 BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT | Staff writer Another local parish is considering banning kratom, an herbal extract that is the subject of growing controversy. Many medical experts have questioned the benefits of consuming it in large quantities, and law enforcement officials say they're seeing it more often in overdoses. But some kratom consumers say it helps them relieve pain and the symptoms of PTSD. Here's a look at how the debate has come to Livingston Parish.
How many people died during Hurricane Katrina? You might think that, 17 years after the disaster, that would be a settled number, but it's not. Here's what the latest research means for the storm's death toll — and what the shifting number shows about the sheer scale and complexity of the tragedy.
About 450,000 Louisiana residents live in places with deeply troubled water systems, according to a new system created by the state Department of Health. The system gives their towns either an F or a D rating. Here's how the ratings work, and what they mean for the quality of water in our state. | 
