Tariffs Threaten to Push US Home Insurance Rates Even Higher
With the Los Angeles fires in January and last week’s severe storms that brought flooding and tornadoes to the Midwest, extreme weather is already battering US homes in 2025. Homeowners should expect their insurance rates to jump accordingly, says Insurify, …
Pedestrian Traffic Deaths About 50% More Than a Decade Ago: Report
About 50% more pedestrians were killed during the first six months of 2024 compared to a decade ago, although the number is down 2.6% from the prior year. According to a report breaking down deaths by state published by the …
Jazz Pharma to Pay $145 Million to Settle Narcolepsy Drug Antitrust Case
Jazz Pharmaceuticals said on Tuesday that it had agreed to a settlement of $145 million to resolve a series of antitrust lawsuits related to its narcolepsy drug, Xyrem. Xyrem, a medication approved in the U.S., is used for the treatment …
Missouri Roofer to Pay $290K Over Teen Worker’s Fatal Fall
The U.S. Department of Labor reached an agreement with Jamesport roofing contractor John Troyer after a federal investigation determined he violated federal laws, resulting in a teen worker’s fatal fall in March 2023. The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration …
Texas Bill Would Add New Regulations for Renewable Energy Sector
Texas’ renewable energy industry is booming. Accounting for nearly 90% of new electrical generation, wind, solar and battery storage industries have established themselves as a reliable source of energy for the state’s grid — and positioned Texas as a national …
Keystone Oil Pipeline Is Shut After a Spill in North Dakota
South Bow Corp.’s Keystone oil pipeline has been shut after a spill in southeast North Dakota, curtailing a conduit that carries as much as 15% of Canada’s crude exports to the US. The pipeline was shut within two minutes after …
People Moves: Allianz Commercial Expands US Construction With Hires; IMA Hires Lockton’s Wargo to Lead Property Team
Allianz Commercial, headquartered in New York City, expanded its U.S. construction team with five new hires who will join Allianz Commercial’s Master Builder’s Risk team by mid-April. Kristen Hoskinson was appointed executive underwriter team leader for Allianz Commercial. Based in …
Justice Department Disbands Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team
The U.S. Justice Department is disbanding its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and ordering prosecutors to narrow crypto investigations to focus on drug cartels and terrorist groups, according to a memo seen by Reuters. The memo from Deputy Attorney General Todd …
Viewpoint: EEOC Documents on DEI Programs Increase Pressure on Employers
On March 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Public Affairs issued a press release announcing two technical assistance documents jointly released by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the DOJ. The stated purpose of …
Report Shows California Workers’ Comp Medical Review Denials Still Rarely Overturned
The rate of California workers’ compensation medical treatment request denials being overturned was up slightly last year, but they are still a relatively rare occurrence, a new report shows. Denials were overturned at a rate of 12.7%, an increase from …
Singer Sues Metropolitan Opera Over Her Dismissal After Giving Birth
Mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili sued the Metropolitan Opera and her union, alleging the company unlawfully terminated her contracts because of a vocal issue that developed after she gave birth. She also accused the union of failing to pursue a grievance against …
‘CJ’s Death Was Completely Avoidable,’ Say Parents Suing Bucknell Over Son’s Death
The parents of a freshman Bucknell University football player who died after his first day of football practice in 2024 have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the school, its administrators, and athletic coaches who, they allege, could have prevented …
People Moves: Reeder Joins Alliant Employee Benefits as Vice President
Danny Reeder joined Alliant Insurance Services as vice president within its employee benefits group. Based in Utah, Reeder has more than 13 years of leadership experience in executive consulting, account management and benefits strategy. Prior to Alliant, Reeder was a …
New Mexico Insurance Department Moving to Increase FAIR Plan Limits
New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane increased maximum residential property insurance limits for policies from $350,000 to $750,000 through the New Mexico Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan. The move was adopted by the NM FAIR Plan Governing Committee. …
US Trade Rep Faces Bipartisan Questions on Scope and Duration of Tariffs
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told U.S. senators on Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s administration has no plans to change tactics on the global tariff program in the near term, prompting some light push back from Republican lawmakers as Democrats …
Gov. Moore Swears In Executive Team Including Insurance Commissioner Grant
Maryland Governor Wes Moore this week swore in eight new executive leaders, each confirmed by the Senate during the 2025 legislative session, to fill key positions across state government. Among them was Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant, who joined the Maryland …
People Moves: NFP Names D’Agostino Senior Vice President
NFP, an Aon company headquartered in New York City, named Joseph D’Agostino as senior vice president, property and casualty. D’Agostino has nearly two decades of experience supporting hundreds of companies in navigating IPOs, acquisitions and other complex risks. He previously …
Minnesota Lawmakers Propose Auto Insurance Program for Low-Income Residents
Minnesota lawmakers have introduced a bill that would establish a low-cost auto insurance program for low-income residents. HF 2215 would establish the Minnesota Lifeline Insurance Program, a state-sponsored, alternative auto insurance option for motorists who have a household adjusted gross …
AccuWeather: Severe Storms in Central US Cause $80-90B in Damages, Economic Loss
A multiday severe weather outbreak in the central U.S. caused an estimated $80 billion to $90 billion in total damage and economic loss, according to a preliminary estimate from AccuWeather. From April 2 to April 6, a rare weather system …
Trump’s Tariff ‘Medicine’ Engulfs Markets, US Stocks in Spin After Talk of Pause
resident Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff plans battered global markets again on Monday after he said foreign governments would have to pay “a lot of money” to get the levies removed, while U.S. stocks got a brief lift on hints of …