NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge has dismissed a charge that is the backbone of the case against a former BP executive accused of concealing information from Congress about the amount of oil spewing in 2010 from the company's blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico.

via Judge tosses ex-BP executive’s obstruction charge | al.com.

SPANISH FORT, Alabama— At Friday’s meeting of the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council, a number of leaders from area environmental groups asked that a citizens committee be appointed to ensure transparency and fairness in the selection of projects to be funded by RESTORE Act BP oil-spill fines.

via Alabama groups seek transparency in BP oil-spill projects – GulfCoastNewsToday.com: News.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – A former BP engineer charged with deleting text messages about the company’s response to its 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has urged a federal judge to sanction Justice Department prosecutors for allegedly withholding evidence.

via Ex-BP Engineer Claims Feds Withheld Evidence | Mobile AL, Pensacola FL News, Weather, Sports | WPMI-TV | Local15TV.com.

Just this year, crews have collected more than 8,000 pounds of tar on Alabama’s shores – that’s equivalent to the weight of two cars. WSFA 12 News picked up at least 2 pounds in a short walk along Orange Beach back in March.

via WSFA 12 News Special Report: Toxic Tar Balls – WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL..

“It’s as safe as Dawn dishwashing liquid.” That’s what Jamie Griffin says the BP man told her about the smelly, rainbow-streaked gunk coating the floor of the “floating hotel” where Griffin was feeding hundreds of cleanup workers during the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Apparently, the workers were tracking the gunk inside on their boots. Griffin, as chief cook and maid, was trying to clean it. But even boiling water didn’t work.

via What BP Doesn’t Want You to Know About the 2010 Gulf Spill – Newsweek and The Daily Beast.

Three years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill polluted the Gulf Coast’s ecosystem and hammered its economy, the region is still waiting on billions of dollars in fines and other payments from BP.

via Gulf Coast still waiting for restoration money | Pensacola News Journal | pnj.com.

WASHINGTON — Three years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill polluted the Gulf Coast’s ecosystem and hammered its economy, the region is still waiting on billions of dollars in fines and other payments from BP.

via 3 years after Gulf oil spill, region still waits on BP funds | The Advertiser | theadvertiser.com.

Three years after the BP oil spill, scientists are left scratching their heads when asked if populations of sea creatures in the Gulf of Mexico have returned to normal.

via Lack of basic research cripples scientists when assessing toll of BP oil spill on Gulf’s natural system | al.com.

GULF SHORES, Alabama -

Self proclaimed sea turtle czar Mike Reynolds travels the beach almost every day. “We're always on the lookout for the tarballs, we're eyes on the beach.” He doesn't see them much anymore. “If you look up and down the beach here it looks beautiful, you don't really see any obvious issues.”

via BP Anniversary Brings Fear of Unknown – WKRG News 5.