Topic: Lafayette (Louisiana)

Top 10 metros for job growth

Some metropolitan areas have a booming jobs market, thanks to energy, manufacturing, or sometimes just the right mix of highly diversified industries. Here's a look at the 10 metros that have seen the largest percentage increase in jobs over the past 12 months:

Will jobs report give a timely lift to Obama's record on the economy?

At 7.8 percent, the US unemployment rate is now back to the point it was when President Obama took office. But Mitt Romney say it's still not a recovery – and that the real jobless rate is closer to 11 percent.

Google Fiber: Why does Kansas City get to go high-speed? (+video)

Super high-speed Internet comes to Kansas City, courtesy of Google. Business leaders hope lightning fast connections with spur innovation and jobs. Google looks to be expanding further from its original business of Internet searching.  

Man booked in missing La. student Michaela Shunick case (+video)

Santorum sweeps Alabama, Mississippi primaries

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich took second in both primaries, while former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney took third.

Weathered beauty

One of The Monitor's photographers spots an irresistible vintage car.

Americans remain wary of Islam

Americans are conflicted over Islam as the FBI investigates a growing list of anti-Islamic incidents. Still, Muslims and their mosques are being welcomed in some communities.

Top Picks: Brian Wilson, 'Prime Suspect,' Canada's Garrison Keillor, and more

Brian Wilson sings Gershwin, 'Prime Suspect' comes out on DVD, Stuart McLean's storytelling is like Canada's answer to Garrison Keillor, and more recommendations.

BP oil spill imperils Cajun culture

The Cajun culture has a rich tradition with deep ties to the Louisiana bayous. But the BP oil spill's impact on the economy and the environment is straining those ties.

BP oil spill: Louisianans want more from Obama ... but more what?

With Obama in Louisiana Friday to assess the response to the BP oil spill, residents have strong views about what needs to happen next. But their ideas can conflict, and expectations are low.

Amid search for Deepwater Horizon oil rig survivors: What happened?

Despite the Deepwater Horizon oil rig's state-of-the-art equipment, drilling in the deep blue is still a roughneck's job – a combustible mix of big machines and highly flammable materials.

Gulf towns pray for news from Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion

Roughneck towns along the Gulf coast are waiting for news from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. Eleven people are missing, although one family received a happy call.

USA

At Grammys, zydeco music gets a spark of renewal

Terrance Simien, a leading light among the younger generation of zydeco musicians, is raising the genre's profile at this year's Grammy awards.