| Mergers reshape Iowa businesses
Led by a few powerhouse deals, the dollar amount of merger and acquisition activity in Iowa has climbed faster than the nation as a whole. And at least one expert predicts that even more M&A activity lies ahead in 2007 for the state as investors scout for financial services providers and as ethanol producers join forces.
Iowa M&A activity in 2006 was paced by some large purchases that will make foreign companies owners of two of the bigger businesses in the state. Aviva PLC topped the roster in July when it announced the $2.9 billion purchase (plus assumption of debt) of Des Moines-based AmerUs Group Co. And just as that British insurer was wrapping up its purchase in December, Japanese tire maker Bridgestone Corp. said it will pay about $1 billion to acquire Muscatine-based Bandag Inc., the nation's largest re-treader of tires.
Farmers' Health Coop Insurance Takes Effect
More than 3,500 state farmers and agri-businesses have filed their applications for the new cooperative health insurance plan. According to the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, the Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin program--which provides affordable, high-quality health insurance--took effect on April 1.
WFC President Bill Oemichen says he is very pleased with the high level of interest the cooperative is receiving.
"Many producers and agribusinesses have told us that we are providing the type of high quality insurance coverage they have been waiting for and that the insurance represents a very good value," said Oemichen. "This interest is translating to very strong enrollment rates in the cooperative."
FHCW's six plans range from low-premium, high-deductible coverage in conjunction with a Health Savings Account to a low-deductible plan aimed at agri-businesses.
Murrieta State Farm expands hours
Murrieta State Farm Agent Scott Koth announced his office is now able to bind automobile insurance coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Koth said he is responding to the dynamics of the California marketplace and recognizes that most cars are purchased during non-traditional business hours, so it makes sense that the company be available during non-traditional hours.
To learn more call Koth at (951) 461-4979.
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Homeowners Insurance Line Three Times More Volatile Than Private ...
CHICAGO, March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Homeowners insurance line was the most volatile major insurance line in the 14-year period 1992-2005, due in large part to the active 2004 and 2005 Atlantic hurricane seasons. Homeowners was three times more volatile than the Private Passenger Auto line, according to an Aon Re Global study. The study shows that the Private Passenger Auto line experienced the lowest volatility during that period, followed by the Auto Physical Damage, Commercial Auto and Workers Compensation lines. Excluding catastrophe losses, the Homeowners line has a risk level comparable to the Commercial Auto line. Liability lines and Medical Malpractice also have significantly above average volatility. Aon Re's Insurance Risk Study quantifies the systemic risk for each line of business, representing the risk to a large portfolio from non-diversifiable risk sources such as: For large books of non-cat-exposed business, systemic risk is the major component of underwriting volatility.
Howard Nestler Honored for Personal Marketing Innovations
He sees that too many fine people on the job market have amazing skills that go unrecognized and accomplishments that go unrewarded. "My objective has been to help these talented people get the type of jobs they deserve." Having worked with business executives for the past twenty-six years helping them rise to the top in the job market, Nestler has gained a perspective on what sets a man or woman apart from their peers when looking for their next assignment. "My clients would be a blessing to any corporation that took them on," Nestler explains. "Their competition is the best of the best and they need to establish instant recognition of their abilities or they risk getting lost in the crowd." Given the trends towards consolidation, downsizing and out-sourcing, the numbers of men and women competing for jobs are overwhelming.
Talk of the bay: No. 1 in sports, college is No. 2 in incubating
So, who's doing a good job of raising companies? The University of Florida's biotechnology business incubator, says the National Business Incubation Association. The UF facility was named the second best of its kind in the world for 2007. The incubator assists new life science companies by providing space, equipment, logistical guidance and connections with prospective investors. The university lost the No. 1 position to Montpellier Business and Innovation Center in France. Stake your claim to Pearlman cash Does Lou Pearlman owe you money? If you'd like to join the crowd, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida is accepting claims against Pearlman and one of his companies, Trans Continental Airlines. Forms are available from the court or online (blogs.tampabay.com/money) and must be received by July 30 at the bankruptcy court clerk's office at 135 W Central Blvd., Suite 950, Orlando, FL 32801.
Americans Spend Less Time Reviewing Employee Benefits Than ...
NEW YORK, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- According to research released today by The Guardian Life Insurance Company (Guardian), almost half of working Americans spend either no time or less than an hour reviewing their benefits each year. The study, Benefits and Behavior: Spotlight on Group Life and Disability Insurance, also revealed widespread misunderstandings about workplace benefits, particularly about the underwriting and cost of group benefits. By contrast, survey respondents said they spent (or will spend) an average of "We conducted the survey at the end of the workplace open-enrollment season, a time of year when the review and selection of benefits would reasonably be top-of-mind," said Craig Guiffre, vice president, Group Life and Disability, Guardian.
Campaign for America's Future's Five Key Health Care Questions for ...
WASHINGTON, March 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With more and more Americans believing that health care should be a top priority for our nation, tomorrow's health care forum in Las Vegas, Nev. provides leading Democratic presidential candidates the opportunity to stake out positions to deal with this looming crisis, according to Campaign for America's Future co-director Roger Hickey. "Americans want bold and comprehensive solutions to what most now regard as a health care crisis," said Hickey. "The big question in the debate is about the future of the American health care system and how specific candidates will show their commitment to providing affordable health care coverage for all Americans." Using the "Health Care for America" proposal, developed by Yale University professor Dr. Jacob Hacker, as the benchmark for creating a simple, easy to understand, comprehensive and affordable health care plan, Hickey today posed 5 questions that should be asked of every presidential candidates' health care plan in an editorial published on TomPaine.com.
Western Kentucky woman takes in unwanted animals
Jo-Jo, a 14-day-old lamb that Boulton rescued as a newborn, is so small that she's easily transported into banks and insurance offices as Boulton runs her errands. Now Boulton feeds Jo-Jo with a bottle filled with lamb's milk formula every three to four hours. It's almost like being a mother of a newborn again, but Boulton doesn't seem to mind. It's the latest chapter in the Four Rivers Bird Rescue that she began four years ago at her western McCracken county home. It started after she fielded a call at the pet store where she worked from a bird owner complaining that the pet took too much time. Boulton offered to help by rescuing the bird. Word quickly spread and within a year, her living room was filled with cages housing birds that no one else wanted. Once she rescues the animals, she quizzes potential owners to find suitable adoptive homes.
Crowell votes to restore cuts in Medicaid
During debate this week on legislation overhauling the state's Medicaid system, state Sen. Jason Crowell broke ranks with his fellow Republicans to support an attempt to reverse all the cuts since 2002 in the taxpayer-supported health-care program. The attempt failed on a 16-18 vote, but Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said his vote doesn't show a lack of support for the bill establishing MO HealthNet, Gov. Matt Blunt's plan for revamping Medicaid. Instead, he said, the vote was cast because the state needs to take strong steps to "make sure all Missourians have access to meaningful health care." The major portion of the Medicaid cuts that would have been repealed by the amendment, which was sponsored by Senate Democratic leader Maida Coleman of St. Louis, were enacted in 2005. The bill making the cuts began its legislative path in a committee chaired by Crowell, who supported the action at the time as crucial to saving the program.
Patients pay big in Stuart for 'boutique' clinic visits
STUART An empty waiting area and beige terrycloth robes handed to patients in lieu of immodest smocks hint something is different, perhaps even exclusive, about Dr. Cheryl Hawley Jordan's medical practice. Since opening in January, her Private Physicians family medicine practice has attracted patients willing to pay a $1,750 per year retainer to have their primary care medical needs receive prompt attention. This includes same-day or next-day appointments, round-the-clock phone access to the doctor, house calls if needed and the kind of unhurried and personal attention that once was the hallmark of traditional family medicine. .
Prague calls for immediate release of Belarussian
Prague. The Czech government on Tuesday called on Belarus to immediately release some 70 protesters detained by security forces in connection with a demonstration against President Alexander Lukashenko's regime, AFP reports. "We call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and individuals detained during (the demonstrations) and for the respect of human rights and democratic values in Belarus," the Czech foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Police and paratroopers on Sunday prevented up to 1,500 Lukashenko opponents from protesting in the same Minsk square where unprecedented rallies shook the former Soviet republic a year ago. Opposition groups said that around 50 people were detained during the demonstration and that a similar number had been taken into custody a day earlier in what appeared to be pre-emptive arrests aimed at crippling the protests.
ICC students say 'NO' to tuition increases
Jessie, a student at Itasca Community College, is worried that technical and community colleges are losing sight of their mission to make higher education affordable to everyone. She said she chose ICC over a four-year university because of its affordability. But now, yet again, she is being hit with tuition hikes. There are students out there working 45 hours a week, making $7 an hour, and going to school full-time -- they cant afford to pay any more than they already do, she said. Too many of us have too many student loans as it is -- we dont want to be paying them off until were 50. Jessies heartfelt statements were echoed by other students seated in Davies Theater on Friday afternoon, as members of ICC Student Government held a budget consultation with ICC Director of Finances, Pat Leistikow, and Minnesota State Representative Tom Anzelc (District 3A).
Cushing girl's murder trial begins Monday
The capital murder trial of a 17-year-old Cushing girl accused of plotting to kill her stepfather begins with jury selection Monday. Shaina Sepulvado is accused of convincing her friend, Colton Weir, to shoot James Kelly, 32, in October 2005. Sepulvado has been certified as an adult for trial. Last August, Sepulvado's mother, Marcia Kelly, 35, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison for masterminding the killing of her husband in the alleged murder-for-hire scheme. Weir was convicted of capital murder in November. In Marcia Kelly's trial, witnesses testified that she asked different men to kill her husband over the course of a year, promising money, trucks, four-wheelers and Jet Skis. Eventually, witnesses said, Sepulvado enlisted the help of Weir and her 23-year-old boyfriend, Dallas Christian.
Senior Center helps with Medicare
DUARTE - Free Medicare help is offered to seniors the second and fourth Friday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon at the Duarte Senior Center. A counselor with the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program provides unbiased information, counseling and assistance on Medicare and related health-care coverage. To make an appointment call (626) 357-3513. Intersection to be modernized ARCADIA - The intersection of California Boulevard and Michillinda Avenue will be updated with new left-turn signal on both the north and south approaches. The intersection will receive modifications that include replacement or installation of traffic signal poles, lights, structure and pedestrian pushbuttons. Los Angeles County will engineer and build the project, with the city and county sharing the $107,500 cost, which will be subject to federal reimbursements.
County revisiting partner perks
Nearly two years after an effort to extend health benefits to unmarried partners failed on a party-line vote, Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson is resurrecting the idea.
But this time, instead of focusing solely on health benefits for domestic partners, Wilson wants to broaden the program to "adult designees" such as siblings, long-term roommates and parents of county employees. The Salt Lake County Council is scheduled to discuss the plan Tuesday.
"This seems like a win-win," Wilson said. "I really believe that anything local governments can do to provide health insurance through government pools and by getting other family members and other people involved is a good thing."
Council Chairman Mark Crockett, a Republican, cast the deciding vote against a July 2005 plan that would have given domestic partners and their children the same benefits granted families of married employees, including health, dental and life insurance, extended funeral leave and sick leave to care for a dependent.
Potpourri of thoughts on representation and health care
Kudos to The Spectrum and Kerry Kastler Hepworth for putting the issue of the public's representation on the Washington County Commission on the front burner of county business; a change is long overdue. This view is not meant to denigrate the efforts of the men who currently serve the county; it is only a further expression of the need for more help for them and for greater public representation. If you feel the least bit hesitant about support for increasing the three commissioners to a minimum of five, consider these facts for a moment: .
Easy home loans out of reach
A wave of bad loans made to risky borrowers is rolling through the home-lending business, decimating small, independent mortgage brokers, wiping out bad-credit lenders and prompting an industrywide crackdown on loose lending. The upshot is that no-down mortgages, interest-only loans and E-Z refinancing for borrowers with bruised credit are tougher to get or completely out reach. These tighter lending rules mean fewer strapped homeowners will be able to refinance their homes, adding more foreclosures and even bankruptcies to Michigan's faltering economy. "We've watched subprime lenders become more and more aggressive to the point where they'd take someone one day out of bankruptcy and give them a 100-percent loan with no money down on stated income," said Eric Bradley, president of Huron Valley Financial, an Ann Arbor mortgage bank.
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