Good morning, Lake Charles.

The Calcasieu Parish Summer Food Service Program will begin Monday, June 1, serving free lunch + breakfast to children 18 and under at multiple sites in Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Moss Bluff, and Westlake until July 24, with closures on Juneteenth and the Fourth of July.

St. Huckleberry Animal Fund partnered with Stella & Chewy’s to donate 1,000 bags of premium cat food to local pet owners today, marking founder Lori Dover’s fifth year donating food valued at over 500K; she plans to expand her mission with an animal hospital network.

Radio veteran Mike Soileau marks his 36-year career on the air today in Lake Charles while earning awards as Best Radio DJ and induction into the Cajun French Music Hall of Fame after years at Gator 99.5 and other local stations.

Brimstone Museum will host the 9th annual Calcasieu Parish Short Film Festival in Lake Charles, featuring local short film screenings and filmmaker talks in the coming days.

Three festivals are set for July as Coushatta Crossroads Festival takes place on July 11 at Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder, the Cajun Music and Food Festival is on July 18 at Burton Coliseum, and Marshland Festival will run from July 24-25 at the Lake Charles Event Center Coliseum.

Elite Charter Academy will open this fall in Lake Charles after receiving state approval — community members continue debating its public funding.

CEO Cathy Banks will open Elite Charter Academy this fall on Hodges Street in downtown Lake Charles after receiving state approval to offer kindergarten through second grade and expand into leadership + entrepreneurship lessons, even as public funding debates continue.

Enrollment is already underway.

The bill headed for Gov. Jeff Landry’s signature lets universities raise tuition and fees up to 10% starting in 2027 (without prior legislative approval) so that schools must also factor in costs at their peers and local household incomes.

Louisiana passed HB 851 to ban outdoor balloon releases in efforts to protect wildlife and power lines, and the law will take effect on August 1.

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation suggests alternatives like flying kites and blowing bubbles to safely honor celebrations.

Louisiana families can receive an extra $120 per child to help buy groceries this summer from the SUN Bucks program.

Eligible benefits will be added to EBT cards between May 27 and June 2 — families not automatically enrolled can apply online through August 20.

McNeese women's basketball coach (Ashton Feldhaus) reshaped the roster by signing 10 newcomers to join three returning players for the upcoming season.

The team will begin summer training to build chemistry and fill key positions on campus.

Brothers Bryer and Barrett Prince from Sulphur face off for the bareback riding championship today at the Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo.

Bryer leads after winning Thursday’s round with a 62-point ride while Barrett trails 98-94 as they compete in the final rounds.

Dusty Slay Comedy Show

8-11 p.m. — Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino — Ticket prices vary — Experience the observational and blue-collar humor of Southern comedian Dusty Slay.