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
![USAF Thunderbirds– My Best Ride Ever (Except For That One Part) [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/04/pukey.jpg?w=980&q=75)
USAF Thunderbirds– My Best Ride Ever (Except For That One Part) [VIDEO]
A civilian who gets to ride on an F-16 with the USAF Thunderbirds is never allowed to do it again. Tracy Lynn Wirtz did it, and here's the blow-by-blow video to prove it!
![Remember! Good Friday Is For Praying, Not Planting](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2017/04/IMG_0519.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Remember! Good Friday Is For Praying, Not Planting
If you grew up in south Louisiana and your grandparents were true Cajuns, you know better than to plant anything on Good Friday.
![Cuteness Alert! Singing Chiweenie Loves “Law & Order: SVU” [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/03/IMG_0433.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Cuteness Alert! Singing Chiweenie Loves “Law & Order: SVU” [VIDEO]
Taco, the singing chiweenie, may be the biggest little four-legged fan of the long-running series "Law & Order: SVU" ever.
![You’re Invited To See Which Color Crayola Retires From Its Box of 24 And What They Are Now!](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/03/crayola.jpg?w=980&q=75)
You’re Invited To See Which Color Crayola Retires From Its Box of 24 And What They Are Now!
Crayola has announced that on Friday, National Crayon Day, it will live stream the retirement of one color from its box of 24. They issued the invitation via Facebook and are asking you to RSVP for the big event. I did because I'm a big fan of coloring, although I don't always stay inside the lines.
![Bishop Grants Dispensation To Catholics On St. Patrick’s Day In Diocese of Lafayette [UPDATE]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/03/deshotel.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Bishop Grants Dispensation To Catholics On St. Patrick’s Day In Diocese of Lafayette [UPDATE]
Diocese of Lafayette Bishop Douglas Deshotel has granted a dispensation for St. Patrick's Day to the Lenten rule that Catholics over the age of 14 not eat meat on Fridays.
![Ladies, Here’s Your Flat Tire Checklist!](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/03/IMG_0376.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Ladies, Here’s Your Flat Tire Checklist!
From one lady to hopefully several others, here's your tire checklist and some stuff that may save you some grief if you find yourself flat.
![#platelunchbandit: One South Louisiana Town Is Wondering Who Lost Their Lunch](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2017/03/plb.jpg?w=980&q=75)
#platelunchbandit: One South Louisiana Town Is Wondering Who Lost Their Lunch
A Crowley woman says she noticed a plate lunch dumped in the street, so she created a public Facebook page and the #platelunchbandit so people could see what was going on.
![What Is Lent & Why Do Catholics Do That?](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2016/02/ashes.jpg?w=980&q=75)
What Is Lent & Why Do Catholics Do That?
If you were raised in south Louisiana, the question, "did you get your ashes and what are you giving up for Lent?" is not at all strange to you. Nearly a third of the state's population is Catholic.
![What’s Lighting Up The Streets Of New Orleans? [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/02/IMG_0242.jpg?w=980&q=75)
What’s Lighting Up The Streets Of New Orleans? [VIDEO]
If you plan on spending Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the floats won't be the only things lighting up the streets.
![Mardi Gras Flash Mob Proposal Caught On Video (Game On, Guys!)](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/07/french-quarter-drinks.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Mardi Gras Flash Mob Proposal Caught On Video (Game On, Guys!)
This Mardi Gras flash mob proposal caught the attention of everyone in the crowd at Galveston's Carnival celebration!
![Tracy’s Pot: What Women Really Want For Valentine’s Day](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/02/IMG_0265.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Tracy’s Pot: What Women Really Want For Valentine’s Day
I got a pot for Christmas. What, you might ask, does this have to do with what women want for Valentine's Day? My answer is: PLENTY!
![Lake Charles Museum Has Most Mardi Gras Costumes In The World!](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2010/12/Queens.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lake Charles Museum Has Most Mardi Gras Costumes In The World!
According to louisianatravel.com, the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu has "more Mardi Gras costumes that can be found in one place than anywhere in the world!"
![“The Millennial Question” And An Answer From A Not-So-Millennial](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/01/GettyImages-466343209.jpg?w=980&q=75)
“The Millennial Question” And An Answer From A Not-So-Millennial
"The Millennial Question" video has been shared thousands of times since it hit Facebook. Here's the video, and a response from a not-so-millennial.
![“Miracle Baby” Is Lafayette’s First Baby of 2017 [PICTURES]](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2017/01/WCH_First-Baby-2017_002.jpg?w=980&q=75)
“Miracle Baby” Is Lafayette’s First Baby of 2017 [PICTURES]
The birth of a baby is always special, but Lafayette's first baby is most assuredly a miracle baby. Her mother, Michelle Newsom, found out at the age of 16 that she would never be able to bear a child. Her younger sister Lauren Hayes immediately offered to carry a child for Michelle when the time was right. And she did.
Christmas Shipping- How To Get Gifts There On Time!
It's important to make sure Christmas gifts, especially for the children, get where they need to be when they need to be there. You have a few shipping options, and some things you shouldn't put on Santa's shipping truck.
![Duck & Goose Season Is Open– Changes You Need To Know About Before Hunting](http://townsquare.media/site/437/files/2014/04/hunting.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Duck & Goose Season Is Open– Changes You Need To Know About Before Hunting
Duck and goose season opened Saturday morning, and hunters loaded up, literally, to sit in the blind to wait for their opportunity to bag their limits. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' online publication for the 2016-2017 hunting season states there are several major changes, including many affecting duck and goose season.
![Christmas Break In Acadiana Is WHEN?- A Parish By Parish List](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/11/491613338.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Christmas Break In Acadiana Is WHEN?- A Parish By Parish List
The Christmas and New Year holidays both fall on a weekend this year. As a result, the standard school break of two Monday-through-Friday-weeks-off is not the norm in Acadiana. Are you aware of exactly when students will be out in your parish?
![Santa Claus Is Coming To Acadiana- Christmas Parades Schedule](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2014/11/452370803.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Acadiana- Christmas Parades Schedule
Mother Nature cause many parades to be rescheduled from last weekend. Here's the list of holiday parades and when they roll.
![Beautiful Aerial Video of Christmas Lights in One Acadiana Town](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/12/downtown-crowley.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Beautiful Aerial Video of Christmas Lights in One Acadiana Town
This beautiful aerial video is from downtown Crowley, the Acadia Parish town about halfway between Lafayette and Lake Charles. It's pretty fascinating, and I know it makes my smile reach my eyes every time I see it!
Christmas Shipping- When, Where, & What’s A No-No
It's important to make sure Christmas gifts, especially for the children, get where they need to be when they need to be there. You have a few shipping options, and some things you shouldn't put on Santa's shipping truck.