Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, Nov. 9

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Crist praises Democrats on catastrophe bill

Gov. Charlie Crist is reaching across the political isle to praise a pair of Florida Democrats, even though his own party wants to give them a swipe.

 

Threatening letter, powder sent to S. Fla. congressman

A suspicious envelope received by the staff of a U.S. representative doesn’t seem to pose a threat, but the building where it was found remains evacuated as a precaution, authorities said Thursday afternoon.

 

Lawmakers Criticize FEMA on Safety of Trailers

Nearly four months after the promised to study the risk of formaldehyde in trailers provided to Hurricane Katrina survivors, none of 52,000 occupied units have been tested, and FEMA has warned its employees for their own safety to stay out of 70,000 similar trailers in storage.

 

Oxley: Security Suits Decline Not My Doing

A recent decline in stockholder class action suits is more likely due to a 1995 litigation reform measure than financial and accounting requirements of the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the drafter of the later bill told underwriters.

 

City funds available to repair storm-damaged apartments

The city of Miami’s Department of Community Development is inviting developers and landlords to apply for Community Development Block Grant disaster relief money to help fix storm-damaged affordable rental housing.

 

Fired workers seize La. DA’s accounts

Fired workers seized several bank accounts of the prosecutor’s office Thursday, including the one for its payroll, as they seek payment of $3.3 million left to be paid from a discrimination judgment, a lawyer said.

 

Riviera marina tenants now must buy insurance

Tenants at the municipal marina have 30 days to buy $300,000 in boat insurance to avoid being evicted, according to a plan approved by the city council after months of negotiations.

 

St. Lucie County to get storm protection money
 
The county appears likely to get $1 million – money few other local governments wanted – to help protect low-income residents’ homes from hurricanes.

 

Democrats’ state convention lacks big-name presidential candidates

Democrats didn’t hear from any serious presidential candidates. Or spouses. Or surrogates. But thousands of party activists left their state convention Sunday pumped up over the party’s prospects for 2008.

 

Prosecution expected to rest today in Rep. Bob Allen sex-solicitation case

Jurors took a police escort Thursday to the park bathroom where state Rep. Bob Allen is accused of soliciting sex from an undercover police officer.

 

RIMS Finds MMC Commission Enhancement

The Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc. said it finds nothing to object to in yesterday’s announcement by Marsh & McLennan that it plans to seek enhanced compensation from insurers.

 

Insurer Gave Bonuses For Dropped Policies?

(CBS) Hairdresser Patsy Bates is working through the pain — the pain of living with breast cancer. “I’m trying to live here, you know, I don’t want to die,” said Bates.

 

Travel insurance policies? Be sure to read fine print

Here’s a topic that inspires fear, loathing — and boredom. Yes, we’re talking travel insurance.

 

Tracking firestorms

On the evening of Oct. 22, Richard Halsey hiked up a ridge overlooking Interstate 15 and stared into the Santa Ana winds bombing through the canyons. 

 

In a disaster, ignorance is not bliss

Caller ID said it was our son. I knew the time in California was 6 a.m. and my heart skipped a beat.

 

How about a hot spring spa — on health insurance?

Taiwan’s hot springs operators have asked the government to let their customers claim soaks in the therapeutic mineral waters on health insurance.

 

LeeSar comeback garners Florida Blue Chip award 

LeeSar Healthtrust Partners’ rise from the brink of closure in 2002 to average monthly sales of $8.9 million in 2006 has led to its being named the Lee County recipient of the 2007 Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award.

 

N.Y. Escort Service Operator Facing Sentencing for Insurance Fraud

An escort service operator who used female associates to stage auto accidents and collect on insurance claims faces five to 10 years in prison following his guilty plea Oct. 29 on two counts of felony insurance fraud, according to state officials in New York.