Good morning, Monroe.

Today, La Purchase Gardens & Zoo in Monroe opened splash pads for hoofstock animals to help them stay cool amid the summer heat.

The zoo is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and provides shaded areas, ponds, and cold fruit treats for the animals.

Joan Hampton of SOS Pets + Toni Bacon, a parish police juror, discussed the new Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter on Good Morning ArkLaMiss; construction is underway.

The City of West Monroe announced the July 4 Drone Show is rescheduled to Saturday, Dec.

5 at 6 p.m. in downtown as part of the Christmas on the River Festival and Kiwanis Club Parade Day + a fireworks show will follow the patriotic display.

Monroe City Schools' new proposal appears on the Dec.

12 ballot and asks voters to approve 13 mills for facilities and maintenance and 5 mills for general funding — totaling 19 mills. Board members differ on the measure’s tax-saving benefits as they urge voters to decide based on fiscal concerns.

A Monroe family saw a nine-foot alligator near their front door on Tuesday morning and wildlife professionals safely removed the animal as neighbors watched.

The City of West Monroe is asking for proposals for a new two-story restaurant overlooking the Ouachita River in downtown West Monroe.

Submissions must be dropped off at City Hall by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10.

State Public Service Commission Chair Eric Skrmetta said Entergy customers will not see rate increases from Meta’s expansion of its artificial intelligence data center, assuring residents that the project will not drive higher utility bills.

Ouachita Parish officials confirmed a new medical marijuana cultivation facility will open near Swartz in Monroe soon—official timing is yet to be announced.

LSU Chancellor Dr. Jim Dalton visited Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center on Wednesday for Employee Appreciation Day — he met with staff and shared his vision for expanding access and quality care as the hospital builds on recent improvements including a new West Monroe clinic and a developing cancer center.

A new St. Francis clinic near ULM now sees patients on weekdays with same-day and next-day appointments.

Leaders say its partnership with VCOM will boost local primary care and train resident doctors.

Local hospital officials say the NICU remodel is set to complete this Fall 2026, and the upgrade will modernize care spaces for newborns.

The project has stayed on schedule and is expected to improve patient support.