Latest Washington Headlines

All the headlines from our Washington Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Washington’s Landmark Climate Law Hangs in The Balance This Election

Oct 16 2024 // A groundbreaking law that forces companies in Washington state to reduce their carbon emissions while raising billions of dollars for climate programs could be repealed by voters this fall, less than two years after it...

Washington Paper Mill Fined Nearly $650K in Machine Operator Death

Oct 4 2024 // The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited and fined a mill operator in Camas following an investigation into the death of a worker who was crushed by a packing machine that had no safety guards in...

Woman Arrested From Washington Insurance Commissioner’s Most Wanted List

Sep 26 2024 // An Everett woman on Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Insurance Fraud Most Wanted list who failed to appear for her arraignment has been arrested.Shawndlyn Williams, who also goes by Shawndlyn Dyson,...

Washington Metal Fabricator Faces Felony in $340K Workers’ Comp Scam

Sep 19 2024 // A Washington man who claimed he was too injured to work while operating a metal fabrication shop faces a felony charge in an alleged $340,000 workers’ compensation scam.Travis Lee Johnson, 52, of Spokane Valley,...

Washington Cabinet Shop Fined $187K for Safety Violations

Sep 18 2024 // A Ridgefield, Washington cabinet company has been cited for numerous safety violations including unguarded saw blades, spraying flammable glue next to ignition sources and not taking steps to lock down dangerous...

PCF Acquires Insurance Business of Top Insurance Associates in Washington

Sep 17 2024 // PCF Insurance Services acquired the insurance business of Top Insurance Associates in Snohomish, Washington. The Top Insurance Associates team will join PCF Insurance’s Fortiphi Insurance. Top Insurance Associates...

Washington Contractor Fined for Using a Crane to Lift Workers After Elevator Breaks

Sep 6 2024 // A Seattle, Washington construction company is facing more than $150,000 in fines for putting workers at risk.Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited and fined Lane Construction Corporation in July for...

Washington Marble Contractor Fined $300K for Exposing Workers to Silica Dust

Sep 2 2024 // A Skagit County was fined nearly $330,000 for exposing workers to crystalline silica dust from cutting, grinding and polishing stone countertops.The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited and fined A+...

Highstreet Acquires Wingert Insurance Agency in Washington

Aug 28 2024 // Highstreet Insurance Partners acquired Wingert Insurance Agency in Mill Creek, Washington. Wingert President Jason Wingert and Agency Vice President Shelley Wingert will continue leading their team at Wingert’s...

Washington State Meter Reader Pleads Guilty in Workers’ Comp Scam

Aug 22 2024 // A 56-year-old former Washington State meter reader who claimed she was so traumatized from a workplace dog attack that she fainted at the sight of dogs has pleaded guilty in a workers’ compensation fraud...

Rhode Island Sues 13 Firms That Worked on Troubled Washington Bridge

Aug 19 2024 // Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee announced Friday that the state has filed a lawsuit against 13 companies that provided design, construction and inspection services related to the troubled Washington Bridge.The bridge was...

3 Plead Guilty to Insurance Fraud After Washington Insurance Commissioner Investigations

Aug 6 2024 // Three suspects pleaded guilty to insurance fraud in May and June after investigations by Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit.The fraud cases included a suspect from Qatar...

Amazon Says Washington State Injury Case Has Been Dismissed

Jul 29 2024 // A case alleging that Amazon.com Inc. exposed warehouse workers to injuries has been dismissed for lack of evidence, the company said in a statement Thursday.The Washington state Department of Labor and Industries cited the...

People Moves: Intact Hires Janssens as SVP of West Coast Commercial Surety; Odiorne Chief Deputy Insurance Commissioner in Washington

Jul 18 2024 // Intact Hires Janssens as SVP of West Coast Commercial SuretyIntact Insurance Specialty Solutions, the brand for Intact Financial Corporation’s U.S. insurance company subsidiaries, headquartered in Plymouth,...

Washington Adult Home Operator Facing Felony Charge in Alleged Workers’ Comp Scam

Jul 17 2024 // A Spokane, Washington woman who ran an adult family home while claiming she was too injured to work faces a felony charge in a $60,000 workers’ compensation fraud case.Serah Kamau, 52, reportedly operated her...

Washington Roofers Fined $1.27M for Putting Workers at Risk of Falling

Jul 16 2024 // Four Washington roofing companies are facing $1.27 million in fines from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries for safety violations including allowing workers on top of homes without fall...

Washington Insurance Commissioner Fines Unite Health, Others $500K for Violations

Jul 3 2024 // Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office issued more than $500,000 in fines in May and June for violations of state insurance laws and regulations, including fining Unite Health Share Ministries...

Washington Commissioner Asks Insurers to Extend Additional Living Expenses for Wildfire Victims

Jun 26 2024 // Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is asking insurers to extend the additional living expenses benefit for wildfire victims who are nearing their 12-month limit on that coverage.Many policies that include...

The Rest Is History: How Carriers Can Navigate Backdating Variations to Operationalize Just-In-Time Appointments

Jun 26 2024 // This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync.One of the trickier aspects of compliance administration and producer management for carriers is maintaining producer appointments. Sure, if your carrier only works in...

Washington Asbestos Removal Company Fined Nearly $800K

Jun 17 2024 // A Lynnwood, Washington, asbestos removal contractor is facing stiff fines for knowingly and repeatedly exposing employees and homeowners to extremely hazardous conditions.The Washington Department of Labor & Industries...