Consumer Issues / Public News Service

Eye-care professionals say limiting screen time before bedtime, using blue light-blocking filters on your devices, and wearing blue light-blocking glasses can all help protect from potential health risks. (Pixabay)

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Blue Light Exposure: Understanding the Risks

With the increasing use of digital devices and computers in daily life, we're all exposed to more and more blue light. They may be convenient and …

Around 44 million American families are carrying approximately $1.7 trillion in student debt. (Burlingham/Adobestock)

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Tips for Student Loan Borrowers Waiting for Answers on Debt Relief

Millions of Americans with student loans are anxious to hear if the Supreme Court will uphold President Joe Biden's plan to offer up to $20,000 in stu…

In 2021, U.S. supermarket and grocery stores made more than $800 billion in profits, more than double the amount generated two decades ago, according to Statista. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Kroger-Albertson’s Merger Could Reduce KY Food Access

Kentucky food banks say the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons, currently under review by the Federal Trade Commission, could trigger an …

The most recent Arkansas Food Desert Working Group report found the state has

Grocery Chain Mega-Merger Could Affect Rural Arkansas

The proposed merger between the grocery chains Albertsons and Kroger has antitrust laws in the spotlight, as the supermarket companies are already …

Rural hospitals in Medicaid expansion states are 62% less likely to close, in large part because expansion reduces the burden of uncompensated care, when patients without insurance can't pay for services. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

Lawmakers Consider Expanding Health Coverage for 19,000 Workers

A bill that would expand Medicaid coverage for some 19,000 Wyoming workers who earn too much to qualify for standard Medicaid, but can't afford …

Anyone can get lung cancer from radon, including people who have never smoked. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

NC Officials Encourage Testing for Radon

As January comes to a close so does Radon Action Month, but officials want North Carolinians to test for the poisonous gas this winter. Radon is a …

Wind power is the most productive renewable energy source in the U.S., generating nearly half of America's renewable energy, according to the World Economic Forum. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

IA Regulators Require Release of MidAmerican Wind Energy Studies

Environmental groups are pleased with an Iowa Utilities Board ruling that requires MidAmerican Energy to make planning studies public for its Iowa Win…

Eye doctors warn that kids who spend excessive time on laptops, cell phones and tablets could end up with vision problems as adults. (Marco/Adobe Stock)

Protecting the 'Eyes of Texas' in the Age of Digital Overload

It is not a pandemic yet, but eye doctors worry the constant use of digital devices could eventually result in long-term health problems for many …

Super Bowl LVII will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Feb. 12. (Katherine Welles/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

Big Economic Boosts Forecast for AZ as Super Bowl LVII Approaches

Super Bowl LVII is right around the corner, which means Arizona will see hefty spending and wide exposure because of the massive sporting event…

According to the Tennessee Environmental Council, recycling keeps valuable materials in the economy rather than in local landfills. It estimates Tennesseeans throw away $180 million worth of recyclable materials every year. (Sorapop/Adobe Stock)

TN Bill Would Revamp Recycling Process Statewide

A bill in the Tennessee Legislature aims to reduce packaging materials that end up in landfills by improving recycling in the Volunteer State…

In 2022, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family health insurance is $22,463, while the average cost of self-only coverage is $7,911, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

Fix Opens Options for Households with Costly Employer Health Coverage

Many Kentuckians who have affordable employer health coverage for themselves but not for their dependents and spouses now qualify for financial assist…

Exposure to methane from oil and gas wells is known to cause health problems, including asthma, along with higher rates of leukemia, lymphoma and cancer. (Cavan/Adobe Stock)

Stronger Federal Methane Rules Would Benefit NM Residents, But When?

New Mexico residents have two weeks to submit written comments to the Environmental Protection Agency about its proposal to implement stronger standar…

Some 21% of Tennessee's population lives in areas considered

An Albertsons-Kroger Merger Could Impact Rural Tennessee

The proposed merger between the grocery chains Albertsons and Kroger has antitrust laws in the spotlight, as the supermarket companies are already …

In the past year, consumers saw the biggest inflation hike in 40 years, which took a bite out of grocery budgets. (Adobe Stock)

SD Enters Debate Mode on Grocery Tax Repeal

A South Dakota legislative committee has begun discussions on a plan to repeal the state's grocery tax. It has been a politically divisive issue …

About 400 fatal crashes happen each year as a direct result of texting and driving nationally, according to Sensiblemotive. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Lawmakers Push for Drivers' Hands-Free Cellphone Use

Iowa lawmakers are considering a bill which would dramatically reduce the use of cellphones in vehicles. Right now, it is illegal in Iowa to send or …

CDC research shows that proper gun storage could help prevent an estimated 26,000 firearm-related suicides that occur annually in the United States. (vectorass/Adobe Stock)

Gun-Safety Advocates Face Uphill Battle with Indiana Lawmakers

Advocates of gun-law reform face an uphill battle to push their ideas through the Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly, but say public …

In a recent survey, 62% of Washingtonians said they've experienced at least one health care affordability burden in the past year. (grzejnik1981/Adobe Stock)

WA Lawmakers Look to Tackle Staggering Health Care Cost Increases

Lawmakers in Olympia have introduced a host of measures to address one of the biggest issues facing Washingtonians: rising health care costs…

Research shows that cooking with natural gas can emit toxic fumes such as methane and nitrogen dioxide into the home and the atmosphere. (malkovkosta/Adobe Stock)

Consumer Warning on Gas Stove Emissions Sparks Controversy

The health risks associated with gas-burning stoves have caused a recent stir and fears of a government ban on the appliances, but a Michigan …

A known risk factor for glaucoma is elevated intraocular, or internal eye, pressure. (Nicholas Felix/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Eye Screenings Recommended for Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. It is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. and anyone can have it, so a Pennsylvania expert said it is one …

National health spending is projected to reach $6.2 trillion by 2028, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Adobe Stock)

Task Force Makes Recommendations for NC Public Health

The North Carolina Institute of Medicine is making new recommendations to improve public health in the state. The suggestions focus on expanding …

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes provisions to lower prescription drug costs for people with Medicare coverage, including those who take insulin, which went into effect this month. (Sebra/Adobe Stock)

New Changes to Medicare Set to Benefit Georgia Seniors

Big changes are underway for Medicare participants, after historic legislation put them in motion this month. More than 1.8 million Georgians who …

More than 58 million chickens in 47 states have been affected by the most recent avian flu outbreak, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Farm Group Asks FTC to Investigate Egg 'Price Collusion'

A national farmers' advocacy group is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the possibility of price collusion between major egg producer…

The proposed Alberstons/Kroger merger was announced in October and is currently under federal review. (MortalConviction at English Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons)

Albertsons-Kroger Merger Raises Concerns for Rural CA

The proposed merger between supermarket giants Albertsons and Kroger is raising alarm bells in rural communities worried about the impact on consumers…

Stigma continues to be one of the biggest barriers for addressing mental health, and telehealth provides a confidential option. (Adobe Stock)

Post-Pandemic Telehealth Visits Remain High for Mental Health

The use of telehealth has dropped since its peak during the height of the COVID-19 public health emergency, but more Coloradans continue to opt for …

More than 1 in 7 households nationwide paid over half of their income on housing in 2020, according to a report by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. (Adobe Stock)

KY's Housing Shortage Worsened by Natural Disasters

Kentucky is facing a serious housing shortage, and the past few years of deadly floods and tornadoes have worsened the situation. Advocates want …

Unburned gas from stoves and building pipelines collected in the greater Boston area contained twenty-one different hazardous air pollutants known as volatile organic compounds, including benzene, which increases risks for asthma, cancer, and other illnesses. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ventilation Key to Reducing Health Risks from Gas-Burning Stoves

The health risks associated with gas-burning stoves have caused a recent stir and unfounded fears of a government ban on the appliances, but …

In 2021, the total cost of the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was around $113 billion. The significant increase from the previous year's total of $79 billion was in large part the result of extra pandemic-related benefits. (Adobe Stock)

IA Lawmakers Propose Severe Restrictions for Food Assistance

A Republican-backed bill in the Iowa Legislature seeks to put strict new limits on which foods people could buy at the grocery store using public-assi…

About 6% of all cars sold in the United States in 2022 were battery-electric powered, but officials say the number of EVs is expected to grow to 25% by 2030. (ake1150/Adobe Stock)

Report: EVs Could Impact Future Highway-Maintenance Funding

Most experts agree that putting more electric vehicles on the road is a positive step toward fighting climate change, but a new report warns that …

Minnesota's electric utilities have already reached a goal of 25% renewable-energy generation by 2025. But supporters of a new standard say the climate crisis has created a sense of urgency to revise the goal. (Adobe Stock)

MN Puts Proposed "100% Carbon-Free" Goal on Fast Track

Minnesota has surpassed the goals it set more than a decade ago for renewable-energy standards. But as the climate crisis grows larger, there's a …

Nearly one in five new mothers participating in Wyoming's Medicaid Pregnant Women Program lose their health insurance 60 days after giving birth. (Adobe Stock)

WY Lawmakers Consider Extended Health Coverage for New Moms

New mothers in Wyoming enrolled in the Medicaid Pregnant Women Program lose their health insurance 60 days after giving birth, but a new bill making …

Billionaire wealth has increased by $2.7 billion per day, while more than 1.7 billion people live in countries where their wages, adjusted for inflation, have declined. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Rich Got Richer, Workers Left Behind During Pandemic

The world's richest 1% took home almost twice as much wealth as the bottom 99% combined during the pandemic, according to a new Oxfam International …

Albertsons was founded in Boise, Idaho, in 1939. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

ID-Based Albertsons Merger with Kroger Could Impact Rural U.S.

The proposed merger between the Idaho-based grocery chain Albertsons and Kroger has antitrust laws in the spotlight, as the supermarket companies are …

The requirement for the state to maintain continuous Medi-Cal health insurance coverage regardless of eligibility will end March 31. (Lordn/Adobestock)

State Projects Millions Could Lose Medi-Cal as Renewals Start Back Up

Starting in April, an estimated 2-3 million people could be dropped from Medi-Cal, the state's health insurance program for low-income people…

The 50-story Trammel Crow Center in the downtown Dallas Arts District has received multiple green building certifications since it was completed in the 1980s. (dallaswartsdistrict.org)

TX Among Top 10 States for Green Building in 2022

The 2022 ranking of "green" buildings shows Texas in 9th place, demonstrating a commitment to LEED certification, according to the U.S. Green …

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, New York has a shortage of 615,025 rental homes that are affordable and available to extremely low-income renters. (Gov. Kathy Hochul)

Critics: NY State of State Address Misses Needed Solutions

While Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State speech addressed key issues affecting New Yorkers, some feel the solutions fell short. In her speech…

Almost 98 of every 100,000 African Americans have died from COVID-19, a mortality rate one-third higher than for Latinos, and more than double the COVID death rate among whites. (Adobe Stock)

NAACP Workshops Aim to Teach Medical Self-Advocacy

A series of online health workshops from the NAACP of Manchester aims to address health disparities in communities of color, and also help people …

Currently, six states have prescription drug affordability boards, while states like Massachusetts and New York have similar arrangements. Other states, including Connecticut, are considering legislation. (Adobe Stock)

Nursing Homes, Prescription Prices Top Concerns for AARP Virginia

Nursing home staff shortages and rising prescription drug prices are two of the big legislative priorities this year for AARP Virginia. The group …

There are 1,168 businesses designated as Tractors and Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing businesses in the U.S. as of 2023, a slight increase over last year. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Farm Mechanics Win 'Right to Repair'

Tractor maker Deere and Company has reached a deal with the American Farm Bureau Federation to allow independent mechanics to work on John Deere brand…

In the Minnesota Legislature, there's a prospective price-gouging bill for emergencies, and violators could see a maximum penalty of $25,000 per day. (Adobe Stock)

Bill to Prevent Price Gouging in Emergencies Surfaces in MN

From supply shortages at the start of the pandemic to recent inflation spikes, consumer prices have sometimes been linked to claims of price gouging…

Crickets are now being used in some types of pet food as an alternative source of protein. (Adobe Stock)

Taking the 'Bark' Out of Carbon Emissions Linked to Pet Food Production

By Claire Elise Thompson for Grist.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Prairie News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration …

In the fall of 2020, among four-year universities and community colleges nationwide, male freshmen enrollment declined 1.3%, while female freshmen enrollment fell 3.2%. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming Bucks National Trend of Women Stopping Out of Higher Education

Wyoming has managed to buck a national trend which has seen female students opting out of college at more than twice the rate of males since 2020…

According to a report from AARP New York, one solution to lack of accessible rural homes for seniors would be to create a tax credit of up to $2,750. It would be available to homeowners who retrofit their homes to make them more accessible to those who use walkers or wheelchairs or have trouble with steps. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Senior Rural NYers Face Housing, Transportation Disparities

A recent report from AARP New York finds older rural New Yorkers are struggling to age in place due to a wealth of disparities. The two biggest …

Approval of labor unions is at its highest point since 1965, according to a Gallup poll conducted in August 2022. (Nelos/AdobeStock)

Microsoft Video Game Studios in Texas, Maryland Vote to Unionize

For decades, many in the video game industry have objected to low pay, poor working conditions and discrimination. Now, some people at Microsoft - …

Soaring utility bills have been linked to an increase in natural-gas prices, costs which are passed along directly to consumers. (Adobe Stock)

Rising Utility Bills Unsustainable for Many Colorado Households

Experts are warning Colorado households utility bills currently making their way to mailboxes are likely to be even higher than the supersized bills p…

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more people might renew ACA coverage in 2023 than ever before. (Adobe Stock)

Still Time for New ACA Enrollment or Plan Changes

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act ends on Jan. 15 at midnight ET. The federal government reports nearly 16 …

According to a report from the Rand Corporation, almost 60% of Connecticut's 113,000 undocumented immigrants lack access to health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Seek Expansion of CT Public Health for Immigrants

Connecticut lawmakers are being asked to expand HUSKY - the state's Medicaid program - to include immigrants, regardless of their status. Two years …

A 2021 housing affordability study found a decent two-bedroom apartment in the Omaha and Council Bluffs market would require a minimum wage of $19 an hour, more than many essential jobs in the area pay. (Adobe Stock)

ARPA Funds to Build Affordable Housing in Omaha-Council Bluffs

More affordable housing is coming to a Nebraska market that really needs it. An Omaha nonprofit has partnered with the City of Omaha, and was …

Virginia law says all state agencies and institutions need to take

VA Bill Would Ban Withholding Student Transcripts for Debt Collection

As the Virginia General Assembly begins its new legislative session, one bill will be returning - with the goal of alleviating some student-debt …

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Consumer

Blue Light Exposure: Understanding the Risks

Tips for Student Loan Borrowers Waiting for Answers on Debt Relief

Kroger-Albertson’s Merger Could Reduce KY Food Access

Grocery Chain Mega-Merger Could Affect Rural Arkansas

Lawmakers Consider Expanding Health Coverage for 19,000 Workers

NC Officials Encourage Testing for Radon

IA Regulators Require Release of MidAmerican Wind Energy Studies

Protecting the 'Eyes of Texas' in the Age of Digital Overload

Big Economic Boosts Forecast for AZ as Super Bowl LVII Approaches

TN Bill Would Revamp Recycling Process Statewide

Fix Opens Options for Households with Costly Employer Health Coverage

Stronger Federal Methane Rules Would Benefit NM Residents, But When?

An Albertsons-Kroger Merger Could Impact Rural Tennessee

SD Enters Debate Mode on Grocery Tax Repeal

Iowa Lawmakers Push for Drivers' Hands-Free Cellphone Use

Gun-Safety Advocates Face Uphill Battle with Indiana Lawmakers

WA Lawmakers Look to Tackle Staggering Health Care Cost Increases

Consumer Warning on Gas Stove Emissions Sparks Controversy

Eye Screenings Recommended for Glaucoma Awareness Month

Task Force Makes Recommendations for NC Public Health

New Changes to Medicare Set to Benefit Georgia Seniors

Farm Group Asks FTC to Investigate Egg 'Price Collusion'

Albertsons-Kroger Merger Raises Concerns for Rural CA

Post-Pandemic Telehealth Visits Remain High for Mental Health

KY's Housing Shortage Worsened by Natural Disasters

Ventilation Key to Reducing Health Risks from Gas-Burning Stoves

IA Lawmakers Propose Severe Restrictions for Food Assistance

Report: EVs Could Impact Future Highway-Maintenance Funding

MN Puts Proposed "100% Carbon-Free" Goal on Fast Track

WY Lawmakers Consider Extended Health Coverage for New Moms

Report: Rich Got Richer, Workers Left Behind During Pandemic

ID-Based Albertsons Merger with Kroger Could Impact Rural U.S.

State Projects Millions Could Lose Medi-Cal as Renewals Start Back Up

TX Among Top 10 States for Green Building in 2022

Critics: NY State of State Address Misses Needed Solutions

NAACP Workshops Aim to Teach Medical Self-Advocacy

Nursing Homes, Prescription Prices Top Concerns for AARP Virginia

Farm Mechanics Win 'Right to Repair'

Bill to Prevent Price Gouging in Emergencies Surfaces in MN

Taking the 'Bark' Out of Carbon Emissions Linked to Pet Food Production

Wyoming Bucks National Trend of Women Stopping Out of Higher Education

Report: Senior Rural NYers Face Housing, Transportation Disparities

Microsoft Video Game Studios in Texas, Maryland Vote to Unionize

Rising Utility Bills Unsustainable for Many Colorado Households

Still Time for New ACA Enrollment or Plan Changes

Advocates Seek Expansion of CT Public Health for Immigrants

ARPA Funds to Build Affordable Housing in Omaha-Council Bluffs

VA Bill Would Ban Withholding Student Transcripts for Debt Collection