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Another insurer with policies in Louisiana recommended for receivership by Florida regulators

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Another insurer with policies in Louisiana recommended for receivership by Florida regulators


NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Yet one more insurance coverage firm writing a small variety of house owner insurance policies in Louisiana seems on the snapping point.

Florida insurance coverage regulators on Monday (Sept. 26) requested a decide in that state to put FedNat into receivership over monetary weak spot. The property insurance coverage firm is estimated to have 1,500 open claims in Louisiana at risk of being unpaid.

FedNat supplied that determine to John Wells, government director of the Louisiana Insurance coverage Warranty Affiliation (LIGA). Wells mentioned LIGA expects that quantity might develop as householders file to reopen their circumstances.

Nonetheless, a spokeswoman for the Florida Workplace of Insurance coverage Regulation mentioned, “It’s essential to notice, FedNat had zero insurance policies in drive in Florida on the time of the referral. In June 2022, FedNat early canceled roughly 56,000 of the 140,000 insurance policies in drive in Florida.

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“The remaining insurance policies had been assumed by Monarch Nationwide Insurance coverage Firm. All excellent claims will turn into the duty of FIGA (Florida Insurance coverage Warranty Affiliation).”

Louisiana Insurance coverage Commissioner Jim Donelon mentioned in a press release to Fox 8, “I’m reaching out to Florida to get a clearer understanding of this growth from a Louisiana perspective. My preliminary understanding is that it’s going to don’t have any impact on any Louisiana policyholder, however could have LIGA implications relative to claims pending on the time of Florida’s motion.”

In the meantime, in Louisiana, householders’ premiums already are rising post-Hurricane Ida.

A Jefferson Parish house owner, who didn’t need his identify used, mentioned he ended up dropping his insurance coverage protection.

“They jacked up my insurance coverage from about $3,500 a 12 months to $6,000 a 12 months. So, after all I dropped them. What am I going to do? I can’t afford that,” he mentioned.

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The resident mentioned he received protection with a brand new firm, however his wind and hail injury is roofed via Louisiana Residents, the state’s insurer of final resort.

Donelon mentioned he would meet along with his actuarial staff this week to debate Louisiana Residents’ proposed 63 % fee hike, which might take impact on insurance policies bought on or after Jan. 1, 2023.

“Any coverage that’s bought earlier than Jan. 1 received’t see that improve till a 12 months from now,” Donelon mentioned.

State Rep. Kyle Inexperienced (D-Marrero), who sits on the Louisiana Home Insurance coverage Committee, mentioned he want to see extra transparency within the course of.

“I feel (insurers) ought to make their case to the general public,” Inexperienced mentioned. “The facility rests with the insurance coverage commissioner to make that final dedication. However I’d wish to see their rationale for eager to know why they need a 63 % fee improve from final 12 months.”

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Due to different insurance coverage firms failing or pulling out of the state, Louisiana Residents mentioned it has absorbed greater than 100,000 new house owner insurance policies. Donelon has mentioned he’s hopeful these can finally be off-loaded to the personal market.

“I’m optimistic that between now and a 12 months from now, we’ll be capable of get firms via this incentive program to take the majority of these insurance policies at Residents,” Donelon mentioned.

Inexperienced mentioned he would really like harder bad-faith penalties, to carry dangerous actors within the insurance coverage trade accountable.

“I’m a private damage lawyer,” he mentioned. “And I can inform you it’s very exhausting to prosecute a declare towards insurance coverage firms whenever you felt as if they haven’t well timed paid the claims. As a result of there’s nothing actually in statute that can maintain their ft to the hearth.”

However Inexperienced mentioned insurers push again towards that concept.

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“What has been the case in committee is that insurance coverage firms have at all times mentioned, ‘Nicely, in case you strengthen the bad-faith legal guidelines to make it extra penal, it’s going to drive insurance coverage firms out of the state,’” he mentioned.

“Nicely, we’ve seen that already occur. Insurance coverage firms are already leaving. I feel it’s simply extra so an try from them not eager to be held accountable.”

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Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says

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Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says


A genetic analysis suggests the bird flu virus mutated inside a Louisiana patient who contracted the nation’s first severe case of the illness, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.

Scientists believe the mutations may allow the virus to better bind to receptors in the upper airways of humans — something they say is concerning but not a cause for alarm.

Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota infectious disease researcher, likened this binding interaction to a lock and key. To enter a cell, the virus needs to have a key that turns the lock, and this finding means the virus may be changing to have a key that might work.

“Is this an indication that we may be closer to seeing a readily transmitted virus between people? No,” Osterholm said. “Right now, this is a key that sits in the lock, but it doesn’t open the door.”

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The virus has been causing sporadic, mostly mild illnesses in people in the U.S., and nearly all of those infected worked on dairy or poultry farms.

The Louisiana patient was hospitalized in critical condition with severe respiratory symptoms from bird flu after coming in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. The person, who has not been identified, is older than 65 and has underlying medical problems, officials said earlier this month.

The CDC stressed there has been no known transmission of the virus from the Louisiana patient to anyone else. The agency said its findings about the mutations were “concerning,” but the risk to the general public from the outbreak “has not changed and remains low.”

Still, Osterholm said, scientists should continue to follow what’s happening with mutations carefully.

“There will be additional influenza pandemics and they could be much worse than we saw with COVID,” he said. “We know that the pandemic clock is ticking. We just don’t know what time it is.”

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.





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‘Jesus was an immigrant,’ Louisiana activists say amid international immigration led population increase

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‘Jesus was an immigrant,’ Louisiana activists say amid international immigration led population increase


NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – New census numbers show international immigration was a major driving factor of population growth across the United States, contributing to Louisiana’s first population increase in years.

Nationally, immigration accounted for 84% of the nation’s population growth between last July and this July.

In Louisiana, the population grew by just under 10,000. The numbers reveal that about 23,000 more people moved into Louisiana from other countries than people from Louisiana to other countries.

Louisiana lost a net of 17,000 people to other American states.

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On the day after Christmas, immigration activists gathered at the steps of City Hall to send a message to Louisiana leaders.

Rachel Taber with Unión Migrante served as an interpreter for Alfredo Salacar of Mexico.

“For all of the anti-immigrant politicians that are supposedly Christian, we want to remind them that Jesus himself was an immigrant,” Salacar said.

Immigration activists said Jesus didn’t come from the White House, a palace or a mansion along St. Charles Avenue; he was born in a stable as his migrant parents who were forced to flee wandered a foreign country.

Taber said many undocumented families who’ve settled in New Orleans had to flee political tyranny, violence and poverty.

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“Louisiana is an incredible place everyone wants to visit because of our rich gumbo of people who made a life here: Cajuns, Sicilians, Germans, Irish, Spanish Islenos, Jewish people, resilient Africans and Indigenous people who kept their culture alive despite so much injustice. This recent wave from Central and Latin America is just the newest flavor to add to the family recipe,” Taber said.

Unión Migrante is fighting against racial profiling and the separation of families.

“That’s not a good use of our resources. We want to see families remaining together,” Taber said.

During Thursday (Dec. 26) night’s Christmas Posada and vigil, the local immigration activist group called on Louisiana leaders to take a more pro-immigration stance. At the Hispanic cultural celebration, they also demanded the federal oversight of the New Orleans Police Department continue.

“We’re not criminals. We are an asset,” said Yareli Andino. “If just one opportunity would be given, I think a lot of things could change.”

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This holiday season, they are asking people to open their hearts and homes.

“We contribute, we work, we’re here. We rebuild this community after every hurricane comes and destroys it. We work in your hotels. We work in your homes. I personally work in construction, and I’ve been in the homes of many of these same elected officials,” said Salacar. “We know that threats are coming our way… We have a human right to migrate and it’s disgusting to see politicians not only making money off of immigrants but turning us into a political pawn for their own ambition.”

Taber said, “Taylor Swift weekend, the Super Bowl, and Mardi Gras would not be possible” without immigrants.

Members of Unión Migrante said Jesus’ life is an example of empathy, compassion, peace and humility, displaying a deep love towards our neighbors and those most vulnerable.

In a statement, Sgt. Kate Stegall said, “The Louisiana State Police regularly partners with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to enforce laws throughout Louisiana. Additionally, LSP Troopers are assigned to federal task forces, where they focus on enforcing federal laws. In these collaborative efforts, Troopers uphold a high standard of professionalism and ensure respectful and effective interactions.”

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In a ride-along earlier this month, ICE told Fox 8 these alleged raids and indiscriminate sweeps couldn’t be further from the truth.

ICE representatives said the federal agency is prioritizing criminals and those who pose a threat to national security.

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How Baton Rouge compares with other Louisiana metros in job growth

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How Baton Rouge compares with other Louisiana metros in job growth


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(iStock)


While Baton Rouge was the only MSA in the state that saw a decrease in jobs from October to November, the MSA still saw significant gains year over year.

Baton Rouge lost 200 jobs from October to November, according to data released late last week by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Other metros in the state added between 200 and 300 jobs for the same time period, except for Lafayette and New Orleans, which added 800 and 2,100 jobs, respectively. Baton Rouge added 1,900 jobs from November 2023, the second highest in the state, trailing only New Orleans, which added 8,900 jobs.

Statewide, sectors that showed the largest gains for seasonally adjusted jobs over the year included private education and health services (10,000), construction (7,800) and government (6,500).

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