Good morning, Monroe.

ULM will host the 40th annual Don Weems Memorial Chili Cook Off on November 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during its Family Day Tailgate—teams are limited to six members and tasting wristbands cost $10 for one sample with extra votes available for purchase.

The Barak Shriners Circus will return to Monroe at the Revolution Racetrack from November 14 to 16 with trapeze acts, animal shows and clowns while supporting Shriners Hospital; free kids’ tickets are available at local stores — marking its comeback after six years — and the event promises family fun.

The Renewal Center of Northeast Louisiana is urging community members to acknowledge the struggles faced by people experiencing homelessness during National Homelessness Awareness Month+ the group hopes that increased local support and awareness will help address these challenges.

ULM College of Business and Social Sciences will host the Business Outlook Summit on November 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Bayou Pointe Event Center—bringing local business owners and community leaders an economic forecast from experts including keynote speaker John Stoltzfus. The event is sponsored by the Biomedical Research and Innovation Park—tickets cost $50 for individuals and $15 for students.

Grow NELA and Louisiana Economic Development unveiled their new Fastsites program to use part of the $150 million allocated by lawmakers for industrial projects in the region.

They said that over the next six weeks they will review about 100 candidate sites—West Monroe already has properties and the needed infrastructure for future business but nothing official has been announced yet.

Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum is moving ahead with its relocation to Forsythe Park as it improves its current building—including the Baby Bayou area with funding from the Children’s Coalition.

The museum will hold a ribbon cutting in the next two weeks and host a Connected Parents & Workshop event on November 8 with free admission.

Ouachita Green will host America Recycles Day on November 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Monroe Civic Center.

Volunteers can drive through to recycle items like paper, plastics, metal, electronics, glass, household items, and paper shredding—dishwashers, hazardous materials, microwaves, and paint will not be accepted.

Louisiana D-O-T-D announced that construction for the Cooktown Bridge in Ruston will start in late December.

The $39 million project will add a new bridge and three roundabouts and is expected to take up to 4 years to complete.

Government officials said that low-income housing services remain fully operational despite the shutdown, and residents can expect timely repairs and support.

The City of West Monroe will host a Veterans Day program on Nov 10 at 10 a.m. at the Blue Star Memorial Flag Pole at 1 Stella Mill — Fire Chief Daniel Overturf, a decorated Navy veteran, will speak to honor local veterans and fallen soldiers.

Nutritionist Jen Avis joined Good Morning ArkLaMiss for National Diabetes Month to share tips on managing blood sugar.

She explained that many Americans have or are at risk for diabetes and advised losing weight, moving more, and cutting sugary drinks—steps that may lower risk.

ULM’s Women’s Soccer broke records this season and reached its first SBC Championship after beating ODU Women’s Soccer — the team will face Texas State tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. CT at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex.

Dylan Scott Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Monroe Civic Center — Tickets required — Experience a night of country music with rising star Dylan Scott.

Barak Shriners' Circus

All day — Barak Shrine Temple — Pricing varies — Experience an enchanting circus with majestic elephants, daring trapeze acts, and whimsical clowns.

Football Match: South Alabama Jaguars vs. UL Monroe Warhawks

2:30-4:30 p.m. — Malone Stadium — Cost info not specified — Witness a thrilling matchup between South Alabama and UL Monroe in college football action.

TCB Nutcracker Tea & Matinee

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Monroe Civic Center — Children 2 and under are free — Enjoy breakfast with Clara and the Nutcracker cast followed by a delightful matinee performance.