Monthly Archives: <span>January 2020</span>

Number of Retail Worker Injuries in Texas Higher Than Those in Other Industries

The Texas Department of Insurance reported that federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows there are more workers in shopping malls and retail outlets that get sick and injured than in any other private industry sector in Texas. About …

Legal Sales of Recreational Marijuana Begin in Illinois

The sale of marijuana for recreational purposes became legal Wednesday in Illinois to the delight of pot fans — many of whom began lining up hours early at dispensaries. About 500 people were outside Dispensary 33 in Chicago. Renzo Mejia …

Better Flood Protection Needed in Missouri, Governor’s Advisory Group Says

Missouri’s levees need to be strengthened and repaired, especially in rural areas hit hard by prolonged flooding in 2019, according to an advisory group appointed by Gov. Mike Parson. St. Louis Public Radio reported that the Flood Recovery Advisory Working …

Some Fire Agencies in Wisconsin Ditching Hazardous Firefighting Foam

Some Wisconsin fire departments have stopped using firefighting foam that contains a group of man-made chemicals that have been linked to increased cholesterol and cancer risk, among other health hazards. The Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contaminate Wisconsin’s groundwater and waterways, …

CAA Expands in Colorado, Iowa with Addition of 5 New Members

Austin, Texas-based Combined Agents of America LLC (CAA) has kicked off 2020 with the addition of five new member agencies, bringing its total member count to 73. CAA is a privately held agency partner group comprised of independent insurance agencies …

Climate Change, Cyber Warfare Risks Are Key London Market Issues for 2020: IUA

Climate change and cyber warfare risks are two key London market issues highlighted by the International Underwriting Association (IUA) in its business plan for 2020. The association said it is establishing a new market group to examine the growing impact …

Feds to Investigate Deadly Tesla Crash in California

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the crash of a speeding Tesla that killed two people in a Los Angeles suburb, the agency announced Tuesday. Agency spokesman Sean Rushton wouldn’t say whether the Tesla Model S was on …

Small Undersea Quake Struck Off Southern California

An earthquake under the ocean gave an early wake-up jolt to some Southern California residents Thursday morning, U.S. Geological Survey confirmed. The magnitude 4 temblor occurred at 2:13 a.m. near the Channel Islands, west of the Los Angeles region. The …

ISU Insurance Agency Network Hires Blumberg as VP in Northeast Region

ISU Insurance Agency Network, a national network of independent insurance agencies, has added Tracy Blumberg as vice president and relationship manager for ISU’s Northeast Region. Blumberg has been in the insurance industry since 1982, spending her insurance carrier for the …

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Acquires New York’s Walsdorf Agency

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Huntington, N.Y.-based Walsdorf Agency Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1926, Walsdorf Agency is a third generation, family owned commercial and personal lines insurance agency with real estate niche …