Good morning, Monroe.

ULM Catholic Campus Ministry will host its annual Fish Fry Fridays for Lent in the coming weeks.

Janet Breard and ULM student Emma Smith previewed the event on Good Morning ArkLaMiss, noting that it will bring community members together over traditional meals.

The Center for Children & Families’ Brokers of Hope Program began its annual Diapers and Wipes Drive on March 1 to help Union Parish families facing financial challenges.

Donations of new supplies are accepted at drop-off points in Farmerville and Bernice to support 70 to 100 families in need.

Louisiana college and university students will compete in the 2026 Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup business plan contest.

Finalist teams will present on March 25 and an awards luncheon will be held March 26 at Bayou Pointe Event Center, with prizes up to $50,000 available.

AAA reports that national gas prices have reached a high not seen in 11 months, with prices averaging $3.25 a gallon (a 9% jump from last week); Monroe drivers may soon face higher pump prices as tensions in the Middle East keep oil supplies tight.

Entergy announced a new customer agreement that will bring $5 billion in power savings for 2.3 million customers—including $800 million in Louisiana—over the next 20 years with plans to boost local jobs, investments and infrastructure in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

At ULM's president's residence on Wednesday, Grow NELA released its State of the Regional Economy: 2025 report, noting 74 business leads worth nearly $40 billion and 10,000 jobs.

It also said 10 active prospects and American Airlines' midmorning flights (starting April 7) will boost economic activity.

The ULM Museum of Natural History will host a Spring Speaker Event on Tuesday, Mar.

24 (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) at Hanna Hall STEAM Room on University Ave, where Louisiana Master Naturalist Linda Barber Auld will share insights on insect conservation and education.

Elementary students at a STEM Fest hosted at Richland Parish Library on Thursday enjoyed hands-on activities linking them to future science and technology careers.

The event will continue for three more days with input from all eight local elementary schools (program organized by Friends of Crowley).

Fashion Fusion 2026

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

Walk Around the Block for Autism

1-5 p.m. — Northeast Louisiana State Office Building (Back Parking Lot) — Registration required — Participate in a community walk to support autism awareness and enjoy a fun expo.