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…
Category: Editorial
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,…
Our City, Our Community
By Marie Brown Saturday, February 14th is Valentine’s Day and since it falls on the weekend, it will be particularly special and convenient to spend more time with your favorite people. The flower shops will be inundated with flower requests…
Our City, Our Community
Northeast LA. experienced one of the worst ice storms in modern history this past week. Ouachita Parish was hit extremely hard. In fact, over 90% of the storm damage has been here. By Tuesday of last week, 45,000 residents in…
Our Rich Black Heritage: John K. Haynes, distinguished biologist and sickle-cell researcher born in Monroe, Louisiana
By Garry Blanson In the last five years or so, more and more information that had long been hidden from Black citizens in Monroe, Louisiana, has come to the surface. Among those revelations is how city, state, and federal governments…
Thanks due to hundreds who pitched in to help during ice storm
In the wake of last week’s devastating winter storm, our community has been tested—and has answered with courage, competence, and compassion. As more than 90,000 residents sat in the cold and dark, an army of first responders, city crews, utility…
Our City, Our Community
By Marie Brown Northeast LA experienced one of the worst ice storms in modern history this past week. Ouachita Parish was hit extremely hard. In fact, over 90% of the storm damage has been here. By Tuesday of this week,…