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Tropical Storm Debby was more costly than 1998 ice storm, Insurance Board says [Video]

The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, which caused significant flooding across the province, have become the ‘costliest severe weather event in Quebec’s history,’ surpassing the ice storm of 1998, the Insurance Bureau of Canada said Friday.

The damage cost $2.5 billion in insured losses, which is only a preliminary estimate, the IBC said in a press release.

The storm struck southern Quebec on Aug. 9 and 10, affecting homes, businesses and vehicles.

IBC pointed out that “insured losses from severe weather in Canada now regularly exceed $2 billion annually.”

Insurers have received an exceptional number of claims and are experiencing delays in processing them as a result. The Bureau is calling on the various levels of government to do their part to limit the losses associated with climate disruption and the extreme weather events that follow.

“All levels of government must also commit to preventing …

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Firefighter, retired judge among men charged in suspected prostitution ring [Video]

Prosecutors charged five additional men in connection to a suspected prostitution ring operating out of an apartment on Milwaukee's near west side. The new misdemeanor charges come just days after public defender Travis Schwantes faced serious charges in the same investigation. Prosecutors accused Schwantes of falsifying documents in order to defend one of the sex workers investigators say he solicited. Schwantes resigned from the Office of the Wisconsin State Public Defender in September. George Easton, 76, of Pleasant Prairie; William Green, 59, of West Allis; David Ornstein, 50, of Milwaukee; Christopher Riegg, 55, of Greenfield; and Leroy Stewart, 53, of Racine, each face a misdemeanor pandering-solicitation charge.Investigators said the men paid sex workers operating out of an apartment building near 29th and Kilbourn. According to the court documents, Easton is a retired Pleasant Prairie municipal judge. The complaint said he admitted to police he paid a woman "$200.00 per hour to engage in acts of prostitution." Investigators said Ornstein is a Milwaukee firefighter. According to court documents, he had multiple paid sexual encounters, including one "just hours prior to his arrest" in March. Milwaukee fire Chief Aaron Lipski said the department launched an open internal investigation. "We take these matters extremely seriously," Lipski said. According to the complaint, Stewart runs Sunset Options Funerals and Cremation in Oak Creek. A sex worker told investigators he paid for sex encounters at the near west side apartment and at the funeral home. Stewart told police he "didn't recall having sex with her there."Online records show Riegg works in investment banking. Court documents said he paid for sex acts "once a week during 2021 through 2023."Investigators said a sex worker provided Green's first and last name and occupation as a lawyer. He told police he is affiliated with the Salvation Army and that he would see the sex worker for companionship and "to take a break from his wife."WISN 12 News made attempts to get ahold of each of the men, none of which had a comment Monday night. The court documents said a sex worker provided information to police. That woman has since been charged and convicted for keeping a place of prostitution. At her sentencing, her attorney said she was a victim of sex trafficking. The five men charged Monday each face a misdemeanor charge. If convicted, they could each face a maximum fine of $10,000 and prison time up to nine months. They're due to face a judge next month.