Page 38 - Consumer Issues News Today

Victims of investment-related fraud in North Dakota could soon recoup some of their losses through a proposed restitution fund. A bill to establish that kind of assistance recently cleared the state Senate. The measure, which now moves to the House, would offer payments if efforts to collect restitution, ordered by the state, are unsuccessful. ...

Tax time is here again. Between now and mid-April, Idahoans in need of assistance can find free help across the state through the AARP Foundations Tax-Aide program. There are 26 Tax-Aide 26 sites set up across the state. ...

A new report asks lawmakers and regulators to look at why some unsafe products arent recalled sooner, and what can be done to get them off the market more quickly to keep people safe. The report analyzed more than 3,600 complaints filed last year, and 292 recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Some 22% involved injuries or death. ...

As National Glaucoma Awareness Month comes to a close, one Nevada ophthalmologist wants to remind people to get their eyes and vision checked. Dr. Janet Lee, an ophthalmologist with Shepherd Eye Center, said glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve and can be thought of as a cable that connects a persons eye to the brain. ...

The public has until February 13th to weigh in on new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce methane pollution at oil and gas facilities. Emma Galofre Garcia, a doctoral student at C.U. Boulders environmental studies program, said the EPA has an opportunity to build on successful efforts led by states including Colorado to rein in methane emissions, a dangerous air pollutant. ...

Southern Oregon continues to recover from the fires of 2020 and grants are helping residents in the region. The Almeda Fire in Jackson County devastated the towns of Talent and Phoenix. About 1,700 manufactured homes were destroyed, and more than half of those homes were in communities for people age 55 and older. ...

It is not a pandemic yet, but eye doctors worry the constant use of digital devices could eventually result in long-term health problems for many Texans. Problems can include age-related macular degeneration, disrupted sleep cycles, and digital eyestrain. Dr. ...

Many Kentuckians who have affordable employer health coverage for themselves but not for their dependents and spouses now qualify for financial assistance in the form of tax credits through the Affordable Care Act. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates more than five million people nationwide are affected by the now-fixed "Family Glitch." Priscilla Easterling, outreach coordinator for Kentucky Voices for Health, advises families to assess how much theyre spending ...

A bill that would expand Medicaid coverage for some 19,000 Wyoming workers who earn too much to qualify for standard Medicaid, but cant afford private insurance, is making its way through the state Legislature. Ana Marchese - director for the group Healthy Wyoming - said expansion would bring millions of federal tax dollars back to the state, and would largely help women working at jobs that pay low wages and offer no health benefits, including restaurant, construction, agriculture and retail....

In her fifth State of the State address this week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer emphasized policies designed to put more money in Michiganders pockets. The second-term Democrat included several proposals, including a plan to cut the tax on retirement income, that played well with Michigan seniors. ...