Dear Community,

Since our last update, we have released the 2nd issue of Lafayette Kid News! This issue featured a new Kid of the Quarter, a delicious recipe, more sports, hobbies, poems, puzzles, jokes and art, some very creative comic strips, a local business spotlight written by our editor, 9 year old Audrey, and much more!

We have enjoyed going out into the community to reach even more people by setting up a booth at Fit Fete Fusion downtown where we handed out newspapers and conducted a “summer poll” with the results displayed in this second issue. We also had a booth at Rockin’ on the Runway where we conducted a “back to school poll”. These results will be in our upcoming 3rd issue.

We are excited to announce that we have changed printing to a local company, The Advocate! This has helped lower the printing cost and eliminate shipping cost, but most importantly, support local businesses.

This second issue was once again fully funded by our “giant check” winnings from the 24 Hour Citizen Project and the generous donors. We are still pinching ourselves over this incredible opportunity and forever grateful for all the backers who choose to be a part of making our home a better place.

Our 3rd issue will be released on August 1 and will be the first issue containing advertisements and sponsors. This will help keep the newspaper free beyond our initial one year goal.

Excited to see what the future holds for LKN. Now go and get a kid to submit!

Sincerely,
Audrey, Luke, & Layne Dupre
Team Lafayette Kid News

Dear Community,

We are beyond excited to share that the 1st issue of Lafayette Kid News was released on February 1st!!! This first issue featured our creator and editor, Audrey Dupre, as the Kid of the Quarter, along with a letter from the editor sharing how this newspaper came to be through the 24 Hour Citizen Project and generous backers. We also had a 4th grade class contribute poems, a boy submitted a recipe for French toast, lots of sports stories, a gallery of artwork, an advice column, funny jokes, some holiday specific puzzles and games, community service stories, and a full calendar of events. The local talent and creativity of our youngest citizens was on full display.

Currently, this newspaper is available to pick up or view at your local public libraries, Children’s Museum of Acadiana, Lafayette Science Museum, Sunday’s Soda Fountain, Southern Speech, Coreil Orthodontics, Delarue Dance Centre, and several LPSS elementary and middle schools. We are continuing to expand to other locations – so stay tuned to our social media for updates.

Since beginning this project, we have learned so much and continue to learn new things daily. Printing and shipping 1500 copies of this first issue cost $1500. We are currently working on finding a local printing company to decrease the shipping and overall cost. We have also begun discussing advertisement and sponsorship opportunities with several kid-friendly, local businesses to keep this newspaper going long term. Lastly, we are working on establishing the LKN as a nonprofit organization.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we are so thankful for everyone’s kind words, encouragement, and praise. This project would not be possible without the kids submitting content and backers support. The Lafayette community is filled with incredible individuals and we are so happy to call this place home.

Be on the lookout for our next 3 issues being released on May 1st, August 1st, and November 1st and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Sincerely,
Audrey, Luke, & Layne Dupre
Team Lafayette Kid News