Good morning, Lake Charles.

Howard Mathews, a Navy — Air Force veteran, celebrated his 100th birthday on Oct.

15th. The local hero is recognized by community members for his decades of service and inspiring legacy.

Today, the annual McNeese Homecoming Parade begins at 7:00 p.m. on Ryan Street in South Lake and will turn onto McNeese Street before ending at parking lot A near Navarre Stadium—officials advise arriving early before road closures.

Two Vietnam War Veterans will bring a 360-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the free Cost of Freedom exhibit to Kinder at Coushatta Casino Resort this November.

Daily ceremonies will honor over 800 local service members among more than 58,000 names—inviting community members and school groups to pay their respects.

The Alliance to Fight Human Trafficking in SWLA held its annual breakfast this morning at L’Auberge in Lake Charles where judges, law enforcement, prosecutors and business leaders met to raise awareness of local human trafficking.

Officials said that increased community alertness—especially along interstate corridors—is crucial to stopping the crime in the region.

On October 15th, the Flower Shop of Lake Charles partnered with The Ritz Academy and the Society of American Florists to launch the Petal It Forward event by handing out over 100 bouquets to commuters, asking each recipient to share a second bouquet—an effort aimed at promoting mental wellness locally.

South Louisiana musician Dustin Dale Gaspard from Cow Island achieved a four-chair turn on NBC’s The Voice—fulfilling his dream to bring Cajun French to a global stage.

He said the moment showed his dedication to preserving his Vermillion Parish roots and Cajun culture.

A Broadway-style holiday show will perform in Lake Charles with four tickets available for November 28-30 — featuring actors, singers, and precision dancers inspired by the Rockettes.

Ticket packages include a photo with Santa and a request to bring an unwrapped toy to help local children in need.

Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Crush will perform this Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. at the Horseshoe Casino inside Brew Brothers in Lake Charles, with the show open only to those 21 and older.

Louisiana’s John Foster, known from his time on American Idol, will release his new single 'Little Goes A Long Way' on October 24th — following his recent shows at Marshland Festival and the Grand Ole Opry.

The country music artist has built his fan base through tours and live performances across the region.

Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education passed a policy on October 15 to reduce high school state tests from six to four.

The change will take effect when ninth graders begin the 2026-2027 school year — the new plan adopts a comprehensive exam model for English language arts and math.

Nearly 2,000 students at Sulphur High School filmed a 10-minute lip dub video featuring classic Louisiana songs that showcased school spirit on campus.

Creative leaders and teacher Pam Dixon oversaw the project — which used a cell phone, a bungee cord, and two students to capture continuous shots and even included a cameo by celebrity Cupid.

Area high school volleyball teams are racing to secure playoff spots with just over two weeks left in the season as Barbe won eight of its last nine matches and Sam Houston won 10 of its last 11—teams that aim to improve their seeding for the state tournament.

Daryl Felsberg Comedy Night

8 p.m. — Library Riot — Ticket prices not listed — Experience the larger-than-life comedic talent of Daryl Felsberg in an intimate setting.

Houston Christian vs McNeese State Football

6-9 p.m. — McNeese State University Football Stadium — Check for ticket prices — Celebrate homecoming as the Cowboys face off against Houston Christian in an exciting football matchup.

Americas LNG Summit & Exhibition 2025

October 19-21 — L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles — Pricing varies — Major LNG industry event focusing on economic growth and energy transition with strategic and technical conferences.

Josh Gates Live: An Evening of Ghosts and Monsters

7-9 p.m. — Rosa Hart Theatre — Tickets required — Experience eerie tales and thrilling paranormal investigations with Josh Gates from the Discovery Channel.

Wheel Of Fortune Live!

8-9:30 p.m. — L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles — Varies — Spin it to win it with contestants selected from the audience in this interactive game show experience.

Día de los Muertos Festival

2-7 p.m. — Arcade Amphitheater at Lake Charles Event Center — Free admission — Celebrate culture, art, and music at this vibrant festival honoring Día de los Muertos.

Wild Cajun Trail Runs

6 a.m. — Sam Houston Jones State Park — Registration fees apply — Conquer the scenic trails of Southeast Louisiana with a range of distances from 10K to 40M.