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 Listed As One of the Luckiest States for Lottery Winners](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/01/GettyImages-504689876.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana Listed As One of the Luckiest States for Lottery Winners
Monday night's Powerball jackpot will be, at least, $1.55-million. Interestingly, this staggering amount isn't the largest in Louisiana lottery history. The largest top prize came in at more than $2-billion in November of 2022.
![Pedestrian Killed on Louisiana Highway Near Church Point](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/10/attachment-police-cars-getty-images.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Pedestrian Killed on Louisiana Highway Near Church Point
Louisiana State Police notified KPEL News that a man was killed while walking along a Louisiana highway just outside of Church Point in Acadia Parish.
![Lauren Daigle Reveals Gender of Broussard Woman’s Baby During Concert in Baton Rouge](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/09/attachment-Screenshot-2023-09-24-092739.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lauren Daigle Reveals Gender of Broussard Woman’s Baby During Concert in Baton Rouge
Ask and ye shall receive! A Broussard, Louisiana, woman did just that and was treated to a very public and special gender reveal by contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle.
![Five Louisiana Parishes in Acadiana Exempt From Federal SNAP Requirements](http://townsquare.media/site/29/files/2022/07/attachment-La-SNAP-Card-dcfs.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Five Louisiana Parishes in Acadiana Exempt From Federal SNAP Requirements
Thirty-three parishes in Louisiana, including five in Acadiana, are exempt from a federal requirements that went into effect in October.
![Lafayette Police Respond to Second Shooting of the Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/10/attachment-lafayette-police-cars-klfy-photo-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lafayette Police Respond to Second Shooting of the Weekend
One person is listed in critical condition following a shooting in Lafayette, Louisiana, early Sunday morning.
![Hilarious Commercial Features Former LSU Coach Ed Ogeron Whipping Staff into Shape](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2019/05/GettyImages-1088734582.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Hilarious Commercial Features Former LSU Coach Ed Ogeron Whipping Staff into Shape
LSU's former head coach Ed Orgeron -- dubbed Coach O -- has a new gig: serving as honorary leader of Rhoback U. The online commercial hilariously depicts him whipping the staff into shape, football-style.
![Big Changes to One of Four South Louisiana Festivals This Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2021/06/attachment-GettyImages-57486725.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Big Changes to One of Four South Louisiana Festivals This Weekend
You can enjoy at least four celebrations this weekend, and one of them has some exciting changes.
![Louisiana Wildlife Commission Considers Hunting Season for Black “Teddy” Bear](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/10/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana Wildlife Commission Considers Hunting Season for Black “Teddy” Bear
The Louisiana Wildlife Commission is considering a black “Teddy” bear hunting season to cull the growing population.
![Louisiana Fears These Weather Events Most](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/10/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana Fears These Weather Events Most
Louisiana is no stranger to weather events, but these are the ones that terrify them most.
![Louisiana School System Wants Input About 4-Day Week](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/10/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana School System Wants Input About 4-Day Week
Nearly 900 school districts across 26 states have adopted a 4-day school week, and at least ten of them are in Louisiana. Two more are considering shifting to an abbreviated weekly calendar, and one of them is in Acadiana.
![Dave Baker Leaving KATC at the End of 2023](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/10/attachment-katc-desk.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Dave Baker Leaving KATC at the End of 2023
Is Dave Baker ending his run KATC? His name is now on the list of people leaving the Lafayette ABC TV affiliate.
![Lafayette Parish School System Opens Applications for Magnet Academies](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/10/attachment-lpss-french.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lafayette Parish School System Opens Applications for Magnet Academies
LPSS announced that the online application process for magnet academies are now open for the 2024-25 school year.
![Abbeville Man Outsmarts Scammers Posing As ACP Officials](http://townsquare.media/site/341/files/2020/09/GettyImages-1217477771.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Abbeville Man Outsmarts Scammers Posing As ACP Officials
Chris Babin with the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana tells KPEL News that scammers are posing as officials with the federal government's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to weasel their way into your bank account.
![80,000 Louisiana Residents May Be Owed Money They Aren’t Aware Of](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2021/06/sharon-mccutcheon-rItGZ4vquWk-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
80,000 Louisiana Residents May Be Owed Money They Aren’t Aware Of
The Louisiana Treasury has announced that more than 80,000 people are due money they aren't aware of.
![Lafayette’s Skate Park at Thomas Park Expected To Be Complete in January 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2021/08/attachment-Kid-on-a-Skateboard-Photo-courtesy-of-ussama-azam-5dFmrmeLYN8-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lafayette’s Skate Park at Thomas Park Expected To Be Complete in January 2024
LCG leaders say the half-million dollar skate park at Thomas Park should be complete in January of 2024.
![3 Firefighters Injured in One of Two Weekend Fires in Scott](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/10/attachment-Marie-St-1-fire.jpg?w=980&q=75)
3 Firefighters Injured in One of Two Weekend Fires in Scott
Three Scott firefighters were injured in a fire on Marie Street on Saturday. On Sunday, trucks were dispatched to an address on Hwy 93, after reports of an explosion in the area near Best Stop.
![Jim Hummel, Marcelle Fontenot Headed to Another Lafayette Station](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/10/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-4.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Jim Hummel, Marcelle Fontenot Headed to Another Lafayette Station
A credible source tells KPEL News that Jim Hummel and Marcelle Fontenot may be headed to competing Lafayette television station, KADN/ KLAF. The anchor duo bid farewell to the KATC audience from the news desk on Friday.
![Jim Hummel and Marcelle Fontenot Bid Farewell from the KATC News Desk](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/09/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Jim Hummel and Marcelle Fontenot Bid Farewell from the KATC News Desk
Jim Hummel and Marcelle Fontenot bid farewell from the KATC news desk at the end of Friday's 6 pm newscast. Before they were able to finish their goodbye message, the station cut to commercial. And Facebook posters were outraged.
![10 Things That Offend a Native of Lafayette, Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/09/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
10 Things That Offend a Native of Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette and Acadiana natives (AKA Cajuns) take our culture very seriously. If you visit, please understand that the following ten actions will offend our sensibilities!
![How Louisiana Homeowners Can Lower Skyrocketing Insurance Rates](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/09/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
How Louisiana Homeowners Can Lower Skyrocketing Insurance Rates
Insurance rates are soaring Lafayette, Acadiana and all across Louisiana. My homeowners insurance nearly doubled, and I've discovered that there are things you may be able to do.