Good morning, Lake Charles.

KPLC announced its Back to School Supply Drive to provide local students with essential school supplies (details on location and timing will follow).

Local residents and businesses held a Back to School Drive on Friday, collecting over $10,000 and school supplies for Southwest Louisiana students; donations will support meals for 1,300 kids weekly.

Additional drop-offs are accepted at Accessory Zone next week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (community focus)

Jeanette Floyd’s quilt exhibit, Threads of Hope, opened Friday at Black Heritage Gallery in Historic City Hall and will be on view until Sept.

25. The event includes a gallery talk and quilt giveaway, reflecting her journey of hope and healing through art.

Family members from Lake Charles traveled to Vatican City in June, where research showed they are distant cousins of Pope Leo XIV through the Lemelle line.

The group received blessed rosaries after presenting the Pope with a key to Opelousas and a state proclamation from Louisiana.

Artists Civic Theatre and Studio presents Rent at One Reid Street through Aug.

16 with eight scheduled performances, including matinees (doors open one hour ahead). The musical explores young artists’ struggles during the AIDS crisis and tickets are available online or by phone.

The Blue Angels will perform at Thunder Over Louisiana Air Show (tickets are still available) at Chennault International Airport on Aug.

29–30, with gates opening at 9 a.m. and shows starting at noon until closing at 5 p.m.

Nine residents were hospitalized after contracting Vibrio vulnificus from seawater exposure, with five losing their lives, according to the Department of Health.

Officials posted advisories on ten beaches (including Lake Charles North Beach), urging residents with open wounds or weak immune systems to avoid the water.

Calcasieu Parish Mosquito Control is teaming with the Air Force and Chennault International Airport Authority to launch an aerial mosquito control operation the week of Aug.

10 + a C-130H will treat 80,000 acres while offering training for aircrew; residents may notice low-flying aircraft overhead.

Local thrift stores in Lake Charles and nearby areas offer affordable finds and unique treasures.

Spots like Care Help Thrift in Sulphur and the RE Market in Jennings (set in a historic 7-Up Bottling Plant) showcase community charm and value for shoppers.

The McNeese Cowboys will hold their first fall camp scrimmage today at 9:45 a.m. on their practice field (the event is free and open to the public) as coach Matt Viator evaluates team progress ahead of the season opener.