Good morning, Monroe.

Kiroli Park will reopen Saturday, Aug.

15 after months of storm restoration with free admission available while the gatehouse remains closed. Park officials plan volunteer shifts on Friday, Aug. 14 (7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and ask visitors to follow posted safety signs.

State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley visited the Ouachita Parish School Board Office Tuesday where he highlighted Louisiana’s academic progress and announced a $6 million push to tackle school truancy — part of reforms that include reducing teacher paperwork.

Ouachita Green is accepting applications for its Love Where You Live internship program for 2026-2027 & local students can gain practical work experience as details on eligibility and deadlines are released soon.

Nine Louisiana high schools, including one in Monroe, won $5,000 in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights program and are competing for a $1 million field upgrade; voting opens Oct.

8 through Oct. 25 and applications for eligible schools close Sept. 18.

Meta’s Richland Parish Data Center + local groups will host STEMFest for kids on Saturday, Aug.

15 at the Rayville Civic Center on North Louisa Street from 9 a.m. to noon, offering free hands-on STEM activities for students from kindergarten through high school.

A 12-week EMT training program is enrolling students in Monroe at a discounted rate of $400 (down from $1,900) to help address the EMT shortage.

The hybrid course is accredited through South Louisiana Community College and welcomes applicants from any field seeking a career change.

Ouachita Parish Schools Transportation Director Waylon McCormick said bus safety depends on drivers staying alert, students following rules, and motorists not illegally passing a bus — which can lead to citations.

Families are advised to arrive 10 minutes early during the first two weeks of schedule changes.

Invasive giant salvinia now covers nearly half of Cheniere Lake, threatening fish populations and recreation.

State and parish officials are planning a cleanup using herbicides, a gradual water drawdown and salvinia-eating weevils.

Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana broke ground Tuesday in Monroe on an affordable housing project that will offer homes priced to match buyers' income and financial literacy support for families facing high housing costs.

Leaders say the project aims to ease the burden on residents.

The West Monroe–West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free lecture on incremental development at the Ruston Civic Center on Tuesday, Sept.

29. Community leaders are urged to register for networking at 5:30 p.m. followed by the main program until 8 p.m.

ULM head coach Bryant Vincent provided an update on Warhawks fall football camp day 5 yesterday & described the team's training progress as it prepares for the upcoming season.