Good morning, Monroe.

Northeast Louisiana will host a packed calendar of community events through 2026, beginning with New Year celebrations including Candy Cane Lane Jan.

1-3 and featuring sports, parades + festivals in Monroe. More details will be released on the Discover Monroe West Monroe website.

Many residents in Northeast Louisiana are setting fresh goals for 2026; 25 percent plan to exercise while others aim to be happier and eat healthier.

One Monroe resident noted improvement from last year (while another in West Monroe celebrated overcoming addiction), showing a shared commitment to personal growth.

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce appointed Mike Downhour as its new CEO after Roy Heatherly retired (after five years of service).

Downhour will lead the chamber as it works to support local businesses.

Roy Heatherly retired after five years as CEO, and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce named Mike Downhour as his replacement.

Chamber leaders said Downhour will continue supporting local business growth.

USDA released details today for a $12 billion aid program aimed at boosting Louisiana farmers, with $11 billion in one-time payments for eligible row crop farmers in 2026 and fixed rates for crops like corn, rice, and soybeans.

Farmers reported their 2025 eligible acres by Dec.-19 to qualify.

Burn bans are in effect in the ArkLaMiss region to prevent open burning, per LDAF guidelines.

In Caldwell Parish (effective 8 a.m. Jan. 1) and Winn Parish (effective 12 p.m. Jan. 1), residents must follow the restrictions.

Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center welcomed its first baby of 2026 on New Year’s Day at 4:14 a.m. Baby Zakariah weighed 6 pounds and 6 ounces, and both mother and baby are resting comfortably.

State parks celebrate First Hike Day, an annual event begun in 1992 that encourages residents to start the New Year outdoors.

Trails at local state parks (D’Arbonne, Jimmie Davis, and Chemin-A-Haut) are available for a healthy hike.