Louisiana State Police are investigating an incident in which a child was struck by a vehicle in Terrebonne Parish.

Louisiana State Police Troop C is investigating a vehicle-related injury of a child on LA 665 that occurred just before 4 p.m. Thursday, LSP Public Information Officer Tiah Larvadain said.

Terrebonne Parish Superintendent Bubba Orgeron said the school district is aware of an accident involving a Terrebonne Parish student and a Terrebonne Parish School District bus. The district is working with local and state authorities in the active investigation.

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.

(KSLA) — Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry used the phrase “new industrial South” during his speech in Bossier City, referring to a new era for the state.

“We have such a great opportunity. There is a renaissance that is going on in the South. I call it the new industrial South. And this year is going to mark Louisiana’s entry into that new industrial South. Let me tell you. It’s going to make people around the country say ‘Wow!’ and come home.”

State Rep. Steven Jackson explained what it means for the northwest region of Louisiana.

The lawmaker said he is very excited to see Northwest Louisiana grow with several companies bringing high-paying jobs in different areas of the economy.

“And as the Legislature, we are going to work with him (Landry) to make sure that we let businesses know that we are open for business here in Northwest Louisiana.”

2025 is not far away. And with the new year comes new jobs.

“Things have finally happened, SLB; the GE Prolec project; Amazon is finally opening, so they have been announced,” Jackson said. “They have either been in construction and now they are actually coming to fruition.”

He said to expect 800-1,200 jobs coming to the area.

“Heirloom is another one, Side in Bossier, the port has some companies that are coming, a tube and piping company that is coming to Mansfield in DeSoto Parish.”

Jackson pointed out that having a “new industrial south” in Northwest Louisiana means jobs in different sectors are a priority.

“I think Live! Casino, they are anticipating an opening in early 2025. There are some jobs that are coming to north Bossier, I believe, in north Bossier Parish, in (the) Haughton and Plain Dealing area, and those will be about manufacturing.

“I think what we learned from the GM situation was we don’t want to be too dependent on one particular sector,” Jackson added.

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