Starbucks Wins Dismissal of Missouri Lawsuit Over DEI Policies
A federal judge in Missouri on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit by the Republican-led state accusing Starbucks SBUX.O of using its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as a pretext to systematically discriminate based on race, gender and sexual orientation. U.S. …
Inside the Toxic Legacy of Georgia-Based Mulitbillion-Dollar Carpet Empire
Bob Shaw glared at the executives from the chemical giant 3M across the table from him. He held up a carpet sample and pointed at the logo for Scotchgard on the back. “That’s not a logo,” fumed Shaw, CEO of …
Ken Griffin, Steve Ross Team Up to Lure More CEOs to Florida
Ken Griffin and Stephen Ross, who are among the highest-profile billionaires to move to South Florida during the pandemic, are bankrolling a new campaign to get others to follow in their footsteps. The pair is funding a $10 million drive …
EPA Outlines Trump Plan to Speed up Rebuilding of Homes Destroyed in LA Wildfires
Trump administration officials traveled to Los Angeles this week to outline the president’s plan to override state and local rules and speed up the permitting process for reconstruction of tens of thousands of homes destroyed by last year’s wildfires. Last …
Man Charged in Organized Cargo Theft of Snow Crab, Blueberries, Cologne
A New York man has been arrested and charged for allegedly conspiring to use hacked email accounts of legitimate truck-load carriers to book cargo with shippers and selling the items for illicit profit. Forbes was arrested on Feb. 5 in …
Tainted Baby Milk Hits Billionaire Family’s Powerful Dairy Empire
For the secretive billionaire Besnier family, the recent recall of potentially dangerous infant formula made by its nearly century-old firm brings an uncomfortable feeling of deja vu. Just eight years ago, the French clan behind Groupe Lactalis, the world’s biggest …
Danone Recalls More Infant Formula in Europe
Danone is withdrawing batches of infant formula in Austria, Germany and France, the company and an Austrian government food agency said, expanding an industry recall sparked by contamination with the toxin cereulide. Cereulide, which can cause nausea and vomiting, has …
EU Needs Smart-Car Data Security Rules And Can Learn From China, Group Says
The European Union needs to implement comprehensive regulations to manage the growing security risks posed by intelligent vehicles, particularly Chinese cars that are increasingly popular with consumers, according to a think tank. Intelligent cars, typically electric or hybrid vehicles, allow …
Tankers Speed Through Hormuz Chokepoint on US-Iran Tensions
Some supertanker operators, nervous about rising US-Iran tensions and potential risks to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, are speeding their vessels through the chokepoint. Very Large Crude Carriers are traveling around the narrow, congested waterway — through which about …
Leading South Korean Insurers Explore India Entry, Sources Say
South Korean firms Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Mirae Asset Financial Group and Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co. are in exploratory talks about entering India’s $130 billion insurance market, three Indian sources said. The interest comes as India has …
Study Ties Particle Pollution From Wildfire Smoke to 24,100 US Deaths Per Year
Chronic exposure to pollution from wildfires has been linked to tens of thousands of deaths annually in the United States, according to a new study. The paper, published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, found that from 2006 to 2020, …
Planet and Goosehead Insurance Announce Franchise Partnership
Independent personal lines agency Goosehead Insurance and newly launched Planet Insurance Agency said they have a strategic franchise partnership for customers shopping for homeowners insurance. Meriden, Connecticut-based Planet Insurance Agency was launched last month through Planet Financial Group. Through the …
Aon Agrees to $15 Million Settlement With Pennsylvania Teachers
A unit of Aon Plc agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that calculation errors and faulty investment advice caused Pennsylvania public school teachers to make millions of dollars in extra contributions to their pension fund. The firm’s Aon Investments …
Assignment of Benefits Bill Passes Washington Senate
A bill prohibiting post-loss assignment of benefits agreements passed the Washington Senate on Thursday on a unanimous vote. Senate Bill 6178 was backed by Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer, halting post-loss assignment of benefits, an agreement that allows a third …
Uber Jury Awards $8.5 Million Damages in Sexual Assault Case
Uber Technologies Inc. was hit with $8.5 million in damages in a trial over a 19-year-old woman’s claim that she was raped by her driver in Arizona, raising the rideshare giant’s risk of a costly settlement to resolve thousands of …
People Moves: Trucordia Names Reid as Vice President on M&A Team
Trucordia hired Kim Reid as a vice president on its mergers and acquisitions team. Reid comes to Trucordia after more than two decades with Arthur J. Gallagher, where she helped build and lead the firm’s due diligence and integration programs. …
Insurance Ad During Super Bowl Aims to Win Over Frustrated New York Fans
New York football fans may not be happy that neither the Giants nor Bills nor Jets made it to Super Bowl 2026 but there is a reason for them to tune in on Sunday anyway. During the New England Patriots …
Maine Plane Crash Victims Worked for Luxury Travel Startup Led by Texas Lawyer
The six people killed in a fiery plane crash in Maine were flying to France’s Champagne region to scope out the next travel destination for high-net-worth clients when their small jet flipped on the runway during takeoff. They included an …
People Moves: XPT Specialty Hires Goedeke as Underwriter/Broker
XPT Specialty, headquartered in Plano, Texas, hired Kyle Goedeke as an underwriter/broker. Goedeke has nearly a decade of experience across wholesale brokerage, underwriting, and excess and surplus (E&S) line placements. In his role at XPT Specialty, Goedeke will underwrite and …
Texas Anti-ESG Law Declared Unconstitutional by US Judge
A federal judge declared unconstitutional a 2021 Texas law restricting state investments in companies seeking to rely less on fossil fuels or boycott that industry. In a decision made public on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright said the law …