Consumer News: Three deaths reported from rare hantavirus in rural California

Stretch your holiday budget with everything you need for dinner for 10 people

• A complete Thanksgiving spread for 10 people will run consumers less than $36 at Lidl (just ~$3.60 per person).

• The deal covers turkey and all the classics stuffing, gravy, rolls, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie ingredients.

• No bundled kit is required each item is sold separately so you can pick and choose based on your guest list and preferences.

If youre already bracing for the holiday grocery tab and wondering how youll pull together the traditional spread without breaking the bank, youll want to hear this.

Lidl is making a bold move for Thanksgiving 2025: offering everything youd expect on the table turkey, sides, dessert ingredients for a total cost that registers at under $36 to serve ten people.

For $3.60 or less per person, you could host a full Thanksgiving feast without compromise.

What makes it especially friendly: youre not stuck with a pre-packaged boxed bundle that forces you to buy things you dont want. Instead, Lidl marks down individual items as part of the holiday meal deal, so you can tailor the spread for your crowd and still come in under budget.

With grocery prices continuing to be a challenge for families, we understand how vital great value is this holiday season, Joel Rampoldt, Lidl US CEO, said in a news release

At Lidl U.S., were honored to help make Thanksgiving more accessible. We hope our bundle helps bring people together this year to enjoy a holiday feast thats as delicious as it is affordable.

Whats included

Here are the components of Lidls Thanksgiving meal offer for ten people:

• A whole frozen turkey (14 lb) from Shady Brook Farms just $0.25 per pound with the MyLidl app.

• 100% Pure Pumpkin by Lidl

• 3 lbs fresh yellow onions

• 5 lbs fresh Pure Harvest Russet potatoes

• Fresh Pure Harvest celery

• Chicken broth by Lidl

• Two cans of Cream of Mushroom condensed soup by Lidl

• Two packages of cut green beans by Lidl

• Evaporated milk by Lidl

• Three 1-lb fresh sweet potatoes

• Frenchs French fried onions (for topping green bean casserole)

• Original whipped topping by Lidl

• Two packs of brown gravy mix by Lidl

• Two cans of jellied cranberry sauce by Lidl

• Mini marshmallows by Lidl

• Pie crust dough by Lidl

• Hawaiian sweet rolls by Lidl

• Poultry seasoning by Lidl

• Two packs of stuffing mix for turkey by Lidl

• Two 1-lb bags of Peak Harvest baby carrots

• Two boxes of macaroni & cheese by Lidl

Pricing context

• The entire kit comes in at under $36, which breaks down to under $3.60 per person.

• The turkey portion at $0.25 per lb is especially standout given raised inflation and rising grocery prices.

• All items are sold separately (i.e., you dont have to buy a rigid bundle box). You pick the items you need (as supplies and location allow).

• Mark your calendar: the savings run from November 5 through November 26 at participating Lidl U.S. stores.

You may qualify for a settlement or you may be a scam target

New Owl Labs survey finds in-person employees spend triple what remote workers do each day

• In-person and hybrid workers spend an average of $55 a day triple what remote employees spend on commuting, meals, and parking.

• Most workers (92%) say theyd return to the office more often if employers offered incentives like free food or covered commuting costs.

• Flexibility remains a top priority, with many employees willing to trade part of their salary for more control over when and where they work.
  

Between gas, coffee, and parking, going into the office can add up fast and new research shows just how much its costing workers.

According to Owl Labs State of Hybrid Work report, in-person and hybrid employees spend an average of $55 a day just to show up compared to only $18 a day for those working from home.

Those with pets spend even more, shelling out an additional $10 daily for things like pet care or dog walking.

ConsumerAffairs interviewed Owl Labs CEO Frank Weishaupt to dive deep into the survey findings, including the financial trade-offs of hybrid and in-person work.

The biggest costs

The report highlighted some of the biggest factors that contribute to in-person and hybrid workers daily spending:

In-person and hybrid workers spend an average of $55 a day, the biggest expense being $18 on average for lunch, Weishaupt said. Additionally, workers average $15 on commuting, $13 a day on breakfast and coffee, and $9 on parking when in the office. Those with pets also spend an additional $10 on average when working in person.

Can in-person workers save?

Despite these costs, Weishaupt shared that there are several practical ways for in-person and hybrid workers to reduce their daily expenses.

Simple changes include bringing your lunch from home instead of buying it, and making coffee at the office or at home rather than purchasing it on the way, he said.

While these small changes can help reduce spending, our data shows that employees prefer more flexibility and financial relief. Ninety-two percent of workers admit that they could be convinced to come to the office with additional incentives, most of which have to do with the costs of commuting to the office.

Managing daily expenses

Additionally, knowing how to manage your daily expenses while personal for each worker can be pivotal if your company has a strict in-office working policy.

It's helpful to track your spending to identify where you can make the biggest savings over time, Weishaupt advised. If workers are spending $55 per day, that turns into $1,100 on average per month for full-time office workers.

Don't feel pressured to eat out or grab coffee with colleagues every day if it's straining your budget, he added. Finding coworkers who are also looking to cut back on their office spending can be helpful, as you can hold each other accountable with plans to eat packed lunches or get coffee at the office together.

What role do employers play?

According to the survey findings, workers that come into the office daily or even part-time believe that their employers can help ease the financial burden and stress associated with commuting.

Our data shows that some of the most valuable incentives include companies covering commuting/parking costs (33%) and providing free/subsidized food and beverages (32%), Weishaupt said.

Additionally, employers should carefully consider their RTO policies and what flexibility they can provide their workers to help cut back on the cost of going into the office. Forty-seven percent of workers said flexibility is a top workplace concern, and 64% would trade part of their salary for flexible working hours.

Flexibility has the most value

The survey found that 24% of employees are looking for new jobs to get more flexibility in where they work.

With that in mind, Weishaupt encourages employers to consider the rising costs of going into the office before asking workers to come into the office more frequently.

Employers should anticipate their employees advocating for flexible work arrangements and should be open to providing support. If theres one thing our data has shown us, its that flexibility has real value.

Gameday drip: same Lulu fabric, now with your team logo

• First-ever NFL x Lululemon line landed Oct. 28th; buy at NFLShop, Fanatics, and select team stores (Lululemon stores may follow)
• Core Lulu pieces (Align, Define, Scuba, Steady State, tees, joggers, hoodies, bags) with team logossame fabrics/fit, premium price
• Hot teams/sizes may sell outset restock alerts; check returns per retailer and follow care instructions for logo prints

Lululemon is teaming up with the NFL on a new line of officially licensed apparel that features all 32 team logos. Its the first time the brand has offered NFL-branded products, and the collection officially rolled out on October 28th.

Whats in the collection

Lululemon says the launch spans mens and womens apparel and accessories with team logos. Core pieces from the lineup include Steady State mens styles and womens favorites such as Define, Scuba and Align. Expect the same fabrics and fits Lululemon is known for, with team branding layered in.

For those of us who arent familiar with Lululemon favorites, the lineup includes hoodies, sweatshirts, half-zip hoodie (women), jackets, joggers, sweats, tees, and accessories (Everywhere Belt Bag).

Where youll be able to buy it

Products will be sold through the following three channels:

• NFLShop.com
• Select team retail locations
• Fanatics, online and in-store

Lululemon is expected to carry NFL items in their actual stores as the partnership ramps up. But initially, youll have to purchase from the NFLShop, Fanatics, or individual team retail locations.

Why is Lululemon doing this

The company has been pushing deeper into performance and mainstream sports beyond its yoga roots. Over the past year its inked a team-branded deal with the NHL and added high-profile athlete ambassadors across golf, tennis, football and hockey, plus F1 champion Lewis Hamilton. Bringing in NFL logos is another step toward courting fans who want premium, everyday wear that also shows team loyalty.

What it means for consumers

Fit and feel first, logos second. If you like how Align, Define or Steady State pieces wear, youll recognize the same fabrics and cuts.

Premium price point. Expect NFL versions to come in at the standard Lululemon pricing. Licensed logos typically add cost, and early demand may limit promotions.

Gifting potential. The timing lines up perfectly with holiday shopping as the NFL season reaches its second half.

Availability could vary by team and size. If your favorite team is a large-market franchise like the Cowboys, Bears, Pats, or Giants, you may find availability and sizing to be challenging at first. If something you want is out of stock, I recommend signing up for restock alerts and check team stores and Fanatics listings.

A note on returns and care

Before you buy, be sure to check the return window as policies can differ across retailers, especially with licensed merchandise.

Also, confirm care instructions as heat-pressed or specialty prints sometimes have specific wash guidelines to preserve the NFL logos.

The bigger trend

Pro sports and premium athleisure brands are blending everyday wear with fan identity. For consumers, that means more choices beyond jerseys and hoodies. Think leggings, joggers, and tops that youd wear to the gym, or on errands, that also rep your team.

"Things are getting real," House Speaker Johnson tells GOP Congress members

• Harsh reality sets in as funding for SNAP food program runs out this weekend
• Political parties blame each other, MTG warns that voters are "pissed"
• Policy group says it's not true there are no contingency funds available

Its day 28 of the federal shutdown and funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) runs out this weekend, cutting off food aid to 42 million Americans. Politicians from both parties are using the prospect of human suffering to further their goals, seeking to shift blame for the shutdown onto the opposite party.

There are scattered efforts to keep the program running:

• A coalition of 23 state attorneys generalfiled suit to block the blockage;
• Scattered legislative attempts have so far produced nothing. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) picked up ten new sponsors for his bill that would keep SNAP alive.Needy families in Missouri should not be going hungry because a bunch of politicians in DC cant figure out how to open the government,said Hawley;
• The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities said that reserve funds to keep SNAP operating are available and should be used, as they recently were to keep the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program in operation.

Congress has no plans

The House of Representatives is in recess and House Speaker Mike Johnson told House GOP members that party leaders have no plans for legislation that would put expiring food benefits up for a vote. "Things are getting real" this week, Johnson said as he urged members to brace for mounting pressure from their constituents, Politico reported.

Johnson said the "pain register is about to hit level 10," saying that would put maximum pressure on Democrats to cave in to GOP demands that any resolution includes cuts in Affordable Care Act funding. Some Republicans, including Missouri's Hawley, have said the stand-off has gone on long enough and 42 million poor and disabled Americans must not be left without food.

"Congress must not let that happen," Hawley said in an op-ed. "America is a great and wealthy nation, and our most important wealth is our generosity of spirit. We help those in need. We provide for the widow and the orphan. Love of neighbor is part of who we are. The Scriptures injunction to remember the poor is a principle Americans have lived by. Its time Congress does the same."

States file suit against the "unlawful" shutdown

A coalition of 23 state of attorneys general andgovernors have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins for their role in the aid cut-off.

It is clear President Trump and his USDA are making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice to not fund the SNAP program during the federal government shutdown despite the availability of contingency funds. The government is legally required to make payments to those who meet the program requirements, said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. We are asking the court to resume essential food assistance for the more than 600,000 Coloradans who use SNAP benefits to feed themselves or their families.

The lapse in benefits will have dire consequences for the health and well-being of Americans who rely on the program to feed themselves and their families and will also put unnecessary strain on state and local governments and community organizations, as families increasingly rely on emergency services and local food pantries that are already struggling to fill a growing nutrition gap. It will affect school systems and college and university communities, where food insecurity will stand in the way of educating our students.

Suspending SNAP benefits will also harm the hundreds of thousands of grocers and merchants that accept SNAP payment for food purchases. USDA has estimated that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity.

Joining in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania have also joined.

Money is available: CBPP

The Trump Administration's claim that no contingency funds are available to keep SNAP benefits coming is not accurate, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities."This stands in opposition to the law and prior practice, including by the Trump Administration itself, the CBPP said in a published statement.

"The Administration could use its legal transfer authority the same authority it already used to provide additional funds to WIC to supplement the contingency reserves, which alone are not enough to fund families full benefits for November. The Administration must use all available options to fund November benefits for the 1 in 8 people in the U.S. who need SNAP to afford their grocery bill.