The City of Monroe and Mayor Friday Ellis are headed for a legal collision that could shape the future of municipal self-governance in Louisiana. At the heart of the dispute is Act 452, a law passed in the final hours…
Category: Roosevelt Wright
We all pay taxes: Isms by Loop Road speaker reflect subtle racism
At Monday’s Monroe City Council meeting, Randy McConaughey of 201 Loop Road took to the microphone and made a statement that left many in the room shaking their heads. “I’m a taxpayer. The district you represent may or may not…
Violent crime decline welcomed: over 63 days without a murder
For months, our city council has celebrated a remarkable milestone: a significant reduction in violent crime, particularly murders. At the most recent council meeting, Councilman Verbon Muhammad led the audience in applause to mark 63 days without a murder—a stark…
Jacksonville brutality case sends vibes to Blacks across the nation
On December 9, 2024, a shocking incident unfolded in Jacksonville, Florida, when 22-year-old William McNeil Jr. became the victim of egregious police abuse during a traffic stop by officers of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). That incident hits home to…
Is the state of the city for South Monroe gentrification and tin top apartments?
Mayor Friday Ellis’s recent “State of the City” address painted a rosy picture of Monroe’s future, brimming with achievements and forward-looking initiatives, but South Monroe was in the shadows. He highlighted declining crime rates, youth impact programs, expanded Boys &…
Delay in naming principals for Neville, Carroll is concerning
When it comes to leading a school district, timing is everything. Monroe City Schools Superintendent Rev. Sam Moore, III is still relatively new on the job, but some decisions can’t afford to wait. The delay in naming principals for Carroll…
Diddy verdict is a setback for abused women
The July 2, 2025, verdict in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial—acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking but guilty on two counts of transportation for prostitution—has left advocates for abused women disheartened. While Combs faces up to 20 years for actions…