Hurricane Forecasting Breakthroughs at Risk as NOAA Faces Budget Cuts
Despite record-setting accuracy in 2024 hurricane forecasts, funding and staff cuts at NOAA threaten future storm tracking capabilities and public safety nationwide.
May 7
Catastrophe
Legislation & Regulation
Risk Management
Technology
Colorado
Florida
Nebraska
South Dakota
Wyoming
Weather Balloon Cuts Challenge Forecasting Capabilities and Emergency Readiness
NOAA staffing shortages have forced a pause in weather balloon launches at key U.S. locations, raising concerns about storm forecasting and community resilience.
April 30
Catastrophe
Insurance Industry
Risk Management
Technology
Nebraska
South Dakota
Weather Balloon Cuts Threaten Forecast Accuracy Amid Severe Season
National Weather Service balloon launch reductions, blamed on Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff cuts, threaten forecast accuracy during severe weather season, raising concerns for claims adjusters.
March 25
Catastrophe
Insurance Industry
Legislation & Regulation
Risk Management
Technology
Colorado
Maine
Nebraska
New York
South Dakota
AI Analysis Reveals $2.15 Trillion in US Property at Risk from Wildfires
A new AI-driven study by ZestyAI finds that $2.15 trillion worth of U.S. residential property is at high risk of wildfire damage, affecting millions of homes beyond historically fire-prone regions.
February 27
Catastrophe
Insurance Industry
Property
Underwriting
California
Colorado
Kentucky
North Carolina
South Dakota
Tort Costs Rising Faster Than Inflation and GDP, Study Finds
A new study from the Institute for Legal Reform reveals that U.S. tort costs have risen at an annual rate of 7.1% from 2016 to 2022, exceeding both inflation and GDP growth.
February 6
Insurance Industry
Legislation & Regulation
Liability
Litigation
Alaska
California
Delaware
Florida
Louisiana
North Dakota Grants Key Approval for Midwest CO2 Pipeline Storage
North Dakota regulators approved permits for underground carbon dioxide storage, a critical step for Summit Carbon Solutions’ Midwest pipeline project, despite ongoing opposition.
December 19, 2024
Legislation & Regulation
Property
Risk Management
Technology
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
North Dakota
South Dakota
Wildfire Risk Intensifies in 2024: Over 2.6 Million Homes at High Risk in the Western U.S.
As of mid-2024, wildfires have ravaged millions of acres in the U.S., with over 2.6 million homes at moderate or greater risk, emphasizing the crucial role of insurance and risk management in protecting communities.
August 13, 2024
Catastrophe
Legislation & Regulation
Property
Risk Management
Arizona
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho
Homeowners Face 21% Insurance Premium Increase, Climate Change Cited as Major Factor
Homeowners insurance premiums surged by 21% from May 2022 to May 2023, largely due to severe weather events driven by climate change, leaving many homeowners with limited options.
July 29, 2024
Catastrophe
Insurance Industry
Legislation & Regulation
Property
California
Colorado
Florida
Idaho
Louisiana
The Midwest: Potential Hotspot for Deadly ‘Moist Heat Stress’
Large parts of the world, including China and the Midwest US, are on track to become too hot for humans to handle as accelerating global temperatures expose billions to heat and humidity so extreme their bodies will no longer be able to cope, according to a new study.
October 12, 2023
Catastrophe
Education & Training
Risk Management
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
Climate Change’s Toll on Homeowners and Insurance
Millions of American homeowners are confronting a growing financial dilemma as climate change-driven wildfires and floods push their home insurance rates to unprecedented levels. The situation is compounded when insurers decide to withdraw coverage.
September 21, 2023
Insurance Industry
Property
California
Florida
Kentucky
Louisiana
South Dakota
States Urge Judge to Reject Dismissal Motion in Flood Insurance Lawsuit
Florida and other states are trying to fend off an attempt by the Biden administration to end a lawsuit challenging changes to the National Flood Insurance Program that have led to higher premiums for many property owners.
September 8, 2023
Legislation & Regulation
Litigation
Florida
Idaho
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Employer’s Claim Denial Opened Door To Out-Of-Network Costs
A teacher who injured her back at work and who had surgery out of state and out of her employer’s network is due compensation for her surgery because the school district had originally denied her claim, the Supreme Court of South Dakota unanimously ruled Wednesday.
June 17, 2022
Litigation
Workers' Compensation
South Dakota
Death Toll Climbs After Derecho Across Midwest, Northern Plains
The death toll has risen to three after storms packing hurricane force winds and at least one tornado tore through parts of the Midwest and Northern Plains Thursday.
May 13, 2022
Auto
Property
Minnesota
South Dakota
Toyota’s Fuel Pump Recall Now Covers Nearly 6M Vehicles Worldwide
Toyota expanded a worldwide fuel pump recall to a total of 5.84 million vehicles for a defect that could cause the part to fail. In the United States, the total number of vehicles involved in this safety recall is now approximately 3.34 million vehicles.
October 30, 2020
Auto
Subrogation
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Multiple Industries To Be Affected By Nationwide Availability Of Flood Risk Scores
As Hurricane Laura bears down on the Gulf Coast, residents are preparing for what could be a historic storm surge.
August 26, 2020
Property
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
