Good morning, Lafayette.

Two local businesses were honored with the Governor’s Half Century Award for operating over 50 years; Market Square Lanes has entertained residents since 1961 and Brand Electric has served local customers since 1973 (both recognized for their long-standing service).

After tickets for the Sept.

26 DJ set with Shaq sold out, event organizers moved the show to the Tippecanoe County Amphitheater in West Lafayette (with gates opening at 4 p.m.) and added rapper T-Pain as a second headliner for a festival-style experience.

Purdue announced that all undergraduate programs will now require AI-focused coursework starting this fall to help students think critically about technology and its ethical use.

The new requirement aims to prepare graduates for ever-evolving careers in sectors influenced by artificial intelligence.

Indiana lawmakers are considering limiting screen time on school devices to encourage more use of physical textbooks while a principal at Jefferson High said the current phone ban has helped students focus in class.

Some seniors say they prefer online assignments over reduced screen access.

Six Purdue biomedical engineering students are on a two-week clinical immersion at Parkview Health (they observe patient mobility challenges and explore opportunities for care innovation across multiple hospitals).

The program launched Aug. 10 and wraps up today.

North Chauncey Avenue will close at 8 a.m. Aug.

28 through 7 a.m. Aug. 31 for a block party welcoming returning students near campus (details in city notices). Meanwhile, County Road 425 and County Road 50 W will have restricted traffic from Aug. 31 to Nov. 30 for roundabout construction.

Drivers on Indiana 28 in Tippecanoe County will face lane closures and detours starting Aug.

24 as INDOT begins chip seal work to preserve the road's pavement; officials expect the project to run through early September with possible traffic delays.

The Harrison Raiders and West Lafayette Red Devils open the 2026 high school football season today as junior quarterback Henry Ade (making his first varsity start) leads the Raiders while the Red Devils, featuring senior quarterback Blake Biddle, aim to reverse last season’s close losses.

Purdue running backs coach Cornell Ford said players from the transfer portal have boosted the team’s backfield depth.

He expects the new lineup to bring more strength to the running game as the season begins.