LAKE CHARLES – McNeese Athletics has announced it’s 2025 Football Gameday Promotional Schedule for all six home games this season.

It kicks off with the season opener on August 30 when the Cowboys host Louisiana Christian for the Hall of Fame Game where the newest members of the Hall Induction Class will be recognized.

September 13 vs. Weber State will be a Salute to Service in honor of the United States Military and First Responders. October 4 vs. Southeastern will be Breast Cancer Awareness Game followed by October 18 vs. HCU for Homecoming.

November 1 against Northwestern State will be Rowdy and Friends Night as well as a special recognition to the 1995 and 2015 SLC Championship teams. The home finale on November 15 vs. UTRGV will be Senior Night and Youth Sports Night.

“This year’s promotional schedule is all about celebrating our fans, our community, and the Cowboy spirit,” said McNeese Director of Marketing Aaron Castete. “We’ve introduced new themes, expanded our community involvement, and created opportunities for fans of all ages to make lasting memories at Cowboy Stadium.”

About Salute to Service: On this night, McNeese will pay tribute to our local first responders, active-duty military, and veterans for their unwavering courage, sacrifice, and commitment. From fire, police, EMS, and dispatch, to members of the U.S. Armed Forces past and present.

About Rowdy and Friends Night: Aa celebration of community spirit, featuring mascots from schools across Southwest Louisiana alongside Rowdy the Cowboy for a night of fun and family-friendly entertainment. Joining the festivities are beloved mascots from our valued sponsors, bringing extra excitement to the field and stands. The evening will also include a special recognition of our 2025 Victory Day participants, honoring their strength and joyful spirit. Also, members of the 1995 and 2015 Southland Conference championship teams will be welcomed back and recognized. More information for those team members will be announced in the coming weeks.

2025 Promo Schedule:

August 30th- Hall of Fame Game

September 13th- Salute to Service (First Responders and Military)

October 4th- Breast Cancer Awareness

October 18th- Homecoming

November 1st- Rowdy and Friends Night

November 15th- Senior Night & Youth Sports Night

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Here’s a look at Thursday’s business headlines with Jane King, who has the latest details on interest rate cuts, Open AI, and Samsung’s new line of foldable smartphones.

Trump sends tariff letters to world leaders

President Donald Trump sent letters dictating new U.S. tariffs on at least seven more countries’ imports.

The latest letters, shared in Truth Social screenshots, were sent to the leaders of the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Iraq, Libya, and Sri Lanka. The tariff rates for the 21 countries targeted so far range frmo 20-40%.

Federal Reserve governors split on interest rate cuts

Minutes from a recent meeting of the Federal Reserve show most governors want an interest rate cut but can’t agree on how many and when. They were split between concerns over tariff-fueled inflation and signs of labor market weakness and economic strength.

President Trump has been pressuring has been pressuring the Fed to cut rates, insisting inflation is easing.

Youth sports proving to be a money maker

Private investors see big opportunity in youth sports. The youth sports industry, according to the Aspen Institute, generates $40 billion in annual revenue, dwarfing other forms of entertainment.

About 60 million kids play sports, and the average U.S. sports family spent $1,016 on its child’s primary sport in 2024, a 46% increase since 2019. However, some worry that with big money coming into youth sprots that it will take away some of the feeling of community.

Reuters OpenAI prepares to launch web browser

Reuters OpenAI is close to releasing an AI-powered web browser that will challenge alphabet’s market-dominating google chrome, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The browser is slated to launch in the coming weeks, three of the people said, and aims to use artificial intelligence to fundamentally change how consumers browse the web. It will give OpenAI more direct access to a cornerstone of Google’s success: user data.

Samsung hopes to flip script on rivals

Samsung has introduced several new foldable phones: the Galaxy Fold 7, which folds like a book, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which takes on the form of a classic clamshell-style flip phone.

Samsung also announced a cheaper version of its latest flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 SE.

What’s the best type of pitch to play soccer on?

While the answers may vary per person, FIFA has three types of pitch surfaces that are most commonly used: 100% natural grass, hybrid pitches, which use some synthetic fibers to reinforce the natural grass, and 100% synthetic (artificial) fibers.

In the U.S., there has been several criticisms of the pitches used for major tournaments, such as the 2024 Copa America and 2025 Club World Cup.

“You’re playing on a football field, with laid grass that’s all patchy and it breaks up every step you take. It’s frustrating,” U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie said after a Copa America game in Atlanta.

“The pitches aren’t great at all. It holds up the ball, the ball barely bounces,” Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham said after their win in Charlotte against Pachuca in the Club World Cup. “It’s tough on the knees as well. Hopefully, there’s someone who will look at that going into the World Cup next year.”

That’s where U.S. men’s national team star Tyler Adams comes in. Adams, who captained the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup, is partnering with Scotts to improve the quality of turf for youth and set a new standard.

Adams is helping initiate the “Keep It Real” Sweepstakes from July 10 to July 24, which will give five youth sports organizations across the country the chance to win a complete refurbishment for their natural turf playing field with Scotts products.

So, where did Adams choose to launch the sweepstakes and provide a field makeover? Wappinger, N.Y.

“I picked my hometown, a park that’s a short walk away from where my grandmother lives and a place that I grew up walking to as a kid and coming to camp here as a kid,” Adams told NBCUniversal Local. “It holds a special place in my heart so to be able to now make it an even better environment for young kids just like I was growing up here, it’s really, really nice.”

Activities for first-ninth grades are tailored to assist all skill levels with developing and enhancing their athleticism at a speed and agility clinic in Tempe.

Drills will focus on stretching techniques, hand-eye coordination, speed and agility.

Whether your young athlete is a beginner or you’re looking to improve their mobility on the court or field, boys and girls of all skill levels and all sports background are welcome. Athletes will receive a camp T-shirt.

Classes are 10 a.m.-noon for first-fourth grades; and 12:30-2:30 p.m. for fifth-ninth grades, on Saturdays, July 12-26 at North Tempe Multi-Generational Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath St.

To register, go to https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/classes-leagues/sports-youth/sports-camps

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Don Daves has a long road ahead of him after floodwaters from Chantal caused serious damage to the fields operated by the Holt Athletic Association in the Old Farm neighborhood near the Eno River.

“It’s a big mess,” Daves said, while surveying the flood-damaged site.

The Durham native grew up playing baseball and softball at Holt Fields and later spent four decades coaching youth sports.

In his retirement, he learned that the fields he played on as a kid were up for sale and had been unused for quite some time. He and his wife spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars restoring the area three years ago.

“We came in to, you know, everything overgrown, and so we spent a summer pretty much just trying to rebuild everything and get it back in shape,” Daves said.

Daves emphasized accessibility, requiring leagues to give all players game time and keeping registration fees low to ensure every family could afford to participate.

“I love the kids. I love just the smiles on their faces and the enjoyment they have,” he said. “You get the winning and losing and you learn so much.”

Over the weekend, heavy rain from Tropical Storm Chantal flooded homes, cars and Holt Fields. Several feet of water swept away bleachers, tore down fencing, ruined maintenance equipment and coated the entire property in mud.

SEE ALSO | How to help following disastrous flooding in central NC from Tropical Storm Chantal

“It’s a very devastating thing,” Daves said, standing in the muddy remains of the concession stand. “It was even more of a surprise and hurt when we found out we’re not going to be covered by insurance.”

Like many in the area, Daves did not have flood insurance. He’s now facing a six-figure repair bill out of pocket.

Still, he and his wife remain committed to rebuilding.

“The big thing that my wife and I both said is that, you know, if we don’t do this, it’s just going to go back down and the kids aren’t going to have a place to go,” Dave said.