Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Walmart Serves Up Major Thanksgiving Deal Amid Rising Food Costs Walmart Serves Up Major Thanksgiving Deal Amid Rising Food Costs Walmart Serves Up Major Thanksgiving Deal Amid Rising Food Costs
Walmart Serves Up Major Thanksgiving Deal Amid Rising Food Costs Walmart is serving up some relief for Thanksgiving as shoppers feel the strain of higher grocery prices. The retail giant announced the return of its annual Thanksgiving Meal Basket on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The feast includes more than 20 national and private-label items for less than $40, feeding 10 people for less than $4 per person. The centerpiece is a Butterball turkey priced at just 97 cents per pound, which Walmart says is its lowest turkey price since 2019. "We know every dollar and minute counts – which is why we are offering a low-priced, one-click Thanksgiving Meal Ba…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
National Interest
Here's Where New Tropical Storm Jerry's Headed: What To Know Here's Where New Tropical Storm Jerry's Headed: What To Know Here's Where New Tropical Storm Jerry's Headed: What To Know
Here's Where New Tropical Storm Jerry's Headed: What To Know A new tropical storm has spun up in the Atlantic, poised to strengthen as it heads north. Late Tuesday morning, Oct. 7, the National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Jerry formed over the central Atlantic, becoming the 10th named storm of the 2025 season. Early key messages warn that interests in the northern Leeward Islands should monitor the storm closely due to a risk of wind, surf and rainfall impacts, and note that watches may be required later today or tonight. Jerry is forecast to track west-northwest through midweek across warm waters, a setup that favors better organization of…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
National Interest
Forget Flowers, Young Singles Want Financial Frankness Forget Flowers, Young Singles Want Financial Frankness Forget Flowers, Young Singles Want Financial Frankness
Forget Flowers, Young Singles Want Financial Frankness Put aside the old rules of romance. For many young singles, the quickest way to the heart may be through the wallet.  A new survey finds that half of Gen Z and millennials are attracted to dates who openly discuss their income, a stark contrast to older generations who view money talk as a dating taboo. This shift comes as financial pressures reshape the dating landscape for singles across the US. The survey, conducted by Talker Research, polled 2,000 single or casually dating Americans online.  It found that 74 percent say rising costs and inflation have impacted their dating li…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Arlington, VA
On Your Side
Fed Approves First Rate Cut Of 2025 As Job Market Slumps: What To Know Fed Approves First Rate Cut Of 2025 As Job Market Slumps: What To Know Fed Approves First Rate Cut Of 2025 As Job Market Slumps: What To Know
Fed Approves First Rate Cut Of 2025 As Job Market Slumps: What To Know The Federal Reserve has cut its key interest rate for the first time in 2025 amid a slowing job market and economic pressure from President Donald Trump's tariffs. The Fed approved the quarter-point reduction to interest rates on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The overnight funds rate will drop to between 4% and 4.25%, in the first rate cut since December 2024. The cut comes as the Fed warns about rising prices and a slumping labor market. "Recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year," the Fed said in a news release. "Job gains have slowed,…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Prime Big Deal Days Return As Amazon Tightens Benefit Sharing Rules: What To Know Prime Big Deal Days Return As Amazon Tightens Benefit Sharing Rules: What To Know Prime Big Deal Days Return As Amazon Tightens Benefit Sharing Rules: What To Know
Prime Big Deal Days Return As Amazon Tightens Benefit Sharing Rules: What To Know Amazon Prime's latest major promotion is promising millions of early holiday discounts just days after new restrictions on account sharing are set to begin. Prime Big Deal Days will begin at 3:01 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, Oct. 7, Amazon announced in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Early offers are already live, including up to 50% off Samsonite travel gear, 40% off holiday décor and entertaining items, and fall clothing starting at $10. Amazon is promoting deals across toys, electronics, home goods, beauty, and seasonal décor. Members can also shop curated lists like the…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Bethesda, MD
On Your Side
Toddler's Death Prompts Massive Recall Of Toy Kitchens Toddler's Death Prompts Massive Recall Of Toy Kitchens Toddler's Death Prompts Massive Recall Of Toy Kitchens
Toddler's Death Prompts Massive Recall Of Toy Kitchens Nearly 200,000 toy kitchens are being recalled after a toddler was killed by the playset. Backyard Kids is recalling about 192,000 KidKraft Farm to Table Model Play Kitchens sold in the US and Canada, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, July 31. Plastic and metal hooks for holding toy pots and pans can snag children's clothing, creating risks of serious injuries or death. The recall comes after a 23-month-old Oregon boy died by asphyxiation in February 2023, according to the CPSC. The toddler's shirt got caught on one of the hooks as he cli…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Starbucks Adding New Menu Items As Chain's Sales Slump: Here's What's Coming Starbucks Adding New Menu Items As Chain's Sales Slump: Here's What's Coming Starbucks Adding New Menu Items As Chain's Sales Slump: Here's What's Coming
Starbucks Adding New Menu Items As Chain's Sales Slump: Here's What's Coming The head of Starbucks is downplaying the coffeehouse chain's latest sales slump as the company tries to get more customers back into its stores. Starbucks saw a 2% drop in US and global sales during its third quarter of fiscal year 2025, the company said in its earnings report on Tuesday, July 29. This is the chain's sixth consecutive quarter of shrinking comparable sales, CNBC reported. CEO Brian Niccol said the company's turnaround is "ahead of schedule." "While our financial results don't yet reflect all the progress we've made, the signs are clear — we're gaining momentum," s…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Wendy's Newest Meal Takes Dark Turn With Wednesday Addams: See What's In It Wendy's Newest Meal Takes Dark Turn With Wednesday Addams: See What's In It Wendy's Newest Meal Takes Dark Turn With Wednesday Addams: See What's In It
Wendy's Newest Meal Takes Dark Turn With Wednesday Addams: See What's In It It's a collaboration of dreams (or nightmares, really) for fans of a hit Netflix show. Wendy's is releasing a "Meal of Misfortune," themed after the mysterious comedy "Wednesday." The meals will be available in US restaurants on Monday, Aug. 4. The show starring Jenna Ortega features Wednesday Addams, a character originally from the classic sitcom "The Addams Family." Part one of the second season debuts on Wednesday, Aug. 6. The limited-time meal includes "Rest in 10-Piece" chicken nuggets, small "Cursed & Crispy" french fries, two mystery "Dips of Dread" sauces, and a cherr…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Snack Wrap Hype Boosts McDonald's Sales After Slump, New Data Shows Snack Wrap Hype Boosts McDonald's Sales After Slump, New Data Shows Snack Wrap Hype Boosts McDonald's Sales After Slump, New Data Shows
Snack Wrap Hype Boosts McDonald's Sales After Slump, New Data Shows The return of the McDonald's Snack Wrap has spiced things up for the chain after it suffered a sharp sales decline as Americans cut back on restaurant spending. The snack wrap returned to US menus on Thursday, July 10. On that day, McDonald's saw a 15% jump in foot traffic compared to an average day in 2025, and an 11.4% jump compared to a typical Thursday, according to Placer.ai. The surge continued into the weekend, with a 22.3% traffic rise on Friday, July 11, compared to an average 2025 day. "After nine years of pent-up demand, fans showed up in full force to celebrate the re…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Stamford, CT
On Your Side
Alert Issued After Plastic Found In Popular Beef Jerky Products Alert Issued After Plastic Found In Popular Beef Jerky Products Alert Issued After Plastic Found In Popular Beef Jerky Products
Alert Issued After Plastic Found In Popular Beef Jerky Products A possible contamination risk has triggered a nationwide warning for beef jerky sticks distributed across the US and Puerto Rico. Federal officials say some of the ready-to-eat snacks may contain pieces of clear plastic — prompting a public health alert from the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The affected products include: 6.9-ounce bags of “Riverbend Ranch Original Beef Stick,” with six 1.15-ounce vacuum-sealed packages inside and a best-by date of Nov. 27, 2026 6.9-ounce bags of “Riverbend Ranch Jalapeño Beef Stick,” with the same size and date…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
On Your Side
EHT's Spirit Halloween Hiring 50K Workers To Prepare For 'Killer Season': How To Apply EHT's Spirit Halloween Hiring 50K Workers To Prepare For 'Killer Season': How To Apply EHT's Spirit Halloween Hiring 50K Workers To Prepare For 'Killer Season': How To Apply
EHT's Spirit Halloween Hiring 50K Workers To Prepare For 'Killer Season': How To Apply Summer is just beginning, but Halloween lovers looking for some extra cash can already get started on spooky season. Spirit Halloween is hiring for more than 50,000 retail jobs, the retailer said in a news release on Wednesday, June 25. The company based in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, is aiming to open more than 1,500 temporary stores across the US and Canada. According to Spirit Halloween, workers will enjoy perks like flexible schedules, competitive pay, and a premium incentive program. "With the anticipation for Halloween at an all-time high, we are committed to creating the s…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Starbucks Reportedly Tweaks Pricing For Drink Charges: Here's What's New Starbucks Reportedly Tweaks Pricing For Drink Charges: Here's What's New Starbucks Reportedly Tweaks Pricing For Drink Charges: Here's What's New
Starbucks Reportedly Tweaks Pricing For Drink Charges: Here's What's New Starbucks is changing how it charges for some drink add-ons in a move the company claims will simplify pricing and save customers money, according to reports. Customers in the US and Canada will now pay a flat 80 cents for any combination of sauces and syrups, no matter how many pumps or flavors are added, Starbucks said. The news was first reported by Bloomberg. Previously, the cost of modifications varied depending on the drink or specific flavor. The change applies only to company-operated stores. A Starbucks spokesperson told Bloomberg that it'll also be free to add or swap any sy…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker