Good morning, Monroe.

Fifth-grade West Monroe and sixth-grade Monroe students join a community recycling contest to collect #1 plastic bottles by Oct.

22 at their schools, teaching recycling habits. Winners will be named at the Ouachita Green Fall Family Fun Fest at West Monroe Sports & Events Center Saturday, Oct. 24.

Operation Warm provided nearly 400 coats to Carver Elementary students—supporting local families as colder fall weather approaches.

Northeast Louisiana Young Professionals will host the inaugural NELA NEXT Conference on Thursday, Oct.

8 in Monroe as local professionals gather to network and share ideas.

ULM broke ground for the Freddy and Reba Nolan Early Childhood Hall Sept.

24 on campus to build a larger space for the Emily Williamson Laboratory School. The building, funded by the Nolans donation and ULM Foundation support, will open in spring.

ULM announced that the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the Contractors’ Educational Trust Fund donated $229,000 to support its School of Construction Management; the gift, made during a ceremony on Sept.

25, will help renovate labs and update technology for the program.

Ouachita Parish Police Jury President Shane Smiley declared a temporary ban on open-air burning in unincorporated areas including Monroe, West Monroe + Sterlington to reduce fire risks.

Carroll High School’s football season ended early on Wednesday after a postgame fight led the LHSAA to suspend the team & revoke coaches’ cards for a year, while Assumption will play its remaining home games on the road and may appeal the decision.