Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: the top U.S. airports for flight delays this holiday season, and changes coming to Wisconsin liquor laws.

The 5 Worst Airports for On-Time Flights this Holiday Season

AAA projects that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving period, from Tuesday, Nov. 25, through Monday, Dec. 1. This year’s domestic travel forecast includes 1.6 million more travelers than last year, setting a new record.

Weather challenges, heavy passenger volumes, and congested airspace are all contributing to expected delays as airports prepare for record-breaking crowds. According to Transfeero, these airports have the worst on-time performance heading into the holiday season:

1. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
2. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
3. San Diego International Airport (SAN)
4. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
5. George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH)

Read more here.

Horse Out of the Barn on Toughened Wisconsin Liquor Laws

New liquor licensing requirements in Wisconsin will soon apply to all venues—including wedding barns—after a judge dismissed a challenge to the state’s major 2023 alcohol law overhaul. The lawsuit claimed the changes unconstitutionally targeted wedding barn businesses, but the judge sided with regulators, noting the state’s responsibility to prevent excessive drinking.

Beginning in 2026, barn owners must obtain either a traditional liquor license or a special permit allowing beer and wine service up to six times a year, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. Previously, wedding barns operated without these restrictions. Read more here.

For more news, check out the Action News section of our weekly e-newsletter, Big I Buzz. If you aren’t subscribed, click here to join our emailing list.

Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: thousands of Wisconsinites could lose Obamacare coverage if federal subsidies expire, and new data shows more Americans are moving away from flood-prone areas.

Up to 60,000 Wisconsinites Could Lose Obamacare Coverage if Subsidies Expire

Between 40,000 and 60,000 Wisconsinites who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act could lose their coverage if Congress fails to extend subsidies that lower plan costs, according to Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek.

The subsidies have driven record-high enrollment in Wisconsin’s ACA marketplace this year, with roughly 300,000 residents signing up for coverage. If the enhanced subsidies expire at the end of the year, those gains could be reversed. Read more here.

Americans Are Moving Out of Flood-Prone Neighborhoods

For the first time since 2019, U.S. counties at the highest risk of flooding saw more residents moving out than in — about 30,000 more people left than arrived, according to a new Redfin report.

The trend marks a shift from the pandemic years, when remote workers flocked to coastal and Sun Belt regions. Despite the outflow, some of those high-risk counties still experienced overall population growth due to strong immigration from abroad.

Of the 310 counties identified as high flood risk, 132 saw net population losses while 178 saw gains — but the number of people leaving outpaced those arriving. Read more here.

For more news, check out the Action News section of our weekly e-newsletter, Big I Buzz. If you aren’t subscribed, click here to join our emailing list.

Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: The Illinois Department of Insurance requests policyholder relief during the federal government shutdown, and the top automobiles for customer satisfaction in 2025 are revealed.

Illinois Department of Insurance Asks Insurers for Policyholder Relief During Shutdown

The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) is urging insurers to provide relief to policyholders affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown to ensure they do not lose insurance coverage.

The department noted that more than 153,000 Illinois residents employed by the federal government have been impacted since the lapse in federal appropriations began on October 1. To support these consumers, IDOI is asking insurers to consider measures such as temporary moratoriums on cancellations and extensions for payment or repair timeframes. Read more here.

Top Automobiles for Customer Satisfaction in 2025

Driver satisfaction with the auto industry has dipped slightly in 2025, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Longer loan terms have increased consumer focus on vehicle reliability and dependability, as many drivers continue making payments beyond their warranty periods.

According to ACSI, Subaru, Mazda, and Toyota ranked highest among automakers for customer satisfaction this year. See the full list and read more here.

For more news, check out the Action News section of our weekly e-newsletter, Big I Buzz. If you aren’t subscribed, click here to add your email to our emailing list.

Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: a Wisconsin contractor is fined for acting as a public adjuster, and climate risk remains a growing concern across the insurance industry.

Wisconsin Contractor Fined for Acting as a Public Adjuster

Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek issued a final decision imposing $6,000 in civil forfeitures after determining that a contractor acted as a public adjuster under Wisconsin law. This subjected the contractor to the standards outlined in Wis. Stat. ch. 629, which he violated through prohibited and fraudulent practices.

The contractor’s business model combined home repair services with “claim assistance” through assignments of benefits, which violated state law. Under Wis. Stat. § 629.10(3), individuals acting as public adjusters cannot have a financial interest in the subject of a claim beyond the compensation established in their contract. Read more here.

Most Insurance Execs Fear the Industry Isn’t Ready for Climate Risk

A new study from ZestyAI found that the insurance industry remains unprepared for climate-driven risks, even as natural disasters become more frequent, severe, and costly. According to the report, 61% of insurance executives believe the industry is not adapting quickly enough to climate-related threats.

Many insurers continue to rely on traditional actuarial and stochastic models, which were built for more stable conditions and fail to reflect today’s complex, property-specific loss patterns. ZestyAI’s leadership emphasized that the industry must evolve its risk modeling to match the realities of a changing climate and that AI-driven, property-level models can provide more accurate insights, improve transparency, and help all stakeholders strengthen resilience. Read more here.

For more news, check out the Action News section of our weekly e-newsletter, Big I Buzz. If you aren’t subscribed, click here to add your email to our emailing list.

Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: How the government shutdown could impact insurers.

Lengthy Government Shutdown to Impact Insurers, Says AM Best

As the government shutdown begins, AM Best warns of potential ripple effects across the insurance industry. The extent of disruption will depend on how long the shutdown lasts—previous shutdowns have generally been brief, with the longest in recent history (December 2018) lasting 34 days.

A prolonged shutdown could directly and indirectly affect insurers as consumers and businesses adjust spending and investment decisions. Possible impacts include reduced government spending, disruptions in social services, and volatility in financial markets.

Additionally, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA, expired on Sept. 30. Without reauthorization, FEMA will be unable to issue new flood policies. Read more here.

For more news, check out the Action News section of our weekly e-newsletter, Big I Buzz. If you aren’t subscribed, click here to add your email to our emailing list.