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Jambalaya Festival’s Gracie Guillot crowned Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals queen

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Jambalaya Festival’s Gracie Guillot crowned Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals queen


The Jambalaya Festival’s reigning queen, Gracie Guillot, has been crowned the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals queen, a spokesperson for the festival association announced in a news release.

The Jambalaya Festival, held annually over Memorial Day weekend in Gonzales, is one of the premier events in Louisiana. As the spokesperson reported in the release, the prestigious honor recognized Guillot’s dedication and served as a testament to the diligence and work done by the festival committee and its many volunteers.

Notably, the storied festival enters a new era this year as it moves to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, the sprawling Ascension Parish venue located off Hwy. 30 near Interstate 10 in Gonzales.

The move away from the traditional Irma Blvd. area around city hall reflected the festival’s growth and increased significance in the community, per the release. The tradition has drawn visitors from throughout the state and beyond to experience the culture, food and heritage of the area.

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Guillot expressed excitement and gratitude after she received the once-in-a-lifetime honor.

“I’m still trying to find the right words to explain what I’m feeling,” she said in the release. “Being crowned the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen is a pivotal moment in any festival queen’s journey – a title that many dream of and prepare for, for years. As this was my first LAFF Convention, I went in just hoping to represent the Gonzales Jambalaya Festival to the best of my ability and let the Lord do the rest. I wanted to put our festival and Ascension Parish back on the festival map and make my association proud. Making Top 10 was an honor I dreamt of for many years, but being crowned LAFF queen is the biggest honor of my life.”

She added that she is looking forward to representing all of the state’s fairs and festivals, promoting Louisiana industries, cuisine, music and culture.

“My life has been changed in the blink of an eye, and I can only thank God for trusting me with this role,” she said in the release. “I have to thank my family and friends, my rhinestone sisters, and my JFA members for believing in me and supporting me every step of the way. I’m ready to get to work and make the LAFF board and the State of Louisiana proud.”

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For more information on the Jambalaya Festival, see the new website at jambalayafestival.net and follow JFA on social media.



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This Japanese partnership will advance carbon capture in Louisiana

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Newlab New Orleans is deepening its energy-tech ambitions with a new partnership alongside JERA, Japan’s largest power generator, to accelerate next-generation carbon capture solutions for heavy industries across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, The Center Square writes

The collaboration brings JERA Ventures into Newlab’s public-private innovation hub, where startups gain access to lab space and high-end machinery to commercialize technologies aimed at cutting emissions and improving industrial efficiency.

The move builds momentum as Newlab prepares to open its fifth global hub next fall at the former Naval Support Activity site, adding New Orleans to a network that includes Riyadh and Detroit. JERA’s footprint in Louisiana is already growing—from a joint venture on CF Industries’ planned $4 billion low-carbon ammonia plant to investments in solar generation and Haynesville shale assets—positioning the company as a significant player in the state’s clean-energy transition.

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Fed’s ‘Catahoula Crunch’ finished its first week in Louisiana 

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Federal immigration authorities are keeping a tight lid on key details as “Catahoula Crunch” closes its first week in southeast Louisiana, Verite writes.  

The operation—one of Department of Homeland Security’s largest recent urban crackdowns—began with raids at home-improvement stores and aims for 5,000 arrests, according to plans previously reviewed by the Associated Press. While DHS publicly highlighted arrests of immigrants with violent criminal records, AP data shows fewer than one-third of the 38 detainees in the first two days had prior convictions. 

Meanwhile, advocacy groups report widespread fear in Hispanic communities, with residents avoiding hospitals, schools, workplaces and even grocery stores amid sightings of federal agents.

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Business impacts are already visible: restaurants and Hispanic-serving corridors like Broad Street appear unusually quiet, with staff shortages forcing menu cuts and temporary closures. School absenteeism has doubled in Jefferson Parish, and protests have spread across New Orleans and surrounding suburbs as local leaders demand transparency around federal tactics.

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Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers

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Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers


BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana State Police is opening its doors throughout December, hosting open house events aimed at giving potential applicants a closer look at what it takes to become a state trooper.

Troop leaders said the goal is to recruit men and women who are prepared for the demands of the job and committed to serving their communities.

Troop A Public Information Officer Shelby Mayfield said the open houses are designed to make the application process more accessible.

“One of the reasons we generated these open houses was to allow our applicants to come in and get a look inside the troop, meet some state troopers from across the troop area, and ask whatever questions they may have to the recruiters who are present,” Mayfield said.

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Along with information sessions, Mayfield said the events help future applicants better understand the daily responsibilities of law enforcement and the mindset troopers are expected to bring to the job.

“We want to make sure that that trooper knows how important officer safety is,” he said. “But more importantly, we want to make sure they go out there with a pure heart.”

The Louisiana State Police Training Academy is known for its rigorous curriculum that prepares cadets for real-world situations. From crash investigations to communication skills, instructors focus on developing well-rounded troopers who can serve safely and effectively.

Mayfield said applicants must be ready for a variety of interactions, not just emergencies.

“Not everything is going to be a high-intensity, rapidly evolving situation,” he said. “You need to be able to deal with the public to accomplish your job, and that’s why we preach not just getting the job done, but being able to relate to the public so you can meet their needs.”

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The application deadline for Cadet Class 109 is Jan. 6, 2026. Mayfield encourages anyone who feels called to the profession to take the next step.

“If this is something you genuinely have in your heart to do, reach out to somebody when it’s convenient for you,” he said. “Even if you miss a deadline, never give up because it’s never too late.”

Open house events will continue throughout the month at troop locations across Louisiana. More information on Cadet Class 109 and the application process is available on the Louisiana State Police website.

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