Good morning, Lake Charles.

KPLC's Brendan Brown received an award from Big Brothers Big Sisters SWLA on Feb.

3 in a ceremony recognizing his service. The honor celebrated his contributions to the community.

Brendan Brown from KPLC accepted an award from Big Brothers Big Sisters SWLA on Feb.

3 for his leadership in community support.

A natural gas pipeline exploded in Cameron Parish on Tuesday, Feb.

3, prompting emergency crews to secure the area + assess damage.

The Shaw Group, a Houston-based pipe fabricator, will more than double its workforce at the Walker facility on Sunland Drive by adding 209 jobs immediately — expansion that will also create 288 indirect roles and offer an average salary of $62,831 for industrial projects statewide.

Henning Cultural Center is hosting its fifth annual Curioddities Art Show (highlighting local creativity) soon.

The event will showcase diverse artwork (and interactive displays) for community members to enjoy.

The Jr. Deputy Academy for grades 6-8 will begin on Feb.

21 with a meet and greet at 8:30 a.m. at the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (5400 E. Broad Street) as the program teaches law enforcement, leadership and teamwork skills.

SASOL and the Calcasieu Parish School Board launched the 2026 SASOL Scholars Program offering up to $75,000 in scholarships for Calcasieu high school graduates who plan to enroll in degree programs — applications close on Feb.

16.

The state superintendent visited Welsh and Jennings Elementary Schools (Feb.

3) to review education initiatives and meet with staff and students. His visit aimed to support improvements in learning for the district.

Lake Charles officials announced traffic changes ahead of Mardi Gras parades — including planned detours and revised signal timing to ease congestion along key streets — with new routes set to take effect before the festivities.

City officials are installing a new guard station at Millennium Park in downtown to boost safety and deter vandalism; the prefabricated building (6 x 8 ft with heating, AC and electricity) will replace the old guard space behind the concession stand and free up storage for event supplies.

The Tailgate Kings are showcasing a crawfish rolls recipe on 7 News Sunrise today.

The recipe features a homemade aioli with roasted garlic blended with mayo and a mix of crawfish tails and creole spices – then served on warm, buttered baguettes with greens and pickled okra.

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.

McNeese State Cowgirls Basketball vs. UTRGV

5:59-8:59 p.m. — Townsley Law Arena, Doland Fieldhouse — Check for ticket prices — Witness a critical Southland Conference matchup as the Cowgirls battle UTRGV for tournament seeding.

Senior Night: UTRGV vs. McNeese State Cowboys Mens Basketball

6:30-9:59 p.m. — Townsley Law Arena — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate graduating student-athletes in an emotional final home game of the regular season.

LSU Tigers vs McNeese State Cowgirls Softball

6-9 p.m. — Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond — Ticket info not provided — Catch the Cowgirls as they take on the LSU Tigers in a thrilling softball matchup.

Iowa Hawkeyes at McNeese State Cowgirls Softball

3-6 p.m. — Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond — Admission details not provided — Catch the exciting midweek softball showdown as the Cowgirls aim for victory against Iowa.

AWS Certified Machine Learning: Specialty Training

8 a.m. — Health and Safety Council (HASC) Louisiana — $2100 — Master machine learning with expert-led training in a hands-on environment.

Groove on the Green

5-7 p.m. — Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana — Free entry — Enjoy a lively evening of jazz under the lush oaks with friends.