Louisiana

Louisiana secures $25M for UL Lafayette workforce training, safety

Published

1 month ago

February 18, 2026

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Louisiana secures M for UL Lafayette workforce training, safety

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will receive nearly $25 million in federal funding for four key projects.
The funding will support workforce training, scientific research, public safety and national defense initiatives.
Projects include a semiconductor training center, biosecurity lab upgrades, a cybersecurity research effort and an LNG safety center.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and its partners will receive nearly $25 million in federal funding for projects aimed at boosting workforce training, scientific research, public safety and national defense.

The money was approved by Congress as part of the federal government’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget and signed into law by President Trump, the school announced. University officials said the funding will support projects led or co-led by UL Lafayette in collaboration with federal agencies, private companies and other universities.

The four projects include:

$5 million to create the Silicon Bayou Semiconductor Training Center, which will focus on training workers to manufacture the next generation of computer chips.
$2.5 million to upgrade high-level biosecurity labs at the New Iberia Research Center to strengthen research on infectious diseases.
$12 million for a joint cybersecurity research effort called Autonomous Recovery from Cyber Attacks (ARC), aimed at improving national security and defense systems.
$5 million for the PHMSA National Center of Excellence for LNG Safety to advance safety research and workforce training in the liquefied natural gas industry.

University leaders said the funding will help strengthen Louisiana’s workforce, expand research capacity and support partnerships with industry and government.

The projects were backed by members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins and U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy.

Kolluru said the funding will allow the university to grow programs that strengthen the state’s economy and support national priorities.

Workforce and chip manufacturing

The $5 million for the Silicon Bayou Semiconductor Training Center will help establish a semiconductor manufacturing training and research facility on campus. The university has committed a 12,000-square-foot building and invested $1.25 million to launch the center.

“We are grateful to Louisiana’s congressional delegation for their leadership and advocacy on behalf of these transformative projects and, ultimately, on behalf of Louisiana’s future,” UL Lafayette Interim President Dr. Ramesh Kolluru said.

The facility will operate in partnership with South Louisiana Community College and other stakeholders. Officials say it will help meet Louisiana’s workforce needs, support major industry investments such as First Solar and attract additional semiconductor companies to the state.

Infectious Disease Research Upgrades

The $2.5 million allocated to the New Iberia Research Center will expand and modernize its Bio-Safety Level 3 laboratory. These labs handle dangerous infectious agents that pose serious risks to public health.

Upgrades will include improved wastewater treatment systems, stronger security, enhanced access controls and new equipment for safely handling and disposing of hazardous materials. University officials said the improvements will boost national biosecurity research while meeting federal safety standards.

Cybersecurity and National Defense

The largest award — $12 million — will fund the Autonomous Recovery from Cyber Attacks initiative, a joint research project between UL Lafayette and Radiance Technologies.

The project aims to develop systems that can automatically detect and recover from cyberattacks without human intervention. Funding will be shared between the university and Radiance Technologies.

Leaders said the partnership strengthens UL Lafayette’s role in defense-related research and long-term federal security efforts.

LNG Safety and Training

The remaining $5 million will support the PHMSA National Center of Excellence for LNG Safety. Of that amount, $4.2 million will go directly to the center, while $800,000 will fund its Academic Research Consortium.

The consortium is co-led by UL Lafayette and partners including McNeese State University, Southern University and Texas A&M University. The center focuses on improving research, safety practices and workforce training related to the transportation and handling of liquefied natural gas.

University officials said the combined investments position UL Lafayette as a key partner in strengthening Louisiana’s economy and supporting national research and security priorities.

Aaron Gonsoulin is the General Assignment/Trending Reporter for The Daily Advertiser. Contact him at AGonsoulin@theadvertiser.com.

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Louisiana

Is it legal to trim your neighbor’s branches in Louisiana? What law says

Published

5 hours ago

March 21, 2026

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Is it legal to trim your neighbor’s branches in Louisiana? What law says

Spring is a time of warmer weather, blooming flowers and when trees regain their leafy branches.

During this time, many Louisiana residents will likely begin landscaping projects, like shaping up the trees and bushes on their property.

Although, if a neighbor’s tree or bush limbs reach over to your property, are you allowed to trim them?

You can trim branches from neighbor’s trees in Louisiana if they cross onto your property

When it comes to tree branches or roots, bushes or plants on a neighboring property, landowners have the right to demand that anything extending over or into their property be trimmed.

This means if a neighbor’s trees, bushes or plants encroach onto someone else’s property, the branches or limbs may be trimmed at the expense of that neighbor.

However, landowners do not have the right to demand such if the neighbor’s roots or branches do not interfere with the enjoyment of the landowner’s property, according to Louisiana State Legislature.

If a neighbor refuses to cut or trim trees or bushes that reach over onto your property, then you may be permitted to cut or trim them yourself.

However, you could be held liable for property damage if you cut or trim parts of a tree or bush that are still on your neighbor’s property without their permission, says Bayou Tree Service. If a neighbor’s tree or plant dies as a result of you cutting or trimming a portion, this could also make you liable for property damage.

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

Unauthorized drones detected over US Air Force base housing nuclear-capable B-52 bombers: military

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

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Unauthorized drones detected over US Air Force base housing nuclear-capable B-52 bombers: military

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A U.S. Air Force Base that houses B-52 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons detected “multiple unauthorized drones” in its vicinity earlier this month, a base official confirmed to Fox News Digital.

“Barksdale Air Force Base detected multiple unauthorized drones operating in our airspace during the week of March 9th,” a Barksdale AFB spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Friday.

The spokesperson added: “Flying a drone over a military installation is not only a safety issue, it is a criminal offense under federal law.”

Base officials are working closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies to investigate the drone sightings, the spokesperson said.

MYSTERY DRONES FLY NEAR DC-AREA MILITARY BASE AS IRAN TENSIONS ESCALATE

“The security of our installation and the safety of our people are top priorities, and we will continue to vigilantly monitor our airspace,” the official added.

Barksdale is east of Shreveport in Louisiana and encompasses 22,000 acres with a population of around 15,000.

The drone detections come amid heightened security at Air Force bases in the U.S. as the war in Iran continues.

A shelter-in-place order was issued on March 9 at the base that was lifted shortly after, but the drone sights continued through the week.

US DIPLOMATIC FACILITY IN IRAQ STRUCK BY DRONE

US Air Force B-52H long range strategic bombers sit on the tarmac at Barksdale Air Force Base in 2007. (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images)

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Mick Mulroy, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, told ABC News it didn’t look like an average drone enthusiast.

Bombs wait to be loaded on to a B-52H long range bomber at Barksdale Air Force Base in 2007. (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images)

“It looked like this was deliberate and intentional to see just how they would react,” he said. “Seeing this probe on a base in the United States is very troubling.”

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Louisiana

What channel is UL-Texas State softball on? Time, Live score from SBC series

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

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What channel is UL-Texas State softball on? Time, Live score from SBC series

After dropping its opening Sun Belt Conference series, Louisiana softball is eager to get back to Lamson Park.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (17-12, 1-2) are back home this week searching for some more consistency and to get back into the win column, hosting Texas State for their final SBC series against the Bobcats. Last time out, UL struggled offensively, getting outhit against Southern Mississippi. Second-year head coach Alyson Habetz is hopeful that being in front of Cajun Nation will help her team get back to playing to UL standard.

For the Bobcats, this marks their second SBC series after taking their first against the University of Louisiana Monroe. Texas State (19-10, 2-1) followed that up with a non-conference win over Houston, then a five-inning run-rule loss against Lamar. With both squads coming into the series with a loss, each game will be close between the Cajuns and Bobcats.

Here’s how to watch Ragin’ Cajun softball in its SBC series vs Texas State this weekend, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information.

Watch Louisiana softball vs Texas State on ESPN+

Louisiana softball vs Texas State live score updates

What channel is Louisiana softball vs Texas State on?

Livestream: ESPN+

Louisiana vs. Texas State will be available live on ESPN+ for the teams’ second SBC weekend of play in the 2026 college softball season. Dan McDonold and Yvette Girouard will provide commentary from Lamson Park. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+.

What time does Louisiana softball play Texas State today?

Date: Friday, March 20, Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
Start time: 6 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday

The Louisiana vs. Texas State game starts at 6 p.m. Friday at Lamson Park in Lafayette, followed by its second game on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Cajuns and Bobcats will close out the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Louisiana softball vs Texas State history

Series record: Louisiana leads 40-10

In Lafayette: Louisiana leads 17-4

In San Marcos: Louisiana leads 14-6

Louisiana’s last win: April 27, 2025 (4-3)

Texas State’s last win: April 26, 2025 (3-2)

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.

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