Agnes DeRouen

Agnes DeRouen in the KPLC 7 Newsroom with a look at what we're working on for 7News@Noon.

Agnes DeRouen in the <i>KPLC</i> newsroom with a look at what we're working on for 7 News at Noon.

Agnes DeRouen in the <em>KPLC</em> newsroom with a look at what we're working on for 7 News at Noon.

A janitor from Sulphur is up for the Cintas Corporation's Janitor of the Year Award. Flora Lara works at W. T. Henning Elementary School. In its fifth year, the Janitor of the Year Contest aims to draw attention to the everyday heroes that  go above and beyond their job description to make schools a clean, healthy and fun learning environment. Now through April 20, the public is encouraged to vote for their favorite janitor or custodian at www.cintas.com/JOTY. &ldq...

Can traditional medicines that go to the root of Louisiana culture help beat modern illnesses? It all boils down to a bush - in particular, the groundsel bush.  Up until the early 20th century, this native shrub was an ingredient in folk remedies. A team of investigators, including a University of Louisiana at Lafayette exercise scientist have concluded the anti-inflammatory properties of the bush could fight metabolic syndrome and related conditions, like obesity and Type 2 di...

Blood donors have an opportunity this week to help children in local hospitals. They can send a special message that will be attached to a stuffed animal and given to a child. "Blood donors always provide a meaningful gift—often life-saving or life-changing, but they usually don't get to send a personal message with it. The bears are an extra opportunity to brighten a child's day, while giving the blood donor an avenue to share their wishes along with their g...

State Corrections officials report a prisoner from Calcasieu Parish attempted to escape from Angola. It happened about 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2018.  Officers at the Louisiana State Penitentiary were able to foil the escape by the prisoner who was working in a field.  Kristopher Schoeing was seen running from a farm line.  Authorities say he disobeyed an officer's verbal command to stop, and the officer fired a warning shot.  Schoeing continued to...

The LaGrange High School Performing Arts program is branching out. Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, the department will open its curtains to more high school students in Calcasieu Parish. A pilot program is slated to include students not only from LaGrange,  but also those attending Barbe High, Bell City High, Iowa High, Sam Houston High, and Washington Marion High.  "We have done the musical program at LaGrange for six years now, and we've had a lot ...

SOWELA Community College is acquiring the Oakdale site of Central Louisiana Technical Community College.

Southwest Louisiana will soon be the backdrop of a feature-length film.  Valleyheart, a Los Angeles-based production team featuring Lake Charles natives Brian Bourque, Timothy Rafferty, Jacob Rafferty, and Tyler Walker will produce the film. It's called  "Jacob's Brother," and it tells the true story of the bond between local brothers, one of whom is an aspiring comedian struggling with mental illness. "Mental illness is an invisible disease,&rdquo.