Good morning, Monroe.

Over 1,000 businesses from 49 parishes joined Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s Clean Biz Partnership to take steps to prevent litter and keep public areas clean.

The program gives free classes and awards and includes Love the Boot Week (April 18 to 26) for a big cleanup effort.

Downtown West Monroe revitalized riverfront park with a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant that upgraded signage, landscaping and programs along the Ouachita River.

A celebration and grant check presentation featuring Food Truck Friday and live music took place Friday, Dec. 12 at 12:30 p.m. CST at 108 N. Riverfront Street.

LaFaye Price, 75, earned her bachelor’s degree at ULM at Fant-Ewing Coliseum—making her one of its oldest graduates—after returning to classes in 2021.

The Monroe resident now plans to pursue a master’s degree in gerontology with a focus on grief management.

A ULM computer science team won Nexus Louisiana’s DevDays HealthTech Challenge on Nov.

14 in Baton Rouge, earning a $5,000 prize for its Kneva platform (designed to reduce ACL injury risk in female athletes). It marks the department’s second DevDays win this year.

Monroe City Schools will have free January field trips at The Children's Museum offering an Arctic Adventures program with transportation, STEM activities, igloo building and a snow shower experience; schools can book by calling (318-361-9611).

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury said construction on a new animal shelter will begin early next year on Ellington Road near Pecanland Mall, with officials estimating the facility will cost nearly $4.9 million and be completed by the end of 2026.

A flu expert warns a new subclade K variant may drive high flu cases in most states over the next few months as the holiday season continues; he says the flu shot is the best protection from flu, RSV & COVID.

ULM Football earned five All-SBC honors (awards announced Dec.

4) after a standout season. Noah Flemmings claimed All-Sun Belt Third Team Defense while teammates Elijah Fisher, Zach Palmer-Smith, Kevontay Wells and Jaden Hamlin received honorable mentions for their contributions.

Monroe is set to host four arena football games at the Monroe Civic Center in The Arena League's inaugural 2026 season (games will start in June with ticket details coming in January).

KNOE will air the New Orleans Pelicans game live on Thursday, Dec.

18 at 6:30 p.m., which causes a schedule change as Wheel of Fortune moves to ABC at 6:30 p.m. & Inside Edition airs at midnight.

The Nutcracker - World Ballet Company Performance

6-7:30 p.m. — WL Jack Howard Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of Christmas with this enchanting ballet filled with beautifully choreographed performances and a whimsical storyline.