Monthly Archives: <span>March 2015</span>

Lawmakers Halt Medical Marijuana Efforts in North Carolina

North Carolina legislators are stopping efforts to legalize marijuana to treat medical conditions. A state House committee voted Wednesday to kill a medical marijuana bill. Advocates say marijuana helps to manage chronic pain, and relatives of injured military veterans spoke …

Main Street America Appoints Cox to Lead New Florida Region

The Main Street America Group has appointed Chris Cox as president of the carrier’s newly created Florida Region. Main Street America’s primary brand in Florida is Old Dominion Insurance Co. Florida has become Main Street America’s second largest state with …

West Virginia Chemical Spill Settlement for Community Projects Dropped

Lawyers for businesses and people affected by a massive chemical spill last year say a settlement to fund community projects is no longer being considered. In June 2014, lawyers for the groups affected by the Freedom Industries spill proposed the …

New York to Investigate Insurers’ Cybersecurity Work After Hacks

Insurers doing business in New York State must tell a regulator there about efforts to prevent computer hacking, detailing the precautions taken and the personnel devoted to the task. Benjamin Lawsky, superintendent of the state Department of Financial Services, said …

Federal Judge Blocks Granting Family Leave to Same-Sex Couples in Texas

The U.S. was barred by a federal judge from immediately enforcing a new rule that would grant Family and Medical Leave Act benefits to same-sex couples. Texas sued the U.S. last week, claiming that the government’s definition of spouses would …

J.M. Wilson Announces Staff Changes in Illinois

Insurance wholesaler J.M. Wilson has promoted Jenna Caschetta to property/casualty underwriter in its Arlington Heights, Ill., office and added Gerry McCabe as P/C underwriter. Caschetta is responsible for quoting new and renewal accounts for a wide variety of commercial property …

Gender Discrimination Lawsuit in Silicon Valley Goes To Jury

Jurors began deliberating this week in a gender bias case that has drawn attention to the treatment of women in Silicon Valley after hearing an impassioned plea urging them to send a strong message to the venture capital industry. During …

California Senate Approves $1B Water Plan Amid Drought

The state Senate has approved a $1 billion proposal to speed up spending on water projects in drought-stricken California. The Senate this week voted 35-1 on the package to accelerate infrastructure spending. An accompanying measure authorizing fines for illegal water …

Regulators: Auto Insurance Rates Continue Downward Trend in Missouri

Auto insurance premiums have declined significantly since 2000, according to figures released by the Missouri Department of Insurance. The average annual cost for full coverage peaked in 2003 at $740 — it dipped to $726 in 2013. In inflation-adjusted dollars, …

Oklahoma Commissioner: Severe Weather Damaged at Least 1,100 Insured Homes

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak announced that more than 1,100 homeowners insurance claims have already been filed following severe weather that marched across the state on Wednesday, March 25. “Tornadoes are a devastating act of Mother Nature that Oklahomans …