The CDC's reversal on vaccine guidelines for children is facing a legal challenge

L.A. County wastewater shows COVID levels at their highest since February.

The CDCs reversal on vaccine guidance for children and pregnant women faces a legal challenge.

Health officials urge masking in crowded places and boosters for those at higher risk.

The Southwest leads the nation with a 12.5% COVID infection rate, according to the latest figures from the CDC. In Los Angeles County,COVID-19 levels in wastewater have climbed to their highest point since February, raising concerns of another summer wave. Public health experts say wastewater tracking can catch surges earlier than clinical testing, and often better reflects the spread of the virus among people who never develop symptoms.

County health officials stressed that the rise doesnt yet match the large waves of past winters, but they are urging precautions. Were asking residents especially older adults and those with underlying conditions to be mindful in crowded indoor spaces and consider wearing a high-quality mask, the Department of Public Health said in a statement. The agency also encouraged people who have not had a recent COVID booster to consult their doctors about whether they should get one.

The spike comes as vaccine policy becomes a flashpoint in Washington. In May, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had dropped COVID shots from its recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. Kennedy defended the rollback as a correction of Biden-era guidance, which had promoted repeat COVID boosters for children despite a lack of clinical data to support that approach.

Vaccine policy challenged

The decision prompted an immediate lawsuit from major medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians and the American Public Health Association who called it baseless and uninformed. They argued the move violated federal law by ignoring the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the panel that sets U.S. vaccine recommendations.

ACIP has continued to back updated COVID boosters alongside annual flu shots. In its latest update, the committee noted boosters reduced hospitalization risk by 44% and death by 23% last season, and said the benefits outweighed the rare risks of heart inflammation or allergic reactions. Still, it acknowledged the vaccines lose effectiveness as new strains emerge.

Despite those benefits, uptake has been weak. Only about 23% of adults and 13% of children received the 202425 COVID booster, compared with about half of Americans who got a flu shot.

Public health officials say that low vaccination coverage, combined with rising wastewater signals, makes preventive steps more important. Were not calling for widespread mandates, the county said, but this is a moment to take commonsense precautions stay home if youre sick, mask in high-risk settings and keep your vaccines up to date.

More consumers express concerns about inflation

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Consumer sentiment slipped 5% in August, marking the first decline in four months.

• Inflation worries drove a sharp drop in buying conditions for durable goods, falling 14% to a one-year low.

• Inflation expectations rose across the board, with year-ahead projections climbing to 4.9%.

U.S. consumer sentiment declined in August for the first time since spring, reflecting renewed concerns about inflation and household finances, according to a preliminary University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers report. The full survey will be released at the end of the month.

The sentiment index fell about 5% from July, breaking a three-month streak of improvement. Joanne Hsu, director of the Surveys of Consumers, said the downturn was fueled largely by growing worries about rising prices. Consumers outlook on buying conditions for durable goods plunged 14%, hitting its lowest level in a year, as households felt the pinch of elevated costs.

Finances under pressure

The survey found that current personal finances weakened modestly, with many respondents citing diminished purchasing power. At the same time, expected personal finances ticked up slightly, supported by a modest firming in income expectationsthough overall sentiment about future earnings remained muted.

Hsu noted that consumers are no longer anticipating the kind of worst-case economic scenarios that loomed in April, when reciprocal tariffs briefly threatened to intensify inflationary pressures. Still, worries about both inflation and unemployment remain at the forefront of household concerns.

Increased worries about inflation

Inflation expectations shifted upward in August after easing for several months. The survey showed year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 4.9%, up from 4.5% in July. The increase was broad-based, cutting across demographics and political affiliations. Long-run inflation expectations also edged higher, climbing to 3.9% from 3.4% last month.

While both measures remain below the peaks recorded in April and May 2025, the uptick points to ongoing uncertainty about the economys trajectory. August marked the end of a two-month decline in short-run inflation expectations and a three-month decline in long-run forecasts.

Consumers continue to expect both inflation and unemployment to deteriorate in the future, Hsu said.

The July Consumer Price Index remained flat compared to June, with few signs of inflation. However, the July Producer Price Index rose 0.9% from June, suggesting building inflation at the wholesale level.

Todays mortgage rates are normal - home prices are not

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Homebuyers in major U.S. cities now face nearly half a million dollars in mortgage interest costs over a 30-year loan.

• Americans homebuying power has dropped about 12% since 2005, with shrinking flexibility in what buyers can afford.

• Nearly 8 in 10 first-time buyers have delayed purchasing due to high interest rates, with many saying homeownership feels out of reach.

For many Americans, the dream of owning a home is drifting further away, not just because of mortgage rates, but mainly because of home prices. During the pandemic, when mortgage interest rates fell to 3%, average home prices soared to record highs because of increased demand and because, with a 3% mortgage rate, the record high prices were affordable.

Since then, interest rates have returned to their historical average range, but home prices have continued to go up, costing homebuyers significantly more in interest payments. A new analysis by JW Surety Bonds finds that buyers in the nations 50 largest cities will pay an average of $489,898 in interest over the life of a standard 30-year loan at todays average rate of 6.89%.

That figure, which comes on top of already high purchase prices, means households are effectively buying two homes over time one for themselves and another for the bank. Even a modest dip in rates could ease the burden: at 6.5%, the typical buyer would save about $33,000 in lifetime interest, while a larger drop to 6% would cut nearly $75,000 from total costs.

But aside from higher interest payments, home prices in the first three years of the pandemic inflated dramatically. According to ATTOM DataSolutions, the median home price in 2019 was $258,000, which at the time was a record high. By 2022, the median home price had risen to $386,300, a nearly 50% increase in just three years.

Shrinking buying power

The study highlights a sharp decline in what Americans can afford compared to two decades ago. Since 2005, buying power in the top 50 cities has fallen by about 12%, meaning households earning the same income today can afford roughly $42,000 less home than they could 20 years ago.

Back then, a family making $100,000 a year with a 20% down payment could purchase a home priced $327,000 above the national median, leaving plenty of room for flexibility. Today, that cushion has shrunk to just $24,000, dramatically limiting options for buyers who want more space, better neighborhoods, or homes in move-in condition.

The trend accelerated in the last decade. From 2015 to 2020 alone, buying power in major U.S. cities fell by 30%, driven primarily by rising interest rates.

First-time buyers in limbo

The impact is perhaps most acute for first-time buyers, many of whom say they feel locked out of the market altogether. Nearly eight in 10 have postponed buying due to high mortgage rates. While some remain hopeful, 36% expect to wait at least three to five years before purchasing, and nearly a quarter say they may never buy at all.

Affordability expectations reveal a wide gap between reality and hopes. Almost one-third of potential buyers said they would only feel comfortable purchasing a home if rates fell to 3.5% or below. Just 9% said theyd buy if rates dropped to 6%. Fifteen percent of respondents with Gen Z leading the way at 19% said no rate would make homeownership affordable in their view.

Interest costs are another sticking point. About 23% of potential first-time buyers said the maximum theyd be willing to pay in lifetime mortgage interest is between $200,000 and $300,000, far below todays nearly half-million-dollar average.

Recalls this week include childrens toys, kitchen appliances, household ladders, and even wireless power banks

Childrens Spiral Tower Toys

• Hazard: Contains small balls, violating the small ball ban for under-threes; choking hazard.

• Remedy: Refund.

• Units: ~260.

• Details: Sold on Shein.com in May 2025 for about $3. Toy includes three levels, a basketball hoop face, and three yellow balls.

• Incidents: None reported.

• Contact: STWUQIKONG at STWUQIKONG_RECALL@hotmail.com.

• Recall No.: 25-433.

ESR HaloLock Wireless Power Banks

• Hazard: Lithium-ion battery can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards.

• Remedy: Refund.

• Units: ~24,000 (plus ~9,900 in Canada).

• Details: Models 2G520, 2G505B, 2G512B in multiple colors; LED display lights on one side.

• Incidents: 9 fires reported, $20,000 in property damage; no injuries.

• Sold At: Amazon, Home Depot, ESRTech.com (20232025, $32$40).

• Contact: Waymeet at 888-990-0280 or support@esrtech.com.

• Recall No.: 25-437.

Wolfgang Puck Stainless Steel Petite Tea Kettles

• Hazard: Loose infuser basket lid can fall off, causing burns and scalds.

• Remedy: Repair (free replacement lid).

• Units: ~40,000.

• Details: 14 oz. stainless kettles sold in beige, black, pink, and red. Lot codes: 022020032023.

• Incidents: 10 reports, 5 burn injuries.

• Sold At: HSN.com & HSN TV (20202025, ~$20).

• Contact: Synergy Housewares at 855-837-4111 or claims.synergyhousewares.com/recall.

• Recall No.: 25-432.

Drinkmate 1L Carbonation Bottles

• Hazard: Bottles can explode, causing laceration, impact, and hearing injuries.

• Remedy: Free replacement bottle.

• Units: ~106,200 (plus 5,000 in Canada).

• Details: PET bottles with caps/bases in red, blue, white, black. Expiration dates 01/202610/2026.

• Incidents: 8 explosions, 4 injuries.

• Sold At: iDrinkProducts.com, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Home Depot (20232024, ~$20 or $130 with OmniFizz kit).

• Contact: Drinkmate at 844-812-6241 or idrinkproducts.com.

• Recall No.: 25-435.

Firefly Safe & Green 32 oz. Fuel Bottles

• Hazard: Nozzle applicator not child-resistant; poisoning hazard to children. Also mislabeled Non-Toxic.

• Remedy: Repair (corrected label + child-resistant lid).

• SUnits: ~11,275.

• Details: Clear bottles with Safe & Green label; sold online 20192025 (~$20).

• Incidents: None reported.

• Contact: Firefly Fuel at 888-472-6740 or fireflyfuel.com.

• Recall No.: 25-434.

Werner Multi-Max Pro Ladders (20 and 24)

• Hazard: Locking mechanism can jam, ladder may collapse; fall hazard.

• Remedy: Refund.

• Units: ~122,250.

• Details: Silver ladders with blue tops; models ALMP-20IAA and ALMP-24IAA.

• Incidents: 18 falls, 14 injuries (bruises, lacerations, fractures).

• Sold At: Home Depot stores and online (20212024, $200$281).

• Contact: Werner at 888-624-1907 or wernerco.com/recalls.

• Recall No.: 25-431.

Viewrail Floating Stair/Rail LED Modules

• Hazard: Modules can overheat and melt, posing fire hazard.

• Remedy: Free replacement or refund.

• Units: ~2,720.

• Details: Model E2-WR, rectangular white modules inside stair stringers.S

• Incidents: 20 reports of overheating; no injuries.

• Sold At: Viewrail.com (20232025, ~$80).

• Contact: Viewrail at 888-500-2151 or viewrail.com/recall.

• Recall No.: 25-436.

Remington Hair Dryers (Model D3190DCDN)

• Hazard: Lack of immersion protection; risk of electrocution if dropped in water.

• Remedy: Refund.

• Units: ~56,300.

• Details: Purple/black hair dryers with Remington logo.

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Walmart, Target, Amazon marketplaces (20242025, $25$32).

• Contact: Empower Brands at 1-844-695-2134 or remingtonproducts.com/product-recalls.

• Recall No.: 25-430.

Safety Tip of the Week: Never dispose of recalled lithium-ion batteries (like the ESR HaloLock power banks) in household trash or curbside recycling. Contact your local hazardous waste collection center for safe disposal.

Check back every Friday for the latest safety recalls. For complete recall details, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov.

Updated guideline shifts the focus toward early action, brain health, pregnancy care, and personalized risk tools

• Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure and the new 2025 AHA/ACC guideline is here to help manage it with a fresh, early-action approach.

• Smart tools and tests, including the new PREVENT calculator and expanded lab screenings, help tailor care to each persons needs.

• Lifestyle habits still matter, with stronger emphasis on diet, exercise, stress management, and special attention to blood pressure during and after pregnancy.

Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. are dealing with high blood pressure (defined as 130/80 mm Hg or higher), and its the leading and preventable killer when it comes to heart attacks, strokes, kidney troubles, and even cognitive decline or dementia.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) has released new blood pressure guidelines for 2025, tackling this issue with a prevention-first, act-sooner motto thats built for todays needs.

High blood pressure is the most common and most modifiable risk factor for heart disease, Chair of the guideline writing committee Daniel W. Jones, M.D., FAHA, said in a news release.

By addressing individual risks earlier and offering more tailored strategies across the lifespan, the 2025 guideline aims to aid clinicians in helping more people manage their blood pressure and reduce the toll of heart disease, kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, and dementia.

Early treatment & personalized tools

This guideline encourages acting early before problems escalate.

A major tool? The brand-new PREVENT risk calculator, developed by the AHA in 2023. It estimates your 10- and 30-year risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, and smartly factors in things like your ZIP code to account for social health drivers.

On the diagnostic side, there are two upgrades:

• Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio is now recommended for all people with high blood pressure to more accurately check kidney health.

• Aldosterone-to-renin ratio testing is expanded to help detect a condition called primary aldosteronism in more people especially those with stage 2 hypertension or sleep apnea.
  

Lifestyle still leadsbut with new precision

As ever, healthy habits remain the foundation of good blood pressure control. Things like balanced eating, regular movement, and stress relief are key for consumers heart health. However, this time, the guidelines get more specific:

• Sodium cap lowered: Aim for under 2,300 mg per day and ideally get closer to 1,500 mg especially in packaged or restaurant foods.

• Alcohol balance: Limit to no alcohol or, at most, two drinks per day for men and one for women.

• Stress relief: Consider meditation, breathing techniques, or yoga and regular exercise that moves, strengthens, and centers you.

• Weight goals: For those who are overweight or obese, even a modest 5% weight reduction can have a big impact.

• Healthy eating patterns: Follow plans like the DASH diet packed with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy.

• Move more: Aim for 75150 minutes per week of aerobic work and/or strength training.

• Track at home: Home blood pressure monitoring is encouraged to confirm office readings and guide treatment.
  

Protecting your brain & pregnancy health

This guideline puts fresh shine on two key life areas:

• Your brain matters: High blood pressure isnt just a heart threat it can damage tiny vessels in your brain, nudging toward memory loss or dementia. Thats why the target is now under 130 mm Hg (systolic) early on, to help safeguard cognitive health.

• Pregnancy care refined: High blood pressure before, during, or after pregnancy is now handled with more urgency. The guideline recommends counseling on low-dose aspirin for preeclampsia prevention, starting medication when pressures reach 140/90 mm Hg or higher even early in pregnancy and continued postpartum monitoring, since risks can linger.
  

What this means for consumers

The 2025 AHA/ACC guideline isnt just a repeat it's a sharper, earlier, brain-thinking, personalized-care playbook. It empowers both patients and health care teams with practical tools, solid testing updates, lifestyle support, and sensitive care for brain and pregnancy health.

It is important for people to be aware of the recommended blood pressure goals and understand how healthy lifestyle behaviors and appropriate medication use can help them achieve and maintain optimal blood pressure, Dr. Jones said.

Prevention, early detection and management of high blood pressure are critical to long-term heart and brain health, which means longer, healthier lives.