Good morning, Lake Charles.

The Sulphur Lions Club held its 37th annual Thanksgiving event+ welcoming local residents to continue a long-standing community tradition.

Timothy Newsome has lit his yard with 8,080 bulbs and over 250 plastic figurines today to honor his late father's cherished Christmas tradition that started on Patin Road in Westlake and has grown into a local highlight—he also added themed cutouts and wooden nutcrackers made by Sulphur Ag students while working with supportive neighbors.

Real balsam fir wreaths with red bows will be placed on more than 600 veterans' graves at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery on Saturday, Dec.

13 starting at 10:55 a.m.—the national Wreaths Across America event will honor fallen veterans and help youth learn about their sacrifices.

Yesterday, Lake Charles hosted a Turkey Trot 5K that raised funds for the Southwest Louisiana Law Center — participants joined the run to support legal aid services in our community.

Wang Sistas organized a community giving event on November 27th to donate meals and supplies to local neighbors in need in Lake Charles — the group is working with local partners to expand support in the coming weeks.

Thanksgiving columnist David Sickey reflects on family and community as recent personal challenges show how quickly peace can change—reminding locals that shared moments of hardship make unity and gratitude essential—while urging a compassionate look toward the future.

Fourth graders at Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School set a new record in their Thanksgiving food drive by collecting 10,104 items in one week—donations that were given to local groups to help families in need.

The drive grew from 5,352 items in 2022 to 9,942 in 2024, and teachers Gage Gardner and Jean Marie Rasbeary aimed for a goal of 10,000 items.

Hamm reached 1,000 career rushing yards as McNeese defeated Lamar on November 27 at 7:00 p.m.—the milestone stood as a key achievement in the season finale.

7Sports published a breakdown of the high school football quarterfinal brackets on November 27 at 8:30 p.m.—offering clear details on key matchups and strategies as teams prepare for the semifinals.

Sulphur will host the returning Bayou Border Battle as 32 teams compete—with organizers expected to release more details soon.

The Hamilton Christian Warriors played in the TDL Road to the Dome event last night and showed strong teamwork—coaches confirmed the team is preparing for upcoming matches amid local support.

The Cowgirls competed in a Bahamas tournament on November 27th and split their games after senior point guard Jalenci Pierra was injured early in the fourth quarter—McNeese guard Arianna Patton earned a spot on the all-tournament team with strong scoring performance.

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.