Illinois Passes Legislation to Give Insurance Department Oversight of Rate Changes
Illinois lawmakers this week passed a pair of bills that gives the insurance department the authority to review homeowners and auto rate filings to determine whether they are excessive. The insurance industry has heavily opposed the legislative measures, warning that …

Kentucky Food-Color Plant Was ‘Catastrophe Waiting to Happen,’ CSB Says
A Kentucky food-coloring manufacturer made a number of missteps and was not equipped to prevent the 2024 runaway chemical reaction that killed two workers and caused millions of dollars in damage to the plant and surrounding neighborhoods. That was the …

Corpus Christi Focuses on Delaying Looming Water Crisis
Five straight years of record heat, sporadic rainfall and divided leadership has Corpus Christi in danger of becoming the first U.S. city to run short of water. Only rain — lots of it — can keep the coastal city from …

Reinsurers Bring Strong Risk Appetite to Florida’s June Renewals: Guy Carpenter
Legal reforms, improved building resilience, and disciplined underwriting have combined to restore confidence in the Florida re/insurance market – leading to increased capacity as well as improved terms and pricing during the June reinsurance renewals, according to Guy Carpenter. Since …

Americans Doubt Countries Will Do Enough to Tame Climate Change
Climate change is in the background this US election year as high prices, conflict in the Middle East, AI and other issues take center stage. But that doesn’t mean the public has forgotten about it. More than half of Americans …

Ships Attacked in Strait of Hormuz This Week, Chevron CEO Says
Several vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz have been attacked in recent days, underscoring the “very real” risks that remain for shipowners in the Persian Gulf whether or not a peace accord is signed, Chevron Corp. Chief Executive Officer …

Number of Deaths Rises in Washington Paper Mill Explosion
At least eight people are confirmed dead, and authorities believe there are three more bodies they have yet to reach at the site of the paper mill explosion in Longview, Washington. Two people had previously been pronounced dead, bringing the …

Viewpoint: Somali Piracy Is Back – Fueled by Political Turmoil, Aid Cuts and Iran War
On the evening of April 26, the Egyptian merchant vessel Sward was hijacked by armed men a few miles off the Somali coast. It was steered towards an anchorage near the port of Garacad in Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in …

Extreme Heat Could Cost Germany up to $131 Billion by 2030, Analysis Shows
Extreme heat could cost Germany up to $131 billion by 2030 and shave up to 3% off economic output if recent heat wave patterns persist, an analysis from Allianz Trade showed on Thursday. Germany faces losses of up to $131 …

People Moves: Davis & Towle Names Kneeland, Promotes Cole in Commercial Lines
Davis & Towle Insurance Group, headquartered in Concord, New Hampshire, appointed John Kneeland as commercial lines manager and promoted Sherri Cole to assistant commercial lines manager. Both positions are effective June 1. Kneeland brings extensive insurance industry experience to Davis …