Page 17 - Consumer Issues News Today

Fair-housing advocates are concerned about changes the Legislature made to tighten restrictions on emotional-support animals for Montana renters. While Montana House Bill 703 prohibits a landlord from asking detailed questions about a potential renters medical condition or diagnosis, landlords are now allowed to ask the renters health care provider if their emotional support animal is medically necessary before deciding whether to rent to a tenant. Amy Hall, a board member of the nonprofit Mon...

Social Security is a critical benefit for older Americans, and recipients in Tennessee and across the country will see an increase in their benefits next year. The 2024 increase is going to help more than 71 million Americans who are currently receiving either Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments. Robin Fountain, public affairs specialist for the Social Security Administration, said Social Security retirement benefits are going to increase on average by more than $...

Arizonans who transition to cleaner electric-powered lawn and garden equipment can help mitigate the noise as well as the harmful fumes produced from gas-powered tools. A new report shows in 2020 gas-powered lawn and gardening tools in the U.S. released more than 30 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. ...

Georgia is stepping up efforts to help students seize college opportunities. Starting this week, students can apply to partner schools with the Georgia Student Finance Commission without any application fees during Apply to College Month in November. In addition, Gov. ...

Numerous local homeowners allege a pattern of neglect by a residential builder called Dream Finders Homes. Consumer Reporter Asa Aaron Smith has the story.

Minnesota announced this week it has joined a multistate lawsuit against Facebooks parent company Meta, over claims of addictive social media features harming teens. It coincides with growing research about teens and gambling. Serena King, professor and chair of psychology at Hamline University, has been working with the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling to analyze results from the most recent Minnesota Student Survey while the legal action plays out. ...

Nearly one in three Americans carry some form of medical debt, and consumer groups are warning patients about the risk of medical bankruptcy posed by some hospital billing practices. Adam Fox, deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, said hospitals are a significant driver of health care costs, in part because consumers have no way of knowing what the price of care will be, or if the cost is reasonable. "Because of the lack of transparency in health care billing, an...

Social Security is a critical benefit for older Americans, which is why advocates want Congress to start working now to ensure the program is maintained for future generations. Susan Nesbella, a volunteer with AARP Idaho, traveled to Washington, D.C., to celebrate 88 years of Social Security and also explore ways to ensure the program does not experience a shortfall. Nesbella pointed out reserves for the program will be depleted within the next 10 years. ...

Public schoolteachers in Texas say the state desperately needs to boost its overall investment in students and education programs. Instead, lawmakers are focused on a private school voucher program. Halfway through its third special session, the Texas Senate passed a bill to set aside taxpayer dollars for families to use on private schools, with a competing bill introduced in the House. ...

Eastern Kentuckys largest utility, Kentucky Power, wants to raise its residential and commercial rates. The states Public Service Commission is slated to hear the case on November 28th, and if approved, changes would likely go into effect next year. Carrie Ray, director of energy programs with the Mountain Association explains that residential customers could see a 20% percent rate increase, and a 14% base-fee increase under the proposal. ...