Good morning, Lake Charles.

Residents in SWLA will celebrate Memorial Day weekend with several events, including a free concert on Friday, May 23 at Ryan Street in front of Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center featuring Louisiana King Fish, Mason Trail and the Zydeco Rhythm, and a Carry the Load ceremony at the new Children's Museum at Port Wonder leading to a lakefront walk. On Saturday, May 24, Lake Charles will host a Jellystone Park grand opening with Chee-Weez Live and a patriotic pub crawl, while the Avenue of Flags on Sunday and Monday at Orange Grove Graceland Cemetery will feature sunrise flag raising and a Memorial Day ceremony from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. — inviting community members to honor national heroes.

Summer feeding programs will soon offer free meals to kids 18 and under in SWLA; in Calcasieu, lunch will be served daily from June 2 to July 25 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. with no registration required — while other parishes such as Beauregard, Allen, and Jeff Davis require registration and have specific pick-up times with holiday closures observed.

Authorities booked several individuals at Calcasieu Correctional Center on May 11 for charges including domestic abuse, trespassing, and various firearm offenses — with some suspects facing multiple charges.

The House Appropriations Committee advanced a state budget Monday that keeps teacher pay flat with one-time stipends—$2,000 for certified teachers and $1,000 for other staff—while including nearly $93.5 million for the LA GATOR program to help pay for private school tuition and homeschooling and cutting $30 million from tutoring funds.

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy celebrated Louisiana Day on May 10 with a Mardi Gras parade held indoors due to rain—students enjoyed activities like swamp slime, face painting, and food tastings that highlighted local culture.

The event marked the school’s final full celebration before merging with Lake Charles Charter Academy and ended with a farewell to Duke the Bulldog, the longstanding mascot.

Louisiana residents must pay their 2024 state income tax by Thursday, May 15 to avoid penalties or interest—late payments will incur fees—using free online filing, tax software or mailed forms.

Taxpayers who need extra time to file will automatically get a six-month extension until November 17.

Local trichologist Tammy Guillory offers a simple, pain-free hair regrowth treatment at her salon in Lake Charles — her process uses scalp exfoliation and low-level light laser therapy to help clients see improvements in as little as two months.

Four local track and field teams and dozens of athletes captured state titles at the outdoor championships in Baton Rouge (winning events from relays to throws) to bring home honors for Southwest Louisiana.

The 2025 LHSAA Baseball State Tournament begins today at McMurry Park in Sulphur with semifinal games starting at 11:00 for several classes—bigger schools play campus rounds with a best-of-three championship series while smaller schools compete on back-to-back days.

Fans can catch all games on the NFHS and LHSAA Networks—local radio coverage is available on 92.9 The Lake FM.

Parent Walk Event

5-7 p.m. — Lake Charles Event Center — Free entry — A FUN-filled evening of walking, connection, and healthy snacks for parents and children.

Wellness on the Water Celebration

8-11 a.m. — Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino — Free entry — Experience an immersive celebration of movement, wellness, and community.

Gumbeaux Gators Home Opener vs. River Monsters

7 p.m. — Joe Miller Ballpark — Thrilling minor league baseball action as the Gumbeaux Gators take on the River Monsters.

Cajun Cowboy Cluster of Dog Shows

8 AM — Lake Charles Event Center — Cost Varies — Experience the excitement of dog shows brought to you by local kennel clubs in a festive atmosphere.

T-Gator Triathlon

7-11 a.m. — Sam Houston Jones State Park — Registration fees vary — Experience the thrill of the beloved T-Gator Triathlon with options for both individuals and relay teams.

Movie and a Craft

9:30-10:30 a.m. — Prien Lake Mall — Family-friendly event — Enjoy a morning of crafting and movie magic together.