Insurance Journal

Deadly Heat Wave Sweeps Central US, Threatening Power Grid and Straining Resources

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Deadly heat that has gripped Texas for much of the summer has spread into other parts of the central U.S. this week where it is forecast to stay for days, with triple-digit temperatures buckling roads, straining …

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Shareholders Sue Hawaiian Electric Over Maui Wildfires

Shareholders of Hawaiian Electric HE.N on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the utility provider in a San Francisco federal court, alleging the company’s failure to disclose important information about its wildfire prevention and safety protocol...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Former University of Southern California Star Reggie Bush Plans Defamation Suit Against NCAA

Former Southern California running back Reggie Bush plans to file a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA over a statement made by college sports’ governing body about the reasoning for its decision not to restore the Heisman Trophy winner’...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Signers National Acquires Eclipse Risk Insurance Services in California

Signers National acquired nonprofit insurance company Eclipse Risk Insurance Services in California. Signers National also acquired the nonprofit insurance firm Whittaker Agency in Illinois. The two new businesses will be run under Lamb Insurance Ser...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Lamb Insurance Services Acquires Illinois-Based Whittaker

Signers National announced the acquisition of nonprofit insurance company Eclipse Risk Insurance Services and Whittaker Agency, which will be be run under Lamb Insurance Services, a member company and retail agency in the Signers National family of b...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Texas Wire Drawing Company Faces $299K in Fines After Fatal Workplace Accident

A federal investigation has found that a San Antonio, Texas wire drawing company could have prevented an employee from suffering fatal injuries by following required workplace safety standards. Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor’s...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Florida Citizens Posts Info on New Flood Insurance Requirements

Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida’s residual but still-largest property insurer, has posted new information about when and where flood insurance is required for policyholders. The Florida Legislature last year approved Senate Bill 2A,...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Biden Administration Finalizes Stricter Rules to Prevent Offshore Blowouts in Oil and Gas Drilling R...

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The Biden administration on Tuesday finalized tighter rules for complex devices meant to prevent catastrophic blowouts on offshore oil and gas drilling rigs, reversing some Trump administration policies and returning to a more stri...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

OSHA Investigates Chemical Solvent Leak at GM-LG Battery Plant in Ohio

The U.S. workplace safety regulator said on Wednesday it was investigating a recent chemical solvent leak at an Ohio battery plant jointly owned by General Motors GM.N and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution 373220.KS. The joint venture, Ultium Ce...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Wisconsin Launches Task Force to Study Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Workforce

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin became the latest state Wednesday to launch a task force to study the effects of artificial intelligence on the workforce, a growing area of concern among state leaders nationwide. Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive &#...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

NHTSA Shifts Gears, No Longer Opposes Massachusetts’ Vehicle Data Access Law

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has dropped its opposition to a motor vehicle right-to-repair law in Massachusetts that unlocks vehicle data after the state explained how manufacturers may comply in a way that lessens the c...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

South Florida Contractor Charged with Underreporting Payroll by $5.9 Million

Florida authorities this week charged a south Florida contractor with underreporting his payroll by almost $6 million, cheating his workers’ compensation insurer out of more than $350,000 in premiums. Miguel Porras, principal at Thiago’s...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Conservative Attacks on Diversity Efforts in Corporate America Keep Coming

Before the US Supreme Court did away with affirmative action in college admissions, corporate America was bracing itself for attacks on its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. They have begun — and there will likely be more to come. This …

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

United Airlines in $30 Million Settlement With Quadriplegic Man’s Family

United Airlines has agreed to a $30 million settlement after a deplaning incident left a quadriplegic man in a vegetative state, court papers show. The settlement with the family of Nathaniel Foster Jr, known as N.J., was disclosed on Tuesday …

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Federal Reserve Fines Alabama Bank $3M for Flood Insurance Monitoring Issues

The Federal Reserve Board has fined Regions Bank, based in Birmingham, Alabama, almost $3 million for failing to ensure that borrowers maintained flood insurance on their properties. The board did not detail the violations, but a consent order signed...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Weather Extremes May Force More Farmers, Ranchers to Consider Costly Irrigation

The Texas ranch where Gilda Jackson trains and sells horses has been plagued by grasshoppers this year, a problem that only gets worse when the hatch quickens in times of heat and drought. Jackson watched this summer as the insects …

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

FEMA Has Paid Out $5.6M so far to Hawaii Wildfire Survivors

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it has approved more than $5.6 million in assistance to nearly 2,000 households in Maui so far as the federal government tries to help survivors of the devastating wildfires. The White House and FEMA &#823...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Judge Rejects Newsmax Bid to Narrow Smartmatic Lawsuit Over 2020 US Election

A Delaware judge on Wednesday rejected Newsmax Media’s bid to narrow the allegedly defamatory statements that the right-wing U.S. television network must defend in a lawsuit by voting machine company Smartmatic USA involving the 2020 presidenti...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

China Allows Allianz to Launch Onshore Fund Management Company

China’s securities regulator on Thursday granted approval to Allianz Global Investors (Allianz GI) to set up an onshore fund management company as Beijing vowed to step up efforts to attract foreign companies amid sluggish economic growth. The...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

People Moves: Dyer Appointed Chief Risk Officer for Aspen UK; Sompo Int’l Taps Walker From Allianz f...

This edition of International People Moves detail appointments at Aspen Insurance Holdings, Sompo International, and BMS Group. A summary of these new hires follows here. Dyer Appointed Chief Risk Officer for Aspen UK Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. ha...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Big Tech Braces for Roll-out of EU’s Digital Services Act

More than a dozen of the world’s biggest tech companies face unprecedented legal scrutiny, as the European Union’s sweeping Digital Services Act (DSA) imposes new rules on content moderation, user privacy and transparency this month. Acro...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Big Tech Braces for Roll-Out of EU’s Digital Services Act

More than a dozen of the world’s biggest tech companies face unprecedented legal scrutiny, as the European Union’s sweeping Digital Services Act (DSA) imposes new rules on content moderation, user privacy and transparency. From Friday, a...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Japan Begins Releasing Nuclear Wastewater in Process That Could Last 30 Years

Japan started the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear site into the Pacific Ocean in a process that could last about 30 years, triggering an immediate retaliation by China to curb seafood imports. Tokyo Electric Power Co., which...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

People Moves: Hamann Named President of Hanover Small Commercial; Chilson Becomes Argo Surety Presid...

The Hanover Appoints Hamann President of Small Commercial The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., headquartered in Worcester, Mass., appointed Charles (Chip) F. Hamann to president of small commercial. Hamann has over 35 years of industry experience and h...

Posted: Aug 24, 2023

Athens Wildfires Burn Part of Forest in Mount Parnitha After Destroying Homes

A wildfire near the Greek capital burned part of the forest in mount Parnitha, after destroying homes and cars, while Athens prepares for another difficult day as authorities have issued a high alert warning for fires on Thursday. The fires …

Posted: Aug 24, 2023