Consumer Issues / Public News Service

Being able to repair electronics at home is expected to save Oregonians up to $540 million per year. (Raul Mellado/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, January 2, 2025

A push for Oregon's right to repair law to include wheelchairs

Oregon's right to repair law, which increases consumers' ability to repair their own electronics, takes effect this week. The law requires …

According to a report from Trace One, droughts, hurricanes, excessive flooding and cold waves are the top reasons for agriculture loss from natural disasters every year. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Meat, dairy prices edge upwards for IL shoppers due to climate change

Consumers are unhappy with increasing food prices and blame inflation. In reality, natural disasters have a direct link to grocery costs, with no end …

Thursday, January 2, 2025

New for 2025: A weaker CA lemon law

Starting this year, changes to California's "lemon law" will make it harder for consumers to get a refund or a replacement vehicle. The changes mean …

Scientists said the E. coli bacteria can grow in the intestines of cattle and other ruminating animals without causing the animal any symptoms. When they defecate, the fecal matter is contaminated with the toxic organism. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Experts: Poor farming practices cause most toxic E. coli outbreaks

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration An…

EF Go Ahead tours reported a 17% increase in bookings for vacations in Nordic countries and a whopping 60% increase in destinations across Latin America in the past year. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Vacations steeped in cultural learning all the rage

Travel agencies say Americans are still embracing overseas trips, including destinations where the itinerary is loaded with learning opportunities …

According to recent polling data from Navigator Research, nine in 10 people living in battleground districts want Congress to ban so-called

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

New MN laws target junk fees, pricey concert tickets

With 2025 at hand, Minnesotans might be mapping out the concerts they want to attend or things they want to buy in the new year but the presence of …

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported New Hampshire is home to more than 3,000 U.S. Postal Service workers, who earn an average hourly wage of $27.08. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

NH rural towns face proposed postal delays in 2025

The Postmaster General has proposed reduced delivery days and other changes starting next year which could particularly affect rural New Hampshire…

Shoppers in the U.S. budgeted a record $902 each on average for gifts and other holiday items this year. (Ganka/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Toy safety: What to watch for with new products

The National Retail Federation said people have spent nearly $989 billion this year on holiday shopping but not everyone takes the time to make sure w…

The U.S. Secret Service warns consumers never to respond

Monday, December 30, 2024

USPS warns Mississippians of 'smishing' scams targeting package recipients

Many Mississippians are still expecting holiday packages this week and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing…

Homeowners in a record number of school districts aren't getting the full benefit of Ohio state law meant to keep property-tax

Monday, December 30, 2024

'Safety valve' meant to limit OH property tax hikes doesn’t help some

By Andrew Tobias for Signal Cleveland.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Signal Ohio-Public News Service Col…

Extreme political polarization in the U.S. has led to a significant increase in threats of violence against election officials and members of Congress, according to the Brennan Center.

Monday, December 30, 2024

NM political expert says 'polarization' is the logical 'word of the year'

Between endless doomscrolling and nonstop negative headlines, a New Mexico political science professor said it's no surprise the Merriam-Webster …

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says Illinois is home to almost 15,000 U.S. Postal Service workers. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 30, 2024

Proposed U.S. Postal Service cost increases under scrutiny

Proposed changes to the U.S. Postal Service are causing concern for Illinoisans. Reduced delivery days and "Forever" stamp price increases are just …

Congress's latest one-year Farm Bill extension provides $20 billion in funding for federal farm programs and $10 billion in direct economic relief to farmers. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, December 30, 2024

Trump administration could tackle corporate food system, help farmers

As inflation and falling crop prices continue to affect farmers, their advocates say the incoming Trump administration could take steps to reform the …

Trace Company's report says Indiana farms lose nearly $30 million, or $552 per farm every year from natural disasters. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 30, 2024

Natural disasters cost IN farmers millions in crop, cattle damage

Consumers are unhappy with increasing food prices and blame inflation. In reality, natural disasters have a direct link to grocery costs, and no end …

Maryland has 12 news outlets dedicated to Black and Latino communities in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 30, 2024

MD newsrooms experience slight dip in 2024

A new report finds Maryland has seen a small decline in the number of newspapers in the state this year. The report is from the Northwestern …

From 2016 to 2023, an estimated 1.8 million toy-related injuries for all ages were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, an average of 226,300 injuries per year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Zarya Maxim/Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 30, 2024

Medical, legal experts warn parents about dangers of toys this holiday season

Utah trauma surgeons are wanting parents to be vigilant about the dangers toys with magnets or button batteries can pose, after they've seen several …

Colorado patients have been hit with surprise bills for ambulance services as high as $2,500. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 30, 2024

Report: Most ambulance rides in Colorado billed out-of-network

Colorado's surprise billing law does not currently limit out-of-network billing for ambulance services, and new analysis shows the true costs to …

BIPOC workers earn 30% higher incomes - and have a 79% greater median household net worth - as worker owners of cooperatives, according to the Coalition for Worker Ownership and Power. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

Monday, December 30, 2024

MA unions, worker co-ops tackle historic wealth gap

Massachusetts unions and worker-owned cooperatives are joining forces to help tackle the state's historic wealth gap. Census data show just a …

The estimated carbon footprint of a week-long cruise is eight times higher than that of a land-based vacation, according to Friends of the Earth. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Monday, December 30, 2024

Cruise ships in Maine ports get failing environmental grade

A recent report gives the majority of cruise ships anchoring in Maine ports a failing environmental grade. The Cruise Ship Report Card from Friends …

Monday, December 30, 2024

USPS, state court systems warn CA customers against 'smishing' scams

Many people in California are still expecting holiday packages this week and the U.S. Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing" …

In a new AARP survey, 90% of South Dakotans ages 45 and older said having adequate Social Security benefits is a priority. (Adobe Stock)

SD survey: Increasing concerns about health care, prescription costs

More middle-aged and older South Dakotans had financial concerns this year, especially around health care, according to a new survey. Advocates for …

Between 2021 and 2023, Consumer Product Safety Commission staff received reports of 40 toy-related deaths among children 14 and younger. Flotation toys, bouncy balls and other balls were most frequently implicated. (Adobe Stock)

Pennsylvania parents warned to check kids' toys for safety

The National Retail Federation expects shoppers will have spent nearly $989 billion in November and December for holiday gift-giving. Unfortunately…

Standards for toy safety are enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Parents have options to report unsafe holiday toys

The National Retail Federation expects people will spend nearly $989 billion by year's end on holiday shopping but the costs cannot compare to an inju…

In the small but popular New Mexico community of Taos, entry level homes are in short supply for purchase by first-time homebuyers. (KristinaBlokhin/Adobe Stock)

NM nonprofit aims to broker affordable housing solutions in Taos

By Anya Petrone Slepyan for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for New Mexico News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Co…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture spends about $38 billion a year on subsidies and other aid to farmers and ranchers to reduce the cost of meat and other products at the grocery store. (Adobe Stock)

Government subsidies make meat cost less, but with hidden expenses

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

The Federal Trade Commission received nearly 20,000 gift card scam complaints in the first half of 2024, representing about $100 million in losses. (Adobe Stock)

Tips to help Mainers avoid holiday scams

Mainers are encouraged to be on the lookout for increasingly sophisticated scams during the holiday season. Fake emails appearing to be from …

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported child deaths have attributed to a wide variety of toys including bouncy balls, stuffed animals, plastic toys and crayons. (Adobe Stock)

Now that they're unwrapped, be sure to monitor flawed toys

The National Retail Federation expects people will spend nearly $989 billion by the end of the year on holiday shopping but the costs cannot compare t…

Medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States, emphasizing the importance of having health insurance. (Shutter2U/Adobe Stock)

Missourians reminded of final weeks to secure health coverage

We're entering the last few weeks of open enrollment, and Missourians are being reminded to secure health coverage before it's too late. The …

A text from USPS? It could be a 'smishing' scam

Many people are still expecting holiday packages this week and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing" scams…

To avoid phishing and smishing scams, more than 40 million people have already signed up for

USPS warns GA customers awaiting packages not to fall for 'smishing'

As last-minute holiday packages flow in this week, and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing" scams…

Beef tallow is made from parts of the cow that are not sold as meat and are transported instead to rendering plants. (Adobe Stock)

Skin benefits of beef tallow are lathered on thick

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Arkansas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collab…

Despite service slowdowns and hikes in stamp prices, the U.S. Postal Service lost nearly $10 billion in 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed post office ‘slowdown’ threatens rural Americans

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has made clear he wants the Postal Service to turn a profit. But advocates warn proposed changes would hurt rural …

The Postal Service reports a net loss of $9.5 billion for the end of fiscal year 2024 in September - $3 billion more than the previous year. (Lost_in_the_Midwest/Adobe)

PA postal union concerned new changes will slow, delay holiday mail

Pennsylvanians mailing holiday cards and gifts may face delays due to proposed postal changes. The Postal Service costs-cutting plans include …

As of August, enrollment in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System had reached 66,114 students, representing an increase of 8.4%, according to state data. (Adobe Stock/AI generated image)

KY Community and Technical College System plans major changes

Nearly a dozen changes could be made to the Kentucky Community and Technical College system, under Senate Joint Resolution 179, passed by lawmakers …

USPS recommends deleting 'smishing' texts and blocking the senders.(WesSide/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Oregonians need to watch out for 'smishing' packages

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week, and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for what are known …

USPS warns Coloradans to delete 'smishing' texts about packages

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing" scams…

According to a 2021 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 44 counties in the United States had no grocery stores in 2015; 40 of them were in rural settings. (Adobe Stock)

The ups and downs of combating rural grocery deserts in ND

Several rural communities across North Dakota are strategizing how to slow the pace of local grocery stores shutting down. Some are making use of …

In 2020, the Internet Crime Complaint Center reported more than 240 victims of phishing, smishing and other fraudulent schemes, resulting in losses exceeding $54 million. (EdvvinStudios/Adobe Stock)

Postal Service warns MI customers about smishing 'Grinches'

The United States Postal Service is warning Michiganders not to fall for what are known as smishing scams. These scams involve fraudulent text …

More than 40 million people have signed up for the United States Postal Service's

FL residents warned about 'smishing' scams targeting package deliveries

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing" scams…

More than 40 million people have joined the USPS Informed Delivery program to protect themselves from phishing and smishing scams. (Pexels/Lisa Fotios)

USPS warns customers to watch out for package delivery scams

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing" scams…

The USPS says texts with questionable tracking information and clickable links should be avoided in order to prevent scammers from gaining personal information. (Rokas/Adobe Stock)

USPS warns AR residents to be aware of 'smishing' scams

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week, and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for what are known …

The Federal Trade Commission reported older adults are less likely to report scams than those ages 18-59. Because the majority of fraud cases are not reported, the commission estimates national losses last year alone may be as high as $61.5 billion. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

How to skip the scams this holiday season

The holidays are the busiest time of the year for many people, including scammers. Oregonians lost $136 million to holiday shopping scams last year…

Nationwide, more than 3,000 newspapers have shuttered since 2004, according to Statista. (Adobe Stock)

Addressing Montana's expanding 'news deserts'

Online news organizations are trying to fill the lack of local coverage in Montana's news deserts. As the year ends, a dwindling number of the …

USPS warns NM customers awaiting packages not to fall for 'smishing'

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week, and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for what are known …

Baskets made by craftspeople in New Mexico are often equal parts utilitarian and works of art. (NelsonSirlin/Adobe Stock)<br />

New Mexico artisans offer 'Made in America' holiday gifts

Weekend shoppers in New Mexico may want to buy holiday gifts produced in the U.S. but a new report showed one in five purchases are likely to say…

South Dakota farms produced more than $3.8 billion of corn in 2023, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. A trade war renewed by the incoming Trump administration could harm the state's agricultural producers, according to policy analysts. (Adobe Stock)

Trump tariffs could hit farmers during a rough patch

As President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in next month, the farming community wonders if he'll follow through on tariff threats. One expert says for …

In 2024, first-class mail delivery in Missouri and Kansas dropped from about 90% in 2023 to around 85%. (Олександр Луценко/Adobe Stock)

MO postal union fears rural areas face biggest impact from proposed cuts

Tis the season for lots of mail, and Missouri's Postal Workers Union is warning that proposed USPS cuts could disrupt service and erode trust…

As of 2023, Wisconsin is home to over 450,000 small businesses, employing nearly 1 million people.<br />(Adobe Stock)

An Eau Claire small business braces for Trump tariffs

As the new year quickly approaches, Wisconsin business owners and shoppers alike are bracing for the prospect of tariffs from a new administration …

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Consumer

A push for Oregon's right to repair law to include wheelchairs

Meat, dairy prices edge upwards for IL shoppers due to climate change

New for 2025: A weaker CA lemon law

Experts: Poor farming practices cause most toxic E. coli outbreaks

Vacations steeped in cultural learning all the rage

New MN laws target junk fees, pricey concert tickets

NH rural towns face proposed postal delays in 2025

Toy safety: What to watch for with new products

USPS warns Mississippians of 'smishing' scams targeting package recipients

'Safety valve' meant to limit OH property tax hikes doesn’t help some

NM political expert says 'polarization' is the logical 'word of the year'

Proposed U.S. Postal Service cost increases under scrutiny

Trump administration could tackle corporate food system, help farmers

Natural disasters cost IN farmers millions in crop, cattle damage

MD newsrooms experience slight dip in 2024

Medical, legal experts warn parents about dangers of toys this holiday season

Report: Most ambulance rides in Colorado billed out-of-network

MA unions, worker co-ops tackle historic wealth gap

Cruise ships in Maine ports get failing environmental grade

USPS, state court systems warn CA customers against 'smishing' scams

SD survey: Increasing concerns about health care, prescription costs

Pennsylvania parents warned to check kids' toys for safety

Parents have options to report unsafe holiday toys

NM nonprofit aims to broker affordable housing solutions in Taos

Government subsidies make meat cost less, but with hidden expenses

Tips to help Mainers avoid holiday scams

Now that they're unwrapped, be sure to monitor flawed toys

Missourians reminded of final weeks to secure health coverage

A text from USPS? It could be a 'smishing' scam

USPS warns GA customers awaiting packages not to fall for 'smishing'

Skin benefits of beef tallow are lathered on thick

Proposed post office ‘slowdown’ threatens rural Americans

PA postal union concerned new changes will slow, delay holiday mail

KY Community and Technical College System plans major changes

Oregonians need to watch out for 'smishing' packages

USPS warns Coloradans to delete 'smishing' texts about packages

The ups and downs of combating rural grocery deserts in ND

Postal Service warns MI customers about smishing 'Grinches'

FL residents warned about 'smishing' scams targeting package deliveries

USPS warns customers to watch out for package delivery scams

USPS warns AR residents to be aware of 'smishing' scams

How to skip the scams this holiday season

Addressing Montana's expanding 'news deserts'

USPS warns NM customers awaiting packages not to fall for 'smishing'

New Mexico artisans offer 'Made in America' holiday gifts

Trump tariffs could hit farmers during a rough patch

MO postal union fears rural areas face biggest impact from proposed cuts

An Eau Claire small business braces for Trump tariffs