Louisiana

Lafayette chef joins Louisiana’s 2025 ‘Year of Food’ campaign, showcasing culinary heritage

Published

2 years ago

October 28, 2024

Lafayette chef joins Louisiana’s 2025 ‘Year of Food’ campaign, showcasing culinary heritage

To celebrate the state’s unique cuisines, the Louisiana Office of Tourism and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announced 2025 will be the Year of Food — and one Lafayette chef is helping lead the cause.

According to the Office of Tourism, the campaign officially kicked off the New York City Wine and Food Festival with a jazz brunch featuring chef Justin Girouard of The French Press in Lafayette. James Beard-nominated Girouard was paired with Michelin-starred chef John Fraser of New York to create a brunch menu inspired by the flavors and fresh seafood of Louisiana. The brunch was recently held Oct. 20, at La Marchande — a modernized French restaurant in Manhattan. “We’re excited to announce our Year of Food for 2025,” Nungesser said. “Louisiana’s food is like nothing else in the world. From boudin to beignets and gumbo to shrimp creole, our rich history and culture can be tasted in every bite. “All throughout 2025 we’ll be inviting visitors to Louisiana to taste all the ways you can feed your soul.” Doug Bourgeois, assistant secretary of tourism, said the names of food in Louisiana demonstrate the cultural influences from France, Spain, West Africa, Germany, the Caribbean, and many more. “Andouille, corn maque choux, jambalaya — Louisiana food not only tastes unique, but it also sounds like our storied past,” Bourgeois said. “We encourage visitors to come immerse themselves in the flavor and history of Louisiana.” To learn more about Louisiana’s culinary culture and where you can taste signature Louisiana dishes, visit FindYourLouisianaFlavor.com.

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Louisiana

Special Olympics Mississippi moves state games to Louisiana, holds swimming events in-state

Published

10 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Press Room

Special Olympics Mississippi moves state games to Louisiana, holds swimming events in-state

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) — Special Olympics Mississippi will hold its State Summer Games May 22–24 at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana, with swimming competitions continuing to take place in Mississippi.

Officials with the Special Olympics said the games were moved from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi to Louisiana because of security concerns.

“When they canceled the state games this year, it made it a little bit rough on some of the athletes, but they continued to train,” Sharon Patterson, Director for Area 3, said.

The swimming competitions will take place in Mississippi because Louisiana does not include swimming in its events. Two swimming events are scheduled for May 9, one in Tupelo and another at the Natatorium in Biloxi.

A torch run began in North Mississippi on Monday and will arrive in Bay St. Louis on Thursday.

“It’s a run, walk, or roll because we have wheelchairs in there as well,” Patterson said.

On Friday, the torch run will move through Pass Christian and travel along Highway 90, with law enforcement officers from each city carrying the torch through their jurisdictions.

The run will conclude at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, where the Biloxi Shuckers are sponsoring a celebration featuring the lighting of the cauldron. A special athlete will sing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” lead the pledge and recite the oath.

Special Olympics Mississippi includes nearly 20 areas across the state. Each area holds games to qualify athletes for the state games.

The organization will also send 126 athletes to the USA Games in Minnesota in June. The national competition occurs every four years.

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Louisiana

Louisiana proposal looks to avoid critter clashes over rescued wildlife

Published

22 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana proposal looks to avoid critter clashes over rescued wildlife

Wildlife agents might soon have official legal rules to follow when seizing wild animals raised as pets or rescued injured animals that are against Louisiana law to keep. The goal would be to release more of them back into the wild and, when it’s been a last resort, put fewer to death.

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Louisiana

Supreme Court denies motion on Louisiana congressional map ruling

Published

1 day ago

May 6, 2026

Press Room

Supreme Court denies motion on Louisiana congressional map ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAFB) – The U.S. Supreme Court denied a motion to recall its decision on Louisiana’s congressional map, making its ruling final.

The high court is sticking to its decision from last week to throw out the state’s current voting map. The ruling struck down a map that featured two majority-Black districts.

Louisiana Senate Bill 8 Redistricting(Source: Louisiana Legislature)

Gov. Jeff Landry canceled the congressional race due to the court’s decision, despite mail-in ballots and early voting. Several lawsuits have been filed to reverse the governor’s executive order. As of May 5, more than 128,000 votes have been cast early, according to the Secretary of State’s office.