Monthly Archives: <span>July 2019</span>

Argo Group Warns Q2 Earnings Will Take a Hit

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. is warning that its results for its 2019 second quarter will take a hit due to losses affecting operations in London, Europe and Bermuda. Issues at play include: Prior year losses of about $22.5 million, …

EPA Official: Montana Site Suited for Superfund Status

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official says a Montana area emitting toxic vapors is a candidate to become a federal Superfund site. The Billings Gazette reports contaminants from old dry cleaning solvents are evaporating at several spots in an 855-acre …

Oregon Lagging on Disaster Preparedness, Scientists Warn

Oregon state lawmakers abandoned a multimillion-dollar project to develop early warning systems for earthquakes and wildfires, and scientists warn that the funding shake-up could endanger public safety and put Oregon further behind other West Coast states in preparing for natural …

High Levels of Global Insurtech Investments Continued During Q2: WTW

Insurtech investment worldwide continued at high levels during the second quarter of 2019, marking the fourth consecutive quarter during which total new funding commitments exceeded $1.2 billion, according to the new Quarterly InsurTech Briefing from Willis Towers Watson. The report …

Schools, Lawmakers, Tech Firms Trying to Curb Rising Cyberbullying

Rachel Whalen remembers feeling gutted in high school when a former friend would mock her online postings, threaten to unfollow or unfriend her on social media and post inside jokes about her to others online. The cyberbullying was so distressing …

Alex and Ani Jeweler Alleges Lending Gender Bias by Bank

A few short years ago, jewelry maker Alex and Ani LLC was the public example of a happy Bank of America Corp. customer. Now, it’s suing the lender for more than $1 billion in damages and alleging discrimination. The female-led …

New Connecticut Task Force to Begin Study of PFAS Chemicals

A new interagency task force will soon begin work on a plan to minimize the impact of a group of potentially dangerous industrial compounds known as “forever chemicals” on Connecticut residents. The group of about 20 state officials representing 18 …

Rhode Island AG Gains Access to Nearly 70 Years of Records from Diocese of Providence

As part of an ongoing review of allegations of clergy child sexual abuse within the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bishop of Providence that will …

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Acquires Maryland’s The Novick Group

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Rockville, Md.-based The Novick Group Inc. Founded in 1987, The Novick Group is a retail property and casualty broker focused on providing insurance products and services to nonprofits and association clients throughout the …

S. Korea Balcony Collapse Kills 2, Injures 16, Including U.S., Other International Athletes

A balcony inside a nightclub in South Korea collapsed on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 16, including American and other athletes at the world swimming championships, officials said. Hundreds were at the nightclub in the southern city of Gwangju …