Monthly Archives: <span>July 2020</span>

Louisiana Governor: Masks Required, Bars to Be Closed Statewide

Gov. John Bel Edwards has ratcheted up Louisiana’s restrictions to combat the coronavirus’s spread, instituting a statewide mask mandate, putting tougher limits on group gatherings and shuttering bars. The tightened requirements took effect on July 13. The order is aimed …

Houston Leaders Urge Citywide Lockdown Amid Virus Case Surge

Top officials in Houston are calling for the city to lock back down as area hospitals strain to accommodate the onslaught of patients sick with the new coronavirus. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, both Democrats, …

Ohio Roofing Contractor Faces $148K in Fines for Alleged Safety Violations

Federal officials say a Dublin, Ohio-based roofing contractor is facing penalties of more than $148,000 after being cited for workplace safety violations. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Jerry Turnbaugh for exposing employees to …

Texas Company Cited After Employee Fatalities; Fined Nearly $500K

A company in Pasadena, Texas, has been cited by federal officials and faces penalties of almost $500,000 for exposing employees to confined space hazards after two workers died. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited …

Next Showdown in Congress: Protecting Workers vs. Protecting Employers in Pandemic

Congressional leaders are squaring off over the next pandemic relief bill in a debate over whom Congress should step up to protect: front-line workers seeking more safeguards from the ravages of COVID-19 or beleaguered employers seeking relief from lawsuits. Democrats …

Alaska Judge Declines to Block COVID-19 Aid to Businesses

A state court judge denied a Juneau man’s request to block distribution of federal coronavirus relief aid under expanded rules proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration. Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg ruled Eric Forrer had not shown a “clear probability …

Amazon to Pilot Primary Care Health Centers for Employees Near Its Fulfillment Facilities

Giant online retailer Amazon.com announced it will pilot local employee health care centers near Amazon fulfillment facilities across the country. The retailer is partnering with with Crossover Health, a national medical group offering primary care services. The centers will have …

Axis Adds Swiss Re, NAS and Hiscox Veterans to U.S. Cyber Insurance Team

Specialty insurer AXIS Insurance announced the hiring of three experienced underwriters to its U.S. Cyber and Technology team. Peter Smith will join AXIS as underwriting manager, while and Emma Werth and Jessica Currier will join as senior underwriters. Smith will …

Second Wave of Coronavirus Lockdowns Could Weaken Insurers’ Capital Buffers: S&P

Global insurers have proven resilient during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as their capital strength has helped stave off widespread downgrades; however, insurers’ capital buffers will erode through the second half of the year as financial market losses …

Coalition Hires Weryk in New York as Head of Business Development

Coalition, a cyber insurance and security company, has hired Marcin Weryk as head of Business Development. Weryk brings more than 15 years of insurance industry experience as a cyber and technology E&O underwriter to this role, managing teams at global …