More than a dozen people aboard the jet were treated at hospitals

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The JetBlue Airways flight 1230 en route from Cancn International Airport (CUN) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) experienced a sudden loss of altitude and was forced to make an emergency landing.

• The aircraft an Airbus A320 dropped roughly 14,500 feet in five minutes and then an additional 12,200 feet in the next five minutes, before diverting to Tampa International Airport (TPA).

• Around 15 to 20 passengers sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including at least one head laceration, and were transported to local hospitals after the aircraft landed safely at approximately 2:20 p.m. in Tampa.

More than a dozen people aboard a JetBlue flight from Mexico to New Jersey were injured when the jet abruptly lost altitude. JetBlue Flight 1230 departed Cancn bound for Newark when, about an hour into the flight, the crew reported a flight control issue. According to altitude tracking data, the jet plunged dramatically before beginning its diversion.

The aircraft landed at Tampa International Airport, where emergency medical crews were prepared. Local rescue services confirmed 15 to 20 people were evaluated and transported to hospitals for treatment.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident, and JetBlue announced the aircraft has been removed from service for inspection while emphasizing passenger and crew safety as its top priority.

Injuries and passenger accounts

While no fatalities have been reported at this stage, the injuries sustained ranged from head lacerations to shock and minor trauma, largely due to the rapid descent and unexpected turbulence. Emergency radio audio captured at the time included a report of at least three people injured maybe a laceration in the head.

Passengers described the event as sudden and terrifying: one moment cruising, the next a sharp plunge. Flight attendants and crew moved swiftly to secure the cabin, and medical personnel met the plane on arrival.

JetBlue issued a brief public statement saying: Our team has taken the aircraft out of service for inspection, and we will conduct a full investigation to determine the cause. The safety of our customers and crewmembers is always our first priority, and we will work to support those involved.
The FAA confirmed it has opened an investigation into the descent and equipment/flight-control systems of the Airbus A320.

The carriage dispute comes at a crucial time for sports fans

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than 10 million U.S. subscribers to YouTube TV lost access to a major lineup of networks from The Walt Disney Company, including ESPN, ABC, FX and National Geographic, after the carriage agreement between the two sides expired without renewal late Thursday.

• The dispute centers on fees and competitive positioning: Disney accuses Google (YouTube TVs parent) of using its market dominance to demand below-market rates, while YouTube TV claims Disneys proposed terms would force a subscription-price hike for customers and steer viewers toward Disney-owned platforms like Hulu + Live TV.

• As the blackout kicks off just as the college-football season hits a high point, YouTube TV is offering a $20 credit to affected subscribers if the channels remain unavailable for an extended period.

In a dramatic escalation of carriage-fees tensions in U.S. streaming television, YouTube TV and Disney failed to strike a renewal deal by the midnight deadline, prompting the immediate removal of Disneys collection of premium networks from YouTube TVs lineup.

Late Thursday night, YouTube TV alerted its users that channels owned or operated by Disney would go dark, shortly before the official contract expiration time. Disney responded by accusing Google of refusing to pay fair rates for its content, while YouTube TV fired back that Disney was attempting to raise costs on its platform and drive customers toward Disneys own live-TV services.

In a statement on X, Google TV said the standoff is over higher rates demanded by Disney, and that the platform is holding firm to protect subscribers from higher rates.

The blackout affects networks across the board: major sports outlets like ESPN are unusable on YouTube TV, ABCs linear broadcasts are gone, and broader entertainment and factual-programming brands such as FX, National Geographic and Freeform are also off the service.

Why now?

The underlying issue is two-fold:

1. Escalating rights costs and subscriber pressure. YouTube TV, which claims more than 10 million subscribers, says it refuses to accept a deal from Disney that would push more costs onto consumers and degrade the value of the bundle.

2. Streaming competitive dynamics. Disney argues that the contract fight is less about cost and more about YouTube TVs desire to integrate Disneys streaming apps (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) into its platform, something Disney has rejected. Meanwhile, Disney views the blackout as serving its strategy of steering viewers toward its own platforms.

Impact on consumers and sports viewers

The timing couldnt be worse for sports fans: the beginning of college footballs most intense weekend coincides with the blackout, meaning YouTube TV subscribers may miss marquee match-ups as well as ESPNs flagship shows like College GameDay. Viewers who rely solely on YouTube TV for live programming may now have to resort to alternate services, antennas or other subscriptions to catch the action.

Each side says it remains willing to negotiate, though neither is blinking yet. YouTube TV has promised a $20 credit for subscribers if the channels remain off the service for an extended period. Disneys public messaging signals that it will hold firm, framing Google as leveraging its size to undercut industry norms.

Historically, carriage disputes like this have sometimes resolved at the eleventh hour, but given the layers of streaming competition and strategic stakes this time, analysts worry the outage could last longer than past fights.

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has declined four straight weeks

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Mortgage rates fell for the fourth straight week, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 6.17% and the 15-year at 5.41%, their lowest levels in over a year, according to Freddie Mac.

• The typical monthly housing payment dropped to $2,530, down 1.4% year over year, as lower borrowing costs offset modestly rising home prices.

• Buyer and seller activity is picking up: pending home sales rose 1%, new listings climbed 4.6%, and agents say pricing homes correctly from the start is key in a market where buyers hold more negotiating power.

Conditions continue to improve for home buyers. Not only are home prices easing in several large housing markets, mortgage rates continue to decline.

Freddie Mac reports its Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.17% this week. Thats only two basis points less than the previous week, but Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater its part of a promising trend.

Mortgage rates decreased for the fourth consecutive week, Khater said in a statement. The last few months have brought lower rates and homebuyers are increasingly entering the market.

Current rates

• The 30-year FRM averaged 6.17% as of October 30, 2025, down from last week when it averaged 6.19%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.72%.

• The 15-year FRM averaged 5.41%, down from last week when it averaged 5.44%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.99%.

The decline in mortgage rates coincides with an improvement in homeowners bottom line. The typical monthly housing payment has fallen to $2,530 down 1.4% from a year ago marking the biggest annual decline since November 2024, according to a new Redfin report.

The drop comes as mortgage rates slid to their lowest level in more than a year, following a cooler-than-expected inflation report and a recent Federal Reserve rate cut. Even though home prices are still rising up 1.9% year over year the decline in borrowing costs has helped offset those gains.

However, Redfin economists caution that further drops in mortgage rates arent likely soon. The Fed has signaled it may hold off on another rate cut in December, which already caused a slight uptick in daily averages late this week.

Homebuyers and sellers react

While overall homebuying demand remains muted, there are early signs of renewed interest. Pending sales rose 1% from last year, and mortgage-purchase applications climbed 5% from the previous week. Some buyers are waiting to see if rates dip below 6%, while others remain hesitant amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

On the other side of the market, new home listings jumped 4.6%, the largest increase in five months. Many sellers are hoping to attract buyers now that financing costs have eased slightly.

Sellers should do their research and price correctly from the beginning, said Matt Purdy, a Redfin Premier agent in Denver. The longer your house sits on the market, the lower the sale price is likely to be. Buyers today are choosy and have negotiating power, especially if theyre not relying on selling another home first.

With more homes hitting the market and cautious buyers testing the waters, this falls housing market could offer rare opportunities but both sides will need to stay flexible and well-informed.

Stop scrolling, start saving: turn your feeds into deals

• Search for deals, not pics: On X or Facebook, try simple tags like #Deals, #Coupons, or #Walmart #Deals to find fresh posts with codes
• Check captions + just ask: Brands often hide promo codes in Instagram captions; if you dont see one, DM or live-chat and politely ask for a code
• Use local crowds: Join your citys Facebook groups or subreddits for I just saw this on aisle ___ , follow active boards and make sure the post is recent

I dont need more vacation pictures. I need lower prices. Used right, social media platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook, and Pinterest are basically a savings toolbox. Filled with coupon codes, sale information, and intel from people who were just in the aisle youre shopping. Here are some practical tips to start using your social media accounts to save money.

Smarter hashtag + keyword searches

Hashtags are a really quick way to hunt specific topics across social platforms.

But most people use them wrong when looking for deals and coupons. X (formerly Twitter) is still the best place to use hashtags to search for discounts, with Facebook turning up solid finds too.

Try searching for the following:

Use two hashtags, not a mash-up. I like to try tags like #AirFryer #Coupon or #AirFryer #Deal instead of #AirFryerCoupon. Ive found that splitting them up surfaces way more real posts and codes then one really long hashtag.

Search #(StoreName) #Deals for in-store finds. An example that I just recently used on X to find a great deal on a new TV was #Walmart #Deals. Super simple. Its a great way to find current promos and coupon matchups that allow you to pair a sale with a coupon for even bigger savings.

Try searching for #(StoreName) #Coupon for storewide codes. Ive found that this tends to work for both online and in-store coupons. But be aware it can be hit-or-miss with smaller retailers. Example: #JCrew #Coupon

Tap Instagram descriptions (the sneaky deal spot)

IG is mostly vibes and photos, so deals can be buried, but they do exist. Its easier on your phone than the web version, which is pretty limited.

Trythis:

Find the retailer. Hit the search (), type the store name, and open their profile.

Open the posts with captions. Tap into posts and swipe through them, taking note of the captions, where retailers actually talk.

Scan the captions for codes. Look for phrases like use code, limited offer, or IG-only. Brands drop exclusive coupons and deals here all the time.

Timing tip: Fridays are hot. Lots of retailers post promos to setup weekend shoppers making Instagram always worth a quick scroll.

Speak up (nicely) and ask for a code

Cant find a coupon after hunting everywhere? Just ask on Facebook. Open the brands Facebook page and hit Message to DM them, or use the live chat on their website. Keep it short and friendly as reps often have online-only codes they can share with those who politely ask.

What to say (copy/paste and tweak):

Hey there! Im about to order [item]. Any current promo or free-shipping code I should use today? Thanks so much.

Hi! I love [product]! Is there a code for first-time/loyal customers I can apply?

Live chat angle: Id love to complete my order, but shippings a bit higher than I expected. Any coupon you can add so I can check out now?

Brands that tend to play ball include the following: Shutterfly, Gap, Macys, Lands End, Zappos, Michaels and plenty of others. Sometimes youll get free shipping, a percent off, or a one-time courtesy code.

Tips that help:

• Be specific (item, size/color, cart total).
• Be polite and patient, sending one message is enough.
• Try during business hours and especially FriMon when promos are more active.

Once you have items in your virtual cart, sellers hate losing the sale so by asking nicely you can often nudge them to sweeten the deal.

Search Pinterest boards for real, current deals

Pinterest is gorgeous, filled with highly visual pins for all kinds of DIY and dcor ideas. But its not super fresh and search results often return outdated pins from months or even years ago.

So, its time to switch tactics when searching Pinterest for money saving opportunities.

How to find the good stuff on Pinterest:

Use the search bar for keywords like Home Goods deals, grocery coupons, or promo codes, then tap the Boards tab.

Open boards to find the curators who update regularly and follow them. Click through to their post or website and check the date on the destination page.

Follow the best boards so new pins land in your home feed. Save the good ones to your own board so you can find them fast.

Pro move: Make your own board (e.g., This Weeks Deals) and save only current, legit finds. Youll end up building your own a little network of deal hunters, and youll have your bargains organized by store or category for later.

Join local Facebook groups & subreddits

This is where youll find real world deal tips like I was just at Costco, endcap A20 has managers markdown on air fryers for the best price of the season.

Do the following to make it happen:

Search Facebook for YOUR CITY + deals, couponing, clearance, or Buy Nothing. Then join at least 2-3 active groups, more if you live in a large metropolitan area.

On Reddit, subscribe to your city sub (r/YourCity) plus store subs like r/Target, r/Costco, or r/Walmart.

Ive found that before you post a question about a specific deal youre looking for, do a quick group search. Odds are someone already asked your question and several answers have been posted. Group users tend to get a little annoyed when people ask questions that have already been answered.

When asking questions, be as specific as you can. An example would be: Sacramento, CA, Walmart, what new clearance electronics are available this week? Youll be amazed with the intel that fellow shoppers either know or have already shared.

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