Good morning, Monroe.

Half Moon Yoga Studio is partnering with River Cities Humane Society for Cats to host a kitten yoga class on Aug.

29 in Monroe (all registration fees will support the shelter and adoptable kittens). The class will offer seated, modified yoga positions for all skill levels.

Families and youth cattle exhibitors participated in the JBBA National Show in West Monroe this week — the event spotlighted show cattle while teaching responsibility and leadership to boost local Beefmaster breed interest.

New data on NELAGrowth.com shows Meta’s presence boosted Northeast Louisiana sales tax revenue by $43 million in 2025 over 2024.

Richland Parish, which houses a Meta data center, recorded the largest gains and the region expects continued benefits (data covers up to the first quarter of 2026).

Louisiana gas prices reached their highest level since summer 2022 with regular unleaded averaging $3.68 per gallon today (AAA points to higher diesel and crude oil prices as the cause).

Rising fuel costs affect drivers’ daily commutes and expenses.

Under Senate Bill 14, retired Louisiana teachers (65 and older who retired on or before June 30, 2010) may return to classrooms this school year while still collecting part of their retirement benefits.

Officials say the move will ease teacher shortages and bring veteran mentoring to new teachers.

Louisiana students can now use Workforce Pell Grants for short-term training programs starting July 1.

The program, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, offers grants averaging $2,200 for credentials in fields such as carpentry and plumbing — strict school reporting requirements may affect eligibility.

Louisiana school districts can now offset state funding cuts by using any size local pay increase for both teachers and support staff, as the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved new guidelines on Thursday—helping schools better manage salary hikes for the upcoming 2026–2027 academic year.

City officials are hosting a groundbreaking for parking lot repairs at the Powell Street Community Center to improve safety and accessibility.

The ceremony will be held Monday, July 27 at 1 p.m. at 1401 Powell Avenue.

Acadian Ambulance advises Monroe residents to watch for signs of heat illness when temperatures reach triple digits; residents should stay hydrated (using water or Gatorade), move to cool areas, and call 911 if symptoms like fainting occur.

Gene therapy approved by the FDA cured a New Orleans patient with sickle cell disease, though high costs, a lengthy chemotherapy stay, and strict eligibility leave many Louisiana patients waiting.

Experts urge those with sickle cell to consult hematologists + consider steps to join waitlists at specialized centers.

Food recalls of shell eggs, fruit puree, and iceberg lettuce, including products distributed in Louisiana, have raised consumer concerns but experts stress that proper food safety practices keep healthy foods safe and advise residents to follow FDA guidance and wash produce thoroughly.

A new bipartisan federal housing law is now in effect to spur affordable housing by offering grants, incentives and deregulations, and local Realtor LaQuandra Woods and Rob Cleveland of Grow NELA say rising demand from recent projects may prompt quick builder action.