Good morning, Monroe.

The annual Skeletons on Tower fundraiser is underway along Tower Drive as local businesses display decorated skeletons to benefit the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum and ARCO — an organization supporting adults with disabilities.

Registration has closed, and the event typically raises about $20,000 for local nonprofits.

The Ark-La-Miss Fair opens today at 5 p.m. at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center with rides, games and food plus a petting zoo and livestock show scheduled later in the week.

Police advise families to take precautions like keeping valuables secure and noting kids' outfits in case they get lost.

Presented by the Kiroli Foundation, the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival will take place Saturday, Oct.

3 at Lazarre Park in West Monroe from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature live bands, artisan vendors, food trucks, and Highland Games with $5 admission to support the foundation's work.

The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council — in partnership with Meta — invites artists to submit original work for a permanent installation at the Richland Parish Data Center campus office complex.

Applications opened Oct. 1 and run until Nov. 9, with work starting in December and projects due by Feb. 2027.

On Sept. 25, ULM received a $229,000 donation from the LSLBC and CETF to support its Construction Management program.

The contribution will help update facilities, technology, and student experiences as the school aligns its curriculum with industry needs.

Monroe City Schools says the Wossman Wildcat homecoming continues today despite Carroll’s suspended football program.

The event will celebrate the 40th anniversary state championship legacy, honor the five-time state girls basketball team with a ring ceremony, & feature a battle of the bands.

LSMSA announced that its faculty were named the nation’s top Best Public High School Teachers by Niche and earned statewide top spots in STEM and magnet rankings.

The state-supported residential school continues to offer tuition-free education for qualified high-achieving students.

The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum is launching its Warrior Wellness Program to offer free, confidential support groups that help veterans, first responders and their families manage stress and trauma.

Program details (including Homefront Heroes for relatives) are available at the museum.

Nutritionist Jen Avis joined Good Morning ArkLaMiss today to mark International Day of Older Persons in Monroe by offering seniors guidance on using more spices in cooking and checking B12 & Vitamin D levels amid nutritional challenges.

St. Francis Foundation raised a record $402,000 by selling 7,217 raffle tickets for prizes including a Nissan Frontier PRO-4X + Toyota 4Runner SR5; the drawing airs at 6 p.m. on KNOE 8 News to help upgrade patient care at the nonprofit hospital in Monroe.

UL System board member Wilbert Pryor suggested moving UL, ULM and Louisiana Tech to Division I-AA to ease athletic deficits at a recent meeting and later called his comment offhand (meant for discussion), while UL System President Rick Gallot said a consulting firm is reviewing athletic budgets for all schools.