Small businesses in Louisiana aren’t too optimistic about 2016. Dawn Starns, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says owners were more upbeat a couple of years ago, but now businesses have lower expectations. She says the sluggish oil and gas industry seems to be making consumers and potential business owners nervous and uncertain about the future of Louisiana’s economy…

cut 13 (11) “on Louisiana”

She also says business owners will be waiting to see how Governor-elect John Bel Edwards plans to fix the state’s fiscal mess.

There were no jackpot winners in last nights $500 million PowerBall drawing. The estimated jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing climbs to an incredible $675 million, the largest lottery jackpot ever in the United States. The cash value for Saturday’s prize is just over $413 million.

According to a personal finance site, Ruston is one of the top 10 cities out of about 2500 nationwide, with the least sustainable credit card debt. CardHub determined that the average credit card debt for a Ruston resident is $5,323. Dr. Bill McCumber, finance professor at Louisiana Tech, says there are about 24,000 people in Ruston…

cut 4 (10) “adds up”

CardHub says it would take 173 months for that debt to be paid off, at a cost of $7,138.

Despite weeks of speculation that he may want to coach for another NFL team, Sean Payton remains the head coach of the Saints. Payton spoke with reporters and said he can’t envision coaching for another club…

cut 15 (13) “do here”

Payton stated that New Orleans is home.