Good morning, Monroe.

Local businesses in Monroe and West Monroe are joining forces to support families by organizing food and hygiene drives amid the government shutdown.

Parish Pop and Play, Meraki Studio, and The Good Daze started donation drives that have already surpassed 300 items and will continue until Thanksgiving—if the shutdown persists.

United Way of Northeast Louisiana announced its continued partnership with Royal Family Kids NELA and the Louisiana Foster Care Support Organization to bring holiday cheer to foster families in Monroe — every foster child will receive gifts this season and locals can donate or volunteer to wrap presents.

The 40th Annual Don Weems Memorial Chili Cook-Off will be held on November 15 at The Grove.

Teams of up to six will cook chili from scratch and compete for Open, Student and People’s Choice awards — tastings begin at 11:30 a.m. and team registration closes November 13 — in a long-standing community tradition.

Chennault Fest is happening today at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe where visitors can enjoy hot air balloon rides, live music, food trucks, carnival rides, and a kids zone—this two-day event raises funds for free veteran programs.

Doug Duffey and his band BADD won the 2025 Ouachita River Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category and will travel to Memphis to compete at the International Blues Challenge.

The win adds another milestone to Duffey's celebrated career—he was inducted into both the Louisiana and Blues Halls of Fame.

Ouachita Parish Schools announced its New Teacher of the Year winners on November 7 — the list includes teachers from elementary, middle, and high schools who quickly made a difference.

District winners will be named next week.

ULM held an early Veterans Day commemoration where veterans shared personal stories and received a pinning ceremony to honor their service before the official holiday (Louisiana’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs Charlton Meginley and ULM’s ROTC Recruiting Officer Kalvin Alexander stressed year‐round support for service members).

Help Meowt Rescue is hosting an adopt-a-pet event featuring Mr. Nibbles the rabbit and Bark Simpson in Monroe while local residents can meet the animals to consider adopting them.

The Ruston Bearcats were crowned District 2-5A champions after beating West Monroe 49-44 in their final regular season high school football game—an achievement that caps off their season.

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.