Visit Lake Charles has launched the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority (LCRSA), a new division to boost the region’s profile as a premier destination for sporting events. Sean Richardson has more.
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The Alexandria Farmers Market is celebrating ten years with events through September. Mel Bridges has the details.
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Visit Lake Charles has launched the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority (LCRSA), a new division to boost the region’s profile as a premier destination for sporting events. LCRSA Director Eric Zartler says it’s been a long time coming…
Cut 3 (06) “…out of the country.”
LCRSA is focused on hosting and promoting a wide range of sports activities, from youth tournaments to professional competitions, to attract more top-tier events to the area. Recently it was announced that Lake Charles will host the 2026 through 28 NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championships. Zartler says it seeks to position Lake Charles as a competitive player in the sports tourism industry.
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The Regional Sports Authority will also work to strengthen existing partnerships and build new ones with sports organizations, teams, and event organizers. Zartler says Lake Charles proved Olympic Officials wrong after hosting the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Trials for Boxing…
Cut 5 (11) “…fuel to the fire.”
Zartler says LCSA played a key role in coordinating resources, facilities, and services to ensure the success of these events, making Lake Charles a go-to destination for sports enthusiasts.
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The Alexandria Farmers Market is celebrating its ten year anniversary with celebrations through September. Executive Director of Farm & Food at Louisiana Central Bahia (Bah-hee-ah) Nightengale says the market is proud to have built a reputation of quality and consistency over ten years.
Nightengale estimates the market sees around one thousand visitors a week from 25 parishes. In addition to produce, local goods and nutrition services for customers, the market also has programs for vendors to make sure they’re able to set up a booth every week.
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The farmer’s market is held every Tuesday from 3 to 6 pm. Nightengale says they work to help vendors grow and sell their produce to keep the market running at the same time every week with the most offerings possible.
The market is hosting events every Saturday in September. You can find more information on the market’s Facebook page.
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The early childhood care industry faces significant challenges. That’s the takeaway of a new survey by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children. Director of Policy and Research Mattilyn Batson says the cost of doing business is a big hurdle.
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Batson says not only is the cost of doing business high, but the wages of the providers is very low.
As such, retaining those providers has been problematic.
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In addition, most early childhood care providers say they’re experiencing rising costs for routine expenses, such as food, cleaning supplies and insurance.
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UL-Lafayette’s massive years-long fundraising campaign is approaching its goal. The campaign kicked off in 2021 and has about 18 months to go; and it’s raised 450-million dollars out of its goal of 500-million. Rebecca Doucet (DOO-say), the associate vice president of development for UL-Lafayette, says this is a comprehensive campaign.
Cut 12 (10) “…Art Museum, KRVS.”
The university got some very notable donations.
Cut 13 (12) “…and construction projects.”
But the university appreciates all donations, large and small.
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Other donations also provide assistance to students so that they won’t have to work while they’re going to school.