Good morning, Lake Charles.

Next Saturday, Nov. 1, veterans and their families will gather at the West-Cal Arena & Events Center in Sulphur for a Veterans Appreciation BBQ Day that will offer networking opportunities, career resources from local businesses, live music, a classic car show, and a kids' area.

Amid the ongoing government shutdown, many Lake Charles residents face food and paycheck worries while Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana steps in with its food bank program—partnering with TEFAP to give USDA-sourced food and grant-funded supplies to those who qualify by showing income, ID, and residency as SNAP help will stop on Nov 1. The group works quickly to ease the burden while the state covers SNAP for children, the elderly, and the disabled.

The Coushatta Tribe has started construction on a new Feather Fuel Travel Plaza in Iowa that will open in summer 2026.

The plaza will feature 24 gas pumps & 7 diesel lanes along with a deli, grab-and-go menu & a drive-thru, and it is expected to boost travel along I-10 between Lake Charles & Jennings.

Aclara Resources Inc. announced it will build a $277 million rare earth metals refining plant in Calcasieu Parish to process metals from South American mines—creating about 140 new jobs and strengthening Louisiana’s role in energy, technology and defense.

Police said green fentanyl — a potent new drug — was found in southwest Louisiana and that they are investigating its source.

In Sulphur, Jewell Danai has created TabooTattys—an inclusive tattoo studio that showcases award-winning art and fosters self-expression through ethical practices and mentorship.

Their work redefines local tattoo artistry by encouraging new talent and breaking old stereotypes.

STEM students at Grand Lake High School are building a road-worthy electric vehicle in class while learning to work with high-voltage parts and central electronics.

Teacher Joshua Fitkin said the project — which cost nearly $100,000 in parts and was inspired by a Facebook ad two years ago — will be completed by December.

A Southwest Louisiana organization is offering resources to residents affected by the federal shutdown — officials said the group is coordinating help to access essential services.

After losing her husband to cystic fibrosis, one Lake Charles woman turned her grief into a full-time mission at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation—she began as a volunteer and later remarried in 2019 to honor his memory.

She stays committed to finding a cure even after the Great Strides Walk was canceled due to bad weather—local families continue to face the disease.

After a loss in Thibodaux on Monday, the Cowboys are working to fix their season as their record slips to 2—6 and a winning record is now out of reach with four games left.

The team struggled against Nicholls and will host Northwestern State Saturday at 6:00 p.m.—hoping to improve after a tough game.

LSU fired its head coach Brian Kelly after a loss to Texas A&M and is now searching for a replacement.

Governor Jeff Landry and the LSU Board of Supervisors are leading the process—top contenders include Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin.

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.

Object-Oriented Programming in C# Training

N/A — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — SOWELA Regional Training Center — $2250 — Enhance your programming skills with hands-on C# training in a local expert-led course.

Smoke & Barrel Weekend 2025

1-5 p.m. — Calcasieu Clerk of Court — Tickets vary — Savor a weekend of over 80 bourbons, whiskeys, and exquisite BBQ from top pitmasters.

The Nutcracker

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Rosa Hart Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting journey of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy in this classic holiday ballet.