Pasadena health department issues warnings for whooping cough, mpox
Landowners in wildfire areas can apply for property tax break
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Thursday, May 07-May 13, 2026
Insurance regulators allege State Farm mishandled wildfire claims By Joe Taglieri
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he California Department of Insurance announced legal action Monday against State Farm General Insurance Co. following an investigation that found significant mishandling of claims filed by survivors of the 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles County. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara ordered a Market Conduct Examination that allegedly uncovered a pattern of unlawful behavior in more than half of the claims reviewed, officials said. State Farm policyholders filed roughly 11,300 residential claims related to the wildfires that devastated tens of thousands of acres, destroyed or damaged more than 16,000 properties and killed 31 people in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. State Farm claims total one-third of the 38,835 claims filed across all insurers, indicating that thousands of fire survivors likely have been affected, according to the Department. “Wildfire survivors came to us for help, and we followed the facts,” Lara said in a statement. “Our investigation found that State Farm delayed, underpaid, and buried policyholders in red tape at the worst moment of their lives. That is unacceptable, and we are taking decisive action to hold them accountable.” According to the Insurance Department, the enforcement action "seeks millions of dollars in penalties, considered the largest amount pursued this century following a wildfire disaster."
A State Farm disaster response team. | Photo courtesy of State Farm
of our regulations is not just a State Farm problem," Chen added. "Department of Angels research shows 70% of insured Eaton and Palisades survivors report delays, denials, and underpayments across all insurers. Thousands of families are suffering as a result." In addition to penalties, the insurance regulators are requiring State Farm to take corrective actions to speed up payments and resolve outstanding claims. “The Los Angeles fires were one of the most destructive disasters in our state’s history," Lara said. "Survivors deserve a fair, timely recovery, not obstacles and delays. We are taking a two-pronged approach: legal action to address State Farm’s conduct, and legislative action to ensure this does not happen again.” Company officials See State Farm Page 22
"strongly disagree" with the Lara's assertions and the investigation's findings, which are "a distorted picture of State Farm’s response," said a statement from the insurer on Monday. "California’s homeowners insurance market is the most dysfunctional in the country, and State Farm has worked to be part of real solutions," according to the company. "The state is facing an availability and affordability crisis, and the California Department of Insurance should take responsibility for regulatory delays and uncertainty that have contributed to fewer choices and higher costs for consumers. The Department’s approach is adding uncertainty to a market that already lacks predictability, discouraging participation and leaving Californians with fewer coverage options when
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Candidates for governor clash in Monterey Park debate By City News Service
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joet@beaconmedianews.com
The New York Times reported the fines sought total a "historic" $2 million, drawing criticism from fire survivor advocates. "State Farm earns an estimated $2.2 million every hour on its $240 billion investment empire. Commissioner Lara calls a $2 million fine historic," Joy Chen, executive director of the Every Fire Survivor's network, said in a statement. "They have the money to fulfill their obligations to LA fire survivors," Chen said. "They have just chosen not to because weak regulation has made it more profitable to delay and deny than to pay. "In fact, Lara's own examination found 398 violations in 114 of 220 claims reviewed: delays, underpayments, and rotating adjusters while State Farm's investment empire compounded," according to Chen. "The lack of enforcement
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andidates in California's gubernatorial primary clashed sharply Tuesday evening over the state's high cost of living, immigration and their approach to President Donald Trump during a televised CNN debate at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. The two-hour debate Tuesday, moderated by anchors Elex Michaelson and Kaitlan Collins, offered voters a high-profile forum to hear directly from candidates in one of the nation's most closely watched races. The Republicans in the debate were podcaster and former television host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Democratic candidates were former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and California attorney general Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former congresswoman Katie Porter, billionaire financier Tom Steyer and former Los Angeles mayor and Assembly speaker Antonio Villaraigosa. California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was not part of Tuesday's debate. CNN said invitations to participate in the debate were based on several criteria, including meeting requirements set by the California secretary of state, raising or contributing at least $1 million to their campaign and demonstrating at least 3% support in qualifying polls. During the debate, Becerra defended DemoSee Debate Page 04
cratic leadership, arguing the party is working to ensure economic opportunity for all residents. "Democrats are the ones that aspire to include everyone and not leave anyone behind. Like my parents, who came with $12 in their pocket to California, and they lived the California dream," Becerra said, adding that policies are aimed at making the economy work for a broader range of Californians. Steyer said rising costs are affecting Californians across the board, pointing to housing as a central issue. "The biggest problem in California is that Californians can't afford to live here anymore," Steyer said. "And it starts with housing, but it definitely includes health care, it includes electric costs, which are twice as high as in the rest of the country, and it includes soaring gasoline prices." Steyer said he would pursue aggressive policy changes to address those costs, including confronting major corporate interests and utility providers, and expanding government involvement in health care. Mahan said the state needs a more results-oriented approach, positioning himself as a candidate willing to challenge his own party. "We don't need MAGA values, but we also don't need more of the same. I'm the only Democrat in this race who has challenged the establishment within my own party to demand better