Patricia Wells

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. has announced a significant shift in food safety regulations. On Monday, he directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revise rules that currently allow food companies to self-declare ingredients as safe. This change aims to enhance transparency for consumers and strengthen the FDA’s oversight … Read more

Oakbridge Insurance, a prominent agency based in the Atlanta area, has appointed John Ledyard as its new chief operating officer and executive vice president. This announcement comes as Oakbridge continues its rapid growth in the Southeast, having acquired over 40 agencies since it was founded in 2020. Ledyard brings valuable experience to his new role. … Read more

The Justice Department recently announced it will drop a federal lawsuit against a Louisiana petrochemical plant linked to increased cancer risks in a predominantly Black community. This decision reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reshape federal environmental enforcement, moving away from policies established under President Biden. The lawsuit, which had been in place for … Read more

Texas First Insurance has announced significant leadership changes as it looks to the future. Jerry Blystone has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer, while Bryan Burkhart steps into the role of President. These promotions come shortly after the agency celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of service in the insurance industry. Blystone has been … Read more

Broker Educational Sales & Training, Inc. has teamed up with the Insurance Journal’s Academy of Insurance to enhance educational opportunities for insurance professionals. This partnership, announced on March 11, 2025, aims to provide high-quality training through both live and on-demand classes. The Academy of Insurance is well-respected in the industry, known for its rigorous and … Read more

Marsh and Specialist Risk Group (SRG) have both announced significant appointments that are set to enhance their leadership teams and drive growth in their respective markets. Marsh has named Andrew George as the new president of Marsh Specialty, effective immediately. Based in London, George will report directly to Martin South, the president and CEO of … Read more

Four voters in Wisconsin are taking legal action after their ballots were not counted in the recent presidential election. They have filed a class-action lawsuit seeking $175,000 each in damages. These voters were part of a group of 193 in Madison whose ballots were misplaced by the city clerk. The issue was not discovered until … Read more

U.S. commercial insurance rates continued to rise, but the pace of increases showed signs of slowing down in the fourth quarter of 2024. This information comes from WTW’s latest Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS), which provides insights into the insurance market. In the fourth quarter, carriers reported an average price increase of 5.6%. This … Read more

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has made a significant shift in its legal stance regarding the removal of its members. The agency, which oversees labor rights for private-sector workers, is no longer defending a law that protects its appointees from being fired at will by the president. This change comes as President Donald Trump … Read more

Two public school districts in Pennsylvania, along with several parents, have filed a lawsuit against the state. They aim to challenge recent antidiscrimination protections for gay and transgender individuals. The plaintiffs argue that these protections, established just two years ago, exceed what state lawmakers intended or allowed. The lawsuit was submitted to the Commonwealth Court … Read more