Page 15 - Consumer Issues News Today

Montana has upgraded its outdated online unemployment insurance system, which should allow the state to process unemployment claims more efficiently. The system had not been modernized in more than 20 years. The last time Montana updated its online unemployment insurance system, people were still using dial-up modems on their home landlines and Windows 95 software to access the internet. ...

Major utilities in West Virginia, Mon Power and Potomac Edison, want to reduce the credit their solar customers get for producing power the utilities use. Critics countered the move would dampen the market for solar in the state. Net metering is a billing mechanism giving credits to residential and small business owners for excess energy produced by their solar panels, which flows back into the grid. ...

New clean energy legislation in Michigan has passed and is heading to the governors desk to be signed into law. Backers of the bills said they will allow Michigan to meet its energy needs in a more cost-effective and cleaner manner by improving renewable energy and energy efficiency standards. Laura Sherman, president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, said the legislation is predicted to create more than 160,000 new, well-paid, nonexportable clean energy jobs for Michiganders....

Homeowner insurance companies leaving states like California and Florida represent a troubling trend that could impact Washington. David Fadduol, attorney with Ruiz and Smart in Seattle, said theres anecdotal evidence that people arent seeing their policies renewed because of wildfire risk in parts of the state. But its unclear how widespread this issue is. ...

Last month was Financial Planning Month, and as the year comes to an end, one event aims to help high schoolers in Arizona learn how to better manage their money. The "Bite of Reality" fairs across the West engage high schoolers by assigning them a persona and students then having to create a budget accordingly. Sarae Bay, assistant vice president and manager director with the GoWest Foundation, said her organization works with credit unions in Arizona and help sponsor the fa...

Idaho officials are holding an event in the capitol to recognize family caregivers during National Family Caregiver Month. Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke is reading a proclamation signed by Governor Brad Little in the Capitol Rotunda today. Francoise Cleveland, associate state director of advocacy, AARP Idaho, said family caregivers often dont recognize the vital role they play. ...

Critics say the latest decision from state regulators on Louisville Gas and Electrics proposal to build two new gas plants and cycle out two aging coal plants is a "mixed bag" decision, with potentially costly consequences for ratepayers. The proposed gas plant in Mercer County was denied, but a proposal to build another one in West Louisville received a green light. Andy McDonald, director of Apogee Climate and Energy Transitions, said while there are still more regulatory a...

Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25 and there are plenty of Nebraska small business owners hoping for your business. In 2022, shoppers across the country spent nearly $18 billion at small shops and restaurants on Small Business Saturday. ...

The city of Lincoln scores high for "livability," both in Nebraska and the nation as a whole. In the new AARP Livability Index, Lincoln ranks number one for the state, and number 11 among large communities nationwide. Rankings were based on 61 indicators in seven categories, such as housing, transportation, health status and community engagement. ...

First-generation college students face a host of expectations and challenges - and thats why New Mexico State University will spotlight their accomplishments this month. First-gen students account for about one-third of the NMSU student population. Rosa De La Torre-Burmeister, advising technology assistant director, says parents, siblings and other family members of first-generation students often are overwhelmed with pride. ...