My daughters live in Sacramento, Calif., and Madrid, Spain, so the highlight of Mother’s Day is a video call. I remember the days when it was predicted that in the future we’d be able to see the people were talking to on the phone. It’s so great when people live... Read more →

Early in the Trump administration, I felt reassured. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC, was continuing to regularly issue recalls for unsafe products, just like it has for decades. Not so fast. The Trump administration is now calling for the elimination of the agency – not slashing its budget,... Read more →

The Huffy Corp. is recalling about 24,700 ride-on toys that can overheat due to improper wiring, posing a fire risk. The firm has received 20 reports of incidents of the ride-on toys smoking or catching fire, resulting in five minor burns. The recall involves Huffy-branded Torex 24-volt ride-on toy utility... Read more →

Unfortunately, I was correct in my article that raised the question of whether the Trump administration would stand up to the food industry and actually carry through with banning artificial dyes in the American food supply. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and... Read more →

Earth Day is today so it’s a good time to look at how the United States is doing in terms of protecting the environment and the earth. Unfortunately, $182.7 billion in damage from weather and climate disasters occurred in the U.S. during 2024. Some states are doing better than others... Read more →

On the campaign trail and during his confirmation hearing, Robert Kennedy Jr. said he would propose removing artificial dyes from the American food supply. Kennedy, Health and Human Services secretary, and Marty Makary, M.D., administrator of the Food and Drug Administration, are expected to make an announcement on artificial dyes... Read more →

Best wishes on Easter Sunday if it’s a day you celebrate. Millions of Americans will celebrate Easter this year, with activities including going to church services, having family dinners, and hunting for Easter eggs. However, many people’s celebrations will be less expensive this year, according to a WalletHub survey. It... Read more →

Photo: Library of Congress The already marginal U.S. health care system is being rocked by massive cuts in staff at the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS. On Tuesday, HHS began to layoff thousands of employees across its departments, a downsizing that will reduce its workforce by about... Read more →

Unsafe consumer products led to more injuries in 2024 than in any of the previous seven years. The Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC linked 869 injuries to products recalled during the year, according to “Safe At Home in 2025?,” an analysis by U.S. PIRG Education Fund, a research organization,... Read more →

Any jokes on the big joke day? On Facebook, I saw a fake announcement that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey had gotten married. Also, that Dick’s Drive-In will begin operating all Washington state ferries later this year, serving burgers, fries, and shakes for lots of party fun. Both not true... Read more →