Southeast News

State Attorneys General, Citizens Groups, Support Mississippi Google Investigation

With representatives of the electronics industry saying Mississippi’s attempt to investigate Google should be blocked by federal law, 11 other state attorneys general and other groups are taking the opposite position. They’re weighing in on the side of Mississippi Attorney …

President of Florida’s Homeowners Choice to Retire

President of Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Co., Scott Wallace, plans to retire at the end of May 2015 after 37 years in the insurance industry, according to a statement from Homeowner’s Choice’ parent company, HCI Group, Inc. (HCI). …

Florida Approves Removal of Nearly 80,000 Policies from Citizens

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has approved the removal of up to 78,897 personal residential policies and 500 commercial residential polices from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. by the following four companies: First Community Insurance Co. ‒ approved to remove …

Explosion at Fireworks Manufacturer Caused by Mixing Process, Kills 2

A sheriff’s official says an explosion at a north Alabama fireworks manufacturer that killed two people happened during the fireworks mixing process. Madison County sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Chaffin said the explosion happened during the mixing process late Friday morning at …

Kentucky Lawmaker Added to Sexual Harassment Lawsuit for Firing Worker

A high-ranking Democrat in the Kentucky House of Representatives has been added to an ongoing sexual harassment lawsuit in Franklin County. Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate added state Rep. Johnny Bell of Glasgow last week as a defendant in …

Former Massey CEO Requests Dismissal of Charges from West Virginia Mine Explosion

A former coal company executive is seeking the dismissal of charges stemming from a 2010 mine explosion that killed 29 workers in West Virginia. Don Blankenship, former chief executive officer of Massey Energy, also has asked the court to disqualify …

Mississippi House Reintroduces Texting-While-Driving Ban

House members are moving ahead with a ban on texting and social media use while driving, after killing a similar bill in the closing moments of the 2014 legislative session. The House voted 98-20 Friday to approve House Bill 389. …

Kentucky Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Raise DUI Offense Record to 10 Years

Drivers convicted of driving under the influence in Kentucky would have it on their record for 10 years under a bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Currently, it takes four driving under the influence convictions within five years to …

Florida’s Citizens’ to Consolidate Workforce to Jacksonville Site

Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s Board of Governors has approved a contract to consolidate the company’s information technology and other functions at the EverBank Center in downtown Jacksonville, Fla. The move, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of …

North Carolina Governor Faces Backlash Over Workers’ Comp Fraud Claim

Gov. Pat McCrory is taking heat after saying in his annual State of the State address last week that nearly half of workers’ compensation claims paid to state employees are the result of abuse or fraud. “We all want to …