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F r i d ay, J u ly 24, 2026
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Murrill says she’s lost trust with N.O. officials
Morrell: ‘Pursuing vendettas is beneath all of our offices’ BY JOHN SIMERMAN, JAMES FINN and MATT BRUCE Staff writers
STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Members of a survey crew work in the 400 block of Johnston Street on July 1 in Lafayette. Lafayette Consolidated Government began lane closures June 30 to allow crews to collect data for the Johnston Street Segment 3 Improvement Project, a roadwork initiative addressing drainage, utilities and traffic infrastructure. Mayor-President Monique Boulet’s proposed budget would dedicate funds for critical repairs to Lafayette’s aging infrastructure.
Proposed government budget pushes quality of life funding
If New Orleans looks upon her as a felon, Attorney General Liz Murrill chalks it up to bad influences in the city. “They literally think that I’m a criminal because everybody told them I was,” Murrill said in a lengthy interview Thursday, a day afMurrill ter special prosecutor Laurie White dismissed the 16-count indictment that lit a political firestorm in Louisiana. The Republican attorney general
ä See MURRILL, page 5A
Plan includes better drainage for older neighborhoods, recreation improvements BY CLAIRE TAYLOR
Staff writer
The proposed $830 million operating and capital budget for Lafayette and Lafayette Parish would dedicate $28.9 million to neighborhood drainage improvements, $4.6 million to recreation facility improvements and $750,000 to design the widening of East Broussard Road. Lafayette Parish MayorPresident Monique Boulet on Tuesday presented the city and parish councils with her proposed budget for the fiscal year that runs from Nov. 1 through Oct. 31, 2027. The councils will meet sev-
eral times in August to review the budget and propose changes. A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18 and final adoption is set for Sept. 10. Boulet, in a news release, said the budget continues her administration’s emphasis on strategically investing in priorities that shape Lafayette’s infrastructure: keeping Lafayette moving, building for growth, protecting communities and strengthening everyday quality of life. If the budget is approved by the councils, Lafayette Consolidated Government employees would receive a 3% pay raise in 2026-27 and another 3% raise in 2027-28. The raise would
cost $8 million but would partially be offset by lower retirement spending due to rate cuts and lower mandatory government contributions. Police and firefighters would receive a $3,000 pay raise spread over two years. Boulet is proposing critical repairs to Lafayette’s aging infrastructure that can increase construction costs. As major roadways are improved, she wrote in her budget message, she plans to modernize all nearby infrastructure, including drainage, electric grids, pedestrian and bike safety. Johnston Street, the Interstate 49 Lafayette Connector,
University Avenue, College Road, the Oil District, Duhon Road and La. 89 are among the investments proposed in the 2026-27 budget. The proposed budget also includes money to target congestion in some of the busiest parts of the city and parish, Boulet wrote. This includes $750,000 to start plans to widen East Broussard Road and $250,000 to upgrade traffic signals. As several LCG mega flood projects conclude — Bayou Vermilion Flood Control project, and Homewood and Coulee Ille Des Cannes detention
ä See BUDGET, page 5A
ST. LANDRY
Parish reverses course on animal control
Public outcry, nonprofit outreach prompt change BY KRISTIN ASKELSON and JOEL THOMPSON Staff writers
Entergy joins more than 220 companies in AI power pledge Measure seeks to shield ratepayers from data center needs
tomers the increased costs for producing more electricity to fuel artificial intelligence data centers, President Donald Trump announced Thursday. Gov. Jeff Landry, Entergy CEO Drew Marsh and RichBY MARK BALLARD Staff writer land Parish schools Superintendent Sheldon Jones all atWASHINGTON — Entergy was tended the ceremony in Washamong more than 220 utilities, ington, D.C., where Trump made tech companies and state politi- the announcement. cal officials signed onto a pledge ä See PLEDGE, page 4A not to pass along to regular cus-
WEATHER HIGH 93 LOW 77 PAGE 6B
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON
President Donald Trump, left, speaks at the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday in Washington, as Gov. Jeff Landry applauds.
Business ......................3B Commentary ................5B Nation-World ................2A Classified ..................10C Deaths .........................2B Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C
St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard said Thursday the parish is reversing its decision to end animal control services after an outpouring of public support and offers of assistance from nonprofit organizations. Bellard announced in a video posted to the parish government’s Facebook page that he is rescinding Wednesday’s decision, which would have ended animal control services effective immediately. He said the announcement prompted residents and nonprofit groups to step forward with offers to help reduce the financial burden of operating the parish’s animal shelter.
ä See ANIMALS, page 4A
102ND yEAR, NO. 24