By Garry Blanson Every week, “It’s astonishing how history has a way of repeating itself in Ouachita Parish!” Yes, it seems like every other week there’s another example of how a similar event that happened “over 60 years ago” in…
Category: Editorial
Airport must fix the prices, to increase usage
Monroe must revisit its airport pricing structure if it truly wants to increase usage at Monroe Regional Airport. Until fares become competitive with nearby markets, passenger leakage will continue — and no new routes or marketing campaigns will fix what…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Ben Allen, the Colored man for whom the former Ben Allen School in West Monroe, Louisiana, was named
By Garry Blanson “It’s astonishing how history keeps on repeating itself in Ouachita Parish!” – Garry Blanson. Today, Black citizens in Monroe, Louisiana, who live in the community around Swayze Elementary School are reflecting on the Ouachita Parish School Board’s…
Jesse Jackson challenged us to “Keep hope alive”
The passing of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, on February 17, 2026, marks the end of an era. America mourns and remembers the hundreds of communities he visited and inspired with his message to “Keep hope alive.” He visited Monroe in…
Our City, Our Community
By Marie Brown We look closely to the word community, we see that the last 5 letters spell unity. So, what is the definition of unity? It is a deep appreciation and respect for the unique gifts and talents in…
Our Rich Black Heritage: The forgotten 1969 takeover of the Negro organization
By Garry Blanson Known as “The Ouachita Parish Multi-Purpose Community Action Program” by a White senator named William D. Brown is a story that deserves attention It’s disturbing to me that as we enter the celebration of Black History Month…
Fee increase vote was historic; it had no opposition
The Monroe City Council and Mayor Friday Ellis deserve credit and recognition for the council’s unanimous decision on February 10, 2026, to approve significant rate increases for water, sewer, and refuse collection. While raising utility fees is never politically easy,…