Texas / South Central News

Texas, Oklahoma Battle Opioids With Legislation

Editor’s Note: This is part of a team report on opioid use by injured workers. For the national story read: Opioid Epidemic Plagues Workers’ Comp In the South Central region, Texas and Oklahoma are two states where the battle against opioid …

Tornadoes Prompt State of Emergency Declaration in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has declared a state of emergency after tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding wrought devastation throughout her state on May 18 and 19. Beginning on Saturday, numerous Oklahoma counties were hit with tornadoes, straight-line winds, …

Former Louisiana Insurance Agent Gets 5 Years in Fraud Case

A 35-year-old Denham Springs, La., man has been sentenced in Baton Rouge federal court to nearly five years in prison and ordered to pay two life insurance companies more than $1.4 million for frauds he committed against them. The Advocate …

May 16 Storm Produced 4 Tornadoes in Louisiana

A powerful thunderstorm in the afternoon on May 16 produced four tornadoes as it moved into Louisiana from Texas The National Weather Service, in a survey released Saturday, says all tornadoes had winds of 90 mph to 100 mph. The …

Ethics Board: Senator Can’t Seek Louisiana Citizens Post

Louisiana State Sen. Dan “Blade” Morrish is barred from seeking the CEO’s job at Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. That ruling was reaffirmed on May 17 as the Louisiana Ethics Board upheld an earlier advisory opinion, reports the American Press …

NWS: At Least 16 Tornadoes in Recent North Texas Outbreak

At least 16 tornadoes have been confirmed in the outbreak in North Texas on May 15, federal weather officials say. Survey teams were sent to Johnson County, Hood County, Parker County, Ellis County and Montague County, the National Weather Service …

House Lawmakers Shelve Louisiana Citizens Rate Review Bill

Lawmakers in the House have rejected a proposal seeking legislative review of large rate hikes for customers of Louisiana’s property insurer of last resort. The House Insurance Committee scrapped the idea in a 9-4 vote against Senate Bill 19 by …

Cause of Texas Fertilizer Fire ‘Undetermined,’ Authorities Say

The cause of the fire that triggered the explosions in a fertilizer plant in Texas last month has been deemed “undetermined,” investigators say. Texas State Fire Marshall Chris Connealy said the scene investigation into what caused the fire in the …

Newby Named President, COO at Texas-Based Mullis Newby Hurst

Mullis Newby Hurst LP (MNH), based in Addison, Texas, has promoted John W. Newby to president and chief operating officer. Newby began his career with MNH in 2002, as executive vice president and partner. Prior to that, he was the …

Tornadoes Spin Through Texas Towns After Dark, Killing Six

At least six people were killed and 100 injured when tornadoes ripped through north-central Texas after dark and authorities said the death toll could rise as rescuers search through the rubble of destroyed homes. At least three twisters were confirmed …

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