Louisiana
Buc-ee’s clears another hurdle for Ruston, Louisiana, store; big meeting on I-20 design set
Keith Urban puts on free, ‘loose’ show for fans at Buc-ee’s store
Country star Keith Urban surprised fans at an Alabama Buc-ee’s with a pop-up concert that drew out hundreds of spectators.
Buc-ee’s first Louisiana store in Ruston moved closer to breaking ground this week with the city’s zoning commission approving the site map for the travel center, while Mayor Ronny Walker said a critical meeting is scheduled Friday in Baton Rouge about the Interstate 20 interchange design to accommodate the project.
Walker said his meeting Friday will include state and federal transportation officials, as well as representatives with Buc-ee’s about the design of the interchange and service road.
“The meeting will include all of the partners to make sure everything is on schedule, which we believe will be the case,” Walker said in an interview with USA Today Network.
In April, officials with the city, state and Federal Highway Commission signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to the design concept of Interstate 20 interchange and service road, but the infrastructure plan still needs final approval to move forward.
“I think we can get that as close to the finish line as possible Friday,” Walker said.
Walker has credited Gov. Jeff Landry’s new Department of Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue with “accelerating the process from the day he was appointed.”
The mayor said Ruston’s City Council will approve the 80-acre site plat that cleared the Ruston Planning and Zoning Commission during the council’s next meeting Sept. 9. Buc-ee’s plans to use about 25 acres for its campus, while the other sections are reserved for future development.
Walker said he remains confident Buc-ee’s will meet its 2025 target date for opening the Ruston store.
Ruston and Lafayette are in an unofficial competition to land the first Louisiana Buc-ee’s. The Lafayette store is also scheduled for a 2025 opening.
Buc-ee’s, with its toothy Beaver mascot, has developed a cult following among travelers who consider the stores tourism destinations rather than just giant convenience stores.
Every Buc-ee’s has wide varieties of meat jerky, roasted nuts and other culinary delights, like the signature Buc-ee’s Beaver Nuggets (similar to caramel popcorn), fudge, brisket and sausage on a stick.
Ruston’s City Council, the Lincoln Parish School Board and Lincoln Parish Police Jury approved a tax incentive package that set the project in motion in 2022.
The Lake Jackson, Texas-headquartered company has more than 40 stores in seven southern states and Colorado, but none in Louisiana.
But the company has its origins in Louisiana, where Buc-ee’s owner Arch “Beaver” Aplin III worked in his grandfather’s general merchandise store during his childhood summers.
“For our family, opening a Buc-ee’s in Louisiana is like coming home,” the Beaver said in a previous statement to USA Today Network. “We are very excited about Buc-ee’s coming to Ruston.”
Buc-ee’s will create a minimum of 200 new full-time jobs with starting pay at $16 an hour plus benefits including three weeks paid time off and a 401k plan with a company match.
More: Buc-ee’s moves closer to breaking ground on first Louisiana store in Ruston
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
Louisiana
Louisiana Outdoors Forever Technical Advisory and Project Selection Board to Meet November 10
The Louisiana Outdoors Forever Technical Advisory and Project Selection Board will meet at 2:00 PM, November 10, at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters, located at 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge.
AGENDA:
- Call to Order – Bryan McClinton, Chair
- Roll Call – Angela Morejon
- Project Selection Board Approval of April 14, 2025 Meeting Minutes
- Technical Advisory Board Approval of October 21, 2025 Meeting Minutes
- Approval of November 10, 2025 Agenda
- Updates on 2023 Funded Projects – Angela Morejon
- Technical Advisory Board presents full application scores to the Project Selection Board
- Project Selection Board selects funding for projects for the 2025 Application cycle
- Receive Public Comments
- Adjournment
A live audio/video stream of this meeting will be available via Zoom. To view via webinar, register at: https://wlf-la.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_keZmM260RO6Ch5WcRlqPaQ
The Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program provides funding for outdoor conservation projects in the state. For more information regarding Louisiana Outdoors Forever, visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/louisiana-outdoors-forever.
WATCH: 2024 Christmas Parade lights up downtown San Angelo
The 2024 Christmas Parade lights up downtown San Angelo.
Louisiana’s fall festival season is in full swing, and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy food, music, arts and culture across the region before the holidays arrive.
From long-running community traditions to niche cultural celebrations, residents can expect a mix of live entertainment, family-friendly activities and regional cuisine as communities showcase the best of Louisiana.
Whether you love zydeco music, crave a plate straight off the pit or want to stock up on handmade gifts before the holidays, there’s a festival for every interest. Many events also highlight fundraisers for schools, churches and nonprofits, bringing families and community members together.
Here are 10 festivals still ahead on the calendar this fall across Acadiana, with opportunities to dance, dine and discover the region’s heritage before the season winds down.
10 Louisiana fall festivals you can still catch
- Port Barre Cracklin Festival
Nov. 13‐16, 2025. A festive four‑day event featuring cracklin’ cooking competitions, carnival rides, parades, and live music. Address: 129 Park St., Port Barre, LA 70577
- Christmas on the Bayou Festival
Nov. 7, 2025. A holiday‑themed fest with lights, vendors and seasonal treats. Address: Bryan Street, Cottonport, LA 71327
- Bayou Teche Brewing Fall Fest Nov. 15 – Dec. 25. Craft beer, wood-fired pizza and local music set the mood for a relaxing autumn weekend. Address: 1002 North Ln., Arnaudville, LA 70512
- Christmas in the Park
Nov. 30, 2025. Holiday lights and community gatherings to wrap up the fall season. Address: Moncus Park, 2913 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503
- Holiday Lights at Baton Rouge General
Nov. 20‑22, 2025. Multi‑day celebration of lights and holiday activities (still within fall‑to‑holiday transition). Address: 8585 Picardy Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809
- Reindeer Trails
Nov. 20‑22, 2025. A local holiday‑themed festival with family activities and trails of lights. Address: 629 Spring St., Shreveport, LA 7110
- Holiday Light Safari
Nov. 27‑28, 2025. A night‑time festival of lights, food vendors, and family fun. Address: Alexandria Zoo 3016 Masonic Dr., Alexandria, LA 71301
- Logansport Christmas Festival
Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026. An extended festival, including the tail end of fall and the start of the holiday season. Address: 192-198 Elm St., Logansport, LA 71049
- Light Up the Lake Christmas Festival
Nov. 28, 2025. A one‑night event with fireworks, lights and local vendors; still in the broader fall festival window. Address: 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, LA 70601
- Noël Acadien au Village
Dec. 1 to Dec. 23, 2025. An evening market/festival celebrating Acadian heritage and holiday spirit. Address: 200 Greenleaf Dr., Lafayette, LA 70506
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A new study from the personal-finance company WalletHub ranks Louisiana among the worst states in the country for job seekers in 2025.
The report places Louisiana 49th overall out of 50 states in WalletHub’s annual Best & Worst States for Jobs ranking.
WalletHub said the national unemployment rate sits at 4.3%, and its labor force participation is at its lowest level in the past couple of years.
To help job seekers find better opportunities, WalletHub compared all 50 states using 34 key indicators of job-market strength and economic vitality. The study looked at factors such as employment growth, job opportunities, median annual income and average commute time.
WalletHub said that states ranking higher tend to have stronger economies, higher wages, and more stable employment conditions.
Louisiana’s rankings in major categories include:
- 40th – Job opportunities.
- 27th – Employment growth.
- 28th – Monthly average starting salary.
- 42nd – Unemployment rate.
- 48th – Median annual income (adjusted for cost of living).
- 47th – Average work week (in hours).
- 33rd – Average commute time.
- 50th – Job security.
Best states to find a job, according to WalletHub
- Massachusetts.
- Connecticut.
- Minnesota.
- Vermont.
- New Hampshire.
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