Rita LeBleu

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana Board of Directors has named Jillian Cormier its new chief executive officer. CEO is a title that can invoke images of the success-driven, MBA-degreed stereotype, all buttoned-up in the conventional dark suit. Cormier, a 30-something who looks younger, has a spring in her step, sparkle in her eye […]

Tickets are on sale for the 86th Annual Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo, or as James Harper calls it, “The greatest show on dirt.” Livestock show admission is free and fosters opportunities for 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth from throughout a seven-parish area to develop life skills through raising and exhibiting livestock, […]

Shares in Venture Global are expected to make their debut on the New York Stock Exchange after the company raised $1.75 billion in its initial public offering, according to an online Business Report article. Only five other American companies have gone public at a market capitalization greater than $60, according to a Bloomberg report. Venture […]

Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy wants to see remaining national security nominees confirmed quickly to keep the country safe. He agrees with President Trump Secretary of Health nominee Robert F. Kennedy on two issues. He discussed the issues in a Tuesday news conference, but he’s not saying how he’ll vote next week. “I am looking […]

Join the KZWA Family Legacy Foundation at the Lake Charles Civic Center at 10 a.m. Monday for a parade, festival and gumbo cook-off like no other to honor Dr. Martin Luther King. If there is a chill in the air, as forecast, layered clothing is recommended. Hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls will be provided. The […]

The Sierra Club calculated that industrial tax breaks for existing and planned natural gas export facilities will cost Louisiana communities more than $21 billion. The report also included $492 million worth of rebates for LNG export terminals under Louisiana’s Quality Jobs tax incentive program. The state offers companies a break on state payroll taxes for […]

Two Southwest Louisiana restaurants have been rated “best” by America — Fat Boyz Kitchen Table and Luna Bar and Grill. Fat Boyz made the America’s Best Restaurant final cut after being nominated by locals, according to owner, cook and chief bottle washer Richard Cole. The national media company brings attention to local, independently-owned restaurants. The […]

Behind the magic of every Twelfth Night promenade, chicken run and Mardi Gras parade is at least a year’s worth of planning and meetings, sometimes more. It’s not only krewes who meet regularly and ramp up the number of meetings and people involved as parade season closes in. It is also a core group of […]

Local artist Candice Alexander is creating beauty from ashes. “Nothing is beyond hope,” she said. “Finding the beauty in the broken, embracing imperfections, reimagining failed projects, being open to spiritual renewal … . That’s what life is about. It’s also what much of Southwest Louisiana has been about since the morning of Aug. 27, 2020. […]

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins asked pastors and churches to unite in prayer this past weekend in support of the victims and families affected by the New Orleans terrorist attack. “The terrorist attack on New Year’s morning is a tragic reminder of the evil in this world that seeks […]