Current Events in July 2017

Which U.S. towns have the best elementary schools?

A new analysis by Realtor.com names top 10 affordable towns with great schools

Staying in the same school district while your child is young not only enables them to grow up surrounded by the same group of friends, it can help ensure..

Here's the latest utility company scam

Buying Federal Reserve routing numbers to pay your bill won't work

Scams revolving around utility bills are not uncommon. Utility bills are a major expense that every consumer has every month. Criminals are always looking..

Dangerous brain disease much more common in football players than previously thought

A study found that 99% of a sample of former NFL players had symptoms of CTE

Safety advocates have long decried contact sports like hockey and football for causing irreparable, long-term damage to athletes at all levels. And a recen..

Making time-saving purchases increases happiness in consumers

Buying ourselves out of unpleasant or time-wasting experiences may be worth it

We’ve all heard the saying that money can’t buy you happiness, but a new study from the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School suggests..

How to guard against identity theft and bank fraud

Survey shows it is a growing concern for consumers

Reports of data breaches involving credit card networks at stores and hotels seem to be increasing. So maybe it's not surprising that consumers are worryin..

Researchers say we're still taking too many antibiotics

The drugs are effective against only a third of sinus infections

Bacteria are getting stronger and more resistant to the miracle drugs that have fought infection and saved millions of lives over the last few decades...

What to look for in a house if you have a pet

5 features that can help provide a better environment for pets

From gourmet treats to doggy day spas, pet parents often go to great lengths to ensure their four-legged companions get nothing but the best. For Millennia..

New Colorado law aims to combat hot car deaths

Consumers will be able to forcibly enter another person's car to save the life of a child or pet

Authorities usually frown on consumers who break into other people’s vehicles, but starting next month, it will be legal for Colorado residents to do just..

GM recalls 40k vehicles with unresolved airbag and seat belt issues

The front airbags and the seat belt pretensioners may not deploy properly

General Motors is recalling 40,683 model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, model year 2014-2017 Buick Enco..

8 clever tips to help take the stress out of cleaning

Simple tricks that can add an element of effortlessness to the task of cleaning

Most people associate cleaning with time, effort, and an array of fancy spray solutions, but getting your home spic and span doesn’t have to take all day,..

Polaris recalls RZR 170 off-highway vehicles

Fuel can leak, posing a fire hazard

Coke banishes Coke Zero, introduces Coke Zero Sugar

Critics, meanwhile, file a lawsuit blaming Coke for the American obesity epidemic

Coca-Cola is doing away with Coke Zero and replacing it with Coke Zero Sugar. It might sound illogical, or even silly, but it's not just a new name, it's a..

Kelley Blue Book names year's most-awarded cars

Honda places three models in the top 10

In many cases when a consumer goes car shopping, he or she has pretty much settled on a make and model. What's left is to negotiate the price.But what..

House votes to block CFPB's anti-arbitration rule

The measure would ban consumers from seeking their day in court

Congress has begun the process of unwinding a consumer's right to a day in court, as the House voted 231-190 along party lines Tuesday to block a rule rece..

Decorating around black appliances

Four ways to embrace the new trend in kitchen appliances

Black stainless steel finish appliances are relatively new on the scene, but can add an elegant, modern touch to any kitchen. KitchenAid calls the new mate..

Another foodborne illness disaster closes in on Chipotle

Officials say 135 consumers have reported falling ill after visiting a Virginia location

Earlier this month, Chipotle temporarily closed one of its stores in Sterling, Virginia after reports came in that some of its customers were getting ill...

Things to consider before buying or renting a home

The decision is not as simple as it might seem

Should you buy a home or keep renting? It's an often-asked question but one that doesn't have a simple answer.Instead, the answer is usually "it all de..

Feds may scrap aggressive fuel-economy standards

Consumer groups say higher mpg requirements have saved consumers billions

A new study commissioned by a consumer group finds that 79 percent of Americans support higher federal fuel economy standards for cars, but the U.S. Transp..

Why millions of PC users are locked out of Microsoft's Creator's Update

The problem may force consumers to either buy a new machine or lose access to security updates

Many consumers may remember with some chagrin how adamant Microsoft was when it came to getting computer users to upgrade to Windows 10. But now only a cou..

Tips for spotting and preventing dry drowning

Drowning can happen even after a child has gotten out of the water

Taking a dip in the pool, ocean, or lake can be a great way to beat the summer heat, but spending time in bodies of water can also put kids at risk of drow..