What’s Behind New York Fires? Climate Change, Land Use and History
Wildfires that are raging across New York and New Jersey highlight a new threat to one of the world’s most affluent regions. Climate change is regarded by scientists as the pre-eminent factor driving long-term changes in weather, and the New …
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Issues Bulletin on Use of AI
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready issued a bulletin providing insurers with regulatory guidance on the use of artificial intelligence. The bulletin, which was adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), outlines expectations on the ethical use of AI. …
Skyward Specialty Launches Life Sciences Liability Coverage
Houston-baed Skyward Specialty Insurance Group announced the launch of its new life sciences liability coverage. The strategic addition to the Company’s healthcare solutions underwriting unit offers comprehensive and adaptable protection specifically tailored to meet the needs of the life sciences …
Iowa Pizza Restaurant to Pay $99K Over Child Labor Law Violations
An Iowa pizza restaurant has agreed to pay $99,000 in fines after a Department of Labor investigation found the business assigned teenage employees to dangerous duties. Investigators found Pizza Parlor and owner Michelle Drougas illegally employed 11 children. Six children …
Insurance Industry Labor Market Remains Stable: Report
A large majority of carriers intend to increase or maintain staff sizes in the next 12 months, according to Jacobson’s Q3 2024 Insurance Labor Market Study. While the industry continues to add jobs, the employment growth remains relatively modest, according …
FTC’s Holyoak Concerned AI Collecting Children’s Data
U.S. Federal Trade Commissioner Melissa Holyoak said on Thursday the agency should look into how artificial-intelligence products use the data they gather from younger users, amid privacy and safety concerns. Holyoak, one of two Republicans on the commission who could …
Swiss Re Execs Sleeping Well After $2.4 Billion Q3 Reserve Boost
While a $2.4 billion boost in loss reserves for the third-quarter will help Swiss Re’s executives sleep better on a bigger cushion, across the industry, worsening trends in U.S. liability loss costs aren’t letting up, they said yesterday. In fact, …
Judge Questions Transparency of Onion Bid for Infowars
A frustrated bankruptcy judge said he has concerns over the process in which satirical news site The Onion won an auction for right-wing provocateur Alex Jones’ Infowars website. Saying he was dissatisfied with the transparency of the sale process, Judge …
North Carolina Man Charged With Falsifying Insurance Certificate
A North Carolina man gas been charged with obtaining property by false pretense and common law forgery, both felonies. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrest of David Fitzgerald Bishop Jr., of Winston-Salem. According to special agents with …
Driver Dies in Crash Off Hurricane-Damaged North Carolina Highway
A driver has died after going around a barricade and driving off the edge of a hurricane-damaged North Carolina highway that became a symbol of Hurricane Helene’s destruction. Photos of Interstate 40 with multiple lanes washed out by Helene near …
Kentucky Factory Neighbors Cite Years of Odors Before Deadly Explosion
For years, neighbors who lived near a factory in Louisville, Kentucky, complained amongst themselves and to local officials about a variety of strange smells coming from the plant, which produces colorings for food and drinks. Some described it as an …
Tropical Storm Sara Menaces Honduras With Catastrophic Floods
Tropical Storm Sara has formed off the coast of Honduras, threatening to unleash catastrophic flooding and landslides across Central America. Sara, the Atlantic’s 18th named storm this season, had top winds of 40 miles (64 kilometers) per hour and was …
Crisis-Era Regulation Has ‘Gone Too Far,’ Reeves Tells Finance Sector
Finance minister Rachel Reeves on Thursday promised a reboot of regulation governing Britain’s “crown jewel” financial industry which she said has shackled the City’s global prospects since the global financial crisis and stifled UK economic growth. According to extracts from …
Brazilian Court Clears Vale, BHP and Samarco of Criminal Charges in 2015 Dam Collapse
A Brazilian federal court ruled miners Vale, BHP Group and their joint venture Samarco are not criminally liable for the deadly 2015 Fundao tailings dam collapse, according to a statement from the court on Thursday. The dam collapse at an …
EU Readies More Sanctions on Russia’s Shadow Fleet by Year’s End
The European Union is working on a new package of sanctions aimed at targeting the shadow fleet of tankers Russia is using to get its oil to market, according to people familiar with the matter. The package, which the bloc …
Less Worker Deaths Investigated by Labor Department’s OSHA in FY 2024
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said its enforcement has led to fewer workers dying. OSHA, a part of the Department of Labor, said it investigated 826 worker deaths in fiscal year 2024. This is an 11% reduction from 928 …
People Moves: Zurich Names Bernard Head of Industry Practices for US Middle Market; FM Promotes Hodge to COO
Zurich North America, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, promoted Stan Bernard to head of industry practices for U.S. Middle Market. Bernard succeeds Lynn Zeitler, who is retiring in December after 31 years with Zurich. Bernard, who is based in Maryland, has …
Ford Hit With Near-Record $165 Million Penalty on Recall Failure
Ford Motor Co. agreed to a $165 million civil penalty to settle allegations the company failed to recall cars with defective rearview cameras in a timely manner, the second-largest fine ever levied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ford …
Emerald Bay Launches Co-Op and Condo Casualty Program with Vanderbilt Properties
Underwriting carrier Emerald Bay Risk Solutions announced a partnership with Vanderbilt Properties Associates, Inc., a risk purchasing group comprising a large portfolio of high-end residential and commercial real estate properties as its members, to launch its inaugural casualty program. The …
Judge Sets April Trial Date for Palin’s Libel Claim Against New York Times
A federal judge set an April retrial date on Tuesday for Sarah Palin’s libel case against The New York Times, even as lawyers on both sides for the first time said they hope to engage in talks to settle the …