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🌱 How did Monroe City Schools turn years of work into a historic ‘B’?

Hello Monroe! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did Monroe City Schools turn years of work into a historic ‘B’?
  • Are you making this common Monroe space heater mistake at home?
  • What’s driving Ouachita Parish’s $40 million budget jump for 2026?

Also on today's calendar: Saturday Sewcial.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Monroe? Post it to Monroe photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 54 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Cloudy with a stray shower, temps: high: 62, low: 56.
  • Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 74 and low of 35 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Monroe City Schools earns historic ‘B' grade, shows major gains across district (knoe.com) — Monroe City Schools just earned a historic overall ‘B’ rating from the state, marking its highest performance ever and three straight years of districtwide gains. Four previously failing Monroe campuses moved up to a ‘D,’ and the district was recognized for top growth in math and among students with disabilities. Leaders say they’ll now push even harder on reading and writing for local students.
   

2. Winter warning: Unsafe space heater use raises risk of house fires in Monroe (knoe.com) — Monroe fire officials are warning residents that unsafe space heater use is driving winter house fire risks and offering free smoke alarm installations to anyone who calls 318-329-2474. Investigators explain how overloaded cords, nearby curtains, and missing alarms can quickly turn heaters into deadly hazards, and they urge residents to use warming centers if they can’t heat their homes safely.
   

3. Ouachita Parish Police Jury approves 2026 budget (knoe.com) — Ouachita Parish leaders meeting in Monroe have approved a 2026 budget with roughly $185 million in spending, significantly higher than this year’s plan. Much of the increase covers capital projects rolling into the new year, including the library’s completion and a new animal shelter. Officials stress these big-ticket items use dedicated funding, avoiding major cuts to everyday parish services.
   

4. FOX 14 Your Morning News: Louisiana lawmakers to discuss issues concerning healthcare coverage (myarklamiss.com) — From Monroe, residents are learning that state lawmakers will meet Tuesday to question why Louisiana health officials cut contracts with Aetna Better Health and UnitedHealthcare. Nearly half a million people could see their coverage disrupted, including many in northeast Louisiana. The committee’s decision may shape which plans remain available and how smoothly care continues.
   

5. FOX 14 Your Morning News: Immigration crackdown protest at the Capitol (myarklamiss.com) — Immigration raids across Louisiana, including concerns voiced from Monroe, are drawing protesters to the State Capitol as families worry about more than 250 recent arrests. Local organizers describe growing fear and confusion over Operation Catahoula Crunch and are pressing state leaders for transparency, accountability, and a halt to the raids impacting immigrant communities.
   

📸 Around Monroe

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Monroe

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events
    Saturday December 27
  • Saturday Sewcial
    Material Things , 2305 Forsythe Ave , Monroe
    10:00 am

📣 Monroe Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • These guys are awesome Charles and David are the Best Father son Duo.
    They got my heat back on after 2 other Companies tried to fix it. (Nextdoor La Familia)
  • Whataburger posted a job opening for Restaurant Porter - Unit 1075 in Monroe. Apply here.
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate in Monroe. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Monroe here.

Ok Monroe! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Monroe

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Monroe

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.