Hello CenLA! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: New Louisiana laws, a Sports Hall of Fame induction, and summer storytime + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Major policy changes ahead: New Louisiana laws will take effect August 1, including a statewide ban on outdoor balloon releases, penalties for public camping, new homelessness courts, and industrial tax breaks for aerospace manufacturers -- review the new laws.
Long-term flood fixes: State Sen. Heather Cloud spoke about lingering floodwaters in Avoyelles Parish after Tropical Storm Arthur, suggesting long-term fixes like dredging and redirecting water that could help Plaucheville and Dupont -- see the flood-fix plans.
Weekend honors and festivities: Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction will take place this weekend in Natchitoches, featuring LSU alums Warren Morris, Todd McClure and Sylvia Fowles, plus Celebrity Bowling Bash and 70s-themed party -- get all the details.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Your porch called: Fads & Frames is a third-generation CenLA spot for greenhouse plants, seasonal décor, and home touches that actually make Monday feel less Monday. Give your space a quick refresh this week and enjoy that fresh, I-have-my-life-together vibe... at least from the curb.
Strike night, anyone? Alexandria’s go-to for laughing too loud over gutter balls and snagging a rematch in the arcade, Four Seasons Bowling Center is a low-stress plan when the weather is being dramatic. Rally your crew, pick your lane, and let the friendly, old-school fun reset your week.
Indoor play, real coffee: Light of Mine Playhouse Cafe is an indoor play space designed with Montessori-style zones, softer sounds, and a breastfeeding/calm-down room, so littles explore while you sip real coffee and breathe. Keep an eye out for story time, sensory-friendly days, and character visits.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
📖 Vernon Parish Library Summer StoryTime @ Leesville Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:00 AM – Need a break from the sticky heat and sticky fingers? Summer StoryTime at the Vernon Parish Library on Nolan Trace delivers cool AC, cheerful librarians, and a plot the toddlers can follow. You get a few minutes of sitting, they get dragons, rhymes, and giggles.
👶 2025-2026 Safe Sitter Classes @ CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital (Alexandria) | Friday (6/26) at 8:00 AM – Whether your tween insists they’re in charge, or you want dinner without panic texts, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini’s Safe Sitter class covers choking rescue and storm smarts. Offered on select dates, it turns wannabe sitters into calm, capable helpers.
2 Session 2: @ River Oaks Square Arts Center (Alexandria) | Friday (6/26) at 1:00 PM – Dust off your boots and mosey into a Western-themed hoe down where Themed Thursday tips its hat to Romanticism and expansion. Between two-dimensional art projects, cooking, and mixed media, you can wrangle creativity, not cattle.
2 Second Saturday @ Alexandria Museum of Art | Saturday (7/11) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from chores and wander in for Second Saturday, when admission is free and the doors are open to everyone. It rolls around every second Saturday, just frequent enough to feel special, and rare enough to pencil in. Bring curiosity, leave the wallet.
👨 Rep Yo Team Family Fun Day July 11th 2pm-7pm @ Upper Levee Park (Alexandria) | Saturday (7/11) at 2:00 PM – Team colors reign at this free, everyone-welcome Family Fun Day, where bragging rights stay friendly and the parking-lot drama stays home. Expect big laughs, lighthearted trash talk, and kids proving stamina we only dream about, with no ticket required.
🧚 Enchanted Forest Dance Camp @ Get To The Pointe Ballet Academy (Alexandria) | Monday (7/13) at 8:00 AM – Enchanted Forest dance camp at Get To The Pointe gives your little one ballet, jazz, fairy and woodland shenanigans, crafts, and a sprinkle of movie magic. Perfect for ages 3 to 10, and for adults who like hot coffee and sleepy, confident kids.
🦖 Dinosaur Summer Camp (Ages 8-10) @ Treehouse Children's Museum (Alexandria) | Monday (7/27) at 9:00 AM – Whether your 8 to 10 year old can pronounce Pachycephalosaurus or just likes to roar, this five-day Dinosaur Camp serves up hands-on digs, crafty creations, and guest speakers who actually know things. They get adventure and fossils, you get quiet mornings, and everyone wins.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The CenLA report Weather forecastToday — High: 95°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 11%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 102. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 96°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 96. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph. This house is wildThis 4-bedroom, 3-bath riverfront estate spans 5 private acres outside the city limits, blending polished updates with serious waterfront perks. Granite counters, a gas fireplace, Bluetooth lighting, and a spa-style primary suite keep the interiors elevated. Outside, an oversized porch, private dock and ramp, two shops, and a Generac generator round out the package.
Take a peek inside → |
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