Good morning, Lake Charles.

Former McNeese defensive back Levi Wyatt died in a car crash late Friday night in Jackson, Mississippi; he played two seasons for the Cowboys and earned second-team All-Southland Conference honors.

Eligible State Farm auto insurance customers in Louisiana will begin receiving dividend payments this week, averaging $138 per vehicle from a total of $136M.

The payments apply to policies in force as of Dec. 31, 2025 (customers with email addresses will soon get instructions on how to choose their payment method).

Louisiana will require insurers to cover home visits for new mothers and newborns beginning Jan.

1; a Home Visiting Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5 at Family and Youth Delta Downs Conference Room, 220 Louie Street in Lake Charles to address nursing shortages.

Louisiana law stops retailers from charging extra for debit card use since Aug.

1, expanding the attorney general's power to enforce the ban and protect customers. Customers charged unlawfully can recover damages if the retailer does not correct the violation within 30 days + file a complaint.

Lake Charles native Cmdr.

Emily Latimer led a research project at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune to improve pediatric trauma care and earned both the Defense Health Agency Nursing Award for Evidence-Based Practice and the Pediatric Readiness Improvement Award; she will soon head Corpsman Trauma Training in Cleveland (showing her dedication to military healthcare).

The Barbe Bucs will launch a 7 in 7 football event that features a series of fast-paced mini-games.

Officials will announce game details soon at the local stadium, and fans in Lake Charles can look forward to an exciting new twist in local sports.