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Fertilizer Firms See Profit Windfall as War Upends Supplies
Insurance Journal | May 8, 2026
Fertilizer Firms See Profit Windfall as War Upends Supplies
Fertilizer makers are seeing a windfall from Iran’s war, highlighting the impact of the conflict’s upheaval on supply chains for the key crop nutrients. CF Industries Holdings Inc. and Nutrien Ltd. each reported nearly 20% jumps in sales for the …
People Moves: Novatae Names Voorhees as Managing Director of Personal Lines
Insurance Journal | May 8, 2026
People Moves: Novatae Names Voorhees as Managing Director of Personal Lines
Novatae Risk Group, the wholesale insurance business of World Insurance Associates, announced that Brian Voorhees will be joining the company as its new managing director of personal lines. In this role, Voorhees will lead Novatae’s personal lines with responsibility for …
US Opens Probe Into Start-Up Avride Self-Driving Crashes in Texas
Insurance Journal | May 8, 2026
US Opens Probe Into Start-Up Avride Self-Driving Crashes in Texas
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it is opening an investigation in a series of crashes of start-up Avride autonomous vehicles that raised questions about the competency of the vehicles. NHTSA said the vehicles’ performance may indicate inappropriate …
Florida Governor Signs Bill Dropping Building Permits for Work Valued at $7,500 or Less
Insurance Journal | May 8, 2026
Florida Governor Signs Bill Dropping Building Permits for Work Valued at $7,500 or Less
Florida’s governor has signed House Bill 803 into law, dropping building permit requirements for construction work valued at $7,500 or less. The law takes effect July 1. “A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a …
Inszone Acquires Arkansas’ Mena Insurance Agency
Insurance Journal | May 1, 2026
Inszone Acquires Arkansas’ Mena Insurance Agency
Inszone Insurance Services announced the acquisition of Mena Insurance Agency, Inc. This strategic acquisition brings a century-old institution and an experienced team into the Inszone organization, further expanding its footprint in Arkansas. Founded in 1911 by H.G. McLafferty, Mena Insurance …
Protective Life to Acquire P/C Specialty Insurance Carrier Obsidian
Insurance Journal | May 1, 2026
Protective Life to Acquire P/C Specialty Insurance Carrier Obsidian
In a rare crossing of insurance lines, Alabama-based Protective Life Insurance Co. is moving to expand into property/casualty lines by acquiring Obsidian Insurance Holdings, Inc., a New York-based property, casualty and specialty insurance platform. The companies say the acquisition will …
Charlie Crist is Running for St. Petersburg Mayor
Insurance Journal | May 1, 2026
Charlie Crist is Running for St. Petersburg Mayor
Former Florida governor and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist is seeking yet another office, this time running for mayor of his hometown of St. Petersburg. Crist, 69, has been a Republican, a Democrat and an independent during his political career. He …
Trader Mercuria Sues Baltic Exchange Over Hormuz Freight Losses, Court Filing Shows
Insurance Journal | May 1, 2026
Trader Mercuria Sues Baltic Exchange Over Hormuz Freight Losses, Court Filing Shows
Commodity trader Mercuria is suing the Baltic Exchange, the world’s top provider of benchmark shipping indices, over losses it said were caused by oil tanker pricing data that did not account for the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, …
Tenn. Detective Facing Charges of Burning His Own Car, Filing False Insurance Claim
Insurance Journal | May 1, 2026
Tenn. Detective Facing Charges of Burning His Own Car, Filing False Insurance Claim
An arraignment has been rescheduled for a former sheriff’s detective in Tennessee who is charged with setting fire to his own vehicle and filing a fraudulent insurance claim. Daniel Lee Garrett, 44, who until recently was with the Scott County …
FDA Says Testing Reveals Domestic Infant Formula Supply Is Safe
Insurance Journal | May 1, 2026
FDA Says Testing Reveals Domestic Infant Formula Supply Is Safe
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on April 29 said tested samples of infant formula available in the country contained very low levels of contaminants, confirming that the nation’s supply is safe for consumption. The agency tested more than 300 …