+3 Fabergé figurines and Cartier brooches: Items from Lake Charles Stream dynasty up for auction BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer 15 hrs ago Items from the collections of two matriarchs in Lake Charles’ Stream dynasty, including Fabergé flowers, Cartier clocks, Tiffany & Co. jewelry and Diego Rivera paintings, will soon be up f…
Right time, right place: A Lake Charles CPR teacher arrived at just the moment to help save a school dean BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 28, 2026 The combination of a CPR class that had been rescheduled multiple times and an instructor who happened to arrive early may have saved the life of a Lake Charles charter school official in late April.
The most expensive Louisiana ‘residence’ for sale is an 18,300-acre reserve and lodge BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 27, 2026 A “pristine coastal landmark” with 10 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms is the most expensive “single-family residence” listed on Zillow in Louisiana.
United Way of Southwest Louisiana expansion to continue as planned following appeal BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 23, 2026 Downtown Lake Charles will soon see an addition to the United of Way of Southwest Louisiana building.
What will happen to Louisiana State Senate District 30 seat as Mike Reese becomes McNeese president? BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 22, 2026 As McNeese State University gets a new president, Louisiana’s Senate District 30 will soon have a new legislator.
+5 State Sen. Mike Reese named next McNeese president after UL System board vote BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer May 19, 2026 State Sen. Mike Reese, a Republican from Leesville, has been named the next president of McNeese State University.
Lake Charles voters reject three property tax renewals for roads, parks, first responders BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff Writer May 19, 2026 While Lake Charles voters rejected three property tax renewals during the May 16 election, Calcasieu Parish voters approved two bond measures for school improvements. Lake Charles Mayor Marsha…
Funeral director Jason Stutes beats out State Rep. Les Farnum to become Sulphur mayor BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 16, 2026 Republican Jacob Stutes defeated fellow Republican State Rep. Les Farnum on Saturday to become the next mayor of Sulphur.
+5 McNeese recommends state senator and higher ed leader as 2 presidential search finalists BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer May 13, 2026 State Sen. Mike Reese, a Republican from Leesville, and Dee Dee Anderson, vice chancellor for student life at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, have been named finalists for the next preside…
+2 McNeese presidential semifinalists tout retention plans, love of Louisiana, hidden talents BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer May 13, 2026 The three semifinalists in the running to be the next president of McNeese State University each pitched their ideas during campus interviews Tuesday for how to improve campus and strengthen s…
University of Louisiana System announces semifinalists for next president at McNeese State University BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 7, 2026 McNeese State University is one step closer to seeing a new leader.
Take a look at the two mayoral candidates running in Sulphur BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 7, 2026 Residents in the city of Sulphur have the opportunity to elect new leadership for the city.
Decision on new United Way building expansion headed to Lake Charles City Council BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 6, 2026 United Way of Southwest Louisiana may still get approval for its building expansion even though the city’s planning commission denied its request.
+2 Mother-daughter duo work to bring a board game cafe to Lake Charles BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 5, 2026 After visiting board game cafes while traveling to other cities, a southwest Louisiana mother-daughter duo has been dreaming of bringing a similar business to the area.
Lake Charles has 3 tax renewals on the ballot for the May 16 election BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer May 2, 2026 Lake Charles residents have the opportunity to decide whether to renew three taxes that make up over 5% of the city’s annual revenue.
+18 New $2.3B I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge project officially begins. See the timeline. BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 30, 2026 With several studies and years of talking about replacing the 75-year-old Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge, there will soon be a new bridge to cross as a new structure is set to open in fo…
+2 What will happen to the pistols lining the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge? BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 28, 2026 The more than 5,000 sets of iron pistols that decorate the railing of the Interstate 10 Calcasieu River bridge have become collector’s items after more than 70 years alongside motorists. When …
Everything you need to know about the Calcasieu Parish School Board bonds on the May 16 ballot BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 25, 2026 Several Calcasieu Parish public schools could receive multiple upgrades, including an additional campus, new gymnasiums, classroom pods, security camera systems, and a performing arts center —…
What’s happening with the United Way Southwest Louisiana building? BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 24, 2026 As United Way Southwest Louisiana works to expand its building in downtown Lake Charles, the plans are up in the air after a variance request was denied.
LNG Center for Excellence officially opens its doors at McNeese State University BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 20, 2026 As southwest Louisiana continues to grow as hub for liquefied natural gas, a center bringing together education, government, industry and the community is officially open at McNeese State University
+7 World’s largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes gets forever home in new Lake Charles museum BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 17, 2026 The largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes in the world has officially opened in its own museum building, showcasing nearly 300 costumes, after a shared building was closed for years due to…
Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana makes changes to its parade schedule BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 15, 2026 Fat Tuesday will look a little different in Lake Charles next year as Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana is making changes to its parade schedule after three shootings happened on the holiday in 2026.
Lake Charles Planning and Zoning makes decision on new frozen custard location BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 15, 2026 The city of Lake Charles has officially approved of a new frozen custard chain coming to the location.
+2 How Lake Charles is upgrading this local park to make it accessible for children with disabilities BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 15, 2026 The city of Lake Charles‘ first fully inclusive playground is set to open early next year.
The city of Lake Charles increases water rates for customers BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 9, 2026 In June, city of Lake Charles water customers will see their water bills increase.
A food truck park is coming to downtown Lake Charles. Here’s what you need to know BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 8, 2026 Following the lead of larger cities, two Lake Charles entrepreneurs are bringing a food truck park to downtown Lake Charles.
+2 A frozen custard chain may be coming to Lake Charles BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 6, 2026 Lake Charles could see a new frozen custard drive-thru restaurant in the upcoming months.
Cheers for Change: Lake Charles organization raising money to fight human trafficking BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN | Staff writer Apr 3, 2026 A southwest Louisiana organization will be hosting its annual adults-only event in May to raise money to continue efforts to combat human trafficking in the region.