10
11 12 1
9
2 3
8
7 6
5
4
SPRING FORWARD: DON’T FORGET TO SET yOUR CLOCKS AHEAD TONIGHT THE
ACADIANA
ADVOCATE
T H E A C A D I A N A A D V O C AT E.C O M
|
S at u r d ay, M a r c h 7, 2026
SoLAcc contributes $300M to Acadiana’s economy
$2.00X
Trump rules out talks with Iran
Without ‘unconditional surrender,’ strikes continue BY JON GAMBRELL, DAVID RISING, SAM METZ and SALLY ABOU ALJOUD Associated Press
STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Richard Nelson, president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, speaks during a news conference to announce the findings of an economic impact study at the South Louisiana Community College in Lafayette on Friday.
New report shows system’s impact on regional jobs BY ADAM DAIGLE
Acadiana business editor The South Louisiana Community College system contributes just under $300 million and more than 4,000 jobs to the region’s economy, according to a report. The college, which has nine campuses in eight Acadiana parishes, accounts for about 1% of the region’s economy, generating $294.9 million in added income, according to an independent analysis by a national firm. Data compiled during the 2023-24 fiscal year showed the college’s efforts contributed to 4,054 jobs, which is about 1 out of every 97 jobs in the region. The report serves as a report card for the system and its 12,000 students at campuses ranging from Ville Platte to Morgan City. Its mission is to not only support students entering one of the state’s four-year universities but also provide specific training programs to assist in needs of regional employers, including First Solar in Iberia Parish. “I’ve seen a couple economic im-
ä See IRAN, page 4A
ELECTION 2026 U.S. SENATE
Attendees applaud during the news conference to announce the findings of an economic impact study on Friday. pact studies in my time, but it’s been what does that return to the citizens an eye-opener to look at the impact of Louisiana? We are an economic enthat we make on our landscape,” gine for Acadiana.” The report digs into the system’s SoLAcc chancellor Vincent June said. “For every dollar that’s spent on ä See SOLACC, page 5A South Louisiana Community College,
Kennedy may have had role in Noem’s firing Questions about advertising spending angered Trump, he says
$220 million of spending on television commercials. Noem was already under the gun for how her agents were Kennedy BY MARK BALLARD handling the Staff writer deportation of immigrants WASHINGTON — President who entered the country illeDonald Trump’s decision to gally, which was Trump’s key remove Kristi Noem as the campaign promise. But she head of the Department of also was criticized by officials Homeland Security appears in both parties for the slow to have been partially spurred responses during high-proby her answers to Louisiana file disasters in Texas, North Sen. John Kennedy about Carolina and other states by
WEATHER HIGH 82 LOW 67 PAGE 6A
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — U.S. President Donald Trump appeared Friday to rule out talks with Iran absent its “unconditional surrender.” Israeli warplanes bombed Beirut and Tehran as Iran launched more retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf countries on the seventh day of the war. The strikes in Lebanon were the heaviest since a 2024 ceasefire ended the last war between Israel and the Iranian-backed Trump Hezbollah militants, who fired rockets at Israel in the opening days of the war now underway. ä Deadly More than 95,000 people have Iranian fled Beirut’s suburbs and south- school ern Lebanon after sweeping Isblast linked raeli evacuation warnings. The U.S. and Israel have bat- to U.S. tered Iran with strikes, targeting airstrikes. its military capabilities, leader- PAGE 4A ship and nuclear program. The stated goals and timelines for the war have repeatedly shifted, as the U.S. has at times suggested it seeks to topple Iran’s government or elevate new leadership from within.
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is a part of Homeland Security. Trump menNoem tioned Noem’s answers to Kennedy’s questions a couple hours before moving Noem to become special envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a coalition of Latin American countries seeking ways to protect the Western Hemisphere. He nominated U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin,
Cassidy challenges Letlow to debates He previously limited or refused offers
BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
R-Okla., as the new leader of Homeland Security. Specifically, Kennedy had asked Noem if the president was aware of the spending on a series of commercials that cost almost a quarter of a billion dollars to produce and air. The spots featured Noem in various locales, including in front of a detention center in El Salvador, warning immigrants without the proper documentation that they would be deported when caught. She said she made those
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy added an element of drama to the campaign to unseat him by challenging one of his Republican opponents on Friday to three televised Cassidy debates. Cassidy made the call with polls showing he faces an uphill battle to win a third six-year term in the Senate. President Donald Trump has endorsed that opponent, U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow. In his statement, Cassidy didn’t Letlow mention state Treasurer John Fleming, another major opponent. Fleming led Cassidy and Letlow in one recent poll.
ä See KENNEDY, page 5A
ä See DEBATES, page 5A
Business ......................3B Deaths .........................2B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................2B Living............................5C Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C
101ST yEAR, NO. 250