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3 Louisiana festivals among best in the US. Why they’re special here

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3 Louisiana festivals among best in the US. Why they’re special here


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Louisiana is often referred to as the “Festival Capital of the World,” earning this title because of the hundreds of festivals that take place annually throughout the state.

More than 400 festivals take place each year in Louisiana, ranging from cultural and food celebrations to music and seasonal events.

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Three festivals, Rougarou Fest, Jazz Fest and Beignet Fest, were named among the top 10 festivals in various categories by USA Today.

Rougarou Fest in Houma named on USA Today’s 10Best Cultural Festivals

Rougarou Fest in Houma was named by USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards as the seventh best cultural festival.

Rougarou Fest is a free, family-friendly festival that celebrates the rich folklore of Southeast Louisiana. The Rougarou is a folklore creature that’s described as having the head of a wolf or dog and the body of a human, like a werewolf. Stories of the Rougarou have been used by Cajun parents for generations to get children to behave.

The event, which takes place at 86 Valhi Blvd. in Houma, showcases live music, cultural activities, children’s activities, Cajun food, the Krewe Ga Rou parade and more. This year, the festival will take place from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25.

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Here are the 10 best cultural festivals in the U.S. according to USA Today:

  1. Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
  2. Black Wall Street Rally (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
  3. Dublin Irish Festival (Dublin, Ohio)
  4. Fyr Bal Festival (Ephraim, Wisconsin)
  5. Anchorage Fur Rendezvous (Anchorage, Alaska)
  6. Black Food Truck Festival (Charleston, South Carolina)
  7. Rougarou Fest (Houma, Louisiana)
  8. World Food & Music Festival (Des Moines, Iowa)
  9. Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival (Nashville, Tennessee)
  10. Celtic Music and Heritage Festival (St. Augustine, Florida)

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival named among 10 best music festivals by USA Today

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, also known as Jazz Fest, was named the seventh best music festival on USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards.

This festival is a legendary celebration of music, featuring some of the biggest names in music, with this year’s lineup featuring the Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Kings of Leon, Lorde, Tyler Childers and Earth, Wind and Fire, just to name a few.

The festival also puts the spotlight on local legends in the genres of jazz, blues, gospel, rock, R&B and Zydeco. This event is a great way for attendees to experience the rich musical heritage of New Orleans.

This year, the festival takes place on two separate weekends, from April 23 until May 3. In addition to music, there will also be authentic Louisiana cuisine, artisan crafts and cultural displays.

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These are the 10 best music festivals in the U.S. according to USA Today:

  1. Musikfest (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
  2. Mile 0 Fest (Key West, Florida)
  3. Joshua Tree Music Festival (Joshua Tree, California)
  4. Festival Napa Valley (Napa, California)
  5. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia)
  6. Summerfest (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
  7. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  8. Waterfront Blues Festival (Portland, Oregon)
  9. Lollapalooza (Chicago, Illinois)
  10. Ohana Festival (Dana Point, California)

Beignet Fest in New Orleans among best specialty food festivals according to USA Today’s 10Best

Beignet Fest in New Orleans was named the eighth best specialty food festival by USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards.

This festival celebrates the food culture of New Orleans, especially beignets. Along with traditional beignets covered in a delicious heaping of powdered sugar, attendees can try specialty beignets stuffed with crawfish, gumbo and candied sweet potatoes.

This year, the festival will take place on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds.

Here are the 10 best specialty food festivals according to USA Today:

  1. Delta Hot Tamale Festival (Greenville, Mississippi)
  2. Maine Whoopie Pie Festival (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine)
  3. Picklesburgh (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
  4. Cheese Curd Festival (Ellsworth, Wisconsin)
  5. National Buffalo Wing Festival (Buffalo, New York)
  6. National Shrimp Festival (Gulf Shores, Alabama)
  7. Oregon Chocolate Festival (Ashland, Oregon)
  8. Beignet Fest (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  9. Kauai Poke Fest (Koloa, Hawaii)
  10. Drinks With Benefits (New York City, New York)

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com



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Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for May 5, 2026

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The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 5, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 5 drawing

12-22-50-51-55, Mega Ball: 10

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 5 drawing

6-2-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 5 drawing

3-1-9-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 5 drawing

7-7-0-4-2

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Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

  1. Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
  2. Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
  3. Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
  4. Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

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555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

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Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
  • Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Six startups land funding as part of Louisiana’s energy push

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Future Use of Energy in Louisiana is doubling down on early-stage energy innovation, awarding nearly $1.2 million to six startups in its second round of proof-of-concept funding.

The grants are designed to help companies bridge the gap between research and commercialization, often one of the toughest hurdles in scaling new technology. The awardees must complete their project within a year of receiving their award. 

The latest recipients span a range of emerging sectors critical to Louisiana’s energy future, including carbon utilization, LNG infrastructure, carbon capture, waste-to-value systems and green hydrogen. Projects include a carbon dioxide-based chemical production process, a cryogenic valve for extreme conditions and a biomass gasification system aimed at hydrogen production.

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“These startups aren’t just advancing energy innovation—they’re helping build a stronger Louisiana,” said Stephen Loys, director of technology commercialization for FUEL. “We’re excited to support them as they turn their ideas into market-ready solutions.”

Here’s a full list of startups and their projects:

  • Renovigo Chemicals: Utilizing carbon dioxide in the production of propylene and acrylonitrile
  • Westfield Fluid Controls, Inc.: The Cryogenic Cam Butterfly Valve: A specialized fluid control device
  • Eray Geophysical: Diffraction seismic software for subsurface fracture detection in carbon capture and storage
  • EcoGlobe: Turning waste into value
  • NovaSpark Energy: Gridless on-demand power for reliable energy always
  • Waste to Energy Systems LLC: Biomass gasification system for green hydrogen production

Backed by the National Science Foundation and Louisiana Economic Development, the program is part of a broader push to position the state as a hub for next-generation energy technologies while accelerating startup growth and private investment.

Read the full announcement





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42,000 Louisianians voted absentee before Gov. Landry suspended US House primaries

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42,000 Louisianians voted absentee before Gov. Landry suspended US House primaries


The Louisiana Secretary of State received more than 42,000 absentee ballots from voters for the May 16 election by the time Gov. Jeff Landry suspended primaries last week for the state’s six U.S. House races, according to records officials provided Monday.



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