Good morning, Monroe.

Clayton Turpin of Turpin’s Landscaping LLC has raised his rates by 25% this season as rising fuel costs and shorter work windows from the summer heat push up expenses (with gas averaging about $4 per gallon).

Local clients understand his pricing adjusts as gas prices change.

Downtown West Monroe was named one of 9 Most Charming Town Squares in Louisiana by WorldAtlas.

The square features Antique Alley, over 40 local shops, and events like the Ouachita Live concert series.

Grow NELA launched NELAGrowth.com, a new platform that shows economic growth trends for Northeast Louisiana using sales tax data (created with Crenshaw Analytics).

The website will update quarterly to let users view regional and parish-level data.

A Monroe art studio is partnering with a local nonprofit for a literacy fundraiser this Saturday — an event to raise funds for scholarship programs and literacy events in northeast Louisiana.

Paint & Pour Studio will team with the Jones Center to host a Paint and Play event on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Louisville Avenue to raise funds for literacy programs & scholarships; the night will include guided painting, an adult spelling bee and a trivia showdown.

The Louisiana Department of Health announced that SNAP benefits can now be used to buy hot or prepared foods at authorized retailers & the temporary waiver is effective through Aug.

13 following Tropical Storm Arthur, though benefits still cannot be used for restaurant meals.

Jo Ann Deal from the Better Business Bureau discussed the American Community Survey on Good Morning ArkLaMiss, explaining that the Census Bureau sends survey mail to 50,000 addresses + residents must answer accurately; the survey does not request sensitive personal details.

Ochsner Health is preparing to bring its experimental Alzheimer’s treatment — Spectris — to Louisiana in partnership with Cognito Therapeutics; the at-home therapy uses a headset to deliver strobing light and low-frequency sound to stimulate the brain and remains in clinical trials with FDA approval expected by June 2027.

The Ouachita Parish Mosquito Abatement District confirmed West Nile virus was found in mosquito pools across West Monroe and the Monroe Garden District, and will continue targeted adulticide applications while advising residents to remove standing water.