Latest Alabama Headlines

All the headlines from our Alabama Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Alabama Judge Upholds Fraud Verdict against AstraZeneca, Trims Judgment

Jun 24 2008 // An Alabama judge upheld the fraud verdict that the state won against AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP in a Medicaid drug pricing suit, but ruled the punitive damages were too high, trimming the total judgment to $160...

15 Alabama Families Displaced in Birmingham Apartment Fire

Jun 23 2008 // A two-alarm fire destroyed ten apartments and displaced 15 families at Nob Hill Apartments in Birmingham, Ala., with a couple preparing to wed losing her wedding dress, his tuxedo and their belongings. Battalion Chief C.W....

Alabama Woman Charged with Killing Show Horse for Insurance Money

Jun 17 2008 // Police said a south Alabama woman admitted to shooting her show horse to death in May, burning a barn with the animal inside and attempting to collect $100,000 in insurance on the horse named Abby. Brenda Gradia, 41, of...

Jury Selection Begins in Alabama for Trial of 70 Pharmaceutical Firms

Jun 17 2008 // Jury selection is beginning in the next trial of Alabama’s lawsuits against more than 70 pharmaceutical companies for allegedly overcharging the state’s Medicaid program. A jury is being selected June 17 in the...

Alabama Insurance Agent in Runoff for Congressional Seat

Jun 16 2008 // Huntsville, Ala. insurance executive Wayne Parker and Huntsville attorney Cheryl Baswell Guthrie will be in a runoff for the Republican nomination for the 5th Congressional District seat. Parker nearly won without a runoff...

Ratings: Mercer, Hallmark, Auto Club, Southern States, Meadowbrook, Iron Horse, Courtesy, Alabama Muni, Am. Millers

Jun 6 2008 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Mercer Insurance Group of Pennington, NJ. The ratings apply to the following...

Alabama Insurance Exec in Runoff for 5th Congressional District Seat

Jun 5 2008 // Huntsville, Ala. insurance executive Wayne Parker and Huntsville attorney Cheryl Baswell Guthrie will be in a runoff for the Republican nomination for the 5th Congressional District seat. Parker nearly won without a runoff...

After 3-Year Lull, Mississippi, Alabama Gird for New Hurricane Season

Jun 2 2008 // After Hurricane Katrina struck the upper Gulf Coast in 2005, even grizzled storm veterans became edgy when the opening of hurricane season rolled around. Blue tarps covering Katrina-damaged homes are far fewer now, but as...

Declarations

Jun 2 2008 // Friend and Colleague “We are devastated that all hope is lost, but we also find a sense of closure in knowing that we can lay to rest our dear friend and colleague with the dignity and respect she...

Alabama and Mississippi Officials Ready for Hurricane Response

May 23 2008 // With no Gulf Coast hurricane since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Alabama and Mississippi officials have worried that residents and tourists could become complacent about the seriousness of orders to flee the next disaster...

Financial Relief on the Way to Alabama for Tornado Damage

May 20 2008 // Residents and business owners in several northeast Alabama counties will get financial help to rebuild and repair property affected by the severe storms and tornado on May 11. Officials announced May 16 that beginning May...

Alabama Opens Coastal Home Insurance Market to Captive Insurers

May 19 2008 // The Alabama Legislature has passed a bill that will allow captive insurance companies to sell residential insurance along the Alabama coast. The House and Senate voted without dissent to give final approval to changes in...

Alabama Raises Required Auto Liability Limits for First Time Since 1983

May 19 2008 // The Alabama Legislature has voted to raise the minimum amount of auto liability insurance that motorists must purchase. The current limits under Alabama’s mandatory insurance law are $20,000 for a single injury or...

People

May 19 2008 // MyNewmarkets.com, the Web site with a searchable online directory that brings together agents seeking property/casualty insurance markets with the market providers, is expanding its content to include in-depth analysis and...

Alabama Students Hope Balloons Lead to Improved Tornado Warnings

May 19 2008 // Studying balloons’ payload could be first step toward programming Doppler radar to recognize tornado debris Three hot-air balloons dropped asphalt shingles, lumber, sticks, leaves and pine needles onto a north...

Update: Alabama Governor to Sign Bill Raising Auto Insurance Requirements

May 19 2008 // Some Alabama motorists may need to buy more auto liability insurance in a few months. Gov. Bob Riley said he intends to sign legislation raising Alabama’s minimum insurance requirements for the first time in 25...

Alabama Officials Review Reverse Traffic Plan in Hurrcane Scenario

May 14 2008 // Alabama Gov. Bob Riley joined state workers from the Alabama Department of Transportation, the Alabama Department of Public Safety, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Alabama National Guard as they began a...

Captive Companies Could Compete for Coastal Business in Alabama

May 12 2008 // The Alabama Legislature has passed a bill that will allow captive insurance companies to sell residential insurance along the Alabama coast. The House and Senate voted without dissent May 8 to give final approval to...

Alabama Joins 3 other Katrina-stricken States to Update House Panel

May 12 2008 // An Alabama official estimates the state needs between $100 million to $110 million – double its allocated federal aid – to address persistent housing needs in 22 counties declared disaster areas from Hurricane...

Alabama Legislature Raises Auto Liability Insurance Minimums

May 12 2008 // The Alabama Legislature is ready to raise the minimum amount of auto liability insurance that motorists must purchase. The current limits under Alabama’s mandatory insurance law are $20,000 for a single injury or...