Good morning, Lake Charles.

Lake Charles is hosting its second annual back-to-school hygiene products drive at City Hall on 326 Pujo Street from Sept.

10 to Sept. 30. Community members may drop off new, travel-sized toiletries from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday to help local schools.

CPSO Deputy Monique Pitre earned D.A.R.E Instructor certification after an 80-hour course in Livingston Parish, while Catalyst Bank promoted Dorene Gothreaux to Southwest Louisiana Market President.

Eleven new EMT graduates from the National EMS Academy and Memorial Health’s new additions highlight growing investments in public safety and healthcare this week.

A fire is burning at a scrap metal yard in Lake Charles today—emergency crews are on scene to manage the incident.

The Calcasieu Parish Public Library is hosting National Library Card Sign-Up Month this September, offering weekly limited-edition stickers and original bookmarks along with local discounts, which will culminate in a free Community Block Party on Saturday, Sept.

26 at the Central Branch (301 W. Claude St.).

Local landowners have raised concerns about a proposed carbon hub in southwest Louisiana that may impact their property use.

They have held meetings + submitted comments as officials plan to review the proposal.

Louisiana's new Angel’s Law requires hospital maternity and neonatal staff to receive bereavement training to support parents facing baby loss today, ensuring compassionate care is in effect across all qualifying hospitals.

State Sen. Patrick McMath, who authored the law, said it offers vital comfort to grieving families.

Louisiana senators criticized the SEC's threat to expel LSU after a judge allowed former NFL players to join the roster and support a new Protect College Sports Act that would set eligibility rules and cap ticket price hikes at 4%.

The bill has not yet been scheduled for a vote.

Ward 3 Recreation is offering swimming lessons for $1 to help children build water safety skills and prevent drownings.

Families can sign a one-page waiver and pay per lesson (a simple, flexible option for the community).

Between 2022 and 2025, opioid deaths in Louisiana fell 59% while emergency visits dropped 52% and prescriptions declined 10%, though the latest federal survey ranked the state last for opioid misuse (data is preliminary).

Health officials noted progress in treatment access even as many residents still need help.