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T h u r s d ay, a p r i l 23, 2026
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St. Bernard fire chief takes post in Lafayette Earl Borden brings 20 years of firefighting experience
BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer
Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet announced the appointment of a new fire chief. Earl Borden, a 20-year firefighting veteran and St. Bernard Parish fire chief, has been chosen to lead the Lafayette Fire Department, Boulet announced Wednesday. He replaces interim Chief John Bourgeois II, who helmed the department following the retirement of 32-year Chief Robert Benoit in fall 2025. “This decision and this an- Borden nouncement today was not taken lightly. Our Fire Department is strong,” Boulet said. “Borden has built a reputation of professionalism, integrity and earning the trust of the firefighters he leads. His leadership has been tested and proven.” Borden was born and raised in the small town
ä See CHIEF, page 5A STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Gov. Jeff Landry operates a 700-series E-Crane during the E-Crane Demo Day Wednesday at the crane manufacturing facility in New Iberia.
Belgian crane company demos product, looks to grow its presence in Iberia Parish BY ADAM DAIGLE
Acadiana business editor It was a sweltering July day at the Port of Iberia when director Craig Romero took officials with a Belgian electric crane company on a walking tour of the grounds in hopes of convincing them to open operations there. Now, almost three years later, Romero’s effort on that summer day seems to have been worth it. E-Crane, now with customers across the globe, has established operations with plans to grow its plant in the coming years. On Wednesday, it hosted ECrane Demo Day and invited
Gov. Jeff Landry to visit as well as operate one of its equilibrium cranes. “I visited a lot of ports because I knew we needed to be in a port,” said Steve Osborne, president of E-Crane Americas. “They had a long list of things you could not do if you moved into their port. It wasn’t until I discovered the Port of Iberia that I heard someone say, ‘You tell me what you need and we will do it.’ I was blown away.” The company has built some massive machinery since opening, including the model dubbed The Creole King, which stands
Judge’s order on Comeaux High closure appealed BY ASHLEY WHITE Staff writer
E-Crane Americas President Steve Osborne, left, chats with Iberia Parish ä See RAISING, page 5A President M. Larry Richard on Wednesday.
Attorneys with the Lafayette Parish school system are asking an appeals court to step in after a Lafayette Parish judge told the district it couldn’t take any action regarding taking Comeaux High School offline until a hearing can be held. The school system representatives on Tuesday filed a notice of intent to apply for a supervisory writ, which can be issued by an appeals court to
ä See COMEAUX, page 5A
Democratic candidates running for Senate blast Trump policies BY TYLER BRIDGES
suspected undocumented residents off the streets. Albares, Davis and Crockett met three Three little-known Democrats took turns weeks before the May 16 primary, in which slashing at President Donald Trump and Re- Democrats and no-party voters can participublicans at Southern University on Tues- pate. Early voting goes from May 2-9. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the day night in a campaign forum in this year’s vote on May 16, the top two finishers will adSenate election. Policy adviser Nick Alvance to a June 27 runoff under a new election sysbares, farmer Jamie DaELECTION 2026 vis and business owner tem installed by Gov. Jeff U.S. SENATE Gary Crockett called for Landry and the Republireversing upcoming cuts can state Legislature. in Medicaid spending by Trump and the ReThe winner of that runoff will face the Republican Congress, questioned Trump’s war publican nominee. against Iran and demanded that billionaires Republicans are competing in their own pay more taxes. primary on May 16. No-party voters that The three also opposed Republican efforts day can choose to vote for Republicans to impose greater restrictions on voting, a rather than Democrats but can then only move that the Democrats called “voter sup- vote in the runoff for that party. The four pression,” and sharply criticized the Trump Republican candidates are U.S. Sen. Bill administration’s use of U.S. Immigration ä See SENATE, page 5A and Customs Enforcement agents to snatch Staff writer
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PHOTO By APRIL BUFFINGTON
Democratic candidates for the United States Senate Jaime Davis, from left, Gary Crockett and Nick Albares participate in a debate at Southern University on Tuesday.
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101ST yEAR, NO. 297