Good morning, Monroe.

West Monroe city members gathered Wednesday at Alley Park as Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Mayor Staci Mitchell celebrated Ouachita RiverFest receiving the 2026 Louey Tourism Award for Festival of the Year.

The event will take place April 24-25 with live bands, carnival rides + a pageant.

New Music on the Bayou will mark its 10th anniversary with a fundraiser concert on Friday, Feb.

13 at 7:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe+ the event will include live performances, a silent auction, and a reception celebrating its musical legacy.

Monroe was chosen for the next phase of the Southern Cities Economic Initiative, a grant program led by the National League of Cities designed to boost economic growth and city resilience.

Drake Summerhill, a freshman from West Monroe High School, performed with the Honors Choir at Carnegie Hall on Feb.

8 as part of the Honors Performance Series showcasing top 9th to 12th grade singers from around the world. He has studied music for four years.

Lieutenant Governor Nungesser visited Cedar Creek School today to urge students on clean practices and boost storm recovery and tourism in northeast Louisiana.

He also invited Monroe and West Monroe leaders to join a proposed Pasadena Rose Parade effort & spark regional pride.

Monroe officials said that right-of-way debris removal is expected to begin this week to clear roadways impacted by a recent ice storm.

Ruston officials held a groundbreaking ceremony today for a new Willis Knighton Health center (90,000 sqft) that will centralize primary and specialty care in Lincoln Parish.

The $50M facility will consolidate existing clinics and allow expansion of services.

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.

Fashion Fusion 2026

7-10 p.m. — Monroe Civic Center — Benefit entry — Fashion meets dance in a runway show supporting local cancer patients.