Health
DOJ drops criminal baby-formula probe; Abbott avoids charges
Senior feds terminate criminal investigation of Abbott Labs baby-formula contamination.
James R. Hood
James R. Hood, an editor and consumer-affairs journalist with more than five decades of experience, has held senior editorial leadership roles at The Associated Press, United Press International, Zapnews and ConsumerAffairs.
Money
The Southern squeeze: Nashville, Atlanta and the renters who gave up
Renting is now cheaper than owning in every major market, an analysis shows
Health
Benadryl is still everywhere. Brain-health warnings haven’t slowed its use
The popular over-the-counter medicine is easy to buy, but geriatric experts have warned for years that diphenhydramine can be risky for older adults
National Safety Recalls - June 27
Top hazards today Treatlife smoke/CO detectors — Recalled because they can fail to alert consumers to a fire, creating a risk of serious injury or death. Sold on Amazon. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) Raychy children’s light-up sneakers — Recalled because accessible lithium coin batteries pose ingestion hazards;
Money
'We buy any house, even yours' - good idea, or not?
The "discount for cash" deal is standard in lots of business dealings, where both parties know what they're doing, but it's often a bad model for homeowners attracted by the notion of a fast, as-is sale.
Money
California drivers sue gas station chains, claiming AI helped inflate pump prices
A new class-action lawsuit says fuel-pricing software turned old-fashioned price fixing into an automated system
Money
The algorithm sets the price: how major U.S. newspapers personalize subscription offers — and what the Washington Post lawsuit means for the industry
The complaint is the first major test of so-called surveillance pricing in the U.S. news industry, but the practice is not unique to the Post.
Consumer Protection
CFPB overhauls complaint system, raising fears of new hurdles for consumers
The CFPB says it is cleaning up an overloaded complaint portal but consumer advocates are skeptical.
Consumer Protection
Outraged consumers: They're fed up with broken customer service — and companies may be running out of excuses
Americans say they are spending more time, money and emotional energy trying to solve routine problems with airlines, banks, retailers, telecoms, health insurers and delivery companies.
Money
Renters face a new affordability threat: the fee-stuffed lease
Apartment hunting has always required math. But for many renters, the advertised rent is now only the starting point.
Money
Trump cancels bill-signing for bipartisan housing bill passed overwhelmingly by Congress
The measure becomes law in ten days, with or without Trump's signature.
Consumer Protection
New Jersey puts businesses on notice: hidden ‘junk fees’ may violate consumer fraud law
The state’s new enforcement statement takes aim at surprise charges, vague add-ons, dark patterns and fees that provide little or no value.