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Insurer Backing Detroit Bonds Opposes City Plans

An insurance company that backs more than $170 million in Detroit bonds says it opposes a plan by the city’s state-appointed emergency manager to restructure the city’s finances. Ambac Assurance Corp. said in a statement issued on July 8 that …

Iowa Insurer’s Cash Reserve Size Questioned

Two state senators want Iowa to investigate whether the state’s dominant health insurer really needs $1.3 billion in reserves. Sens. Jack Hatch and Matt McCoy, both Des Moines Democrats, are skeptical about Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield‘s reserves because …

Texas Judge Allows Insurer’s Lawsuit Against Armstrong to Proceed

A Texas judge has refused Lance Armstrong’s request to dismiss an insurance company’s lawsuit seeking $3 million in bonuses it paid him from 1999 to 2001. Nebraska-based Acceptance Insurance Holdings sued Armstrong, saying he cheated by using performance-enhancing drugs to …

South Dakota Fines Nebraska-Based Insurance Company

South Dakota’s Division of Insurance has levied a $325,000 fine against a Nebraska-based insurer for violating South Dakota laws and regulations. It is the largest such fine in South Dakota history, Insurance Division officials said. It comes after a three-year …

Texas Mutual, VFIS of Texas Fund Safety Training for Rural Fire Departments

Workers’ compensation insurer, Texas Mutual Insurance Co., has partnered with VFIS of Texas, a provider of specialized insurance solutions for the emergency service industry, to create a grant program for rural fire departments. The program will fund safety training and …

Rhode Island Approves 7.4% Workers’ Comp Loss Cost Increase

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation approved this month a 7.4 percent overall voluntary loss cost increase for new and renewal workers’ compensation policies. The change will take effect in August. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) had …

Pennsylvania Law Banning Gay Marriage Faces Court Challenge

The American Civil Liberties Union said it filed the first known legal challenge Tuesday seeking to overturn a state law effectively banning same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania, the only northeastern state that doesn’t allow it or civil unions. The lawsuit, filed …

Wildfire Nears Las Vegas Area

Fire crews burned forest undergrowth near homes in the mountains northwest of Las Vegas to protect them from one of two large Nevada wildfires while local casino owners offered rooms to evacuees. The wildfire burning northwest of Las Vegas was …

California Officials Probe Another Farmworker Death

California workplace safety officials are investigating the death of a second farmworker as possibly heat-related. The state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health said on Monday that a 37-year-old farmworker was checking irrigation equipment in a lemon orchard near the …

California Fraud Fugitive Caught After Taunting Tweet

“Catch me if you can.” San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said Wanda Podgurski sent that taunting tweet after skipping trial in January while facing charges of insurance fraud. But then authorities did catch her. Podgurski, 60, was captured …

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