State and Regional News

Oh, Deer! West Virginia Herd Costing Insurers $44 Million a Year

West Virginia deer are causing excessive damage across the state and the Division of Natural Resources’ plan to manage the herd is deficient in addressing the problem, says a legislative audit released this week. West Virginia has an estimated 1 …

Lawsuit Seeks to Halt New Orleans Levee Work

A lawsuit is threatening to slow down or even halt work to strengthen a New Orleans canal that broke catastrophically during Hurricane Katrina. Homeowners with backyards along the 17th Street Canal filed a civil suit in state court on Jan. …

Fremont Michigan Evaluating Options after Revised Biglari Holdings Offer

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc., a Michigan-exclusive property and casualty insurance carrier, says it is evaluating a revised unsolicited offer from Biglari Holdings Inc. to take over the company. Fremont confirmed that it has received the revised proposal from Biglari Holdings …

Ex-Parish Officials in Louisiana Face Ethics Charges Tied to Insurance

Louisiana officials have filed ethics charges against former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard and his former top administrator. The Times-Picayune reported that most of charges filed by the state ethics board are tied to an agreement between a private insurance …

BP Claims Chief Meets with Mississippi Business Owners

The administrator of BP’s $20 billion oil spill claims fund has promised fairness and speed in compensating victims, but angry fishermen and business owners are complaining that they’re still not getting what they deserve. Attorney Kenneth Feinberg met Monday with …

Alleged ‘Harassment’ Not Compensable for New Jersey Security Guard

A New Jersey woman who claimed the stress of her work as a hospital security guard left her with a psychiatric disability cannot collect workers’ compensation benefits, a state judge has ruled. The case centered on the allegation by the …

Delaware Sees Fewest Traffic Deaths Since 1968

Delaware Highway Safety officials say the state saw a 14 percent drop in traffic deaths in 2010. A preliminary count announced this week shows 101 people were killed on Delaware roads last year, the lowest number of such deaths since …

Kansas Insurance Department Recoveries for Consumers Drop in 2010

The Kansas Insurance Department is reporting that it recovered 32 percent less money for consumers last year than it did in 2009. But the agency says the number of complaints from consumers about insurance companies also declined. Insurance Commissioner Sandy …

SBA Announces Disaster Loans for 72 Oklahoma Counties

The U.S. Small Business Administration says small, non-farm businesses in 72 Oklahoma counties are eligible for low-interest disaster loans. Officials announced Jan. 6 the loans will offset economic losses caused by the combined effects of drought, extreme heat, and high …

Oklahoma Revenue Exceeds Prior Year, New Treasurer Says

State officials say the money coming into state coffers last month exceeded both prior year collections and the official estimate. New State Treasurer Ken Miller says the December revenue report shows the economy is gaining strength, although he cautioned it’s …