Current Events in June 2021

United Airlines went on a buying spree on Monday, one that’s expected to lead to 25,000 new hires over the next five years.

"United Next" is what the airline has dubbed its gambit. The plan calls for the addition of 270 Boeing and Airbus Aircraft to its fleet. The purchase agreement is the largest in company history and represents the biggest commitment by a single carrier over the last 10 years.

The company is also retrofitting all of its current “mainline” aircraft to cater to a new customer experience and a new signature interior. By 2026, United passengers will find a dramatic increase in the number of premium seats -- an average of 53 per plane -- larger overhead bins, seatback entertainment in every single seat, and what United says will be the industry's fastest available WiFi.

"Our United Next vision will revolutionize the experience of flying United as we accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel. By adding and upgrading this many aircraft so quickly with our new signature interiors, we'll combine friendly, helpful service with the best experience in the sky, all across our premier global network,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. 

“At the same time, this move underscores the critical role United plays in fueling the broader U.S. economy – we expect the addition of these new aircraft will have a significant economic impact on the communities we serve in terms of job creation, traveler spending and commerce."

Hiring boom on the horizon

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, United was in the middle of furloughing thousands of workers and cutting deals with pilots -- two of the various labor moves it would find itself making before 2020 ended. The company said its aggressive move will require around 25,000 more workers. 

Based on a study from the Federal Aviation Administration, United expects to create more than $30 billion in traveler spending and add an estimated $50 billion to U.S. coffers by 2026.

United added that by replacing its older and smaller mainline jets, it will also upgrade the fleet’s overall fuel efficiency by 11% and lower carbon emissions by between 17-20%.

With companies having to compete for workers to fill job openings, Bed Bath & Beyond has announced a number of new employee benefits.

Starting July 1, the retailer will implement three new paid benefit programs including paid parental leave, short-term disability, and an associate relief fund.

The company will also close its stores on Thanksgiving Day, the latest retailer to announce that step as holiday sales and promotions increasingly move online.

"Our purpose is to make it easy to feel at home, and that begins right here with our associates and making investments that elevate our people-powered culture," said Lynda Markoe, chief people and culture officer at Bed Bath & Beyond. "We're thrilled to implement these new company-paid programs to support the well-being of our associates and their loved ones.”

The new benefit programs include:

• Paid parental leave: This industry-leading program will provide for 100% of pay for up to 8 weeks after the birth, adoption or fostering of a new child for parents. This program will be offered to all US benefits-eligible, full-time Associates.

• Company-paid short-term disability: Currently, company employees have the option of paying for a short-term disability program. Starting July 1, Bed, Bath & Beyond will cover the cost and provide 100% of pay for up to eight weeks and 60% of pay thereafter up to 26 weeks. The program will be offered to all US benefits-eligible full-time associates.

• Associate relief fund: The creation of a fund to support associates through various hardships. All employees, full-time and part-time, will be eligible to request grants through the fund. The company will pay the costs of the program with an initial company investment and will match 50% of all employee contributions through the rest of the fiscal year.

Effects of the pandemic

The rise in corporate benefits for employees can be traced to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Not only have some businesses taken steps to reward the efforts of their employees, but they also hope to keep the workers they have while attracting new ones to fill open slots.

With airports once again filled with travelers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airport restaurants are scrambling for employees. The TSA is offering $1,000 hiring bonuses as part of its push to add 6,000 screeners by the end of September. 

Oregon hospitals are facing a nursing crunch, again largely caused by the pandemic. Many told The Oregonian the emergency rooms have been filled lately with patients suffering mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.

A new study conducted by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital explored how eating chocolate may have health benefits for postmenopausal women. According to their findings, eating milk chocolate in the morning can help older women burn fat, reduce blood sugar levels, and regulate body weight. 

“Our findings highlight that not only ‘what’ but also ‘when’ we eat can impact physiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of body weight,” said researcher Frank A.J.L. Scheer, Ph.D. 

Benefits of milk chocolate

The researchers had 19 postmenopausal women involved in the study. Over the course of two weeks, the women either ate 100mg of chocolate within one hour of waking up or within one hour of going to sleep. The researchers tracked their health outcomes and compared them with postmenopausal women who didn’t alter their dietary habits. 

Ultimately, eating chocolate at any time of the day didn’t lead to increased weight gain for any of the participants. However, eating the chocolate at different times of the day yielded different health outcomes, though both groups experienced fewer cravings for sweet foods throughout the day and generally felt less hungry. 

The researchers found that nighttime chocolate made the participants more likely to engage in physical activity and was associated with a more consistent sleep routine. On the other hand, eating chocolate in the morning was linked with lower blood sugar levels, greater fat burning, and a smaller waist circumference. 

Though all consumers have different dietary restrictions, these findings highlight that just a small amount of chocolate each day may benefit older women. 

“Our volunteers did not gain weight despite increasing caloric intake,” said researcher Marta Garaulet, Ph.D. “Our results show that chocolate reduced ad libitum energy intake, consistent with the observed reduction in hunger, appetite, and the desire for sweets shown in previous studies.” 

Sun Hong of Montebello, Calif., is recalling all cases of Seafood Mushrooms imported from China.

The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recalled product, sold in a clear plastic tray packed in green and clear plastic, was sold at Asian Supermarkets in California, Texas, Washington, Illinois and Florida.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should not consume it, but return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (323) 597-1112, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (PST).

General Motors is recalling 572 model year 2021 Cadillac XT5, & XT6s, and GMC Acadias.

The fuel supply lines may not be attached and seated properly.

Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 19, 2021.

Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at (800) 458-8006 and GMC customer service at (800) 462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.

This time a year ago, I was planning to enjoy one of my best friend’s weddings before driving from Los Angeles to Utah to go canyon tripping. But no -- an unexpected little virus shut my wanderlust down. No wedding, no canyon, no driving to see the grandkids, no return trip to Mexico City to show my girlfriend what I discovered only the year before. Nothing. 

Binge-watching and carry-out have their limits, and after the COVID-19 pandemic cooped me up for 477 days straight, my cabin fever had reached an unbearable limit. I had my vaccinations, I was starting to feel comfortable in public, and I was feeling more secure after seeing many of my fellow Americans mask up and socially distance.

Then came May – Mental Health Month – and I decided that I should throw myself a “Take That, COVID!” party, cash in a bunch of airline miles, and hit the road again.

Coming out of the pandemic and being able to travel again was a big deal for me. I had four trips planned for 2020, and all of them were wiped out. But being fully vaccinated and confident that most of the world’s citizens were on the same page about being cautious and respectful, I decided to put together a personal COVID-19 revenge tour.

Of all the places I’ve been in the U.S., one patch of land I’d never set foot on was northern California. I’d been to San Francisco many times and Napa once, but seeing the redwoods and Yosemite was a particular attraction that I wanted to check off my bucket list.

For the throng of wanderlusters who are anxious to get out and go somewhere -- anywhere -- I thought it might be helpful to share my experiences. Going to attractions, sporting events, flying, car rentals, hotel reservations, the whole shooting match.

Let’s start with...

Getting a flight

Booking the trip online was super simple. Making changes wasn’t. For some unknown reason, I wasn’t able to modify a portion of my trip online and had to contact Delta directly. The airline’s preference was for me to do it on my phone or tablet and use their artificial intelligence (AI) platform to guide me through the changes via text. 

I’m sure I wasn’t the only person making changes, and the airline’s systems had to be overloaded. But going the AI direction wasn’t as effective as the airline might have liked it to be. So, my next bet was calling directly. However, the hold time was so long -- I think I stopped counting at four hours -- that I finally gave up, went to bed, and woke up early to try it again.

As they say, the early bird gets the worm, and calling before the rest of the traveling world woke up the next morning got me to someone quickly. From there, a live person made the flight changes a snap. Situation solved.

Coach, first, cash, or miles?

There are lots of good airfare deals to be had, and there are lots of destinations anxious for fresh faces. As for me, I opted for a gift from-me-to-me for making it through the pandemic and indulged myself by cashing in enough Delta Air Lines frequent flyer miles to fly first class. 

Doing that would pretty much deplete my account, but I figured it would be worth it. I’d save several hundred dollars, and going first class might be a well-earned treat -- at least it was pre-pandemic when I cashed in a bunch of United miles to fly first class to Mexico City.

At the airport and onboard

Getting through the airport took a tad longer because there are a few added hoops to jump through -- proof of vaccination and extra precautions in security check, for example -- but Delta’s phone app was flawless and check-in and boarding were both a breeze. I wasn’t alone in wanting to go somewhere either. The flights I found myself on were close to capacity.

Onboard, I was impressed with Delta’s buttoned-up approach. The representatives and flight crew were patient, thorough, health-conscious, and firm. Masks on, no nonsense.

No disrespect meant, but past that, cashing in 96,000 miles to fly first class proved a disheartening return on investment. Yes, the seats were larger and the legroom more spacious, but I thought there would at least be something special about sitting up front. Many of the typical amenities that I expected from flying in first class just weren’t there. No hot towels, no welcome glass of champagne, no pre-take-off snack, none of the typical polish and style.

The meal was another buzzkill. I was given a choice of two snack boxes which, by all standards, were plentiful and tasty. But at the end of the day, they were still snack boxes.

Afterward, I asked Delta’s media relations department if typical first class amenities would be returning, and there’s good news for travelers in the near future. Delta said they are bringing back onboard services in a “measured way to ensure the safety and wellbeing of [its] passengers.” As far as hot food options go, the airline said customers can expect them on “select domestic coast-to-coast flights.” Fliers in first class on other key U.S. routes should expect fresh boxed meals beginning in early July. 

The leave behind

If you plan on flying somewhere, I have a few suggestions based on my experience:

Be considerate. Airlines have been in a pickle for nearly a year and a half thanks to the pandemic, and they’ve been forced to take on devastating losses. Because of that, they’re taking calculated, judicious steps to make sure every precaution is taken and every passenger is kept healthy and safe.

No mask, no fly. Despite differing mask protocols at stores or in public, wearing a mask on any form of public transportation is still a federal requirement. The airlines are enforcing it and expecting every passenger to show mutual respect for their fellow travelers.

Be flexible on dates. Airfares are based on inventory, and there are lots of people besides yourself who want to take a break from the pandemic. Giving your calendar some wiggle room could save you hundreds of dollars.

Cheapest is not always best. One thing I’ve learned over time is that the cheapest fares are painfully restrictive. Not only do you have to pay extra for baggage and aren’t allowed to make a seat selection in advance (which could force families to be split up), but you’ll be looking at hefty fees if you need to change your ticket. 

Basic economy fares are final, meaning changes and refunds are out of the question. My advice is to pay a little extra for regular coach. For as little as $30, it’s worth the cost of avoiding hassles and getting some flexibility.

Get to the airport early.Flights are running full, and with extra precautions being taken going through security, every extra minute can make a difference.

Think about getting a new credit card tied to an airline or perks. There are plenty of great credit card deals coming down the pike right now. Finding one that can offer bonus miles or access to amenities like airport lounges, free checked bags, and early boarding could be worth it if you’re looking to really get back to traveling.

Prepare for minimal food service. If you think you’ll be hungry, save yourself the price of onboard snacks. TSA allows passengers to bring on almost every kind of food they can think of -- sandwiches, fruits, veggies, even a thermos of coffee.

“Beyond in-flight meals, it's tough to get food at all in some airports, too,” Daniel Burnham, Scott’s Cheap Flights Senior Member Operations Specialist, reminded me in an email. “Many restaurants and shops in airport terminals are still closed or operating limited hours, and for business class passengers, many flagship lounges in the United States have yet to reopen.”

Ask questions. While my sole experience was on Delta, other airlines have different levels of service depending on routes, length of the flight, and whether a flight is considered “select.” For fliers hoping to pamper themselves, it would be smart to ask in advance what special perks are included so you know exactly what your expectations should be.

Juul Labs, one of the most well-known e-cigarette companies, will pay $40 million to the state of North Carolina to settle charges that it marketed its products to teens and misled the public about their safety. Officials say the money will be paid over six years and will go towards young people who have been negatively impacted by e-cigarettes.

The lawsuit was originally filed back in 2019 by state attorney general Josh Stein. Under the settlement, Juul will no longer be able to sell flavored e-cigarettes in North Carolina and it will need to change its marketing practices. 

“Juul must abandon all marketing strategies and content that appeals to young people. Juul will be prohibited from influencer advertising, outdoor advertising near schools, sponsoring sporting events and concerts, and most importantly, most social media advertising. Juul cannot use anyone under the age of 35 years in their advertising. Juul cannot make any claims that its e-cigarettes are safer or better for your health than combustible cigarettes,” Stein said. 

In addition to those mandates, Juul will also be required to implement a barcode age-verification system at establishments that sell its products. Consumers who shop online will only be able to buy two of Juul’s e-cigarette devices and 60 of its pods per month, with a cap of 10 devices per year.

Juul has faced a lot of legal headwinds from various states over the past few years. The company saw actions taken against it in California, Massachusetts, New York, and other states over similar claims of marketing to teens and youths. In September 2019, the legal pressure became so immense that the company’s CEO stepped down and it decided to suspend advertising efforts in the U.S.

Johnson & Johnson has reached a settlement with New York Attorney General Letitia James, resolving charges that it helped fuel the opioid crisis. The company will pay $230 million to the state of New York.

“The opioid epidemic has wreaked havoc on countless communities across New York state and the rest of the nation, leaving millions still addicted to dangerous and deadly opioids,” James said in announcing the agreement. “Johnson & Johnson helped fuel this fire, but today they’re committing to leaving the opioid business — not only in New York but across the entire country.”

Under the agreement, James said Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals will no longer manufacture or sell opioid drugs in the U.S. In its own statement, Johnson & Johnson said it decided in 2020 to stop producing painkillers in the U.S.

“The settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the company, and it is consistent with the terms of the previously announced $5 billion all-in settlement agreement in principle for the resolution of opioid lawsuits and claims by states, cities, counties and tribal governments,” the company stated. 

The settlement also removes Johnson & Johnson as a defendant in a larger opioid suit brought by the state that is scheduled to begin this week.

How the money will be used

James said the $230 million dollars to be paid by Johnson & Johnson will fund a program to prevent opioid abuse, provide treatment for those who are addicted, and support drug education efforts.

“While no amount of money will ever compensate for the thousands who lost their lives or became addicted to opioids across our state or provide solace to the countless families torn apart by this crisis, these funds will be used to prevent any future devastation,” James said.

The settlement is the latest chapter in a decade-long battle by states and local governments to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for the epidemic of opioid addiction in the U.S. State and federal actions are pending against a number of companies.

In March, bankrupt Purdue Pharma, which made the opioid painkiller Oxycontin, proposed a payment of $4.28 billion. The offer was an increase from the $3 billion in the original settlement proposal. To date, the offer has not been accepted.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sending restitution checks to consumers who fell victim to another student loan debt relief scheme. The agency announced that approximately $316,000 would be sent to over 10,000 people who paid an operator who falsely claimed to be able to lower or eliminate student loan debt. 

Adam Owens -- the owner of SLAC (also doing business as Aspyre), Navloan, and the Student Loan Assistance Center -- allegedly charged consumers a $699 upfront fee and a recurring monthly payment of $39 for assistance with their student loans. But the FTC charges that loan forgiveness was not a guarantee for any customer and that the fees that had to be paid changed from year to year.

In addition to giving consumers false hope and fleecing them out of their money, the FTC said the defendants secretly paid people to submit positive reviews of the companies on the Better Business Bureau’s website. The settlement money that’s being collected is being used to directly reimburse the people who were taken advantage of. 

The FTC urges people who receive restitution checks to deposit or cash them within 90 days. Officials are also reminding recipients that they do not have to pay anything or disclose account information to receive their reimbursement. Anyone asking for that information may be trying to scam you out of your money. 

The FTC stated that consumers who have questions about the reimbursements can contact the case’s refund administrator, Analytics, at 888-440-0371 for more information. 

Virgin Galactic’s long-term goal of taking passengers into space has just taken a big positive turn. On Friday, the company’s license for space transportation was updated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to include passengers -- making it the first company granted permission to do so.

Now that the British-American spaceflight company has received the FAA’s blessing, it’s moving forward with test flights and data collection to keep the initiative on track. Virgin Galactic said the approval is further substantiation of the meticulous testing program it had in place -- one “which has met the verification and validation criteria required by the FAA.”

First full test flight coming soon

The company is certainly ready to get started. It said it’s already succeeded with three minimally crewed test flights -- including the first from New Mexico’s Spaceport America. It plans to launch a fully crewed test flight soon.

“We’re incredibly pleased with the results of our most recent test flight, which achieved our stated flight test objectives,” Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic, said in a statement. He noted that the flight achieved a speed of Mach 3 (2,301.81 mph) and reached an altitude of 55.5 miles.

“The flight performed flawlessly, and the results demonstrate the safety and elegance of our flight system. Approval by the FAA of our full commercial launch license, in conjunction with the success of our May 22 test flight, give us confidence as we proceed toward our first fully crewed test flight this summer.” 

Start saving your pennies

If you’re hoping to get a ticket for one of Virgin Galactic’s flights, it’ll cost you -- about a quarter-million dollars. That boarding pass will allow you to experience weightlessness for a few minutes and see planet Earth from high above. 

In the interim, the company’s test flights are already making money. The latest flight successfully carried three revenue-generating research experiments that tested and demonstrated technologies in microgravity as part of NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program. 

Mortgage rates moved higher late last week, and housing industry analysts are watching to see what they do this week. Another tick higher could make home-buying even more costly.

Freddie Mac reports the rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.02% at the end of last week, rising from 2.93%.

“Mortgage rates have risen above 3% for the first time in ten weeks,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “As the economy progresses and inflation remains elevated, we expect that rates will continue to gradually rise in the second half of the year. For those homeowners who have not yet refinanced – and there remain many borrowers who could benefit from doing so – now is the time.”

Current homeowners could realize big savings on their monthly mortgage payments if they can lower their present interest rate by a point or more. However, the upward movement in rates may have a bigger impact on people hoping to buy a home in a red-hot real estate market.

Interest rates’ impact

A 3% mortgage rate is still near historic lows, but home prices are at historic highs. The bigger the mortgage, the more impact even a slight rise in interest rates can have.

For example, on a $400,000 mortgage financed for 30 years, the difference between last week’s rate and this week’s rate is $20. It might not sound like much, but for a buyer on the edge of qualifying for a mortgage, it can make a difference.

More importantly, no one thinks rates will stop at 3.02%. Mortgage rates are tied to the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond, and that rate has been moving higher on inflation concerns. 

Rising rates, along with rising home prices, may already be affecting the housing market. Real estate broker Redfin reports that demand for housing has fallen below 2020 levels for the first time this year.

“Some homebuyers are pausing or abandoning their plans to buy because homes in their area have gotten too expensive," said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. "Even though there are no signs of prices coming down, homebuyers may face a bit less competition and have a bit more selection of homes this summer than they did earlier this year.”

Competition and prices heating up

Intense competition for homes that began during the pandemic has already bid up home prices to record levels. Over the last four weeks, Redfin reports that the median home-sale price increased 23% year-over-year to $361,750, a record high.

Asking prices for newly listed homes were up 13% from the same time a year ago to a median of $362,600, down 0.2% from $363,250 during the four-week period ending June 6. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center has explored certain factors that can impact parents’ mental health. 

According to the team, parents are more likely to struggle with their mental health when their children are dealing with Complex Medical Conditions (CMCs). These problems can include conditions like congenital heart defects or cerebral palsy. 

“Having a child with this level of needs affects families in so many different ways,” said researcher Dr. Nathaniel Bayer. “With the right support, these families thrive and fulfill their goals. Without enough support, these families often struggle with the emotional and physical demands of constant caregiving, financial stressors, and employment issues. They may also be unable to find assistance from community services and home nurses, which are under-funded and under-reimbursed.” 

Parents’ mental health is taking a hit

To understand trends in parents’ mental health, the researchers analyzed data from the National Survey of Children’s Health. They were primarily interested in understanding the differences between three groups: parents of healthy children, parents of children with CMCs, and parents of children with non-complex health care needs. 

The researchers learned that parents of children with CMCs were five times more likely to struggle with mental health than parents of healthy children. While this finding alone is a cause for concern, the study also showed that more than 35% of parents of children with CMCs also faced difficulties finding mental health services; this was particularly tough for parents from low-income households. 

“Families of lower [socioeconomic status] often do not have the resources to easily access services,” Dr. Bayer said. “They may lack the transportation to travel to the clinic or struggle to find community resources in their area. If your family is also struggling to put food on the table or keep the lights on, it’s harder to manage your child’s medical needs and take care of yourself.” 

The researchers say many parents of children with CMCs rely on support services to help them through difficult times. These groups allow parents to exchange concerns and ideas, which can often help relieve mental health struggles. Of the parents involved in this study, just 15% reported having access to these kinds of resources. To ensure that parents’ mental health remains a priority, the researchers hope these findings lead to long-term changes in the health care field. 

“Mental health is part of health,” said Dr. Bayer. “Parent and caregiver mental health is a major issue that has a significant impact on children’s health. We need to talk more about parent mental health, screen for it more, and proactively support it.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Ohio State University found that the majority of U.S. consumers are in favor of paid parental leave. 

Though paid leave following the birth of a child isn’t guaranteed in the U.S., the study found that there was little difference in opinion between U.S.-based consumers and those from other countries when it comes to the policy. 

“We find marked differences in how Americans want paid leave administered compared to the rest of the world -- but very similar desires to have leave available,” said researcher Chris Knoester.  

How do consumers feel about paid parental leave?

To understand consumers’ general attitudes toward parental leave, the researchers analyzed responses from over 35,000 participants from more than two dozen countries, all of whom were enrolled in the International Social Survey Programme.

General support for paid parental leave was consistent from all of the study participants; more than 85% of participants from countries outside the U.S. supported paid leave, compared to 82% of U.S. participants who also supported it. The biggest differences between U.S. participants and those from other countries were specific support for paternity leave, how long paid leave should last, and governmental support for leave. 

Across the board, support for paternity leave was lower than that of maternity leave; however, those outside the U.S. garnered more support for giving fathers paid time off after the birth of a child. The researchers found that most opposition to paid paternity leave comes from those with more conservative political views or those with higher socioeconomic backgrounds. 

“These are the people who already largely have access to paid leave through their employers,” said researcher Richard Petts. “They would not directly benefit from it, because they already have it. It is a story of the have and the have-nots.” 

Similarly, participants from outside the U.S. were in support of paid leave that lasted more than one year, whereas those in the U.S. were comfortable with four months of leave. It’s also important to note that U.S.-based participants were generally less in support of governmental support for paid parental leave -- especially for paternity leave. 

“This may be a major reason why we don’t have more widespread and generous leave offered in the United States, even though most people support it,” Knoester said. 

The researchers found that those who believed in traditional gender roles were less likely to support paid time off, while women were generally more supportive of paid leave. 

General Motor is recalling 896 model year 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s and GMC Sierra 1500s.

The vehicles' tires were cured for too long during production.

Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss.

Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the tires -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 19, 2021.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020 and GMC customer service at (800) 462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212336230.

Rainfield Marketing Group of Vernon, Calif., is recalling all cases of of enoki mushrooms imported from Korea.

The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recalled product, which comes in a 150-gram clear plastic and orange package with UPC code 085412004020, was sold in retail stores nationwide.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should not consume it, but return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (323) 825-2825, Monday – Friday, from 7:00AM to 4:00PM.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 3,231 model year 2021 ID.4 vehicles.

Caps were installed on the headlight vertical aim instead the horizontal aim, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam.

Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing visibility for the driver and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will remove the caps from the vertical aim and install them on the horizontal aim free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 30, 2021.

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 9406.

U.S. cruise lovers will finally have a chance to break free from their pandemic cabin fever this weekend. 

Celebrity Cruise Line is putting the final touches on its Edge ship to set sail out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday. The voyage will make the Edge the first major cruise ship to return to service from a stateside port since COVID-19 forced the industry to shut down more than a year ago.

Celebrity has decided to take baby steps at first by sailing at 35% capacity with a fully vaccinated crew. The passenger list will be roughly 95% vaccinated. While 100% vaccination level would be an even better mark, the state of Florida has a new state law banning businesses from requiring proof of immunization. 

A valuable lesson learned

Earlier this month, Celebrity set sail on a seven-day Caribbean test run to try out its COVID-19 protocols. That turned out to be a smart move because two passengers on that cruise from St. Maarten tested positive for coronavirus. 

But the company was quick to respond and made sure that every single passenger on board was tested. The results were all negative and no further positive cases were discovered. The company said its handling of the incident proved that its protocols worked.

Taking it slow and doing it right

Just to be safe, Celebrity is taking three important precautions: 

• 1) Any U.S. citizen age 12 or older must be vaccinated; 

• 2) Unvaccinated passengers will be required to take part in stricter coronavirus procedures than those who’ve had their vaccinations; and

• 3) Every guest age 16 or older who can’t offer proof of vaccination will be required to wear a mask while on board. They’ll also be subjected to antigen tests during the cruise at their own cost. 

“We’re definitely finding that cruisers prefer to be vaccinated and to share this information with us,” said Susan Lomax, associate vice president for global public relations at Celebrity Cruises.

More cruises planned to set sail soon

Now that it’s got the first one ready to sail, Celebrity said that its plans are for eight of the 15 ships in its fleet to return to sailing in 2021.

Celebrity’s Summit is the next ship set to cruise from the U.S. Plans are in place for the Summit to sail to Alaska starting on July 23. In the Caribbean, Celebrity’s Millennium will restart 7-night sailings from St. Maarten on June 5. Other ships set to sail outside of the U.S. this summer include the Celebrity Apex from Athens, Greece, and the Celebrity Silhouette from Southampton, England.