West News

Fraud Fear Raised In California’s Health Exchange

Consumer groups are worried that California’s uninsured could fall victim to fraud, identity theft or other crimes by some of the very people who are supposed to help them. More than 21,000 enrollment counselors will be hired to provide consumers …

USDA Issues Drought Disaster For East Idaho Counties

Federal agriculture officials have issued a disaster declaration for Clark County in eastern Idaho due to a lack of rain for the last two months. The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week also put four other nearby counties up for …

‘SharkNado’ Impact on Los Angeles $100B!

It was a doozy. Flying, biting killer sharks literally whipped into a frenzy by freak tornadoes wreaked havoc on Los Angelenos. The catastrophe played out on the Syfy Channel on Thursday night, lighting up Twitter as the top trend all …

Leavitt Group to Buy United Valley; a Collective 150 Agencies in West

United Valley Insurance Services and Leavitt Group Enterprises have agreed to a merger, giving the two firms a collective 150 insurance agencies and counting under one owner. The deal was announced late Friday. Under the agreement, signed on June 26, …

Arizona Governor Asks Obama to Declare Yarnell Fire Disaster

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer wants President Barack Obama to declare the area around the Yarnell Hill fire a disaster area. Brewer sent a letter to Obama Tuesday after assessments showed 109 homes were destroyed and 23 others were damaged. Brewer …

Meteorologists Warn Of Wyoming Burn-Area Floods, Slides

Meteorologists are warning of possible flash floods and mudslides in many of the areas burned by Wyoming’s numerous wildfires last year. Wildfires contribute to flooding and mudslides by clearing away vegetation that previously helped to retain rainfall and topsoil. National …

President Signs Disaster Declaration For Montana Floods

President Barack Obama has signed a disaster declaration making federal money available to help the state, local and tribal governments repair or replace facilities damaged by flooding in north-central and northeastern Montana this spring. The declaration, signed Wednesday, makes federal …

San Bernardino Bondholder, Insurer Support Bankruptcy Filing

San Bernardino should be allowed to stay in bankruptcy, bond insurer Ambac Assurance Co. and a bondholder owed $50 million said in court papers opposing other creditors’ efforts to strip the California city of federal court protection. Ambac and Erste …

Wildfires, Hail Take Toll on Colorado Homeowners Insurance

It’s safe to say there’s a lot going on in the homeowners insurance scene in Colorado, where homeowners insurance rates are likely to be on the rise for some time. Insured losses from the recently doused Black Forest fire should …

California Department of Insurance Settles with Zurich over Workers’ Comp

The California Department of Insurance announced a settlement with Zurich American Insurance Co. and Zurich American Insurance Co. of Illinois over what CDI alleged was improper use of workers’ compensation insurance agreements. Zurich’s agreements forced California employers to arbitrate commercial …

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