largest selection & lowest prices on wine, spirits & beer
SAVE $ 00 2
SAVE up $ 00 to 6
— ONLY —
16 Blue Moon 12 PACK 12 OZ
or Abita
CELEBRATING OUR FIRST 65 YEARS
THC
LB
$
99
LB
— ONLY —
— ONLY —
750 ML
Hennessy
38
$
99
750 ML
Papi Pinot Grigio
OR 1.75 LITER
Jack Daniel’s or Ketel One
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THE
7
$ 99
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750 ML
15
$
Wheatley Vodka
99
LIMIT 3
20 PACK 12 OZ BOTTLES
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20
$
49
Louisiana Local
4 PACK 12 OZ
Urban South Miller Lite, Driftee Coors Light or Bud Light THC Seltzer
— ONLY —
10 99
$
Prices good at all Lafayette, New Iberia and Youngsville stores October 1st - 8th, 2025.
ACADIANA
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T H E A C A D I A N A A D V O C AT E.C O M
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F r i d ay, O c t O b e r 3, 2025
$2.00X
Lafayette area predicted to add 5,300 jobs by 2027 STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE
Saints owner Gayle Benson and Gov. Jeff Landry celebrate during a news conference Thursday announcing a new long-term lease of the Caesars Superdome.
Saints sign long-term lease deal for Dome STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Economist Loren Scott speaks during Thursday’s Economic Outlook Breakfast hosted by One Acadiana.
Economist says low oil prices, rig count drag on economy BY ADAM DAIGLE
Acadiana business editor
The Lafayette area is expected to add more than 2,000 jobs in each of the next two years but could add more if the price of oil and rubber gloves made in China go up. The Louisiana Economic Forecast, an annual report published by economist Loren Scott, cites growth from four of the region’s top six companies and predicts an additional 2,500 jobs next year and another 2,800 in 2027 to push the region’s total to 192,400 total
“What this area needs heavily are some higher prices in two particular areas, and one is in the price of oil.” LOREN SCOTT, economist jobs, which would be an all-time high for the region. The struggles of the low rig count in the Gulf of Mexico and the 700 jobs lost so far at SafeSource Direct and its upcoming suspension of operations will be a drag on the economy, he said.
ä See JOBS, page 5A
ä See SAINTS, page 5A
Bob Giles selected for Civic Cup Award Lafayette business owner recognized for community impact BY ASHLEY WHITE
Associated Press
WEATHER HIGH 88 LOW 69 PAGE 10C
Staff writers
Those numbers do not include activity in Iberia Parish, which was removed from the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area but may be the “most vigorously active” among the state’s 27 rural parishes, Scott said. The projected job growth is a continued pattern of gains since falling to about 170,000 in 2021, data shows. It’s a “good growth rate,” he said, at 1.5%, which would help it surpass the 2014 mark of just under 190,000 that came during the height of the fracking boom
BY AAMER MADHANI and LISA MASCARO
ä See TRUMP, page 7A
BY ANTHONY McAULEY, TYLER BRIDGES and JEFF DUNCAN Gov. Jeff Landry and Gayle Benson have signed a new long-term lease that will keep the Saints playing at the Caesars Superdome for at least another decade, after lengthy negotiations that were hung up over side real estate deals and the state’s share in profits from food sales and other concessions. The deal was formally announced Thursday during a signing ceremony on the field of the Superdome, where Benson and Landry gathered with Saints officials and civic leaders. Benson and Landry both praised the agreement, with Benson calling it “an example of our continued special partnership with this
Trump says U.S. in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants and says the United States is now in an “armed conflict” with them, according to a Trump administration memo obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday, following recent U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean. The memo appears to represent an extraordinary assertion of presidential war powers, with Trump effectively declaring that trafficking of drugs into the United States amounts to armed conflict requiring the use of military
State wins several concessions in agreement
Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP
The 2025 recipient of the Lafayette Civic Cup, Bob Giles speaks after he was announced as the 93rd recipient of the honor on Thursday.
Lafayette businessman Bob Giles, who owns Giles Automotive, was named the 93rd Lafayette Civic Cup Award recipient. Giles said Thursday morning he was deeply honored to receive the recognition that has been bestowed upon philanthropists and civic servants in the Lafayette community since 1933. “Since founding Giles Automotive in 1982, my commitment has extended beyond business success to making a meaningful impact locally,” he said, “whether through financially supporting education
Business ......................6A Commentary ................3B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................4A Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C
initiatives, contributing my time and money to local charities, providing bulletproof vests to area law enforcement agencies or, most importantly, inspiring others to give back.” The Lafayette Civic Cup, supported by the Community Foundation of Acadiana, was first awarded in 1933 to Maurice Heymann, an entrepreneur, founder of the Oil Center and founder of Lafayette Mardi Gras. It recognizes an individual who has given to the community because of their commitment and dedication, not because it’s their job. The public nominates possible honorees and the winner is selected by past Lafayette Civic Cup Award recipients. Giles exemplifies the Civic Cup spirit, said last year’s recipient, Dr. William “Kip” Schumacher.
ä See GILES, page 7A
101ST yEAR, NO. 95