West News

Los Angeles to Pay $38M For Failing to Make Affordable Housing Accessible

The city of Los Angeles will pay $38.2 million to settle a 2017 lawsuit after “falsely” stating on federal documents that its multifamily affordable housing units built with federal funds were accessible for people with disabilities. The complaint was filed …

Washington Marble Contractor Fined $300K for Exposing Workers to Silica Dust

A Skagit County was fined nearly $330,000 for exposing workers to crystalline silica dust from cutting, grinding and polishing stone countertops. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited and fined A+ Marble & Granite LLC in July after …

California Legislature Passes Bill to Support Insurance Fraud Detectives

California lawmakers passed a bill to help close the pay gap between the California Department of Insurance’s fraud detectives and officers in other state agencies. The California Senate and Assembly this week passed Assembly Bill 2872, which would support the …

California Advances Landmark Legislation to Regulate Large AI Models

Efforts in California to establish first-in-the-nation safety measures for the largest artificial intelligence systems cleared an important vote this week that could pave the way for U.S. regulations on the technology evolving at warp speed. The proposal, aiming to reduce …

Vocational School Owner Arraigned in $1M Workers’ Comp Fraud Case

Los Angeles area vocational school owner, Guillermo Frias, 65, of Paramount, and the school’s accounting manager, Yesid Colon, 54, of Baldwin Park, were arraigned following a California Department of Insurance investigation into allegations they submitted fraudulent claims to receive money …

LTC Global Acquires Michael L. Fitzgerald Insurance Services in California

LTC Global Inc. acquired Michael L. Fitzgerald Insurance Services Inc. in Walnut Creek, California. Michael Fitzgerald will continue to manage the business, which operates across Northern California. Michael L. Fitzgerald Insurance Services is a Capitas Financial Inc. partner. Fitzgerald Insurance …

Southern California Edison Seeks to Recover $1.6B of Wildfire-Related Losses

Southern California Edison, a unit of utility Edison International said on Thursday it was seeking approval for a settlement agreement to recover nearly 60% of losses related to wildfires and mudslides in 2017 and 2018. Under the agreement with the …

Cal/OSHA Cites Nine Employers for Silica Safety Violations

California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health cited nine employers in Sun Valley following efforts to address the growing number of silicosis cases among stone workers in California. The safety violations include more than $168,000 in fines. Cal/OSHA cited the …

Crest Insurance Group Acquires Winren in Arizona

Crest Insurance Group acquired Winren Inc. in Scottsdale, Arizona. Winren is an insurance agency specializing in group benefits insurance. Winren CEO Blaise Byrne has been in the industry since 1984. Crest is an insurance brokerage firm that provides property/casualty and …

Man Accused of Starting California Wildfire by Throwing Firework out Car Window

A 26-year-old man has been accused of igniting a destructive California wildfire in early July by throwing a firework from a car window during hot, dry and windy weather. Spencer Grant Anderson, of Oroville, was charged this week after weeks …

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