After state officials announced last week that Indiana will resume executions for the first time in over a decade, secrecy largely shrouds the new drug, pentobarbital, acquired for the impending lethal injections.

The one-drug method is a departure from the state’s protocol used since 1995, involving a series of three chemicals.

Although no state-level executions in Indiana have used pentobarbital before, 13 federal executions carried out at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute have been carried out with the drug. Fourteen states have used pentobarbital in executions, too.

But state and federal officials alike have remained closed-lipped about where pentobarbital is sourced from and how much it costs. Also still unknown is the amount Indiana has acquired and when the current doses expire.

Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC), a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. that tracks state and federal executions, said it’s also critical for the public to know who will be administering the drug — and how — as well as what training those individuals will receive. 

“These are the hard questions that have to be asked,” Maher told the Indiana Capital Chronicle. “This is an official government function, and in a democracy, we value honesty and transparency in our government officials and the acts they do on our behalf. This is absolutely one of those official acts, and voters in Indiana deserve to know what their government is doing in their name.”

What is pentobarbital?

The Hoosier state has carried out 20 executions since 1981. The first three — in 1981, 1985 and 1994 — were by electrocution. The rest have been by lethal injection — which is now the only method permitted by state law.

The Indiana Code doesn’t specify what drugs are to be used for executions, saying only that the drugs must be injected intravenously in a quantity and for an amount of time sufficient to kill the inmate.

Previously, when a prisoner was executed by lethal injection in Indiana, they were strapped to a gurney, and an IV line was inserted to inject a lethal combination of three substances: a barbiturate to render the person unconscious; pancuronium bromide to paralyze voluntary and reflex muscles; and potassium chloride to stop the heart.

But after Indiana’s last execution in 2009, the state was effectively forced to pause. Increased scrutiny of lethal injection drugs led pharmaceutical companies to refuse to sell their products for use in executions. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said that made acquiring the necessary drugs “harder to get.”

It wasn’t until last week that the governor, along with Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, announced that the state’s Department of Correction has obtained the pentobarbital to carry out the death penalty.

The state is so far seeking an execution date for Joseph Corcoran, a man convicted in the killings of four people in Fort Wayne in 1997. There are currently eight men on Indiana’s death row, including Corcoran. No one has been added to the state’s death row since 2014.

In the one-drug executions, a prisoner is injected with an overdose of pentobarbital. The new drug, which Maher described as a sedative, has commonly been used to euthanize pets.

“It’s a barbiturate that explodes the activity of the brain and the nervous system and breathing,” she said. “When you’re given an overdose of that, it will ultimately suppress breath and kill you.”

Pentobarbital was first introduced in 2010, according to the DPIC.

So far, 14 states have used the drug in executions: Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia. Five additional states — Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina and Tennessee — additionally plan to use pentobarbital. Colorado includes pentobarbital as a backup drug in its lethal-injection procedure.

On Thursday at 9:01 p.m. a flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until 10:30 p.m. for Indiana County.

“At 9:01 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” explains the weather service. “Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.”

Locations impacted by the warning include Indiana, Clymer, Chevy Chase Heights, Lucerne Mines, Brush Vly and Yellow Creek State Park.

According to the weather service, “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.”

Deciphering advisories, watches, and warnings: Understanding weather alerts

• Flash flood warning: Take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

• Flood warning: Take action!

A flood warning is declared when flooding is on the verge of happening or is already underway.

• Flood advisory: Be aware:

A flood advisory is released when flooding is not expected to reach a severity level necessitating a warning. Nonetheless, it can still cause considerable inconvenience and, without exercising caution, potentially lead to situations that threaten life and/or property.

• Flood watch: Be prepared:

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Weather service flood safety guidelines: Weathering the storm

In flood-prone regions or while camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the weather service flood safety guidelines can be a lifesaver:

Seek higher ground:

If you’re in a flood-prone area, or if you’re camping in a low-lying spot, move to higher ground as a first step.

Adhere to evacuation orders:

When local authorities issue an evacuation order, promptly comply. Before leaving, secure your home by locking it.

Disconnect utilities and appliances:

If time allows, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.

Steer clear of flooded basements and submerged areas:

Steer clear of basements or rooms where water has submerged electrical outlets or cords. This helps prevent electrical accidents.

Evacuate promptly for safety:

If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate without delay. Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge.

Stay away from floodwaters:

Never attempt to walk through floodwaters, even if they appear shallow. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your feet.

Seek higher ground when trapped:

Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.

During heavy rainfall, the risk of flooding is heightened, especially in low-lying and flood-prone regions. Always remember never to drive through water on the road, no matter how shallow it appears. According to the weather service, as little as 12 inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away most vehicles. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads

Rain can turn roads into hazards. Stay informed and follow these weather service tips to ensure safety during heavy rainfall:

Beware of swollen waterways:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Prioritize visibility:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

• Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
• When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

Clark and Boston dominated the fan voting, finishing first and second overall. That put them in the top 10 of the overall voting. The league’s head coaches decided the rest of the roster, and they chose to put Mitchell in the game. Indiana players will occupy a quarter of Team WNBA and an eighth of the players across both Team WNBA and Team USA.

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It’s the first time the Fever have had three All-Stars since 2007, when Tamika Catchings, Tammy Sutton-Brown and Anna DeForge all made the squad. That season, Indiana finished 21-13. Two years later, the Fever reached the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Catchings and Sutton-Brown were still terrific talents in 2009.

“It’s crazy. It’s awesome to have three All-Stars for the Indiana Fever this year. So proud for them, so proud for them, so proud for our organization,” head coach Christie Sides told reporters on Tuesday night. “These guys deserve it. They’ve been working hard [and] keep getting better. [It] just shows the future and what that looks like for the Indiana Fever.”

Clark is averaging 16.0 points and 7.1 assists per game this season. Mitchell leads Indiana with 16.6 points per game while Boston adds 13.3, and Boston contributes 8.1 rebounds per game as well. They are all tremendous talents, and the Fever have their strongest base in nearly a decade.

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Indiana won 13 games in both 2019 and 2023 (Boston’s rookie season). In 2019, the team was headlined by an interesting mix of veterans and younger players, including Mitchell, Candice Dupree and Teaira McCowan. But the Fever’s winning percentage dropped in three straight seasons after that 2019 campaign.

That doesn’t project to be the case this time around. The Fever are on pace to win at least 15 games this year, which would be their most since 2016. Fittingly, that was the franchise’s last playoff berth. Indiana hopes to make it again, and having three All-Stars gives the franchise the base to eventually get there.

“I think it’s special,” Boston said. “I think it just goes to show the talent of this team.”

Accolades can be noteworthy and life-changing. Mitchell is now a two-time All-Star, but it was hard for her to be left off the team two years ago. It matters to be named to Team WNBA, for her individually and for the franchise.

“[It’s a] really, really big thing for our franchise,” Mitchell said. She said it also shows what the players aspire to be as individuals: “Any great competitor has an All-Star somewhere down their list.”

Boston was a rookie All-Star last year, and Clark is one this year. That’s rare. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese was named a 2024 All-Star, too, marking the first time in a decade that two rookies have been All-Stars in the same season, per Across The Timeline.

All three Fever All-Stars know they can get better, too. Indiana is a young group that is still finding its way and only recently started gelling.

Mitchell started the season slowly and was dealing with an ankle injury. In her last 11 games, she is averaging 18.5 points per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 47.8% from deep. Clark has adapted her game to the WNBA after seeing different and tricky coverages early on. Boston, by her own admission, had a rough start to the season, but she’s averaging 16.6 points and 10.3 rebounds across her last 10 games.

Stathead Stat of the Week

The New York Liberty have started the season 16-3. They’re the 14th team in WNBA history to start off 16-3 or better. Of the first 13, 11 went on to win the title.

Stathead is your all-access pass to the Basketball and College Basketball Reference databases. Our discovery tools are built for women’s basketball fans like you. Answer your questions in a matter of seconds.

That trio is ready for more. They have all gotten better as the season has progressed, and now they are All-Stars. Mitchell has proven she belongs with the best of the best after years of steady improvement. Boston and Clark are two of the league’s top young talents.

“It’s fun. It’s cool, obviously, for myself to accomplish this in my rookie year,” Clark said before noting it’s big for the franchise. “Me and [Aliyah], Year 1 and Year 2 … that’s pretty exciting.”

The Indiana Fever still have to build in order to turn a roster with three All-Stars into a contender. Just ask the Atlanta Dream, which had three All-Stars in 2023 but aren’t in form this year. But having young talent provides an excellent base, and as the Fever try to grow into a contender, the 2024 All-Star Game will be a turning point toward their goals.