The decline is prompting many homeowners to refinance current mortgages

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Mortgage rates drop to 6.26%, boosting affordability.

• Refinancing surges, now nearly 60% of mortgage applications.

• Fed cut expectations, weak job market drive rate declines.

Home affordability improved again this week. Freddie Mac reports its Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.26% this week.

Mortgage rates decreased yet again this week, prompting many homeowners to refinance. In fact, the share of mortgage applications that were refinances reached nearly 60%, the highest since January 2022, said Sam Khater, Freddie Macs chief economist.

In fact, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that mortgage applications increased 29.7% last week from one week earlier. Most of those were applications to refinance existing mortgages.

The Refinance Index increased 58% from the previous week and was 70% higher than the same week one year ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 3% from one week earlier.

Indicative of the weakening job market, and in anticipation of a rate cut from the Federal Reserve, mortgage rates last week dropped to their lowest level since last October, with the 30-year fixed rate declining to 6.39%, said Mike Fratantoni, MBAs chief economist.

Homeowners responded swiftly, with refinance application volume jumping almost 60% compared to the prior week.

Fratantoni said homeowners with larger loans jumped first, as the average loan size on refinances reached its highest level in the 35-year history of our survey.

Latest rates

The 30-year FRM averaged 6.26% as of September 18, 2025, down from last week when it averaged 6.35%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.09%.

The 15-year FRM averaged 5.41%, down from last week when it averaged 5.50%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.15%.

Battery hazards, children's products, fire risks all in today's Recall Roundup

This weeks recalls highlight serious lithium-ion battery hazards (power banks, vaporizers, fans), childrens product safety failures (dressers, baby loungers, helmets, crib mobiles), and fire risks in household products (cotton candy makers, fire pits). Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately and follow manufacturer instructions for refunds, replacements, or safe disposal.

Anker Power Banks

• 

  Hazard: Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

• Units Affected: ~2,100

• Remedy: Replace

• Incidents: 28 overheating/exploding reports; 2 burn injuries.

• Sold At: Best Buy, Target, Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Walmart (JanJul 2024, $40$60).

• Details: Models A1642 (12W), A1647 (15W), A1652 (20W).

• Action: Stop use immediately. Contact Anker Recalls for replacement. Dispose of recalled batteries at a local recycling/hazardous waste facility.

• Recall No.: 25-011

EnHomee 13-Drawer Dressers

• 

  Hazard: Unstable if not anchored, violating STURDY Act. Risk of tip-over, entrapment, serious injury or death to children.

• Units Affected: ~11,200

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, Shein, TikTok, Shopify, Temu (Sep 2023Mar 2025, $75$120).

• Details: Fabric dressers, 55"W x 35"H x 11"D, in rustic brown, white, black, pink.

• Action: Stop use if unanchored. Contact EnHomee for disposal and refund (photo required).

• Recall No.: 25-474

LXDHSTRA Baby Loungers

• 

  Hazard: Multiple safety violationstoo-low sides, too-thick pad, entrapment/fall risk. Includes banned crib bumpers under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act.

• Units Affected: ~360

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Amazon (MayAug 2025, $30$34).

• Action: Stop use immediately. Destroy loungers and bumpers (cut in half) and send photos to lxdhstrarecall@gmail.com for refund.

• Recall No.: 25-473

YooxArmor Multi-Purpose Kids Helmets

• 

  Hazard: Fail to meet federal helmet safety standards; risk of head injury or death.

• Units Affected: ~1,780

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Amazon (Oct 2024Jul 2025, ~$30).

• Details: Pink helmets, unicorn/rainbow/star print, size small, with black straps and red buckle.

• Action: Stop use, cut straps, and send photo to service@yooxarmor.com for refund.

Youbeien Crib Mobiles

• 

  Hazard: Remotes button-battery compartment is unsecured. Ingested batteries can cause burns or death.

• Units Affected: ~3,000

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Amazon (May 2024Apr 2025, ~$20).

• Action: Stop use. Dispose of product (or remote only for partial refund). Send proof photo to gkkbsjtoys@outlook.com.

• Recall No.: 25-471

Arizer Solo II Vaporizers

• 

  Hazard: Lithium-ion battery can overheat, smoke, or eject material. Fire/burn risk.

• Units Affected: ~5,460 (plus ~2,820 in Canada).

• Remedy: Replace

• Incidents: 9 overheating/smoking reports; no injuries.

• Sold At: Specialty shops, arizer.com (Jun 2024Jul 2025, ~$170).

• Action: Stop use. Contact Arizer for replacement Solo II MAX. Dispose at hazardous waste facilities per local rules.

• Recall No.: 25-470

Ambiano Cotton Candy Makers

• 

  Hazard: Heating element may ignite sugar if used without receptacle, fire hazard.

• Units Affected: ~21,690

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: 12 reports of sparking/fire; no injuries.

• Sold At: ALDI stores (AugSep 2024, $15).

• Action: Stop use. Return to ALDI or send cut-cord photo for refund.

• Recall No.: 25-469

IcyBreeze Buddy Portable Misting Fans

• 

  Hazard: Overheats while charging, may ignite.

• Units Affected: ~22,600

• Remedy: Refund ($150 Solo Brands credit)

• Incidents: 7 overheating reports; 2 fires; no injuries.

• Sold At: Icybreeze.com, Amazon (Nov 2023Aug 2024, ~$150).

• Action: Stop use. Submit photo of cut power cord at recall site for refund credit. Dispose per hazardous waste rules.

• Recall No.: 25-468

Five Below Tabletop Fire Pits

• 

  Hazard: Alcohol fuel may splash/leak, causing flash fires, flame jetting, burn hazards.

• Units Affected: ~66,000

• Remedy: Refund ($5 or purchase price).

• Incidents: 1 report of flames escaping; no injuries.

• Sold At: Five Below (Apr 2024Aug 2025, $2.50$5).

• Action: Stop use. Return to Five Below or submit proof photo for refund.

• Recall No.: 25-467

Those who use both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes are at the highest risk

• Using e-cigarettes, cigarettes, or both is associated with higher risk for prediabetes and diabetes, with dual use being the riskiest.

• Risk is especially elevated in people who are overweight or obese, of Black, Hispanic or Asian background, or of lower income.

• Regular exercise seems to help reduce risk, even among smokers.

Youve likely heard that smoking is bad for your lungs. However, new research suggests it might also be quietly upping your chances of developing metabolic issues like prediabetes and diabetes.

As e-cigarette use grows, especially among younger people, scientists wanted to know: is vaping really a safer alternative or is it hiding other long-term risks?

In an era when e-cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, this suggests they may carry a hidden peril and may be quietly contributing to long-term health problems like prediabetes and diabetes, researcher Sulakshan Neupane said in a news release.

As the use of e-cigarettes rises rapidly, its vital we understand their broader health impacts. This is not just about the lungs anymore but the entire body and metabolic health.

The study

The researchers used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) a large-scale U.S. survey. They analyzed over 1.2 million responses to compare people who smoke traditional cigarettes, those who vape (i.e. use e-cigarettes), people who do both, and those who do neither. Key outcomes they looked for were diagnoses of prediabetes and diabetes.

They also considered demographic and health-related factors: body mass index (BMI), race/ethnicity, income, and whether respondents had existing health conditions. That allowed them to see not just if risk was higher in general, but how it varied depending on other characteristics.

The results

Heres what the study uncovered:

• Prediabetes risk:

  • Vaping alone was associated with about a 7% higher risk of prediabetes compared to non-users.

  • Smoking traditional cigarettes raised that to about 15%.

  • Using both cigarettes and e-cigarettes conferred a 28% higher riskthe largest increase seen.
    

• Diabetes risk (diagnosed disease, not just risk factors):

  • Smokers had higher odds of having diabetes than non-smokers.

  • Those who both smoked and vaped similarly showed elevated risk (roughly 7-9% more likely) of being diagnosed with diabetes.
    

• Other factors that make a difference:

  • Overweight or obesity amplified the risk: people with higher BMI who smoked or vaped fared worse.

  • Race/ethnicity mattered: Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals using tobacco or vaping had higher rates of prediabetes or diabetes than white respondents in similar situations.

  • Income played a role: lower income categories were tied to greater risk for both conditions.

  • On a positive note, regular exercise appeared to reduce risk for smokersshowing that lifestyle can still make a difference.
    

These findings have important implications for public health efforts to curb smoking and improve diabetes outcomes, Neupane said in the news release."

Deceptive pricing, fake purchase limits, hidden fees alleged

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• FTC and seven states allege Ticketmaster conspired with brokers to inflate ticket prices.

• Lawsuit claims deceptive pricing, fake purchase limits, and billions in hidden fees.

• Trump administration calls the action a monumental step toward protecting fans.

The Federal Trade Commission and seven states filed a sweeping lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster subsidiary, accusing the companies of coordinating with ticket brokers to illegally drive up the cost of live event tickets.

According to the complaint, Ticketmaster allowed brokers to harvest millions of dollars worth of tickets from the primary market, then profited when those tickets were resold on its own platform at inflated prices. The practice, regulators say, forced consumers to pay substantially more than face value for concerts, sports, and other events.

FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said the lawsuit follows President Donald Trumps March executive order directing federal agencies to protect consumers from ticketing abuses. American live entertainment is the best in the world and should be accessible to all of us, Ferguson said. It should not cost an arm and a leg to take the family to a baseball game or attend your favorite musicians show.

Alleged deceptive practices

The FTC complaint outlines a series of alleged violations, including:

• Bait-and-switch pricing: Ticketmaster advertised artificially low ticket prices that excluded mandatory feessometimes totaling 44% of the base pricethat were added only at checkout. Regulators say the company collected $16.4 billion in such fees from 2019 through 2024.

• Fake purchase limits: Although Ticketmaster claimed to impose strict limits on how many tickets consumers could buy, brokers allegedly bypassed those rules using thousands of fake accounts and proxy servers. Internal reviews showed just five brokers controlling more than 246,000 tickets across nearly 2,600 events.

• Collusion with brokers: Ticketmaster allegedly turned a blind eye to abuses because inflated resale prices boosted its profits. The company even provided brokers with tools like its TradeDesk software to help manage mass ticket resales.

The FTC also cited internal company documents showing Ticketmaster declined to implement stronger anti-fraud measuressuch as third-party ID verificationbecause such steps would reduce revenue.

Market Dominance

Ticketmaster controls as much as 80% of ticketing at major U.S. concert venues and has steadily expanded into the resale market. Between 2019 and 2024, consumers spent more than $82.6 billion buying tickets through the company.

Publicly, Ticketmaster has claimed to oppose broker practices that undermine ordinary fans. But in private, regulators say, executives admitted the company benefited from brokers ability to manipulate ticket availability and pricing.

The lawsuit accuses Ticketmaster and Live Nation of violating the FTC Act and the Better Online Ticket Sales Act. Regulators are seeking civil penalties and additional monetary relief. If successful, the case could reshape how tickets are sold for concerts, sporting events, and other live entertainment in the U.S.

Lawsuit and governmental pressure are driving the changes

OpenAI has been working on updated policies to protect young ChatGPT users when suicide is being discussed. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said it "may be reasonable" for the company to notify authorities when minors express thoughts about suicide and parents can't be reached. The changes follow growing pressure from Congress and federal agencies and a lawsuit by the parents of an adolescent who killed himself.

OpenAI said in a memo forwarded to ConsumerAffairs that it isrolling out parental controls intended to link minors accounts to their parents, allow parents to receive distress alerts, manage usage times, and disable certain features. Those tools are expected by end of September and is alsodeveloping anageprediction system: If a user is identified (or estimated) to be under 18, the system will give them an ageappropriate version of ChatGPT. This version will restrict graphic sexual content, avoid flirting, and limit discussion of suicide or selfharm.

OpenAI acknowledges that its current safety guardrails do not always hold up inlonger or more emotionally intense conversations; safety mechanisms may degrade over time or with extended usermodel backandforth.

If you need help ...

U.S.: Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at988lifeline.org

UK & Ireland: Samaritans, 116 123 (freephone), jo@samaritans.org / jo@samaritans.ie

Australia: Lifeline, 13 11 14

Elsewhere: Visitbefrienders.orgfor international hotlines

Pressure for action mounts

The company's move come as governments step up pressure. The Senate is holding a hearing with parents of teens who died or were harmed after interacting with chatbots and the Federal Trade Commission hasbegun an inquiry into AI chatbots (including OpenAI) about harms to children and how safety is tested and overseen. At the state level, agroup of Attorneys General has formally warned OpenAI, saying existing safeguards have failed in some cases, and demanding stronger protections.

Raine lawsuit

Driving the intensifying pressure is the case of Adam Raine, 16. A lawsuit filed by his parents alleges thatChatGPT cultivated a relationship with the teenager, provided instructions for selfharm, discouraged him from seeking external help, and failed to stop potentially harmful content in long conversations. The lawsuit seeks not only damages but regulatory changes: e.g. improved ageverification, blocking selfharm content, psychological warnings, etc.