Good morning, Lake Charles.

Residents raised concerns today over a large sinkhole near three local schools after local plumber Joshua Baden taped off the area & the property owners now face a $500 daily fine until repairs are made.

Today marks 50 years since the Jupiter Incident at a Westlake chemical plant site sparked a violent clash that left one worker dead and later led to state right-to-work laws (a turning point for union views in the region).

McNeese's Small Business Development Center offers free guidance to residents looking to start or grow a business in the five-parish area by providing tools and coaching; interested owners can schedule a one-hour appointment by calling 337-475-5945 or visiting the website.

Nexus Louisiana received a $200,000 donation from JPMorganChase to fund its 2030 strategic plan and will host listening sessions starting Jan.

22 at Melara Enterprises’ StudioE.us; the incubator also plans to move its headquarters downtown this summer to boost local innovation.

Federal authorities indicted twenty individuals including two Nicholls State players & two UNO players in a scheme that alleged bribery to fix college basketball games against McNeese in Thibodaux & Lake Charles last year.

Federal prosecutors charged 26 people in a point-shaving scheme linked to over 29 games from Sept.

2022 to Feb. 2025, and McNeese clarified that no student-athlete was implicated while names from Tulane, Nicholls and UNO were included.

Imperial Calcasieu Museum will host a historic downtown walking tour tomorrow at 3 p.m. Attendees will learn about early pioneer Lake Charles from Historic City Hall to Muller’s and see how the city grew after the 1910 fire (tour lasts about an hour to an hour and a half).

LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois said Louisiana’s economy needs both small business support and big capital projects.

She spoke at the 122nd Chamber SWLA Banquet at Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, urging more local investment as the state struggles with slow GDP growth and a declining population.

Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School introduced Nichole Justice as its new Head of School on Jan.

14 at its annual address in Lake Charles — Justice outlined plans to update programs while Mayor Marshall Simien praised her vision for the school’s future.

Sowela Technical Community College will host the Flying Tiger Open House at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7 at its main campus in the Sycamore Student Center (3824 Senator J.

Bennett Johnston Ave.) where prospective students and families can tour labs and receive application assistance.

Calcasieu Coroner Dr. Joseph Dressler reported that suicides reached 27 by the end of 2025 with 3 already in 2026 and noted the figures are 22% lower than prior years + he stressed that one is too many and urged anyone in crisis to seek help.

Desert Highway Valentine's Dinner

8-11 p.m. — L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles — Cost not specified — Celebrate love with a romantic dinner and an unforgettable live performance by Desert Highway, the ultimate Eagles tribute.