Good morning, Monroe.

Beat the Ace begins its playoff week while RWE opened solar farms in Ouachita parish that produce enough power for 17,000 homes.

Sterlington held its state of town address as Caldwell Parish School District proposed a one-cent tax ahead of the Nov 15 election, West Monroe PD began using body cameras on November 12, and Louisiana will fill SNAP benefits for November following the federal government reopening.

The City of West Monroe will host a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Hasley Cemetery on Dec.

12 at 10 a.m.—community members can sponsor a $17 wreath until Nov. 28 to honor veterans resting there.

The Radio People will host their annual Stuff A Bus Toy & Donation Drive from December 3–5 to help local children who have experienced abuse or neglect by collecting new, unwrapped toys and cash donations—donations will be accepted at Pecanland Mall next to Dillard’s in Monroe and at Glenwood Medical Mall in West Monroe from 8 AM to 5 PM with live broadcasts and prize giveaways scheduled.

The Arts Council is asking Region 8 artists to send in their work for Parish Lines, a juried exhibit that will show up to 36 artists with three from each parish to tell their community’s story.

The exhibit (June 1 to July 10) will be held at 118 Cotton Street in West Monroe with a public reception on June 4 and submissions due by February 28.

ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts will present Kaleidoscope: A Global Holiday Celebration at Brown Theatre in Monroe on December 2—doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00 p.m. The immersive event will feature live music, dance, and visual art and will host a soiree with an art auction to benefit the program.

A new solar farm in Richwood built by RWE has opened and is now producing enough power for 17,000 homes — the facility will supply energy to the Meta Data Center in Richland Parish and is expected to bring roughly $32 million in tax revenues to the local community.

Governor Landry announced that Louisiana will fill November SNAP benefits now that the federal government is open, and that some seniors and disabled recipients will receive extra funds due to a shutdown adjustment — over 800,000 residents rely on SNAP while USDA funds will soon resume for others.

The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce and the City of West Monroe will host the 2025 State of the City Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov.

18—officials will share updates on upcoming civic improvements.

St. Francis Medical Center is now accredited for a new Family Medicine Residency Program that will train eight residents starting in July 2026 — a step aimed at boosting local healthcare with hands-on experience.

The program is expected to help keep more physicians in Northeast Louisiana after they complete their training.

Nutritionist Jen Avis appeared on Good Morning ArkLaMiss to explain that carbohydrates are not bad and can provide the body with fuel.

She noted that even people with diabetes can benefit from slow carb foods like sweet potatoes — which help control how fast sugar enters the bloodstream.

St. Nicholas Center finalized the first part of buying the old St. Louis Catholic High site — they finished all needed approvals — and will start more work soon.

The MidSouth ArenaCross Double Points Race will be held at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center on Saturday, November 22 — the heats will start at 2:30 p.m. and features at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for adults — $15 for children ages 6-12, and kids 5 and under are free with one paid adult.

On national signing day, local athletes signed to join college teams—Neville accepted two baseball offers while McCain Jarrell and Jack Henry Gewde committed to Mississippi Delta community college and Coastal Alabama community college, respectively.

Others from nearby schools, including Avery Houser for ULM softball and Audrey Perry for Millsaps golf, also signed on, with three Sterlington high baseball players, Travis Adams, Ayden Lingefelt, and Brody Belanger, choosing their future programs.

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.

Monroe Jingle Bell Run

7-11 a.m. — Forsythe Park — Registration fee applies — Celebrate the season with a festive 5K and Half-Marathon while promoting community fitness.

Newsong Christmas Volunteer Event

3:30-7 p.m. — Ouachita Parish High School — Free entry — Spread some holiday cheer by volunteering at this community-driven Christmas event.