A two-year-old girl is dead and authorities say a man who babysat the child is considered a person of interest in the case. Authorities say Willow Rain Renteria-Molina’s body was found in a remote area of Beauregard Parish. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says 33-year-old Rodney “Donnie” Bailey Junior was the last person to see her alive and he is in custody.

An LSU audit supports the university’s claims that its former band director Roy King improperly awarded musician scholarships to Golden Girls dance team and color guard. LSU released the aduit to the Advocate newspaper. King has filed a lawsuit against LSU over his recent firing.

A 36-year-old Lafayette woman has pleaded guilty to stealing gift guards whe she worked for the US Postal Service. Tonia Moore-Parker faces five years in prison. The US Attorney’s office says Moore-Parker opened five envelopes and stole gift guards worth 150-dollars.

There are three Cajun jockeys in today’s Kentucky Debry. Kent Desormeaux is riding one of the favorites, Exaggerator. Desormeaux is looking for his fourth Kentucky Derby win. Also, Corey Lanerie is aboard Mo Tom and Brian Hernandez Junior has the saddle for Tom’s Ready. Mo Tom and Tom’s Ready are owned by Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson.

Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee is using Mother’s Day as a reminder for women, especially those over 40, to make sure they get annual mammograms and regular cervical cancer screenings…
cut 5 (07) “…as well”
Gee says she lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 16 and doesn’t want others to go through the same experience.

The Powerball jackpot for tonight’s drawing is 415 million. Ticket sales will conclude at 9 PM.

Vernon Parish Sheriff authorities have announced that the body of a two-girl was found in a remote area in Beauregard Parish. Sheriff Sam Craft says 33-year-old Rodney “Donnie” Bailey Junior is considered a person of interest, as he was the last person to see Willow Rain Renteria-Molina of Hornbeck alive. Bailey would often babysit the child according to family members. Bailey is in custody as authorities have charged him with other crimes.

A study from the firm KPMG ranks north Louisiana has the most compeitive place to do business in the country. Scott Martinez, President of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, says low utility costs is one reason why Monroe and Shreveport rank high on this list…
cut 13 (10) “….competitively priced”

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is $415 million. This is the second time this year the jackpot has surpassed 400-million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the large jackpots have boosted ticket sales 50-percent from this time last year.
cut 10 (10) “jackpots”
Ticket sales stop at 9 PM tonight.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson, along with his wife Gayle, are in Louisville to watch two of his horses run in today’s Kentucky Derby. Mo Tom and Tom’s Ready are not considered favorities to win the race.

The LSU baseball team won its series opener with Arkansas last night, beating the Hogs five to four. Alex Lange earned his sixth victory of the season on the mound. Game two is tonight at 6:30.

A 33-year-old man is in custody in connection with the death of a two-year-old child. Authorities found Willow Rain Renteria-Molina’s body of Hornbeck in a remote area of Beauregard Parish. Vernon Sheriff Sam Craft says Rodney “Donnie” Bailey Junior is considered a person of interest as he was the last person to see the little girl alive. Bailey is reportedly not cooperating with authorities, but he is in jail on several other charges, including gun possession by a convicted felon.

A 78-year-old Shreveport woman could face the next decade behind bars for cashing Social Security checks that were mistankenly sent to a dead man for nearly three decades. Rose Marie Jackson Allen will be sentenced in September after pleading guilty to theft of government property. Allen shared a post office box with a man who died in 1986, but the government kept sending him social security checks. It’s believed Allen collected over 200-thousand dollars in illegal benefits.

Tonight’s PowerBall jackpot is a whopping $415 million, the 7th largest prize in the game’s history. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says this would be one heck of a Mother’s Day present…;
CUT 9 (07) “as well”

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson has two horses in today’s Kentucky Derby. Their names are Mo Tom and Tom’s Ready. Mo Tom’s odds are 20-1, and Tom’s Ready is 30-1.

With Mother’s Day on Sunday, the Department of Health and Hospitals is urging all women to get regular health checks, including mammograms. Secretary Rebekah Gee says she lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 16 and doesn’t want others to go through the same experience. Gee says you don’t want to wait until it’s too late…
cut 3 (07) “…your doctor”

Authorities say the body of a 2-year-old Vernon parish girl was found by a deputy in Beauregard Parish. Willow Rain Renteria-Molina of Hornbeck was reported missing at 11pm Thursday night. Police say 33-year old Rodney “Donnie” Bailey Jr was the last person to see the girl alive, and he is a person of interest in the investigation.

Louisiana prosecutors decide not to file any criminal charges in the death of a mentally ill man, who was shot and killed by sheriff deputies last December. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Department of Health and Hospitals is advising women to get regular health exams, including mammograms.The American Cancer Society suggests women 45 to 54 should get yearly mammograms to detect breast cancer. DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee says many women are scared to get mammograms, but she says cancer isn’t a death sentence.

CUT 4 (10)  “be treated”

The 2016 Competitive Alternatives study by the firm KPMG shows that north Louisiana is the most competitive place to do business in the country. Scott Martinez, President of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, says that’s due to a business friendly environment.

cut 12 (11) “availability”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports a bill by Parks Senator Fred Mills that would expand the list of medical conditions that medical marijuana can be used to treat. But Edwards says he does not support the legalization of recreational pot use.

Cut 10 (09) “that direction”

Mills senate-approved bill is waiting to be heard on the House floor.

A bill to raise the minimum age for strippers is heading to the House for final legislative approval. It Amite Representative Robby Carter voted for the legislation in a House committee and is not a big fan of the exotic dance profession….

Cut 15 (08) “or something”

Under the legislation individuals between 18-and-20 could work in a strip club as a waitress or perform other jobs, but they could no longer work as a stripper. The city of New Orleans has already passed a similar ordinance.

There is a month left in the legislative session and lawmakers still have a lot to. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says the budget is the biggest concern for legislators. He says lawmakers are working to pass a balanced budget with a 600 million dollar shortfall before the session ends on June 6^th and funding TOPS is a major priority.

cut 4  (10)  “that amount”

The House Appropriations committee is expected to make changes to the proposed budget for next fiscal year on Monday and send the spending plan to the House floor. Alford also says one of the governor’s main bills for the session, a measure that raises the minimum wage, faces an uphill climb.

Cut 5  (10)  “budget crunch”

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to call a second special session in June.

The Department of Health and Hospitals is reminding women to get regular health checks. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Lafayette woman is facing multiple charges after she allegedly ran into a police officer with her vehicle. Authorities says 37-year-old Jennifer Shanahan was involved in a disturbance and was found sitting in her vehicle in a parking lot. According to police, officers asked Shanahan to exit her vehicle, instead she placed her vehicle in reverse and accelerated, hitting the officer who suffered a minor injury.

This morning prosecutors ruled that no charges will be filed in the fatal officer-involved shooting of a mentally-ill man last year. State Police say 32-year-old Michael Noel was shot and killed at his home in St. Martin parish while resisting officers who attempted to take him into protective custody. Assistant District Attorney Chester Cedars says no one was charged in the incident, because there was no crime.

CUT 6 (08) “the law”

Noel’s mother, Barbara, told the Associated Press she is “furious” no criminal charges were handed down against the deputies.

Saturday’s Powerball jackpot is now up to $415 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the recent Powerball jackpots have boosted ticket sales 50-percent from this time last year.

cut 10 (10)  “jackpots”

No criminal charges will be filed in the fatal officer-involved shooting of a mentally-ill man, 32-year-old Michael Noel. The St. Martin sheriff’s deputies reportedly shocked Noel with a stun gun while trying to take him into protective custody, but Noel allegedly tried to stab one of the officers. Prosecutor Attorney Chester Cedars…

CUT 8 (11) “criminal offense”

Noel’s mother, Barbara, told the Associated Press she is “furious” no criminal charges were handed down against the deputies.

North Louisiana is the most competitive place to do business in the country, according a study by the firm KPMG. Scott Martinez, president of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership…

cut 14 (07)  “in particularly”

The Department of Health and Hospitals is urging women to get their regular health checks. DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee says cervical cancer screenings are particularly important and there are many vaccines to prevent cervical cancer. She recommends women get regular PAP tests starting at age 21 every three to five years.

CUT 5 (07)  “as well”

The Powerball jackpot for Saturday’s drawing has climbed to $418 million. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says the Powerball gets so much attention because when the jackpot gets this high, everyone talks about what they would do with their money.

Cut 11 (08) “big wins”

Chopin says it only takes one ticket to win.

Prosecutors decide not to file any criminal charges in the death of a mentally ill man, who was shot and killed by sheriff deputies last December. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Doctor Rebekah Gee is using Mother’s Day as a reminder for women, especially those over 40, to make sure they get annual mammograms and regular cervical cancer screenings…
cut 5 (07) “…as well”

State Police has issued a Missing Child Advisory as the search is on for a missing two-year-old girl from Vernon Parish, who could be endangered. Authorities say two-year-old Willow Rain Renteria-Molina is a white girl with long blonde hair and brown eyes and went missing from her home. Anyone with information should contact the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office.

A study from the firm KPMG ranks north Louisiana has the most compeitive place to do business in the country. Scott Martinez, President of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, says low utility costs is one reason why Monroe and Shreveport rank high on this list…
cut 13 (10) “….competitively priced”
The data from the study shows that Monroe and Shreveport each rank about 8-percent lower than the national average for business costs.

The Department of Health and Hospitals is gifting women this Mother’s Day with a friendly reminder about the importance of having regular mammograms. DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee says some women are scared to get checked, but keep in mind cancer isn’t always a death sentence…:
CUT 4 (10) “be treated”
Gee says cervical cancer screenings are also important and there are many vaccines to prevent cervical cancer.

State Police has issued a Level II Endangered/Missing Child Media Advisory on behalf of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office for a 2-year-old child. They said the toddlers name is Willow Rain Renteria-Molina and she was reported missing from her home in Hornbeck, Louisiana. She is a 2-year-old white female with long blonde straight hair and brown eyes. Anyone having any information as to the whereabouts of Willow Rain Renteria-Molina should immediately contact authorities.

Tomorrow night’s PowerBall jackpot has reached a whopping $415 million, the 7th largest prize in the game’s history. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says this would be one heck of a Mother’s Day present…;
CUT 9 (07) “as well”
The cash value of the prize is estimated to be 270 million dollars.

The 2016 Competitive Alternatives study by the firm KPMG shows that north Louisiana is the most competitive place to do business in the country. Scott Martinez, President of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, says that’s due to a business friendly environment…:
cut 12 (10) “availability”
Louisiana cities make up 8 of the top 10 for competitive markets.

Mother’s Day is upon us and the Department of Health and Hospitals is using the opportunity to remind women about the importance of getting regular mammograms. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

And if you plan on taking mom out for Mother’s Day, you might want to make your reservation today. That’s according to Erica Burns with the Louisiana Restaurant Association who says people love to pamper mom by dining out:
CUT 1 (10) “restaurant”

No charges will be filed in the case of the officer involved shooting which claimed the life of a St. Martinville man in December. St. Martin Parish Assistant DA Chester Cedars says 32-year-old Michael Noel, who is mentally ill, put the officers in a volatile situation before they used lethal force…:

CUT 7 (08) “both officers”
Noel’s mother, Barbara, told the Associated Press she is “furious” no criminal charges were handed down against the deputies.

Not quite the $1.6 billion dollar prize we saw in January, but tomorrow night’s Powerball jackpot is still one of the largest in the game’s history. The drawing stands at $415 million dollars which, if won, would be Powerball’s 7th biggest jackpot ever.