Louisiana

CVS tells customers it will be forced to close its doors in Louisiana because of HB 358, lawmakers call bluff

Published

9 months ago

June 11, 2025

CVS tells customers it will be forced to close its doors in Louisiana because of HB 358, lawmakers call bluff

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – On June 11, many CVS customers woke up to a text from the pharmacy chain that said it would have to close its locations in Louisiana because of HB 358, which passed both the House and Senate. That bill would force CVS Health to stop operating CVS Caremark, alongside other pharmacies that own Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers (PBMs) in Louisiana.

On June 11, many CVS customers woke up to a text from the pharmacy chain that said it would have to close its locations in Louisiana because of HB 358; which passed both the House and Senate.(WAFB)

“If you choose to be a PBM, you can still be a PBM but you cannot be a PBM and a pharmacy,” Rep. Dustin Miller proclaimed on the House floor. His bill would do just that, separating what he says is a conflict of interest in the pharmaceutical industry.

A PBM is essentially a middleman between pharmacies, insurance companies, and drug manufacturers that works to set drug prices. PBMs make their profits by spread pricing, or through the difference between what they bill insurance companies and the rebate to the pharmacy.

Oftentimes, these PBMs are owned by the pharmacies that they work with, even though they work across the industry. Lawmakers allege this drives business away from independent pharmacies and strangles small business.

“They set the rates and the reimbursement for the pharmacies; we are just telling them if that is your core responsibility, you can keep that as your core responsibility,” Miller said. “We don’t want you to also go open a pharmacy and steer people to you and compete against other pharmacies.”

On June 11, many CVS customers woke up to a text from the pharmacy chain that said it would... — On June 11, many CVS customers woke up to a text from the pharmacy chain that said it would have to close its locations in Louisiana because of HB 358; which passed both the House and Senate.(WAFB)

Many House lawmakers took to the floor to call out CVS for what they said are scare tactics. The text and emails claimed sent by CVS claimed lawmakers were trying to get CVS to shut down its businesses.

“No, we’re not you liars,” Baton Rouge Republican Rep. Dixon McMakin said. “Quit being liars, quit using scare tactics.”

But Rep. Edmond Jordan said everyone needs to take a chill pill.

“Independent pharmacies aren’t going to close tomorrow, in fact, they are doing better than they have in several years,” Jordan said. “If CVS decides to leave, hopefully, we have people there to make up that difference.”

House Bill 358 now heads to the governor’s desk for final signature. Governor Landry has said online that he supports the new regulations.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for March 3, 2026

Published

11 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

6-8-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

3-6-7-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 3 drawing

0-8-3-2-0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Louisiana

Brother of Louisiana mayor accused of raping 16-year-old has a hauntingly similar criminal past

Published

23 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Brother of Louisiana mayor accused of raping 16-year-old has a hauntingly similar criminal past

The brother of Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts — accused of raping her son’s teenage friend — is facing child sex crimes of his own.

Brandon Lee Roberts, 39, was accused of raping a teen girl and assaulting a young woman over the course of several years, KALB reported.

Brandon Lee Roberts, 39, is accused of raping a teen girl and assaulting a young woman over the course of several years. Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office

The alleged sexual abuse began when one of the victims was as young as 13, according to Beauregard Parish Sheriff Mark Herford.

He was arrested in October.

Booking photo of Misty Clanton Roberts. — Brandon’s sister, Misty, the ex-mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, allegedly raped her son’s teenage friend. AP

That comes years after his big sister – ex-mayor of DeRidder, 43-year-old Misty Roberts – allegedly got hot and heavy with her son’s 16-year-old friend at a drunken party at their home.

Roberts was allegedly caught in the tryst by her own kids.

She was arrested months later, and is currently on trial for rape charges.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 2, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing

3-9-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 2 drawing

4-1-1-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 2 drawing

0-5-2-9-5

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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