West News

Montana Governor Signs Virus Lawsuit Liability Shield

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill this week intended to protect businesses and health care providers from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Gianforte said the new law will allow businesses to safely open during the pandemic. He also said enough vulnerable Montana …

CIG in California Promotes Cummins, Hepner

Monterey, Calif.-based Capital Insurance Group has promoted Scott Cummins to assistant vice president in personal lines, and Pauleen Hepner to regional field executive. Cummins will oversee personal lines underwriting, product, and processing, as well as client services for all states …

More Felony Charges for California Insurance Agents in Reported $748K Theft

Additional charges of felony grand theft were filed this week against licensed California insurance agents Robert Farmer, 66, of Camarillo, and Marion Urcan, 68, of Agoura Hills. The additional charges were filed after Farmer and Urcan allegedly accepted more than …

Los Angeles Marked 50th Anniversary of 1971 Quake

A disastrous earthquake that struck Los Angeles a half-century ago is being remembered for spawning improvements in seismic safety and research. The 50th anniversary of the magnitude 6.6 earthquake occurred at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Known as the San Fernando or …

Report Shows Pilot Felt Pressure to Fly Bryant to Game

As helicopter pilot Ara Zobayan encountered a cloud bank and decided to try to climb out of it, he was likely worried about getting his star client, Kobe Bryant, his daughter and six others to a girls basketball tournament, federal …

Lockton Adds Lopez to Northern California Construction Practice

Lockton Pacific has added Cynthia Lopez to its construction practice in Northern California. Lopez is based in Lockton’s Sacramento office. Lopez’s expertise includes more than two decades in the insurance industry with brokerages including AON Construction Services Group, Arthur J. …

Bender in California Names Murray Technology Risk Advisor

Bender Insurance Solutions in Sacramento, Calif., has named Bryan Murray a technology risk advisor in the commercial lines department. He will provide risk management advice and education for technology businesses across California. He has 10 years of experience in the …

Heffernan Acquires Micor Insurance Brokers in California

Heffernan Insurance Brokers has acquired Micor Insurance Brokers in San Jose, Calif. The Micor San Jose office is Heffernan’s 10th California location. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Corrie Foos, president of Micor, and his team, joined Heffernan. Foos …

Environmental Settlement of $121K Reached with Washington Chemical Company

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with Emerald Kalama Chemical after inspectors say they found hazardous waste storage and handling violations it its Kalama, Wash., facility. The chemical company has agreed modify its practice and pay a …

Intel Suing Oregon Engineer Who Joined Microsoft Over Trade Secrets

Intel is suing a former Oregon employee, alleging he took trade secrets when he left for Microsoft and used the information to gain an advantage in later business negotiations with Intel. Engineer Varun Gupta worked at Intel for ten years …

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