Good morning, Lake Charles.

Queen of the South 14 Order of the Eastern Star hosted a community feeding today to give over 200 free Thanksgiving meals to Lake Charles families as volunteers served red beans and rice + sides + desserts to help those facing high grocery prices and money troubles.

City officials cut the ribbon today on the new Citadel Teen Room at the McMillan Park Community Center— a safe spot for teens with gaming consoles, a pool table, and more— to offer a structured hangout.

The room will be open today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but it will be closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Lake Charles will host its annual Light Up the Lake Christmas celebration on Saturday, November 29 at 2 p.m. at Arcade Amphitheater; the event features a new Christmas Walking Parade on Bord du Lac Drive plus live music, an art walk, food trucks, a boat parade, a light switch ceremony by Mayor Simien at 6:15 p.m., and a fireworks show at 7:30 p.m.

More than 400 families received full Thanksgiving meals Tuesday morning at the Lake Charles Event Center hosted by Second Harvest Food Bank, which provided turkeys, produce, sides and eggs to help families celebrate the holiday.

Hundreds of cars arrived as early as 5 a.m. with support from AmeriHealth Caritas & law enforcement.

Prien Lake Mall will host a VIP Holiday Market on Thanksgiving weekend—local vendors will offer unique gifts, festive treats and engaging holiday fun for families.

Golden Nugget-Lake Charles will host the Broadway-style Christmas in the Air Holiday Show this weekend, featuring Rockette-style dancers, singers and actors along with visits from Santa and his elves.

Four shows are scheduled for November 28th at 8:30 p.m., November 29th at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and November 30th at 2:00 p.m. with a special ticket deal and a pre-show photo opportunity to support local children in need — adding festive spirit to the community.

Sowela Technical Community College and LSU Health Science Center New Orleans signed an agreement yesterday that offers a streamlined transfer pathway for students in a Bachelor of Science in public health using a 2+2 model; the pathway allows qualifying graduates to complete as few as 60 additional credit hours at LSU Health.

Louisiana’s Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham stepped down to become the CDC’s principal deputy director, as confirmed by an HHS spokesperson on Nov.

25. Governor Jeff Landry has not yet named his successor—leaving a leadership gap at the state health agency.

A local baker showed 7NEWS his new Thanksgiving dessert recipe that uses low-cost ingredients to offer a different twist on holiday treats, and he hopes this creative option will give families a fresh way to enjoy the season.

On Tuesday, four McNeese State football players earned All-Conference honors from the Southland Conference—Phillip Bradford, William Bressi, and Fabrizio Pinton were named to the first team while Cody Brackeen made the second team.

The Cowboys finished 5—7 overall and 4—4 in the league after rallying from a slow start to win four of their last six games.

The McNeese Cowboys ended their season with a 21-19 win against Lamar at the Battle of the Border and finished conference play at a 4-4 record, their best finish since 2019—four players earned postseason honors.

Defensive lineman Phillip Bradford, offensive linemen William Bressi and Cody Brackeen, and punter Fabrizio Pinton received all-conference recognitions.

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.

Cowboy Christmas Celebration

9 AM - 5 PM — The Stables At LeBocage — Free admission — Experience the magic of Christmas with festive shopping, live music, and Southern traditions.

Santa's Hot Chocolate Run

2-4 p.m. — Downtown Lake Charles — Registration fee required — Enjoy a festive 3.1-mile adventure with a blend of running and holiday cheer.

East Texas A&M Lions vs. McNeese State Cowgirls Basketball

3:30-6:30 a.m. — The Legacy Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting college basketball matchup live in Lake Charles.

LAR's Swamp Stomp Half Marathon & Fun Run

7-11 a.m. — Graywood Golf & Racquet Club — Registration fees apply — Test your endurance at the Swamp Stomp and enjoy a fun run experience.

Candlelight Christmas Concert

7-10 p.m. — Ray's Lounge, Lake Charles, LA — Free entry — Experience a magical evening of holiday music by candlelight.

Arenacross Racing Spectacle

7-8:30 p.m. — Lake Charles Event Center — Tickets required — Experience a thrilling blend of motocross racing and freestyle MX with lights and pyrotechnics.

World Ballet Company's The Nutcracker

6-7:30 p.m. — Rosa Hart Theatre — $50-$127 — Experience a magical evening with the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker, performed by the World Ballet Company.

Holiday Helping Hands

11 a.m. — Panorama Music House — Free entry — Celebrate Christmas by helping serve the Southwest Louisiana community with local restaurant support.