The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers Thursday to avoid buying infant formula imported from China, citing reports of babies in that country who have fallen ill with kidney problems after consuming suspect formula. ...more

September 12, 2008

Dear Readers, In June, Mr. HandyPerson responded to a Florida reader having trouble finding a house painter who did not expect a 50 percent advance before signing a contract. He opined that perhaps this was not terribly unusual because the painters might need to purchase materials, and that she should make calls to city hall and the Better Business Bureau to ask about local standards, and to check about prospective painters. ...more

August 28, 2008

After several weeks of declining gas prices, consumers might want to brace themselves for an increase this week. ...more

August 25, 2008

After a barrage of consumer complaints, the government is banning phone calls of prerecorded sales messages unless consumers agree to receive the calls. ...more

August 22, 2008

When gas prices rose to more than $4 per gallon, it marked the tipping point for a lot of people. Reality set in, and consumers of all income levels have really started cutting back. And when we do need to spend, we're looking for deals. ...more

August 17, 2008

Wayne Dofflemyer of Bayonet Point says "nuclear" is the word some people are afraid to use in addressing America's energy future. ...more

August 2, 2008

Questions and answers about the housing bill signed by President Bush on Wednesday to help as many as 400,000 struggling homeowners facing foreclosure: ...more

July 31, 2008

About 9,350 youth beds were recalled Thursday because the toy chest that's attached to the bed can entrap children. ...more

July 4, 2008

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just wish this bad economy away? Actually, that's not too far from the truth – at lease locally. Much of what ails the Highlands County economy is consumer confidence, not any one particular factor beyond our control with the possible exception of gas prices. William Pittenger, senior vice president and chief real estate economist with Seacoast National Bank, recently told members of the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce that the local economy isn't as bad as a lot of people believe, and that with a better outlook, it could turn around much quicker. Pittenger is right about that. Our economy depends on consumers feeling confident to purchase goods. If they are scared jobs might not be there tomorrow, consumers are much less likely to spend. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. ...more

June 18, 2008

NEW YORK - Drivers are paying an average of $4 for a gallon of gasoline for the first time. AAA and the Oil Price Information Service say the national average price for a gallon of regular gas rose to $4.005 overnight from $3.988. But consumers in many parts of the country have already been paying well above that price for some time. ...more

June 8, 2008