Food Distributor to Pay $1.1 Million Over Deadly Ammonia Release
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a $1.1 million civil penalty settlement with a wholesale food and snack distributor in Massachusetts. The EPA said Home Market Foods violated federal Clean Air Act (CAA) chemical safety requirements at its …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 5:10 PM |
Oklahoma Senate Minority Leader Proposes Insurance Reform Bills
An Oklahoma state senator has proposed a package of insurance reform bills she says will tackle the state’s skyrocketing insurance costs. Democrat Sen. Julia Kirt, the Minority Leader of the Oklahoma Senate, has pre-filed three insurance-related bills ahead of the …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 5:09 PM |
Kansas Department of Insurance Recovers $56M in 2025
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced the Kansas Department of Insurance recovered $56.7 million for Kansans in 2025 Funds considered “recovered” are calculated when Department staff assists individuals in need of support during their insurance claims process. If a dispute …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 4:16 PM |
Immigration Officers Descend on Meta Data Center, Arrest Drivers
Federal immigration officers targeted a construction site in rural Louisiana where Meta Platforms Inc. is building its largest data center, leading to the arrest of two individuals, according to local law enforcement. US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement arrested two individuals …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 4:05 PM |
Trump Nominates WeatherTech’s MacNeil to Be FTC Commissioner
President Donald Trump nominated David MacNeil to be a US Federal Trade Commissioner, according to statement posted on the White House website. MacNeil is the Chief Executive Officer of WeatherTech, an Illinois-based company selling automotive accessories. He will replace Melissa …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 3:52 PM |
People Moves: SCOR Names Swiss Re’s Forgeron as P&C Chief Underwriting Officer; Hamilton Re Promotes Steinhoff to CUO
This edition of International People Moves details CUO appointments at SCOR and Hamilton Re. A summary of these new hires follows here. SCOR Names Swiss Re’s Forgeron as P&C Chief Underwriting Officer SCOR announced that Laure Forgeron has been appointed …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 3:24 PM |
Georgia Lawmakers Move to Strike Savannah Ban on Guns in Unlocked Cars
Georgia lawmakers on Tuesday gave final passage to a bill that aims to void a city of Savannah ordinance that imposes fines and possible jail time for leaving guns in unlocked cars. The state Senate gave final approval to the …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 3:21 PM |
Registration Open for Florida OIR Insurance Summit in April
Registration is now open for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s Insurance Summit, set for April 15-16 in Tallahassee. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky said the registration closes March 30 for the conference that will include a number of state regulators, …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 2:49 PM |
Proposed California Billionaires’ Tax Rattles Silicon Valley, Entangles Governor
A proposed billionaires’ tax in California has ignited a political uproar in Silicon Valley, with tech titans threatening to leave the state while Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom maneuvers to defeat a levy that he fears will lead to an exodus …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 2:48 PM |
Markets/Coverages: Berkshire (BHSI) Enhances UK D&O Liability Offering
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced the launch of Executive First D&O Liability+, its enhanced UK D&O offering for large commercial and financial organizations trading their securities on US exchanges. Key features of the coverage include: Broad, simply worded coverage …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 2:25 PM |
DeSantis Amplifies Warning on ‘Real Perils’ of AI, Data Centers and Pushes Regulation
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is ratcheting up a campaign against the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and data centers, resisting President Donald Trump’s effort to block states from meddling with Big Tech. DeSantis, a two-term governor who’s barred from seeking …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 2:19 PM |
AI Is the Biggest Mover on Allianz Risk Barometer; Cyber Takes Top Spot for Fifth Year
Cyber once again ranked as the top global risk in 2026, according to the latest Allianz Risk Barometer, coming in No. 1 in every region and across all company sizes. Artificial intelligence took the No. 2 spot, up from tenth …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 2:05 PM |
Surging Oil Tanker Insurance Points to Growing Black Sea Chaos
The cost of insuring ships sailing through the Black Sea is surging again, as spiraling attacks on vessels underscore the growing risk of hauling commodities through the region. Underwriters are now charging about 1% of the value of a ship …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 1:36 PM |
People Moves: Mosaic Builds Out Global Transactional Tax-Risk Team; The Hartford Names Hill CUO of Small Business
Mosaic Insurance, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, has expanded its North America and international transactional tax-liability teams to meet heightened demand in the sector, with the recent addition of four tax-risk specialists and the promotion of another. Mosaic’s tax team now …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 1:18 PM |
Financial Lines MGA Verde Risk Management Launched by Asta’s MGA Platform
Asta, the London-based provider of specialist underwriting platforms and services, announced the launch of MGA Verde Risk Management Ltd., which received regulatory approval from the UK regulator in December 2025. Specializing in the financial lines market, predominantly commercial crime, management …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 12:51 PM |
Two Dead in Thailand After Second Deadly Crane Accident a Day Earlier
A crane collapsed onto a road near Thailand’s capital on Thursday, crushing two vehicles and killing two people a day after a similar accident in the northeast caused the derailing of a train and the deaths of 32 passengers. Thailand’s …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 12:09 PM |
Dark Fleet Seeking Russian Protection as US Seizes Oil Tankers
The dark fleet of tankers shipping illicit oil around the world is rushing to seek the perceived protection of the Russian flag after the US started seizing vessels involved in the Venezuelan trade. At least 26 ships have switched registration …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 11:40 AM |
UK Regulators Agree Deal to Coordinate With EU on Critical Third-Party Tech Providers
British financial regulators, including the Bank of England, have signed an outline deal with their European counterparts to enhance cooperation and oversight of providers deemed critical to the financial services sector, the BoE said on Wednesday. The memorandum of understanding …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 11:10 AM |
SIAA Announces Strategic Partnership With Progressive
SIAA, the nation’s largest alliance of independent insurance agencies, has announced a new partnership with Progressive that will expand members’ access to both personal and commercial lines options. SIAA and Progressive’s partnership is a strategic decision at a time when …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 10:20 AM |
Denmark-US Rift Persists as NATO Nations Deploy to Greenland
Denmark said a “fundamental disagreement” remained after a high-stakes meeting with the US over Greenland as several countries including Germany said they’d send military personnel to the Arctic island. Foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland met with US Vice President …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 10:12 AM |
Cyber Breach Affected 750,000 Canadian Investors, Regulator Says
Personal information of about 750,000 Canadian investors has been impacted by a “sophisticated phishing attack,” according to the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, in an update on the fallout from a major breach disclosed in August. Information that might have been …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 8:57 AM |
People Moves: SPG Names Carpenter VP of Business Development, Infrastructure
Specialty Program Group (SPG) LLC announced that Travis Carpenter has joined the organization as vice president of business development for its Infrastructure Programs Division. In this role, Carpenter will lead national sales and distribution initiatives aimed at accelerating profitable growth …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 8:00 AM |
Scientists Confirm 2025 Was Third-Hottest Year, Trailing 2024 and 2023
Last year was the third hottest on record, according to an analysis of temperature data released Wednesday by three independent agencies. That puts 2025 just behind the second-hottest year, 2023, and the hottest, 2024. What makes this result extraordinary, scientists …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 6:13 AM |
Oracle Sued by Bondholders Over Losses Tied to AI Buildout
Oracle was sued on Wednesday by bondholders who say they suffered losses because the company chaired by billionaire Larry Ellison concealed its need to sell significant additional debt to build out its artificial intelligence infrastructure. The proposed class action was …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 6:02 AM |
Florida Heads for Smallest Orange Crop in Nearly a Century
Florida’s orange harvest is expected to fall to the lowest in nearly a century, as shrinking groves continue to offset improvements in yields. The state is seen producing 12 million boxes of fruit in the 2025-26 season, down 2% from …
POSTED JANUARY 15, 2026 6:01 AM |