Author: completebodyneeds

Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters. Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state’s health department said last week in a news release. All were hospitalized, and five died. During the same period over the previous decade, Louisiana reported an average of seven cases and one death. “Seek medical care immediately if a wound exposed to brackish or salt water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm or discolored,” officials said in the release. “Tell the health care provider…

A federal judge denied an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order sought by hemp businesses and consumers, allowing the Texas ban on THC products to continue until the case is resolved. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown of Galveston declined to lift the ban Sunday, saying the two hemp retailers and a distributor who filed the lawsuit hadn’t sufficiently demonstrated irreparable harm from the ban on interstate commerce. The request for preliminary injunction, which allows for fuller briefing and an evidentiary hearing, remains pending before the court. “A temporary restraining order is emergency relief, held to one of the toughest…

Multiple proposed class-action lawsuits have been filed over the nationwide cyclospora outbreak, blaming Taco Bell and Taylor Farms for selling contaminated lettuce that has sickened thousands and led to two deaths. At least two of the lawsuits are in federal courts in California, the state where the defendants have offices or representatives. Lead plaintiffs reside in Florida, West Virginia, Kentucky and other states, court filings indicate. In one, lead plaintiff Michael Giles, of Brooksville, Florida, claims Taylor Farms sold iceberg lettuce to Taco Bell, which was used in restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Florida. The risk…

The US Midwest and Ohio Valley, including Chicago and Cincinnati, face an enhanced, or level 3, risk of severe thunderstorms. That’s triggered numerous flood warnings and watches from Indiana into western Pennsylvania and Virginia, the National Weather Service said. As of 7 a.m., up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) of rain had fallen in parts of Ohio, with police reporting flooding near Fairfield and Hocking counties. New York City is forecast to have a high of 88F (31C) with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Tuesday. There is also a coastal flood watch up for parts…

The North Carolina General Assembly last month confirmed workers’ compensation attorney and former Deputy Commissioner Tyler Younts to a six-year term on the state Industrial Commission. A few days later, the state’s commissioner of labor, Luke Farley, designated Younts to serve as chairman of the Commission, starting last week. Younts “I am deeply honored by the confidence Commissioner Farley has placed in me,” Younts said in a statement. “I look forward to serving the people of North Carolina and working with my fellow commissioners and the dedicated staff of the Industrial Commission to ensure the fair, efficient, and impartial administration…

Year over year, average U.S. commercial premium renewals for July increased in all lines except workers’ compensation, according to the Ivans Index. However, month over month, commercial auto, business owners policy, general liability, commercial property and umbrella saw a decrease, while workers’ comp experienced an increase, said Chicago-based Ivans. Premium renewal rate change by line of business for July 2026 highlights include: Commercial Auto: 4.03%, down from 4.58% last month. BOP: 5.94%, down slightly from 5.97% at the end of June. General Liability: 4.99%, down from 5.33% last month. Commercial Property: 6.16%, down from 6.24% in June. Umbrella: 7.42%, down…

John Kellington, most recently executive vice president and chief information officer at Cincinnati Insurance for more than 16 years, has been appointed chief executive officer of ACORD. Kellington is no stranger to the standards-setting body for the insurance industry. He served as its senior vice president of standards development, information technology, corporate finance, and membership from 2007 to 2010. More recently, he was a member of its board. While at Cincinnati Insurance, Kellington used the ACORD architecture-led IT model in shaping the insurer’s information technology operations. ACORD (Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development) said Kellington instrumental in developing the…

American International Group (AIG) said it has promoted Christopher O’Connor to the role of head of professional liability and cyber, North America. O’Connor has been with AIG for more than 15 years. He was most recently North America head of corporate accounts for AIG’s professional liability and cyber insurance. Before that, O’Connor led cyber business for financial institutions. He will now report to Justin Gilmore, head of financial lines, North America. “With deep expertise across the professional liability and cyber business, a strong understanding of complex client needs, and a proven track record of leadership, Chris is well positioned to…

A small cargo ship was attacked by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis in the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Tuesday, killing three crew members, said two Yemeni coast guard sources and two military officials in the government. If confirmed, the fatalities on the Tanzania-flagged Tihamah would be the first deaths in a Houthi strike on a ship since the Middle East conflict was triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran at the end of February. The Houthis, who have not yet claimed the attack, declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea last month in response to what they described as…

The current typhoon season in the Northwest Pacific Ocean is shaping up to be one of the most intense on record as the El Niño system strengthens, according to the latest projection by commercial forecaster Tropical Storm Risk. Typhoon development is expected to be 60% above the historical average in an “exceptionally active season,” the London-based group said in an outlook published Monday. Storms that form over the Northwest Pacific can hit countries including China, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam. Twenty typhoons are forecast to form in the region, of which 13 will be intense, Tropical Storm Risk said. This…