It's Acadiana

08/05/2026

PECAN ISLAND – The Landry administration in partnership with SpaceX and LSU today announced a space training program called ASTREAUXnaut.

The terms of the economic development deal between the state and SpaceX remain secret but ASTREAUXnaut is believed to be a result of the deal being patterned after the state’s film industry incentive program in which tax status and cash incentives for individual projects are based on the number of Louisiana residents in key positions.

Introducing ASTREAUXnaut’s inaugural class, Executive Director Captain Heath Barkay said, “Because there are currently very few Louisiana residents with a space background, ASTREAUXnaut will train local young people for key careers in aerospace.”

To qualify for incentives in the first quarter of 2027, SpaceX will have to file applications with the Secretary of State by October 31st. Because of the time crunch ASTREAUXnaut’s class of 2026 is on a compressed schedule.

Mary Ellen Waguespack, 23, “Head of Cheese Logistics” at Whole Foods in Lafayette prior to joining ASTREAUXnaut, expects to be Co-Pilot on the first SpaceX mission from Pecan Island after graduating from a 6 week training course.

Toby Fonseca, 24, quit his family’s shrimp boat to train to be a Mission Payload Specialist. Fonseca said, “I thought I was going to be working in payroll but turns out I’m actually going to space probably around Mardi Gras. Is that (f’n) cool or what?”

SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment for this story but more details about the ASTREAUXnaut program are expected to be made public at the end of the week when Governor Landry and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk cut the ribbon at Musk’s Pecan Island “Blast Off Crawfish Farm” where Musk is expected to unveil his first crop of CrawX, genetically modified 35lb crawfish.

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08/04/2026

Landry MIA, Nungesser Acting Governor
WASHINGTON D.C. - Governor Jeff Landry was classified as a missing person Monday when his staffer was unable to divulge his whereabouts to a car service or Metro DC police due to conditions of the staffer’s non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Landry’s Executive Assistant, Beauregard Gaudet, said, “All of the Governor’s staff have signed strict NDA’s and I didn’t feel comfortable sharing information about the Governor’s whereabouts without first getting legal advice. That took longer than expected. The whole snafu was really just a logistical technicality.”

The confusion arose when the Governor’s meetings on Capitol Hill went longer than anticipated and his car service switched drivers. When the new driver called Gaudet for Landry’s whereabouts, Gaudet called Baton Rouge attorney, Stanley “Tub” DeLong, for a legal opinion on whether he would be out of compliance with the NDA by sharing the Governor’s location.

However, DeLong was at a Pilates retreat and according to Gaudet, “When I couldn’t reach Tub after four hours the Governor was technically classified as a missing person.”

At that point Lieutenant Governor Nungesser automatically assumed responsibility as Acting Governor. The situation was then compounded by what Gaudet referred to as “Acting Governor Nungesser’s first order of business - instituting cost-cutting measures in Baton Rouge.” These evidently included, Gaudet said, “Canceling unnecessary mobile phone services, among them Governor Landry’s.”

Nungesser explained it differently. “It is extraordinarily atypical for the governor’s whereabouts to be unknown for that long. My gut instinct was that Landry was dead and out of respect I believe the state should retire his number. Or, if he was kidnapped I didn’t want the phone to fall into the wrong hands.”

Landry, who is currently safely back in Baton Rouge, was unavailable for comment. He is believed to have spent the four hours in DC while he was technically missing playing Boo Ray with Metairie native Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Justice Barrett, while she said she “Enjoyed the visit” also suggested “Jeff might want to broaden the terms of those NDA’s a little.”

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08/02/2026

07/26/2026

If you could be anything, wouldn't you like to be fit? And Proud?

On Out to Lunch Acadiana this week Christiaan Mder probes both of these options with Bri Nelson from Anytime Fitness and Jenee Dansdill from Parish Proud.

Check out their conversation at GravyLafayette by searching for Out to Lunch Acadiana on your podcast app, listen on KRVS 88.7FM Wednesday at 1pm or go here right now - > https://pod.fo/e/4bc63e

📷Astor Morgan Productions, LLC

07/19/2026

Ross Gresham has been servicing Acadiana swimming pools for nearly 30 years.

Jack Emling has been selling fabric in Lafayette for 40.

Join Ross, Jack, & Christiaan Mader at GravyLafayette in Downtown Lafayette for Out to Lunch, Weds 1pm on KRVS 88.7FM or check it out this very second right now -> https://pod.fo/e/44ea1e

📷 Astor Morgan Productions, LLC

07/12/2026

Out to Lunch Acadiana has moved to GravyLafayette & we're loving it!

For our first Gravy show Christiaan has lunch with Katie LeBlanc & Jason Falcon from Escape Room Lafayette

Find out what goes on begind the scenes by searching for Out to Lunch Acadiana on your podcast app, listen to KRVS 88.7FM Weds at 1pm or check it out right now https://pod.fo/e/447ab9

📷Astor Morgan Productions, LLC

06/22/2026

Miles Frank keeps it clean at his 3 C&R Quality Cleaners in Lafayette and Park Avenue Cleaners in his native Crowley. Mitchel St Romain keeps it running at Driven Results, his collision center and auto repair shop in Lafayette.

Join Miles, Mitchel, and Christiaan Mader for our last ever Out to Lunch Acadiana at Tsunami Sushi.

Search for Out to Lunch Acadiana on your podcast app, listen on KRVS 88.7FM Wednesday at 1pm or go here right now https://pod.fo/e/43609e

It's been great eating sushi every week for 3 years but podcasters and broadcasters do not live by fish alone and so it's time to move on. Watch this space for our new location
📷 Astor Morgan Productions, LLC

06/15/2026

More evidence that we have our whole own world in Acadiana, with folks you just don't find in other small towns. Drummer Shaman Peter Bulliard & denim devotee Sky King, co-owner with his wife Katrena of downtown Lafayette craft-denim oasis Son of a Texan, have a sushi lunch with Christiaan Mader. Join them on Out to Lunch Acadiana on your podcast app, on KRVS 88.7FM Weds or right now -> https://pod.fo/e/430660
📷 Astor Morgan Productions, LLC

06/08/2026

Keondria Francis helps writers get what's on their mind onto the page, Sarah Mary Toce-Donlon helps business people get what's in their heart and soul into their worldly life.

Join Keondria & Sarah Mary for lunch with Christiaan Mader on Out to Lunch Acadiana - on your podcast app, on KRVS 88.7FM Weds at 1pm or go right now to https://pod.fo/e/42a42c
📷Astor Morgan Productions, LLC

05/11/2026

Jourdan Thibodeaux is Cajun's Cajun and he's on a mission to keep it real.

Beau Bourque is a subscriber to the Cajun version of work/life balance.

Jourdan and Beau join Megan Constantin sitting in for Christiaan Mader on this week's Out to Lunch Acadiana.

Listen on your podcast app, on KRVS 88.7 FM or go here now https://pod.fo/e/4121c4
📷 Alisha Zachery Lazard