Trump Aims Bumper Aid at US Rice Farmers Facing Bleakest Outlook
The new year may mark the last time Texas farmer LG Raun plants a rice crop. “I guess I’m going to be the one that’s going to screw up the tradition of growing Raun family rice,” said the third-generation producer, …
After Merger with CAC, Baldwin Names Lynch, Two Others to Leadership Roles
The Baldwin Group, formerly Baldwin Risk Partners and based in Tampa, has named new leadership for its insurance advisory solutions section that handles retail property-casualty and benefits brokerage. Publicly traded Baldwin, which just closed a merger with CAC Group, announced …
Three Atlanta Firms Merge, Offering Range of Insurance and Financial Services
Three Atlanta-based firms have merged, expanding insurance and financial services for small and medium-sized businesses, with growth plans for 2026. Partners Risk Services, an independent insurance brokerage in property/casualty, benefits and life products and formerly known as BWT Risk Advisors, …
NRA Sues Charity Arm After Alleged Takeover by LaPierre Allies
The National Rifle Association has sued its charity affiliate, alleging a “disgruntled faction of former NRA directors” has seized the affiliate to turn it into a competitor and misused nearly $160 million in NRA funds. The NRA’s lawsuit against the …
US Wants Venezuelan Oil Flowing Again With Revenues in US Accounts, Wright Says
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday the United States government wants to get Venezuelan oil flowing again, deposit money into U.S.-controlled accounts and create conditions for U.S. oil companies to enter the country. Wright said he was speaking to …
Good Times for US P/C Insurers May Not Last; Auto Challenges Ahead
In their latest report on the U.S. auto insurance market, analysts from S&P Global Market Intelligence predict the strongest overall U.S. property/casualty insurance underwriting results in 18 years for 2025, driven by favorable private passenger auto outcomes. Still, while their …
Trump Won’t Rule Out Military Force to Acquire Greenland
President Donald Trump won’t rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland, the White House said, escalating tension with Denmark, a fellow NATO member, over a dispute that’s surged back into public view following the ouster of Venezuelan …
Arctic Freeze Deepens Europe’s Travel and Power Strains
A wave of Arctic air blanketed Europe with frigid weather and intense snowfall, snarling travel and triggering power outages in some areas. Northerly winds driven by high pressure systems in the Atlantic and Arctic caused temperatures to plummet Monday and …
Governments, Regulators Increase Scrutiny of Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, which said in January it had developed an AI model to rival ChatGPT at much lower cost, has come under scrutiny in some countries for its security policies and privacy practices. According to its own privacy …
Nestle Recalls Infant Formula Batches in 25 Countries Over Toxin Risk
Nestle said it was recalling some batches of its infant nutrition products, including SMA, BEBA and NAN formulas, mostly in Europe, due to possible contamination with a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting. The recall, which began on a …
Viewpoint: The Convergence of Autonomy and Intelligence Is Reshaping Insurance
The adoption of AI in insurance is a mixed bag, marked by ambitious experimentation on one hand and structural hesitation on the other. The intent to deploy AI is high, and the expectations are rising just as quickly. Recent industry …
Private Equity Firms Expected to Unleash Middle-Market M&A Deals, Survey Says
M&A activity is expected to rise among midsize companies as private equity firms become more willing to do deals, according to a Citizens Financial survey of about 400 companies. Executives at middle market companies and private equity firms are optimistic …
People Moves: Doss Assumes Role of VP, Personal Lines Underwriting; The Jacobson Group Hires Pinkham as CEO, Greg and Rick Jacobson Transition to Board
Doss Assumes Role of Vice President, Personal Lines Underwriting Justin Doss assumed the role of vice president, personal lines underwriting at RLI Corp., headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. In this executive role, he will lead underwriting and distribution strategy for RLI’s …
People Moves: W. R. Berkley Makes Executive Appointments; Everest Group Names Habayeb CFO
W.R. Berkley Corp., headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, named Lee Iannarone executive vice president. He is succeeded by Stephen Kennedy, who has been named senior vice president and general counsel. Iannarone began his tenure with the company in 2023 as senior …
Volkswagen, Porsche Recall Over 500,000 Vehicles With Rearview Camera Glitch
Problems with the rearview mirror have forced Porsche and now parent company Volkswagen to recall over half a million vehicles collectively in the United States, where the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the latest round of measures on Tuesday. …
Relief But Questions on Agents’ Duties to Insureds After Florida Court Ruling
Florida insurance agents and brokers can breathe at least a little easier after a state appeals court effectively reversed hefty damages in a case that had threatened to expand agents’ duties to insureds as well as their liability in coverage …
New Jerseyans Get $86 Million in Medical Debt Relief
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that more than 53,000 residents will see a combined $86 million in medical bills abolished as a result of the state’s ongoing partnership with national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. This marks the state’s sixth …
New York Regulates Consumer Litigation Financing
New York State has a new law that regulates the industry that provides consumers with funds for living expenses while their legal cases are in process in exchange for a share of any settlement or judgment. Under such contracts, consumers …
MAPFRE Accuses AAA of Violating Long-Time Exclusive Marketing Agreement
The biggest auto insurer in Massachusetts is at odds with the AAA Northeast division it says is violating an exclusive 20-year joint marketing agreement that is worth $200 million a year in premiums to the insurer. In a lawsuit in …
Southern California Aerospace Firm to Pay $1.5M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
An aerospace and defense electronics company based in Chatsworth, California, agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by supplying aircraft parts to the military that did not meet contract specifications. Teledyne RISI …



