Southeast News

Choice Financial Acquires Hackmeier Agency in South Florida

Virginia-based Choice Financial Group has acquired Jeff D. Hackmeier and Associates, a south Florida insurance agency catering to high net-worth clients. Hackmeier, based in Bay Harbor Islands, near Miami, has been in business since 1978, the companies said in a …

People: McCosh, Sumrall Take New Posts at McGriff

McGriff, a Charlotte-based insurance broker and subsidiary of Truist Insurance Holdings, said it has named two people to help lead its risk services division. Brandon McCosh was promoted to be national director, risk control; and Shane Sumrall was named national …

Skanska Ordered to Pay $1.7M to Florida Oyster Farm for Barges Loosed in Storm

Skanska USA, part of one of the world’s largest construction firms, was ordered to pay almost $1.7 million to a Florida oyster farmer, three years after the firm’s barges broke loose in Hurricane Sally. The state-court jury verdict last week …

‘I Am Guilty.’ Murdaugh Pleads to 22 State Financial Crimes for 27 Year Sentence

Alex Murdaugh pleaded guilty Friday to stealing millions of dollars from vulnerable legal clients in schemes lasting over a decade under an agreement that all but ensures more prison time for the longtime lawyer who was convicted of killing his …

Dollywood Temporarily Suspends Park Entry Due to Nearby Wildfire

Dolly Parton`s Dollywood temporarily suspended entry Thursday into the Tennessee amusement park as wildfire crews on Thursday battled nearby flames. Park officials say they paused entry to allow fire crews enough room to assess the growing blaze in Sevier County …

Best Agency to Work For – Southeast Gold Winner: Wiglesworth-Rindom Insurance Agency

Education Is Key to Success Florida insurance agents have been through the wringer in the last five years, with repeated rate increases for properties across the board, carriers pulling out of the market, and continual complaints from insureds about premiums. …

Georgia Fires Kill 3, Destroy Historic Home in Stone Mountain Park

A house fire in northeast Georgia that killed three people last week was found to be accidental in nature, linked to a clothes dryer that was running overnight. And a blaze that burned a 180-year-old, historic home in Stone Mountain …

Heavy Rains, High Winds Bring Flooding, Damage to South Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Why has it been raining so much in south Florida? Experts say the latest windy, rainy storm system seen this week has nothing to do with hurricane season. The storm system that formed over the …

Mississippi Loosens Burn Ban After More Rain and Fewer Wildfires

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Recent rain has helped improve drought conditions enough for Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves to partially lift a statewide burn ban. Reeves, the Mississippi Forestry Commission and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said the burn ban will …

Mom Not Liable in Son’s Crash of Family Car, Florida Supreme Court Says

Florida families and their auto insurers can rest a little easier after the state Supreme Court decided Thursday that a mom cannot be held vicariously liable for an accident caused by her son who had borrowed the family car. In …

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