Current Events in December 2025

• Instacart says shoppers will now see the same price for the same item at the same store on the same day

• A new report found some customers were charged up to 23% more than others for identical groceries

• Consumer advocates say the experiment treated shoppers unfairly at a time of high food inflation

Instacart will stop using artificial intelligence to test different prices on the same grocery items after a new consumer watchdog report found that shoppers were often charged different amounts for identical products.

In a blog post published Monday, the grocery delivery platform said it had ended the pricing experiments “effective immediately,” acknowledging that the practice raised concerns among customers already struggling with rising food costs.

“We understand that the tests we ran with a small number of retail partners that resulted in different prices for the same item at the same store missed the mark for some customers,” the company said. “At a time when families are working exceptionally hard to stretch every grocery dollar, those tests raised concerns.”

Different prices for the same groceries

The announcement follows a report released this month by Consumer Reports and the Groundwork Collaborative, which examined pricing on Instacart for more than 400 shoppers in four U.S. cities.

The researchers found that Instacart sometimes displayed as many as five different prices for the same item at the same store on the same day. On average, the gap between the highest and lowest prices for identical items was 13%, with some shoppers seeing prices as much as 23% higher than others.

In one example cited in the report, a dozen Lucerne eggs at a Safeway store in Washington, D.C., were listed at $3.99, $4.28, $4.59, $4.69 and $4.79 on Instacart, depending on the shopper. At a Safeway in Seattle, a box of 10 Clif Chocolate Chip Energy Bars was priced at $19.43, $19.99 or $21.99.

The study estimated that, over the course of a year, a shopper consistently exposed to the higher prices could theoretically spend up to $1,200 more on groceries.

Company backs away from testing

Instacart said that going forward, shoppers purchasing the same items from the same store on the same day will see identical prices. Retail partners will still set prices and may charge different prices across different store locations, the company said.

The company emphasized that the experiments were not “dynamic pricing” like that used by airlines or ride-hailing services, and said prices were not based on personal characteristics such as income. Instead, Instacart described the tests as limited experiments aimed at helping retailers optimize pricing.

The pricing program was tied to Instacart’s 2022 acquisition of Eversight, an artificial intelligence company whose software allows retailers to test millions of price combinations. Instacart marketing materials previously claimed the experiments would be largely unnoticeable to consumers while potentially increasing store revenue by up to 3%.

Consumer backlash grows

Consumer advocates said the findings underscore growing concerns about the use of algorithmic pricing in essential markets such as food.

“American grocery shoppers aren’t guinea pigs, and they should be able to expect a fair price when they’re shopping,” Lindsey Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times earlier this month.

The controversy echoes recent public backlash against other companies that have explored variable pricing for everyday goods, including fast-food chains that floated the idea of surge pricing during busy hours.

Investors also reacted to the news. Shares of Instacart fell about 2% in midday trading Monday after the company announced it was ending the price experiments.

• Multistate settlement resolves environmental and consumer protection violations tied to emissions cheating

• Eligible Mercedes diesel owners to receive $2,000 after approved emissions repairs

• Company used illegal "defeat devices" for years to cheat on emissions tests

A bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general has reached a nearly $150 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA over the automaker’s use of illegal emissions-cheating software in diesel vehicles, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday.

The agreement resolves claims that Mercedes equipped hundreds of thousands of diesel vehicles with undisclosed software designed to manipulate emissions tests, mislead consumers, and illegally pollute communities across the country. The multistate investigation was led by New York and eight other states.

Under the settlement, Mercedes will pay $149,673,750 to the states, including more than $13.5 million to New York, and will provide $2,000 payments to eligible vehicle owners and lessees whose cars receive required emissions repairs. The company must also implement sweeping compliance reforms and submit to ongoing oversight.

Years-long emissions deception

According to investigators, Mercedes installed unlawful “defeat device” software in diesel vehicles that allowed them to pass government emissions tests while producing far higher pollution levels during normal driving.

The software allegedly reduced emissions only under laboratory testing conditions. On the road, the vehicles emitted nitrogen oxides and other pollutants at levels sometimes 30 to 40 times above legal limits, regulators said. Those emissions contribute to smog, respiratory illness, and other public health risks.

“This unlawful software enabled Mercedes to obtain emissions certifications that the vehicles did not actually qualify for,” the New York Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.

Between 2008 and 2017, Mercedes sold more than 200,000 affected diesel vehicles nationwide, including more than 19,000 registered in New York.

Consumers misled by ‘clean diesel’ claims

Investigators also concluded that Mercedes misled buyers by marketing its diesel vehicles as environmentally friendly.

The company advertised the cars as producing “ultra-low emissions,” described them as “clean” and “green,” and claimed they were among “the world’s cleanest diesel automobiles.” Mercedes also touted technology that allegedly converted harmful pollutants into “pure, earth-friendly nitrogen and water.”

“In reality, the vehicles emitted far more pollution than permitted and did not operate as advertised or certified,” state officials said.

Attorney General James said the conduct went on for nearly a decade.

“Mercedes promised New Yorkers clean, green cars, but instead sold vehicles that polluted our air and put public health at risk,” James said. “For nearly a decade, Mercedes misled regulators and consumers while its vehicles spewed toxic emissions into our communities.”

Investigation launched after federal case

The multistate probe began in 2020, following the conclusion of a related federal investigation. As part of a nine-state executive committee, the New York Attorney General’s Office reviewed more than 350,000 documents and interviewed numerous witnesses.

That investigation ultimately found that Mercedes’ undisclosed software masked the vehicles’ true pollution levels and allowed the company to improperly obtain emissions certifications.

Money for pollution control and consumers

As part of the settlement, Mercedes will immediately pay $120 million to the participating states. New York’s share—$13,530,088—will be used to prevent, reduce, and mitigate air pollution.

An additional $29,673,750 penalty is temporarily suspended and will be reduced by $750 for each affected vehicle that Mercedes repairs, removes from the road, or buys back.

To encourage repairs, Mercedes must offer $2,000 payments to eligible owners and lessees whose vehicles receive an Approved Emissions Modification. Claims must be submitted by September 30, 2026. Mercedes is required to notify eligible consumers by mail and provide an extended emissions warranty for vehicles that undergo the repair.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said the settlement delivers both accountability and environmental benefits.

“This multi-state settlement not only ensures accountability for bad actors using illegal emissions-cheating devices, it also importantly delivers more than $13.5 million to New York to reduce harmful emissions and help eligible consumers pay for costly vehicle repairs,” Lefton said.

Strict compliance and oversight requirements

Beyond the financial penalties, the settlement imposes broad restrictions on Mercedes’ future conduct.

The company is barred from selling or leasing diesel vehicles equipped with illegal emissions-cheating devices, from making misleading claims about emissions performance, and from labeling diesel vehicles as clean or low-pollution unless those claims are accurate and substantiated.

Mercedes must also comply with requirements previously imposed in federal court, regularly report to state regulators on vehicle repairs and removals, and submit to additional oversight. Failure to comply could trigger further penalties.

State officials said the settlement is intended not only to remedy past harm, but to prevent similar misconduct across the auto industry going forward.

• Chipotle is testing a new high-protein meat cup designed for snacking, fitness-focused consumers, and fans who want extra protein without ordering a full meal.

• The product reflects growing demand for convenient, portable protein amid booming interest in high-protein diets and active lifestyles.

• If successful, the meat cup could signal a broader shift in how fast-casual chains compete with grocery and convenience-store snacks.

Protein is one of the food trends that began to get traction in 2025 and Chipotle Mexican Grill hopes to ride it into 2026. The restaurant chain is stepping outside the burrito bowl with a new offering aimed squarely at protein-hungry consumers: a high-protein meat cup that can be eaten on its own or added to an existing meal.

The new item, currently being introduced in select markets, features a single serving of Chipotle’s signature meats — such as grilled chicken, steak, or barbacoa — packaged in a small cup. The company said the product is designed to provide a simple, protein-forward option for customers who want something lighter than a full entrée or an easy way to boost protein intake.

Driven by fitness trends

Consumer interest in protein-rich foods has surged in recent years, driven by fitness trends, weight-management goals, and a growing number of shoppers following low-carb or high-protein diets. From protein bars and shakes to meat snacks and egg bites, the category has become one of the fastest-growing segments in food retail.

Chipotle’s move brings that trend into the fast-casual restaurant space. Unlike traditional sides such as chips or rice, the meat cup puts protein front and center — with no tortillas, beans, or fillers. For some consumers, that could make it appealing as a mid-afternoon snack, a post-workout bite, or a customizable add-on to salads and bowls.

From a nutritional standpoint, a single serving of Chipotle’s meats can contain roughly 20 grams or more of protein, depending on the option. That places the meat cup in direct competition with packaged protein snacks found in grocery and convenience stores — many of which come with higher sodium, preservatives, or unfamiliar ingredients.

“For years, guests have used Chipotle’s customizable offerings to build high protein and fiber-filled meals on their own,” Chris Brandt, Chipotle’s president and chief brand officer, said in a release.

Ingredient transparency

Chipotle has long marketed itself as a brand focused on ingredient transparency, and the meat cup allows the company to extend that message into snacking territory. For loyal customers, it may feel like a more “real food” alternative to jerky sticks or processed bars.

The new product also has operational advantages. Because it uses ingredients already prepared in-store, it doesn’t require major changes to kitchen workflows. That makes it easier to test quickly and scale if demand proves strong.

Still, consumer response will likely hinge on pricing and portion size. Shoppers accustomed to value menus may balk if the meat cup feels expensive for what is essentially a side of protein. Chipotle has not yet announced nationwide pricing or a timeline for a broader rollout.

• A new federal strategy could bring air taxis, medical transport aircraft and cargo drones into everyday use, with the Department of Transportation laying out a national roadmap to safely integrate advanced air mobility into U.S. airspace.

• Consumers may see the earliest benefits in emergency response, healthcare access and faster deliveries, especially in rural and underserved areas where short-range automated aircraft could fill transportation gaps.

• Safety, community input and gradual rollout are central to the plan, with federal agencies coordinating with states, local governments and industry to introduce the technology in phases rather than all at once.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has unveiled a new national strategy that could change how Americans travel, receive emergency care and get goods delivered — not on highways, but in the air just above them.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced the nation’s first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Strategy, a roadmap designed to bring highly automated aircraft — including electric air taxis and cargo drones — safely into everyday use across the country.

“These advanced air mobility vehicles will benefit the American people,” Duffy said, noting they could transform travel, emergency response and access to healthcare. “We have a bold strategy to unlock the future of our skies and unleash this next chapter of aviation safely and efficiently.”

What is advanced air mobility?

Advanced air mobility refers to a new generation of aircraft that typically fly below 5,000 feet and rely heavily on automation. Unlike traditional airplanes, these vehicles are designed for short trips — such as flying patients to hospitals, delivering time-sensitive cargo or transporting passengers across congested cities or remote rural areas.

Federal officials say AAM could help close transportation gaps in underserved communities, speed up first-responder response times and reduce congestion on roads, all while maintaining strict safety standards.

The strategy lays out 40 recommendations across six key areas, including airspace management, infrastructure, security, workforce training and community engagement. A companion implementation plan outlines how federal agencies will work with state governments, local communities and private companies to gradually introduce these aircraft.

Importantly for consumers, the plan emphasizes public acceptance and local planning — signaling that new air services won’t simply appear overnight without input from the communities below them.

Economic impact and jobs

Today’s aviation industry already supports about $1.8 trillion in economic activity and accounts for roughly 4% of U.S. GDP. Federal officials say advanced air mobility could add new jobs, boost domestic manufacturing and keep the U.S. competitive as other countries race to develop similar technologies.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said the strategy reflects a commitment to innovation while protecting the public interest.

“From electric aircraft to AI-powered air traffic systems, this strategy reflects America’s commitment to lead in next-gen aerospace innovation,” Carr said. “The FCC looks forward to continued collaboration with DOT to make this important vision a reality.”

What consumers may notice first

While flying taxis grabbing commuters from rooftops may still be years away, consumers are more likely to see early AAM uses in medical transport, cargo delivery and regional travel. Rural communities could see faster access to hospitals, while businesses may use automated aircraft to move goods more efficiently.

Federal officials stress that widespread deployment will only happen once safety, infrastructure and regulatory requirements are fully met — a process expected to unfold in stages over the coming years.

For now, the new strategy signals that the federal government is preparing for a future where the sky just above American neighborhoods becomes a new transportation frontier — one designed, officials say, with safety and public benefit at the forefront.