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Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced that Thomas Ewing, currently a circuit judge in Fayette County, will be appointed to the state Supreme Court.
“I have to say on a personal level, I didn’t know Judge Ewing very well before this process started, but through the interview process he really did blow me away,” Morrisey said at a press conference today.
“This is someone who’s incredibly thoughtful. He’s highly qualified with impressive credentials. He’s come to us so highly recommended by everyone.”
West Virginia’s waiver application for what’s eligible for food stamp purchases was two-pronged at first: eliminate eligibility for sugary drinks like soda but broaden use for foods considered hot, healthy and ready-made.
“We’re trying to also get some of the extra benefits, whether it’s for rotisserie chicken, maybe some fresh food and proteins that people think would be very, very positive and hot food,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said earlier this year on statewide radio.
“That’s the opportunity. So we’re going to try to get rid of some of the bad and help get more of the good.”
West Virginia’s Public Service Commission is sending a long letter of support for a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency move to repeal a 2009 scientific finding that greenhouse gases pose a danger to the public.
The repeal of the standards is “a welcome recognition by the EPA of its past missteps and errors,” PSC Chairwoman Charlotte Lane wrote in a 15-page letter sent to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
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Last July, Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), who serves as chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin) reintroduced the “Business of Insurance Regulatory Reform Act.”
The bill clarifies the jurisdiction granted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and affirms that state insurance regulators are best positioned to oversee insurers and safeguard the interests of consumers.
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Disaster Planning Guide
Disasters can strike anytime without warning. Protect your business by preparing employees, systems, data, and clients with clear procedures. Strengthen resilience through remote work options, cloud-based systems, and diverse infrastructure to keep operations running and clients supported during disruptions.
Click here to download your disaster plan.
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Panic Prevention
While most homeowners are familiar with common risk areas and the technologies designed to mitigate them, relatively few have implemented these solutions in their own homes, according to a report from The Hanover.
For independent insurance agents, the findings of the report—based on a survey of more than 1,100 U.S. homeowners conducted by The Harris Poll—open the door to important client conversations about loss prevention, home safety and technology adoption.
How Independent Insurance Agents Are Making Communities More Resilient
In 2024, natural catastrophe losses in the U.S. totaled $112.8 billion, according to Aon. Meanwhile, from 2017 to 2024, the annual average for insured losses from natural catastrophes was even higher—$146 billion—according to GallagherRe.
More than 2.6 million homes across 14 states in the Western U.S. are at moderate to very high risk of wildfire damage during the 2025 wildfire season, according to the 2025 “Wildfire Risk Report” from Cotality. Of those, 1.2 million have a very high wildfire risk.
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U.S. annuity sales rose to $223 billion in the first half of 2025, 3% above the first half of 2024, according to preliminary results from LIMRA’s “U.S. Individual Annuity Sales Survey.” This sets a new record, beating the one previously set in the first half of 2024.
Last week, Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), who serves as chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin) reintroduced the “Business of Insurance Regulatory Reform Act.”
The bill clarifies the jurisdiction granted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and affirms that state insurance regulators are best positioned to oversee insurers and safeguard the interests of consumers.
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John Bradford
Founder & CEO: PetScreening
petscreening.com
Charlotte, North Carolina
Bradford is on a mission to make life better for pets. After starting out in the property management world—first managing his own rental units, then expanding to investor portfolios—he saw firsthand how pet ownership impacted housing. That insight led him to launch PetScreening, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that helps streamline offering pet and renters insurance.
Trib
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2025 Big I Young Professionals Summer Retreat!
Big I WV’s Annual Young Insurance Professionals Retreat was a huge success! Young agents came together on Snowshoe Mountain to relax, network, and have fun. The event fostered valuable connections and lasting friendships—and excitement is already building for the next retreat!
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The August issue is out!
Look inside!!
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On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we meet John Bradford, founder & CEO of PetScreening in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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BIG I WV LEADERSHIP
Suzette Raines Ashley, President
Ashley Insurance Agency, LLC
Chris Parker, Vice President
Ferrell & Hill Insurance Agency
Anthony Deal, Treasurer
Insurance Centers
Chad Nuzum, Immediate Past President
Hood Insurance Group, LLC
Terri Dodrill, State National Director
McGriff Insurance Services
Brady Campbell, Young Agents Chair
Mountain State Insurance Agency
Traci Nelson, Chief Executive Officer
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DIRECTORS
Michael Winter
Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency
Beth Bailey
Bill Bailey Insurance Agency
Mike Cvechko
Cvechko Insurance Services
Charlie Robinson
Assured Partners dba Insurance Systems
Nick Dyer
Blueridge Risk Partners
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August always feels like a reset: new routines, new goals, and—this year—our Annual Convention at Stonewall is right around the corner. As you help clients gear up for fall, here are a few timely reminders and a preview of what’s ahead for Big I WV.
Convention Preview: Stonewall Resort • October 6–8, 2025
Make sure your team is registered, and your room is booked—this year’s program is packed with practical takeaways and great networking.
- Featured Speakers
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Chris Miller: Brain Optimization for Life & Workplace
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Charles Symington (IIABA): National update & advocacy priorities
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Allan McVey: WV Insurance Commissioner Update
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Tony Brown: Cybersecurity essentials for independent agencies
- And Many More!
- Action Items
- Register your team
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Book your room in the Big I WV block (limited availability)
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Consider a sponsorship to spotlight your brand with peers
Back-to-School Client Touchpoints (Easy Wins for August)
Use the season change to reach out, round accounts, and deepen retention.
- Student Drivers & Vehicles
- Review youthful driver discounts, telematics options, and “resident vs. away at school” classifications
- Update garaging addresses and any new vehicles
- College-Bound Coverage
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Renters insurance for dorms/apartments (personal property + liability)
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Scheduled electronics (laptops, tablets, instruments) and bike coverage
- Confirm who’s listed on the auto policy if a car goes to campus
- School & Activities
- Youth sports and volunteer activities—double-check liability/excess needs
- Umbrella limits for families with multiple drivers and social hosting exposure
- Small-Business Clients
- Seasonal hires/background checks; EPLI reminders
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Cyber hygiene before Q4: MFA, phishing training, and first-party cyber endorsements
- BOP/Property updates for new equipment or inventory
- Life & Financial Protection
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New routines = natural time to revisit life insurance and disability income needs ahead of September campaigns
Agency Ops: Tighten Up Before Q4
A little housekeeping now pays off when the calendar gets hectic.
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E&O risk management audit: document procedures, call recording/notes, certificate handling
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CE & licensing: confirm credits and deadlines for all licensed staff
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Data hygiene: purge old files, update AMS/CRM fields, refresh email lists
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Community presence: sponsor a team, host a backpack drive, or share a campus-safety checklist on social—great brand goodwill
I’m excited to see everyone at Stonewall. Until then, let’s use August to sharpen our books, connect with clients, and set the tone for a strong finish to 2025.
Suzette Raines Ashley
President
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