Texas / South Central News

Tornadoes in Texas Panhandle, No Injuries Reported

Several suspected tornadoes touched down Saturday afternoon in the Texas Panhandle between Lubbock and Amarillo, according to the National Weather Service, but no injuries or fatalities were reported. Two possible tornadoes touched down south of Amarillo, near Palo Duro Canyon …

Texas-Based BNSF Ordered to Pay $290K in Whistleblower Case

Federal labor officials have ordered Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF Railway Co. to pay more than $290,000 in back pay, damages and fees, and reinstate an employee after an investigation found the worker’s rights were violated under the Federal Railroad Safety …

$1.4B Shortfall Threatens Houston Area Flood Control Projects

Flood control projects approved by Houston area voters in 2018 in response to Hurricane Harvey are facing a $1.4 billion shortfall that could delay their completion, officials have announced. The projects in need of the most funding are in some …

5th Circuit Rejects ‘Legal Gotcha’; Says Insurer Must Pay for Harvey Damage

While Hurricane Harvey dumped 60 inches of rain on the Houston area in August 2017, the authority that operates the Lake Conroe Dam opened the floodgates to release water at a rate almost equal to the flow over Niagara Falls. …

Oklahoma Contractor Again Cited for Trenching Hazards, Fined $205.5K

Federal officials have cited an Oklahoma construction contractor for exposing its employees to trenching and excavation hazards, violations for which it has been cited previously. OSHA cited Cherokee Pride Construction Inc. of Sapulpa for serious violations related to excavation work. …

Hamilton Reappointed as Texas Public Insurance Counsel

Melissa Hamilton has been reappointed as public counsel for the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC), which represents insurance consumers in regulatory matters relating to insurance rates, rules and forms. Hamilton has served as the public counsel since January …

Security Firm to Pay $110K in Louisiana Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit Settlement

A Pennsylvania-based security company will pay $110,000 to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed on behalf of an employee in Louisiana, federal officials say. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said U.S. Security Associates Inc., a security company doing …

Relation Insurance Services Enters Arkansas with Agency Asset Acquisition

Relation Insurance Services Inc. (Relation), based in Walnut Creek, Calif., has acquired the assets of The McKinney Group, dba McGhee Insurance Northwest Arkansas (McGhee), in Rogers, Arkansas. The acquisition represents Relation’s entry into Arkansas. McGhee serves personal and commercial line …

Louisiana Woman Accused of Selling Fake Auto Policies on Facebook Marketplace

State police have arrested a Louisiana woman accused of selling fraudulent auto insurance policies. The majority of the victims saw the woman’s advertisement for automobile coverage on Facebook Market Place, according to the Louisiana State Police (LSP). The LSP’s Insurance …

Louisiana’s Dwight Andrus Insurance Adds Hebert as VP, Personal Lines

Lafayette, Louisiana-based Dwight W. Andrus Insurance Inc. has hired Henri Hebert as vice president of Personal Lines — a newly created role. Hebert will be tasked with creating and implementing the future business plan and vision that the agency has …

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