The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recently commended New York State lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul for enacting critical legislation prohibiting insurance companies from using a dog’s breed in determining homeowner insurance coverage. With this new law, which takes effect 90 days after it is enacted, New York joins Nevada… Continue reading New York Ends Dog Breed Discrimination for Home Insurance by Insurers
Author: Farkas Laura
Travelers Indefinitely Delays Return to Office for Thousands in Hartford Amid Omicron Spread
Travelers Cos., which employs thousands in downtown Hartford, has postponed its broad-based return to the office indefinitely as concerns grow about the COVID-19 omicron variant and a recent spike in infection rates. The property-casualty insurer had planned to reopen its downtown offices on January 18. Travelers chairman and CEO Alan Schnitzer told employees in an… Continue reading Travelers Indefinitely Delays Return to Office for Thousands in Hartford Amid Omicron Spread
M&A Likely to Remain Strong in 2022 as Covid-19 Looms Over Business Plans
Companies are preparing for another record-breaking year of deal-making. Mergers and acquisitions reached an all-time high in 2021, fueled by low interest rates, an increase in private-equity fundraising, and companies’ efforts to respond to broader shifts in their industries. According to Refinitiv, a data provider, the total value of global M&A transactions through December 21… Continue reading M&A Likely to Remain Strong in 2022 as Covid-19 Looms Over Business Plans
Unions Say Meat Plants Relaxed COVID-19 Safety Protocols After Outbreaks
According to the president of the local labor union, Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, assigned a team of dedicated employees last year to enforce social distancing and sanitize surfaces at a South Dakota slaughterhouse where COVID-19 infected nearly 1,300 workers. That position is no longer available, according to Smithfield Foods. According to BJ… Continue reading Unions Say Meat Plants Relaxed COVID-19 Safety Protocols After Outbreaks
Recent Deadly Tornadoes Sharpen Focus on Building Codes
In towns ravaged by a deadly tornado outbreak earlier this month, the clean-up is painstaking and painful. “They don’t have anything. No belongings left,” said Taylor Powell, a resident of Marshall County, Kentucky. “It’s just gone.” It’s a task made harder by the complete destruction of so many homes and buildings. “I’m not sure what… Continue reading Recent Deadly Tornadoes Sharpen Focus on Building Codes
Lawsuits Mount Against Procter & Gamble Over Cancer-Causing Chemical in Old Spice, Secret Sprays
Procter & Gamble Co. is facing at least 17 federal lawsuits surrounding some of its Old Spice and Secret antiperspirant sprays, alleging they are contaminated with dangerous amounts of a cancer-causing chemical, a review of court records shows. Six of the lawsuits have been filed in federal court in Cincinnati. They are seeking class-action status.… Continue reading Lawsuits Mount Against Procter & Gamble Over Cancer-Causing Chemical in Old Spice, Secret Sprays
Building Industry Blocked Better Tornado Safeguards
Following the death of 162 people in Joplin, Missouri, by a tornado, safety experts and cement manufacturers proposed a solution to save lives: Require safe rooms in most new apartments, commercial structures, and other large buildings in tornado-prone areas — concrete boxes where people can shelter even if the building around them is ripped to… Continue reading Building Industry Blocked Better Tornado Safeguards
Wildfires Hindering California’s Program to Fight Climate Change
According to scientists, forest fires caused in part by climate change are undermining California’s cap-and-trade system, which is intended to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. California’s cap-and-trade program, which began in 2013, allows businesses to offset carbon emissions by purchasing a limited number of credits, the majority of which are used to… Continue reading Wildfires Hindering California’s Program to Fight Climate Change
U.S. Supreme Court to Take Up Biden Vaccine Mandate Cases on January 7
The United States Supreme Court agreed last week to hear arguments over the Biden administration’s nationwide vaccine-or-testing COVID-19 mandate for large businesses, as well as a separate vaccine requirement for healthcare workers. According to the brief court order, the court will hear oral arguments in the two cases on January 7, with rulings expected soon… Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court to Take Up Biden Vaccine Mandate Cases on January 7
Phishing Victim Can’t Claim $5 Million Loss on Crime Policy for Money It Never ‘Held’
A federal appeals court ruled that RealPage’s commercial-crime insurance policy did not cover a $5 million phishing loss because the property-management service provider never “held” any of the stolen funds. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a victory for AIG’s National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, which insured RealPage against theft of… Continue reading Phishing Victim Can’t Claim $5 Million Loss on Crime Policy for Money It Never ‘Held’