Houston’s Tom Herman is a top candidate to be LSU’s next head football coach. Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network and columnist for Tiger Rag Magazine says LSU also approached Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher but he declined an offer that would pay him about 7 million dollars a year. He says interim head coach Ed Orgeron still remains a candidate.

Cut 10 (09) “the job”

Tigers Athletic Director Joe Alleva met with Coach O earlier this morning as planned.

Tomorrow’s Powerball jackpot drawing has soared to a massive 403 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kim Chopin says this is the second year in a row we’ve seen a big jackpot during the holidays, as last year it reached 1.6 billion dollars. She says this year’s winner will be able to buy a lot of Christmas gifts.

Cut 13 (06) “is yours”

The cash value is 243.8 million dollars.

Small Business Saturday is tomorrow and local, independent businesses are expecting a big turnout. Spokesperson for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana, Todd Pack, says a recent survey shows more people than ever are aware of Small Business Saturday and 62-percent of those plan to shop at small retailers.

Cut 3 (08) “the owner”

The survey found 63-percent of consumers are willing to spend more on items if it comes from a locally owned business.

Holiday shopping is in full swing. Executive Director of the Louisiana Retailers Association Dawn Johnson says this is  an important time for retailers that were impacted by the historic floods in March and August.

Cut 7 (09) “or better”

She expects it will be a successful holiday shopping season for retailers.