The manufacturer now forbids use of Nembutal in state executions, leading defense attorneys to question when Louisiana's stash was produced. The drug has a maximum shelf life of two to three years.
Investigations
911 operators answer hundreds of calls every day related to police officers’ moonlighting
Military academy’s background check didn’t turn up employee’s prior theft charge
The background check for New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy only went back seven years and wasn't as comprehensive as a similar service available from the state. Darrell Sims was once charged with stealing from a Terrebone school; now NOPD is investigating him for theft from the military academy.
New research indicates Mississippi River diversions could harm marshland
Forces collide as nature takes a stab at saving a coastal marsh — for free
When the swollen Mississippi broke through to feed a marsh during Carnival 2011, it seemed to some like an alternative to the multi-million-dollar man-made diversion planned nearby. But conflicting views over whether to let 'Mardi Gras Pass' run wild are a perfect example of how complex coastal restoration issues can be.
New research: Louisiana coast faces highest rate of sea-level rise worldwide
New technology has revealed that southeast Louisiana is sinking faster than previously known. Combined with rising seas due to global warming, a leading scientist says waters will rise "at least four feet." With more communities closer to open water, even minor hurricanes could cause catastrophic damage.
Funding crisis looms for $14 billion hurricane protection system
The agency responsible for maintaining the multibillion-dollar flood protection system can't afford the $34 million annual bill, and possible solutions are blocked by state and congressional politics. “We’ll soon be facing a $600 million question," says John Barry, vice president of the South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East.
