Morning
Monroe
Friday, February 20th, 2026
Good morning, Monroe. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of February.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Star Hardware and Furniture, a downtown staple for 84 years, is set to close in June as owner Frank Anzalone plans to spend more time with family (his legacy has long bonded the community). KNOE
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The University of Louisiana at Monroe is displaying a photography exhibit honoring photojournalist Tianyu Wang, featuring 18 photos from China’s changing past. The exhibit runs through May 15 at Walker Hall + it celebrates his legacy with a memorial scholarship set up by his family. KNOE
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A LABI report shows Louisiana added 19,100 nonfarm jobs between August 2024 and August 2025; the Monroe region recorded a 0.7% job growth while manufacturing and leisure sectors made gains compared with national averages. KNOE
- ➤ Travelers can book a new mid-morning flight between Monroe and Dallas Fort Worth starting April 7 as American Airlines partners with local organizations (Grow NELA, Louisiana Economic Development, and the City of Monroe) to boost connectivity and support the regional economy. Bookings open Thursday, Feb. 19. KNOE
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ On Feb. 19, West Ouachita Future Farmers of America's Vice President Tracee Wickham and Secretary Millie Saterfiel joined Good Morning ArkLaMiss to discuss National FFA Week (focusing on local agriculture education and future opportunities). KNOE
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Tallulah officials report that a temporary filtration system cut taste and odor complaints by 90-95% over the past year. They plan further upgrades to fix water discoloration and expect an official state health grade in May (with funding already secured). KNOE
- ➤ Following the winter storm, local leaders say FEMA will offer assistance for debris cleanup in Ouachita parish. The help will support recovery in affected areas + speed up rebuilding. KNOE
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Nutritionist Jen Avis joined Good Morning ArkLaMiss on Feb. 19 to discuss new dietary guidelines that recommend cutting certain everyday ingredients for healthier meals. KNOE
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Cooper Nelson has been named this week’s Aaron’s Ace, recognizing his role as Louisiana's leading scorer (27 points per game) while he continues to excel on the local court. The honor was announced recently, highlighting his impact on the team. KNOE
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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.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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