INSURANCE NEWS
People Moves: California Reappoints Members to Diversity Task Force and WCIRB Governing Committee
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara reappointed members Mitch Steiger and C. Bryan Little to the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau Governing Committee and reappointed member Dr. Fabiola Cobarrubias to the Insurance Diversity Task Force. The WCIRB Governing Committee sets …
Judge Finds Frozen Embryos Are Not Property That Can Be Divided
A northern Virginia judge determined embryos are not property that can be divided up, rejecting a previous analysis by the court saying such fertilized eggs could be considered divisible “goods or chattel” based on 19th-century slave law. Nearly 10 months …
Volcano Near Alaska’s Largest City Could Erupt in Coming Weeks Or Months, Scientists Say
A volcano near Alaska’s largest city is showing new signs of unrest, with experts saying the likelihood of an eruption at Mount Spurr in the next few weeks or months has increased. The Alaska Volcano Observatory said last week that …
US Court Allows Trump to Enforce Ban on DEI Programs, For Now
A U.S. appeals court on Friday said the Trump administration could temporarily implement a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at federal agencies and businesses with government contracts, which had been blocked by a judge. The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th …
California Insurance Commissioner Provisionally OK’s State Farm’s 22% Rate Request
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara provisionally approved State Farm’s request for a 22% interim rate hike, the California Department of Insurance announced on Friday. The approval is on the provision that the company can justify the hike with data in …
Fraternity Members Charged in Death of Southern University Student
Two more arrests have been made in connection with the death of a 20-year-old Southern University student who was repeatedly punched during an off-campus fraternity hazing ritual, Baton Rouge police announced. Kyle Thurman, 25, and Isaiah Smith, 28, have been …
Keystone Agency Partners Acquires Oklahoma’s Ascent Insurance Group
Keystone Agency Partners, an insurance agency partnership platform, announced the acquisition of Ascent Insurance Group, a prominent Oklahoma-based insurance agency. The deal also includes Cole, Paine & Carlin Insurance Agency, Inc., which will join Ascent Insurance Group. Aaron Bogie, who …
Texas Tech Medical School Settles Suit Over Alleged Race-Based Admissions Practices
A group led by Stephen Miller, President Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff, is claiming victory after it got a commitment from Texas Tech’s medical school not to consider race in admission decisions, which the school continues to deny ever …
Explorers Discover Wreckage of Old Cargo Ship That Sank in Lake Superior Storm
Twenty years before the Titanic changed maritime history, another ship touted as the next great technological feat set sail on the Great Lakes. The Western Reserve was one of the first all-steel cargo ships to traverse the lakes. Built to …
State Attorney Generals Are Grabbing Headlines With Lawsuits. Missouri’s Bailey Stands Out
When Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey says he’ll seize assets to force China to pay a $24.5 billion award won in a lawsuit over COVID-19, the action might be aimed more at bolstering conservatives’ arguments that China was responsible for …
US Property-Catastrophe Reinsurance Rates Likely to Stabilize During Midyear Renewals
Reinsurance renewal rates continued dropping during this year’s January renewals, but US property-catastrophe reinsurance pricing is likely to stabilize during the coming midyear renewals, according to a report from Moody’s Ratings. “The upcoming midyear 2025 reinsurance renewals, which focus on …
MLB’s Rays Bail on Deal for New Ballpark in St. Petersburg
The Tampa Bay Rays are backing out of a deal to build a new $1.37 billion stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, the team announced on Thursday. The Major League Baseball team was expected to partner with the city and Pinellas …