Good morning, Monroe.

Ouachita Green is accepting nominations for its annual awards luncheon to honor local businesses, organizations, law enforcement, youth and volunteers who help shape the parish (submissions are now open).

Wildlife lovers can feed the Sulcata tortoises at Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo during summer as the ticket counter offers entry + volunteer sign-ups through the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Louisiana recorded 2.01 million nonfarm jobs in May, & Monroe posted the second fastest growth at 1.3% driven by a Meta data center in Richland Parish while the report noted fewer unemployment claims despite high homeowners insurance premiums.

Louisiana students can now apply for the expanded M.J.

Foster Promise Program, which raised the eligibility age to 21 and increased payments up to $6,400 over three years. The program supports career training at local colleges and technical schools.

Pilots for Patients (a Monroe nonprofit) broke ground on a new 10,000 sqft hangar and 2,500 sqft office at Monroe Regional with work to finish by December to boost free patient flights.

A federal grant supports the project to help volunteer pilots meet growing demand.

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.