Good morning, Lake Charles.

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University will launch Peer-to-Peer Roundtable sessions for second-stage business owners, with the Lake Charles cohort beginning Aug.

5 at the Henning SEED Center — a program designed to foster growth and strategic insight.

J&M Industries, a family business in Ponchatoula, makes large tarps for ballparks, farms and other uses and is a $40M operation planning to break ground on a 50,000 sqft facility in Alabama in February.

The firm employs 120 workers and has served niche markets for 53 years.

Lake Charles has several events this weekend—Dwight Yoakam performs on Friday at the Golden Nugget at 8:30 p.m., the 39th Cajun Music and Food Festival is held on Saturday at Burton Coliseum, and farmers' markets open in Moss Bluff and downtown at Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center.

Louisiana students on the Legislative Youth Advisory Council helped pass a school safety law during the legislative session on Wednesday, July 15.

The new law (Senate Bill 450) requires schools to report threats and allows campus security assessments; Gov. Jeff Landry signed it and it will take effect next month.

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital runs a Safe Sitter class teaching preteens essential babysitting skills with training in safety, first aid and CPR.

The next session is today — at Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More than 1,300 water and wastewater operators are gathering in Lake Charles for the 40th Annual Training and Technical Conference at the Lake Charles Event Center from July 13-16.

The event offers certifications, technical training, and nearly 200 vendor exhibits (a key resource for rural water systems with fewer staff).

The Calcasieu Parish School Board adopted a new salary schedule for the 2026–2027 fiscal year Tuesday night, increasing pay steps from 22 to 30 to better retain and recruit staff.

Superintendent Jason VanMetre said he will review staffing numbers for further adjustments in September.

A Safe Sitter class is set to teach local preteens the basics of babysitting at a community center in Lake Charles.

The course will cover practical skills and safety tips to help young participants gain confidence and responsibility.

Louisiana law now allows employers to skip school-run processing for teen work permits (for minors under 17), letting businesses secure parental approval directly after a job interview.

House Bill 232 aims to speed up hiring for teens and ease paperwork for local businesses.

After a barge accident closed the Black Bayou Bridge last month, state officials say the pontoon at Verrett Shipyard will be inspected in dry dock so repairs (expected to take one to two years) can begin.

Resources are staged at Grand Lake Bridge to secure the only remaining route.

Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators vs. Sherman Shadow Cats

7-11 p.m. — Joe Miller Ballpark — Family-friendly event — Catch the excitement of summer baseball with the Gumbeaux Gators.

Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators Game Night

7-11 p.m. — Joe Miller Ballpark — VIP packages available — Enjoy an exciting baseball matchup with premium experiences and entertainment.

Zoo Safari Art Experience

All day — Paint and Fire — Registration required — Explore zoo-themed art projects through clay, canvas, and more in this creative week-long event.

Jamey Johnson Concert

7:00 – 11:30 p.m. — Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino — Tickets available via Ticketmaster — Enjoy a night of live country music with Jamey Johnson.