Good morning, Monroe.

Several dozen golfers and community members gathered Friday at the Country Club at Frenchman’s Bend for the Salute to Veterans Golf Tournament Classic (hosted by Walk in My Boots) to encourage veterans to share their experiences amid live music and vendor booths.

The River Market returns to Monroe today from 9 AM to 1 PM at 316 S.

Grand Street (set against the Ouachita River) with local vendors showcasing handmade items, art, and food truck treats while visitors can bring leashed pets.

Monroe Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free summer series of workshops (six sessions) to support local businesses.

Registration is required for all, and the courses will offer practical support to guide business growth.

Louisiana Economic Development & partners honored five small businesses at the Spotlight Louisiana Awards Thursday evening, celebrating their innovation and job creation.

The event recognized local companies from various communities while Governor Jeff Landry and officials confirmed ongoing support for small business growth.

Discover Monroe-West Monroe announced the Golden Heron Award winners at Hotel Monroe’s Opera House ballroom on Thursday, May 7, featuring tourism updates and a champagne toast to mark 50 years of tourism in Ouachita Parish.

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce is hosting an essay contest for high school students to honor America’s 250th birthday on July 4; essays up to 300 words on freedom or what it means to be American are due May 16 (with a $250 prize).

Louisiana Tech and Ruston High School are testing a robot called the M-2 that records lessons and offers AI transcription + real-time feedback for teacher evaluations, with the system also providing enhanced audio and language translation via earpieces.

ULM recently graduated its first Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant class after full accreditation was received in April (a milestone following 45 years of associate degree training) and became the state’s only BSOTA program.

Dr. Keri Cataldo of The Neighborhood Vet advises pet owners to begin anxiety medications a few days before fireworks for Memorial Day (May 25) and July 4.

She also recommends providing fresh water, shade, and breaks so outdoor pets stay cool during summer heat.

Dr. Huy M. Dao at ULM College of Pharmacy received a $380K NSF grant to study how protein-based medicines are damaged during freeze and thaw cycles, and his three-year project will train students and improve storage techniques to reduce waste.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and experts say thousands of children in our region may show signs like trouble sleeping and social isolation from anxiety, worsened by early social media use.

Free services are offered at the Center for Children & Families for children on Medicaid.

Walk in My Boots hosted a golf tournament on Friday, May 8 to honor military service as 72 golfers competed in teams of four (each team representing a veteran) and encouraged veterans to share their stories.

A Monroe women’s 40+ USTA 3.0 team won the state championship in Baton Rouge over the weekend and will represent Louisiana at the Sectionals tournament in Rome, Georgia from July 17 to 20.

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.

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.

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.