Lake Charles has a new fast casual Mexican restaurant. See where. BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Updated 21 hrs ago After years of people posting on social media and creating digital petitions asking to bring a build-your-own fast-casual Mexican chain to Lake Charles, a small business following that model h…
Teenager arrested for making social media threat to Calcasieu Parish high school BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Updated Sep 18, 2026 A 16-year-old has been arrested for allegedly making a threat on social media to a Calcasieu Parish high school.
When will the new Billy’s Boudin location in Lacassine be ready to open? BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Sep 17, 2026 The popular Billy’s Boudin is building a new location in southwest Louisiana with an anticipated opening by the spring of 2027.
Iowa launches new way for residents to track water meters, usage BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Sep 16, 2026 The town of Iowa has become the first municipality in Louisiana to adopt the My Water Adviser app, which lets residents monitor their water usage from their phones.
+4 Family relieved by verdict in Lake Charles 4-year-old’s murder case: ‘Stole his whole life’ BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer Sep 16, 2026 Dion Polk had waited more than two years to see justice served after her grandson died when his mother abandoned him along the side of Interstate 10.
Lake Charles caretaker arrested after giving client water bottle with bleach BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Sep 15, 2026 A Lake Charles man working as a caretaker was arrested after police said he gave a handicapped client a water bottle that had bleach in it.
Calcasieu Parish elementary school closes early due to power issues BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Sep 14, 2026 A Calcasieu Parish elementary school closed early on Monday due to electricity problems.
Body of 16-year-old recovered from pond in Sulphur after potential drowning, deputies say BY BLAKE LESCHBER | Staff writer Sep 12, 2026 The body of a 16-year-old boy who apparently drowned in a pond in Sulphur was recovered by deputies Saturday, authorities confirmed.
Dining, entertainment concept approved for the Lake Charles lakefront BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Sep 12, 2026 When seeing how much “untapped potential” there was along the Lake Charles lakefront, Chris Lognion wanted to make a reason for visitors and residents to be able to regularly spend time by the water.
Black Bayou Energy Hub to expand Lafayette headquarters, operations in Cameron Parish BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Sep 11, 2026 A southwest Louisiana energy company with an corporate headquarters in Lafayette is expanding its operations with a $1.6 billion investment.
+12 Data center planned for north of Lake Charles, developer confirms. Here’s what we know. BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer Sep 10, 2026 The leader of a Missouri-based renewable energy company has confirmed plans to develop a data center in Moss Bluff, an unincorporated bedroom community 8 miles north of Lake Charles.
Lake Charles police arrest two men after fatal shooting outside of area bar BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Updated Sep 9, 2026 Two days after a fatal shooting outside of a bar on Ryan Street, the Lake Charles Police Department made two arrests in the case.
Four Calcasieu Parish students named National Merit semifinalists. See who, which schools. BY CHARLES LUSSIER and COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writers Sep 9, 2026 A total of 229 high school seniors in Louisiana have been named National Merit semifinalists.
Lake Charles updates how people can make public comments at meetings BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Sep 8, 2026 Lake Charles officials are changing how people can comment on issues at City Council meetings.
+17 As LNG booms in coastal Louisiana, proposal in Cameron prompts concerns about migratory birds BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer Sep 4, 2026 Louisiana’s coastal chenier habitat, a vital stop for millions of migratory birds crossing the Gulf, could be impacted by the LNG boom in Cameron Parish.
Lake Charles City Council approves $352.7 million budget for 2026-27 fiscal year BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Sep 3, 2026 The city of Lake Charles has officially approved a budget for next year that is more than $80 million dollars more than the previous year’s budget.
Enrollment at Calcasieu Parish schools continues to climb after 2020 drop BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Sep 2, 2026 A few weeks into the 2026-27 school year, the Calcasieu Parish public schools have seen an increase of more than 400 students from the end of the 2025-26 academic year.
What does the tropical depression in the Gulf Coast mean for southwest Louisiana? BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 31, 2026 As a potential tropical cyclone is developing in the Gulf of Mexico, southwest Louisiana could see some drought relief.
Lake Charles’ operating budget for next year is $80M higher. See why. BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 31, 2026 The city of Lake Charles has proposed a 2026-2027 fiscal year budget that is more than $80 million higher than the current budget, thanks to a jump in building projects.
Backpack search failed to find gun at Calcasieu Parish high school, school district says BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 27, 2026 A gun recovered at a Calcasieu Parish high school this week was originally missed in a backpack search, according to the school district, and authorities say the weapon had been reported stolen.
Gun confiscated from student at a Calcasieu Parish School, no threats made BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 26, 2026 A student was arrested Wednesday after they brought a gun onto the campus of a Moss Bluff school, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Two dead, multiple injured in Cameron Parish bus crash BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 26, 2026 A crash between a bus and a vehicle in Cameron Parish killed two people and caused multiple injuries.
+5 See the candidates for Iowa, Louisiana mayoral seat, including incumbent and his predecessor BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 26, 2026 The Iowa mayoral race is heating up as four candidates throw their hats in the ring, including the incumbent, his predecessor and two locals new to politics.
Construction on Lake Charles’ Sale Road Bridge is complete after five months BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 21, 2026 On Friday, after five months of construction, the road work on Sale Road between Holly Hill Road and Melrose Lane was completed opening the road and the Sale Road Bridge.
Two Lake Charles Police Department divisions get new permanent home six years after hurricanes BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 20, 2026 The Lake Charles Police Department’s facility hosting its SWAT and training divisions has a new permanent location six years after the former property sustained damage from the 2020 hurricanes.
Waterline break in Lake Charles causes elementary school to close early BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 19, 2026 Less than a week into the 2026-2027 school year, the Calcasieu Parish School Board has had to dismiss an elementary school early due to city infrastructure issues.
Two men arrested in Sulphur with a stolen U-Haul, copper wire and power tools, Sheriff’s Office says BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 18, 2026 Two southwest Louisiana men have been arrested after being caught robbing a Sulphur business with a stolen U-Haul truck.
+4 Six years after seeing hurricane damage, a Lake Charles auditorium has been restored BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Aug 18, 2026 Six years after hurricanes left it with a damaged roof, flooring, curtains and seats, a historic Lake Charles auditorium is again ready to raise the curtain.