Patricia Wells

A tour bus carrying 54 people back to New York City from Niagara Falls crashed on an interstate highway in Pembroke, New York, on Friday, killing five passengers and injuring many others. The bus rolled onto its side shortly before 12:30 p.m. on the eastbound side of Interstate 90, about 25 miles east of Buffalo. … Read more

The gymnastics community in the U.S. is reeling again after Sean Gardner, a former coach at a top Iowa gym, was arrested on serious charges of child pornography. Gardner, 38, worked at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, a gym known for training Olympic champions like Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas. Authorities … Read more

Postal services around the world are stopping or limiting parcel deliveries to the United States as a new rule takes effect this week. The rule removes a long-standing exemption that allowed many small packages to enter the US without extra taxes or paperwork. This change is causing confusion and delays for postal systems, businesses, and … Read more

The New Jersey Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau is slowly getting back on its feet after facing a cyberattack that forced it to shut down its network for over two weeks. On August 5, the agency spotted unusual activity on its systems and decided to take everything offline to be safe. Right away, they alerted … Read more

Firefighters are struggling to control a rapidly spreading wildfire in California’s Napa Valley, as high heat and dry weather make the situation worse. The fire, known as the Pickett Fire, started Thursday afternoon above Calistoga, a popular tourist town in the region. What began as a small brush fire quickly grew, burning over 2,100 acres … Read more

Aon and Optio Group have announced new leadership appointments in their commercial insurance teams. These changes highlight both companies’ efforts to strengthen their expertise and services in key areas of the industry. At Aon, Phil Smaje has been named the new Global Industry Specialty leader for Transportation & Logistics. His appointment starts on October 1, … Read more

If you work at an insurance agency that feels like a great place to be, now is your chance to get it recognized. Insurance Journal is inviting employees to nominate their agencies for the 2025 “Best Agency to Work For” award. This is a way to celebrate agencies where people enjoy their work and want … Read more

Green Shield Risk Solutions has introduced a new homeowners insurance program called Guardian Elite Home, aimed at residents in wildfire-prone areas of Colorado and California. This offering is designed especially for wealthy homeowners who struggle to find reliable coverage due to the rising risks and costs tied to wildfires. In recent years, many insurers have … Read more

AM Best has upgraded its outlook for several Farm Bureau insurance companies, reflecting improved stability and financial strength. Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance Company, Louisiana Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, and Mississippi Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company all saw their outlooks change from negative to stable while maintaining their strong … Read more

Missouri’s mutual insurance companies saw a big improvement in their finances last year. According to the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI), these companies cut their net losses from $17.7 million in 2023 down to just $4.8 million in 2024. In 2024, mutual insurers covered about 205,000 policies, with more than $61 billion in … Read more