Morning
Monroe
Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Good morning, Monroe. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 5th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ West Monroe will host Mardi Gras weekend festivities on Saturday, Feb. 7. The city will feature the Krewe de Riviere and Krewe of Janus parades, Jester Jog 5K, PAWS Pet Parade registration, food trucks, and live music downtown — certain streets will be closed and drones are not allowed. KNOE
- ➤ Today, the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana holds a drive-thru distribution at Ruston Sports Complex (1 to 3 p.m.) for residents hurt by winter weather. Drives will run Feb. 6 in Morehouse, Feb. 9 in Richland, Feb. 11 in Caldwell, Feb. 13 in Jackson and Feb. 17 in Ouachita. KNOE
- ➤ In Calhoun, locals are helping those still without power by providing essential supplies and a new electric pole (United Cajun Navy assists) almost two weeks after the winter storm. Dave Gore and Stephen Hodge encourage everyone to join the ongoing recovery. KNOE
- ➤ Today, the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana provided free food at the Monroe Civic Center to help residents affected by power outages after the winter storm — many waited for hours to restock their homes. KNOE
- ➤ Discover Monroe-West Monroe invites Ouachita Parish residents to share what they love about the Twin Cities by submitting love letters from Feb. 3 until Feb. 12 (winners will receive prizes on Valentine’s Day). KNOE
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ BOOM Youth Fraternity in Monroe will host a national step show — Battle on the Bayou: Mardi Gras Edition — at Neville High School on Saturday, Feb. 14; doors open at 2 p.m. and teams from several states will compete as the event starts at 3 p.m. KEDM
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ West Monroe educators can now apply for the Building Bridges Teacher Grant Program — which has doubled available $500 classroom grants — through the Chamber, with the extended deadline on Friday, Feb. 13 due to weather-related closures. The grants support supplies for local schools. KEDM
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Residents are preparing for Ouachita Green’s 2026 Household Hazardous Waste Day, an event that will allow safe drop-offs of hazardous items like paint, batteries, and pesticides. Sheila Kay Downhour stressed that proper recycling helps protect the local environment and community health. KEDM
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Clayton's water plant is struggling as officials prepare to merge with Ferriday's system using a $3.2 million federal grant, pending board approval before February's end; residents experienced outages last week and await improved water quality as colder weather approaches. KNOE
- ➤ West Monroe Parks & Recreation said today that following last weekend’s winter storm most parks, including A.G. Facen Memorial Park, Bryan Smith Park, Campell’s Landing, Gator Park, Alley Park, and Highland Park Wetland Trails, have reopened while Lazarre Park, Restoration Park, and Kiroli Park remain impacted. KNOE
- ➤ Residents can join Coffee & Conversation with Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell on Monday, Feb. 9 at 8 a.m. at Seventh Square Coffee in downtown West Monroe. The free event lets locals meet city officials, learn about local plans, and share ideas. KEDM
- ➤ Monroe’s city crews and utility partners are working to restore power and services after winter storm Fern caused severe disruptions yesterday. Community members shared resources and support as neighbors recover today. KEDM
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Jester Jog 2026 Color Celebration
9-10 a.m. — Alley Park — Registration fee applies — Run the vibrant Mardi Gras Parade Route in a colorful three-mile fun run.
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Run for the Roses 5k
8 AM – 12 PM — Forsythe Park — Registration fee applies — Celebrate Valentine’s Day by running for a cause and supporting philanthropy with Alpha Omicron Pi.
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Fashion Fusion 2026
7-10 p.m. — Monroe Civic Center — Benefit entry — Fashion meets dance in a runway show supporting local cancer patients.
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