California Is Making a Change to Stop Fleeing Insurers

Insurance providers are applauding proposed changes likely to result in rate increases in one of the world's largest insurance markets to better account for billions of dollars in potential damage from natural disasters amid a changing climate. Through executive orders approving "emergency regulatory action," California moved Thursday to reform its insurance system to more accurately price at-risk homes, in what could be a sign of things to come nationwide. In what the Washington Post reports is "a big win for the industry," the state reversed its stance of requiring companies to use only historical data when setting rates. Under the proposed changes, to be finalized and put in place by the end of 2024, carriers could use forward-looking catastrophe models as in many other states.

Consumer Watchdog founder Harvey Rosenfield says this "will dramatically increase homeowner and renter insurance bills by hundreds or even thousands of dollars," per the AP. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara says "difficult choices" are required "when the world is changing rapidly." He adds the "historic agreement" between regulators and the industry would be better for consumers as the current regulatory framework leaves them at risk. Seven of the top 12 carriers in California have restricted new business in the state in the last year, arguing homeowners should be paying more for their exposure to disasters like wildfires. In response, residents have turned to the state's FAIR plan, which provides a temporary safety net while coverage from a traditional carrier is unavailable.

The FAIR plan, paid for by a fund to which all insurance companies operating in the state contribute, has become the "first resort, not last resort" for many residents, says Lara. "This is a real crisis that we are in." To lessen the number of FAIR plan policyholders and keep the plan solvent, insurance companies will now be required to write no less than 85% of their statewide market share in at-risk areas. "That means if a company writes policies for 20 homes, it must write 17 new policies for homeowners in wildfire-distressed areas," per the AP. Acknowledging concerns that insurers would use catastrophe models to inflate risks to overcharge consumers, Lara notes his department "will be able to verify these models to make sure they're accurate" and can "claw back" rate increases if necessary. (Florida is facing a similar crisis.)

Las Vegas teen expected ‘slap on the wrist’ for hitting, killing cyclist: ‘I’ll be out in 30 days, I’ll bet you’

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The teenager who police say intentionally struck and killed a retired police chief in Las Vegas said he would get a “slap on the wrist” after he was taken into custody, the 8newsnow.com Investigators have learned.

Jesus Ayala, 17 at the time, appeared to show no remorse while being taken into custody. Ayala, now 18, faces 18 counts — including murder — and has a lengthy criminal history in the juvenile system.

Ayala made comments to police after he was taken into custody:

“You think this juvenile [expletive] is gonna do some [expletive]? I’ll be out in 30 days, I’ll bet you.”

“It’s just ah, [expletive] ah, hit-and-run — slap on the wrist.”

Officers had not yet mentioned a hit-and-run to Ayala at that point in their conversation with him, sources said. They said he was being booked for a warrant and obstructing a peace officer.

Edina Schools students sent home, district investigating ‘concerning voicemails’

Edina Public Schools staff notified parents Wednesday about "concerning messages" left on a school voicemail, prompting the district to send students home while authorities investigate their credibility.

According to a district announcement, the messages were left at Normandale elementary school, resulting in the closing of the Edina Community Center, Southview and Concord campuses, including its Early Learning Center and Spanish Dual Language school. 

Previously, on Friday, Sept. 15, police arrested a 17-year-old boy for allegedly posting a threatening video on social media taken outside of Edina High School.

Police informed Edina Public Schools about the threat, and officials moved Edina High School and Edina Valley View Middle School to e-learning out of an abundance of caution as police investigated the threat. Authorities did not provide a motive for the threat, but said he was not a current or former student at the high school.

SS uniform-wearing group ordered to leave Sheringham 1940s festival

A group of men wearing Nazi military uniforms had to be escorted from a 1940s celebration "for their own safety", organisers said.

They were wearing German SS outfits and were asked to leave the event in Sheringham, Norfolk, after complaints.

Marshals escorted the men out of the town and police said they were investigating a reported assault.

One member of the group, who did not want to be named, said they had not intended to cause offence.

'An odd situation': President Biden aims to tighten firearms sales. Hunter Biden is caught in the crosshairs

A federal gun law that Hunter Biden is charged with violating is under siege, challenged in court by people who think it is unconstitutional. That puts his father, President Joe Biden, in an awkward position, since he thinks gun background checks should be even tighter.

Courts are grappling with which gun laws should stand and which should be struck down, after a 2022 Supreme Court decision triggered a flood of additional gun-related lawsuits.

In February, a federal judge in Oklahoma dismissed a case related to the same charge Hunter Biden faces by finding it “unconstitutionally vague." The defendant in that case had been pulled over by police, who found a gun and marijuana cigarettes in his vehicle.

In August, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the law unconstitutional in the case of someone who used marijuana while possessing a gun. “It is a close and deeply challenging question,” the court ruled.

Kilo of fentanyl stored on top of kids' play mats at day care where 1-year-old died: Prosecutors

A kilogram of fentanyl was stored on top of children’s play mats used for napping at the New York City day care where a 1-year-old boy died from exposure to the drug, according to a new federal criminal complaint.

Three other children, ranging in age from 8 months to 2 years, were hospitalized and treated with Narcan and are now recovering, police said. An analysis of urine from one of the victims confirmed the presence of fentanyl, officials said.

Day care operator Grei Mendez and tenant Carlisto Acevedo Brito are now facing federal charges of narcotics possession with intent to distribute resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, according to federal prosecutors.

In a case that's "shocked the conscience of the city," the defendants allegedly "poisoned four babies and killed one of them because they were running a drug operation from a day care center" in the Bronx, Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York, said at a news conference Tuesday.

Chinese Shipbuilding Capacity Over 200 Times Greater Than The US, Claims Navy Intelligence

A leaked slide from the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence (abbreviated the ONI) has raised some concerns regarding China’s ever-expanding navy and its shipbuilding capabilities that surpass those of the U.S.

The slide which circulated online, shows that China’s shipyards have a capacity of more than 232 times that of the U.S., with China producing nearly 23.2 million tons of vessels compared to less than 100,000 tons in the U.S.

The ONI also estimated that China boasted 355 naval vessels in 2020, while the U.S. had about 296, and such a disparity is likely to keep growing.

The Chinese dominance in commercial shipping has implications for U.S. security and the economy, as a significant portion of the global supply chain relies on Chinese shipping.

Minnesota Vikings Alexander Mattison shares 'fans' racist messages after Eagles loss

Vikings running back Alexander Mattison says he was sent racist messages after Thursday night’s loss against the Eagles.

The Vikings lost four fumbles Thursday night that the Philadelphia Eagles turned into 10 points. The Vikings left Lincoln Financial Field with a 34-28 loss to drop to 0-2 on the season. The Vikings lost three fumbles in the first half, and now have six first-half turnovers in two games this season.

Mattison posted screenshots to his Instagram story of two DMs he says people sent to him after the game. The messages used racial slurs and insults, and told him he should die by suicide, according to the posts. 

Mattison said there were over 60 people who sent him "disgustingly disrespectful messages." 

Teen arrested after posting video with gun outside Edina High School: Police

Police say a 17-year-old boy has been arrested Friday for allegedly posting a threatening video on social media taken outside of Edina High School.  

According to a press release, the Edina Police Department said they were alerted to a Snapchat video taken outside in the high school parking lot Thursday night showing a teenage boy with a "semi-automatic handgun and extended magazine in his lap" with the caption "Come outside, b---h."

The teen left the high school campus and did not return, according to authorities. 

The police informed Edina Public Schools about the threat, and officials moved Edina High School and Edina Valley View Middle School to e-learning on Friday, out of an abundance of caution, as police investigated the threat. The school district also sent out a letter to families Friday saying additional law enforcement will be at all Edina school buildings.

‘They could have killed my son.’ Mom calling SROs to return after large fight at Mankato East High 

A fight inside Mankato East High School last week Friday is re-igniting the debate over school resource officers in Minnesota. In a video taken in the hallways of the school building, school officials say about 10 students were involved in that brawl. One of the students assaulted was Nashawn William’s son. 

“I was upset,” said Williams. “He had a blood clot in his right eye at the bottom and his upper torso was swollen…They could have killed my son stomping him on the floor, like you all saw the video, they could have killed my son.”

The fight comes after Supt. Paul Peterson told families in an email this month that “SROs will not be physically located at MAPS schools but will be available on an ‘on call’ basis to assist school staff.”

Scott Hare, Director of Student Support Services with Mankato Area Public Schools, said police were called in to break up the fight. He added that if an SRO had been in the building, the situation would have looked different.