Searchable News & Info From Reliable Online Sources.
- A Public Health-Minded Senator Asks: What Comes After Trump and Kennedy?
Senator Patty Murray, a former chair of the Senate health committee, is forming a group of experts to examine how to insulate the C.D.C. from political interference. [TheTopNews] Read More.1 hour ago - USPS is raising some shipping prices for the holidays
Holiday packages will cost a little more this season, but the increases are temporary By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs October 7, 2026 USPS is temporarily increasing prices on several package shipping services for the 2026 holiday season.The increases vary based on the service, package weight, and shipping distance.The temporary rates are scheduled to remain in place through Jan. 17, 2027.If you're planning to send holiday gifts through the U.S. Postal Service this year, you may notice that some packages cost a little more to ship.USPS announced a temporary price adjustment for its peak 2026 holiday shipping season. The change applies to certain domestic package services, including Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select.The Postal Service said the temporary adjustment is intended to help cover the additional handling costs that come with the holiday shipping season.The temporary prices went into effect on Oct. 4 and remain in place until 12 a.m. Central time on Jan. 17, 2027. No other USPS products or services are affected by the change.How much more will shipping cost?The increase depends on what you're sending, how much it weighs, and how far it's traveling.Heres a look at whats changing;Retail:Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4$0.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.$0.80 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.$1.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.$3.90 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs. and Oversized.Priority Mail: Zones 5-9$1.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.$2.10 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.$4.30 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.$9.10 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.Priority Mail Flat Rate:$2.10 increase for Large Flat Rate Boxes.$1.00 increase for all other Flat Rate Products.USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9$0.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.$1.40 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.$2.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.$7.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs. and Oversized.Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-9$1.40 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.$2.35 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.$2.45 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.$6.30 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.$5.05 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.$11.70 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.$12.70 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.$20.80 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.Priority Mail Express Flat Rate:$2.35 increase for Flat Rate Envelopes.Commercial:Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4$0.40 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs. and Cubic Tiers 1-3.$0.65 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs. and Cubic Tiers 4-5 (PM), 4-9 (GA).$1.05 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs. and… [TheTopNews] Read More.1 hour ago - The ‘pumpkin spice tax’ is real — and some products cost 76% moreFalls favorite flavor can come with a higher price tag, but shoppers can find some pumpkin products for less By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs October 7, 2026 Pumpkin-flavored products cost an average of 8.4% more than comparable nonpumpkin products.One pumpkin spice trail mix had a price difference of more than 76% compared with its regular counterpart.Not every pumpkin product costs more, giving shoppers opportunities to enjoy the seasonal flavor without paying a premium.Pumpkin spice season may be a favorite part of fall, but there can be a downside for shoppers: some pumpkin-flavored products cost more than similar products without the seasonal twist.A LendingTree analysis found that pumpkin-flavored products cost an average of 8.4% more than their non-pumpkin counterparts. Thats higher than the 7.4% average difference found in 2024, although its considerably lower than the 14.1% difference LendingTree found in 2022.The extra cost isnt consistent across every product, though. Some pumpkin items cost the same as their regular counterparts, while others actually cost less.Pumpkin spice season is something millions of Americans look forward to, but that excitement can cost you, Matt Schulz, LendingTrees chief consumer finance analyst, said. The average pumpkin premium is 8.9%, and some products cost far more. That may not wreck your budget by itself, but little splurges can add up quickly.Enjoy your fall favorites, but know what youre paying for and decide whether the pumpkin version is really worth the extra money.Measuring the pumpkin spice taxTo calculate the average difference, LendingTree researchers collected prices and package sizes for 146 products 73 pumpkin products and 73 comparable non-pumpkin products.The products came from Dunkin, Starbucks, Target, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods. Researchers collected the information through a combination of online and in-store shopping. Because prices can vary by location, the analysis focused on several ZIP codes in Brooklyn, N.Y.Rather than simply comparing sticker prices, researchers looked at the cost per ounce or per item. That helped account for products being sold in different package sizes.Some pumpkin products cost a lot more but shoppers have optionsThe biggest price gap in the study was for Targets Favorite Day pumpkin spice trail mix. It cost 68 cents per ounce, compared with 39 cents per ounce for the regular monster trail mix a 76.4% difference.Trader Joes Pumpkin Os cereal had the next-largest gap at 50.3%, followed by its pumpkin spice coffee at 42.9%.But shoppers shouldnt assume that every pumpkin product carries an extra… [TheTopNews] Read More.2 hours ago
- Prime Day shoppers should watch out for scams before, during, and after the saleScammers may use fake Amazon alerts, delivery notices, and urgent requests to catch shoppers off guard By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs October 7, 2026 Scammers may use fake Amazon alerts, delivery notices, and urgent offers to pressure shoppers into acting quickly.AI shopping tools can make it easier to shop, but consumers should think twice before sharing personal or financial information with them.Taking a moment to pause, question suspicious messages, and verify offers independently can help keep your information safe.Prime Day may be a major shopping event, but consumers shouldnt wait to start watching for scams.TrendLife found that 84.2% of the 3,887 Amazon-related scams it tracked in the U.S. in June occurred during the two weeks leading up to Prime Day. That means shoppers may already have gotten suspicious texts, emails, and other messages designed to look like they came from Amazon or a delivery company.So what should shoppers watch for?ConsumerAffairs spoke with Lynette Owens, vice president of consumer education and marketing at TrendLife, who shared some tips for spotting potential scams and protecting personal information before clicking on that next Prime Day deal.Scammers exploit trustOwens explained that scammers prey on one consumers trust of brands like Amazon, UPS, FedEx, etc.Scams are designed to trigger an emotional response and make people less likely to question the legitimacy of the source, she said. They tap into feelings of scarcity, fear, and excitement to pressure consumers into acting before they have time to think.A message claiming a Prime membership payment has failed, a delivery is being held, or an exclusive offer is about to expire can create just enough pressure for someone to click a link or share personal information without verifying if the claim is reputable.Owens said the key is recognizing that urgency is often a deliberate tactic. She encourages consumers to give pause when a message pressures you to act immediately and verify it independently rather than responding through the message itself.Be careful of AI shopping toolsMany consumers utilize AI shopping tools for discounts, extra coupons, or extra assistance tracking down the best buys. However, Owens warns against sharing too much personal information with an AI chatbot.From names and financial details to shopping habits and daily routines, these details can reveal a lot about a person, she said. When sharing sensitive details with AI tools, consumers may not fully understand where that information is being stored, how it is being utilized… [TheTopNews] Read More.2 hours ago
- 6 Broken Bathrooms Force Flight to Make an Urgent LandingAn American Airlines flight was diverted to New York on Tuesday because of an “inadequate number of operational lavatories” — two, on a plane that normally has eight. [TheTopNews] Read More.2 hours ago
- Publix will close a handful of locations
Four will be in Florida with the rest happening in Georgia and South Carolina [TheTopNews] Read More.3 hours ago - Kroger brings back Boar’s Head deli productsCustomer pressure may have caused the return [TheTopNews] Read More.3 hours ago
The Searchable USWebDaily.com and TheTopNews NewsBank Helps You Be Better Informed, Faster! Spread The Word.
