Consumer Protection
Consumer watchdog CFPB faces its biggest test yet after 15 turbulent years
State attorneys general are coming to the aid of the bedraggled agency
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.
Minimum wage hikes arrived Jan. 1, but tipped workers largely left out
The tradition of tipping service workers has its roots in the Civil War era
Money
No state meets basic protections for debt-burdened families, report finds
States fail to offer effective help to working poor families
Stressed? Anxious? You're a candidate for an ashwagandha sales pitch
It's yet another herb that fetches a hefty price from the worried well
Money
Cuts in housing subsidies could result in 600,000 evictions, report warns
Consumer advocates are urging Congress to act
Cars
Looking for a cheap car? Keep looking
The Nissan Versa is gone and the Kia K4 is taking its place but there's not much competition
Has Texas Congressman Al Green given up his effort to impeach Trump?
Democratic leaders voted "present" as the House turned down his latest effort. What happens next? Nothing?
States challenge $100k visa fee for STEM, doctors and other vital workers
The states are banding together to resist authoritarian federal actions.
Money
'Mobile homes' aren't mobile anymore - and that's a problem
Private equity is taking over the land that manufactured homes sit on and the owners are trapped
Cars
Trump pitches tiny electric cars from Japan while rolling back support for EVs in the U.S.
The two things don't seem to fit together
Consumer Protection
Prisoners being ripped off by Aramark, class action lawsuit charges
There's little public sympathy for prison inmates but everyone has to eat
Seniors
Home care for seniors may soon come from robotic sensors
When humans can't do it, technology is keeping seniors safe, or at least somewhat safe, at home