West News

Washington Contractor, Grower Face $650K in Fines After Worker Dies in Apple Storage Room

Two Washington companies face a combined $650,000 in fines for violations in connection with a worker who died from asphyxiation after entering an apple storage facility where the oxygen had been removed from the air. The incident on Oct. 1, …

Former Raiders Coach Loses Nevada High Court Ruling in NFL Emails Suit

Former NFL coach Jon Gruden lost a Nevada Supreme Court ruling in a contract interference and conspiracy lawsuit he filed against the league after he resigned from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, but his lawyer said he will appeal. …

California Trucker Death Led to Workers’ Comp Investigation That Found $2M in Underreported Payroll

An investigation began after an employee was found dead in a company owned semi-truck led to the arraignment of a California man on three felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud. Heigo Kubar, 84, of Fresno, was arraigned this week on …

Colorado City Police Beating Lawsuit Settled for $2.1 Million

Colorado Springs leaders agreed Tuesday to pay $2.1 million to settle a federal lawsuit brought by a Black man who was punched and kicked by police during a traffic stop in 2022. City councilors voted to back the agreement to …

COVID-19 Can Be Occupational Disease, Colorado Court Says in Worker Death Case

For the first time, a Colorado appellate court has concluded that COVID-19 can be an occupational disease that is compensable under the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act. The Colorado Court of Appeals ruling came in a case in which Life Care …

People Moves: BenefitMall Appoints Montes Broker Sales Executive for California

BenefitMall appointed Xavier Montes to its individual and senior division (ISD) as the new broker sales executive for California. Montes is based in Whittier, California. Montes has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, specializing in medical and …

The Surprising Force Stalling Climate Progress: California Restaurants

In the fight to ratchet down climate emissions and soothe the most dangerous effects of an overheating planet, one of the most withering setbacks in recent memory wasn’t delivered by the oil industry or coal excavators, but, rather, a group …

After Maui, Hawaii Lawmakers Budget Funds for Firefighting Equipment and a State Fire Marshal

Hawaii lawmakers appropriated funds for more firefighting equipment and a state fire marshal after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century ripped through the historic Maui town of Lahaina and exposed shortcomings in the state’s readiness for such …

Farmers to Resume Offering Key Lines of Business Insurance in California

Farmers Insurance said it will resume accepting new business commercial multi-peril applications for auto service & repair, habitational, manufacturing, real estate and wholesale distribution policies in California. The action follows the insurer group’s recent decision to lift its temporary moratorium …

Lawsuit: Tesla’s Autopilot Caused Fiery Crash into Tree, Killing Colorado Man

The widow of a man who died after his Tesla veered off the road and crashed into a tree while he was using its partially automated driving system is suing the carmaker, claiming its marketing of the technology is dangerously …

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