Tracy Wirtz has been a fixture in the Lafayette media landscape for more than 30 years. Her career began in radio, she transitioned to television for about two decades, and returned to her radio roots in 2023. A lifelong resident of south Louisiana, she enjoys writing about Cajun culture and what makes the area unique and interesting. Tracy is also proud to be part of a great team that keeps our beloved Acadiana informed and connected.
Tracy Wirtz
![Louisiana Law Enforcement Community Grieving Over Shooting Death of St. Landry Parish Officer](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-CAPTURED1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana Law Enforcement Community Grieving Over Shooting Death of St. Landry Parish Officer
Members of the St. Landry Parish law enforcement community are mourning the loss of one of their own. He was shot defending a young woman who felt threated by her ex-boyfriend.
![Chilling Details in Louisiana Child Trafficking Arrests Hint at Similar Crimes Outside Acadiana](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-New-Information.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Chilling Details in Louisiana Child Trafficking Arrests Hint at Similar Crimes Outside Acadiana
New information has emerged about child sex trafficking arrests in St. Mary and Lafayette. Details hint at connections to similar crimes outside of Louisiana.
![Do You Know This Man? Police in South Louisiana Need Your Help Finding The Burglary Suspect](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-smp-suspect.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Do You Know This Man? Police in South Louisiana Need Your Help Finding The Burglary Suspect
The St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Department in south Louisiana needs the public's help solving a burglary that happened earlier this year.
![LA 347 Closure UPDATE: Fog & Smoke Conditions Improve in South Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-Super-Fog-Facebook-via-Gulf-Coast-Updates.jpg?w=980&q=75)
LA 347 Closure UPDATE: Fog & Smoke Conditions Improve in South Louisiana
Louisiana State Police have closed LA 347 between Col. Jeff Deblanc Pkwy and LA 96 in St. Martin Parish due to heavy smoke and fog in the area.
![7 Fun South Louisiana Christmas Activities You Probably Don’t Know About But Should Definitely Add to Your List](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-santa-in-the-swamp.jpg?w=980&q=75)
7 Fun South Louisiana Christmas Activities You Probably Don’t Know About But Should Definitely Add to Your List
Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I'm always looking for fun things to do in south Louisiana with my family. Imagine my surprise when I found several activities in Acadiana I didn't know about. From Lafayette to Breaux Bridge, each of them have now been added to my list.
![Calling All Veterans and Patriots! First-Ever Veterans Day Parade to Roll Through Lafayette, Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2018/03/Veterans-Day-Parade.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Calling All Veterans and Patriots! First-Ever Veterans Day Parade to Roll Through Lafayette, Louisiana
Calling all veterans and patriots! Lafayette Consolidated Government is hosting the Inaugural Veterans Day Parade and invites people of across Louisiana to show their gratitude for the service of our current and former members of the military.
![Murder of Grandmother in Henderson, Louisiana, Uncovers Sinister Story of Alleged Abuse](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/10/attachment-gun-in-pocket-photo-courtesy-of-bermix-studio-0_9wmyj1k4g-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Murder of Grandmother in Henderson, Louisiana, Uncovers Sinister Story of Alleged Abuse
The arrest of a Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, man on first-degree murder charges on Wednesday, November 1, uncovered a more sinister story that ended in the death of his child's grandmother and the injuring of the mother.
![21 Things Cajuns Say Must Be on the Table for a South Louisiana Thanksgiving Dinner](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2019/11/RS14884_450807555.jpg?w=980&q=75)
21 Things Cajuns Say Must Be on the Table for a South Louisiana Thanksgiving Dinner
What will you serve for Thanksgiving? Every year, we stick to the traditional dishes that my family enjoys, but I wanted to add something new to our holiday fare. I took to social media to crowd source and ask my south Louisiana friends what must-have dishes they include during the holidays.
![Another $8-Million in Unclaimed Tax Refunds Owed to Louisiana Residents Up for Grabs](http://townsquare.media/site/29/files/2022/12/attachment-GettyImages-1321427.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Another $8-Million in Unclaimed Tax Refunds Owed to Louisiana Residents Up for Grabs
More than 26,000 Louisiana residents have money waiting for them to claim. Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder announced that nearly $8-million in unclaimed tax refunds has been released from the Department of Revenue, and he's ready to send it to the people to whom it is owed.
![Deputies Arrest Opelousas, Louisiana Sex Offender After He Offers Them Halloween Candy](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-CAPTURED-3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Deputies Arrest Opelousas, Louisiana Sex Offender After He Offers Them Halloween Candy
Louisiana law prohibits sex offenders from distributing treats on Halloween or any other holiday to children under the age of 18, under penalty of imprisonment for 6 months to 3 years. The law didn't stop one Opelousas man who was registered as a sex offender from participating in a church celebration with children in attendance on Halloween night.
![Louisiana Mother Charged with Murder After Infant Dies of Meth Overdose](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-CAPTURED-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana Mother Charged with Murder After Infant Dies of Meth Overdose
An Acadia Parish woman is charged with murder in the death of her infant. South Louisiana law enforcement officials say the baby died of a meth overdose.
![Police Need Help Identifying Victim and Suspect in Hit and Run in Abbeville, Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-abbeville-police.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Police Need Help Identifying Victim and Suspect in Hit and Run in Abbeville, Louisiana
Abbeville, Louisiana, Police need help identifying the person struck by a hit and run driver on Tuesday, October 31. They are also looking for the driver of the vehicle that not only hit the pedestrian, but is also suspected of a hit and run minutes before.
![Illegal Trash Fires in Scott Scorch Neighboring Home and Property](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-malapart-road.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Illegal Trash Fires in Scott Scorch Neighboring Home and Property
The Scott Fire Department quickly extinguished two fires Thursday caused by illegal trash fires. In late September, the Louisiana Fire Marshal allowed parishes to opt out of the statewide ban, but Lafayette Parish did not.
![Information Updated in Abbeville Hit and Run](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-CAPTURED.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Information Updated in Abbeville Hit and Run
Abbeville, Louisiana, Police are searching for a heavily tattooed man accused of not one, but two hit and run incidents.
![Dumping in Louisiana: How Can We Clean Up Our State?](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-Untitled-design-10.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Dumping in Louisiana: How Can We Clean Up Our State?
Louisiana has been referred to as the dumping ground for the country, and that statement is accurate when it comes to litter in our waterways. A new effort to address litter and clean up our lakes, rivers, and roadways may help eliminate the problem.
![What You Need to Know About the New Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Season](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-Untitled-design-41.jpg?w=980&q=75)
What You Need to Know About the New Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Season
The Louisiana Wildlife Commission has approved times and locations Louisiana Black Bear hunting season. Make sure you know all the rules and are prepared to head out.
![WATCH: Locked and Loaded Louisiana Lady Sends Black Bear Scampering](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-Untitled-design-7.jpg?w=980&q=75)
WATCH: Locked and Loaded Louisiana Lady Sends Black Bear Scampering
The black bear population has nearly doubled in Louisiana in less than 10 years. One of my best friends can certainly attest to that fact, since this lady was locked and loaded, and sent the bear scampering!
![KLFY’s Gerald Gruenig Slaughters His Toughest Opponent](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-Untitled-design-4.jpg?w=980&q=75)
KLFY’s Gerald Gruenig Slaughters His Toughest Opponent
One of Lafayette, Louisiana's most vibrant TV personalities has been battling cancer. But if you've watch KLFY's Gerald Gruenig eat his way through Acadiana, you'd never know he was in a fight for his life.
![Words and Phrases You Should Know Before You Visit Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/10/attachment-Untitled-design-21.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Words and Phrases You Should Know Before You Visit Louisiana
Our Colorado relatives recently visited the family in Rayne and Lafayette. It's been a while since they've visited Louisiana, but they've become accustomed to the words and phrases we use, even if they have no idea what we're talking about.
![New Iberia Police Hope Speed Cameras Will Slow People Down](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2017/08/CNET-via-YouTube1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
New Iberia Police Hope Speed Cameras Will Slow People Down
To keep students safe and encourage drivers to obey speed limits, New Iberia Police have launched "an automated traffic enforcement program" around four schools in the city.