Texas / South Central News

Arkansas Plant Board Bans Older Dicamba Formulas After Mid-April

A state panel has voted to ban use of older versions of an herbicide, clarifying rules it previously agreed upon in February. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the state Plant Board on Friday unanimously approved an emergency rule to ban the …

Errors a Problem for Oklahoma Program Targeting Uninsured Drivers

Nearly 5 percent of vehicles flagged as uninsured in Oklahoma were identified by error, according to a prosecutor who leads a new program that includes automatic license plate readers. The Oklahoma District Attorneys Council sent warning letters to at least …

Houston Channel Still Closed as Chemical Fire Cleanup Continues; Texas Sues ITC

Vessels will be allowed to enter a tributary to the Houston Ship Channel this morning, a workaround allowing some shipping in the area as the main route into the region remains closed as a result of a cloud of cancer-causing …

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas to Pay $75K to Settle Disability Discrimination Suit

Federal employment regulators say BlueCross/Blue Shield of Texas (BCBS), based in Dallas, will pay $75,000 and furnish other relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit. According to the suit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Sheryl Meador, …

Arkansas ‘Truth in Labeling’ Bill Signed by Governor

Food manufacturers will soon have to comply with “truth in labeling” legislation that aims to protect Arkansas’ meat and rice producers from outlets who, the bill’s sponsor says, mislead consumers into thinking their products are something they are not. The …

Texas Senate Passes Harvey Relief Package

Texas state senators unanimously approved a multi-billion dollar Harvey aid package aimed at helping communities still struggling to recover after the historic storm and prepare for the next one, according to an announcement released by the Texas Senate. “It’s been …

Benzene Levels Rise near Petrochemical Fire Site; Residents Told to Shelter-in-Place

Tens of thousands of people east of Houston are being told to stay indoors after benzene and other volatile organic compounds were found in the air within the city limits of Deer Park, one day after a fire that broke …

Houston-Area Petrochemical Blaze Probe Weighed by Federal Investigators

Federal and local investigators are weighing a probe of the Houston chemical blaze as hazardous compounds waft near the burned-out site. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board “is following up on the incident and should be making a decision to send …

EPIC Insurance Brokers Adds Wells and Pitzer in Dallas

California-based EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has hired JoBeth Wells in Dallas as a principal in its property/casualty operations. EPIC also added Stephanie Pitzer in the Dallas property/casualty group as client executive. Both Wells and Pitzer report to EPIC Managing …

Texas Body Shop Owner Sentenced in Auto Insurance Fraud Case

A Travis County body shop owner has been sentenced to 10 years of probation after pleading guilty to reporting wrecks that never took place and damaging vehicles to increase insurance payouts, the Texas Department of Insurance reported. The fraud took …

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