Good morning, Lake Charles.

The City of Lake Charles and Region 5 STEM Center are hosting the Pumpkin Chunkin' Contest on Saturday, Nov.

7 at I-10 North Beach (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). Teams will launch pumpkins to show off STEM skills, and the event is free for everyone.

Country music stars Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis will perform on Saturday, Jan.

16 (new date) at Golden Nugget Lake Charles in the rescheduled Grits & Glamour Tour after the original June 2026 show was postponed; tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Jennings native Cleve Francis, a cardiologist and country music artist, has been named one of LPB's 2027 Louisiana Legends in an honor celebrating his contributions across medicine and music.

His memoir, Do My Heart Good, released Oct. 6, shares how early experiences in Lake Charles shaped his lifelong journey.

The 26th annual Ragley Heritage and Timber Festival (free admission) will take place Saturday, Oct.

17 at 6715 La. 12 and offer local vendors, food including gumbo, crawfish, and funnel cakes, a petting zoo, rides, and appearances by the Queens of the Ragley Festival.

Louisiana recorded the 4th fastest job growth from 2025 to 2026, but many workers report that low pay makes staying difficult (13% think of quitting daily).

Business leaders are urged to boost wages to hold on to skilled employees.

Candidates for the Calcasieu Parish School Board in Districts 1 and 2 outlined plans to boost local education with focus on teacher pay, school safety, and improved student attendance ahead of the Nov.

3 ballot; early voting starts Oct. 20 (candidates sharing their priorities).

Ochsner and Louisiana Healthcare Connections are negotiating a new contract that may drop Ochsner from the Medicaid network (affecting 70,000 LHCC patients) starting Dec.

1, state Sen. Patrick McMath said Monday during a Senate health committee meeting. The dispute adds to concerns after two insurers recently exited the Medicaid market.

Health officials mark October as Infection Prevention Month and advise residents to wash hands, cover coughs, and stay home when sick to slow rising flu and COVID cases as children return to school and holidays approach (Dr. Hammond also stressed getting flu shots and finishing prescribed antibiotics).

Ty Snider, a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, says talking about mental health at home and school can help children handle academic pressures and screen time while parents should watch for mood changes that may need professional help (via a pediatrician or mental health professional).

Prep football leaders across local schools posted impressive Week 6 numbers as players led in rushing, passing, and kicking with standout performances from Markeithon Simon (SHHS) and Grant Braxton (Leesville).

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel kicked off the 2026–2027 Thoroughbred racing season today, hosting free races every Wednesday to Saturday with the first post at 4:40 p.m. Located on Delta Downs Drive in Vinton, the event offers family-friendly fun & live racing near Lake Charles.

Prep football standings were updated Tuesday, Oct.

13 after Barbe won 66-17 at Barbe Buc Stadium on Oct. 9 — quarterback Jelandon Gray scored two rushing and three passing touchdowns — as several districts posted mixed records.