Consumer Issues / Public News Service

Randi Atwell packed up all her belongings last July and left Lucky Turn Apartments, located in Beech Grove. (T Fenwick/Mirror Indy)

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Agency failures push Indy families toward homelessness

By Emily Hopkins and Tyler Fenwick for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press In…

According to the National Retail Federation, American consumers spend an average of $902 on gifts and other holiday items each Christmas. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Rising consumer interest drives push for USA-made holiday gifts

When surveyed, 77% of Americans prefer to buy goods made in the United States, especially during holidays, and 82% said they would buy more if …

Every 24 hours, between 3 and 6 billion animals are killed for food. That comes to a lower-end estimate of 1.2 trillion animals killed every year, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Few animal welfare laws lead to misery in factory farms

Advocates said a lack of animal welfare laws is leading to pain and suffering on American factory farms. Close to 99% of livestock is now raised in …

U.S. counties with state minimum wages between $7.26 and $9 saw a reduction in obesity by 0.6 percentage points, while counties with minimum wages of more than $9 experienced an obesity reduction of 2.8 percentage points, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins University. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Colorado obesity rate linked to economic inequality, low minimum wages

More than one in five Coloradans are considered obese, a chronic medical condition leading to serious health risks and a new study links obesity to …

Valdosta State University is one of the 26 higher education institutions that make up the University System of Georgia. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Georgia Match program hailed as college enrollment rises in GA

Georgia higher education officials are crediting a program assisting high school students with a wave of new enrollment in the state's colleges and un…

Downtown Boise has the highest concentration of locally owned businesses in Idaho, according to the Downtown Boise Association. (John/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Small Business Saturday keeps holiday shopping dollars local

Small businesses are reminding people to shop locally as the holiday shopping season kicks off this week. Local communities around the country…

The Northern Illinois Food Bank reports that in 13 counties, 100,000 children are food insecure. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

IL food banks to receive USDA funding to address low food inventory

People will gather over the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends to count their blessings. While the holiday feast is plentiful for many…

Milk is the only food that makes up an entire food group. (magdal3na/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Activist: Dairy may not be best way to get your calcium

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

Deer-vehicle collisions tend to rise during the fall and winter months when deer are more active due to mating season and shorter days. (Lee/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Deer on the move: Holiday driving tips for MO

This Thanksgiving, AAA reported nearly 72 million people are expected to travel by car, setting a record. The Missouri Highway Patrol is warning …

Glitches last winter with federal student aid forms, known as the FAFSA, led the feds to temporarily relax document verification standards - creating fertile ground for bad actors seeking to defraud California colleges. (Piter2121/Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

CA community colleges lose millions to financial aid fraud

State data first reported by EdSource show that fraudsters have stolen more than $7.5 million in student financial aid from California community colle…

After a slight increase in 2022, the number of 2023-2024 western monarchs

Monday, November 25, 2024

Montanans can help keep monarch butterflies off the endangered list

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will decide by early December whether to list the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act. Wildlife …

Food insecure research site Feeding America reports nearly 951,000 or 1 in 7 Hoosiers face hunger.(Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

USDA grant helps stock IN food pantries

People will gather over the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends to count their blessings. While the holiday feast is plentiful for many…

New Mexico immigrant advocacy groups said mass deportations promised by the next Trump administration would destabilize local economies. (LRafael/AdobeStock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

NM human rights groups promise to defend immigrants against deportation

New Mexico immigrant-based and immigrant-serving organizations are developing strategies to defend those workers and their families in the new year…

West Virginia has the nation's third highest electricity costs as a percentage of household income, according to a 2022 report by Citizens Utility Board of Illinois. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

Grid operator's $14 billion in costs mean higher bills for WV residents

Major electric grid operator PJM Interconnection estimates it'll cost more than $14 billion to provide electricity for 2025-2026, up from $2.2 …

Colorado's Hospital Discounted Care law requires all hospitals to take steps to make hospital bills more affordable for low- to moderate-income residents. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

CO hospitals fail on informing consumers about rights and discounts

Colorado hospitals got failing grades for compliance with the Colorado Hospital Discounted Care law, according to a new report. The law passed in 20…

Some 72% of those benefiting from the programs of United Methodist Churches are not members of those congregations. In effect, says a new report, rural Methodist churches are de facto community centers, much like urban congregations. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

NC church becomes hub for disaster relief, community resilience

Churches are often seen as cornerstones of their communities in North Carolina and elsewhere, but Swansboro United Methodist Church in Onslow County …

Many countries in the world have reusable bottle systems. (Alvaro/Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

Two Oregon companies forge sustainable path for beer, wine bottles

By Allison Frost for Oregon Public Broadcasting.Broadcast version by Isobel Charlé for Oregon News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism…

Food systems are responsible for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with meat production, particularly beef, being a significant driver. (CanYalicn/Adobe Stock)

From Ohio to Azerbaijan: How COP29 could shape local farming

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

Xcel Energy officials and Minnesota dignitaries gathered this week for a ceremonial connection of the company's Sherco solar facility. Phase One is now online and the utility says once fully operational, Sherco will power 150,000 homes. (Photo courtesy Xcel)

Following solar news, is MN closer to reaching carbon-free goal?

Minnesota's solar energy outlook took a big step forward this week with a new project coming online, bringing the conversation back into focus about …

According to Florida Atlantic University researchers, alcohol consumption varies significantly by region worldwide and in the U.S. (Pixabay/Pen_ash) According to FAU researchers alcohol consumption varies significantly by region worldwide and in the U.S. (Pixabay/Pen_ash)

Health experts call attention to rising alcohol mortality rates

A recent study from Florida Atlantic University highlighted a concerning rise in alcohol-related deaths across the United States, with mortality …

Research shows in the United States and globally, alcohol consumption is a major cause of preventable death and disability and increases liver disease, mental health disorders and accidents. (Adobe Stock)

Florida researchers highlight alarming rise in alcohol-related deaths

A recent study from Florida Atlantic University highlights a concerning rise in alcohol-related deaths across the United States, with mortality rates …

Use caulk, spray foam and weather stripping to keep more heat inside the home. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Supports available in OR to help with winter heating bills

La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder. This is the third year of …

According to federal data, Nebraska has more than 45,000 people with dual enrollment for Medicare and Medicaid. Mental healthcare providers say there's been a bump in the road dealing with reimbursement rates, meaning some of these patients will fall through the cracks. (Adobe Stock)

In NE, reimbursement hang-up threatens mental health care access for some

The mental healthcare landscape in Nebraska is being upended by policies for reimbursing providers who see patients covered by both Medicare and Medic…

Easy Estates, put together by NDSU architectural student Noah Boen, was one of the winning designs in a North Dakota competition to spur more age-friendly housing. An AARP survey found 55% of state residents prioritize living independently as they age if they were to consider moving out of their current residence. (Photo courtesy AARP)

ND project lays out new 'age-friendly' housing vision

Recent surveys show a majority of North Dakotans want housing that allows them to live independently as they age. But there aren't a lot of suitable …

The middle 20% of Americans, families making between $55,000 and $94,000, would face an average tax increase of $1,530 in 2026 under Trump tax proposals. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado working families would pay more under Trump tax proposals

President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have promised to pass a new tax bill, and a new report breaks down the expected winners and …

Changes could be coming to Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act as President-elect Donald Trump builds his administration. (I Viewfinder/Adobe Stock)

2nd Trump term to affect health coverage for Arkansans

Low-income Arkansas families could be in for some big cuts to health care under a second Trump administration, according to health experts. Policy …

Some Dual Special Needs plans can be used to pay for a variety of different things, including fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood. (Adobe Stock)

Dec 7 deadline for CO Medicare-Medicaid enrollees to get additional benefits

Over 150,000 Coloradans with both Medicare and Medicaid coverage who need additional help - whether due to disabilities, age, income or health …

Under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, Dual Special Needs Plans must secure contracts with the state Medicaid agency to enhance the integration of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for

PA Medicaid, Medicare dual enrollees may qualify for expanded benefits

Many Pennsylvania residents could benefit from health coverage known as a Dual Special Needs Plan, but may be unaware of this option. According to …

It's estimated that more than 2 million Georgians have prediabetes, a condition that can often be reversed with weight loss, regular exercise and healthier eating habits. (Adobe Stock)

Expert offers tips to prevent, manage diabetes in Georgia

More than 38 million Americans live with diabetes, including nearly 1 million Georgians. The Georgia Department of Public Health estimates another 2…

Research site Statista lists 23,000 specialty physicians in Illinois including 2071 radiologists, 1489 cardiologists and 987 oncologists. (Adobe Stock)

IL doctors seek revisions to their Medicare reimbursement amounts

The number of Medicare enrollees is projected to rise over the next few years as the baby boomer population ages. More than 2 million Illinoisans are …

After immigrating to the U.S. many immigrants and their families encounter challenges, including low-paying jobs, language barriers and navigating complex systems. (artiom.photo/Adobe Stock)

Immigrant families in northwest AR struggle to make ends meet

By Antoinette Grajeda for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop…

Dual Special Needs Plans offer Medicare and Medicaid coverage for eligible consumers. (Adobe Stock)

Dual Special Needs Plans in NY can provide extra health care benefits

Some New Yorkers could see a host of benefits from Dual Special Needs Plan, which offer Medicare and Medicaid coverage for eligible consumers…

Since the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program began in 2017, SNAP households have purchased more than $63 million from local farmers in healthy, local foods. (Adobe Stock)

MA farmers, families brace for cuts to fresh produce benefits

Massachusetts farmers said they are bracing for revenue losses due to cuts in fresh produce SNAP benefits. Starting Dec. 1, families who utilize the …

Research has found the stability of parents' home ownership contributes to their kids' higher standardized test scores in math and reading. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

New coalition aims to address Oregon home ownership 'crisis'

With housing prices nearly doubling in the last 10 years, the number of Oregonians who can afford to buy a home without assistance has dwindled and a …

Americans can expect to pay $31.16 for a 15-pound turkey this Thanksgiving - an average of $2.08 per pound, according to Nasdaq. (Brent Hofacker/Adobe Stock)

Turkey prices down as NH Thanksgiving meal prep begins

Many Granite Staters are starting to plan for holiday meals - and when it comes to food prices, the news is mixed. According to consumer experts…

Dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid enrollees are a diverse group - nearly half are people of color, and 40% are under age 65 - yet they share common traits, including limited financial means and more complex healthcare needs than typical Medicare enrollees. (Deemerwha studio/Adobe Stock)

From health care to groceries: Ohio dual benefits help vulnerable residents

With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period underway, many Ohioans find themselves weighing their health plan options for the new year. This period…

Consumer advocates say higher grocery prices are no longer the result of supply-chain issues, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Group blames corporate greed for MT food price gouging

Farm advocates say price gouging on meat and poultry are taking a toll on Montanans. A farm group cites U.S. Department of Agriculture data as …

The City of Seattle aims to cut all climate pollution by 2030. (CLShebley/Adobe Stock)

Green New Deal community assemblies in Seattle pioneer citizen involvement

Community members in Seattle had a unique opportunity to weigh in on the policies guiding the city's climate goals. In 2019, the City of Seattle …

University of Minnesota researchers say for every two news outlets around the state that have closed up shop since 2018, one new local outlet has launched during the same period. (Adobe Stock)

Checking the pulse of MN's news landscape

This past election cycle has again raised questions about the viability of news outlets, and how audiences are consuming information. New research …

Episcopal Health Foundation's survey found that households with diabetes are more likely to say they should eat better and exercise more. More than three quarters (76%) of Texans in households with diabetes say their daily diet could be healthier and 74% say they should be getting more physical exercise. (ratmaner/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Diabetes in TX is a major problem

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and a recent survey by Episcopal Health Foundation shows that nearly half of adults in Texas say they …

In 17% of Colorado households with children, the children are not eating enough because the family did not earn enough to purchase enough food, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Adobe Stock)

Hunger Free Colorado celebrates 15th birthday

Colorado's leading advocate for people experiencing hunger turns 15 this year and a new report outlined key advances and persistent challenges facing …

The rise in food costs has slowed in the last year, but prices are still up about 20% from four years ago. (Adobe Stock)

Expert weighs in on holiday grocery budget

With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, many Wyomingites are starting to budget for the holidays. When it comes to the cost of food, there's …

Wisconsin will receive $78 million over five years from the federal government to expand electric vehicle improvements. It plans to have all new charging stations up and running by 2025. (Adobe Stock)

WI makes innovative strides, but lags in EV adoption

Electric vehicles have seen a nationwide uptick, yet Wisconsin lags behind - with EVs making up only about 1% of all cars on the road. …

According to the South Dakota Secretary of State, South Dakota's Referred Law 21 was ousted by voters 59% to 41%. (Brent Coulter)<br />

Eminent domain reform could follow ousted SD pipeline law

In last week's election, South Dakota voters defeated the carbon pipeline law by a wide margin, but pipeline companies could still gain ground in …

Economists suggest for a more budget-friendly holiday feast, consider hosting a potluck. Sharing dishes not only brings variety to the table but helps spread the costs among guests. (Adobe Stock)

What Coloradans can expect on holiday groceries, and tips for saving money

With Thanksgiving now two weeks away, will Coloradans face sticker shock at the grocery store while planning their holiday meals? There is a mix of …

The FBI is investigating a nationwide wave of harassing texts with messages referencing slavery. In Wisconsin, Black residents of all ages have reported receiving them. (Adobe Stock)

WI wave of racist texts sparks concerns over data privacy

CORRECTION: The legislation mentioned in this story was passed by the Wisconsin State Assembly. It has not yet been voted on by the state Senate…

Every major insurer increased its number of Dual Special Needs Plan offerings between 2018 and 2024. <br />(fotofabrika/Adobe Stock)

Missourians may qualify for health plans with extra benefits

As we roll into the final weeks of Medicare's open enrollment, some Missourians may not realize they qualify for a specific type of health insurance …

Virtual power plants, a microgrid connecting renewable energy with smart appliances, costs ratepayers 40% to 60% less than building and maintaining conventional coal or gas-powered plants. (Adobe Stock)

Creating virtual power plants for resiliency during extreme weather, wildfires

An electric cooperative supplying power to Western Colorado is pioneering energy independence for homes, businesses and farms. They are creating a …

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Consumer

Agency failures push Indy families toward homelessness

Rising consumer interest drives push for USA-made holiday gifts

Few animal welfare laws lead to misery in factory farms

Colorado obesity rate linked to economic inequality, low minimum wages

Georgia Match program hailed as college enrollment rises in GA

Small Business Saturday keeps holiday shopping dollars local

IL food banks to receive USDA funding to address low food inventory

Activist: Dairy may not be best way to get your calcium

Deer on the move: Holiday driving tips for MO

CA community colleges lose millions to financial aid fraud

Montanans can help keep monarch butterflies off the endangered list

USDA grant helps stock IN food pantries

NM human rights groups promise to defend immigrants against deportation

Grid operator's $14 billion in costs mean higher bills for WV residents

CO hospitals fail on informing consumers about rights and discounts

NC church becomes hub for disaster relief, community resilience

Two Oregon companies forge sustainable path for beer, wine bottles

From Ohio to Azerbaijan: How COP29 could shape local farming

Following solar news, is MN closer to reaching carbon-free goal?

Health experts call attention to rising alcohol mortality rates

Florida researchers highlight alarming rise in alcohol-related deaths

Supports available in OR to help with winter heating bills

In NE, reimbursement hang-up threatens mental health care access for some

ND project lays out new 'age-friendly' housing vision

Colorado working families would pay more under Trump tax proposals

2nd Trump term to affect health coverage for Arkansans

Dec 7 deadline for CO Medicare-Medicaid enrollees to get additional benefits

PA Medicaid, Medicare dual enrollees may qualify for expanded benefits

Expert offers tips to prevent, manage diabetes in Georgia

IL doctors seek revisions to their Medicare reimbursement amounts

Immigrant families in northwest AR struggle to make ends meet

Dual Special Needs Plans in NY can provide extra health care benefits

MA farmers, families brace for cuts to fresh produce benefits

New coalition aims to address Oregon home ownership 'crisis'

Turkey prices down as NH Thanksgiving meal prep begins

From health care to groceries: Ohio dual benefits help vulnerable residents

Group blames corporate greed for MT food price gouging

Green New Deal community assemblies in Seattle pioneer citizen involvement

Checking the pulse of MN's news landscape

Survey: Diabetes in TX is a major problem

Hunger Free Colorado celebrates 15th birthday

Expert weighs in on holiday grocery budget

WI makes innovative strides, but lags in EV adoption

Eminent domain reform could follow ousted SD pipeline law

What Coloradans can expect on holiday groceries, and tips for saving money

WI wave of racist texts sparks concerns over data privacy

Missourians may qualify for health plans with extra benefits

Creating virtual power plants for resiliency during extreme weather, wildfires