Devon Distefano
Reporter
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Devon was raised in the Granite State, growing up in Derry, New Hampshire. He developed a passion for journalism in high school, but has always been an avid sports fan.
His love for sports and desire to tell stories led him to Northern Vermont University-Lyndon where he majored in Broadcast Journalism and played lacrosse at the Division 3 collegiate level. After 2 years in Vermont he decided to transfer to Suffolk University in Boston and graduated in May 2022.
At both universities he reported and anchored at his school’s news stations. He also filmed, edited and directed high school sports at ACMi for his college internship.
Devon enjoys playing basketball in his spare and you may even find him riding his electric scooter around Lake Charles as he adjusts to the southern lifestyle.
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The McNeese Men’s Basketball team continued their road trip on Wednesday as they faced off against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs but couldn’t get the job done as they lost 72 to 61.
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The holidays are a busy time for travel and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, many will be flying throughout the country to visit family and friends.
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The Oberlin Fire Department and the Allen Parish 4-H Club are doing their best to make sure no seniors are forgotten this holiday season.
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A $7.5 million grant to help build new technology-enhanced facilities for schools in Vernon Parish is coming to life.
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Three Tors sign to play college softball
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Ever wonder who your long-lost ancestors might be? The SWLA Genealogical and Historical Library may be able to help.
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The McNeese Cowboys searched for their official win of the season as they took on Southland Conference opponent Houston Christian and fell short as the Huskies outscored the Cowboys 14-0 in the fourth quarter on the way to a 35-24 win.
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Local high schools, first responders, and community members honored the veterans at Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home with a parade of their own.
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Over at St. Louis Catholic, Wednesday was a special day for baseball players KeMonni Pullard and Kennedy Leggett who signed their National Letters of Intent to continue their academic, and athletic journeys at the collegiate level.
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Southwest Louisiana was busy on Wednesday for National Signing Day as athletes from around the country signed their National Letters of Intent making their college decisions official, and at South Beauregard it was no different as they had three baseball players put pen to paper.
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Six Sam Houston High School student-athletes signed their National Letters of Intent to compete in their sports at the collegiate level on Wednesday.
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Sports Person of the Week - Iowa head coach Daniel Hennigan
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The St. Louis Saints are coming off a tough 26-21 loss to the Iowa Yellowjackets that took away their hopes of securing a district title but head coach Brock Matherne said his team is putting that game behind them and they’re fired up to take on Jennings Friday night.
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Church and clergy members gathered at Immaculate Heart Founders Hall for the second annual Tolton Gala.
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Law firms throughout Southwest Louisiana hosted their annual Oktoberfest gumbo and chili cook-off fundraiser at the Crying Eagle Brewery.
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Fewer vape products may be on the shelves in the coming weeks because of a new state law that seeks to regulate nicotine products.
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The McNeese Cowboys fell 35-24 to the Incarnate Word Cardinals for their week eight matchup, making the loss their seventh in a row.
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Women Ignited and the Lake Charles Fire Department hosted a Fire Truck and Treat for families in the lake area.
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The Halloween spirit was in full swing today at PT’s Coffee in Sulphur as dozens showed up for their second annual Trunk or Treat.
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Sports Person of the Week - Graham Montet
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A gully on South Perkins Ferry Road that feeds into the west fork of Calcasieu River and connects to Little Burns Marsh is releasing a strong odor and it has residents concerned.
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The Leesville Wampus Cats are coming off a 48-6 win over Washington Marion and they enter their week seven rivalry game against DeRidder with a higher level of focus, Leesville Head Coach Robert believes games of this magnitude help set the bar for the rest of the season.
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Families packed the Civic Center as The Habibi Shrine Circus came to town.
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Fine wine and some tasty bites were had at the Rouge et Blanc Wine and Food Festival at McNeese State University.
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The former Kansas City Southern Depot in DeQuincy celebrated 100 years of its existence.
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Elcie Guillory, longtime elected official of Calcasieu Parish, was laid to rest.
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Kerry Joseph is arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play for the McNeese Cowboys leading them to two Southland Conference titles and is still the McNeese all-time leader in touchdowns, and is second in passing yards and total offense.
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The Barbe Buccaneers come into week six with a record of 2-3 after falling to the Southside Sharks in week five, but they’re going to have to put that behind them as they face their greatest rival; the Sulphur Golden Tors.
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The Beauregard Parish Fair is celebrating its 94th year, and this year’s theme is life, liberty, and the pursuit of agriculture.
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The Cowboys returned home after a three-game road trip to play the Nicholls State Colonels in their first conference game of the season.
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Jayden Turnley broke three national records for bench, deadlift, and total combined weight in his weight class and age group.
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Community members, first responders and military veterans gathered at Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetary to honor the life of Navy veteran Kenne Christopher.
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Prien Lake Mall hosted a fall fashion show to reveal new outfits and clothing lines.
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Veterans from around the area joined together for a barbecue hosted by Phillips 66.
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We caught up with the candidates running for BESE District 7 ahead of the Oct. 14 election.
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The St. Louis Catholic Saints suffered their first loss of the season last week falling to the Vidor Pirates 21-17, and this week they face another challenging opponent in the Kinder Yellow Jackets who remain undefeated, but the Saints are looking to get back in the win column and are ready for the challenge.
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A beach sweep in Lake Charles took place as part of International Coastal Cleanup Day.
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A beach sweep took place in Cameron Parish and after the cleaning was done, it was time for some sea turtles to head back home.
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McNeese quarterback Nate Glantz is using his name, image, and likeness (NIL) to give back to his community as he partnered with Athletes 4 Children to help raise money for the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.
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The Tiger Island Fire has burnt down thousands of acres and destroyed many homes in the area, and like so many in the area, the Merryville football team was impacted, but they were able to overcome the adversity thrown at them for a week one win.
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As the McNeese football team gets ready for their week two showdown with the Florida Gators in Gainesville, they do so hoping to put their week one woes behind them. McNeese struggled against Tarleton State in week one as they lost 52-34 thanks to 35 unanswered points by the Texans in the second half, and despite leading at halftime, the Cowboys would go on to fall in week one for the third consecutive season.
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Wednesday marked the first day of alligator hunting season in Southwest Louisiana.
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The McNeese Cowboys welcomed the Tarleton State Texans to Cowboy Stadium for week one of the college football season.
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Friday night marked the final day of the Sulphur SPOT Jamboree as eight teams were looking to get in real game situations before the season starts in one week.
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Softball player Tylee Vincent was selected to play in the USSSA All-American games for the 11U age group after attending an open tryout in Monroe, Louisiana earlier this year. The games were held in Viera, Florida this summer where she played alongside and against some of the best players in the nation.
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After a disappointing 2022 season, the Hamilton Christian Warriors enter the 2023 season with their eyes set on raising the standard, and after a year hiatus, Dexter Washington is back as head coach with the expectation of doing just that.
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