Good morning, Lake Charles.

Lake Charles venues are expanding their entertainment offerings with upgrades and diverse acts including a sold-out show by Katt Williams earlier this year, plus Webbie will perform at Rosa Hart Theatre today at 8 p.m. as the city aims to attract visitors from near and far.

The Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana hosted a launch party and press conference Friday, Jul.

31 to kick off the 2026 South Coast Book Festival with announcements of festival authors + special programming for the third annual event in the region.

Local creatives say AI tools that quickly design flyers and edit photos are pressuring professional work; designer Grant Kelly and photographer Aaron Young note that AI output looks generic (they urge businesses to support local talent over automated solutions).

Louisiana has enacted a new law that bans debit-card surcharges at restaurants and stores by requiring businesses to clearly list any valid fees for customers.

Merchants must adjust pricing practices to improve fee transparency in payment transactions across the state.

A KFF report showed that ACA Marketplace enrollment in Louisiana dropped 26% between 2025 and 2026—after enhanced COVID-19 subsidies expired, many locals experienced higher costs for necessary medical, dental, and vision coverage.

Beauregard Health System finished building a new emergency department — its first major upgrade in 30 years — that adds exam rooms and a CT machine to reduce wait times for patients.

The facility and a new women’s center will open to the public in early to mid-September.

LDH warns residents to discard or return eggs recalled by Midwest Poultry Services sold at Kroger and Brookshire Grocery stores.

The brown and white eggs, produced between June 6 and July 3 and marked with specific codes + dates, may carry salmonella and should be checked for safety.