State Farm Still Wants a 30% Rate Increase in California
State Farm isn’t done seeking a rate increase in California, upping its request a week after getting the OK for a large rate hike to what the company had originally wanted before being rejected and agreeing to an interim deal …
Shortage of Overnight Truck Parking Blamed for 2023 Fatal Bus Crash in Illinois
Overnight parking for long-haul truckers at interstate rest stops is critically short and was a key contributor to a 2023 Greyhound bus crash in Illinois that killed three people, federal regulators said Tuesday. The National Transportation Safety Board said driver …
Austin Bar to Pay $42K Over Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit
Corner Bar, which operates on South Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas, will pay $42,000 and provide other equitable relief to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced. The lawsuit …
First MainStreet Adds 2 Midwest Agencies
First MainStreet Insurance (FMSI), a division of TrueNorth Companies, announced the continued expansion of its platform with two new strategic partnerships and a notable merger, marking a dynamic start to 2025. Effective May 1, 2025, FMSI has partnered with Rentz …
People Moves: CIS Promotes Gardea, Jr., Adds Felder to Leadership Team
Construction insurance Services (CIS), an MGA/MGU based in Dallas focused on the construction industry in all 50 states, announced a promotion and addition to its leadership team. CIS is a subsidiary of the Curley Financial Group based in Dallas. Hector …
EU to Propose Removing Business Barriers to Enhance Competitiveness Amid US Tariffs
The European Commission set out plans on Wednesday to remove barriers to business within the European Union as part of a push to boost competitiveness and counteract the impact of U.S. tariffs. The International Monetary Fund has estimated that internal …
Former Progressive CEO Renwick, 69, Dies
The Progressive Corp. published a statement that the company mourned the loss of its former chief executive officer and chairman, Glenn Renwick. According to the statement, Renwick passed away on Friday, May 16 at the age of 69. “Glenn’s contributions …
Hack of Contractor Was at Root of Massive Federal Data Breach
A software company that handles sensitive data for nearly every US federal agency was the victim of a cyber breach earlier this year due to a “major lapse” in security measures, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg News. Opexus, which …
Acrisure Secures $2.1 Billion Funding Round for M&A, Tech
Acrisure said it has entered into a definitive agreement for the issuance of new convertible senior preferred stock in a $2.1 billion capital raise led by Bain Capital. Acrisure said the company’s valuation stands at $32 billion—a nearly 40% increase …
People Moves: World Insurance Associates Names Youshock Head of Personal Lines; Belair Appointed President of Technology at Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions
World Insurance Associates Names Youshock Head of Personal Lines World Insurance Associates LLC, headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, named Michelle Youshock head of personal lines, replacing Jim Hickey, who is taking over carrier consolidation efforts. Youshock, based in Las Vegas, …
New Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Same Florida Grower With Cucumbers Last Year
U.S. health officials are investigating a new outbreak of salmonella illnesses tied to a Florida grower whose tainted cucumbers were linked to more than 550 illnesses last year. Cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh Start Produce …
Global Forest Loss Tops Record as Wildfires Drive Destruction
Global loss of tropical and boreal forests surged to a record high last year as unprecedented temperatures fueled fires, releasing more than four times the emissions of all air travel in 2023. That’s according to the latest annual assessment by …
DoorDash Expands Driver Savings Pilot Program to Maryland
DoorDash said it is expanding its benefits savings program with a new pilot in Maryland for eligible drivers. Expenses covered under this program can include retirement savings, health, dental, and vision insurance, and paid time off. DoorDash said similar pilot …
Chevron Says One Missing After Fire at Angola Offshore Oil Platform With 17 Injured
Chevron’s Angolan business said on Wednesday that there was one person missing after an early morning fire at its Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco (BBLT) offshore oil platform on Tuesday. Seventeen people were injured, four seriously, when the fire started around …
Amazon’s Zoox Expands Robotaxi Trials to Rival Turf in Atlanta
Amazon.com Inc.’s Zoox is expanding testing of its autonomous driving technology to Atlanta, moving in on a market where Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo is expanding with Uber Technologies Inc. Zoox has already deployed a small number of test vehicles in the …
Hacker of App Used by Trump Aide Stole Data From Across Government
A hacker who breached the communications service used by former Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz earlier this month intercepted messages from a broader swathe of American officials than has previously been reported, according to a Reuters review, potentially raising …
Judge Rejects Vanguard $40 Million Mutual Fund Settlement, Cites SEC Accord
A federal judge on Monday rejected Vanguard Group’s $40 million settlement with investors who claimed the mutual fund giant stuck them with inflated tax bills in its popular target-date funds. U.S. District Judge John Murphy in Philadelphia said the proposed …
FAA Cuts Newark Flights After Air Traffic Control Issues
US aviation safety regulators will allow fewer flights at Newark airport after technology outages and a staffing crunch fueled a surge in delays and cancellations in recent weeks. The US Federal Aviation Administration said it will permit a maximum of …
Boost Prices or Retreat? How Carriers Improved Homeowners Books in 2024
Direct written premiums in the U.S. homeowners insurance market rose more than 13 percent in 2024, and the net combined ratio for the line fell below breakeven for the first time in five years. Higher prices explained much of the …
Radio Calls for Help Sent 45 Seconds Before Mexican Ship Hit Brooklyn Bridge
The Mexican navy tall ship that struck the Brooklyn Bridge was underway for less than 5 minutes before its masts crashed into the historic span, and radio calls indicating it was in distress went out only 45 seconds before the …