Latest Washington Headlines

All the headlines from our Washington Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Non-Resident Blogger Can Be Sued in Florida Over Defamation

Jul 5 2010 // The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that a non-resident blogger can be sued in the state for posting allegedly defamatory comments about a Florida company on her out-of-state Web site. In a unanimous opinion, the court...

Bad Weather Hinders BP Oil Cleanup; Oil Invades More Wetlands

Jul 2 2010 // Tropical storm Alex slowed oil spill clean-up and containment work in the Gulf of Mexico and drove more petroleum into fragile Gulf wetlands and beaches Thursday, with any permanent fix to BP Plc’s ruptured deep-sea...

Washington Closer to Eliminating Workers’ Comp Insurance Monopoly

Jul 2 2010 // A campaign to end the state’s monopoly on workers’ compensation insurance appears to have enough support to qualify for the November ballot, adding to a busy initiative season in Washington politics. Initiative...

Special Reuters Report: Oil Spill a Gusher for Lawyers; Litigation May Take Years

Jun 30 2010 // BP payout should far exceed what Exxon spent on Valdez The company’s $20 billion fund may not be enough Accountability may take years if not decades to assess Many federal laws allow civil, criminal liability From a...

Surplus Line Association of Wash. Administers Flood Insurance Program

Jun 29 2010 // Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and more than two dozen insurance companies have launched a new program to help Green River Valley businesses struggling to find flood coverage. The “Washington...

Democratic Governors Defend Healthcare Overhaul

Jun 25 2010 // A small group of Democratic governors this week launched a counter-attack over the federal healthcare overhaul, firing back against legal challenges from nearly two dozen state attorneys general who are seeking to overturn...

CNA Opens New Branch in Washington, D.C.

Jun 22 2010 // CNA has opened a new branch office in Washington, D.C., a move aimed at extending the insurer’s geographic footprint and bringing it closer to its agents, brokers and customers. George Agyen, Mid-Atlantic Zone...

NSU Named One of Washington’s ‘Best Companies to Work For’

Jun 22 2010 // National Specialty Underwriters Inc. (NSU) of Bellevue, Wash., was named one of Washington’s 2010 Best Companies to Work For. Seattle Business magazine chose 100 finalists in their search for Washington’s Best...

Non-Resident Blogger Can Be Sued in Florida Over Defamation

Jun 18 2010 // The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that a non-resident blogger can be sued in the state for posting allegedly defamatory comments about a Florida company on her out-of-state Web site. In a unanimous opinion, the court...

BP Cherry Point Will Not Appeal Refinery Citation

Jun 3 2010 // Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has confirmed that the BP Cherry Point petroleum refinery will not appeal a citation issued earlier in May against the company for 13 serious safety...

Washington’s Berend Named FloodSmart Agent of the Year

May 28 2010 // Brian Berend, of Brian Berend Agency in Auburn, Wash., has been named FloodSmart Agent of the Year for 2010. The FloodSmart Award recognizes an agent who has made an outstanding effort to promote the National Flood...

U.S. Trade Chief Urges China to Lower Barriers

May 25 2010 // Potential Chinese moves to lower trade barriers could be as important as exchange rate reforms in easing economic strains with the United States, Washington’s top trade negotiator said as the two powers entered a...

Concern over China’s Protectionism at 10 Year High Says U.S. Chamber

May 24 2010 // Concern among U.S. companies that China is backtracking on opening its economy are at a 10-year high, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said on Monday. Chamber President and Chief Executive Thomas Donohue said...

Business Moves

May 17 2010 // Security Planning, CSIPros Salt Lake City-based Security Planning & Insurance Corp., an insurance carrier in the childcare industry, launched Charter School Insurance Professionals (CSIPros), an insurance company to...

Wash. Judge: Insurer Can Be Held Liable for Agent’s Actions

May 3 2010 // In a ruling that’s being closely watched by some insurers, a Thurston County, Wash., judge has affirmed that the state insurance commissioner may hold an insurance company liable for the actions of the...

ACE Adds High Net Worth Policies in Washington State

Apr 22 2010 // ACE Private Risk Services, part of the ACE Group, announced that it has expanded the availability of its ACE Platinum Portfolio policy to Washington state. In addition, Shannon Detroit has been appointed territory manager...

Prostar Insurance Agency Opens Office in Washington

Apr 14 2010 // Prostar Insurance Agency, of Bellevue, Wash., has opened a new office in Gig Harbor, Wash., a few miles south of its main branch. The company also has appointed Frank Rodriguez as the newest agent to join Prostar, bringing...

Parents, Drivers Want Tougher Driving Laws for Teens, Poll Says

Apr 13 2010 // Washington drivers want stricter penalties for teen drivers who violate Washington’s intermediate license law, a recent poll by PEMCO Insurance revealed. The poll, taken by the state’s largest insurance company...

Washington Asks Insurers to Provide Flood Coverage

Apr 12 2010 // Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has asked about 200 insurers to take part in a voluntary “market assistance plan” (MAP) to help businesses in the Green River Valley find adequate flood coverage....

Washington Creates Data Security Law

Apr 8 2010 // Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has signed legislation into law that encourages financial institutions to comply wtih that data security requirements — or face potential liability if a data breach...