Stay updated with breaking news from Consumer Issues. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
Small Business Saturday has come and gone and the North Carolina Sustainable Business Council urged people to keep "shopping local" this season. The council said supporting homegrown businesses creates jobs and makes communities healthier. One of those businesses is the Little River Pecan Farm, with 100 pecan trees on a 10-acre section of sixth-generation land. ...
A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found the repayment process for federal student loans has been filled with errors. Repayments began in October following a three-year pandemic-related pause. Since then, complaints of inaccurate bills, late notices and poor customer service have only increased. ...
Advocates for unpaid family caregivers in Maine say they'll need continued support beyond the recently passed paid family and medical leave program. Caregiving can be a full-time job with many out-of-pocket expenses, like paying for gas to get to a doctor's appointment or ensuring a parent has enough food in their fridge. Bridget Quinn, associate state director for advocacy and outreach with AARP Maine, said state grants to help caregivers with up to $5,000 in expenses will end next year, and lawmakers need to start considering ways to ensure that help continues. ...
Many older residents of Washington state are facing strains on their budgets -- and the government programs that could assist them are underused. An assistance program like the Senior Property Tax Exemption is a prime example. King County Assessor John Wilson cited the median value for a home in his county as about $790,000. ...
A new report is calling for greater accountability in the system providing funding to farmers in underserved communities. The research takes a dive into the Farm Credit System, examining the risks and suggesting improvements to make the system more fair and more sustainable. Joshua Humphreys, president and senior fellow of Croatan Institute, a farmer and lead author of the report, said despite the Farm Credit System making around 45% of all agricultural loans, there is no transparency in how much of the funding goes to small, midsized or socially disadvantaged farmers. ...