Louisiana
Buc-ee’s clears another hurdle for Ruston, Louisiana, store; big meeting on I-20 design set
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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
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A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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