Lafayette, LA (March 10, 2026) – News 15, Your Local News Authority, is excited to announce expanded anchoring duties for local broadcasting icon Darla Montgomery as she prepares to debut on News 15 Midday With Darla, Acadiana’s new preeminent lifestyle program, starting March 16 at Noon on KADN FOX 15 and KLAF-NBC.
Darla also plans to soon join Jim Hummel on the anchor desk for News 15’s evening newscasts.
This comes as another broadcasting icon transitions to a new opportunity, with Marcelle Fontenot announcing that she’ll be stepping down from anchoring duties to become the chief communications officer at UL under its new president.
“I’m appreciative, grateful and thankful for my time at News 15. This is a choice that I have made with a lot of thought and consideration for my family. I know I am leaving News 15 in good hands,” Marcelle explained in passing the torch to her good friend and fellow Opelousas native, Darla– who graciously agreed to add evening co-anchor duties on an interim basis. Marcelle’s final newscasts will be March 20.
“I recently said it was an honor to join News 15,” said Darla, who spent over three decades telling the stories of Acadiana before retiring from the anchor desk at KLFY, which recently experienced layoffs. ”I also look forward now to continuing the standard of broadcasting excellence at News 15 set by my friend Marcelle.”
“It’s a bittersweet day at News 15,” said Jim Parker, Vice President & General Manager for KADN & KLAF. “While we are so excited personally for Marcelle and understand her decision, she will be greatly missed. But we are fortunate that Darla has agreed to fill that gap. If you’re looking forward to watching Darla at noon, we’re sure you’ll also enjoy seeing her on News 15 in the evenings too.”
News 15 is Acadiana’s most honored news operation, recognized for two years running as the state’s Best Newscast by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. The LAB also named News 15 as the source of the state’s Best Investigative Reporting. On top of those accolades, an independent analysis from the highly-regarded research firm Magid & Associates found News 15 covers more news and more local stories than the competition, and is home to the most recognizable and respected news anchors in Acadiana by far.
