EEOC Scraps Guidance That Expanded Workplace Protections for LGBTQ Workers
The U.S. agency that enforces laws prohibiting workplace discrimination on Thursday rescinded legal guidance that had strengthened protections against unlawful harassment for LGBTQ workers and women who have abortions. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted 2-1 to repeal the …
Navigators Can’t Parse ‘Additional Insured’ Policy Wording in Georgia Explosion Case
Navigators Insurance Co., a Hartford excess insurer, cannot escape a Georgia utility company’s argument that the utility is an additional insured on a policy, after a 2018 gas explosion in Georgia that left three women severely injured. The decision by …
Cargo Theft Surges 60% in 2025, $725M in Estimated Losses
Newly revealed data highlights a surge in criminals targeting high-value freight and new theft locations pushing losses higher, according to Verisk CargoNet analysis. Estimated losses surged 60% from 2024 numbers to nearly $725 million, while confirmed cargo theft incidents increased …
Accuweather: Winter Storm to Cause Up to $115B in Damage, Economic Losses
The weekend winter storm that impacted more than 200 million people from more than 24 states is expected to result in total damage and economic losses of between $105 billion and $115 billion, said AccuWeather. The preliminary loss estimate accounts …
California Rehab Center to Pay $1.5M for Keeping Two Paycheck Protection Loans
A California rehabilitation center operator knowingly received more than one Paycheck Protection Program loan prior to Dec. 31, 2020, and was ordered pay the $1.5 million in damages and penalties, a court found. The U.S. District Court for the Central …
California to Get $379M in Funding for EV Charging Infrastructure
A U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington’s issued a final ruling against the Trump Administration in multistate litigation challenging the withholding of funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has now approved nearly …
ZEV Registrations in California Fell for the First Time Since 2020
Zero-emission vehicle registrations fell in California 2025 after several years of growth following the pandemic. This marks the first year-over-year decline in ZEV registrations since 2020, a new report from the California New Car Dealers Association shows. The group’s Q4 …
Gas Explosion, Fire on Top Floors of NYC Apartment Building Kills 1, Injures 14
A gas explosion sent fire racing through the top floors of a high-rise apartment building in New York City early Saturday, killing one person and injuring 14 others as temperatures plunged into the single digits overnight, authorities said. Firefighters responded …
Man Who Stole $28 Million From Mars Inc. Sentenced
A Connecticut man who stole more than $28 million from his former employer Mars, Inc. has been sentenced to 63 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for fraud and tax offenses. Paul R. Steed has also been …
US Deep Freeze Wreaks Havoc on Texas Oil Producers and Refiners
A massive winter storm that swept the US over the weekend crippled oil and gas producers and the industrial plants that refine the raw commodities into everything from gasoline to plastics. Refinery flares lit up the Houston Ship Channel late …
New Exoskeleton System Said to Reduce Back and Strain Injuries by Almost Two-Thirds
An exoskeleton system developed initially by Vanderbilt University researchers decreased strain, sprain and lifting injuries by as much as 62% over months of study, signaling a way to reduce some of the most common workers’ compensation claims. The HeroWear company, …
Sweeping US Winter Storm Threatens Blackouts and Snarled Travel
A vast swath of the US — sweeping east from the Southern Rockies to the Mid-Atlantic and New England — is on alert for winter-storm conditions that could last days, disrupting travel and threatening blackouts. By Friday evening, a mix …
Pacific Life Seeks to Dismiss Kyle Busch’s $8.5M Lawsuit Over Insurance Policies
Pacific Life Insurance Company on Thursday asked a federal court to dismiss the $8.5 million lawsuit filed by NASCAR champion Kyle Busch and his wife over policies the Buschs claim were sold to them under false and negligent representations as …
People Moves: Starwind Marine and Energy Announces Leadership Appointments
Starwind Specialty Insurance Services, a CRC Group division, announced a series of leadership appointments within Starwind Marine and Energy that further strengthen its long-term strategy for growth and technical excellence across the marine and energy sectors. The appointments took effect …
People Moves: Coterie Appoints Seich as Chief Revenue Officer
Coterie Insurance, a small business MGA, announced Mark Seich as the company’s new Chief Revenue Officer overseeing revenue strategy across distribution, agency engagement, marketing, and customer experience. Seich served as VP of Marketing & Distribution at The Philadelphia Contributionship, where …
Hot Sauce Company Sues Manufacturer Over Exploding Bottles
A product liability dispute is bubbling between a popular salsa and hot sauces company and its manufacturer. Iowa-based Lola’s Fine Sauces alleges in a lawsuit that it lost several hundred thousand dollars after customers complained that Lola’s bottled products bubbled, …
Prudential Japan Pledges Reforms After Widespread Misconduct
Prudential Financial Inc.’s Japan insurance head vowed to bolster governance after revelations that improper actions by more than 100 current and former staff cost customers about $20 million. The chief executive officer of the unit, Kan Mabara, “deeply” apologized for …
Port of Los Angeles December Imports Fell 8% From Year Earlier
The Port of Los Angeles handled 424,499 20-foot equivalent units of imports in December, down 8% from the year earlier, according to data released by the nation’s busiest seaport on Thursday. Related: EU ‘Fully Prepared’ to Hit Back Over Trump’s …
Pennsylvania High Court Quashes Challenge to Uber’s ‘Clickwrap’ Arbitration Agreement
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has vacated a lower appeals court ruling that had found ride-hailing firm Uber’s “clickwrap” mandatory arbitration agreement unenforceable because it would deprive a husband and wife of their right to a jury trial for their injury …
Munich Re May Trim Headcount Through Voluntary Buyouts at Ergo Insurance Unit
German reinsurer Munich Re is planning to reduce jobs through attrition but may turn to voluntary buyouts at its ERGO insurance unit, CEO Christoph Jurecka said. Speaking to journalists on Thursday evening in Munich, Jurecka said that natural fluctuation “may …



