Deadly Lithium Battery Fires Force Lawmakers to Play Catch-Up on Safety
For a decade, Illinois state Sen. Sue Rezin has recognized the technological and economic potential of lithium-ion batteries. Rezin, a Republican who serves in a district that is a major chemical and energy industry hub southwest of Chicago, also recognizes …
The Target Markets, The Institutes Launch Program Business Professional Designation
The Target Markets Program Administrators Association (TMPAA) and The Institutes Knowledge Group created a new credential for program insurance professionals, the Program Business Professional (PBP) designation. The PBP designation is set to officially launch in May at the upcoming TMPAA …
Former California Insurance Agent Found Guilty of Taking $1.2M from Victims
Former licensed insurance agent Brett E. Lovett, 53, of Camarillo, California, was found guilty of 29 felony counts including grand theft, elder abuse, money laundering, and burglary after a 15-month California Department of Insurance investigation reportedly found he defrauded at …
BlackRock Gets Legal Warning Over ESG Funds From Mississippi
BlackRock Inc. faces the prospect of being barred from offering securities in Mississippi after state officials accused the investment firm of making “fraudulent” statements regarding its climate strategy. This marks at least the second time BlackRock has faced legal action …
Man Pleads Guilty to Hacking Computers of Georgia City Police and Medical Clinic
Robert Purbeck, also known as “Lifelock,” and “Studmaster,” who hacked into the computer servers of the police department of Newnan, Georgia and a medical clinic in Griffin, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of computer fraud and abuse, according …
Lawmakers Want Investigations Into Deaths of Older Adults in Abuse or Neglect Cases
Republican state lawmakers in Pennsylvania are pushing Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration to do more to investigate the deaths of older adults who are the subject of an abuse or neglect complaint after Pennsylvania recorded a steep increase in such deaths, …
California Beefing up Recruitment for Inspectors to Better Enforce Workplace Laws
California’s Department of Industrial Relations is beefing up a statewide effort to recruit inspectors and investigators throughout California to more thoroughly enforce labor and workplace laws. The DIR is hiring enforcement staff for Cal/OSHA and the Labor Commissioner’s Office under …
Accuweather Predicts Above-Average 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Accuweather meteorologists are predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season with as many as 20-25 named storms. The 2024 hurricane season is forecast to feature 8-12 hurricanes including 4-7 major hurricanes. This year has the potential to break the all-time record …
People Moves: Lockton Taps Marsh’s Gill to Build Technology Specialty Practice
Lockton Taps Marsh’s Gill to Build Technology Specialty Practice Lockton, the independent insurance broker, announced that Manpreet “Preet” Gill is joining the firm’s technology specialty to build and grow a practice focused on developing creative solutions to address a variety …
Dairy Cattle in Texas and Kansas Test Positive for Bird Flu
Milk from dairy cows in Texas and Kansas has tested positive for bird flu, U.S. officials said Monday. Officials with the Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed the flu virus is the Type A H5N1 strain, known for decades to cause …
People Moves: Powers Insurance & Risk Management Hires Steinkoetter
Powers Insurance & Risk Management, headquartered in St. Louis, hired Josh Steinkoetter as a commercial lines sales account executive. Steinkoetter brings 20 years of experience in the insurance industry to the role. Before joining Powers, he was a risk management …
People Moves: Files Joins Alliant Team in Houston
Alliant Insurance Services, headquartered in Irvine, California, hired April Files as senior vice president within the Alliant Americas division. Based in Houston, Texas, Files will service industries in the Southwest and nationally. Files comes to Alliant with more than 24 …
People Moves: AXA XL Promotes Cole to Global Chief Underwriting Officer for Marine; DUAL’s Specialist Motor MGA KGM Names Astin as Managing Director
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at AXA XL and DUAL’s specialist motor MGA KGM. A summary of these new hires follows here. AXA XL Promotes Cole to Global Chief Underwriting Officer for Marine AXA XL has promoted …
Two Iowa Men Sentenced in Workers’ Comp Fraud Scheme
Two Iowa men were sentenced this month in connection with workers’ compensation fraud. Trey Wysocki, age 40, of New Virginia was sentenced on March 11, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (Class …
Disney Ends Fight With Governor DeSantis by Settling Florida Lawsuit
A board appointed by Ron DeSantis to oversee the municipal authority that governs Walt Disney Co. in Florida has voted to settle a state lawsuit against the company. The board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District unanimously approved a …
Canada’s Desjardins Acquires Insurance Company of Prince Edward Island
Canada-based Desjardins, through its subsidiary Desjardins General Insurance Group Inc., and ICPEI Holdings Inc. announced they have entered into definitive agreements for Desjardins to indirectly acquire all of ICPEI’s issued and outstanding shares. ICPEI Holdings operates The Insurance Company of …
Hospitality Workers Ratify New Contract with 34 Southern California Hotels
Thousands of Southern California hospitality workers overwhelmingly ratified a new contract with 34 hotels after repeated strikes since the summer, their union announced. Workers won higher pay, increased employer contributions to pensions, and fair workload guarantees among other provisions of …
Rite Aid Says It’s Close to Bankruptcy Settlement
Pharmacy chain Rite Aid has reached a settlement with its lenders, the U.S. Department of Justice, and drug supplier McKesson Corp., clearing a path for Rite Aid to complete its bankruptcy case by late April, a company lawyer said Tuesday. …
2 Crew Members Die During ‘Incident’ on Holland America Cruise Ship
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an “incident” in the ship’s engineering space, the cruise line said. The unidentified crew members died Friday while the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam was at …
Subaru to Recall More Than 118,000 Vehicles in US: NHTSA
Subaru of America is recalling 118,723 SUVs and sedans in the U.S. over an issue which prevents air bags from deploying in a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday. The recall covers certain Outback and …