Alabama News

At Least 3 Dead in N.C. Tornadoes That Swept Across South

Thunderstorms that tore up homes and buildings across the South hit North Carolina early Thursday, killing at least three people and leaving thousands without power. Another person died Wednesday as a tornado swept through part of Louisiana. The North Carolina …

New Research Center in Miss. Aims for Better Hurricane Forecasts

Scientists at a new research institute are studying ways to improve hurricane forecasts and protect the U.S. Gulf Coast’s natural resources from storms, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced. The federally funded Northern Gulf Institute at Stennis Space Center …

Verizon Wireless, Insurers Fined for Violations in Washington

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has fined Verizon Wireless Services LLC of Bedminster, N.J., $25,000 for failing to sell service contracts under its legal corporate name, a violation of state insurance law. State law requires the company to conduct business …

New Britt/Paulk Delaware Office to Focus on Timber Harvesting Program

Niche insurance underwriter Britt/Paulk has opened a new office in Selbyville, Del. This new office will focus on underwriting the agency’s Timber Harvesting Program. The company also announced that three underwriters are joining the firm: George M. Pusey, branch manager; …

Alabama Mayor Resigns to Join Coastal Insurance Agency

Foley Mayor Tim Russell resignedthis week with two years remaining in his term and will serve on a planned coastal insurance agency for south Alabama. Russell, who owns an insurance agency and became mayor about 12 years ago, said he …

Argonaut Group’s Great Central Expands Hotel/Motel Program

Great Central Insurance Company, a member of the Select Markets segment of Argonaut Group Inc. introduced its Great Protector Select Series of coverage forms for franchise hotels and motels in 17 additional states, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, …

Attack Ads Invade States’ Judicial Elections

The accusations fly fast and furious: soft on crime, bought and paid for by a special interest, too liberal or out of step with mainstream values – even the airing of personal dirty laundry. This might sound like business as …

Gov. Riley, Republicans Expected to Win Big in Alabama

A new statewide poll indicates Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is headed to an easy re-election victory over Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley and puts Republican candidates ahead in the races for lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state. The survey, …

Appointed or Elected? State Insurance Chiefs Like How They Got Their Jobs

In a demonstration of how divergent political campaigns can be in terms of dollars invested, incumbent Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine revealed that he had spent $3 million by Halloween in his 2006 bid for reelection, while George Dale, eight-term …

Alabama says Katrina mediation working

A mediation program launched by the Alabama Department of Insurance following Hurricane Katrina is bearing fruit, says Commissioner Walter A. Bell, pointing to a 90 percent success rate. “Once the mediation conference is set up, 90 percent of the cases …