State and Regional News

Georgia Regulator Goes After Blue Cross ‘Favored’ Contracts

Georgia’s largest health insurer has such a strong hold on the market that hospitals can’t make better deals with other insurers, which is raising flags for the state’s insurance commissioner. A routine clause in the contract that Blue Cross Blue …

Massive Fire Strikes Downtown Baltimore

A five-alarm blaze that broke out in Baltimore’s adult-entertainment district on Monday afternoon, spread quickly and sent thick smoke billowing throughout downtown was brought under control in the early evening, city fire officials said. Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright, a spokesman …

Alabama High Court Reinstates Suit Over Deadly Bus Crash

Victims of a 2006 school bus crash that killed four high school students and injured two dozen others in Huntsville four years ago can move forward with their lawsuits against a bus company, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled last Friday. …

Alabama Gov. Riley Alleges Extortion by BP Claims Fund

President Barack Obama should intervene to stop the $20 billion BP oil spill compensation fund from depriving claimants of their rights, Alabama Governor Bob Riley said Monday, calling the way the fund was operating “extortion.” The fund, set up by …

First Home Seeks 39% Rate Hike in Florida

Florida officials will hold a hearing today on a proposed statewide average home insurance rate hike of 39.3 rate increase for First Home Insurance Co., a Florida domiciled insurance company based in Maitland, Florida. First Home’s statewide average rate level …

Mississippi State Football Game Victim of Cowbell Assault Sues

A man involved in an incident last year in which he was hit with a cowbell at a Mississippi State football game has sued his alleged attacker and the Southeastern Conference. Records in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court show William Matthew …

Fremont Michigan Gets $7 Million Credit Line

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. said it has closed on a $7 million unsecured line of credit with The Huntington National Bank. The company does not need to access the credit for any reason immediately, according to Richard E. Dunning, president …

BP Settles Damage Claim by Alabama Condo Developer for $37 Milllion

A major developer on the Alabama coast will receive $37.2 million from oil giant BP to settle claims over the impact the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster had on the company’s large beachfront luxury condominium development. The deal came after …

Amish Expansion Prompts Culture Clash in Roofing

Main Line roofers say they are taking it on the chin from Amish competitors, who are getting a significant amount of work in Philadelphia’s wealthy western suburbs. Keith McLean, a Paoli roofing contractor, said he lost a job this month …

Alabama Court Rules Story of Rumor with Denial Can Be Libelous

An Alabama appeals court has ruled that a false and defamatory published statement can be libelous even if it accurately quotes a person making the claim, includes a denial and makes clear the allegation is unverified. The Alabama Court of …