Page 20 - Consumer Issues News Today

Great Outdoors Colorado, the lottery-funded program to preserve natural resources, has awarded a second $1 million grant to fuel conservation efforts on privately-owned lands, which make up the majority of all lands in Colorado. Amy Beatie, executive director of Keep it Colorado, a coalition of local land trusts, said the funds will help ensure the states landscapes stay protected into the future, and protect things Coloradans love. "Protect our iconic landscapes, working farms and ra...

Leaders of two nonprofits in California have won the 2024 AARP Purpose Prize, which honors people over age fifty who are making a difference. Don Schoendorfer from Irvine, who designed a wheelchair that can be distributed easily in developing countries through his nonprofit, "Free Wheelchair Mission," is the first. Dr. ...

A new report ranks Wisconsin 15th in the nation for long-term care services but advocates for the people who need care say more could be done. The ranking is from AARPs Long-Term Services and Supports Scorecard. Jim Flaherty, communications director for AARP Wisconsin, agreed the state has done a better job in some areas, such as increasing the number of Aging and Disability Resource Centers. ...

As more companies embrace sustainable practices, businesses in North Carolina are leading the charge through innovative initiatives with funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. Brad Ives, former executive director of the Catawba College Center, seized on IRA funding to pioneer projects boosting the colleges green initiatives. "So the projects that we can do with the Inflation Reduction Act help us lower our emissions," he explained. " ...

A new study finds the autumn chore of raking leaves could be a disservice to budding plant life. The National Wildlife Federation found fallen leaves can be crucial to biodiversity. Experts find keeping leaves in a yard acts similar to mulch. ...

The 100 million Americans currently carrying medical or dental debt could get some relief, after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took steps to prohibit credit agencies from including that debt on credit reports. As Julia Char Gilbert - Connelly policy advocate with the Colorado Center on Law and Policy - explained, bad credit scores due to medical debt can create big problems. "Families are increasingly facing barriers to accessing rental housing, a credit card, certain form...

In May, Emma McClure and her husband hired BlackStone Partners LLC to rip out and replace their patio. The couple put down a $4,300 deposit, which equated to 50 percent of the project’s total cost.

Fraud prevention experts are getting the word out in Idaho on how to avoid scams. Events across the state in October aim to help people identify and protect themselves from thieves. Cathy McDougall, director of outreach for AARP Idaho, said if you suspect someone of a con, it is best not to engage with them. ...

In response to a growing medical debt crisis in Wyoming and across the nation, the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed banning medical debt from credit reports. Mona Shah, senior director of policy and strategy for the advocacy organization Community Catalyst, said they have heard from countless individuals who were not able to qualify for an apartment, or a car loan, or a job, just because of a bad credit score linked to an unplanned medical event. ...

Washington performs well in a new report scoring states long-term care systems. The Evergreen State ranked second in AARPs Long-Term Services and Supports State Scorecard. Cathy MacCaul, advocacy director for AARP Washington, said this is an achievement for the state. ...