Southern California Edison Paying $82.5M to Settle Claims Over Bobcat Fire Damages
Southern California Edison, a unit of utility Edison International, agreed on Friday to pay $82.5 million to settle claims with the U.S. Forest Service for costs and damages resulting from the Bobcat Fire in 2020. The U.S. government had filed …
DIY Home Inspections Are Taking Over, Firms Say
The future of home inspections is here and it’s in the hands of…the homeowner, according to leaders of two firms that have developed DIY systems now being used by prospective insureds across the country for pre-policy property surveys. “Do-it-yourself inspections …
Venezuelan Workers at Disney Put on Leave After Losing Protective Status
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Almost four dozen Venezuelan workers who had temporary protected status have been put on leave by Disney after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to strip them of legal protections. The move was made …
Progress Is Slow for Chimney Rock, NC Hit Hard by Hurricane Helene
The brightly colored sign along the S-curve mountain road beckons visitors to the Gemstone Mine, the “#1 ATTRACTION IN CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE!” But another sign, on the shop’s mud-splattered front door, tells a different story. “We will be closed Thursday …
Wildfires Erupt Near Alberta Oil Well Sites Amid Hot Weather
Hot weather sparked a string of wildfires around Alberta over the weekend, including some near oil and gas wells operated by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and others. Four out-of-control fires were burning in Alberta at 4:15 p.m. Monday, including a …
India Races to Contain Oil Spill From Sunken Container Ship
Indian agencies detected an oil spill from a container ship that capsized off the coast of the southern state of Kerala early Sunday, triggering efforts to contain the environmental damage, the defense ministry said in a statement a day after …
Russian Hackers Target Western Firms Shipping Aid to Ukraine, US Intelligence Says
Hackers working for Russian military intelligence targeted Western technology and logistics companies involved in shipping assistance to Ukraine, the U.S. National Security Agency said. The hackers were trying to obtain details about the type of assistance entering Ukraine and, as …
FTC Nixes Antitrust Lawsuit Against PepsiCo Over Pricing
PepsiCo Inc. scored a major legal victory Thursday after the three members of the US Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit that was filed at the very end of the Biden Administration. The FTC sued Pepsi …
India Debuts New Weather Model to Help Farming, Flood Planning
The southwest monsoon’s early arrival in India this year is good news for crops, but exactly when, where, and how much rain will fall over the next few months are still difficult questions to answer. To help solve that dilemma, …
Norwegian Man Awakes to Discover Grounded Cargo Ship Narrowly Missed His Home
A Norwegian man awoke to find that a cargo ship had run aground and narrowly missed crashing into his home along the Trondheim Fjord’s coast. Johan Helberg told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he’d slept through the whole thing and only …
Markets/Coverages: BHSI Expands Executive & Professional Lines Cover in Italy
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced the introduction of miscellaneous Professional Indemnity and Public Offering of Securities Insurance in Italy. These new policies follow the launch of BHSI’s proprietary Directors & Officers Liability Insurance in December of 2024. “Launching our …
More Tornadoes, Fewer Meteorologists Make for a Dangerous Mix
As nasty tornadoes popped up from Kansas to Kentucky, a depleted National Weather Service was in scramble mode. The agency’s office in Jackson, Kentucky, had begun closing nightly as deep cuts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency began hitting. …
Underwriting Concerns About Solar? Insurer Certifies Panels for Hail, Fire Resistance
While some insurance companies in Florida and beyond have balked at writing properties with rooftop solar panels, FM Global says it has pioneered an idea that may help – a testing system that certifies panels for fire and hail resistance. …
Connecticut Lawmakers Close Costly Workers’ Comp Loophole Opened by Court
Connecticut lawmakers last week moved swiftly to plug what could have been a very costly loophole in workers’ compensation benefits that was created by a state Supreme Court decision in March. The lawmakers effectively invalidated the high court ruling that …
Urban Fires Spark California Firefighter’s Idea to Get Quicker Water for Helicopters
Mark Whaling and a crew raced up and down a hill in a tanker truck as they battled a wildfire in Los Angeles County, scrambling to get water from a street hydrant in time to stay ahead of flames moving …
New Hampshire to Pay $2.25M to Mother of 5-Year-Old Killed by Father
New Hampshire has agreed to pay $2.25 million to the mother of Harmony Montgomery, a 5-year-old girl whose father was convicted of murdering her. Crystal Sorey filed a negligence lawsuit against the state last May accusing social workers of ignoring …
Massachusetts Firm to Pay $11M for Dumping Contaminated Fill in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s top legal chief announced last week that a Massachusetts construction company has agreed to pay $11 million to settle criminal charges that it illegally dumped thousands of tons of contaminated fill in the Ocean State’s capital city during …
New York City Employee Killed in Sewage-Boat Explosion on Hudson River
An explosion on a boat carrying raw sewage that was docked on the Hudson River in New York City killed a longtime city employee Saturday, authorities said. Another worker on the city-owned Hunts Point vessel was injured and taken to …
Australia’s East Coast Begins Flood Cleanup as Waters Recede
Australia has drafted in emergency service teams from across the nation to help with clean-up operations after devastating floods in the eastern state of New South Wales. Almost 200 additional personnel will take up specialist roles including water rescue, and …
California And 10 Other States Launch Clean Cars Coalition Following Senate Vote
California is joining an 11-state coalition to advance clean vehicles in response to a vote by the U.S. Senate to revoke California’s authority to set its own clean air standards. The Affordable Clean Cars Coalition was formed to push the …