Good morning, Lake Charles.

St. Nicholas Center for Children and Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana will host its annual Autism Awareness Walk on Saturday, April 5 at the Enos Derbonne Sports Complex (7903 Lake St.) to raise awareness and promote inclusion for local children, adults, and families affected by autism (registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the walk starting at 8:30).

Calcasieu deputies shot an armed man on Barn Stable Drive at 8 p.m. Sunday after he reportedly held a gun to a woman’s head while her two young children were present—he is now in custody and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries while the victim was checked out and her children are cared for by family.

SOWELA Technical Community College received final approval to build a $5.5 million flight school that will offer pilot training on the Chennault International Airport property to address the pilot shortage.

The project is funded by a $3.5 million Economic Development Administration grant and $2 million from the City through a tax referendum, and it will break ground in fall 2025—creating over 170 jobs.

Monday storms caused scattered power outages in Southwest Louisiana, affecting 1111 customers in Calcasieu, 28 in Cameron, 533 in Beauregard and 602 in Allen + updated counts will be provided as the morning progressed.

The 2025 Garden Conference and Expo will be held from Friday, March 28th to Saturday, March 29th at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles—offering over 60 vendors with plants, garden décor, and lawn care supplies and charging a $3 cash-only fee that benefits the SWLA Master Gardener Program. A preview dinner will be hosted on March 27th from 5 to 7 p.m. with $10 covering the meal and a sneak peek at the event.

Coach Will Wade led McNeese to its first NCAA Tournament win ever by upsetting 12th ranked Clemon last Thursday and ended his tenure with a loss to Purdue on Saturday—finishing with a 28 to 7 record.

He will be introduced today as North Carolina State's head coach at a press conference—marking a new chapter after his local success.

Frank Foster Live Concert

8:00-9:30 p.m. | Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino | Tickets available via UNATION | Enjoy an evening of live music with Frank Foster in a vibrant casino setting.

Virtual Tour of Senior Living

9 AM - 7 PM | Tower Oaks Apartments | Free entry | Explore the best senior living experiences with award-winning care and activities.

CeCe Winans Concert

7-9 p.m. — Glad Tidings Church — Tickets available — Experience an inspiring live performance by the renowned gospel artist CeCe Winans.

Dru Hill Concert

7-11 p.m. — Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino — Ticket prices vary — Experience the captivating R&B vibes of the legendary group Dru Hill.

CYPHACON 2025

5-9 p.m. — Lake Charles Event Center — Admission fee applicable — Celebrate the fun and creativity at the 13th annual CYPHACON event filled with excitement and entertainment.

SWLA's Annual Yoga Fest

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Drew Park — Admission details not specified — Celebrate movement, mindfulness, and community at Lake Area's largest yoga fest.

Bunny at the Barn Egg Hunt

8-10 p.m. — Eastern Dr, Lake Charles, LA — $10 per Child, $5 per Adult — Enjoy an evening of egg hunting with prizes, food, and guided pet play.

Easter Family Fun Fest

11 AM – 3 PM — Crying Eagle Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy a day of Easter festivities perfect for the whole family.