High water everywhere: Changes to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map for incorporated and unincorporated parts of Livingston Parish will be discussed at a public meeting Thursday, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Denham Springs Municipal Building, 941 Government Dr. The new map, which takes effect on April 3, will be on display; and local and state officials, as well as representatives from FEMA, will be on hand to answer specific questions. The adoption of the new map may affect requirements for residents, businesses and organizations to purchase flood insurance for homes, offices or other structures. Call 667-8326 for more information about Thursday’s meeting.
A public display: Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he’ll have to close museums if lawmakers pass the budget proposed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. Schedler outlined the situation today to the House Appropriations Committee, which is combing through Jindal’s proposals for the 2012-13 fiscal year. The secretary of state oversees 17 museums, mostly tiny museums run by volunteers and part-time workers. Schedler says with the budget proposed, he could keep open the two largest museums—the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge and the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport—but would have to shut down every other museum he oversees. Schedler is trying to get local communities to take over some museum operations. Jindal proposed a $70 million budget for Schedler’s office. Schedler says that includes a $1.5 million cut to museums.
Two of a kind: The wife of a former police officer who helped cover up deadly shootings on a New Orleans bridge after Hurricane Katrina pleaded guilty today to submitting a fraudulent claim for money from BP’s oil spill compensation fund. Rokeisha Barrios, 32, of New Orleans, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine following her guilty plea to one count of wire fraud. Her sentencing by U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance is set for June 13. Barrios received separate payments of $22,600 and $11,307 from the Gulf Coast Claims Facility after falsely claiming her husband, Robert Barrios, lost income as a fisherman and hotel employee following the Gulf oil spill in 2010, according to federal prosecutors. The Associated Press has the full story here.
