Good morning, Monroe.

North Louisiana Indivisible will host a peaceful candlelight vigil Saturday, Aug.

8 at 6:00 p.m. at the pedestrian footbridge over Highway 165 at the intersection of MLK Jr. Drive and Renwick Street; participants can bring candles, flowers and a bag of rice or beans for local hunger relief.

Louisiana Delta Community College launched its first Jump Start program to help high school students with learning disabilities earn industry-recognized credentials.

Seven students completed a four-day safety course + toured manufacturing facilities, and the college will expand the program next summer with a new school district partnership.

Ouachita Parish Schools reallocated $4M from their budget by cutting travel and freezing nonteacher hiring to cover a $4.1M state funding cut, ensuring every staff member — including librarians — received their stipend.

Louisiana higher education leaders and a ULM student rep urge freshmen to attend class, join clubs, and ask for help early; they highlight on-campus resources + tutoring and counseling services to ease the transition into college life.

Ouachita Parish allocated $4M to cover benefits for school workers who were left out.

Meanwhile, LDCC’s Jump Start initiative prepared seven students with learning disabilities for technical careers through OSHA training and hands-on classes.

Residents can drop off glass bottles and jars at the West Monroe Recycling Center today from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. after equipment maintenance ended the temporary service disruption.

The Ouachita Parish Fire Department purchased a 12-acre property on Hwy 80E in east Ouachita Parish to build a new fire house and regional training center.

Construction will begin soon and is expected to enhance training and emergency response in Monroe.

Dr. Michael O'Neal II, a Monroe native and former chief medical officer, has been named the new CEO of Monroe Medical Center.

He plans to boost healthcare access locally as he succeeds Mark Randolph, who is transitioning to lead at Ochsner LSU Health Academic Medical Center in Shreveport.

ULM and b1Bank reached an agreement on Tuesday to rename the Fant-Ewing Coliseum to b1Bank-Fant Coliseum, a deal that may lead to future sponsorship opportunities for Warhawk athletics.

ULM's athletic director (Aaron Dietrich) explained the details during his radio show.