Good morning, Monroe.

Big Mac, a sweet and adventurous dog who loves cats, is available for adoption, offering a chance for a loving home.

More than 1,400 Southern Baptists are coming to Monroe for two days of service projects, block parties (coordinated by local churches) to provide free meals and laundry assistance.

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce Technology Committee is hosting its first AI Lunch and Learn session on July 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Monroe’s Restaurant (1301 North 19th St) to teach business owners practical AI tools for improved productivity, with seating limited to 30 participants.

ULM was awarded a record $4.21M Army contract to expand weather and water monitoring across the Lower Mississippi River Basin and create hands-on opportunities for students using record-breaking technology.

The project will add 50 new stations and start immediately with an option for an extra $4.2M next year.

DPR Construction, Turner Construction and LDCC launched a Construction Craft Laborer Training Program to prepare local workers for Meta Data Center jobs.

Applications are due by July 24 and classes run from August 3 to September 4 — the program offers four weeks of classroom learning plus one week of hands-on experience with available scholarships.

A student-led nonprofit and the Department of Education are offering free tutoring and state literacy tools to help children excel as schools start soon.

Louisiana families can get details — check local community centers for dates.

A local doctor is treating the first human West Nile Virus case reported in Ouachita Parish and advises residents to use extra precautions (applying repellent and wearing long sleeves) to avoid mosquito bites.

Officials say monitoring efforts are ongoing.