Louisiana

Community rallies behind Louisiana Walmart greeter after TikTok video goes viral

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

Community rallies behind Louisiana Walmart greeter after TikTok video goes viral

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – 76-year-old John Terry has worked at the Walmart in Monroe for fifteen years. When a recent TikTok of him showcasing his dedication to his job went viral, an outpouring of love came from the community.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘I do my job’: Local Walmart greeter gains TikTok fame after radiating positivity

Walmart Manager Stacy Martin says that people from all over come and shop at the Monroe Walmart just to see Mr. John.

“He’s always delightful to all my customers,” said Martin. “I have customers come in time and time again just to see him. Whether they’re shopping or not, they just come in and give him a hug. He hugs everybody, he loves the community,” said Martin.

A 76-year-old Monroe Walmart greeter has captured the hearts of over two million TikTok viewers after a post of him expressing his dedication to his job went viral. They call him “Mr. John.”(Source: Nick Burks)

Both coworkers and friends described Terry as passionate, saying he brightens everybody’s day.

“What people have seen in that video, he is an authentic genuine human being. I’ve seen this guy do plenty of amazing things to enhance humanity,” said long-time friend Daryl Triplett. “It’s one thing to see him at Walmart but to see him on a daily basis go out of his way to help people and to make the world a better place – it’s amazing. That’s a rare thing to see in this day and time, and John Terry is that person.”

Mr. John says it makes him feel good to know that people enjoy seeing him.

“I just enjoy everybody coming and interviewing with me and I just enjoy this community,” said Terry. “I just like being in Monroe. I just like being here and all these sweet people standing around.”

So far the TikTok of Mr. John has racked up more than 2.5 million views and over 400,000 likes.

While this type of newfound fame could be overwhelming to some, Mr. John says he’s just happy to live and work in such a wonderful community.

This video of a local Walmart greeter has been seen by millions!

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Louisiana

Fed’s ‘Catahoula Crunch’ finished its first week in Louisiana

Published

11 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Federal immigration authorities are keeping a tight lid on key details as “Catahoula Crunch” closes its first week in southeast Louisiana, Verite writes.

The operation—one of Department of Homeland Security’s largest recent urban crackdowns—began with raids at home-improvement stores and aims for 5,000 arrests, according to plans previously reviewed by the Associated Press. While DHS publicly highlighted arrests of immigrants with violent criminal records, AP data shows fewer than one-third of the 38 detainees in the first two days had prior convictions.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups report widespread fear in Hispanic communities, with residents avoiding hospitals, schools, workplaces and even grocery stores amid sightings of federal agents.

Business impacts are already visible: restaurants and Hispanic-serving corridors like Broad Street appear unusually quiet, with staff shortages forcing menu cuts and temporary closures. School absenteeism has doubled in Jefferson Parish, and protests have spread across New Orleans and surrounding suburbs as local leaders demand transparency around federal tactics.

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Louisiana

Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers

Published

23 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana State Police is opening its doors throughout December, hosting open house events aimed at giving potential applicants a closer look at what it takes to become a state trooper.

Troop leaders said the goal is to recruit men and women who are prepared for the demands of the job and committed to serving their communities.

Troop A Public Information Officer Shelby Mayfield said the open houses are designed to make the application process more accessible.

“One of the reasons we generated these open houses was to allow our applicants to come in and get a look inside the troop, meet some state troopers from across the troop area, and ask whatever questions they may have to the recruiters who are present,” Mayfield said.

Along with information sessions, Mayfield said the events help future applicants better understand the daily responsibilities of law enforcement and the mindset troopers are expected to bring to the job.

“We want to make sure that that trooper knows how important officer safety is,” he said. “But more importantly, we want to make sure they go out there with a pure heart.”

The Louisiana State Police Training Academy is known for its rigorous curriculum that prepares cadets for real-world situations. From crash investigations to communication skills, instructors focus on developing well-rounded troopers who can serve safely and effectively.

Mayfield said applicants must be ready for a variety of interactions, not just emergencies.

“Not everything is going to be a high-intensity, rapidly evolving situation,” he said. “You need to be able to deal with the public to accomplish your job, and that’s why we preach not just getting the job done, but being able to relate to the public so you can meet their needs.”

The application deadline for Cadet Class 109 is Jan. 6, 2026. Mayfield encourages anyone who feels called to the profession to take the next step.

“If this is something you genuinely have in your heart to do, reach out to somebody when it’s convenient for you,” he said. “Even if you miss a deadline, never give up because it’s never too late.”

Open house events will continue throughout the month at troop locations across Louisiana. More information on Cadet Class 109 and the application process is available on the Louisiana State Police website.

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Louisiana

This Louisiana bank is planning to expand its Baton Rouge footprint

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Press Room

This Louisiana bank is planning to expand its Baton Rouge footprint

(iStock)

Houma-based Synergy Bank is planning to construct a second Baton Rouge location.

The bank is proposing a roughly 9,200-square-foot branch with a drive-thru on a 1.63-acre tract in the Towne Center Business Park, adjacent to Cadence Bank.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to review the final development plan at its January meeting. Rusty Bourg, Synergy Bank’s chief operating officer, filed the application. The property is owned by Summa Professional Office Park LLC. According to the development plan, the 9,236-square-foot building would sit on 1.07 acres, leaving about a half-acre of open space.

Formed in 1998 by a group of local business leaders in the Houma-Terrebonne area, Synergy entered the Baton Rouge market in 2023 after acquiring People’s Bank and its branches in Baton Rouge, New Roads, Central and Livonia. The bank’s Baton Rouge location is on Mourning Dove Drive near Jefferson Highway.

The bank also operates six branches in the Houma-Thibodaux area and reported assets of roughly $1.2 billion and deposits of $1 billion as of Sept. 30, according to the FDIC.

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