Good morning, Monroe.

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana and West Ouachita Senior Center distributed two boxes of food to seniors in need at the Ike Hamilton Expo in West Monroe on Tuesday, July 15—supporting about 600 seniors who struggle on limited incomes.

More than 69,000 people in the region face food insecurity.

Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo in Monroe features a Nile monitor lizard named Rah that visitors may see during educational programs while the new reptile exhibit is under construction.

Zookeeper Garrett Cole said Rah grows up to 6.5 feet long—his beaded scales and long tail help him move fast and defend himself.

The University of Louisiana Monroe's TRIO SSS program received a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support over 140 first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities — the funds are allocated as $272,364 per year for five years to boost retention and graduation rates. ULM will use the grant to provide academic tutoring — financial aid advice and career planning that improve student success.

On Tuesday morning, firefighters from Monroe, West Monroe, Ouachita Parish, and Ruston deployed to Kerrville, Texas to assist with search and rescue after the deadly floods on July 4 left more than 130 people dead and over 100 missing.

Task Force 4, set for a mission lasting two weeks, will search assigned grid sectors — areas that break the affected zone into sections — to help bring closure to families.

Louisiana Tech University accepted an invitation on July 15 to join the Sun Belt Conference after the board voted unanimously on July 14—the university will join 13 other schools and a joint press conference is set for today at 3 p.m. at the Davison Athletics Complex to outline next steps.

Home Buyer Workshop in Monroe, LA

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Hilton Garden Inn West Monroe — Free resources available — Discover how to build your dream home in Monroe's new subdivision with expert guidance and assistance.