Three Monroe City Council members and the publisher of the Monroe Free Press have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new Louisiana law they claim illegally strips voting power from the city’s Black majority by transferring key appointment authority to…
The Monroe City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Calvin Jerrod Jones as the city’s new Director of Community Affairs during its regular meeting Tuesday night. Council Chairman Rodney McFarland praised the appointment and said council members had the opportunity…
The Monroe City Council has hired Monroe-based civil rights attorney Carol Powell Lexing to prepare its legal challenge to Act 452 which allows the governor to appoint the city’s police and fire chief. The controversial legislation allows Louisiana’s governor to…
It has been almost ten years since the Monroe City Council voted to rename the Powell Street Neighborhood Center in honor of two local trailblazers—Benny J. Ausberry and James “Coach” Hughey. Yet, despite the council’s resolution, neither man’s name has…
The Monroe City Council has leveled strong accusations against Mayor Friday Ellis, claiming he sought to sidestep the city’s charter after the council refused to confirm his fire chief nominee. At the heart of the conflict is new state legislation—sponsored…
In a special-called meeting held Monday at the Monroe Civic Center, the Monroe City Council voted 3-2 to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a newly enacted state law that grants the governor authority to appoint a fire or…
New information from the parish tax assessor may have breathed new life into the city council’s push to squeeze more money out of present tax appropriations to subsidize city services. The idea sparked discussion among Monroe City Council members about…
