Declarations
“Commercial property decreases were at least partially driven by carriers seeking to offset increases they asked for in lines like commercial auto and umbrella. A surplus in property capacity—75% of respondents noted an increase in capacity for the line—also exerted downward pressure on premiums as carriers competed for clients.”
— The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB)’s market survey, which found premiums decreased an average of 2% across all accounts during Q2 2026. Large account premiums fell by 3.7% following a 2.7% decrease last quarter. Commercial property premiums dropped the most – 6.3% – during Q2.
“I’m using the full weight of my executive authority to block the objectionable, unwarranted projects and put the nation’s strictest set of protections in place.”
— Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, signing an executive order that would require companies setting up AI data centers in the state to meet environmental and transparency safeguards and secure local community approval for the projects, as well as preventing projects from driving up utility bills and protecting clean air and water. The state’s abundant natural gas, existing power infrastructure and proximity to major population centers on the East Coast make it appealing to data center builders.
“The evidence is clear; these agents don’t live in Mississippi. They applied for a license here under false pretenses. To put it simply, they lied, and lying on the application, misrepresenting the facts, leads to losing your license. It could also bring additional civil and criminal penalties.”
— Mississippi State Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney in a statement after The Mississippi Insurance Department revoked the licenses of 59 insurance producers who reportedly gave false information about their residences. All 59 agents were summoned to a July 20 hearing, but none of them attended.
“It’s gonna be more people with more
money. At the Chipotle, a guy asked me if he could cut in line because his Lamborghini was double parked.”
— Rich Wilken, 79, a third-generation Palisadian who lost his home of 47 years in the January 2025 California wildfires. The face of the community is changing from its former small-town vibes as residents who lost their homes give up the hope of rebuilding. Meanwhile, those willing to spend big to live in the scenic area are coming in to purchase burned out lots. Fewer than a third of the owners of destroyed homes have received rebuilding permits in the Palisades, and only 1% of houses have been completed.
“It’s a pretty big blow, and it’s recriminalizing a lot of cannabis products that have been completely legal and allowable in the state for many years, so we’re taking steps backwards toward prohibition.”
— Sarah Todd, media representative at Texas Cannabis Policy Center. Three members of the hemp industry are suing the Texas Department of State Health Services; Attorney General Ken Paxton; and the Galveston County criminal district attorney and sheriff, arguing that classifying hemp-derived substances, such as THC, as illegal violates the 2018 federal farm bill. A federal judge has denied an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order, so the Texas ban on THC products continues until the case is resolved.
“When they called me, I was in disbelief.”
— Art gallery owner Bill DeLind, who thought a Picasso print that was stolen from his Milwaukee, Wisconsin, gallery in 2018 was gone forever. But then police called about an artwork that a local landlord found while cleaning out a vacant apartment. It was DeLind’s stolen “Torero” print, one of 30 known to exist signed by Picasso. The year it was stolen the piece was appraised at between $35,000 and $50,000, DeLind said. He guessed that the value hasn’t changed much since then but now given its story it may be worth closer to $50,000.