Declarations

AI and Insurance Jobs

“Although the overall impact of generative AI on employment remains uncertain, it will likely change the way society works, as current employees learn to leverage the power of this developing technology.”

— AM Best said in a commentary released in mid-November that it does not believe artificial intelligence is the main cause of insurance industry layoffs. Instead, the ratings agency said the layoffs likely fall into “the cyclical, rather than the structural, category.” This insight comes after Liberty Mutual, American Family and GEICO announced staff reductions in recent months.

Racehorse Deaths

We are deeply saddened by today’s tragedy, it was a loss no one could have imagined or expected. … It is an active investigation, so we are not able to comment any further at this time.”

— Said Jeff Gural, chairman of American Racing and Entertainment LLC, which operates the Tioga Downs Casino Resort complex in upstate New York where more than two dozen racehorses died in a barn fire. Authorities investigating the fire believe was deliberately set. A 32-year-old Athens, Pennsylvania, man was charged with arson, burglary and other counts.

No Longer Controversial

“Marijuana is no longer a controversial issue. … Ohioans demonstrated this by passing State Issue 2 in a landslide. Ohioans are being extremely clear on the future they want for our state: adult-use marijuana legal and regulated.”

— Tom Haren, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, said after Ohio voters approved a measure legalizing recreational marijuana. Passage of Issue 2 makes Ohio the 24th state to allow adult cannabis use for non-medical purposes.

Texas Airplane/Car Crash

“I saw the airplane coming down the runway quickly,.I knew that he wasn’t gonna have time to stop. … It was clearly going too fast, the tires were smoking.”

— Jack Schneider told a local news station what he saw when a small plane overshot the runway while making an emergency landing at an airport in McKinney, Texas. The plane crashed through a fence and struck a car driving along a nearby road, injuring one person. Schneider, who was nearby, recorded footage of the crash on his phone.

‘Stable and Competitive’

“It’s clear the workers’ compensation market in Florida is stable and competitive; I’m confident lower workers’ compensation rates will assist in ensuring that all of Florida’s businesses have the opportunity to succeed in our state.”

— Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky said in a statement the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation approved a 15.1% average decrease in workers’ comp rates recommended by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. The decrease takes effect for new and renewal workers’ comp policies starting Jan. 1 and is the seventh-straight rate reduction for Florida.

LA Freeway Fire

“I have to stress that we have determined what started the fire.”

— California Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters after authorities determined that arson was the cause of a massive mid-November fire that charred and indefinitely closed a vital section of a Los Angeles freeway. Newsom said investigators were trying to determine if one person or more were involved. The fire erupted in two storage lots under Interstate 10.

Topics Florida