey preparing for the role of assessor, and his fervent desire to serve the citizens of Lafayette Parish. This episode is a must-listen as we demystify the role of tax assessor and highlight the significance of having informed and dedicated individuals in public service roles. So grab your headphones, and let's get started on this enlightening journey. And don't forget – every vote counts!

Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court, Louis J. Perret, has served our community for 23 years, having been elected to serve on November 20, 1999. The clerk of court oversees the central repository of official records ranging from real estate sales and mortgage deeds, civil lawsuits, successions, adoptions, felony criminal charges, and much more.  They help you get certified copies of birth and death certificates. The clerk's office has over 16 million records going back to 1823. The clerk's office has over 8,000 vintage photos of Lafayette Parish's history, with approximately 3000 on display. We are all encouraged to share our photos with him so that he can continue to build a library of the story of Lafayette. The Elections Department oversees every facet of all elections that take place in Lafayette Parish. With the elections coming up on October 14, 2023, it seems very timely to hear from Louis Perret on all that's involved in the process. One quick fact: just in Lafayette Parish on October 14, 2023, taxpayers will spend $182,000 to cover the costs of election day. Expenses cover 906 commissioners who will be working, the clerk of court and registrar employees, along with janitors, the people who deliver the voting machines, close the building, etc. Louis admonishes all of us: There is no valid excuse for not voting!! Prior to his election as Clerk of Court, Perret served as District Director of the 7th Congressional District for Congressmen Jimmy Hayes and Chris John. (1986-1999) Perret served as co-chair of the Lafayette Bush/Cheney campaign in 2000. He served as an alternate delegate for George W. Bush at the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. Louis Perret was selected in 1997 by the American Council of Young Political Leaders as a delegate to the People's Republic of China. He is a Lifetime Member of the ACYPL Alumni Council. Perret serves on the Board of Directors of Louisiana Capital (Small Business Lender) and has served since 2011 as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Regional Health System of Acadiana, which includes Women's & Children's Hospital and the Regional Medical Center Hospital. He formerly served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Women's & Children's Hospital from 2003 to 2008. He has been a board member since 1994. He is a partner in Golfballs.com and he is a founding member of NOBL (Network of Business Leaders). In 2002, Perret was elected to serve a three-year term on the Our Lady of Fatima Church Pastoral Council. He served on the Finance Council, as Vice President and President during his tenure on the Pastoral Council. Perret has served since 2003 as a Cub Leader, Adult Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 446. In 2012, Perret was appointed to the Executive Board of the Evangeline Area Boy Scouts of America. Louis Perret is a NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun Shooting Instructor, as well as a Range Safety Officer. A partial list of organizations he has raised money on behalf of include The United Way, Games of Acadiana, Children's Shelter, American Cancer Society, Duck's Unlimited and The Acadiana Outreach Center. Perret graduated from Our Lady of Fatima High School and The University of Southwestern Louisiana, (B.S.). He became a Certified Clerk of Court in 2000 by the Louisiana Clerks of Court Institute. In 2002, Louis Perret was the first Clerk of Court in the State of Louisiana to receive the Chancellor's Certificate in Public Administration from the University of Missouri offered through IACREOT. He was awarded the Advanced Chancellor's Certificate in 2008. He is married to the former Cheryl Broussard and is the father of two children, Ann E. and Max. For more information on the clerk's office, visit https://www.lpclerk.com/

Kade Turner, Executive Director of CASA, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss his passion for serving children. He first became involved with CASA in 2017 through the encouragement of former Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux who was serving as Executive Director of CASA at that time. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA advocates are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to serve as a child's voice in court. They represent the best interests of abused or neglected children during juvenile court and child protection proceedings. CASA is a nonprofit organization with both private and public funding sources. CASA works on behalf of foster children within the 15th Judicial District Court which encompasses Lafayette, Acadia, and Vermilion Parishes. The Louisiana Children's Code lays out the responsibilities of CASA and its trained volunteers who provide independent, third-party, objective assessments of what they see. Funding is provided by the Louisiana Supreme Court CASA Assistance Program, Victims of Crime Act Funding, the Louisiana Children's Trust Fund, private donations and grants. Approximately 340 children are being assisted by CASA and overseen by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. Most of the children in need of care are located right here in Lafayette Parish. Volunteers go through thirty hours of training, serve without compensation, and are appointed by the court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.  The judge will verify the volunteer's qualifications, training, and ability to serve as a CASA volunteer, including the ability to represent and advocate for the best interest of the children assigned to him.  You must be at least 21 years of age to serve and be able to commit two years of service. No volunteer is assigned until a comprehensive criminal background check has been conducted.  A CASA Volunteer spends time with their assigned child or sibling group getting to know the child while also gathering information from the child's family, teachers, doctors, caregivers, and others involved in the child's life. Approximately every six months, a report is prepared for the judge (with help from an assigned Supervisor) sharing recommendations for the child's care. Learn more about volunteering with CASA of SoLA at casaofsola.org. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (“DFCS”) which oversees foster care services has lots of turnover and is short-staffed. CASA provides much-needed resources to help families meet the requirements to get their lives back on track. A study showed that only about 23% of families had the necessary resources to meet the requirements placed upon them by the court to be able to emerge from the system. CASA helps parents sign up for classes, arrange childcare so they can attend court-ordered classes, or provide food for the family for those times that the parent must be away. Kade Turner has worked with CASA of South Louisiana since 2017. He assumed the role of Executive Director in May of 2022. A young man (with his 29th birthday coming up soon!) who has found his calling, Kade serves as an inspiration in our community. Kade has also dedicated his life to helping children with health disorders. For 21 years he has been involved with the Louisiana Lions Camp in Vernon Parish for youth in Louisiana with respiratory disorders, special needs, juvenile diabetes, and childhood cancer. Lions Camp is free for qualifying boys and girls of Louisiana. All campers are sponsored by their local Lions Clubs.

Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory, Carencro Mayor Charlotte Clavier, and Broussard Mayor Ray Bourque each visit the show to talk about local projects and economic news happening in their areas.

During "Lafayette Live," Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory highlights these construction projects that not only seek to improve our roads and drainage in localized areas but also to help bring more connectivity to the parish.

Robert Jarred and David Begneaud, board members of Scenic Lafayette, joined Discover Lafayette to discuss their mission to keep Lafayette beautiful and free of clutter and trash. They are both active and engaged volunteers. Scenic Lafayette is a citizen-based advocacy group committed to preserving and enhancing the natural and built environment of our community. through: Policy, Partnerships, Public education, and Projects. Founded in 2014, Scenic Lafayette promotes beauty as a valuable asset for those who live, visit, and conduct business in Lafayette. Its vision is to embrace calm, cleanliness, and the natural landscape of public and private spaces. Scenic Lafayette is one of 49 state and local affiliates of Scenic America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the visual character of our country's roadways, countryside, and communities, and inspired by the Lady Bird Johnson and the Highway Beautification Act. One big recurring problem we discussed was the proliferation of illegal signs that are posted in public spaces. Our guests jokingly recounted that "I buy golf carts" is the newest offender in our community as you see the signs posted throughout the area. The signs are typically posted in the middle of the night so David and Robert spoke of regularly getting up at 3 a.m. to start taking down the illegal signs. You can help by calling 311 to report litter and illegal signage. Let's clean up our neighborhoods! If you see a broken utility/phone post be sure to report it by calling 311 or 337.291.8800. AT&T will soon be digging up, fixing or replacing broken telephone cable boxes throughout Lafayette Parish. Lafayette City Councilwoman Liz Webb Hebert took it upon herself to address this issue....it has blown up across the state as other communities say they have the same problem. David Begneaud says, "The issue is being fixed and is coming around! This is important, as our visitors enter Lafayette they see this blight. Visitors who are considering moving here pay attention to these things." The issue of blighted green utility provider boxes found in public spaces throughout the community was also discussed and our guests reported the communication provider was responsive to requests for help in addressing the problem. David Begneaud with his wife, Alice, volunteering at the Southern Garden Festival bringing awareness and educating the public on blight, litter and illegal signage in our city. You can now report litter and illegal signs by calling 311 or go to www.311.Lafayette.services A few of the initiatives of Scenic Lafayette: The Azalea Trail Revitalization Project; Signage Policy Improvement and Enforcement; Landscape and Tree Policy Improvement and Enforcement; Art and Architecture Guide; Streetscape Improvement; Utility Infrastructure Visual Enhancement; Billboard Control; and Litter Abatement. Lafayette experiences a high level of trash being strewn on its streets and our interstate interchanges. Trash flies out of the back of citizens' pickup trucks as well as municipally-contracted trash pickup trucks. David Begneaud said he has heard Matt Stuller quote statistics several times, saying,"South Louisiana has the highest per capita of open-bed pickup trucks in the nation." David said further, "When you go down the interstate, whenever you are the contracted person to cut the grass, you have to pick up the litter first, and you see litter bags full of trash every 25 to 50 yards filled with trash for miles as they prepare to cut the grass on interstate medians." Municipalities can actively control the amount of blight that is tolerated. As David Begneaud said in a shout-out to Youngsville LA after discussing his awareness of how U. S communities control blight: "Go to Youngsville, LA. Youngsville has zero tolerance for non-compliant signs. Zero. Drive through the City of Youngsville and you're not going to see vinyl banners strapped betw...

Lafayette Parish is celebrating its Bicentennial this year with ongoing celebrations commemorating the time the Louisiana State Legislature carved off the western half of St. Martin Parish in 1823 to form a new parish named after the Marquis de Lafayette.      Two years earlier, in 1821, Jean Mouton donated a parcel of land to the community then known as Vermilionville for a Courthouse and a Cathedral. Mouton became known as the founder of Vermilionville that in 1884 became the City of Lafayette in honor of the French marquis who fought in the American revolution. Our guest is Sami Parbhoo who is heading up the series of events throughout 2023 that will honor the history of our parish and look to what the future holds. Lafayette Parish enjoys a proud history of various cultures coming together, starting with the indigenous Atakapa-Ishak, Choctaw, Chitimacha, and Opelousas, who were the first to inhabit the area. Acadian refugees settled in the area after Le Grand Dérangement from Canada in 1755 when Great Britain captured the land from France. The Acadians married other native, French, Spanish, and African settlers, forming the rich culture and history of Lafayette Parish. It has been nearly two-hundred years since we were chartered by the Louisiana Legislature in 1823. Two years earlier, in 1821, Jean Mouton, a wealthy planter donated a parcel of land to the community known as Vermilionville, for a Courthouse, and a Cathedral. Jean Mouton became known as the founder of Vermilionville, which became the city of Lafayette in 1884. For more information and a list of events taking place, please visit www.lafayette1823.org. 

Richard Zuschlag, Chairman of the Board & CEO of Acadian Companies, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss his incredible life journey. Still working full-time, Richard shares his love and admiration for Acadian's loyal employees who have made the company's success possible. Richard came to Lafayette from Pennsylvania in 1970 as a communications engineer for Westinghouse. In 1971, when new federal regulations caused funeral homes to discontinue using their car-based chassis for emergency transport, Richard joined with two friends, Roland Dugas and Richard Sturlese, to form Acadian Ambulance Service in Lafayette Parish. They opened for business on September 1, 1971, at 12:01 a.m., with two ambulances and eight employees. Richard is the only employee left from the early days, yet many of Acadian's team have been with the company their entire career; the employees and management team are loyal to Acadian's mission of delivering the highest quality emergency medical support and care. Over 50 years later, Acadian has grown to approximately 5,000 employees in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Its six subsidiary companies include Acadian Air Med, Executive Aircraft Charter Service, Acadian Total Security, National EMS Academy, and Safety Management Systems. Last year, Acadian transported approximately 700,000 people across their four-state region. Acadian Companies is privately owned and under Richard's leadership, it became an Employee Stock Ownership Plan known as ESOP in 1993 to allow the employees to share in the company's financial success. Over the years, Richard has learned that the heart of Lafayette is one of giving, of faith, and of people helping one another. Listening to his words will inspire any young entrepreneur who is looking to help others by meeting their needs. We thank Richard for sharing his experiences of success, and also for sharing that he has made mistakes and is grateful to have learned what is important in life. It's also interesting to hear his thoughts on being a young man moving to Lafayette from Pennsylvania in July during our typical 99-degree weather and 100% humidity, and how he quickly grew to love Lafayette, its people, and its culture, including the spicy food! Richard's civic work has included fundraising for worthy causes ranging from the Boy Scouts to UL-Lafayette, The World War II Museum, and local schools. Among many, many awards, he has been the recipient of the Lafayette Civic Cup, received the Distinguished Citizen Award, and has been named a “Louisiana Legend” by Louisiana Public Broadcasting. He was instrumental in setting up the first enhanced 911 system in the state which gave the operator both the address and the phone number for persons calling for emergency assistance. For more information on Acadian Companies, please visit https://acadian.com/.

We are talking about Leadership Lafayette, what it is and how benefits current and potential future leaders of Lafayette Parish. Katrena has worked in city planning, regional planning, and now in people planning. “Everyone has what it takes within them to be a leader, whether they know it or not; my personal goal is to help others activate that.” https://leadacadiana.org/ourteam/ https://leadacadiana.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrenaann — The Tea Podcast is proudly sponsored by The Music Academy of Acadiana & The Orchard, Authorized Service Providers of Apple. The Music Academy of Acadiana is Acadiana's top choice for music lessons in piano, guitar, voice, drums, violin, saxophone, flute, audio production & more. They teach students of all ages and styles, they have sent students to college, to compete in major music competitions, and have also premiered on major TV Music contests like American Idol & The Voice. Founded by University of Louisiana at Lafayette music school graduate Tim Benson, the Academy has been voted as a top finalist in the best music school by readers of the Times since 2016 and they have won the national music school of the year award in 2014. Their goal is to make music lessons fun, educational and to help foster the next generation of musicians and creative thinkers! You can find them at the following links: Website: https://www.musicacademyacadiana.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicAcademy... — The Orchard is our tech sponsor and are providing the tech we need to assure a successful live podcast. Check them out at https://theorchardstores.com. The Tea Podcast is part of the https://acadianacasts.com podcasts network. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tea-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-tea-podcast/support

Toby Aguillard, Roya Boustany, and Jules Edwards III met on October 13, 2022, at a forum sponsored by the Lafayette Parish Bar Association. Each had the opportunity to discuss their unique qualifications to serve as our newest Lafayette City Court Judge. The Bar Association did not endorse any candidate and Discover Lafayette does not either; we are proud to make this forum available to the general public so that Lafayette residents can make an informed decision upon exercising their right to vote. The election will take place on November 8. Early voting takes place at the Registrar of Voters Office from October 25 through November 1, 2022, from 8:30 am to 6 pm, excluding Sunday. Each candidate offers extensive legal experience and a passion for public service. In this audience populated by local attorneys, the questions were a bit more technical than in a usual forum yet this podcast will give our listeners a chance to hear what drives each candidate. Toby Aguillard has always felt called to public service. As a young man, he graduated from St. Joseph's Seminary College, a Benedictine college and monastery in Covington, then followed his heart when he realized that marriage was important to him. He served as Lafayette City Police Chief under former Mayor-President Joel Robideaux. Toby worked as Deputy Sheriff for the Cameron and East Baton Rouge Sheriffs' offices and following graduation from Southern University Law Center as a prosecutor in the DA's office in Cameron Parish and the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. He served as director of the Internet Crimes Division of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office immediately prior to his appointment as Chief in Lafayette. In order to build trust in the Lafayette community, he continued the community outreach program initially begun under former Deputy Chief Reginald Thomas, where officers walked door to door to meet with residents; he believes that these community outreach sessions gave him unique insights into how to deal with City Court litigants. "My biggest challenge serving as Lafayette City Police Chief was the day that we lost Officer Michael Middlebrook. Everything came after that. There was an immediate firestorm over insurance benefits for his family. There were 300 police officers who were angry that Michael Middlebrook gave his life and his family lost their benefits immediately. It was about negotiating with the City Council and the Mayor-President to negotiate the issue. The Police Union was down my back and it was an extremely difficult time. But in a few days, we were able to smooth it out. I had to take a strong leadership role, telling my guys, 'You have to trust me.' And they did. My experience working with the budget as Chief will also be of great value to the City Court." Toby Aguillard Roya Boustany, the youngest candidate at 36 years of age and a graduate of Southern University Law Center, serves as a Chief Felony Prosecutor for District Attorney Don Landry. She recounted how she always wanted to be a prosecutor and wants to give both victims and defendants a voice. One young victim of rape at the age of 11 left a lasting impression upon Roya as the young girl stated that Roya was the first person to ever listen to her. Roya stays busy in court and has prosecuted many felony criminal cases, including those involving the gamut from theft to rape and murder. She previously served as Public Defender. Roya is extremely involved in leadership positions in the community, serving as President-elect of Junior League of Lafayette, President of the Lafayette Young Lawyers Association, a graduate of Leadership Lafayette XXXII, and Acadiana Center for the Arts Board member, among many other activities. "I've handled thousands of cases as a prosecutor in my career. The judge needs to be an open-minded, fair, equitable, caring, and compassionate person. That is what we all want and expect. You expect someone to listen to you,

Lafayette Parish Sheriff Mark Garber joins Discover Lafayette to discuss his career and the scope of responsibilities of his office. He is the 27th Sheriff to serve Lafayette and has served in that capacity since January 2016. A native of Iota, Sheriff Garber graduated from LSU-BR and SMU Law School in Dallas. While in undergrad school, he worked with the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher before moving up to corrections. He then worked as a game warden with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Sheriff Garber joined the City of Arlington, TX Police Department where he spent ten years, being chosen for the prestigious motorcycle unit. He also gained enforcement experience in patrol, traffic enforcement, field training, police sniper, and SWAT (Special Operations). It was while Sheriff Garber worked in Arlington that he realized he wanted a Ph.D. level education and pursued law studies. He jokingly recalled if he knew how hard it would be to juggle so many responsibilities he may not have chosen law school; but he did well and looked at each law course as a financial investment as he had to put himself through school, not qualifying for assistance due to his income as a police officer. Sheriff Garber next served in the U. S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations as a Civilian Special Agent, Criminal Investigator in Iraq, earning a Bronze Star Medal for his actions. His time in Iraq included deployment as a Battlefield Interrogator which put him in the war zone alongside frontline shooters. He recounted that he spent several tough weeks at Fort Huachuca in Arizona learning prescribed interrogation techniques and was able to meld them with his own experiences and talents from serving in law enforcement. On his service in Iraq, Sheriff Mark Garber said, "Your perspective changes when you work with people who are getting killed. You want to survive and you want to protect each other. That's what the goal is. But I never saw circumstances where torture would produce reliable information to give to a ground commander that could be trusted. I preferred other methods. My role was to give advice and to get senior leadership of al-Qaeda taken out." Upon returning to the U. S. Sheriff Garber continued service with the U. S. Secret Service, then returned to Lafayette where he served as an Assistant DA prosecuting felonies for the 15th JDC before being elected in 2015 to serve as Sheriff. This year, in 2022, Sheriff Garber became an FBI National Academy Graduate. Lafayette's Sheriff is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Parish under the Louisiana Constitution. The Sheriff shares jurisdictions with the other cities' police departments (Broussard, Carencro, Duson, Lafayette, Scott, Youngsville.) Its Narcotics Division works extensively with the Lafayette City Police Department. When needed, the other police departments call upon the Sheriff for assistance and resources. "What are our core functions to serve the community? We incarcerate people. We investigate crimes. We answer calls for service. These are the three pillars of our service that directly influence and affect safety. Safety is our basic need and you can't engage in commerce or education until you are secure. That's our #1 concern." When Sheriff Garber took office in 2016, there were 900 prisoners being housed in the downtown Jail, a facility designed to hold about 300. "People were sleeping in unsecured common areas. The overcrowding led to health issues and staff morale was low. Garber implemented strict protocols to turn around the situation and improve safety for all. Today the jail holds approximately 600 prisoners and the Sheriff's Annex can hold about 150 individuals. We spoke of the backlog of untried criminal cases as a result of the COVID shutdown. Garber pointed out that Pre-Covid, these cases were already way behind, and then the district court was shut down for 18 months.

Our guest is Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, the 54th person to serve the State of Louisiana in this capacity. Billy Nungesser's drive to rebuild the tourism industry of Louisiana as we exit the pandemic is admirable, and we are well on the way to breaking the historic number of visitors we experienced in 2019 right before the pandemic. "In 2019, over 53 million people visited Louisiana leaving behind $1.9 billion in tax dollars, over $1,100 for each Louisiana family. By 2023, we'll be back to record-breaking numbers, In Louisiana, we treat strangers like family. You leave Louisiana with a friend for life and you keep coming back. Especially in the Acadiana region." Billy brings a unique joie de vivre to his position. Enthusiastic and hard-working, he became nationally known 12 years ago when serving as President of Plaquemines Parish in the aftermath of one of the biggest environmental disasters in history, the BP Oil Spill. He became the voice of Louisiana's frustration and the New York Times named him the "hardest working man in Louisiana." Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser pictured hunting with South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pam Evette in Louisiana swamps, 2022 Never seeing himself as a politician, Billy and his wife were living in Plaquemines Parish where they had built a riding center for special needs kids. With the 26 horses (and a few donkeys) they offered, he said, "We watched miracles happen in these young lives who had been wheelchair-bound." He also was a rancher with 400 head of cattle and 200 head of elk and had a successful business converting shipping containers into offshore living quarters. When Katrina hit in 2005, Billy found himself not only with animals to rescue, but neighbors who were stranded with no help. He took in 30 people who lived with him for months. Commissioner Agriculture Mike Strain's dad and uncle, who were in the cattle business with him, lived with him for a year after Katrina, rescuing animals. "I never saw a politician come by. I got so aggravated that people were left on their own." He got angry enough to run for Plaquemines Parish President and won. He became a voice of Louisiana and its people. Billy Nungesser in the aftermath of the 2010 BP oil spill which was one of the biggest environmental disasters in U. S. history, leaving so many birds dead and destroying our seafood industry along the coast. Billy was elected to serve as our Lt. Governor in 2016. The Office of Lieutenant Governor oversees many departments, with its main responsibility being Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, overseeing state parks and nine museums. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is also an important focus, as Lt. Gov. Nungesser strives to build awareness in our citizens of the importance of cleaning up our state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser spoke highly of Matt Stuller and his initiative, Parish Proud, for its heroic efforts to clean up Lafayette Parish and end the habit of littering. We can all do our part to pitch in and change our culture. For more information on Parish Proud, visit https://parishproud.org/ He also believes that the Historical Preservation and Revitalization of Downtowns throughout Louisiana is of critical importance. For an overview of grants and tax incentives, visit https://www.crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/historic-preservation/main-street/. As a former Parish President of Plaquemines, Billy shared the importance of all businesses, strip malls, and restaurants putting out trash bins so that it is easy to dispose of trash. "When I was Parish President, we put out 20 trash cans along Hwy. 23 at an angle where people could throw their trash from their cars. 90% of garbage went into the trash cans or near enough so that it was easy to dispose of." He shared that less than 17% of our people actually litter. "It's time to clean up our state just as you clean up your home when you invite people over. Hopefully one day we won't have to spend millions to pick up trash.

Guest host Joe Cunningham discusses the recent roundabout construction projects in Lafayette Parish and his irrational fear of them.

Lafayette Parish was rocked by the news that Mayor-President Josh Guillory had admitted himself to rehab at the end of July 2022. News 10's Darla Montgomery, in an exclusive interview, talks with Josh and his wife Jamie about his time in rehab and many of the rumors and allegations that have swirled around him in the weeks since. In this extended, uncut interview, the Guillorys speak candidly about the decisions they've made and the future they face.

Dr. Joe Abraham and Joan Wingate are both enthusiastic and tireless supporters of our Lafayette Parish library system. They joined us to discuss their mission to instill a love of reading in our children and families and to emphasize the importance of citizens' support of our library system so that we can continue to offer free and equal access of materials to all residents, 24/7. Joe is President of the Lafayette Parish Library Foundation. He's a physician, research biologist, and the award-winning author of Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation. Joan has served on the Foundation in various positions, leading ‘Lafayette Loves Libraries,' as president, and currently serves on the Library Board of Control, the governing body of Lafayette Parish Libraries. The foundation supplements taxpayer funding of our libraries by encouraging private donations that provide books and services and fund special programs. Its sister organization, Friends of the Library, has raised $1 million over the past 40 years. With the library being in the news so much, it seemed like a good time to be reminded about the importance of having a viable library system that is accessible to everyone, no matter their age or socioeconomic background. "It's important to raise awareness of our public library's needs and what we can do to support it. In 2002 when the library tax was passed (to support a 20-year plan to build regional branches and refurbish the Main branch), we got busy and focused on building the new sites. We know we also need to educate the public as to the many resources the library offers and the importance of reading. We want to be able to offer free and equal access, 24/7, to all of our resources." Joan Wingate, photo by Leslie Westbrook of The Advocate. Lafayette Parish is blessed with an award-winning library system, having received the coveted James O. Modisette Award for Public Libraries in 2020. It is the highest honor that a public library can receive in Louisiana. And its private donors are generous: almost every year, Lafayette is #1 in private donations made through Friends of the Library and the Foundation. Yet, if you compare Lafayette Parish's library public funding to the other eight metropolitan areas of Louisiana, it is dead last. The library staff members are efficient and effective in what they do in running its nine branches (four regional, the Main Library, smaller branches, plus the Bookmobile). Per capita, Lafayette sees more of its resources (books, movies, digital materials, etc.) checked out than any other metropolitan area in the state, even compared to New Orleans and Baton Rouge. People flock to the libraries for all sorts of purposes; they study for exams, get access to the internet, participate in the various programs put on, or reserve meeting rooms that are free for use by the public. On 2022's opening day of the annual Summer Reading Challenge, approximately 1000 children participated, with pizza being served compliments of the Library Foundation. As Joan says, "The library is truly a safe haven, welcoming people to educate and discover themselves." Summer reading programs are designed to encourage students to keep reading during the summer months as a fun and easy way to prevent a decline in reading achievement. With the 2022 Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Challenge, all participants have been encouraged to reach a personal goal of 600 minutes and a combined community goal of 2,000,000 minutes read or activities participated in from June 1 to July 31. Prizes are awarded for every 600 minutes of reading and a grand prize will be awarded. Controversies over the past few years relating to programming displays have resulted in the library being in the middle of a political arena. It has returned to its original mission: a focus on reading and the joy of reading. Book displays now highlight mysteries, summer reading selections,

In this week's talk with Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory, Bernie and Brandon sit down with him and Duson's Mayor Johnny Thibodeaux to discuss how his municipality - and others in Lafayette Parish - work together with the City to get things done. Also, Mayor Thibodeaux shared an amazing story going back to his days fighting for our country in Vietnam.

Bradley Beck is a local entrepreneur who first opened his State Farm Agency in 2012 and is in the top percentile nationally. He is also owner of Parlor Salon Studios, a local luxury brand that provides fully furnished, private studios to cosmetology professionals. Parlor Salon Studios currently has 2 locations in Lafayette Parish with a 3rd coming soon to Downtown Lafayette. Lastly, Beck has entered the NFT/Metaverse space with his newest venture, Metavisory, a collaborative agency in the space. We will talk all of that and more today at 11 AM. www.BradleyBeck.com www.ParlorSalonStudios.com www.MetavisoryCompany.com — The Tea Podcast is proudly sponsored by The Music Academy of Acadiana & The Orchard, Authorized Service Providers of Apple. The Music Academy of Acadiana is Acadiana's top choice for music lessons in piano, guitar, voice, drums, violin, saxophone, flute, audio production & more. They teach students of all ages and styles, they have sent students to college, to compete in major music competitions, and have also premiered on major TV Music contests like American Idol & The Voice. Founded by University of Louisiana at Lafayette music school graduate Tim Benson, the Academy has been voted as a top finalist in the best music school by readers of the Times since 2016 and they have won the national music school of the year award in 2014. Their goal is to make music lessons fun, educational and to help foster the next generation of musicians and creative thinkers! You can find them at the following links: Website: https://www.musicacademyacadiana.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicAcademyOfAcadiana/ — The Orchard is our tech sponsor and are providing the tech we need to assure a successful live podcast. Check them out at https://theorchardstores.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tea-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-tea-podcast/support

Jonathan Thibeaux (JT) is from Lafayette Parish and a Morehouse man. Currently, he's in the Peter Stark Producing Program at University of Southern California. On this episode of the podcast, JT talks about learning from life experiences and knowing your worth. According to JT, our individual experiences put us in a position to change the landscape through our existence. Besides promoting self-discovery and self-worth, JT also loves to indulge in moments that make him smile. Check out JT's story and journey from Lafayette to LA. You'll learn how you can dream bigger too. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/see-brilliance/support

The W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center, an extension of the high schools in the Lafayette Parish School System, offers students career and technical education in automotive, cosmetology, culinary, medical, industrial technology, and welding programs. Principal Holly Boffy joined Discover Lafayette to share the school's mission and new programming being offered in the upcoming 2022-23 school year. Students must be enrolled in the Lafayette Parish School System to participate and they attend the Career Center for three hours per day taking technical and career classes. No one graduates from the Career Center, they only attend part of their school day and graduate from their home base school. There is no tuition for the programs, but some minor fees may be involved depending upon the curriculum. Public school buses transport the students to and from their home base school. Program fields include Auto tech, Auto paint and body, Remote Vehicle Tech, Cosmetology, Culinary, Digital Media, Manufacturing Tech (Computer-aided design and Metal Cutting) Medical (nursing and medical assistant, EMT), Robotics and Welding. The Career Center is implementing an HVAC program in the Fall of 2022 along with electrical programs. There is still space for students in the new programs, as well as in machinery and the paint and body program; families are encouraged to visit https://www.lpssonline.com/schools/careercenter for more information. In a typical year, the application process opens up in January. The training received while in high school enables students to enter the workforce full-time upon graduation or continue on to community college, a four-year university, or apprenticeship programs. The Career Center partners with South Louisiana Community College and students can earn dual enrollment credits with the tuition being covered by LPSS. These early career experiences are invaluable as students learn whether or not their career choice is the correct fit for their interests while they are still young. "It empowers the students," says Principal Boffy. She cited one example of a teacher who had originally earned credentials as a Certified Nursing Assistant. While that career path turned out not to be for her, she was able to work as a CNA while putting herself through a traditional four-year college, using her trade and not incurring debt. "It's important to mentor your children, to have conversations about what makes them happy. What gifts do they have that they can use to contribute to others in their career? I believe the Career Center is one of the best-kept secrets in Lafayette Parish," says Principal Holly Boffy. Students have to have decent grades to enroll in the Career Center as they must also earn their other core credits such as History, English, etc. to graduate. The Career Center is committed to the region's 55 by 25 Initiative, with a goal of increasing the proportion of working-age adults in Acadiana with postsecondary degrees, certificates, or other high-value credentials to 55 percent by 2025. One program that reaches out to serve the community is the Culinary program which utilizes the Culinary Cafe on-site at the Career Center. With adequate space to hold luncheons or banquets, the space is open for rentals to the public. You provide your budget to the students who will then prepare a meal from scratch and serve your guests at the tables provided. Shown are students at the Culinary Cafe at W. D. and Mary Baker Smith Career Center. To be certified, students must complete 400 hours working the industry and pass 3 different tests to earn the Pro-Start National Certificate of Achievement, an industry-recognized certificate that signifies a strong foundation in the basic management and culinary skills considered critical to success by restaurant industry leaders. We thank Principal Holly Boffy for her commitment to seeing all students receive the highest and best form of education su...

The search for 22 years old Michaela "Mickey" Shunick took investigators in multiple directions over the course of her disappearance in 2012. Michaela's strength and perseverance would ultimately lead to the arrest of her killer. Michaela “Mickey” Shunick Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/findmickeynow/Official Website:https://mickeyshunick.com/site/facts-about-mickey-shunicks-disappearance/RAMissingPeople.com - A site founded by the Mickey Shunick Campaignwww.ramissingpeople.orgRAMissingPeople Official Instagram@RAMissingpeopleWays YOU can support the show! Want to make a one-time donation? You can do that on #PayPal using the email address murdergirls@thosemurdergirlspodcast.com Become a #Patreon! With five levels to choose from, you can support Those Murder Girls Podcast with a monthly donation that will go towards production and keeping #ads out  of our episodes.  And, any #donation over $3 will get you a shoutout on the show! Sign up now at Patreon.com/thosemurdergirlspodcast

The Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association's ("BVPA) efforts to educate our community about the many ways we can all help protect the Vermilion plays a crucial role in maintaining our ecosystem. Discover Lafayette welcomed Amber Robinson, Chris Adams, and Kiera Frey to the show to discuss the body of work the BVPA undertakes to educate and work with community members who want to make a difference. In 2013, BVPA was founded by Charles and Jan Wyatt, along with dedicated members of the Lafayette Garden Club. Since those early days, the association has grown to include an active board, advisory board, and hundreds of members. BVPA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to create awareness of our natural environment by providing education and outreach to the general community about ways to conserve, protect and enjoy the Bayou Vermilion Watershed. It works alongside and in partnership with the Bayou Vermilion District ("BVD") which was established in 1984 and funded by property taxes to “enhance the general conditions and beautification of the bayou by improving water quality, in an effort to promote [it] as a recreational and cultural asset.”  And for those who don't know what a 'watershed' is, it is the area of land that drains to a ditch, coulee, bayou, or river. Our region is in the Teche-Vermilion Watershed. BVPA Secretary and Board Member Kiera Frey: "The polluted image of the dirty, brown body of water, that on any given day could yield tons of floating trash and debris, that Vermilion River is not the one we want tourists who come to town to soak up local culture to take home with them. Nor is it the one we want our children and grandchildren to grow up with. BVPA focuses on educating the community on the natural beauty of the 70-mile waterway, including its recreational & utilitarian value." Photo by Bryan Tuck of The Advocate. The River Symposium is BVPA's biggest fundraiser of the year. It is an annual gathering of presenters who speak on a variety of topics related to the Vermilion River. Each year the theme changes. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, this year's symposium, Innovation on the Bayou: Harnessing New Ideas for Watershed Improvement, will be held on March 25th at the LITE Center on Cajundome Boulevard from 7:30 AM to 2:30 pm. Speakers include Warren Abadie from LCG, Tara Ross from Calcasieu Parish, Ben Malbrough with Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, Brian Piazza, The Nature Conservancy and  Stephen Ortego with SO Studio Architecture. Cost is $27 which includes BVPA membership & lunch (student cost $5) - Sign up https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bvpas-7th-annual-river-symposium-tickets-165966681813. BVPA promotes and educates the community on techniques for improving water quality, including green infrastructure such as rain gardens, riparian buffers, and plants to help filter stormwater and control erosion. They teach pollution prevention and ways the public can help protect the watershed, such as litter control, picking up pet waste, maintaining septic systems, preventing yard waste and soil runoff, and awareness of stormwater flows. Most people are not aware that everything eventually flows into the Bayou, even the stormwater runoff of your pet's waste in the backyard which contains bacteria and parasites. An anti-littering poster contest is held to educate Lafayette Parish students on the importance of litter reduction and to create more interest in projects that enhance the landscape. This poster contest, a joint effort between LCG, Lafayette Garden Club, BVPA, and Parish Proud, is held in conjunction with Louisiana's Cleanest City contest. Most of us don't realize our direct or indirect contribution to damaging the Vermilion River's safety. Many of the bayous that flow through the Vermilion-Teche River Basin are not fully meeting their recreational uses of swimming (known as Primary Contact) because of nonpoint source pollution from such sou...

There's no doubt that Lafayette is in an economic transition. Changes in energy are driving changes in the world. And Lafayette has, since the 20th century, been an American energy hub.  You don't have to look far locally to see the changes. The infamous oil bust of the 1980s nearly bankrupted the entire city. Banks closed. Bumper stickers read, “Last one out turn off the lights.”  Fast forward: the 2014 bust hurt a lot. The metro area lost some 20,000 jobs — a nation-leading number. But here we are. The lights are still on. Why? Well, the top employment sector in Lafayette isn't energy any more. 17% of Lafayette's workforce work is in healthcare. It's by far the largest employer in the market. Direct mining jobs? 10%. And that's ⅓ of all mining oil and gas jobs in the state.  So how did that happen? Well, Adam Smith would credit his invisible hand. Others might credit the work of economic development organizations like the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, helmed by Mandi Mitchell. LEDA LEDA is a tax-funded agency that's a bit like the economic gardener for the parish. It's responsible for workforce development, business recruitment and is frequently tasked with analyzing economic impacts of big community projects or initiatives.  Mandi served for years as an assistant secretary in the state's counterpart to LEDA - Louisiana Economic Development - and was instrumental in landing the deal that brought an Amazon fulfillment center and hundreds of jobs to Lafayette Parish. Mandi is a Lafayette native, a certified economic developer and the first woman and person of color to run LEDA.  One Acadiana So if you're doing economic development well, that means you've got a lot of ribbons to cut. Traditionally, that's the role of your chamber of commerce, but Lafayette's chamber of commerce is a different kind of animal. First, it's not local — it's regional, serving nine parishes — and second, it's proactive. It shapes local and state public policy and advocates for business and free enterprise throughout the region. Troy Wayman is President and CEO of One Acadiana and has shaped the organizations' second act since its founding in 2015. Troy has spearheaded initiatives emphasizing the need for a better quality of life to attract business and talent — a program called Vibrant Acadiana — and an initiative called 55 by 25, which aims to improve educational attainment across.  Troy is also a certified economic developer, and his organization serves as the voice of some 600 employers in the Acadiana region.  Out to Lunch Acadiana is recorded live over lunch at Tula Tacos and Amigos in downtown Lafayette. You can find photos from this show by Astor Morgan at our website itsacadiana.com. And you can also check out more lunchtime conversation about Acadiana economic development.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Auzenne, Morning Show co-host on KPEL 96.5 with Bernadette Lee, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss his journey in broadcasting. Ian is also well-known for his sports play-by-play broadcasting career. He is a delightful trivia buff who shows up prepared for any job he is called upon to handle in a cheerful and genial manner. A Lafayette Parish native, Ian grew up in a rural area outside of Carencro around Gloria Switch Road. His father was a St. Landry Parish educator, and from a young age, Ian commuted with his dad to attend schools in that parish and graduated from Beau Chenes High School near Arnaudville, LA in 2006. He's remained friends with many of his buddies from his grade school years, and still affectionately calls out Nick and Butterbean on his morning radio show. A once-in-a-lifetime experience Ian's Junior year in high school changed the trajectory of his life. Princeton University was inviting students from rural and poorer areas of the U. S. to apply for their "Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America" summer program. Ian was encouraged by school administrators to apply and he was selected, one of only 54 in the U. S. to be selected (and only one of four or five from Louisiana). The experience led Ian to "absolutely fall in love with Princeton" and he applied to attend college there and was accepted. He graduated from Princeton in 2010. Ian Auzenne pictured calling plays during a Princeton-Brown game in 2009. "Those four years at Princeton molded me into the person I am now. If I wouldn't have gone there, I don't know if I'd be in broadcasting, if I'd be in sportscasting. Princeton led me directly into my career. I studied Political Science, but people who know me say I majored in WPRB, Princeton's student-run radio station, and minored in politics because I spent more time at the station than I did in the classroom or my dorm." While at Princeton, Ian became heavily involved with the student-run radio station WPRB, where he fell in love with broadcasting and was a natural at doing sports play-by-play. He covered Princeton football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, and softball. Ian loved Princeton so much he thought he would be staying in that region upon graduation. On April 20, 2010, however, as he was about to graduate, his beloved grandfather, Darrell Sonnier, passed away. Ian's heart told him he needed to return home to Acadiana to be close to family. The first call he made as he was looking for a job was to Darla Montgomery, longtime anchor at KLFY. Darla was a friend and mentor of Ian's, having met him when she allowed him to job shadow her in high school. Ian was hired and served as Producer of "Meet Your Neighbor" and Editor of "Passe Partout. He even had an opportunity or two to serve as a field reporter when called upon, something he loved to do. Ian Auzenne in the early days of his broadcasting career at KLFY where he served as Producer of Meet Your Neighbor and Editor of Passe Partout. His experience has taught him the difference between editorials (viewpoints) and delivering the facts to the listening audience. "It's easy to run your mouth off. It's more difficult to be tactful and respectful. You don't want to take the low road. At the end of the day, we're a news organization and I deliver the news. I am bound by an ethical standard, by what our profession dictates. When a polarizing issue presents itself, you have to ask, "Is it worth offering an opinion or do you just give the listeners the facts and let them sort it out." Ian moved on to KATC-TV, serving as executive news and special events producer for nine years. He joined Townsquare Media to serve as co-host of KPEL 96.5's daily morning show in February 2021. Daily early radio work takes discipline. With the show beginning each day at 6 a.m., Ian's day begins at the studio around 4:30 each morning so that he has time to write up the latest news and be ready to start the show promptly.

We are talking with Brandi about how she became a Lafayette Parish resident and a local business owner. KipandKingMarketing.com — The Tea Podcast is proudly sponsored by The Music Academy of Acadiana & The Orchard, Authorized Service Providers of Apple. The Music Academy of Acadiana is Acadiana's top choice for music lessons in piano, guitar, voice, drums, violin, saxophone, flute, audio production & more. They teach students of all ages and styles, they have sent students to college, to compete in major music competitions, and have also premiered on major TV Music contests like American Idol & The Voice. Founded by University of Louisiana at Lafayette music school graduate Tim Benson, the Academy has been voted as a top finalist in the best music school by readers of the Times since 2016 and they have won the national music school of the year award in 2014. Their goal is to make music lessons fun, educational and to help foster the next generation of musicians and creative thinkers! You can find them at the following links: Website: www.musicacademyacadiana.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicAcademyOfAcadiana/ — The Orchard is our tech sponsor and are providing the tech we need to assure a successful live podcast. Check them out at theorchardstores.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tea-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-tea-podcast/support

Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor Conrad Comeaux joins Discover Lafayette to explain how taxes are levied and collected. Who pays for what? How is your home's value assessed? This all really hits home when you get that bill in the mail. Serving as Tax Assessor since 2001, Conrad previously served on the Lafayette Parish Council from 1984 to 1996. A native of Scott, he graduated from USL, now UL-Lafayette, with degrees in biology and chemistry, and received a master's degree in health administration from Tulane University. He has been active in incorporating technology to help his office more efficiently serve the public, and was the first assessor in the state to put property values online and the first in Lafayette Parish to produce a digital map of ownership parcels. He views the office as non-political and says "we are there to do a job." While many people may think that the Tax Assessor sets tax millages and collects taxes, in fact, his office is only involved in determining the value of three things: land, buildings, and "extra features" that affect value (such as fencing, pools, and tennis courts). So when you receive your tax bills, they are coming from the Sheriff and local municipalities, not the Assessor. Louisiana's tax system differs from other states in the manner in which taxes are calculated. In most states the land and improvements are combined to reach a value; here, we separate out features of the property (i.e., the land is valued separately from the improvements) and taxed at different rates. Land and residential buildings are assessed at 10% of their market value; commercial buildings are assessed at 15% of market value. In a similar vein of Louisiana being different, in other states, property taxes are typically the biggest generator of local revenue; here, it is sales taxes. Millages collected throughout Lafayette Parish are very low compared to other parishes in Louisiana. In some years. Lafayette Parish millages are half of those collected in St. Tammany Parish. In fact, St. Tammany Parish school taxes are as high as what we are assessed for all Parish functions. It can be challenging to assess residences in neighborhoods with a wide range of values, and he gave an example of how homes on the front end of Kim Drive vary greatly in value from those closer to the Vermilion River. Conrad's office does "mass appraising," meaning that they look at values within a subdivision, or streets within a subdivision, not each individual home. However, his office is provided with a copy of each Act of Cash Sale filed at the courthouse and they utilize the value listed on the sale as a frame of reference. If you disagree with the assessed value of your home, Conrad encourages you to call his office at (337)291-7080 to bring it to his attention. It will be adjusted if they find a mistake (such as an overestimation of total square footage). Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor Conrad Comeaux will inform the councils of local governments on tax revenues and the implications of their decisions on their votes to maintain or raise millages. Their decisions can have a long-term impact on ensuring adequate levels of funding for mandated government services. Reassessments are typically done every four years. The Assessor's office will examine sales around a particular time frame to update values. As an example, for the 2020 reassessment, they looked at sales occurring six months before and six months after January 2019 to determine current values. With dramatic swings in market values, this process can cause people to scratch their heads wondering how a value was arrived at, but it's important to remember that the assessment is based upon a value from a couple of years back. If your home is damaged by a fire or hurricane and its value is greatly affected, please contact the Assessor's office to report the occurrence and the assessed value will be adjusted accordingly.

The statue of Confederate Gen. Alfred Mouton has been removed from downtown Lafayette, but what's the history that led to its installation in the first place? News 10's Dalfred Jones speaks with political science professor Dr. Rick Swanson about some of the darker history of Lafayette Parish.

How do you keep over 30,000 students safe during a pandemic? News 10's Dalfred Jones talks to a panel of Lafayette Public School System administrators who will tell us exactly how they did that -- and how they continue to do it. From putting nurses in schools to rearranging classrooms for social distancing, this is how LPSS fights COVID-19.

 Jeanne Arceneaux Hornsby is a Professional Engineer and Director at Fenstermaker with 15 years of numerical modeling, water resource engineering, planning, and project management experience. Mrs. Hornsby earned her Master's of Science degree in Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette under the direction of Dr. Ehab Meselhe and Dr. Emad Habib. Currently Mrs. Hornsby leads Fenstermaker's Water Resources Team throughout the company's offices in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and New Orleans, LA. Her main responsibilities include leading multi-million-dollar projects that range from coastal and watershed modeling and management to roadway design and construction for both the public and private sectors. She has obtained her experience and expertise by working on projects in Louisiana, Texas, and Florida, with the majority of her hydrologic and hydraulic modeling experience focused on Southwest Louisiana, specifically the Vermilion, Teche, Mermentau, and Calcasieu watersheds. As a Certified Floodplain Manager, Jeanne assists many area communities in flood mitigation project funding through the use of available grant programs. She also assists communities in drafting flood protection and drainage ordinances as well as leading participation and renewal activities in the FEMA Community Rating System (CRS). Jeanne was raised and currently resides with her family in Lafayette Parish. 

In this week's podcast edition of Community Quotes, we interview volunteer and community leader Merlinda Valerie Prejean, who is devoted to expanding services for veterans in Lafayette Parish.

Theresa Rohloff is very passionate about the community and getting others involved to make a difference in Lafayette Parish. Learn more about this AOC Member by listening to her podcast episode of Community Quotes.