Former WV Fire Official Sentenced to 33 Months for Arson, Insurance Fraud
A former West Virginia volunteer fire official who pleaded guilty to fraud after burning down his home and misusing the fire department’s credit card has been sentenced to 33 months in prison. Donald A. Ennis, 44, of St. Albans, also …
ZestyAI Gains Michigan Approval
ZestyAI announced that the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services has approved its severe convective storm suite. The approval comes as Michigan contends with rising weather-related insurance losses. According to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), the state …
Texas House Advances Bill to Allow Homes on Smaller Lots
The Texas House gave a thumbs Wednesday to a bill allowing smaller homes on smaller lots in Texas’ biggest cities, part of a broad push by state lawmakers to put a dent in the state’s high home prices. But the …
Congress Could Unravel Biden’s Climate Law. Here’s What to Watch
The Republican-led House of Representatives has narrowly passed a giant tax and spending bill that would end Inflation Reduction Act subsidies for clean power years early. The proposed changes threaten to unravel a variety of incentives that would result in …
EU to Propose More Flexible Climate Goal, Sources Say
The European Commission will propose a new EU climate target in July that includes flexibilities for how countries meet it, as Brussels attempts to fend off mounting criticism of Europe’s environmental aims, EU diplomats told Reuters. The European Union’s climate …
Wildfires in Alberta Pose Growing Threat to Canada’s Oil
Wildfires are threatening about 5% of Canada’s crude output as a blaze in Alberta’s oil sands region spreads and approaches major production sites. A total of 26 out-of-control fires are burning in the province amid hot, dry weather, bringing flames …
People Moves: Markel Taps Former RSA Exec Mooney to Succeed Galjaard; AXA XL Reinsurance Names Ivanova as Head of Property, International Reinsurance
This edition of International People Moves details executive appointments at Markel and AXA XL Reinsurance. A summary of these new hires follows here. Markel Taps Former RSA Exec Mooney to Succeed Galjaard Who Will Step Down Markel, the insurance operations …
Farmers Press Trump for Biofuels Boost to Counter Tariff Losses
After losing their biggest export market due to Donald Trump’s trade wars, US farmers are now counting on the president’s support for biofuels to prevent their next crop from piling up in storage. The administration is set to soon unveil …
CVS and Express Scripts Sue to Block Arkansas Law Restricting Pharmacy Benefit Managers
CVS and Express Scripts asked a federal judge on Thursday to block a law prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers from owning or operating pharmacies in Arkansas, challenging the first such restriction enacted by a state. The lawsuits come a little over …
Lawsuit Says Zealous Honolulu PD Arresting Drivers for DUI Even When Sober
The Honolulu Police Department said it will review all impaired driving arrests after the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a lawsuit alleging officers are arresting sober drivers in an overzealous focus on making drunk-driving arrests. In recent years …
Czech Republic Accuses China of ‘Malicious Cyber Campaign’ Against Foreign Ministry
The Czech Republic has accused China of being “responsible” for cyberattacks against a a communication network of its Foreign Ministry, officials said on Wednesday [May 28]. The Foreign Ministry in Prague said the malicious activities started in 2022 and targeted …
Viewpoint: Life-Saving Building Codes Are the Unsung Heroes of Resilience
In an era where billion-dollar disasters are becoming the norm, one truth stands above the wreckage: strong building codes save buildings – and lives. Yet despite mounting risks, the U.S. remains caught in a paradox. We have the knowledge and …
Lloyd’s Insurer Beazley Gains New Bull to Bolster Unique Status
The only stock in the FTSE 100 with buy recommendations from every analyst that covers it just gained another bull. Beazley Plc was named a ‘top pick’ by Berenberg, which gave the Lloyd’s of London insurer a 1,150 pence price …
SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Crypto Exchange
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday voluntarily dismissed its civil lawsuit against Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, extending the regulator’s new approach to cryptocurrencies since President Donald Trump reentered the White House. A joint stipulation of dismissal …
Ex-WWE Executive Turns, Agrees to Team With Sex Abuse Accuser Against McMahon
A former WWE executive who had been fighting sexual abuse allegations in a lawsuit by an ex-employee has agreed to a confidential settlement and will now help the accuser as she continues suing the company and former leader Vince McMahon, …
Industry Vets Bonneau and Bredahl Form Novel Financial, Acquire Forza Insurance
The former chief executives of Partner Re and Howden Tiger are joining two other industry veterans to form a company, which they describe as “an independent holding company that oversees carriers supporting managing general underwriters. Novel Financial Holdings LLC (“Novel”) …
DeSantis Vetoes Repeal of ‘Free Kill’ Medical Malpractice Bill
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed a bill that would have restored some family members’ right to file suit after a loved one dies from medical negligence. The Florida Legislature this year approved House Bill 6017 by wide margins. The …
Trump Administration Is Rolling Out a New Way to Shrink FEMA’s Role
When a series of deadly storms and tornadoes pummeled Arkansas in mid-March, downing power lines and tearing up homes, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders asked the federal government for money to not only help repair the damage, but also boost the …
Georgia Insurance Office Uses Appointment Fees to Help Fund New Elevator Inspectors
Elevator inspections in Georgia have been an issue for years, exacerbated by the death of an 18-year-old athlete who was trapped and crushed between floors in a faulty elevator in 2021. Now, the Georgia insurance commissioner says his office has …
After Years of Losses, Florida Insurers Saw Underwriting Profits in 2024, AM Best Says
After eight years of losses, Florida’s personal property insurance market reported an underwriting profit and a considerable jump in operating income in 2024, the AM Best rating and analytics firm said in a report this week. The firm examined 45 …