Morning
Monroe
Friday, May 1st, 2026
Good morning, Monroe. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day spotlights the shelter capacity crisis as local Humane Society director Terri Matthews urged residents to adopt or foster pets— a timely reminder for community members to help ease overcrowding at local shelters. KNOE
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Officials in north Louisiana detected cychlorphine — a potent synthetic opioid that mimics prescription painkillers — in Caddo, DeSoto and Ouachita parishes, warning that one pill may require several doses of Narcan to reverse its effects. KNOE
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Red, White + Blue Airshow will honor America’s 250th anniversary with a three-day event at Monroe Regional Airport starting today; gates open at 3 p.m. today and May 2 plus 11 a.m. on May 3, featuring historic and modern aircraft with a drone light show, Jet Waco Radmotorsports and windwalking. KEDM
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ LSU Health Shreveport and Ochsner LSU Health released an economic impact report Thursday that showed their partnership generated a $3.7 billion boost for Louisiana—97% of which remained in North Louisiana—and directly employs 6,662 people while supporting 18,652 additional jobs. KNOE
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ More than 30 alumnae and ULM leaders honored longtime mentor Carol Baker Robinson by establishing an endowed scholarship in her name. The Carol Baker Robinson Alpha Omicron Pi Lambda Tau Endowed Scholarship will support an undergraduate who reflects the sorority’s core values (character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty). KNOE
- ➤ ULM will hold two separate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 9 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum—9:30 a.m. for Arts, Education, Business & Social Sciences and 1:30 p.m. for Health Sciences and Pharmacy; guests do not need tickets as the ceremonies will be livestreamed on ulm.edu. KEDM
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced enrollment for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program will run from May 4 through May 29 to help Monroe producers conserve vulnerable grasslands — FSA officials urge interested landowners to contact their county office before the deadline. KNOE
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Ronald McDonald House has opened a new 3,000+sqft Family Room in Monroe for parents of pediatric and NICU patients. The facility includes three private overnight suites, a kitchen, laundry, showers and a children’s play area, marking the first of its kind in Northeast Louisiana. KNOE
- ➤ Chief Meteorologist Marcus Walter and colleagues Abby Ezell and DeVonte’ Dixon shared tornado safety tips during a KNOE special on Apr. 30, advising Monroe residents to follow safety plans during severe weather. They stressed using shelters and checking updates for continued protection. KNOE
- ➤ Local health professionals in Monroe introduced measures to prevent falls among Parkinson patients after growing safety concerns. The report, published on Apr. 30, focuses on patient education and improved mobility aids to reduce risks. KNOE
- ➤ Nutritionist Jen Avis shared water drinking tips on Good Morning ArkLaMiss today. She stressed that water supports health, digestion, and energy + advised carrying a water bottle and eating water-rich fruits for hydration. KNOE
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Serve and Return of Louisiana is hosting Tea in Tennis at Forsythe Park Tennis Complex in May as part of National Tennis Month to offer local tennis fans a refreshing community event. KNOE
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Do The Crawl de Mayo Pub Crawl
4:30-9 p.m. — Vibez Lounge — Tickets required — Celebrate Cinco de Mayo early with festive drinks, contests, and lively pub crawling in Downtown Monroe.
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1st Sundays at The Zoo
3-9 p.m. — Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo — Free parking — Experience a vibrant evening with live performances, great food, and backyard fun.
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Troy Trojans vs. Louisiana Monroe Warhawks Baseball
1-3 p.m. — University of Louisiana Monroe — Free entry — Watch exciting college baseball action between Troy and ULM Warhawks.
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Kitten Yoga Session
1:30-4:30 p.m. — Half Moon Studio — Proceeds benefit River Cities Humane Society — Unwind with yoga while cute kittens play around you.
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K-POP WARRIORS Live Show
3-7 p.m. — West Monroe Sports & Events — Family-friendly fun — Enjoy a high-energy K-Pop-inspired show with music, dance, and colorful characters.
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