West News

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash Prevail in California Gig-Worker Ruling

Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. can keep classifying California drivers as independent contractors, after the state’s top court said a company-backed law passed by voters doesn’t wrongly curtail the legislature’s power over worker protections. The unanimous ruling upholding California’s …

New Mexico Woman Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Gallup Insurance Agency

A New Mexico woman pleaded guilty in federal court for an armed robbery of a Gallup insurance agency. Amber Yazzie, 29, of Gamerco, pleaded guilty to robbery and federal firearms charges for her role in the armed robbery of C …

Northern California Fire Becomes State’s Biggest in a Day, Evacuations Ordered

A wildfire that started Wednesday near Chico, California grew quickly to 45,549 acres overnight to become the state’s largest active blaze. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued, but the number of residents affected or properties damaged or destroyed has yet …

California Homeowners Sue FAIR Plan Over Smoke Damage Coverage

A class action lawsuit is being brought on behalf of more than 350,000 policyholders against the California FAIR Plan over smoke damage coverage. Dylan Schaffer, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, told SiliconValley.com the idea behind the suit is to force …

New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Takes Issue with Ruling on Living Expenses

A Santa Fe District Court ruling that State Farm and Casualty Co. does not have to comply with a provision of the New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance emergency order for insurers to pay $5,000 in living expenses to policyholders forced …

Jewelers Mutual Acquiring Union Life & Casualty Insurance Agency in Arizona

Jewelers Mutual Group acquired Union Life & Casualty Insurance Agency in Phoenix, Arizona. JM Insurance Agency Partners Inc., a Jewelers Mutual Group company, will join with UL&C. UL&C has been in the insurance business since 1965, specializing in pawn and …

Hot, Inland California Cities Face The Steepest Water Cuts With New Conservation Mandate

Facing a future of shortages, California is entering a new phase of water conservation: Cities and towns must meet new mandates ramping down use over the next 15 years — and some will be hit harder than others. Approved two …

How California’s Homeowners Insurance Crisis Is Affecting Brokers

A growing homeowners insurance crisis for Californians is straining brokers who must work harder to get increasingly expensive and more frequently unavailable coverage for their clients, a crisis many of them blame on regulations and wildfires. Wildfires have made the …

Southern California Blaze Destroys Six Homes, Other Fires Still Burning in State

A Southern California fire destroyed six homes and damaged seven others in a blaze that was reportedly ignited by fireworks. The Hawarden Fire started over the weekend and at one point threatened nearly 1,500 homes. Evacuation orders were issued for …

People Moves: MGIS in Utah Names Wrage VP of Sales and Distribution

MGIS, headquartered in Salt Lake City, named Jim Wrage vice president of sales and distribution. Wrage will develop and operationalize the organization’s sales strategy and manage a team of regional sales directors and internal sales specialists. Wrage worked for more …

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