A combination of hurricanes and severe thunderstorms pushed claims to exceed $10 billion for Texas property and casualty insurers in 2008. The losses in Texas exceeded all of the industry’s catastrophic losses for the U.S. in 2007. Gary Kearney, assistant …
The family of a woman who died after contracting salmonella plans a lawsuit against the companies that made and distributed peanut butter blamed in a recent outbreak, an attorney said. Shirley Mae Almer, 72, died Dec. 21 after eating contaminated …
Kellogg Co. has recalled 16 products containing peanut butter due to possible salmonella contamination, adding new urgency to the nationwide outbreak as federal officials confirmed contamination at a Georgia facility that ships peanut products to 85 food companies. The Battle …
U.S. property/casualty insurers are expected to pay homeowners and businesses $25.2 billion for 2008 property losses from 37 catastrophes — the fourth highest cost in a decade and the highest frequency in a decade, according to preliminary analysis by ISO’s …
Nebraska has fallen out of the mainstream when it comes to smoking-related laws, but that could change. Thirty-seven states have passed laws requiring that all cigarettes sold in their states be fire-safe. Nebraska is not among them, but the state …
A new report finds Louisiana is among 15 states to have made progress in enacting key highway safety laws. Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas did not fare so well. The 55-page study was done by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, …
North Dakota Rep. Lawrence Klemin recalls the driver who pulled alongside him at a stoplight recently, eyes down, thumbs frantically working a tiny keyboard that was propped on the steering wheel. “When the stoplight changed to green, they took off, …
Minnesota finance officials are required to disclose details this week on how much the state has spent so far to compensate victims of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse. Last year’s Legislature approved $38 million in compensation for the collapse victims. …
The family of a 10-year-old girl who died in a 2006 tornado in Rogers is blaming a homebuilder for the girl’s death. In a wrongful death lawsuit in Hennepin County District Court, the family of Jaymi Wendt claims poor construction, …
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says a statewide crackdown on drunken driving in December netted 2,655 arrests. The results were reported last Friday. Those arrested had an average blood alcohol content of 0.14, well above the legal limit of …
