Patricia Wells

Premium renewal rates for commercial insurance have shown mixed results in early 2025, according to the latest Ivans Index report. While most major lines of insurance saw year-over-year increases, workers’ compensation is the exception. The report, which tracks premium renewal rates, indicates a general decline in rates compared to the previous quarter, with the notable … Read more

CVS and Express Scripts have taken legal action against a new Arkansas law that prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies in the state. This law, signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders just over a month ago, is the first of its kind in the United States. The law aims to protect … Read more

After losing their biggest market for exports due to trade tensions, U.S. farmers are looking to President Trump for support in boosting biofuels. This comes as they face the possibility of having their crops go unsold and stored away. The administration plans to announce how much biofuel will be blended into fossil fuels for the … Read more

Wildfires in Alberta are endangering about 5% of Canada’s crude oil production. A significant fire near Cold Lake is creeping closer to major oil sites, threatening the daily output of around 245,000 barrels. Currently, there are 26 uncontrolled fires in Alberta, a sharp rise from just four earlier in the week. The blaze near Cold … Read more

The European Commission is gearing up to propose a new climate target for the EU in July. This plan aims to address growing concerns about Europe’s environmental goals. EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra announced that the proposal will be unveiled on July 2 during a meeting with representatives from EU countries. The new target seeks … Read more

Markel and AXA XL Reinsurance have recently made significant executive appointments, marking important changes in leadership within their organizations. Markel has announced that Lee Mooney will take over as the managing director of Markel UK, succeeding Neil Galjaard, who is stepping down from the role. Mooney, who has over 25 years of experience in the … Read more

The House of Representatives, led by Republicans, has passed a significant tax and spending bill that aims to end subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act for clean energy much sooner than expected. This move could lead to higher costs for consumers, affecting everything from electricity bills to solar panel prices. The bill now heads to … Read more

A former volunteer fire official in West Virginia has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for committing fraud. Donald A. Ennis, 44, from St. Albans, pleaded guilty after he set fire to his own home and misused funds from the fire department’s credit card. Ennis was ordered by a federal judge to pay back … Read more

The Texas House recently approved a bill aimed at addressing the high home prices in the state’s largest cities by allowing smaller homes to be built on smaller lots. This move is part of a broader effort by state lawmakers to tackle the housing crisis affecting many Texans. The bill, known as Senate Bill 15, … Read more

ZestyAI has received approval from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services for its new severe convective storm suite. This comes at a crucial time as Michigan faces increasing weather-related insurance claims. Since 2019, the state has seen over $5 billion in insured storm damage, primarily from hail and straight-line winds. Just last summer, … Read more