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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

The cyber insurance market has settled into a steadier phase after some challenging years, according to Eyad Kabbani, national cyber placement leader at Marsh McLennan Agency. Speaking recently, Kabbani described a sector that has grown more balanced—competitive, disciplined, and open to new ideas. Over the last five years, the market has matured significantly. After facing … Read more

The managing general agency (MGA) sector is stepping into a new phase marked by stronger partnerships and faster tech changes. In 2024, MGAs underwrote about $89.9 billion in premiums, showing four years in a row of solid growth, according to AM Best. Insurers are beginning to see MGAs not just as distribution channels but as … Read more

Dennis O’Connell from Westfield Specialty recently shared his thoughts on how artificial intelligence (AI) could change the world of professional liability insurance. Speaking about the possible effects of AI, he highlighted some risks many people don’t fully understand. At the same time, he showed how those insured can manage compliance concerns tied to AI use. … 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

Sandra Ramos discovered her passion for construction insurance over a decade ago while working on a major New York project. In 2015, she was involved in one of the largest privately funded projects at the time, an experience that sparked her deep interest in the impact of construction. Today, she serves as Senior Vice President … Read more