Good morning, Lake Charles.

Registration for the 2026 McNeese Homecoming Parade is open in Lake Charles with entries closing Wednesday, Oct.

21 at 11:59 p.m. and a meeting set for Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m.; the parade—titled Gleaux Pokes—will run on Oct. 29 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. as part of Homecoming Week.

Magnolia Town Market returns today at the West Cal Events Center in Sulphur from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 8th annual event features dozens of local vendors, live music — and tasty food in a 20,000 sqft area with a $5 entry fee.

The Rouge et Blanc Wine and Food Tasting returns in October to offer Lake Charles residents a chance to sample local wines and taste regional flavors — promising a delightful community gathering.

Today the 15th annual Lake Charles Film Festival begins at 8:45 a.m. at the Brimstone Museum + Henning Cultural Center in Sulphur.

The event offers over 50 films with premieres at 9:10 a.m. and 11 a.m., a Tony Lawson panel at 12:30 p.m., and an awards ceremony afterward.

Playfully Connected, a local nonprofit for early childhood bonding, celebrates its first anniversary tomorrow at Central School Arts and Humanities Center (809 Kirby Street) and plans to expand its programs to neighboring parishes.

The Black Heritage Art Gallery celebrated 25 years by unveiling a free new exhibit of local artist Timothy Lenette's pen and ink artwork at historic City Hall in downtown Lake Charles, with the art on display through Nov.

27.

Drivers in Lake Charles can save on fuel this weekend as stations such as Murphy USA offer regular gas for as little as $3.56 per gallon + AAA reports the state average is $3.96, down from last week but still above last month’s rate.

The Calcasieu Parish Public Library is holding a free Digital Basics: Career Development Resources workshop on Wednesday, Oct.

7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westlake Branch (937 Mulberry St). Registration is required due to limited space.

Westlake police have reversed the ban on rolling pranks at homecoming week after students took accountability for earlier vandalism — the event now permits only the use of toilet paper to keep activities safe.

The annual Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer Walk will take place on Saturday, Oct.

17 at the Lake Charles Event Center front lawn, where survivors, families (with vendors, gifts, and children’s activities) join to raise funds for local breast cancer patients.

Barbe’s defense shut down the Tors on Friday at Matt Walker Memorial Stadium as the Bucs won 59 to 7, crushing the rivals’ high-scoring pace.

Quarterback Jelandon Gray led with 211 yards and four touchdowns — and the team remains undefeated with five wins, a first since 2008.

McNeese will face No. 11 LSU at Tiger Stadium tonight in Baton Rouge after a 27-24 win over East Texas A&M last week.

Coach Matt Viator said the Cowboys see the game as a key chance to improve against a top-ranked team managing key injuries.

Coach Matt Viator praised LSU’s defense for leading the nation in sacks + earning top marks for third-down stops despite injury challenges.

The Cowboys will face the Tigers in an upcoming matchup as LSU prepares for its game against McNeese.