Homeowner Assistance Fund Deadline Nears as Relief Program Winds Down
Homeowners should check local assistance programs now: federal HAF funding ends September 30, 2026, and some programs may close sooner.
Consumer affairs
-
-
FDA food-safety alerts cover eggs, lettuce and frozen berries
Three separate FDA investigations involve recalled eggs, iceberg lettuce and GreenWise frozen berries. Here are the product codes, states and safety steps.
-
USDA forecasts higher 2026 grocery prices, led by beef and produce
USDA projects grocery prices will rise 2.7% in 2026, with beef, vegetables and sweets outpacing the average while egg prices are expected to fall.
-
Credit-card borrowing slowed in May as U.S. debt stayed high
Federal Reserve data show revolving credit contracted in May, while credit-card balances remained high and borrowing costs continued to pressure households.
-
Frozen Blueberry E. coli Outbreak Reaches 12 Cases in Two States
Publix recalled all lots of four GreenWise frozen-berry products as FDA and CDC investigate 12 E. coli cases, four hospitalizations and no deaths.
-
Federal Home-Energy Rebates Remain Available, but Rules Narrow Some Upgrades
Federal home-energy rebates remain available in select areas, but a May 29 DOE notice narrows some HEEHR gas-to-electric upgrades in existing homes.
-
FDA links recalled eggs to part of 98-case Salmonella outbreak
FDA says recalled eggs are a likely source of part of a 98-case Salmonella outbreak. Check cartons, discard matching eggs and clean contacted surfaces.
-
Restaurant prices are rising more slowly than groceries. What that means for diners
Restaurant prices remain higher than groceries year over year, but grocery inflation has run faster in 2026. The gap varies by restaurant type and region.
-
Why Lower Summer Power Prices May Not Mean Lower Electric Bills
Wholesale electricity prices are forecast to fall this summer, but higher cooling use, retail rates and delivery costs could still raise household bills.
-
South Carolina reports 1.13 million affected residents in first-half breach notices
South Carolina consumer officials say 41 businesses reported breaches affecting 1,131,320 residents from January 1 through June 30, 2026. The figure is not a count of unique people, and two large notices drove about two-thirds of the reported total.
-
La Salle podcast explains electric aggregation and solicitor permits
La Salle’s new city podcast breaks down electric aggregation, opt-out basics, and solicitor permits so residents know what to expect next.
-
Aiken Dominion rate hearing is April 28. Proposed bill increase is 11.47%
Aiken residents can comment April 28 on Dominion Energy South Carolina’s pending rate case at the Aiken County Government Center at 6 p.m.