News in March 2018

Before Uber pedestrian death, cyclists had warnings about self-driving cars

A San Francisco bike commuter said that Uber’s test cars were not ready for public roads before the company left for Arizona

Elaine Herzberg may be the first pedestrian to die in a collision with a car equipped with semi-autonomous technology, but she’s not necessarily the first..

The Weekly Hack: Atlanta held for ransom and must pay in Bitcoin

Atlanta officials say the city is being held hostage

Welcome to the future. Hackers are currently holding a major American city for ransom and are demanding that they be paid in Bitcoin.Atlanta officials..

Judge rules coffee sold in California must carry cancer warning

A consumer group sued Starbucks under Prop 65

A superior court judge in Los Angeles has ruled in favor of a consumer group that demanded Starbucks and other coffee sellers in the state post cancer warn..

Under Armour says 150 million MyFitnessPal accounts were affected by data breach

Users are being urged to change their account password right away

Under Armour has disclosed that 150 million MyFitnessPal diet and fitness app accounts were affected by a security breach. The number of records compromise..

Facebook memo puts besieged company on the defensive again

The company says the 2016 memo was purposefully provocative to stir debate

On a day when Facebook took additional steps to tamp down the furor over its handling of user data, company CEO Mark Zuckerberg was forced to explain an in..

FCC approves SpaceX’s plan for broadband internet satellites

The U.S. government wants to bring high-speed internet access to rural areas that lack service

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Elon Musk’s SpaceX plan for a 4,425-satellite broadband network.The broadband service -- which..

Barclays to pay $2 billion to regulators for its role in the 2008 financial crisis

The bank’s CEO said he was ‘pleased’ with the DOJ settlement

Ten years after the 2008 housing crisis triggered major losses in the world’s economy, a British banking giant accused of helping fuel the meltdown has fin..

Walmart reportedly in talks to buy Humana

The deal could continue a trend of consolidation in the healthcare industry

The nation's largest retailer is reportedly in talks to acquire one of the nation's largest healthcare providers.The Wall Street Journal reports Walmar..

State Department proposes that all visa applicants disclose social media identities

The move expands the Trump administration's cross-check of U.S. visitors and immigrants

The U.S. State Department wants to widen its scrutiny of U.S. visa applicants by asking them to unveil their social media handles.According to a Bloomb..

Apple’s Health Records feature rolls out to public

The new feature lets users access their medical history from an app on their device

Apple’s iOS 11.3 update has been released to the public, which means iPhone users who download the latest software now have access to a new Health Records..

Tamarack recalls Eclipse Kratom

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella

Tamarack Inc., of Roy, Utah, is recalling Eclipse Kratom-containing powder products that may be contaminated with Salmonella.No illnesses have been rep..

Toyota recalls Prius C vehicles sold in Puerto Rico

The front passenger airbag label may be missing

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 19 model year 2018 Toyota Prius C vehicles sold in Puerto Rico.The front passenger airbag and rec..

King Arthur Flour Company organic coconut flour

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

King Arthur Flour Company is recalling 6,300 cases of Organic Coconut FlourTesting has revealed the presence of Salmonella in one pouch of flour.Th..

Despite pedestrian death, self-driving car industry lobbies for fast expansion of testing

Advocates warn that a loophole could prevent crash victims from suing

In late 2016, shortly after Anthony Levandowski -- portrayed in court proceedings as Google’s star engineer in self-driving technology -- was hired away by..

Automakers hoping to sell consumers on electric cars

Companies are going all-in on a product that's just not that popular

Throughout 2017 and last year, the world's automakers stepped up their commitment to all-electric vehicles.Honda began delivering the Clarity, an all-e..

FDA may reconsider what ‘healthy’ means for food products

The agency announced a new initiative to improve consumer health

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to improve Americans’ diets by rethinking what it means for food products to be considered “healthy.” In a..

Bumble files suit against Match for allegedly stealing trade secrets

The company says Match Group fraudulently obtained confidential information

Earlier this month, Match Group -- owner of the dating app Tinder -- filed a lawsuit against its rival Bumble for alleged patent infringement and misuse of..

Boeing is the latest to be hit by WannaCry ransomware

The attack is a reminder that Microsoft Windows users should double-check their system

Boeing Company’s computer system was struck by the WannaCry computer virus on Wednesday. The company’s worst fear was that crucial aircraft production equi..

Researchers identify a possible genetic link to SIDS

Mutations of a certain gene could make children more vulnerable to SIDS

A new study has revealed a possible genetic factor that may help identify babies at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) -- the unexplained death o..

Report says average consumer can't buy a median-priced home

Prices are up 6.2 percent in all 20 markets monitored by Case-Shiller

With the spring homebuying season just getting underway, home shoppers are facing a double challenge. There are fewer homes to buy and they cost more. In f..

Consumers earned more last month but spent less

Inflation ticked up but remains in check

Consumers showed some increased financial discipline last month, taking home more pay but not spending all of it.A report by the Bureau of Economic Ana..

Poppies International recalls Delizza Belgian Custard Cream Mini Eclairs

The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Poppies International of Battleboro, N.C., is recalling Delizza Belgian Custard Cream Mini Eclairs made from March 5 – 9, 2018.The product may be conta..

Toyota recalls model year 2018 Camrys

The engine could lose power and stop running

Toyota Motor North America is recalling 1,730 model year 2018 Camrys.The vehicle’s engine may be equipped with pistons from a particular production per..

Safety investigators looking into fatal Tesla crash

The company can't yet say whether the car was in autopilot mode at the time

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has sent investigators to California to look into Friday's fatal crash of a Tesla Model X.The federal a..

Facebook users getting more control over privacy settings

The platform is consolidating 20 privacy screens to just one

Facebook is making major changes to its privacy settings to make it easier for users to find and change them.The company has been under fire because on..

Oracle wins appeal in legal fight with Google over copyrighted code

At stake is more than $8 billion and the future of how software is developed

Google may be on the hook for more than $8 billion in a landmark case over its excessive use of Oracle’s code.A U.S. court of appeals ruled on Tuesday..

McDonald’s to ban plastic straws at some of its restaurants

​Starting in May, the company will use paper straws at its U.K. restaurants

In response to growing public concern over the use of plastic straws in restaurants, McDonald’s has announced that it plans to start phasing out straws in..

Facebook sued for allegedly allowing housing discrimination

The besieged social networking company faces one more headache

The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and three of its member groups have sued Facebook, claiming its advertising allows landlords and real estate brok..

Apple faces dozens of lawsuits over throttled iPhones

Fifty-nine lawsuits could be combined into a single class-action suit tomorrow

Apple has reportedly been hit with numerous lawsuits following its admission that it deliberately slowed aging iPhones to preserve battery life.At leas..

Uber says it won’t renew permit to test self-driving vehicles in California

Uber is pulling its driverless vehicles from California roads after its deadly crash in Arizona

After one of its vehicles fatally crashed into a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona, Uber has decided not to renew its permit to test its self-driving technology..

California Jerky Factory recalls beef jerky

The products may be underprocessed

California Jerky Factory of South El Monte, Calif., is recalling approximately 1,238 pounds of beef jerky products because of due to a deviation that may h..

Model year 2018 Tiguan long wheel base vehicles recalled

The engine support bolts may not have been tightened properly

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling four model year 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles.The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not..

Mercedes-Benz recalls model year 2017 E300 4Matics, E300s and E43 AMGs

The low beam headlights may insufficiently illuminating the roadway

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 20 model year 2017 E300 4Matics, E300s, and E43 AMGs fitted with LED headlights.The headlights may be misadjuste..

Arizona suspends Uber's driverless car tests

Governor Ducey ordered the cars off the street after viewing video of the recent fatal crash

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has ordered an indefinite suspension of Uber's public road testing of driverless cars. The decision comes in the wake of a fata..

Driver says BMW’s self-closing doors severed his thumb

The automaker faces another suit that says the feature lacks proper sensors and safeguards

BMW’s “soft close automatic doors” were introduced in 2002 and billed as a luxury feature for drivers trying to step out of tight parking spaces. It works..

Sen. Mitch McConnell wants to legalize cannabis (but not weed)

A bill introduced by the Senate majority leader would legalize hemp, a non-psychoactive variety of the cannabis crop

Whether he knows it or not, U.S. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is fighting to legalize a cannabis crop that bears a striking physical resem..

BMW sued for allegedly cheating emissions tests

The lawsuit claims BMW dodged emissions standards by equipping vehicles with defeat devices

BMW has been hit with a class-action lawsuit for allegedly cheating emissions tests on diesel vehicles, including its X5 and 330d models. The lawsuit,..

Waymo and Jaguar to launch luxury self-driving SUV

The company will test in Arizona despite Uber’s recent publicity crisis in the state

Waymo, Google’s self-driving car arm, has announced that it plans to turn the new Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV into a self-driving luxury taxi. The joint..

Wall Street bonuses in 2017 were the highest since 2006

​Experts say tax law changes have benefited bankers

The average Wall Street bonus in 2017 was three times what most U.S. households make all year, according to data released by the New York state comptroller..

Bankruptcy makes loans more expensive, but not impossible

A study shows that most consumers can qualify again within two years

People file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection for many reasons, whether because of a major financial setback or a series of smaller ones. The status give..

Walmart expands its use of shelf-scanning robots

The move is designed to up inventory efficiency and allow company workers more customer-facing time

Walmart’s beta test of shelf-scanning robots have gone so well that the big box retailer is broadening the initiative to 50 stores in four states, accordin..

Are you feeling good or bad about the economy?

Competing surveys disagree

The Conference Board's monthly survey shows consumer confidence declined in March, following a February increase.The survey came out the same day CNBC..

IRS: Don't forget to report cryptocurrency profits

Being paid in virtual currency can also have tax consequences

If you were one of the fortunate investors who made a killing on Bitcoin in 2017, or maybe just earned a few bucks on a digital currency transaction, the I..

The government is investigating Facebook’s privacy issues

The FTC confirmed that it has opened a 'non-public' probe

The Federal Trade Commission has confirmed it has opened an investigation into Facebook's privacy practices.The announcement from Acting Director Tom P..

Facebook accused of collecting call and text messages on Android phones

The company claims it’s something users opt-in to, but can easily change

New reports suggest that Facebook has been logging Android users’ call and SMS (text) history without their permission. The company says that’s not exactly..

Spending bill lacks funds to stabilize health insurance market

As a result, Affordable Care Act premiums will surge in October

The $1.3 trillion spending bill Congress passed last week has more money for the military and domestic programs, but what it doesn't have could send health..

Twitter announces a ban on cryptocurrency ads

The social media platform says the decision will help keep users safe

Today, Twitter announced that it will be joining the likes of Facebook and Google in banning advertisements for initial coin offerings (ICO) and token sale..

Remington files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Despite financial and legal difficulties, the company plans to keep making guns

Remington Outdoor Co, one of the oldest and largest gun and ammunition manufacturers in the country, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.The..

Apple CEO Tim Cook calls for new regulations on data and privacy

Cook says the data breach at Facebook is ‘dire’

At the annual China Development Forum in Beijing on Saturday, Apple CEO Tim Cook called for stronger data privacy regulations to prevent “dire” situations..

Feds seek permanent ban against telemarketer

The FTC has stepped up its efforts to deflect unwanted calls to consumers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking a court order to prevent Alliance Security, a home security firm, from using telemarketing to sell products a..

Radagast Pet Food recalls chicken and turkey products

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Radagast Pet Food of Portland, Ore., is recalling one lot each of Free-Range Chicken and Free-Range Turkey Recipe.The products may be contaminated with..

River Valley Sprouts recalls alfalfa sprouts and garlic alfalfa sprouts

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella

River Valley Sprouts is recalling its 5-oz. packages of alfalfa sprouts, garlic/alfalfa and variety sprouts, and 4-oz. Packages of alfalfa sprouts.The..

Model year 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrids recalled

The vehicle could lose power, increasing the risk of a crash

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 2,840 model year 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrids.Thee vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Devic..

Briggs & Stratton recalls riding mowers

The mowers can unintentionally mow when being driven in reverse

Briggs & Stratton of Wauwatosa, Wis., is recalling about 18,300 Snapper, Simplicity and Massey Ferguson riding mowers sold in the U.S. and Canada.The r..

PDX Aromatics again expands recall of Kratom products

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella

For the second time in a week, PDX Aromatics, doing business as Kraken Kratom, Phytoextractum, and Soul Speciosa, is again expanding earlier recalls of red..

Ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup spray linked to shorter pregnancies

Researchers in Indiana say that glyphosate may cause adverse health effects in fetuses

Women in Indiana’s “corn belt” had shorter pregnancies if they were regularly exposed to glyphosate, a new peer-reviewed study has found“Glyphosate is..

The Weekly Hack: Facebook users targeted and the biggest illegal hack of all time

Universities were targeted in a state-sponsored campaign, prosecutors say

News that the firm Cambridge Analytica harvested profile data from Facebook users to advertise for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and other right-win..

AT&T/Time Warner merger trial opens in Washington

The Trump administration is seeking to block the two media companies from joining forces

Lawyers representing the U.S. Justice Department and AT&T; faced off in federal court in Washington on Thursday as the government attempts to block the com..

Citigroup places some restrictions on gun sales for retail clients

The decision is the first by a major bank to take a stance in the gun control debate

Following in the footsteps of retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart, Citigroup has become the first major bank to restrict some gun sales.On..

Billionaire launches effort to save Toys ‘R’ Us

Isaac Larian has pledged $200 million dollars to save the retailer

A top toy company executive is pledging hundreds of millions of his own dollars to save Toys “R” Us.Isaac Larian, the CEO of MGA entertainment -- the c..

Experian launches free tool to remove mistakes from credit reports

The company says consumers shouldn't spend money on credit repair

Experian has launched a free service for consumers who need to correct errors on their credit reports, saying it eliminates the need to spend money on so-c..

Craigslist shutters its Personals section after passage of sex trafficking bill

The site says it can’t risk being held liable for posts that may advertise sex or illegal interactions

Craigslist announced on Friday that it’s shutting down its personal ad section.The global classified ad site made its decision in response to Congress..

Best Buy becomes the latest retailer to stop offering Huawei phones

Mounting security concerns have detoured the electronics manufacturer’s inroads to the U.S.

Best Buy is the latest to banish Huawei phones from its shelves. In January, both AT&T; and Verizon announced they were doing the same out of concerns from..

Report finds bleak conditions for first-time homebuyers

Entry level homes are older, smaller, and more expensive

The number of homes for sale rose in the first quarter for the first time in years, according to real estate marketplace Trulia. But it’s not good news for..

Natural Grocers Coconut Smiles Organic recalled

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets of Lakewood, Colo., is recalling Natural Grocers Coconut Smiles Organic.The product may be contaminated with Salmo..

PDX Aromatics Kratom products recall expanded

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella

PDX Aromatics, doing business as Kraken Kratom, Phytoextractum, and Soul Speciosa, is expanding its earlier recall of certain kratom white vein powder and..

Self-driving Uber may not be at fault for killing pedestrian

Local police say the woman abruptly ‘came from the shadows’

Three days after a pedestrian was struck and killed by an Uber operating in autonomous mode, Arizona police say video footage of the accident suggests the..

Facebook CEO goes public on data sale scandal

The social media company is trying to get in front of backlash

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg has made a public statement in response to the controversy over one of its partner's illegal sale of Facebook data to a third..

Coinbase bug allowed users to send themselves unlimited amounts of cryptocurrency

The finding is yet another bump in the road when it comes to cryptocurrency security

Dutch financial tech firm VI Company uncovered a flaw in digital currency exchange Coinbase’s system that allowed users to add an unlimited amount of the d..

Congress poised to pass $1.3 trillion budget

The measure would avert a government shutdown at midnight on Friday

In a rare show of bipartisan cooperation, lawmakers in Washington have proposed a $1.3 trillion budget bill that would fund the government through Septembe..

Two-thirds of millennials haven’t saved anything for retirement

Researchers cite a ‘harsh economic landscape’ as the main reason

Two-thirds of working millennials haven’t saved anything for retirement, according to a new report.The National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS)..

Survey finds 39 percent of rewards cardholders are paying interest

Carrying a balance cuts into a credit card's 'rewards'

Rewards credit cards are popular with consumers. Some cards pay cash back on purchases while some provide travel perks.But consumers who load those car..

Bankruptcies caused by health problems aren’t as common as previously thought

However, lost employment and lower earnings were connected to health problems

Medical bills can put a strain on a patient’s financial well-being, but bankruptcies due to medical bills aren’t as common as previous research suggests...

Honda recalls model year 2014-2016 Odysseys

An issue with a seat walk-in release lever could increase the injury risk

SMI Holdings recalls beef top sirloin steak

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella

SMI Holdings, doing business as Stampede Meat, of Bridgeview, Ill., is recalling approximately 484,800 pounds of raw beef top sirloin steak.The product..

Ford Focus and Fusion vehicles recalled

The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly

Ford Motor Company is recalling 5,357 model year 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission, and model..

Airline deregulation -- sky high profits for carriers, but no silver linings for flyers

Is the airline industry doing everything it can to maximize profits, even to the detriment of passengers?

Ticket prices up, seat sizes down, extra charges for almost anything that can be turned into a profit center -- everything seems to be fair game for the ai..

Toyota parks its driverless cars after Arizona accident

Consumer groups want a slowdown in all testing on public roads

Toyota has suspended public road testing of its autonomous car technology after this week's fatal accident involving a driverless car in Arizona. The vehic..

Google launches new effort to combat the spread of misinformation

Google News Initiative includes features to help publishers adapt to the digital age

Google has made a $300 million commitment to elevate quality journalism and combat the spread of misinformation.The company is launching what it calls..

McDonald’s, Starbucks commit to eco-friendly goals

The burger chain is reducing its emissions while Starbucks is developing a greener cup

More retailers than ever are taking measures to curb their negative impact on the environment and win over eco-minded consumers. McDonald’s and Starbucks a..

Debt collection still a big source of consumer complaints

A joint report shows federal agencies still receive thousands of complaints

Illegal actions by debt collectors remained a huge source of consumer complaints in 2017, according to two federal agencies filing a joint report.The F..

Whole Foods shares Prime loyalty program details

The grocer met with suppliers to address concerns over the Amazon acquisition

Whole Foods met with some of its suppliers earlier this week to share details of its new affinity program and assure its suppliers that the Amazon acquisit..

Here are the best and worst times to book 2018 air travel

As always, booking too early or too late can be costly

If you're busy planning your summer vacation, remember that when you choose to book airfare will have a significant impact on how much you pay for tickets...

International Harvest recalls raw coconut

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

International Harvest of Mount Vernon, N.Y., is recalling 14,620 lbs. of bulk and 24,270 bags of Organic Go Smile! Raw Coconut.The product may be conta..

Standard Meat Company recalls beef sirloin

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella

Standard Meat Company of Saginaw, Texas, is recalling up to 53,154 pounds of raw beef sirloin that may be contaminated with Salmonella.There have been..

Former Corinthian College students continue to be denied full debt relief

Attorneys say the Trump administration illegally obtained income data to keep students indebted

Sarah Dieffenbacher borrowed $50,000 in federal student loans so she could study to become a paralegal in a program at Everest College in Ontario, Californ..

Washington demands answers from Facebook about data collection

The company's policies will likely be under close scrutiny

Members of Congress are calling for more oversight of Facebook after information about an estimated 50 million users was allegedly used to influence electi..

Airlines ask for industry-wide rule changes as part of Trump’s deregulation push

On the chopping block are more than 30 flyer-oriented protections and regulations

Major airlines have banded together and released a wish list of regulations that the industry would like to see the Trump administration repeal -- many of..

Safety regulators probe reports of non-deploying airbags

The investigation centers on certain Hyundai and Kia models

Federal regulators have begun an investigation of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the U.S. following reports that airbags in certain models failed to deploy in..

United Airlines suspends transport of pets in cargo hold

The airline is conducting a ‘thorough and systematic review’ of its PetSafe program

United Airlines is suspending new reservations for cargo-hold pet transportations after several incidents occured last week, leading to a wave of negative..

Could Amazon be eyeing Toys ‘R’ Us locations?

A published report says it can’t be ruled out

Once Toys “R” Us completes its recently-announced liquidation, it will leave more than 700 large, empty retail spaces throughout the US. Could Amazon be po..

Half of American households now subscribe to a streaming service

A survey shows consumers spend $2.1 billion a month on video streaming service subscriptions

Half of American households (55 percent) now subscribe to at least one video streaming service, according to consulting firm Deloitte’s 12th annual digital..

Claire’s files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Despite the decision, the company says it is continuing to grow and is safe from online retailers

Claire’s has announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company says it plans to pursue a financial restructuring to eliminate a “substanti..

BMW recalls X3 xDrive30i and X3 M40i vehicles

The rear spoiler may detach while the vehicle is being driven

BMW of North America is recalling 17,008 model year 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i and X3 M40i vehicles.The rear spoiler may not have been properly attached dur..

Nissan recalls model year 2011-2012 Nissan Jukes

The fuel pressure sensor may loosen and leak fuel

Nissan North America is recalling 49,385 model year 2011-2012 Nissan Jukes.During an earlier recall, the fuel pressure sensor may not have been properl..

Uber in self-driving mode kills pedestrian, Arizona police say

Arizona’s governor welcomed Uber to the state in 2016, after Uber refused to comply with California laws over self-driving cars

An Uber car hit and killed a woman this weekend while it was in “autonomous” mode, according to police in Tempe, Arizona. Uber confirmed in an announcement..

Facebook under scrutiny for political use of its data

Information on users reportedly helped influence voters

Facebook finds itself under fire after a weekend revelation that data on millions of its users was used in an unauthorized manner.It's being called a d..

Google introduces ‘Shopping Actions’ to compete with Amazon

The company wants shoppers to search for products and buy them through Google

In an effort to compete with Amazon and make more money from product searches, Google has rolled out a new program called Shopping Actions.Aware of the..

Twitter may soon ban ads for cryptocurrency products

Reports suggest the social media giant will join the fray to protect consumers from fraudulent and manipulative pitches

Recent reports suggest that Twitter may decide to block ads for cryptocurrency exchanges, initial coin offerings (ICO), cryptocurrency wallets, and crypto..

One in four Americans are online ‘constantly’

A new study shows consumers of all ages are spending more time on the internet

As internet-connected devices become more widespread, a growing number of consumers admit to spending a majority of their day online. About 26 percent..

Study finds huge knowledge gaps about student loans

The authors say misinformation can lead to costly mistakes

A recent study suggests the student loan problem has grown, in part, because most borrowers had little or no understanding of the process before taking out..

Fed likely to raise interest rates this week

The decision will boost rates on credit cards and home equity loans

The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meets this week and is widely expected to boost a key interest rate by 0.25 percent.The Fed meeting, the firs..

Splenda worsens symptoms of Crohn’s disease, study finds

Researchers say Splenda induces changes in gut bacteria and gut wall immune cell reactivity

A new study suggests that Splenda and other zero-calorie sugar substitutes can worsen gut inflammation, which is a symptom of Crohn’s disease.Researche..

Model year 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks recalled

The fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 270,254 model year 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, In..

Nissan recalls model year 2018 Nissan 370Zs

The driver's side curtain airbag may have been installed incorrectly

Nissan North America is recalling 22 model year 2018 Nissan 370Zs.The driver's side curtain airbag may have been installed incorrectly during productio..

The Weekly Hack: Russia accused of hacking the U.S. power grid and Pentagon employees compromised

Alleged hacking attacks are escalating tensions between the United States and Russia

The Trump administration said Thursday that the Russian government tried to hack the United States power grid two years ago.The announcement coincided..

White House reportedly to propose death penalty for opioid drug dealers

A report suggests tougher penalties are included in the latest plan to fight addiction

The Trump administration has reportedly drawn up a plan to fight opioid addiction that includes the death penalty for drug dealers, in some cases.In an..

Bottled water fans are ingesting small pieces of plastic, report says

The World Health Organization is now investigating bottled water over concerns of microplastic contamination

The “extraordinary saga” of Evian bottled water, according to the Danone Corporation, began in France in 1789, when the Marquis de Lessert drank spring wat..

Intel promises its new chips will fix the Spectre and Meltdown issues

The new processors are expected to ship in the second half of 2018

Intel is banking on a new chipset to end recently discovered security concerns over flaws in the company’s chips and processors.It’s been a tough first..

Bill would make credit freeze provisions free for consumers impacted by Equifax breach​

But some consumer advocates say the bill may do more harm than good

A new legislation would allow consumers to finally get free credit freezes at each of the three big credit reporting bureaus following last year’s Equifax..

GM reportedly eying peer-to-peer vehicle rental business

The move could mark an industry transformation

General Motors (GM) reportedly plans to enter the car sharing market later this summer by establishing a pilot program for owners of GM vehicles to rent th..

Spotify stocks to start trading April 3

The company acknowledges that trading could start off on a volatile foot

Following its decision to file for IPO in a non-traditional public listing, Spotify announced that its stock will start trading directly to consumers on Ap..

FDA announces intent to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes

The proposed move would drastically reduce the number of tobacco-related deaths

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Thursday that it is taking a “historic” step toward making cigarettes less addictive. The agency is co..

Court strikes down proposed fiduciary rule

Justices say the Obama Labor Department exceeded its authority in drafting it

A federal appeals court has driven the final nail in the coffin of the fiduciary rule, an Obama Administration proposal designed to protect investors and r..

Mercedes recalls model year 2018 vehicles with AMG performance seats

The backrest rail and fitting may not be properly welded

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 99 model year 2018 Mercedes Benz C43 AMGs, C63S AMGs, E63 S AMG Sedans and E63S AMG Stationwagons fitted with AMG pe..

PDX Aromatics recalls kratom powder

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella

PDX Aromatics of Portland, Ore., doing business as Kraken Kratom, Phytoextractum, and Soul Speciosa, is recalling kratom-containing powder products.The..

Helvetia Sports recalls SwissStop bicycle disc brake pads

The brake pads can separate from the backplate, posing a fall hazard

Helvetia Sports of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, is recalling about 750 SwissStop EXOTherm disc brake pads.The brake pads can separate from the backpl..

Rural states see dollar signs in Obama-era law that legalized hemp

Alaska is the latest state that is poised to allow farmers to grow hemp

For Alaska's inaugural Hempfest that Niki Raapana organized several years ago, she remembers public outcry was so intense that sponsors and planned venues..

Toys 'R' Us closing its U.S. stores

The company was unable to find a buyer or restructure its massive debt

Bankrupt toy retailer Toys "R" Us is closing all of its U.S. stores after last ditch efforts to restructure its debt failed.The company has announced i..

Tesla employees say flawed parts are causing Model 3 production delays

The company denies the claims and cites normal testing protocols

Current and former Tesla employees say the automaker is manufacturing a surprisingly high ratio of parts that are flawed and need to be reworked, leading t..

Census Bureau reports seniors will soon outnumber kids

It's a demographic trend that has huge implications for future retirees

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that an emerging demographic trend spells trouble for future retirees. By 2030 -- 12 years from now -- senior citizens will..

California bill seeks to impose strong net neutrality protections

Lawmakers say the proposal is even stronger than the original version of net neutrality

A prospective net neutrality bill in the California state legislature would ban payments for the type of data cap exemptions that carriers like AT&T; and V..

iHeartMedia files for bankruptcy

The company has spent years dealing with massive debt

iHeartMedia Inc., the parent company of iHeartRadio, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after years of struggling with $20 billion worth of debt. The..

Taxpayers vulnerable to new phishing scams

A report shows scammers are impersonating legitimate tax prep websites

Tax season means phishing scammers are out in force, trying to steal consumers' identities and cheat them out of their tax refunds.DomainTools, a threa..

Google says it removed 3.2 billion ‘bad ads’ last year

The company says it is taking preemptive measures to combat fraudulent ads

Every year, Google gets faster and more efficient at clamping down on ads that violate its policies. In a blog post detailing its annual ‘bad ads’ statisti..

Ford recalls 1.3 million Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs

The steering wheel could detach from the steering column

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1.3 million model year 2014-18 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs.The vehicles have potentially loose steering wheel bolts t..

Volkswagen recalls various vehicles with airbag inflator issue

Excessive internal pressure may cause the airbag inflator to explode

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 51,352 model year 2009-2014 Volkswagen CCs, model year 2010-2014 Golfs, model year 2010-2011 Eos vehicles, model y..

Starwest Botanicals recalls Organic Cardamom Pods Green

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

Starwest Botanicals is recalling Starwest Botanicals Organic Cardamom Pods Green (Whole).The product may be contaminated with Salmonella.No illness..

Amazon recalls portable power banks

The power bank’s battery can overheat and ignite

Amazon of Seattle, Wash., is recalling about 260,000 AmazonBasics portable power banks.The power bank’s battery can overheat and ignite, posing fire an..

Google cracks down on ads for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies

The company says the assets have too great a potential for harm

Google is banning all advertisements relating to cryptocurrency, the company recently announced.Google ads, which run on Google pages and third-party w..

Former Equifax CIO faces insider trading charges

The former executive allegedly sold $1 million in shares just before the Equifax data breach was announced

A former Equifax executive has been charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with selling nearly $1 million worth of shares before the compa..

Dog dies on United flight after being stored in overhead bin

The flight attendant who told the owner to stow the dog insists she didn’t know there was a live animal in the bag

A 10-month-old puppy died Monday on a United Airlines flight after a flight attendant allegedly told its owner to store the animal and its carrier in an ov..

Retailers are tracking how many items you return

An obscure California firm is monitoring your activity

There are many reasons consumers may need to return a purchased item to a retailer, but what most consumers may not realize is that retailers are keeping t..

Start-up company unveils new self-flying taxi

The aircraft won’t require a pilot, or pilot’s license, to operate

Google founder and Alphabet CEO Larry Page has debuted his new autonomous flying taxi, Cora. The pilotless, fully electric flying taxi is made by Page’s ne..

Spring homebuyers could face higher mortgage payments

A government policy change could push payments even higher

The spring homebuying season is getting underway, and a couple of nasty surprises could await consumers hoping to purchase a home.Home prices are still..

Walmart expands home delivery to 800 stores

The retailer is upping the ante in its race with Amazon and Target

The grocery delivery wars are heating up.Walmart has fired the latest shot, announcing that it will expand its fledgling grocery delivery service from..

Fitbit introduces its new smartwatch and kid-oriented health tracker

The new devices focus on women’s health and children’s physical well-being

Fitbit has expanded its wearable tech product line, jumping into the kid’s exercise tracking game and amping up its run at the smartwatch market.Fitbit..

Redbarn expands dog chew recall

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella

Redbarn Pet Products of Long Beach, Calif., is expanding its earlier recall of dog chews to include all lots of the product.The products may be contami..

Texas-based company reveals plans for 3D printing affordable homes

The company says homes could cost under $10,000 and benefit those in need

ICON, a Texas-based construction technology company, has made a breakthrough in affordable housing by 3D “printing” a single story, 600-800 square foot hom..

Yahoo users can sue over data breaches

A California judge ruled against Yahoo’s attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed

A federal judge has ruled that most of a lawsuit concerning Yahoo’s data breach, which exposed the personal information of all of its 3 billion users, can..

Senate makes final tweaks to Dodd Frank revisions

Small community banks would come under less regulation

A procedural vote in the Senate has cleared the way for passage of revisions to the Dodd Frank Financial Reform Law, which was passed in the wake of the 20..

These are the states with the highest levels of income inequality

Income inequality increased all over the map since 2010, according to recent data

A recent analysis from career website Zippia suggests income inequality increased in all 50 states between 2010 and 2016, despite some people’s efforts to..

Tesla raises prices for use of its Supercharger stations

Rates increased by 20 to 40 percent in most regions

Tesla has raised the prices-per-kilowatt hour of its Supercharger stations across the country. While some states have seen 100 percent increases, the avera..

Annual remodeling survey finds small projects pay off the most

Labor costs make big jobs less practical

Consumers considering a major home remodeling project, with an eye toward resale, would do better to think small.In its annual Cost Vs. Value Report, R..

Cost of living slows in February

Gasoline and rents kept inflation in check

The cost of living rose in February, but not as much as in January. Lower gasoline prices and moderating rents helped keep inflation in check.The Labor..

Chrysler recalls model year 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvios

The windshield wipers may operate only at the low-speed setting

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 1,505 model year 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvios. The software for the wiper motor may incorrectly interpret the wiper motor as..

Tucker’s Pork-Bison Box recalled

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

Raw Basics of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., is recalling 540-lbs. of 5lb. Tuckers Pork-Bison Boxes.The pet product may be contaminated with Salmonella.No..

Waymo makes its driverless trucking debut in Atlanta

The move comes less than a week after Uber rolled out its driverless truck fleet

Waymo, Google’s autonomous transportation subsidiary, is broadening its self-driving truck beta test and using the Atlanta metro as the hub for the trial...

Feds attempt to bar states from regulating student loan debt collectors

The Department of Education claims federal rules preempt state consumer protection laws

The Department of Education has served notice that it plans to block states from regulating student loan servicers who are attempting to collect on past-du..

Internet creator urges for more regulation of big tech platforms

Platform power is a barrier to new ideas, says Tim Berner-Lee

Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the world wide web, says big tech platforms are having a negative impact on competition and society. Berners-Lee penned an..

Twitter suspends accounts for ‘tweetdecking’

The social network is cracking down on coordinated spamming

As part of its mission to crack down on spam bots, Twitter has suspended accounts linked to “tweetdecking,” or the process of mass retweeting stolen conten..

Residents of coastal housing markets may be on the move

An analysis shows growing interest in more affordable cities

Coastal real estate markets, where big salaries have boosted home prices well beyond the national average, may get a little smaller this year.Markets l..

How much money does it take to achieve personal happiness?

Researchers say it’s more than what most people in the U.S. make

How much money does it take to achieve happiness and personal fulfillment? Researchers say they’ve pegged the perfect salary at $95,000 -- more than most U..

Things to watch out for on a spring break beach vacation

Contaminated water is just one concern

If you're headed to the beach for spring break, checking out the condition of the water before your arrive is not a bad idea.TexasBeachWatch.com, a sit..

The Weekly Hack: Applebee’s data breach and continued cryptocurrency concerns

Hackers targeted Applebee’s franchises and Japan is cracking down cryptocurrency exchanges

People who dined at certain Applebee’s franchises sometime between November 2017 and January 2018 should pay extra attention to any suspicious activity on..

The backlash against the FCC’s net neutrality decision gets its day in court

A California appeals court will hear the consolidated challenges brought by internet rights advocates

A federal judicial panel has decided to give the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) repeal of net neutrality an appeals hearing.The U.S. Judicia..

Nineteen states now considering 'right to repair' legislation

The proposed law would make it easier to work on your devices yourself

California is the latest to join a handful of states considering "right to repair" legislation covering today's electronic products.With nearly every g..

Accidental discovery could prompt new treatment for multiple sclerosis

Researchers believe targeting a specific brain protein could help consumers build a resistance

It’s not uncommon for medical discoveries to be made completely on accident.In 1928, Scottish physician and microbiologist Alexander Fleming came back..

Robocalls surge 24 percent in February

Two government agencies plan events to help stop them

Consumers were bombarded with nearly 2.75 million robocalls in February, up 24 percent over February 2017, according to YouMail, a visual voicemail service..

Why false news spreads faster on social media

A new study finds that novelty drives the spread of false news

Findings from a new study conducted by researchers at MIT show false news gets disseminated much more quickly than real news, especially when it comes to s..

Toys “R” Us to consider closing more U.S.-based stores

The company may decide to liquidate all of its stores after a tough post-bankruptcy period

Toys “R” Us may soon liquidate many -- or perhaps all -- of its U.S.-based stores, according to a Wall Street Journal report.Sources told the Journal t..

Job growth surges in February but incomes stay flat

One economist calls it a bizarre set of numbers

If you were looking for a job last month, chances are you found one.The Labor Department reports the U.S. economy added 313,000 non-farm jobs in Februa..

Interstate Meat Distributors recalls ground beef and pork products

The products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7

Interstate Meat Distributors of Clackamas, Ore., is recalling approximately 14,806 pounds of ground beef and pork products that may be contaminated with E...

RockyMounts recalls Split Rail and MonoRail bicycle racks

The upper portion of the rack could separate from the vehicle

RockyMounts is recalling 565 Split Rail 1.25" bicycle racks, part number 11300; MonoRail 2" bicycle racks, part number 10004; SplitRail 2" bicycle racks, p..

Ford recalls model year 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles

The vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2,100 model year 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles with mechanical key ignition systems.The keys may be able to be removed..

Another Tesla driver files complaints over unintended acceleration

A Phoenix woman says her Model X took off while she was trying to park

The first time that a newspaper reported on a Tesla driver jumping the curb and crashing into a building was 2014. The driver was a Bakersfield pharmacist..

Senators call for a new hearing on Takata airbag recalls

Lawmakers want to ensure the recall process is moving forward

Regulators and lawmakers are pressing forward with getting the Takata airbag inflator recall process moving.  A new hearing date is tentatively set..

Cigna to buy Express Scripts for $67 billion

The companies say the merger will give more options to consumers and reduce costs

Health insurance provider Cigna has announced it is acquiring pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts for $67 billion, continuing the trend of consolidat..

SEC makes clear that cryptocurrency exchanges must be registered

The agency is stepping up its plan to make sure all investors are protected

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is turning up the heat on its promise to apply securities laws to everything relating to cryptocurrency.The..

McDonald’s flips its golden arches to celebrate women

But not everyone is on board with the move

In celebration of International Women’s Day (Mar. 8), McDonald’s decided to flip its trademark golden arches upside down. The fast food chain changed its l..

Smartphone addiction caused by users’ need to be social, study finds

Researchers say overusing devices may signal hyper-social, not anti-social, behavior

New research suggests that we’re not addicted to smartphones, but are addicted to the social interaction they can help facilitate. After reviewing lite..

Aggressive blood pressure standards may be harmful, researchers say

The debate over what constitutes high blood pressure is being renewed

Researchers at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research say new blood pressure guidelines, that have lowered targets for blood pressure readings, may b..

Coke launching alcoholic beverage in Japan

The product is unlikely to appear in the U.S.

For the first time in 130 years, Coca-Cola plans to sell a beverage containing alcohol.The soft drink company is experimenting with Chi-Hi, a type of l..

Olli Salumeria Americana recalls ready-to-eat meat products

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Olli Salumeria Americana of Oceanside, Calif., is recalling approximately 3,946 pounds of ready-to-eat meat products.The products may be adulterated wi..

Sumitomo recalls Kelly Armorsteel KDA tires

The tires are missing specific safety information

Sumitomo Rubber USA is recalling 138 Kelly Armorsteel KDA tires, size 11R22.5 Load Range G, manufactured December 4, 2016, to December 17, 2016.The tir..

Model year 2011 Hyundai Sonatas recalled

The front airbags, seat belt pretensioners and side airbags may not deploy

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonatas. In the event of a crash, the airbag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing th..

Amazon slashes the price of its Prime fee for Medicaid recipients

The discounted rate will be half the standard rate

Amazon announced today that recipients of Medicaid will be eligible for a discounted Prime membership of $5.99 per month -- less than half the normal rate..

BlackBerry sues Facebook over patent infringement

The company claims Facebook uses services that are based on BlackBerry’s patented technology

BlackBerry Limited is suing Facebook over patent infringement, according to a lawsuit filed in a U.S. District Court in California.In the lengthy 117-p..

Uber’s self-driving truck fleet make its first road trip

The evolution of the transportation industry heads towards job losses and big bucks

Uber’s vision for self-driving trucks and truck drivers working together to move freight around the country has become a reality. As of yesterday, those se..

Edmunds finds consumers most loyal to Toyota, Honda, and Subaru brands

A report finds SUVs are high on drivers' wish lists

Toyota, Honda, and Subaru are the car brands consumers seem to prefer most when they trade in their old vehicle, according to Edmunds' Trade In Loyalty rep..

Target raises its minimum wage and continues to spend more on store upgrades

Company executives say they are trying to improve the shopping experience

Retailers defending themselves against the Amazon challenge have adopted a variety of tactics. Target is trying to improve the experience for both the peop..

Retailers push for tougher data breach disclosure law

Business groups say the draft legislation has 'significant loopholes'

The House Financial Services Committee is considering a bill that would increase disclosures to consumers when there is a data breach, but retailers say th..

FDA approves 23andMe test to evaluate cancer risk

The test can report on genetic risk for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer, but there are limitations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared 23andMe to launch a direct-to-consumer DNA test for gene mutations connected to various forms of ca..

New HIV drug wins FDA approval

Trogarzo is for patients who are running out of options

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new drug to treat HIV patients who have not responded to other therapies and who have limited treatme..

Chrysler recalls model year 2017 Jeep Renegades

The oil pump could fail causing the engine to stall

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling nine model year 2017 Jeep Renegades equipped with a 2.4L engine.The vehicles may have a cracked oil pump housing/bal..

Washington state passes law restoring net neutrality

Providers will have to follow a different policy within the state's boundaries

Washington, home to tech giants Amazon and Microsoft, is the first state to pass a net neutrality law, negating the federal government's rollback of that i..

Uber sued by Pennsylvania AG for not disclosing hack fast enough

The company admitted over a year after a data breach that it had paid hackers $100,000 to keep quiet

Uber admitted last year that its former security officer and deputies had paid hackers $100,000 to destroy consumer data they had accessed and to keep the..

Harvard economist expects huge drop in Bitcoin value within next decade

Regulation will drive down the price of Bitcoin, economist Kenneth Rogoff says

A Harvard professor and economist has suggested that it’s far more likely that Bitcoin will be trading at $100 in ten years rather than $100,000.  “I t..

Your entire identity sells for less than $1,200 on the dark web

A security firm breaks down what your personal information is worth

What happens to your personal identity information once it has been compromised, such as in the Equifax data breach?It often ends up for sale on the da..

Spotify lays down the law to users trying to pirate its Premium features

The company warns users that if they try it again, their accounts may be terminated

Spotify has had enough of hackers trying to engineer ways around paying for its Premium features, and it’s giving customers using those workarounds one las..

United Airlines reverses its plans for a lottery bonus program

​The airline’s president said executives ‘misjudged’ how employees would receive the plan

Following swift backlash from employees, United Airlines has scrapped its plans to replace quarterly employee bonuses with a lottery-based employee reward..

Amazon considers launching its own checking account

The product would target millennials and people without bank accounts

Amazon is said to be in early talks with JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, and other banks and financial firms about creating a “checking-account-like” product..

McDonald's rolls out fresh beef in select burgers

The chain is targeting consumers who want quality as well as value

In another sign that the burger war is heating up, McDonald's is launching the use of fresh ground beef in its Quarter Pounders and other signature sandwic..

Sensenig Turkey Farm recalls turkey sausage

The product contains wheat and soy, allergens not declared on the label

Sensenig Turkey Farm of Lititz, Pa., is recalling approximately 1,925 pounds of turkey sausage.The product contains wheat and soy, allergens not declar..

TruPet recalls Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight pet treats

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

TruPet of Milford, Ohio, is recalling a limited amount of 2.5-oz. packages of Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight pet treatsThe product may be contaminated w..

Partial rollback of financial reform law on track to pass Senate

Some Democrats are joining Republicans to ease rules on smaller banks

Ten years after the financial crisis nearly crashed the world's economy, Congress is removing some of the rules put in place to prevent a future crisis...

United Airlines ditches employee bonuses and moves to big-prize lottery system

The company’s dice roll on raising employee fulfillment is being met with exasperation

United Airlines is swapping out its employee bonus structure for a unique lottery-based reward system.Out are potential quarterly bonuses of $300 and i..

Straws are the latest frontier in battle to curb plastic pollution

One California town is banning plastic straws by June 1

A drink with a plastic straw is a familiar part of the restaurant experience for diners, and placing a straw in a glass can feel like second-nature for wor..

Child opioid overdoses have nearly doubled since 2004

Researchers say kids are becoming ‘second victims’ in the adult opioid epidemic

The number of children hospitalized for opioid overdoses has doubled since 2004, a new study published in Pediatrics finds.For the study, researchers a..

Walmart is launching its own line of meal kits

​The company is hoping to compete with Amazon and meal kit providers for shoppers’ dollars

Walmart announced Monday that it will roll out its meal kit service to as many as 2,000 stores nationwide this year, following an initial test in some of i..

Millennials may be more likely to fall for scams than seniors

But FTC data shows when seniors bite, they tend to lose more money

It's well known, among consumer advocates and scammers alike, that senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to scams. But it turns out another generatio..

Amazon says it will no longer sell Nest products

Removing the line of smart home products is the latest development in the war between Amazon and Google

Nest products are expected to disappear from Amazon once the site’s current stock runs out, according to a report from Business Insider.  Amazon’s..

Consumers warned about bogus flu treatment products

The FDA says there are no products that can prevent the flu

This has not only been a worse-than-usual flu season, consumers are being victimized by fraudulent and unapproved flu treatment products.The Food and D..

Model year 2018 Toyota Siennas recalled

The 10-spoke alloy wheels may crack after an impact

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 55 model year 2018 Toyota Siennas built with a specific lot of 10-spoke alloy wheels from one product..

Carnivore Meat recalls Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, Wis., is recalling 73 cases, of Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs.The product may be con..

The Weekly Hack: Beware of Equifax and aliens

Identity thieves can use the Equifax breach to steal social security benefits and leave victims with the bill, but does it even matter if the entire planet is under attack?

Sure, you never technically asked Equifax to monitor your personal data, but credit checks are a necessary step to securing a home, a loan, or a job. But n..

Your odds of accidentally dying are getting worse

The National Safety Council cites increases in drug abuse, car accidents, and falls

Better nutrition and breakthroughs in healthcare mean Americans are living longer. But at the same time, your chances of dying in an accident have never be..

Toyota embarks on $2.8 billion self-driving vehicle research venture

​The automaker’s new company will focus on developing high-quality software for automated driving

Toyota announced Friday that it is creating a new company devoted to researching and developing self-driving vehicles and the software that makes them run...

Research says many ride-sharing drivers make below minimum wage

Uber calls the MIT research 'deeply flawed'

A story going viral this week tells the unhappy tale of a man visiting West Virginia who had too much to drink and hailed an Uber to take him back to his h..

Uber launches service for patients who need help getting to medical appointments

Charges for Uber Health rides will go to providers, not patients

To its increasingly diverse array of services, Uber is adding Uber Health -- a non-emergency ride service that lets healthcare providers schedule rides for..

Half of consumers will hold on to their tax refund dollars this year

Millennials, in particular, will be looking to spend their money wisely

This year, tax refund season may not translate to a boost in consumer spending for retailers. Instead of spending their tax refund dollars, half of consume..

Southwest ends its $5 happy hour deal

Southwest says its drink prices are still competitive, but consumers who must drink mid-flight have a cheaper option

Southwest Airlines’ “$5 Happy Hour, every hour” is no more. The U.S.-based airline, which has long offered some of the cheapest prices on cocktail and beer..

Wells Fargo financial advisors may be under scrutiny

Whistleblowers say the bank often made decisions in its own best interest rather than doing what was best for the client

Wells Fargo may not be out of the regulatory woods just yet.Whistleblowers within the bank's Wealth Advisory Division, called Wells Fargo Advisors, rep..

American Airlines adds on a 'no frills' option for flights to Europe

Travelers flying on a Basic Economy ticket will need to pay for extra baggage and assigned seats

Beginning in April, American Airlines will offer trans-Atlantic fliers the option of a lower-priced “Basic Economy” ticket.The carrier’s overseas partn..

Northwest Naturals recalls frozen chicken and salmon pet food chubs

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Northwest Naturals of Portland, Ore., is recalling frozen chicken and salmon pet food chubs.The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogene..

Equifax finds 2.4 million additional consumers exposed in 2017 breach

The total number of consumers affected by the breach is getting close to 150 million

The toll is rising.Equifax has confirmed that an additional 2.4 million consumers were exposed in last year's massive data breach, raising the number c..

Report: rise of autonomous vehicles will reduce car ownership

Some experts predict that car companies will soon sell rides instead of actual vehicles

The automotive and technology industries are moving quickly to develop driverless cars, a move that could result in a loss of independence for millions of..

Businesses taking the lead in emerging gun control debate

The recent Florida high school shooting may represent a sea change

Since the shooting deaths of 17 people at a South Florida high school two weeks ago, there have been predictable calls for new limits on semi-automatic wea..

Facebook expands its Jobs listing tool

Consumers from more than 40 countries can now use it to find local jobs

Facebook has announced that it’s expanding the Jobs section of its site to 40 more countries, including Brazil, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain...

Spotify files for IPO after losing 1.5 billion last year

The music streaming giant has faced profitability hurdles

Spotify, the world’s largest music streaming service, has officially filed to go public in a risky approach called “direct listing.” The company will sell..

SEC launches an investigation into cryptocurrency ICOs

Initial coin offerings are a boom, and the agency wants to know what’s real and what’s not

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided to take a deep dive into the cryptocurrency business, according to a report from the Wall Street J..

Model year 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans recalled

The unloaded vehicle weight label on the vehicles may be incorrect

Daimler Vans USA (DVUSA) is recalling 17 model year 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans, equipped with folding seats.The unloaded vehic..