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

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Louisiana secures M for UL Lafayette workforce training, safety


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  • 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. 

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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. 

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“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. 

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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. 

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



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Pervy mayor’s kids told cops that they caught her romping with teen boy at boozy pool party

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Pervy mayor’s kids told cops that they caught her romping with teen boy at boozy pool party


The children of a disgraced Louisiana mayor told cops that they both caught their mom fooling around with a 16-year-old boy at a boozy pool party, according to video played at her rape trial.

Misty Roberts, the 43-year-old former head of DeRidder, Louisiana — population 9,8000 — faces a charge of third-degree rape over the 2024 incident.

Roberts’ son told investigators in an interview played for jurors that he saw his mom having sex with his pal through a crack in a window.

Misty Roberts is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old boy in 2024.

But, when asked about his recollection, he demurred — telling the court he wasn’t exactly sure what he saw that night, according to KPLC.

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The jury also reviewed pictures from the party, which showed kids holding drinks as well as a photograph of Roberts and the victim that prosecutors described as “lewd.”

That picture showed Roberts at the party in her bikini, with the teen victim looking up at her smiling.

Roberts’ son texted his mom that night, incredulous about what was happening, and told her that his sister was crying, according to messages presented by prosecutors.

“He is seventeen,” the son texted Roberts.

The boy was later confirmed to be 16 years old, according to KPLC.

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Roberts’ daughter also took the stand while prosecutors played her interview with detectives, in which she said she saw her mom and the boy “on top of each other” that night.

The former mayor’s nephew also admitted he tried to sneak a peek — using his phone to try and get a peek at what was going on in the room. He testified that he wasn’t sure if he hit “record” — but if he did said he never sent it to anybody.


Roberts was in her second term as mayor when she resigned.
Roberts was in her second term as mayor when she resigned. 7 KPLC

None of the three witnesses who testified said they saw the “private parts” of Roberts and the victim. The teen boy, they noted though, was shirtless.

After the alleged tryst, the victim’s mother texted Roberts to ensure that she was not pregnant, to which she replied she was on birth control. Roberts shared a screenshot of that message to a group chat with her friends, who urged her to take Plan B.

A DoorDash driver testified that he delivered an emergency contraceptive to Roberts’ house, which he recognized from trick-or-treating with his children there.

In other texts shown in court, Roberts asked her son what kind of alcohol her son and other kids wanted for the party.

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Days after police launched their investigation into the alleged crime, Roberts resigned as mayor of DeRidder, a city of just under 10,000 people about 20 miles east of the Texas border.

Roberts was charged with third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.



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Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Feb. 28, 2026

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

Here’s a look at Feb. 28, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

06-20-35-54-65, Powerball: 10, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

8-3-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

5-4-7-5

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

9-9-1-3-0

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Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Easy 5 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

04-17-21-27-33

Check Easy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

08-10-15-21-22-33

Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

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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

555 Laurel Street

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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.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

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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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Schumer demands congressional brief on Iran; Louisiana delegation weighs in on attack

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Schumer demands congressional brief on Iran; Louisiana delegation weighs in on attack


NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) demanded a congressional briefing from President Trump’s administration Saturday (Feb. 28), hours after the U.S. military joined Israel in launching airstrikes against Iran.

“When I talked to Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio, I implored him to be straight with Congress and the American people about the objectives of these strikes and what comes next,” Schumer said in a statement. “Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon, but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home.

“The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat. Confronting Iran’s malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions and harsh oppression of the Iranian people demands American strength, resolve, regional coordination and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trump’s fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy.

“The administration must brief Congress — including an immediate all-senators classified briefing — and in public testimony to answer these vital questions. The Senate should quickly return to session and reassert its constitutional duty by passing our resolution to enforce the War Powers Act. My prayers are with our brave American servicemembers.”

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Meanwhile, reaction to the attack from Louisiana’s congressional delegation appeared to break predictably among party lines.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) posted to X that the attack “is yet another move by President Trump to protect the United States and sends a message to the world: Never doubt America’s resolve or capacity to defend its interests.”

Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.) of New Orleans, however, said he was “deeply concerned” about the attack and said, “The American people deserve to understand the objectives, the risks and the path forward.”

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Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) wrote, “The President’s decision to attack Iran presumably was based upon a clear and present danger to the United States, and a planned execution that does not put the United States in a forever war.”

Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.), who is mounting a primary challenge for Cassidy’s U.S. Senate seat, also endorsed Trump’s decision to attack Tehran.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) also backed Trump’s military action, writing that Iran was “facing the severe consequences of its evil actions.”

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Democratic Rep. Cleo Field expressed reservations that Trump had not made a case for the attack to Congress or the American people.

Republican Sen. John Kennedy had not yet posted reactions to the Iran attack — dubbed by the Pentagon as “Operation Epic Fury” — on social media or sent statements to the news media.

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