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Petition filed to recall Iowa’s mayor
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A petition to recall Iowa’s mayor is underway. The Secretary of State’s Office confirmed organizers filed paperwork Thursday to collect signatures to recall Mayor Neal Watkins. Watkins was elected mayor in December 2022, winning 58 percent of the vote. Organizers of the petition,...
ACT testing will no longer be mandated for high school students
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - High school students are no longer required to take the American College Test to graduate high school. However, colleges and universities may still require the test, more commonly known as the ACT, for admissions. Governor Jeff Landry said on his Facebook page, “This will benefit...
Sixth annual Lake Charles Freedom Festival and parade held
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Jubilee Day. “June 19th was the day that the slaves were announced free so that is important for my culture and the African American culture to celebrate that achievement,” said Abel.
Juneteenth Freedom Festival: Family fun, fireworks, food and more in lineup for area’s 4-day celebration
Four days of Juneteenth celebrations are coming to Southwest Louisiana. Starting this Friday, the SWLA Center for Health Services will present the Juneteenth Freedom Festival, a stacked lineup of free Juneteenth celebrations. Each year on June 19, Juneteenth is celebrated to commemorate the official end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865 […]
Texas Students Helping To Repair Hurricane-Damaged Homes In Lake Charles
About 120 students from Texas are in Lake Charles this week to help repair homes damaged by hurricanes. Bounce Student Disaster Recovery is a Baptist ministry that was founded in September 2013, several months after the fertilizer plant explosion in the Texas town of West. After doing what they can...
Hometown Heroes - SWLA Veterans Association
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Downtown Lake Charles will be full of classic cars this weekend as part of a fundraiser for the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Association. The association was formed a few years ago, creating a social club for veterans to not just get together and hang out, but to help fellow vets find jobs and career training. President Todd Chapman says they’re looking out for the mental health of their fellow vets.
Lake Charles Community Band returns with its 2024 “Catch-A-Concert” series
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The Lake Charles Community Band is gearing back up for its summer “Catch-a-Concert Series.” In collaboration with the McNeese State University Department of Performing Arts, the two concerts will both be performed at the Tritico Theatre. The concerts are free and open to...
Lake Charles celebrates the U.S Flag
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Today is Flag Day, but how many of you know about the origin of it? Well, it was the day the design of the U.S Flag was adopted by the Continental Congress. According to U.S Veteran Affairs, a resolution was adopted by the continental congress...
Out-of-state students spend summer vacation helping area residents
Young people from Texas, Oklahoma and other states continue to spend summer vacations here to help mitigate the lingering aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Some pay for the opportunity. This past week World Changers and BOUNCE Student Disaster Recovery have been serving through SWLA Responds, which is a coalition of local churches unified in their desire […]
Over $1.6 million awarded to Vincent Settlement School for hurricane repairs
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Nearly $6 million was granted from FEMA to Louisiana for Hurricanes Laura and Ida aid. Of the $5.9 million, around $1.6 million was awarded to the Calcasieu Parish School Board for repairs to the Vincent Settlement School in Sulphur for repairs after Hurricane Laura. “Hurricanes...
New historic district proposed for downtown Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The City of Lake Charles has a rich and vibrant history, but many of its architecturally significant buildings have been lost over the years. While it has several historic districts already, the city could be getting a new one. City leaders have proposed the Ryan Street Historic District in an effort to preserve downtown and enhance the beauty and longevity of these buildings.
Preserving the past: Ryan Street historic district could become reality
New construction along Ryan Street is one of the signs that Southwest Louisiana is building back stronger. But refurbishing and developing certain old, historic commercial buildings could allow investors the opportunities for a series of tax incentives. The old and the new – both are part of Southwest Louisiana’s comeback story. Drive north from […]
Lake Charles celebrates Juneteenth with days of events
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Celebrations are being planned in Lake Charles for Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of Slavery in the United States. We spoke with Jasmine Abel and Dianna Ross this morning to get the details. While Juneteenth is nationally celebrated on the 19th,...
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