Current Events in April 2017

Polaris Industries of Medina, Minn., is recalling about 51,000 Polaris Ranger 900 recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs).

A heat shield can fall off the vehicle, posing fire and burn hazards to riders.

The company has received 13 incident reports involving the recalled ROVs, including five reports of fires. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves all model year 2015 Polaris Ranger XP 900, XP 900 EPS, and CREW 900 recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs).

The recalled ROVs were sold in a variety of colors and have either three or six seats and a rear box. “Ranger” is printed on the rear box, and “900” is printed on the hood of the ROVs. All 2015 Ranger 900 models and vehicle identification numbers (VINs) are included in this recall.

The VIN is printed on the frame on the driver’s side towards the rear of the vehicle.

The following vehicles are being recalled:

The ROVs, manufactured in the U.S. and Mexico, were sold at Polaris dealers nationwide from April 2014, through March 2017, for between $13,400 and $21,300.

What to do

Consumer should immediately stop using the recalled ROVs and contact Polaris to schedule a free repair. Polaris is contacting all known purchasers directly.

Consumers may contact Polaris at 800-765-2747 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday and Friday, or online at www.polaris.com and click on “Off Road Safety Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information.

The outrage directed against United Airlines' handling of Dr. David Dao, on a flight from Chicago to Louisville, has been building for nearly a week.

On Sunday, Dao refused to give up his seat to a United Airlines employee who needed to get to Louisville, and his attorney says he was severely injured when security personnel dragged him off the plane in front of dozens of smartphone-wielding passengers who recorded the incident and spread it around the world.

In a news conference Thursday, Dao's attorney Thomas Demetrio painted a picture of a callous and sometimes brutal airline industry, and truth be told many regular fliers would not disagree.

But moral outrage aside, it begs the question; just what exactly should you do if you find yourself in Dao's position someday, told by the airline that you must give up your seat? Would you refuse and resist as Dao did?

Bumping will continue

It is almost certain that no airline will ever again subject a passenger to what Dao endured, having learned from United's painful lesson. But make no mistake, airlines have not stopped involuntarily bumping passengers and probably won't, so it could happen to you in the future.

Should it happen, the law is pretty clear. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires the airline denying boarding to a ticketed passenger to give the passenger a written statement detailing his or her rights and the airline's criteria for selecting a passenger to bump.

There is no evidence this was done in the case of Dr. Dao and it isn't clear how many, if any, airlines do this. So as a first step, passengers being involuntarily bumped should politely ask for this document. It signals to the airline that you know your rights and perhaps they will move on to bump some other poor soul.

But if you are handed the document and are still told to get off the aircraft, do you risk physical injury if you refuse? Again, probably not, since airlines will undoubtedly have new procedures in place to prevent future horrific encounters.

Legal risks

But refusing might land you in legal trouble, because your rights aboard a ship or aircraft are not always the same as they are on terra firma. Specifically, the law grants special powers to captains.

The federal aviation regulations (Title 14) also specify that passengers must obey all orders given by the pilot in command. So this is where a passenger must be careful. Should the plane's captain be summoned and order you off the plane, your refusal could be considered “interfering with an airline crew,” a felony.

However, it's something of a gray area if the plane is still at the gate with the door open. Until the aircraft pushes back from the gate, the airline's ground agents may be considered in charge of the aircraft.

Prudence might dictate that you don't want to be the test case. It may be wiser to comply with the order, then seek legal redress once you are safely off the plane.

In some cases, but not all, the airline bumping you involuntarily will provide some compensation. However, Transportation Department rules say that if the airline can arrange alternate transportation and get you to your destination within an hour of the original arrival time, there is no requirement for compensation.

In Washington, bumping may become a hot topic. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is asking the Transportation Department to do more to protect the rights of airline passengers. In a letter to the agency, he's asking that it investigate airline industry practices, including involuntary bumping of passengers.

The medical community is scrambling to try to encourage consumers to get their immunizations. Recent studies have suggested making exemption policies more “difficult,” citing the return of diseases like measles and mumps.

And they may have a point. Earlier this year, a mumps outbreak spread across five counties in the state of Washington, infecting hundreds of people. And now, the Texas Department of State Health Services is issuing an advisory for the mumps, saying that cases have reached a 20-year high.

“The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is advising health care providers to be on alert for mumps in their patients as the state experiences a 20-year high in mumps cases. State, regional and local health departments are currently investigating multiple outbreaks throughout the state,” the agency said in a release.

Worrying uptick in cases

The recent uptick in mumps is certainly troubling. DSHS says that Texas has had 221 mumps cases this year, which is the largest total since the 234 reported cases in 1994.

The agency states that one potential outbreak has been tracked to South Padre Island, which is a popular spot for students on spring break. DSHS was notified of 13 mumps cases connected to people who visited the island between March 8 and March 22.

Mumps is a highly contagious disease that is spread from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, and the sharing of cups and utensils. Symptoms include swollen or tender salivary glands, swollen or tender testicles in men, low fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. Symptoms usually manifest 16-18 days after a person has been exposed to the virus, but reports indicate that the incubation period may last up to 25 days.

Consumers who believe they have been infected by mumps are urged to contact their healthcare provider immediately and to stay home so that the infection is not spread. Currently, the mumps vaccine is the best way to prevent infection; officials state that it is 88% percent effective.

Apart from that, consumers can help prevent the mumps by covering their mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing, washing their hands frequently with soap and water, and not sharing food and drinks.

The body of research confirming that screen time can negatively affect sleep continues to grow. Previous findings have shown that blue light emitted by many electronic devices delays our normal sleep cycles, contributing to sleep problems that affect over 80 million Americans.

Perhaps those most vulnerable to the negative effects of screen time are children. Kids need sleep to grow, so not getting enough can be extremely damaging to their development. In a recent study, researchers from the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development at the University of London say that growing up with new technologies could be a challenge when it comes to getting sleep.

“Traditional screen time (e.g. TV and videogaming) has been linked to sleep problems and poorer developmental outcomes in children. With the advent of portable touchscreen devices, this association may be extending down in age to disrupt the sleep of infants and toddlers, an age when sleep is essential for cognitive development,” the authors say.

Touchscreens and sleep

In their study, the researchers attempted to draw a link between sleep quanity and how often touchscreen devices were used. Data was collected from 715 UK infants and toddlers between the ages of 6 and 36 months, and the results weren’t all that surprising.

“[The results] indicated a significant association between the frequency of touchscreen use and sleep quantity,” the researchers said, noting that the total duration of sleep was reduced while daytime sleep increased.  “Every additional hour of tablet use was associated with 15.6 minutes less total sleep (on average, 26.4 minutes less of night-time sleep and 10.8 minutes more of daytime sleep.)

While the findings showed that touchscreens did negatively affect overall sleep duration, the researchers say that they did not find that screen time affected the number of night awakenings, which have the strongest impact on cognitive development. However, they do admit that this statistic may have been underreported by parents.

What to do

The results of the study should be troubling for parents considering how much time kids spend in front of screens. Past studies have shown that the average toddler spends 25 days per year streaming TV, or 1.8 hours per day. And those numbers only seem to be rising over time.

Experts say that consumers should spend at least 30 minutes technology-free before going to bed, so parents who want to ensure that their child is getting enough sleep may want to adopt similar rules. To curb bad reactions and create a healthy schedule, consider adopting a reading time before bed so that children know what to expect.

The researchers’ full study has been published in Scientific Reports.

Maybe you filed your income taxes early and already have your refund. With money in hand, you might be considering a new car purchase.

New car sales seem to have leveled off in recent months, and that's good news for buyers since dealers and manufacturers are forced to step up incentives to move cars and trucks off the lot. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) has surveyed the automotive landscape and come up with 10 attractive deals that are available this month.

"This month's list showcases a wide variety of great deals on SUVs, sedans, small hatchbacks and a minivan," said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com.

Generous cash back offers

Incentives are available in the form of financing options and cash back offers. Topping the list is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. KBB says the Fair Purchase Price is just under $25,000 – and qualifying buyers can get $5,000 cash back, meaning you can essentially drive away with nothing down.

Among lease deals, the 2017 Lexus CT 200h is available on a 36 month lease for $249 a month with $1,499 down. Other attractive lease deals this month include:

• 2017 Chevrolet Trax for $159 a month
• 2017 Acura TLX for $279 a month and only $999 down
• 2017 Toyota Sienna for $289 a month
• 2017 Buick Envision for $299 a month
• 2017 Toyota Corolla for $149 a month

Other good purchase options

KBB identifies three other purchase options as exceptional April deals. The 2016 Hyundai Veloster is going for under $18,000 with $4,000 cash back; the 2017 Hyundai Sonota is selling for just over $21,000 with $3,350 cash back; and the 2016 Chrysler 300 sells for $34,000 with $4,000 cash back.

When purchasing a new car, resist the temptation to extend the financing term beyond five years. While doing so will yield a lower monthly payment, most vehicles will lose value quickly. The danger is owing more than the car is worth late in the payment cycle.

Ideally, personal finance experts say a consumer should be able to put 10% of the purchase price down and afford the monthly payments if financed over four years.

You've heard about the proliferation of rewards credit cards and have decided you should get one.

Smart. Rewards cards can be a good way to get a little money back with each purchase. But as you consider your choices, don't overlook a balance transfer card if you have a hefty balance on your current card. It could actually put more money in your pocket.

Here's why: let's suppose you get a cash back rewards card that pays 1.5% on every purchase. That's pretty generous as these rewards cards go.

If you spend an average of $1,000 a month on your card, you'll get $15 a month back. It's a nice little bonus and nothing to sneeze at.

How much are your current credit card payments?

But suppose your current credit card has a $10,000 balance and the interest rate is 16% APR. You're paying around $133 a month, just in interest. Suppose you could eliminate that for a few months?

Many balance transfer cards offer a year or more of a 0% introductory rate if you transfer a balance in the first two to three months. All that money you had been spending on interest is now yours.

Even if you don't use the cards for anything else – and you probably shouldn't as long as you're paying down a balance – you're coming out well ahead. You might be making the same credit card payment each month, but all of it is paying down the balance, when previously only a small portion paid principal and the rest went to the credit card company as interest payments.

Attractive features

Some balance transfer cards also have some attractive features. The Chase Slate Card, which offers 15 months of 0% interest on transferred balances, is one of the few cards that does not charge a 3% fee on the amount of a transferred balance – still more savings.

The Slate Card also lets you check your credit score for free each month and doesn't raise your rate if you're late on a payment.

The Citi Diamond Preferred is another attractive choice because it offers nearly two years – 21 months – of interest free payments, allowing you to stretch out your payments without paying interest.

The only downside is the 3% balance transfer fee. On a $10,000 balance that's $300. Still, it might be worth it when you measure it against savings in interest charges.

Getting both

How about a card that provides 0% interest as well as cash back rewards? They do exist.

The BankAmericard Cash Rewards Card is one. It pays 3% cash back on gasoline, 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 1% on everything else.

It's also a balance transfer card, with 0% interest for the first 12 months the card is active.

The point is, a card doesn't have to put money in your pocket to be rewarding. It can also be rewarding if it doesn't take so much out of your pocket.

With its array of ice cream flavors and a vast selection of TV dinners, the frozen food section may not seem like the place to go if you’re looking for healthy food options. But not all frozen foods are unhealthy, experts say.

In a new report, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) named five great options in the frozen food aisle. The analysis noted that “while fresh food is typically the best option, consumers don’t need to bypass all options in the frozen aisle.”

Certain frozen foods aren’t only nutritious, they can save consumers money and help reduce household food waste. In fact, studies have found that frozen food generates 47% less food waste compared to shelf-stable and chilled food.

Best frozen foods

Here are five foods to toss in your freezer for a source of key nutrients that can be consumed now or later, and in whatever quantity you choose.

• Organic vegetables. Whole green beans or peas are cheaper to buy frozen and do a stellar job of retaining their nutrients, the EWG explains. Frozen green beans retain more of their vitamin A and C content than other frozen veggies, while frozen peas retain more of their vitamin C content than fresh peas that have been stored for five days.
• Organic fruits. Frozen berries are good to have on hand for smoothies, oatmeal, and a myriad of other dishes. They also have an edge over dehydrated berries because they retain their vitamin content better than berries that have been exposed to high pressure or temperatures.
• Additive-free baby and toddler food. Some stores now carry baby food made from frozen fruits and vegetables. These products contain less added flavors, additives, and fillers since they are often harvested at the peak of the season.
• Sustainable, low-mercury seafood. In addition to being cheaper, frozen seafood is often of higher quality than fresh fish (which can sit on ice for more than a week before reaching the grocery store). To see which fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in mercury, check out EWG’s Seafood Calculator.
• Better burritos. Most burritos in the frozen food aisle are “loaded with additives and are unnecessarily high in sodium,” the EWG notes. But good options do exist. The key to choosing a better-for-you frozen burrito is to look for varieties that highlight beans and environmentally friendly protein, like the Amy's brand.

Not much joy in the retail sector in March.

Not only did it revise the February retail sales figure from a 0.1% gain to show a 0.3% decline, but the Commerce Department also reported sales in March were down 0.2% -- totaling $470.8 billion.

Even with that decline, though, sales were 5.2% above the same period the year before.

Ups and downs

Much of the March weakness can be traced to a decline of 1.2% in auto sales. If that category is eliminated, sales were flat. Also contributing to the decline were lower sales at building material and garden equipment & supplies dealers (-1.5%), gas stations (-1.0%), sporting goods, hobby, book & music stores (-0.8%), and restaurants & bars (-0.6%).

What little strength there was came from gains at electronics & appliance stores (+2.6%), miscellaneous store retailers (+1.8%), clothing and clothing accessories (+1.0%), nonstore retailers (+0.6%), food and beverage stores (+0.5%), and general merchandise stores (+0.3%).

The full report may be found on the Commerce Department website.

Falling gasoline prices helped push the cost of living lower in March.

Figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was down a seasonally adjusted 0.3% last month, the first one-month decline since February 2016.

The March decrease held price increases to 2.4% over the last 12 months.

Falling energy costs

Energy prices were down 3.2% in March following February's drop of 1.0%. Gasoline led the decline, plunging 6.2%, followed by natural gas (-0.8%) and electricity (-0.1%).

Over the last year, energy prices rose 10.9%, with gasoline surging 19.9%, natural gas up 10.3%, and electricity gaining 1.6%.

Food prices rise

The cost of food was up 0.3%, with grocery prices rising 0.5% following a 0.2% increase in February.

Four of the six major grocery store food groups rose, with fruits and vegetables gaining 1.6%, and cereals & bakery products and meats, poultry, fish & eggs both up 0.3%. In contrast, the cost of dairy and related products fell 0.6% and nonalcoholic beverage prices slipped 0.1%.

Core inflation

The “core” inflation rate, which strips out the volatile food and energy categories was down 0.1% last month, and up 2.0% over the past 12 months.

The March decline came as communication prices fell 3.5%, along with drops in the costs of used cars and trucks (-0.9%), new vehicles (-0.3%), and clothing (0.7%).

Price increases were registered in housing (+0.1%), medical care (+0.1%), motor vehicle insurance (+1.2%), tobacco (+0.5%), airline fares (+0.4%), and alcoholic beverages (+0.2%).

Recreation, education, and household furnishings & operations costs were unchanged.

The complete report is available on the BLS website

Thomas Demetrio, attorney for Dr. David Dao, the United Airlines passenger forcibly removed from a flight Sunday, has laid out his case against the airline.

At a news conference in Chicago, Demetrio accused United, and airlines generally, of "bullying" their customers. But he said the case of his client, the subject of a video that by now may have been viewed by everyone in the world, goes beyond the pale.

Demetrio told assembled media representatives that the case is a simple one. He said the law requires that when any individual is removed from a commercial aircraft, it must be done so without "excessive force."

"When excessive force is used to remove someone from an aircraft, the carrier is responsible," Demetrio said.

Dao, a physican based in Louisville, refused to give up his seat on a United flight to Louisville after the airline, at the last moment, tried to make room for four United employees scheduled for flights the next day in Louisville. Dao, on the final leg of a flight from Los Angeles, refused to leave, saying he had to see patients the next day.

Worldwide outrage

The video of Dao being pulled from his seat and dragged down the aisle has sparked outrage around the world. Dao was released from a Chicago hospital last night after being treated from injuries stemming from the incident.

Demetrio says Dao suffered a confusion, a broken nose and two broken front teeth. He said his client will be required to undergo reconstructive surgery.

"Will there be a lawsuit?" Demetrio asked rhetorically. "Yeah, there probably will."

In his opening statement and question-and-answer period with reporters, Demetrio also made the case for changes within the airline industry, using the term "bullying" several times in describing United's treatment of its customers. He suggested there is something in the corporate culture of the nation's airlines that causes them to mistreat customers in search of higher profits.

And if United thought its PR nightmare could not get any worse, Demetrio revealed that Dao, as a child, was part of the Vietnamese "boat people" who fled the country after the fall of Saigon in leaky boats, seeking refuge in the U.S.

"Dr. Dao told me that as horrifying as that experience was, what happened to him on United was worse," Demetrio said.

President Trump has vowed to reduce income taxes and perhaps he will, but it's unlikely that every taxpayer will benefit equally. That's not surprising since the tax burden currently falls so unevenly on different types of taxpayers.

High-income consumers, for example, are taxed at a higher rate than lower-income workers, which makes perfect sense. What perhaps doesn't make as much sense is that childless single people are taxed at a much higher rate than married people.

You can argue that this is intended to encourage raising families and so forth, but critics say it amounts to a harsh tax on those who, for whatever reason, remain single and childless.

How bad is it? Pretty bad. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United States' tax on singles, at 16.9%, is the eighth highest of the 35 OECD member countries. It's nearly three times the average 6% rate paid by an American family with one breadwinner and two children. 

What to do

So what's a single taxpayer to do? Yes, you could run out and get married, but there are other steps you can take that are not quite as drastic and will still reduce the tax bite while helping you build your net worth. Switching to a Roth 401(k) and making IRA contributions sooner rather than later will put you on the road to building a healthy nest egg while reducing the tax man's share.

Whether married or single, you should be sure to take advantage of every possible deduction. Since the singleton's tax rate is so much higher, the value of even mundane deductions is also multiplied, so don't overlook any of these:

Student loan interest. Everyone is currently complaining about student loan debt, but every penny you pay in interest can be deducted from your income taxes in most cases, so don't overlook it. And if at all possible, stay current on your loans, since penalties imposed for past-due payment may not be deductible.

Job-related expenses. The money you spend on job-related expenses is deductible in most cases. If your employer reimburses you for some or all, that amount will be reported to the IRS as income so it's essential you deduct all of the expenses to avoid paying taxes on the reimbursement and get the deduction for expenses that aren't reimbursed. 

Job-hunting expenses. If you're trying to find a better job, many of the expenses you incur may be deductible. Keep track of the money you spend traveling to interviews, sending out resumes, and paying fees to online sites and other venues. 

Job-related moves. If you live in Des Moines and you land a new job in Chicago, the moving-related costs will likely be deductible. Be sure to keep track of them. 

Reservist expenses. Are you in the military reserves? Many of the expenses you incur are deductible.

Health expenses. If you contribute to a health savings account or if you have unusually high medical bills that are not picked up by insurance, you may be looking at a healthy deduction.

How to do it

Taking advantage of all these deductions is fine, but doing it yourself can be tricky. The IRS forms are not exactly intuitive and it's easy to overlook a deduction or, worse yet, claim something you're not entitled to. So unless you're a tax nerd, you'll want to hire an accountant or use one of the many online tax prep services.

Many online services now provide answers to most basic questions and can help you find and claim the deductions to which you're entitled. You'll find a complete run-down, including consumer and expert reviews, in our Tax Software Buyers Guide. 

The Trump administration is rolling back more new regulations put in place by its predecessor. The Department of Education has withdrawn guidelines designed to inject more transparency into the student loan repayment process.

Specifically, Education Secretary Betsy Devos withdrew two sections of guidance that had been put in place last summer. The guidance directed federal agencies to judge student loan servicers based on their past record when considering them for new contracts. For example, if there were a lot of unresolved grievances, the servicers would get less consideration for new work.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) enacted the rule last year to protect borrowers in their dealings with loan servicers who were working under U.S. government contracts.

New rules were 'shortcomings'

In a brief memo to the head of Federal Student Aid (FSA), Devos said she was taking the action because the new rules had shortcomings that could impede the department's efforts to make sure borrowers "do not experience deficiencies in service."

"We have a duty to do right by both borrowers and taxpayers, and I look forward to working with your team at FSA, as well as others, in order to acquire new federal student loan capabilities that will provide borrowers with the tools necessary to efficiently repay their debt," Devos wrote.

Critics respond

Critics immediately pounced on the news, disputing the idea that the guidance places any undue burden on loan servicers. Americans for Financial Reform said Devos' action will result in the opposite of her stated goals.

"The decision to rescind the July 20, 2016 memo rolls back commonsense consumer protections, such as requirements that servicers provide a higher level of service to the borrowers most at risk of default," the group said in a statement.

It's the second reversal for student loan borrowers in recent weeks. In late March, The New York Times reported thousands of borrowers who took advantage of a program, where they traded years of work in the public sector for some student loan forgiveness, were now in limbo.

The Times reported a legal filing by the Department of Education cast doubt on whether some of the agreements with people enrolled in the program were actually binding.

Summertime is fast approaching, and for many consumers that means plenty of quality family time at the pool. But are your pool toys and swimming aids safe for you and your loved ones?

A new study finds that many inflatable toys and swimming aids, like bathing rings and arm bands, may be treated with a range of chemicals that can be hazardous to your health. Researchers say that chemical compounds such as cyclohexanone, phenol, and isophorone may be present in especially high concentrations on children’s toys.

"Modern products such as toys and children's products are sourced from a wide variety of chemical and physical manufacturing processes, and this complexity often makes it difficult for us to identify those containing contaminants and unwanted substances, and to determine their causes," said researcher Christoph Wiedmer.

Follow your nose

Wiedmer explains that many of the chemical substances are dangerous because they have unstable structures. This can result in a host of problems, “such as irriation, smell nuisance, or other physiological and psychosomatic effects,” he said. Cyclohexanone and phenol are known to be harmful when inhaled, and isophorone has been classified as a category 2 carcinogen.

However, the researchers point out that there is a way for consumers to detect these chemicals. All you have to do, they say, is follow your nose. “We found that in a number of cases our noses can guide us to ‘sniff out’ problematic products,” said Wiedmer.

So, which smells should tip you off? Wiedmer and fellow researcher Andrea Buettner tested the molecular make-up of the “distinctive smells” that came from various pool toys and found that between 32 and 46 odors were detected from each sample, with 13 being described as "intense." A panel of volunteers set to smelling each product to see what each product odor reminded them of.

Participants reported that three of the products reminded them of almonds, plastic, and rubber, while a fourth product reminded them of glue or nail polish. Consumers that experience these or other suspicious odors would be wise to research their products to make sure they are safe to use.

The team's full study has been published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

Chemicals used in flame retardants are frequently identified as suspected health hazards, and now researchers are eyeing them as potential factors in the rising number of thyroid cancer cases.

A recent study published in JAMA noted that thyroid cancer cases have more than tripled over the past four decades. Survival rates remain high, but the mortality rate -- the percentage of patients who die -- has been rising over the past few decades. That's in contrast to mortality rates for most other cancers, which have been steadily declining. 

The cause of the increase isn't clear, but high on the list of suspects are the endocrine-disrupting flame-retardant chemicals commonly found in household objects like furniture and electronics.

A Harvard study last year found that flame retardants may be implicated in thyroid diseases in women, with a significantly higher risk among post-menopausal women.

“These chemicals are just about everywhere, from the blood in polar bears to eagles to humans on every continent,” said Joseph Allen, assistant professor of exposure assessment science at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the study’s lead author. “This near ubiquitous exposure means we are all part of a global experiment on the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on our bodies.”

Fifth most common

A rising obesity rate is also a possible element, as is the reduction in smoking. Oddly, smoking protects against thyroid cancer, although physicians are quick to say they would never advocate taking up smoking for that reason since the other health risks far outweigh any thyroid-cancer benefit.

Thyroid cancer occurs more often in women than in men and is the fifth most common cancer in women. Symptoms are usually mild until the tumor advances to the point where patients have trouble breathing or swallowing or feel pressure in their neck.

In a separate study that has not yet been published, researchers at Duke University found an association between three common types of flame retardants and one type of thyroid cancer, the Wall Street Journal reported. 

Dr. Julie Sosa of Duke's School of Environmental Health said researchers took dust samples from the homes of 70 patients with thyroid cancer and from the homes of 70 patients without cancer to find the association. Blood and urine samples were also studied. 

Sosa noted that one flame retardant, DecaBDE, is chemically similar to the thyroid hormone. That could confuse the body and disrupt the thyroid's functioning, she said.

DecaBDE is no longer produced in the U.S., but it may be used in products manufactured overseas.

A personal genetic analysis service, 23andMe, can give you a lot of information about your ancestry.

Now, the company has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Genetic Health Risk (GHR) tests for 10 diseases or conditions. It marks the first time the agency has allowed these tests to measure someone's genetic predisposition to certain diseases and conditions.

“Consumers can now have direct access to certain genetic risk information,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “But it is important that people understand that genetic risk is just one piece of the bigger puzzle, it does not mean they will or won’t ultimately develop a disease.”

However, health experts are hopeful that if patients understand certain genetic risks they may have, it will provide incentives to make healthier lifestyle choices.

The conditions

The tests are authorized for the following diseases and conditions:

• Parkinson’s disease

• Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease

• Celiac disease

• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

• Early-onset primary dystonia

• Factor XI deficiency

• Gaucher disease type 1

• Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency

• Hereditary hemochromatosis

• Hereditary thrombophilia

The FDA says the tests may provide genetic risk information, but they can't determine someone's overall risk of developing a disease or condition. The tests only measure genetic variants, not other factors that can contribute to illness.

Early opposition

The FDA has made something of an about face on the company. In 2013, the agency ordered 23andMe to shut down on the grounds that its DNA testing kit was an unapproved medical device. It acted in response to the company's early advertising claims.

After many in the medical community said the tests could be beneficial, 23andMe changed its business model and advertising claims to conform with government guidelines, resulting in this week's approval.

The company's GHR tests work by isolating DNA from a saliva sample. The sample undergoes tests for more than 500,000 genetic variants. Whether or not these variants are present is key to whether or not the individual has an increased risk for developing any one of the diseases or conditions.

In the last decade, credit card companies have stepped up the rewards they offer to cardholders, providing everything from cash back to points toward travel discounts.

Surveys have found consumers like these rewards, and the offers often sway a decision on whether or not to apply for a card.

But once you have a card in your wallet, what do you do with the rewards? A new report by financial website Bankrate.com addressed that question and found 31% of consumers with a rewards card have never redeemed the rewards.

In fact, most of us fall into one of two categories: either we are nearly obsessive about redeeming rewards or we don't do it at all. Bankrate's Robin Saks Frankel says it's hard to figure out.

Not gaining value

"Credit card rewards don't usually gain value over time," Frankel said. "In fact, they're more likely to lose value as companies require more points or miles for the same perks. Your best move is to cash them in regularly."

Bankrate found that when consumers do take advantage of their rewards, nearly half prefer to get cash back. That's actually a very savvy choice.

It might be hard to place a quantitative value on other types of rewards, such as airline miles or hotel points. But cash is money in the bank. It can be accumulated to pay for a purchase or can be applied each month to pay a portion of the bill.

Of all the types of rewards, cash seems like the most useful. Millennials favor it over older consumers by a wide margin.

Airline miles a distant second

The Bankrate report found airline miles were a distant second, with only 17% of consumers opting for this perk. Twelve percent of consumers prefer to get their rewards in the form of gift cards.

One drawback to some of the more generous rewards cards is a sometimes hefty annual fee. With so many other rewards cards available with no fee, it's wise to carefully consider all offers before selecting a card that charges a fee.

"The credit card market is very competitive right now, so if you're not happy with a fee, you can either shop around to find another card that doesn't have one or you can see if the issuer is willing to waive the fee to keep your business," Frankel said.

In fact, as we recently reported, a study found more than 80% of cardholders were able to get an annual fee waived or reduced just by asking.

If you talk to younger consumers about retirement, they more than likely will express doubts about Social Security being around when they stop working.

But if you talk to Baby Boomers, you are likely to hear they are counting on their benefits more and more.

A new study commissioned by the Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement (CSR) has found Boomers are just a little too reliant on Social Security, with 38% now saying the monthly check will likely be their primary source of retirement income.

That's up more than 25% from before the financial crisis of 2008, a year which seems to have changed the financial landscape on a number of fronts.

Before 2008, Boomers were younger and a lot more optimistic about retirement. Then, about 43% said they expected personal savings or earnings from a job to be their primary source of income during their Golden Years.

Post-crisis investment environment

Drilling deeper into the data, the researchers suggests the post-crisis investment environment could have something to do with the change. While it is true the stock market is at all-time highs, there is a pervasive feeling among some that it's not going to last.

Age might be another factor. The stock market goes up and down, and when you're 50 a big drop doesn't seem as frightening as when you're 65.

The study found Boomers with incomes between $30,000 and $100,000 and less than $1 million in investable assets are concerned about investing money and, perhaps as a result, are now over-reliant on Social Security.

Nearly 75% of Boomers say they have changed their investing behavior as a result of the financial crisis and are taking a more conservative approach with their money.

It's supposed to be a safety net

"Social Security was designed to be a safety net, not a primary replacement for savings or income," said Scott Goldberg, president of Bankers Life. "Those who are in or near retirement should consider the various ways they can create future income to help achieve a secure retirement. There are products readily available in the marketplace that can help."

And that goes for Boomers who have actually saved some money. Financial planners are even more worried about those who have not.

A 2015 report from the General Accountability Office (GAO) found that 52% of U.S. households age 55 and older have no retirement savings. What's worse, the agency found many older households without retirement savings have few other resources, such as a defined benefit pension, non-retirement savings, or other assets.

As for Boomers facing retirement, most told the CSR researchers that they have struggled to rebound since the 2008 financial crisis. While they still plan to retire, they say they have readjusted their expectations to meet the new reality.

The Smokehouse of NY of Mamaroneck, N.Y., is recalling various smoked fish products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been confirmed to date.

The following products, distributed to markets, restaurants, and hotels in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Alabama, Minnesota and Montana, are being recalled:

The recalled product is distributed in black cryovaced bags containing the company logo and name with expiration dates of April 5-19, 2017.

What to do

Consumers with questions or seeking information may contact the company at 914-630-4788 Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm.