Cyclone Alfred’s Slow and Erratic Path Challenges Forecasters
A cyclone threatening Australia’s southeast coast has taken a long and meandering path over the past week, challenging forecasters seeking to provide residents in the storm’s path with certainty on its track. The issue stems from where the system has …
Landlord Who Ignored Safety Codes Convicted of Murder for Fatal Fire
James G. Walker of Washington, D.C. was found guilty on two counts of second-degree murder, and 27 criminal building code violations, for the deaths of two tenants who were unable to exit when his building erupted in flames. According to …
Retailers Publicly Scrap Some ‘DEI’ Initiatives While Quietly Supporting Others
Several U.S. retailers that publicly scrapped diversity, equity and inclusion programs – including Target, Amazon and Tractor Supply – are maintaining certain efforts behind the scenes. The three retailers, while they’ve ended DEI programs on paper, have told advocacy groups …
Experts Discuss Transportation Insurance Challenges, Opportunities With Captives
Standard market woes, captive growth and the increased importance of navigating relationships with third-party administrators — insurance experts in the commercial trucking arena have helped their clients traverse a challenging road in recent years. Earlier this month, a panel of …
People Moves: Courtney to Lead Nationwide’s Newest E&S Brokerage Property Unit
Nationwide, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, appointed Tonya Courtney to lead its new excess and surplus (E&S) brokerage property unit with the goal of opening for business in the second half of the year. Prior to joining Nationwide, Courtney served as …
Alliant Names Norris, Vance to VP Roles in Southeast
Alliant Insurance Services announced two additions to the team in the Southeast. Sadler Norris was named vice president in the employee benefits group, based in Atlanta. His goal is to work with clients to develop benefits plans that reduce health …
Maryland Wildfire Damage Less Extensive in 2024 Despite Severe Fall Fire Weather
The number of wildfires in Maryland during 2024 was much higher than the ten-year average, but acreage burned was significantly lower. In Maryland, 165 fires burned 953.4 acres during 2024, compared to 199 wildfires in 2023 that burned approximately 4,483 …
Report: More Insurers in California Paying Wildfire Victims Without Itemized List
More insurers are paying contents coverage to California wildfire victims without requiring a detailed inventory, according to the California Department of Insurance. The CDI reported on responses from carriers following a notice issued by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara in …
Southern California Restaurant Fined $1.1M for Labor Violations
A Southern California restaurant has been fined more than $1.1 million over wage theft and sick leave violations. The California Labor Commissioner’s Office took the action against Food Source LLC, a Buena Park restaurant, issuing penalties for wage theft and …
Contractor Fined $430K for California Labor Violations
A construction company was fined more than $430,000 for California labor violations that resulted in unpaid wages, overtime and other violations. The state’s Labor Commissioner’s Office secured the settlement to return unpaid wages and damages to 86 carpenters employed by …
Tariffs Will Negatively Affect Insurance Industry, Says AM Best
Analysts at AM Best warned that the planned imposition of U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with increased tariffs on China, will have a negative effect on the insurance industry—particularly impacting the U.S. homeowners’ and auto lines …
AM Best Affirms Financial Strength Rating of Church Mutual
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “a” (Excellent) of Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is negative. These ratings apply to …
CoreLogic: Chicago Has Most Homes at Risk from Convective Storms
Convective storms added to a year of extreme weather events that will put pressure on property insurance rates, particularly in a few hard-hit states, a new report shows. CoreLogic released its 2025 Severe Convective Storm Risk report, highlighting patterns of …
People Moves: NFP Names Nathan as SVP, Sales
NFP, an Aon company and leading property and casualty (P&C) broker based in New York City, hired Priya Nathan as senior vice president, sales, in its central region. Nathan is based in Austin, Texas. Nathan has over 25 years of …
Arkansas’ The River Company and Rogers Insurance Merge to Form ANKR
Two Arkansas independent agencies — The River Company and Rogers Insurance — announced their merger today, creating ANKR, one of the largest and most comprehensive insurance and payroll firms in the state. The new entity, which employs 80 professionals across …
Truck Trailer Manufacturer Earns TDI Lone Star Safety Award
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has recognized Kalyn Siebert with the Lone Star Safety Award for its exemplary commitment to workplace safety. Kalyn Siebert is a leading manufacturer of custom-engineered heavy-haul truck trailers, and employs …
Trump Administration Plans to Drop Lawsuit Against Louisiana Petrochemical Plant
President Donald Trump’s administration plans to drop a federal lawsuit against a synthetic rubber manufacturer accused of worsening cancer risks for residents in a majority-Black community near its Louisiana plant, two sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday. The move …
US Indicts Slew of Alleged Chinese Hackers, Sanctions Company Over Spy Campaign
The U.S. on Wednesday announced indictments against a slew of alleged Chinese hackers, sanctioned a Chinese tech company and offered a $10 million bounty over what Washington called a years-long spy campaign that stole information from victims across America and …
Birth Injury Compensation Fund Executive Gets 9 Years for Embezzling $6.7 Million
A Providence Forge, Virginia man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for embezzling funds from his former employer, the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program. According to court documents, John Hunter Raines was the chief financial officer and …
US Anger Grows Over Global Reach of EU’s ‘Hostile’ ESG Rules
As trans-Atlantic relations grow increasingly fraught, Europe’s ESG regulations are becoming yet another flashpoint that threatens to sour ties. The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) says proposed revisions to the bloc’s environmental, social and governance …