Good morning, Lake Charles.

The McNeese Alumni Association is hosting a food drive for the Poke Pantry today from 9 a.m. to noon next to Navarre Stadium to help restock supplies for students in need.

Donations such as canned goods, ramen, snacks, and water are welcomed to support students who rely on the pantry during the holidays.

The Delta Eta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi is hosting the Miles That Matter 5K charity run in Downtown Lake Charles at Escape Room Louisiana — check-in is from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. with a welcome speech at 8:00 a.m., leading to a 5K and a 1-mile fun run to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana and support the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation.

Coolers Icehouse in Lake Charles hosted its Halloween Bash on October 31 with live music by Dani LaCour, drink specials, and a costume contest (doors opened at 6 p.m. and music started at 8 p.m.) (attendees competed for cash prizes).

After opening on Halloween night, Calcasieu Theatrical Arts students will perform additional shows today at Southlake Theater—4720 Nelson Road Suite 110, with performances scheduled at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to offer spooky thrills and laughs to local audiences.

Darren Alcock, a veteran educator with over 30 years of teaching, joined St. Louis Catholic High School after retiring from McNeese State University and now teaches geometry while coaching math teams in Lake Charles.

Born in Jennings, he builds trust and confidence in his students and honors his father's teaching legacy.

On Oct. 31st, a local seafood restaurant said cold weather marked the start of oyster season and urged customers to try fresh oysters—highlighting a seasonal change in dining options— as cooler months bring out unique flavors.

McNeese State will host Northwestern State today at home as the Cowboys strive for a second straight win while head coach Matt Viator aims for his 100th career victory.

The rivalry game marks the 74th meeting between the teams as Viator maintains a perfect record against the Demons—adding to the high stakes for the football program.

On Oct. 30, District 3-3A Jennings beat St. Louis 34 to 24, District 4-1A Hamilton outscored Merryville 54 to 6, Basile toppled Oberlin 35 to 8, and Pickering beat Ringgold 32 to 28; key plays and turnovers shaped the games.

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.

Christmas In The Air

2:00 – 3:30 PM — Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holiday spirit with a festive event for the whole family.