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Southwest Louisiana honors the fallen at Memorial Day services

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2 years ago

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Southwest Louisiana honors the fallen at Memorial Day services


LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Southwest Louisiana is honoring Memorial Day today through several services and memorials.

The Lake Charles tradition Avenue of Flags is celebrating its 40th year honoring veterans in Lake Charles. The Orange-Graceland cemetery roads are lined with flags, each representing an individual veteran.

The event is the largest display of U.S. flags in the country and is open all day to the public to drive through. Bud Harless, a Korean War veteran, said he wants people to realize how important Memorial Day is.

“So many people don’t realize the importance of Memorial Day. It’s not just another day off. I think our younger generations coming up especially need to know they can do whatever they want because we went and fought for them to be able to do so,” Harless said.

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Across the parish, another town is honoring veterans. The Vinton VFW post held a memorial service Monday morning to honor veterans from the area.

The event included song, prayer and speeches. One of these speeches was given by guest speaker Mallory Lessarge, who is a Vietnam veteran and state director of Vietnam Veterans America.

Lessarge said today is important for several reasons.

“I think about those guys who fought with me in places we couldn’t even pronounce. It’s crazy to think some were 18 years old, some of them took their last sip of water and last cigarette with me, and today we remember them,” Lessarge said.

Gerrit Lawrence, a Desert Storm veteran, said he’s seen up close and personal what it’s like to be in a country that does not have the same freedoms as America.

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“We are able to do simple things like go to the grocery store because of those who have sacrificed for the past 200-plus years. I’ve lost my best friend to the aftereffects of war. It can be haunting and I feel like help has gotten better, but more still needs to be done for veterans in this country. Today I remember those close friends who didn’t make it back home with me,” he said.

All veterans who spoke to KPLC said they want people to remember veterans today as they enjoy the sunshine and water this Memorial Day.

Copyright 2024 KPLC. All rights reserved.



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Louisiana

Louisiana delegation responds with mixed reaction to leadership change at DHS

Published

8 hours ago

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March 6, 2026

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Louisiana delegation responds with mixed reaction to leadership change at DHS


WASHINGTON (WAFB) — President Donald Trump has removed Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her. Noem will take on the role of Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. Members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation responded to the change in leadership.

FILE – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears for an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)(J. Scott Applewhite | AP)
FILE - Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing,...
FILE – Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Jan. 14, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington.(Jacquelyn Martin | AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Kennedy clash preceded removal

Noem led DHS since the beginning of Trump’s second term. One of the most noted controversies of her tenure was the department’s spending of $220 million on television ads across the country, which drew scrutiny from Sen. John Kennedy during a committee hearing.

“Did the President know you were going to do this?” Kennedy asked during the hearing.

“Yes,” Noem replied.

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Kennedy said the spending and other issues had weighed on him.

“You just add all of this up and the other turmoil and it’s been stuck in my craw,” Kennedy said. “I want to secure the border and I want to enforce our immigration laws, but I’m tired of trying to explain behavior that is inexplicable to me.”

Louisiana delegation reacts

Congressman Cleo Fields wrote on X that Noem “was not qualified to lead one of the most critical agencies in our federal government, and her tenure made it clear that she was not the right person for this role,” adding that “there is far too much at stake for anything less than exemplary leadership.”

Congressman Troy Carter, who held a congressional hearing in New Orleans regarding DHS issues, said that under Noem’s leadership, DHS and ICE “repeatedly carried out aggressive immigration operations without proper coordination with local leaders, disregarded due process, and created fear and instability in communities that deserve respect and protection under the law.”

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Sen. Bill Cassidy said on social media that “securing the border is one of President Trump’s greatest achievements” and that he looks forward “to continue that success and ensure FEMA delivers for Louisiana families.”

(Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS, POOL, U.S. SENATE TV, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT)

As with all cabinet positions, Mullin will need to go through Senate confirmation to gain the cabinet seat. It is unclear when confirmation hearings will take place.

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Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.

Published

20 hours ago

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March 5, 2026

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Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.


Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths projected for 2026 for the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. 

In the U.S., there are approximately 116 new prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people annually. Louisiana has the highest prostate cancer incidence rate in the country at 147.2 cases per 100,000 — a rate that has been steadily rising since 2014, according to data from the National Cancer Institute. 






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New prostate cancer drug can extend life expectancy by 8 months, Baton Rouge doctor says

These parishes had the highest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in descending order: 

  • West Feliciana Parish with 218.6 cases per 100,000; 
  • Iberville Parish with 182.3 cases per 100,000; 
  • Bienville Parish with 179.7 cases per 100,000; 
  • West Baton Rouge Parish with 179.4 cases per 100,000; 
  • Vermillion Parish with 176.5 cases per 100,000; 
  • Iberia Parish with 173.8 cases per 100,000; 
  • East Baton Rouge Parish with 173.6 cases per 100,000; 
  • East Carroll Parish with 172.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • East Feliciana Parish with 166.3 cases per 100,000; 
  • Tangipahoa Parish with 166.2 cases per 100,000; 
  • St. Martin Parish with 166 cases per 100,000; 
  • Jackson Parish with 165.3 cases per 100,000; 
  • and Lincoln Parish with 165.1 cases per 100,000. 

These parishes had the lowest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in ascending order: 

  • Cameron Parish with 101 cases per 100,000; 
  • Evangeline Parish with 102.7 cases per 100,000; 
  • Union Parish with 106.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • Winn Parish with 108.2 cases per 100,000; 
  • Vernon Parish with 109.4 cases per 100,000; 
  • Grant Parish with 109.7 cases per 100,000; 
  • Franklin and La Salle parishes with 111 cases per 100,000; 
  • St. Bernard Parish with 113.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • Tensas Parish with 115.2 cases per 100,000; 
  • Terrebonne Parish with 117.5 cases per 100,000; 
  • Washington Parish with 121.1 cases per 100,000; 
  • Livingston Parish with 122.8 cases per 100,000; 
  • Sabine Parish with 122.9 cases per 100,000; 
  • Bossier Parish with 123.7 cases per 100,000;
  • and La Fourche Parish with 124.8 cases per 100,000.

Data represents an annual average for all stages of prostate cancer.



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Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63

Published

1 day ago

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March 5, 2026

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Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63


PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.

Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.

ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.

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Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.

After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
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