Texas / South Central News

Power Plant ‘Weatherization’ Bills Sent to Texas Governor

The Texas House and Senate on May 30 approved sweeping legislation to overhaul the state’s power grid following the disastrous and deadly winter storm in February that left more than 4.8 million homes and businesses without electricity for days. More …

Employees Sue Texas Hospital Network to Halt Vaccine Mandate

A group of 117 healthcare workers at a Texas hospital filed a lawsuit in state court against their employer’s mandate requiring all staff to get COVID-19 vaccinations, Washington Post reported on Saturday. Employees of Houston Methodist Hospital said in the …

5 More Plead Guilty in New Orleans Staged Truck Accident Cases

Five more individuals have pled guilty to their involvement in insurance fraud schemes arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers in New Orleans, Louisiana. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana reported that Lois Russell, 61, …

Experts Say Texas Is Missing Chance to Avert Deadly Blackouts

Elzie Ford lost power in his freezing home for nearly a week during February’s catastrophic blackouts in Texas. By the time the 68-year-old widower was found on the floor, his hands were purpled with frostbite. He died the next day. …

Texas Asks Feds for $750M More in Harvey Relief Funds

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush said he is requesting $750 million in federal funds to be sent directly to Harris County after the county and Houston were awarded $0 out of the $1 billion pot in the latest round …

Wild Well Catches Fire in Louisiana; Workers Injured

At least seven people were injured when a wild well in a coastal Louisiana marsh caught fire while they were trying to control it, news outlets report. The owners said that the fire was out within two hours after it …

Revised Oklahoma Cybercrime Bill Sent to Governor

Oklahoma business owners may soon have a bit more protection against the growing threat of cybercrime as the revised House Bill 1759 passed the House and moves to the Gov. Kevin Stitt for his signature. HB1759, authored by Rep. Trish …

Texas Nurse Practitioner Gets 20 Years, Must Pay Over $52M in Healthcare Fraud Case

A Waxahachie, Texas, nurse practitioner has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and ordered to repay more than $52 million in restitution for his role in a healthcare and insurance fraud scheme, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for …

Northwestern Oklahoma Shaken by Preliminary Mag 4.5 Quake

A strong earthquake measured at a preliminary magnitude of 4.5 rattled a small northwestern Oklahoma town Tuesday but apparently caused no injuries or significant damage. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake struck about 1:25 p.m. near Shattuck, a town …

Texas Seeking Insurer Data on Catastrophe Experience in 2020

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has issued a data call for information from certain insurance companies writing property insurance in Texas during calendar year 2020. The information will be used by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to calculate participation …

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