Good morning, Lake Charles.

A local video recorded loud metal noises from the historic I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge (named the Louisiana Memorial World War II Bridge) today when heavy trucks passed over, sparking community chatter and sharing on social media.

The 12th annual Calcasieu Serialfest returns tomorrow at the Brimstone Annex (923 S.

Ruth St. in Sulphur) with classic sci-fi serials shown throughout the day, including a special screening of 'The Phantom' celebrating its 90th anniversary.

Country singer Gary Allan will perform at the Grand Event Center inside Golden Nugget Lake Charles on Friday, Nov.

20; tickets become available today for fans to secure seats.

Country singer Drew Baldridge will perform at Golden Nugget Lake Charles on Saturday, July 25, with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. Fans can enjoy his hit 'She's Somebody's Daughter' and other top songs in an intimate concert setting.

Lake Charles shows its past with buildings like Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, rebuilt after a 1910 fire, the Barbe-Sallier Home from the 1840s, and Immaculate Conception Cathedral, originally built as a mission chapel (now on the National Register).

Marshland Festival 2026 begins today at the Lake Charles Event Center with local bands, food, drinks, and arts and crafts.

Tickets cost ($15 for today, $20 for Saturday) as proceeds support local schools, churches, and youth programs.

Southwest Louisiana public school district will offer free meals to students starting this fall, aiming to ease family budgets + ensure steady nutrition for local families preparing for the new school year.

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved new guidelines that allow districts to use even modest local teacher pay raises (as little as $500) to cut state funding reductions for temporary stipends.

This change gives schools more flexibility ahead of the new academic year.

A Lake Charles man won $100,000 when he bought an Easy 5 lottery ticket on July 15 at Shop Rite #81 on Lake and McNeese Streets — he claimed his prize at the Lottery’s Lafayette Regional Office on July 16 and took home $73,001.46 after tax.

Andy Saltzman from Lake Charles matched all five numbers on a July 15 Easy 5 ticket bought at Shop Rite 81 (4447 Lake St) and claimed a $73,001.46 post-tax prize when he presented it at the Lottery’s Lafayette Regional Office on Thursday.

Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming announced that the state returned a record $70.9 million in unclaimed property during the fiscal year, although over $1.2 billion remains to be claimed.

Residents can check the free online database to see if money is owed to them.

Louisiana health officials said 79 cyclosporiasis cases have been reported since July 21, with six hospitalizations.

Residents are urged to wash produce well and seek care for watery diarrhea and other symptoms (nausea and fatigue), and a new update will be provided Tuesday.

Louisiana health officials reported 79 cyclospora cases with 6 hospitalizations, up from 43 last week + no local connection to the recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico has been found.

Authorities recalled nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs produced on Texas farms Wednesday from retailers including Kroger and Brookshire’s in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Mississippi (the eggs have best-by dates between July 20 and Aug.

17) with no reported illnesses.

Lake Charles residents enjoy a vibrant nightlife this weekend with events ranging from free screenings like Friday Night at the Movies (with snacks provided) at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center today to live concerts, art exhibits and craft screenings throughout town.

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.