Latest News & Insights

California State University Targeted by EEOC Antisemitism Inquiry

Federal officials have opened inquiries into California State University for allegations of antisemitism and claims of racial discrimination tied to a diversity hiring initiative. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has launched an investigation into claims of antisemitism and was …

OpenAI Says Musk’s xAI Filed Secrets Suit to ‘Bully’ Ex-Workers

OpenAI Inc. says a lawsuit accusing it of stealing technology from xAI is just Elon Musk’s latest attempt to distract attention from the failures of his own generative artificial intelligence company. “Unable to match OpenAI’s innovation, xAI has filed this …

White Mountains Insurance to Sell Unit to CVC in $1.75 Billion Deal

White Mountains Insurance said on Friday it would sell a controlling interest in insurance distribution platform Bamboo to European private equity firm CVC in a deal that values the company at $1.75 billion. Shares of Hamilton, Bermuda-based White Mountains jumped …

More NC Outer Banks Homes Collapse into Surf as Hurricanes Stay Far Offshore

Six unoccupied houses along North Carolina’s Outer Banks have collapsed into the ocean as Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda rumble in the Atlantic, the latest private beachfront structures to fall as sea levels rise due to global warming. Five of the …

Howden Acquires Insurance Broker Gott & Wynne in North Wales

Howden, the London-based insurance intermediary group, announced the acquisition of Gott & Wynne Ltd., a property-casualty insurance broker based in Llandudno, North Wales, specializing in both personal and commercial lines. This acquisition gives Howden its first branch in North Wales …

Georgia Farmers Should Get $531M in Helene Aid But the Deal’s Not Done Yet

The wait continues for Georgia farmers who need more aid after Hurricane Helene, even as state and federal officials in other states announce agreements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper this week announced Georgia farmers …

Trump Halts $2 Billion for Chicago Transit in Shutdown Play

White House Budget Director Russell Vought announced the withholding of more than $2 billion for transportation projects in Chicago, the latest move by the Trump administration to use the shutdown as leverage to shrink the federal government. Vought said in …

Large Fire Erupts in Jet Fuel Unit at Chevron’s LA Refinery

A large fire erupted in a jet fuel production unit at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery near Los Angeles on Thursday, disrupting supply in California’s isolated energy market. Chevron’s second-biggest refinery in the United States, the El Segundo facility supplies a …

Blast Blew 20-Story Chunk Out of Bronx Apartment Building

An explosion at a New York City apartment building blew off a massive chimney that ran up the side of the high-rise, leaving residents to wait for clearance to return to their apartments as officials investigate what caused the blast. …

Two Delta Jets Collide While Taxiing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport

Two Delta Air Lines Inc. regional jets collided at low speed while taxiing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday night, causing minor injuries to one flight attendant and prompting regulators to open an investigation. Both planes were CRJ-900 aircraft …

Net-Zero Banking Alliance Folds After Mass Exodus by Members

The Net-Zero Banking Alliance is to cease operations after a vote to wind up the group which had already lost many of its members amid allegations from some U.S. lawmakers that membership breached antitrust regulations. The alliance, set up in …

Typhoon Matmo Strengthens as It Hits Philippines, on Track to China

Typhoon Matmo intensified as it made landfall in northern Philippines on Friday where it’s forecast to dump heavy rain, with the nation still reeling from the impact of two deadly typhoons in the past two weeks. Matmo, locally named Paolo, …

Denmark Says Russia Is Waging Hybrid War After Drone Scare

Denmark accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against the Nordic nation and warned more attacks are likely, after a series of drone incursions disrupted operations at civilian and military airports. The Danish Defence Intelligence Service said in a threat …

Finnish Court Dismisses Case Against Crew in Baltic Sea Cable Breach Trial

A Finnish district court ruled on Friday that it does not have jurisdiction to prosecute the captain and two officers of the Eagle S oil tanker, who are accused of breaking undersea power and internet cables in the Baltic Sea …

Markets/Coverages: MGA DUAL UK Announces 5-Year Capacity Deal, Led by Zurich

DUAL UK, the managing general agent and subsidiary of insurance intermediary Howden, announced a five-year capacity deal led by Zurich Insurance, along with Liberty Specialty Markets and other A-rated capacity to support its new regional Commercial Combined product. The Commercial …

EPA Seeks $140M Penalty for Michigan’s Worst Sulfur Dioxide Polluter

When faced with testimony that Zug Island’s EES Coke Battery is one of Michigan’s worst sulfur dioxide polluters, an attorney for the facility said Monday: “So what?” The DTE Energy-owned facility was “permitted to do so,” said Michael Hindelang, attorney …

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Claim Missile Attack on Dutch-Flagged Ship in Gulf of Aden

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility early on Wednesday for an attack this week that left a Dutch-flagged cargo ship ablaze and adrift in the Gulf of Aden, underlining the range of their weaponry and their campaign targeting shipping over the …

Update: Munich Airport Disruptions Ease After Drones Halt Flights

Flight disruptions eased at Munich International Airport after drone sightings on Thursday led German authorities to suspend operations at the country’s second-biggest hub. Flight operations have been running normally since 5 a.m. local time, airport officials said Friday. Thousands of …

Kansas Sues Snapchat for Deceptive Practices

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced that his office filed a lawsuit in Washington County District Court against social media company, Snap, Inc., the creator of the SnapChat platform. The lawsuit alleges that Snap has engaged in deceptive and unconscionable …

People Moves: USG Names Hernandez as Underwriter in Texas Office

USG Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to welcome Jeremy Hernandez as an underwriter in its Houston, Texas office. Hernandez will be working under the leadership of Jodi Berger, Executive Vice President: Regional Manager. Hernandez brings with him a broad and …

Louisiana Farm Bureau Approved for Double-Digit Auto Rate Decrease

One of the largest auto insurers in Louisiana is implementing a double-digit rate decrease. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has approved Louisiana Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company’s request for an 11.8% rate decrease, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. The …

Viewpoint: Avoid Data Indigestion With Harmonization

Insurance agencies and brokerages are drowning in data. It flows in from clients and prospects, through client servicing teams, and out to carriers, who also send back data for agents and brokers to process. Like many industries, ingesting data efficiently …

Brown & Brown Announces Roles Related to Risk Strategies Integration

Brokerage Brown & Brown announced updates to its retail segment leadership team as part of its ongoing integration efforts following the acquisition of Risk Strategies. The leaders from Risk Strategies listed below will join the existing retail segment leadership team …

Florida Reforms Are Truly Making a Difference, Gallagher Re Report Finds

If Florida’s insurance market needed more indication that 2022 legislative reforms have made a big difference in the cost of doing business in the state, one of the biggest names in reinsurance has provided it. “Clearly, it is time for …

Georgia High Court Sides with Slave Descendants on Island Zoning Changes

Georgia’s highest court on Tuesday sided with Black landowners in a fight over zoning changes that weakened long-standing protections for one of the South’s last Gullah-Geechee communities founded by freed slaves. The state Supreme Court unanimously reversed a lower court …

People Moves: California Commissioner Makes COIN Advisory Board, Curriculum Board Appointments

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara appointed Veronica Saldaña as the newest member of the California Organized Investment Network advisory board and Jason Meyerson to the curriculum board of the California Department of Insurance. COIN was established in 1996 within the …

People Moves: Protecdiv Promotes DelaCruz to Head of Analytics

Protecdiv Promotes DelaCruz to EVP. Head of Analytics Insurance and reinsurance brokerage Protecdiv, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, promoted Cate DelaCruz to executive vice president and head of analytics at Protecdiv. DelaCruz joined Protecdiv as senior director of analytics in May …

Agent Allegedly Duped Customer Into Agency Investment in Third Fraud Charge

For the third time in less that two and one-half years, a western Pennsylvania insurance agent is facing charges regarding fraudulent business practices — this time for deceiving a long-time insurance customer into investing more than $75,000 in his insurance …

AM Best Revises Outlooks to Negative for Golden Bear

AM Best revised the outlook for Golden Bear Insurance Company from stable to negative, while the ratings agency affirmed the carrier’s Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent). The ratings reflect Stockton, …

Former Adjuster Charged With Creating Then Approving $190K in Fraudulent Claims

A former New Jersey insurance adjuster has been charged with creating and submitting phony claims, approving them himself, and directing nearly $200,000 in payments to bank accounts he controlled. John Philbin, of Clementon, has been charged with insurance fraud and …