Articles by Stephanie K. Jones

Texas, Louisiana Improve Building Code Rankings; More Work Needed

Texas doesn’t have the worst score in a recent ranking of state building code systems but it’s pretty close to the bottom, according to a national organization committed to improving the ability of properties throughout the nation to withstand catastrophic …

Midwest Storms Continue; At Least 1 Killed in Illinois Tornado

One person was reported killed and several others injured when a large tornado swept through Northern Illinois on April 9. The Illinois towns of Fairdale, Rochelle and Kirkland sustained major damage. Fairdale, a community of 200 about 20 miles southeast …

Midwest Hammered by Severe Storms; More Expected Today

States in the Midwest were slammed on Wednesday by violent storms that produced high winds, hail and tornadoes. The severe weather is expected to continue today. Large and destructive hail have caused the most damage so far, according to the …

Louisiana’s Eagan Insurance: Carrying on a Family Tradition

Marc Eagan says he’s fortunate that his four children grew up in and around the insurance business. For Eagan, president of Eagan Insurance Agency located in the New Orleans-area, it means his firm is well-situated to carry on the family …

Medical Marijuana Discussion Comes to the Texas Capitol

Calling it “an historic moment” medical marijuana advocates praised the filing of what has been deemed comprehensive medical marijuana legislation in the Texas House. Introducing the legislation at a press conference in the Capitoal building on March 17, Rep. Marisa …

Month-Long Austin Rideshare Challenge Shows Drivers Lack Insurance Savvy

Josh Waldrum knows from first-hand experience that most of the folks who drive for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are not well informed about the insurance issues that insurance professionals see as problematic such as coverage gaps, and the …

Lawmakers Likely to Try Again to Reform Michigan’s No-Fault System

Michigan has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country and auto insurance rate hikes there were higher than those in any other state over the past two years, according to the insurance consulting firm, Perr&Knight. Some see …

Medical Marijuana Discussion Comes to the Texas Legislature

Calling it “an historic moment” medical marijuana advocates praised the filing of what has been deemed comprehensive medical marijuana legislation in the Texas House. Introducing the legislation at a press conference on March 17, Rep. Marisa Márquez said “it’s time …

One Killed by Falling Beams After 18-Wheeler Hits Texas Bridge

One man was reported killed and three injured on March 26 after a tractor trailer truck hit the FM 2484 overpass bridge on Interstate 35 in Central Texas, causing beams to fall on the traffic below. The bridge near the …

Storms Sweep Through Oklahoma with Tornadoes, Hail

Oklahoma Attorney General Pruitt announced that Oklahoma’s Emergency Price Stabilization Act is now in effect for 25 Oklahoma counties after Gov. Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding that hit the …