Monthly Archives: <span>January 2025</span>

$1.7B in Block Grants Awarded to North Carolina Governments for Helene Recovery

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina governments are receiving over $1.65 billion in federal block grant money to help address historic levels of damage caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. The money — $1.43 billion for North Carolina …

Georgia Lawmakers Gearing Up for New Tort Reform Push

ATLANTA (AP) — After years of stalled efforts to limit civil lawsuits, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Republican lawmakers are doubling down with a new push. Supporters, most prominently business groups, call the state a “judicial hellhole,” and argue that …

BlackRock Leaves Major Climate Group Amid Wall Street Exodus

BlackRock Inc. is parting ways with one of the world’s biggest climate-investor groups after being targeted by Republican politicians for its efforts on global warming. The money manager has decided to leave the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative it said …

Edison Denies LA Wildfire Involvement as Insurers Ask It to Preserve Evidence

Southern California Edison said on Thursday it had received notices from insurance companies to preserve evidence related to the Eaton Fire that is still burning in Los Angeles, but said no fire agencies have pointed the utility’s connection to the …

Europe Warns Airlines on Russia Airspace After Azeri Plane Crash

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency warned airlines to steer clear of several cities in Russia following the fatal crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet that was likely shot down by Russian forces. EASA advised carriers to avoid five …

South Korea Jet Crash Puts Fast-Growing Jeju Air’s Safety Under Scrutiny

Before it suffered the deadliest crash in South Korea’s history, budget airline Jeju Air was moving fast: racking up record passenger numbers and flying its aircraft more than domestic rivals and many of its global peers, data show. The high …

Update: Hottest Year Ever Sees World Breach 1.5C Global Warming Target

Earth’s warming exceeded 1.5C on an annual basis for the first time in 2024, according to three major climate science agencies. It’s the most potent evidence yet that countries are failing to meet a Paris Agreement goal of limiting global …

Winter Weather Wallops US Farmers

A nasty dose of winter weather has pummeled much of the U.S. from Kansas to the East Coast, leaving many Americans to dig out of the blizzard — including farmers. And more is on the way, with the polar air …

Texas Refineries Prepare for First Winter Storm, Frigid January

Texas refineries are bracing for an onslaught of cold, snow and freezing rain as the US South’s first major winter storm sweeps in during what’s projected to be a frigid month. While temperatures in the upcoming storm aren’t expected to …

Warner Pacific Completes Acquisition of 5 Acrisure General Agencies

General agency Warner Pacific said it has acquired five general agencies from broker and fintech specialist, Acrisure, effective Dec. 1 2024. Financial terms were not disclosed. Westlake Village, California-based Warner Pacific’s Jan. 7 announcement said it will provide general agency …