Good morning, Monroe.

The City of West Monroe announced Independence Day festivities for downtown scheduled for Saturday, July 4, with events including food trucks, a parade at 11 a.m., and a 250th Drone + Fireworks Show at 9 p.m. Temporary street closures on Natchitoches and Trenton will ensure safety during the celebrations.

Applicants must apply by July 12 for the discounted National EMS Academy EMT training program that begins Monday, July 13 at Monroe and Alexandria campuses.

The 12-week (hybrid) course prepares eligible students for immediate work in emergency medicine.

A Baton Rouge judge lifted an order blocking Gov. Landry’s executive order reallocating education funding for teacher stipends—teachers will begin receiving pay hikes next month.

LDOTD crews are repairing the I-20 Mississippi River Bridge's finger joints & will close one lane at a time.

An 11-foot width restriction will start Saturday, July 11 for about six weeks, with repairs expected to wrap up by October, weather permitting.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will boost patrols on local waterways ahead of the Fourth of July to deter boaters from drinking and speeding (slowing reaction times and increasing crash risks) while advising the use of designated drivers.

Camp counselors and health officials report an increase in tick bites at summer camp as ticks expand into new regions.

They advise using bug repellent and wearing long clothing to protect against tick-borne illnesses.

Acadian Ambulance advised Monroe residents to take extra safety measures as emergency calls usually increase during the Fourth of July holiday weekend due to fireworks, water accidents & grilling injuries.

EMS crews and other first responders will remain on duty throughout the celebrations.

Nutritionist Jen Avis from St. Francis Medical Group shared healthy July 4th cooking tips on Good Morning ArkLaMiss, advising Monroe families to swap traditional burgers for grilled chicken, shrimp kabobs or lean beef and practice portion control; she emphasized using olive oil and balsamic vinegar for anti-inflammatory and anti-glycemic benefits.

NELA Legacy Color Run

8 a.m. — Forsythe Park — Registration required — Enjoy a vibrant day of running with options for all ages in the heart of Monroe.