Patricia Wells

On January 5, 2025, a severe hailstorm hit Chatham, Mississippi, around 2:35 PM, bringing with it quarter-size hail. While there were no reported injuries, the storm caused an estimated $10,000 in property damage, according to the federal storm events database. However, the accuracy of this damage estimate is uncertain. Experts suggest that such figures are … Read more

Mattel Inc. and its Fisher-Price division have reached a settlement in lawsuits related to the Rock ‘n Play baby sleeper, which was recalled due to safety concerns linked to infant deaths. The settlement, revealed in a Delaware court filing last week, addresses claims from six families who lost children and four others who reported injuries … Read more

As severe storms sweep across the central United States, a dedicated team of scientists is braving the elements to investigate a weather phenomenon that often goes unnoticed: hail. While hail rarely causes fatalities, it inflicts significant damage, costing the U.S. about $10 billion annually in damages to roofs, cars, and crops. This research effort, part … Read more

Homeowners in Los Angeles are taking legal action against three major insurance companies after suffering losses in the recent wildfires. They claim that the insurers did not provide enough money to cover the costs of rebuilding their homes. The lawsuits were filed this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court against USAA and two AAA-affiliated … Read more

Texas lawmakers have made significant changes to the state’s drug policy, particularly focusing on banning tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. This year, Senate Bill 3 emerged as a key piece of legislation, prohibiting the possession of consumable hemp products containing synthetic cannabinoids like delta-8. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick championed this bill, citing concerns about the impact of … Read more

BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, has been taken off Texas’ blacklist of companies that boycott fossil fuels. This decision ends a three-year conflict over the firm’s environmental policies. As a result, Texas pension funds and state investment accounts, which manage over $300 billion, can now invest in BlackRock shares and funds, as well … Read more

One person has tragically lost their life due to severe weather that swept across parts of the central United States. The storms brought heavy rain to Dallas, a tornado in the Kansas City area, and flash flooding in Kansas, prompting multiple rescue efforts. On Wednesday, a man in Dallas died after his car became trapped … Read more

Hub International Ltd. has announced the acquisition of Wycoff Insurance Agency Inc., located in Mount Vernon, Washington. This move allows Wycoff Insurance to become part of Hub International, a major player in the insurance and financial services sector. Chris Eisses, the president of Wycoff Insurance, along with Donnie Keltz, who holds the roles of vice … Read more

RT Specialty, a well-known distributor of specialty insurance products, has just opened a new office in Detroit. This move comes as the company continues to expand its presence in the Midwest. Leading the new Detroit office is David Derigiotis, who has been appointed as the Executive Vice President and office president. Derigiotis brings a wealth … Read more

Monarch E&S Insurance Services has announced its acquisition of Market Finders Inc., a managing general agent and wholesale broker based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This deal, which took place recently, marks a significant move for Monarch E&S, a division of Specialty Program Group LLC. Market Finders Inc. has been in business since 1971 and has … Read more