More than 5,000 Ohio customers of an Illinois-based insurer are eligible for policy enhancements or other compensation under an agreement signed Monday by Ohio Department of Insurance Director Lee Covington.

        Before 1970, Unitrin Insurance Group through its affiliated companies United Insurance Co. of America, Union National Insurance Co., and The Reliable Life Insurance Co. sold small life insurance policies (commonly known as industrial life or burial insurance) and as a since-discontinued practice, charged higher premiums to black customers for similar policies.

        Policyholders who believe they may be affected by this settlement or have questions may contact the United Insurance Settlement Administration Center toll-free at 1-877-358-4505.

Kentucky will buy property

        Despite legislative reservations, Kentucky will go ahead and buy about 1,600 acres in Hardin County for use as a future economic development site.

        The property near Glendale along Interstate 65 was offered to Hyundai Motor Corp. earlier this year as part of an incentive package to attract its first North American assembly plant. Development officials had difficulty getting options on all of the property.

Offer for TRW is extended

        Defense giant Northrop Grumman Corp. on Monday announced it has extended its uninvited $6.7 billion stock offer for TRW Inc. for a week even as it continues to review the defense, aerospace and automotive products company's financial information.

        The previous deadline of last Friday was extended until this Friday evening, Northrop said.

        Northrop filed its stock swap offer for Cleveland-basd TRW with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, but agreed last month to delay its bid while it examines TRW's private records under a confidentiality agreement.

        It was not immediately clear how that deal might affect Los Angeles-based Northrop's $53 a share bid for TRW, which TRW said was too low.

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