Good morning, Lake Charles.

Ward 3 Recreation is upgrading Lake Charles sports facilities by adding new tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a beginner skating area.

The improvements at the Power Center and Enos Darbonne Sports Complex will open soon, driven by community input & part of a phased plan through 2027.

Local broadcaster Mike Soileau shares the story behind the beloved Louisiana Bandstand as early live broadcasts from the historic Downtowner Hotel on Lakeshore Drive—featuring Cajun music and community gatherings—spark fond memories of a vibrant era in local radio.

Cal-Cam Fair returns to Sulphur from Sept.

4 to Sept. 6. The 104th annual event takes place at West Cal Arena & Events Center on 401 Arena Road and will feature carnival rides, livestock competitions and live entertainment that celebrate Southwest Louisiana tradition.

A study released Thursday by Visit Lake Charles found 91 percent of residents support local tourism, with 80 percent citing its economic benefits and 86 percent expressing interest in further growth — while only one-third feel well informed about ongoing plans.

Sowela Technical Community College announced its summer 2026 Chancellor’s and Dean’s lists for students meeting course load and GPA requirements (the Chancellor’s list is for those earning 3.5 or higher while the Dean’s list is for 3.0-3.49), including several from Lake Charles.

St. Louis Catholic High School welcomed students on the first day at its Bank Street campus, marking the final school year before moving to new buildings at the corner of East McNeese Street and Corbina Road in South Lake Charles.

Louisiana officials began a public school funding formula review on Thursday at the Capitol — the new task force detailed challenges like teacher pay, enrollment drops, and local tax differences as they work to create a steady funding system without tax hikes.

The meeting produced no new formula.

The U.S. Department of the Interior transferred jurisdiction of a historic 3-acre parcel at the Calcasieu River to support Venture Global LNG’s expansion in Cameron Parish.

The land will be available for a direct sale on Aug. 21 and may be finalized later this year after an environmental review.

A Louisiana State Police plane used by Gov. Jeff Landry landed in McAllen Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. and took off by 2 p.m. as SpaceX moved toward building a launch site on coastal marshland in Vermilion Parish — the move follows recent settlement negotiations with ExxonMobil.

LouisianaFitKids.com (a local nutrition site) unveils a healthy snack list that surprised parents by including unexpected items like Cool Whip along with fruity and savory options for kids with busy school and sports schedules.

Parents are now rethinking back-to-school snack choices as the school year nears.

The Saints are set to launch a new season with a focus on finishing games after last year’s inconsistency, head coach Chris Truax said.

The team is adding new players while returning key contributors to boost both offense and defense for upcoming matchups.

McNeese is hosting a free Fan Fest today at Navarre Stadium at 6:00 p.m. Fans can enjoy a preseason practice, player autographs, food trucks, games, and a vendor area featuring local businesses.

Local station WAFB aired Architect of a Dynasty in 2001 to honor Skip Bertman’s finish as LSU baseball coach, noting his 18-season career with five national titles+ 11 College World Series appearances before he became LSU athletic director.

McNeese State women's basketball team, led by coach Ashton Feldhaus (first-year head coach), released its 32-game schedule featuring 22 conference games.

The defending SLC champions will start the season on Nov. 2 with an away game at Texas A&M-Kingsville and face in-state rivals like LSU.