Open-Source AI Models Vulnerable to Criminal Misuse, Researchers Warn
Hackers and other criminals can easily commandeer computers operating open-source large language models outside the guardrails and constraints of the major artificial-intelligence platforms, creating security risks and vulnerabilities, researchers said on Thursday. Hackers could target the computers running the LLMs …
Charges Dropped Against ‘Poster Boy’ Florida Contractor Accused of Insurance Fraud
Almost three years ago, in May of 2023, a circuit court judge in Lee County, Florida, sharply criticized a restoration contractor, accusing him of concealing the true cost of condominium roof work in an assignment-of-benefits claim with Tower Hill insurance. …
Man Charged With Murder in New York City High-Rise Gas Explosion
A deadly gas explosion in a New York City high-rise last weekend was traced to an intruder who disconnected a stove to steal and sell it, prosecutors said Thursday. The suspect, Samuel Calderon, was being held without bail after his …
Delaware’s Supreme Court Slashes Legal Fees in Tesla Director Pay Lawsuit
The Delaware Supreme Court handed Tesla a victory on Friday, slashing by more than $100 million the legal fees owed to shareholder lawyers who successfully sued directors at Elon Musk‘s electric car company for overpaying themselves. The court said Tesla …
Rapaport Reappointed as Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commissioner
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission reappointed Commissioner Robert A. Rapaport to serve an additional six-year term as a commissioner of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. Rapaport was originally appointed to the commission in 2017. Before his appointment, Rapaport practiced law …
Two Companies Made Dried Milk Powder Linked to Botulism in Baby Formula
Two companies processed and supplied dried milk powder that could be a culprit in the outbreak of botulism tied to ByHeart infant formula that has sickened dozens of babies, The Associated Press has learned. Organic whole milk powder that tested …
Meta Faces New Mexico Trial Over Child-Exploitation Claims
Meta Platforms is set to face trial this week in a lawsuit brought by the state of New Mexico accusing it of exposing children and teens to sexual exploitation on its platforms and profiting from it, the first case of …
Search Suspended for 7 People on Fishing Vessel That Sank Off Massachusetts
The U.S. Coast Guard on Saturday suspended the search for seven people who were aboard a commercial fishing vessel that sank off the coast of Massachusetts in rough, frigid waters. The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue mission early …
California Accelerates Work on EV Rules, Tax Credits That Trump Opposes
California officials are meeting Detroit automakers this week to discuss the next phase of greenhouse gas regulations for cars and trucks, the state’s top air regulator said. California is fighting in the courts and in the U.S. Congress against President …
TDI Investigations Result in $50M for Fraud Victims
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Fraud Unit this week announced that it contributed to insurance fraud investigations landing $50.9 million in court-ordered restitution in fiscal year 2025. More than 20 TDI investigators working across the state looked into 314 …
Michigan AG Secures Judgment Against Contractors Over Consumer Scam
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced she has secured a default judgment (PDF) against Caltons Lawn Care & Landscaping LLC and its owners, Aron Dean Calton and Leslie Calton, of Kent City, for violating the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. The …
Aon Reports Organic Growth of 6% for 2nd Straight Year
Aon plc reported revenue of $4.3 billion during the fourth quarter of 2025, an increase of $153 million or 4% from $4.1 billion in Q4 2024. For Q4 2025, Aon saw organic revenue growth of 5%, compared with 6% during …
Insurance Journal’s Agency Salary Survey to Close Tuesday, Feb. 3
Don’t miss out on your chance to participate in Insurance Journal’s annual Agency Salary Survey. There’s only a few days left to share your insights on agency compensation trends and more. ALL retail agency owners, principals, producers, CSRs — the …
Detroit-Area Taco Bell Operators Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
Sundance, Inc. and Black River Bells, operators of several Taco Bell restaurants in the metropolitan Detroit area, will pay $100,000 and furnish other relief to resolve a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal …
Texas Data Centers, Crypto Miners Reduced Power During Storm
Electric Reliability Council of Texas Chairman Bill Flores said Thursday that some data centers and cryptocurrency miners voluntarily curtailed power use during the recent winter storm that strained the state’s grid and others across the country. Data centers supporting artificial …
The Hartford Q4 Net Income Up 33% Led by Business Insurance
Net income at The Hartford increased 33% to about $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter 2025. Property/casualty written premiums increased 5% compared to Q4 2024, led by growth of 7% in the business insurance segment. CEO Christopher Swift said results …
Federal Judge Puts Brakes on New Hampshire Plan to Abolish Car Inspections
A federal court judge has halted New Hampshire’s plan to end motor vehicle inspections. U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty granted a preliminary injunction on January 27 to prevent the state from implementing a new law abolishing the annual inspection …
Florida Committees Approve MGA, Litigation Funding Restriction Bills
Florida legislative committees approved two bills this week that could impact property-casualty insurance in the state. One would put some restrictions on litigation financing and the other would force more transparency on insurers’ payments to managing general agencies. The bills’ …
E&S Premium Growth Moderates Through Nine Months of 2025
The U.S. excess and surplus lines market isn’t growing at the rate it has been, with the premium growth through September 2025 lower than the prior year. According to a new report from insurance industry rating agency AM Best, years …
Worries Deepened in South After Days of Snow, Ice and Power Outages
Conditions were dire earlier this week in parts of the South still reeling from subfreezing temperatures and widespread power outages as vehicles got stranded for hours on major highways and officials warned that people stuck at home were running out …



