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Fed Hikes Interest Rates For First Time Since 2023: Here's Why Fed Hikes Interest Rates For First Time Since 2023: Here's Why Fed Hikes Interest Rates For First Time Since 2023: Here's Why
Fed Hikes Interest Rates For First Time Since 2023: Here's Why The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate for the first time in more than three years as inflation remains high and soaring energy prices put more pressure on Americans. The central bank's Federal Open Market Committee raised its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 3.75% to 4% on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The unanimous 12-0 vote marked the Fed's first rate hike since July 2023 and followed a period of unchanged rates throughout 2026. Rate hikes are intended to slow inflation by making borrowing more expensive. Higher rates can increase costs tied to mortgages, car l…

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by Chris Spiker
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Several Hand Soaps Recalled Over Bacterial Contamination Risk Several Hand Soaps Recalled Over Bacterial Contamination Risk Several Hand Soaps Recalled Over Bacterial Contamination Risk
Several Hand Soaps Recalled Over Bacterial Contamination Risk Several hand soaps distributed across the Northeast are being recalled because they may be contaminated with bacteria. Intercon Chemical Co. issued the voluntary recall for six hand soap products, according to a Food and Drug Administration enforcement report classified on Friday, Sept. 11. The soaps were distributed through wholesalers and a retailer in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. They were also available in North Carolina, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia, California, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, and Washington. The recall affects: Interc…

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by Chris Spiker
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Electrocution, Burn Hazards Spark Recall Of Hair Care Product Sold On Amazon Electrocution, Burn Hazards Spark Recall Of Hair Care Product Sold On Amazon Electrocution, Burn Hazards Spark Recall Of Hair Care Product Sold On Amazon
Electrocution, Burn Hazards Spark Recall Of Hair Care Product Sold On Amazon Thousands of hair dryer brushes are being recalled because they can cause electrocution, shock, and burn hazards. Guang Zhou issued the recall for about 2,295 Wantefully Hair Dryer Brushes, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Thursday, Sept. 10. The hair dryer brushes don't have an integrated immersion protection device required under federal regulations. The missing safety device can create a risk of death or serious injury from electrocution or shock if the hair dryers fall into water while plugged in. The brushes can also overheat, creating a burn hazard. Guang Zhou…

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by Chris Spiker
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Baby Formula Giant To Pay $385M After Deadly Outbreak, Nationwide Shortage Baby Formula Giant To Pay $385M After Deadly Outbreak, Nationwide Shortage Baby Formula Giant To Pay $385M After Deadly Outbreak, Nationwide Shortage
Baby Formula Giant To Pay $385M After Deadly Outbreak, Nationwide Shortage The maker of Similac baby formula has agreed to pay nearly $385 million after issues at one of its plants created a severe nationwide shortage. Abbott Laboratories agreed to the $384,999,040 settlement, the Department of Justice announced in a news release on Monday, Sept. 14. The Illinois-based company was accused of knowingly selling infant formula that was made in facilities that didn't meet safety requirements. The settlement covers claims involving powdered infant formula and nutritional therapy products. They were manufactured at Abbott plants in Sturgis, Michigan,…

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by Chris Spiker
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Virginia Retirees Face Deep Potential Social Security Cut: What To Know Virginia Retirees Face Deep Potential Social Security Cut: What To Know Virginia Retirees Face Deep Potential Social Security Cut: What To Know
Virginia Retirees Face Deep Potential Social Security Cut: What To Know A looming financial deadline could turn a familiar monthly deposit into a much smaller lifeline for millions of older Americans. Connecticut retirees would face the nation’s largest average monthly reduction under one projection of Social Security insolvency, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The group’s analysis estimates a $556 monthly cut for Connecticut beneficiaries if the retirement program were forced to reduce benefits by 24 percent in late 2032, when the program's retirement trust fund is projected to exhaust its reserves. New Jersey ranked second, with …

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by Joe Lombardi
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Costco Rationing Motor Oil As Iran War Sends Prices Soaring: What To Know Costco Rationing Motor Oil As Iran War Sends Prices Soaring: What To Know Costco Rationing Motor Oil As Iran War Sends Prices Soaring: What To Know
Costco Rationing Motor Oil As Iran War Sends Prices Soaring: What To Know Costco is rationing its popular synthetic motor oil and nearly doubling the price as the US-Israeli war with Iran continues driving up energy costs. A 10-quart case of Kirkland Signature full synthetic motor oil now costs $57.99, according to Costco's website. The warehouse chain is also limiting shoppers to two cases every seven days, with only one transaction allowed per membership. The same amount of oil had sold for about $30 to the mid-$30s in recent years, The Auto Wire reported. The higher cost and restrictions will especially affect drivers who change their own o…

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by Chris Spiker
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Popular Clothing Retailer Closing All Stores, Including Woodbridge Location Popular Clothing Retailer Closing All Stores, Including Woodbridge Location Popular Clothing Retailer Closing All Stores, Including Woodbridge Location
Popular Clothing Retailer Closing All Stores, Including Woodbridge Location A popular retailer specializing in clothing for healthcare workers is shutting down all of its brick-and-mortar locations nationwide. Scrubs & Beyond is closing its more than 115 stores across 30 states, according to a notice on the chain's website. The retailer is also advertising closing sales at its locations. The shutdown will include 18 stores across the Northeast. "ALL RETAIL STORES CLOSING–SHOP THE SALE," the website notice reads. Few details have been released about why the stores are shuttering or when each location will close. Scrubs & Beyond is still selling its me…

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by Chris Spiker
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Falling Fuel Tanks Spark Ford's Latest Major Recall Of 223K+ Vehicles Falling Fuel Tanks Spark Ford's Latest Major Recall Of 223K+ Vehicles Falling Fuel Tanks Spark Ford's Latest Major Recall Of 223K+ Vehicles
Falling Fuel Tanks Spark Ford's Latest Major Recall Of 223K+ Vehicles More than 220,000 Ford vehicles are being recalled because their fuel tanks can potentially fall off while in motion. Ford Motor Company issued the recall for 223,472 F-150 pickup trucks, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report filed on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The recall affects F-150s from model years 2023 through 2027. The trucks' fuel tanks may be improperly secured because the front fuel tank straps weren't correctly installed during assembly. In some cases, the straps' T-slots weren't properly inserted into the vehicle's frame rail, potentially causing the…

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by Chris Spiker
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Scammers Sending Fake MyChart Messages To Steal Personal Info: What To Know Scammers Sending Fake MyChart Messages To Steal Personal Info: What To Know Scammers Sending Fake MyChart Messages To Steal Personal Info: What To Know
Scammers Sending Fake MyChart Messages To Steal Personal Info: What To Know A growing scam is targeting MyChart users with fake offers for free Medicare health kits, tricking some victims into handing over personal and financial information. At least 41 health systems nationwide have warned patients about the phishing campaign, according to Becker's Hospital Review. The messages may offer free products like "MyChart Medicare Kits," "Medicare Health Kits," or "Senior Health Packages." The scam often starts with an email or text that appears to come from MyChart, which is a patient portal developed by Epic Systems. Some emails use subject lines like "Your M…

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by Chris Spiker
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Urgent Warning Issued Over Electrical Dangers Found In Power Washers Urgent Warning Issued Over Electrical Dangers Found In Power Washers Urgent Warning Issued Over Electrical Dangers Found In Power Washers
Urgent Warning Issued Over Electrical Dangers Found In Power Washers Federal regulators are warning about two types of power washers over electrical hazards that could lead to serious injuries or death. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued warnings for Le Hao Tool and HOTFINE pressure washers on Thursday, Sept. 10. The machines lack safety protections designed to prevent electric shock and electrocution. About 3,100 Le Hao Tool pressure washers were originally recalled in April. The pressure washers lack an integrated immersion protection device on or near the power plug, also known as a Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI). Le Hao Too…

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by Chris Spiker
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Exploding Fire Spray Canisters Spark Huge Recall: What To Know Exploding Fire Spray Canisters Spark Huge Recall: What To Know Exploding Fire Spray Canisters Spark Huge Recall: What To Know
Exploding Fire Spray Canisters Spark Huge Recall: What To Know Tens of thousands of fire spray canisters are being recalled after some exploded or deteriorated, officials said. Prepared Hero issued the recall for about 31,000 Hero Fire Spray Canisters, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Thursday, Sept. 10. The canisters can deteriorate over time, causing them to rupture or fail to work during a fire. The Wyoming-based company has received nine reports of the canisters exploding or deteriorating while in storage. No injuries have been reported, according to the CPSC. The recall involves 20-fluid-ounce Hero Fire Spray canisters tha…

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by Chris Spiker
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100+ Babies Hit Heads, Prompting Urgent Warning About Popular Bouncers 100+ Babies Hit Heads, Prompting Urgent Warning About Popular Bouncers 100+ Babies Hit Heads, Prompting Urgent Warning About Popular Bouncers
100+ Babies Hit Heads, Prompting Urgent Warning About Popular Bouncers Federal regulators are warning about a popular type of baby rocker chair after more than 100 infants hit their heads when the bouncers collapsed. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning for about 14,200 Flyboss 3-in-1 Portable Baby Bouncer and Rocker Chairs on Thursday, Sept. 10. The bouncers can collapse while in use, creating a risk of impact injuries to infants. The CPSC has received 191 reports of the bouncers collapsing, with an infant's head striking the surface underneath the bouncer in 115 incidents. Adults "sought medical attention" for at least 20 ba…

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by Chris Spiker