Washington News

BP Cherry Point Will Not Appeal Refinery Citation

Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has confirmed that the BP Cherry Point petroleum refinery will not appeal a citation issued earlier in May against the company for 13 serious safety violations carrying a fine of $69,200. BP has …

Gooch Takes Oath of Office as Utah Insurance Commissioner

Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert has appointed Neal T. Gooch as Commissioner of the Utah Insurance Department. Gooch was appointed acting Insurance Commissioner in January, and previously served as deputy insurance commissioner since 1997. The Governor’s appointment was confirmed by …

Gulf Oil Spill Threatens Mississippi, Alabama Islands

Oil from BP’s out-of-control Gulf of Mexico oil spill could threaten the Mississippi and Alabama coasts this week, U.S. forecasters said Monday, as public anger surged over the country’s worst environmental disaster. U.S. government and BP officials are warning that …

Gulf Oil Rug Workers Claim Safety Sacrificed to Save Money

Two workers injured when an oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico told Congress that the companies in charge of the doomed drilling operation cut corners and neglected maintenance in a race toward higher profits. Oil has been spewing …

New Oversized Baseball Helmets Big On Safety, Not Style

One ballplayer says he can’t even stand to see his own reflection. Another says he feels like some creature wandering outer space. “Gazoo” is the term of choice for this latest sports look. Minor league baseball is bulking up on …

Florida Officials Worry About Complacency Over Hurricanes

It’s been more than 1,600 days since Florida was hit by a hurricane, and that one — Wilma — walloped Natalie Premock’s home. But since then, nothing. And time has faded memories. The 31-year-old mortgage processor and her husband now …

Flood Insurance Program to Expire Again May 31

For the fourth time in the past year, the nation’s flood insurance program will lapse because Congress has not voted to reauthorize it. That’s the latest on Capitol Hill, according to property/casualty lobbyists and other sources. As a result, the …

Flood Group Sticks With Original Red River Plan

A group studying a Red River diversion project in the Fargo and Moorhead, Minn., area said it will stick with its original plan even though it may not offer as much flood protection as first advertised. The Metro Flood Study …

Washington’s Berend Named FloodSmart Agent of the Year

Brian Berend, of Brian Berend Agency in Auburn, Wash., has been named FloodSmart Agent of the Year for 2010. The FloodSmart Award recognizes an agent who has made an outstanding effort to promote the National Flood Insurance Program and raise …

AIG on ‘Clear Path to Repaying Taxpayers,’ Says CEO Benmosche

The head of bailed-out insurance giant American International Group on Wednesday said the company was on its way to repaying the government, but a U.S. Treasury official said taxpayers could still face losses. AIG is operating with $132 billion in …