Mary Landrieu clamors for pipeline; pedestrian slaughter on state roads

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Criminal Justice

Lawyers argue that next week’s execution could amount to ‘human experimentation’ | The Lens – Lawyers for Death Row inmate Christopher Sepulvado say his execution should be halted given that the state wants to use new drugs of uncertain efficacy. They also contend that Louisiana officials should be sanctioned for their “evasiveness” about the execution method.

Supreme Court Justice Temporarily Halts Execution Of Missouri Inmate | St. Louis Public Radio –

At issue is the quality and source of the execution drug. The state has attempted to keep the supplier a secret, but we’ve [St. Louis Public Radio] reported the pharmacy is the Apothecary Shoppe in Oklahoma. That pharmacy is not licensed to do business in Missouri.

The Lens reported Saturday that the state of Louisiana had considered illegally getting execution drugs from the same pharmacy that supplied the state of Missouri.

La. Supreme Court upholds two statutes in gun law challenge | The Advocate — “The Supreme Court’s decision reversed a June 2013 ruling by Judge Pamela Taylor Johnson that struck down a law — as it pertains to juveniles — that forbids the carrying of concealed weapons without a permit.”

 Environment

The legacy quest | Greater Baton Rouge Business Report – “Less than two years after achieving favorable legislation, the oil and gas industry wants to tweak the rules governing cleanup litigation.”

State of the Union: What Obama didn’t say about energy, environment – Los Angeles Times

[In his annual State of the Union address, President Barack Obama] remained silent about whether or not to issue a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would send oil from the tar sands of Canada to Gulf Coast refineries. It is among the most contentious questions his administration must settle.

Sen. Mary Landrieu was among members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation to press the President to signal approval of the pipeline decision, citing job-creation benefits. However, the domestic energy boom has raised questions about the pipeline’s benefits. 

Why are New Orleans, Baton Rouge and rest of the Deep South getting Arctic air? | NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune – A rare atmospheric trough is to blame.

Schools

Inside the higher education numbers | Louisiana Budget Project – The think tank analyzes the governor’s proposals for college and university funding.

John McDonogh High School official explains $1 million audit discrepancy | NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune – School officials say the discrepancy was due to revenue for Walter L. Cohen High School from the Recovery School District, and not because of mismanagement.

New Orleans students learn the business of art | Gambit – Jeanne Nathan, director of the Creative Alliance of New Orleans teaches creatively-inclined students in New Orleans public schools about the realities of the job market.

Government & Politics

New LSU hospital manager asks state for more money | NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune  

The research foundation running LSU’s Shreveport and Monroe hospitals under a privatization deal crafted by Gov. Bobby Jindal‘s administration is asking the state to pay for more than $120 million in hospital improvements and expansions. …

Jindal has described privatization deals for the LSU hospitals as a way to cut costs, including on building maintenance and construction needs.

A year after indictment, theater loan still in limbo | The Advocate – It seems unlikely that the city will recoup the $6.5 million loan it gave investors in a now defunct movie theater project in eastern New Orleans.  However, investors in the scheme have made donations to Mayor Mitch Landrieu in recent years.

Ryan Berni, a spokesman for the Landrieu campaign, did not respond to questions about whether the mayor — who has raised far more money than his challengers and is spending much more on his re-election bid — would consider turning those checks over to the city treasury to make up for a small part of the failed loan.

The Music Lover’s Guide to the New Orleans Elections | VICE – Journalist and musician Michael Patrick Welch opines: “If New Orleans really wants to maintain its unique status as a city where music and musicians of all stripes are encouraged rather than oppressed, the citizenry needs to replace the current crop of politicians with people who represent musical interests.”

Land Use

Louisiana pedestrian deaths fifth worst in nation | The New Orleans Advocate – A report suggests that more pedestrian crossings and bike paths would improve safety. “The report demonstrates a need for more state and city planners to incorporate pedestrian and cyclist safety into traffic plans, according to Rachel DiResto, CPEX [Center for Planning Excellence] executive vice president.”