 By KELLY P. KISSEL | Metro editor A breakdown in the response to Hurricane Laura could be a warning for us all. The storm aftermath showed flaws in the way the nation distributes aid following a major disaster, and left a city of 85,000 nearly forgotten. The Lake Charles area feels "let down at every turn" and wants to make sure it doesn't happen to others.
Meanwhile, aid to victims of violent crimes is under threat because there's so much violence taking place. Multiple organizations are set up to help victims with shelter, money for living expenses and other resources, but the recent spike in crime has put a strain on resources. Homicides in East Baton Rouge climbed 85 percent between 2019 and 2021, and nonfatal shootings were up 82 percent in the same period.
And LSU picked up a surprising win in its Southeastern Conference opener. This early in a rebuilding year, the Tigers were an underdog at home to the Mississippi State Bulldogs We've got the stadium scene surrounded: Scott Rabalais: LSU fights back for a trajectory-altering victory over Mississippi State How LSU went from "shooting ourselves in the foot" to a comeback win Three and out How they scored And maybe I was just lucky, but in my seat Saturday night I heard nary a cowbell, even when the Bulldogs were taking it to the Tigers. | 
