West News

California Utility’s Bankruptcy Talk Sets Stage for Showdown with State

In weighing a bankruptcy, power giant PG&E Corp. may be firing a warning shot to California lawmakers: Help us or watch the largest utility in your state go insolvent. The company is considering whether to file for bankruptcy protection as …

Warren G. Bender in California Names Amano Commercial Lines Account Executive

Sacramento, Calif.-based Warren G. Bender Co. has named Kaz Amano an account executive in its commercial lines department. He has more than 12 years of prior experience in commercial insurance. He was previously an account executive with Church and Casualty …

California Supreme Court Upholds Commissioner’s Regulatory Actions Against PacifiCare

The California Supreme Court let stand an appeals court decision upholding California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones’ Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, paving the way for millions of dollars in fines. The decision ends years of legal wrangling over the regulations …

Dentists Benefits and Northwest Dentists to Merge With The Dentists Insurance Co. in California

Dentists Benefits Insurance Co. and Northwest Dentists Insurance Co., acquired by The Dentists Insurance Co. in 2017, have merged into parent company TDIC. The merger was effective Jan. 1 after final regulatory approval. The merger was approved by the California …

California County to Pay $5M in Torture-Killing of Girl

The city and county of Napa in Northern California will pay $5 million to relatives of a 3-year-old girl who was tortured and killed by her mother and her mother’s boyfriend. The San Francisco Chronicle says a December settlement was …

Los Angeles Releases Earthquake Warning App

Los Angeles has released an earthquake warning app that could give LA County residents precious seconds to drop, cover and hold on in the event of a quake. The city announced this week that ShakeAlertLA is available for download on …

Island Insurance Board in Hawaii Names Ament President

Island Insurance Cos. in Hawaii has promoted Beverly Ament to president. She succeeds John Schapperle, who will continue as CEO. Ament first joined Island Insurance in 1988, and formerly served as executive vice president and chief underwriting officer. Island Insurance …

California Commissioner: Impact of COIN Investments Estimated to Reach $29B

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Thursday issued a report today detailing the progress of the California Organized Investment Network during his administration. COIN is a program within the California Department of Insurance that sources and structures investments for insurers …

Nevada Marijuana Sales Near $42M as of October

New numbers show Nevada marijuana sales are continuing to grow. The Nevada Department of Taxation announced this week that Nevada had nearly $42 million in marijuana sales in October, which generated $8.24 million in tax revenue for the state. The …

$5M in Claims Filed Against Montana Coal Company Include Family of Worker

The family of a fallen miner is among those in Montana trying to collect more than $5 million from a coal company that’s working through bankruptcy proceedings. Also trying to collect are county governments, and dentists. The Billings Gazette reported …

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