New midsize EV pickup will start at about $30,000, Ford promises

• Ford announces a new Universal EV Production System and EV platform to streamline manufacturing and reduce costs.

• First vehicle will be a midsize, four-door electric pickup starting around $30,000, launching in 2027.

• $2 billion retooling of Louisville Assembly Plant will secure 2,200 jobs, with no layoffs planned.

Ford Motor Co. is launching what it says is a sweeping new approach to electric vehicle production, anchored by a midsize, four-door electric pickup it says will offer breakthrough affordability when it arrives in 2027. The vehicle, expected to start at about $30,000, will be built at Fords Louisville Assembly Plant, which will undergo a $2 billion retooling later this year.

The Louisville facility currently produces the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair SUVs, employing 2,800 hourly and 200 salaried workers. Ford said the new truck will ensure the jobs of 2,200 hourly employees. About 600 positions will be affected, but Ford stressed there are no layoff planssome workers will be offered retirement buyouts, while others can transfer to nearby facilities. Company officials hinted additional EV models could eventually be added in Louisville, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The investment is part of nearly $5 billion in spending that includes Fords $3 billion BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan. That plant will produce prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries starting next year for the Louisville-built truck. The combined projects are expected to create or secure almost 4,000 U.S. jobs and bolster domestic supply chains.

"Model T Moment"

Ford CEO Jim Farley framed the announcement as the companys Model T moment, emphasizing the need to create profitable, American-made affordable EVs that can compete globallyespecially against Chinese automakers. Developed by Fords California-based Skunkworks team, the Universal EV Platform will reduce parts by 20%, cut assembly time by 15%, and use a cobalt- and nickel-free battery pack that doubles as the trucks floor.

While Ford has not released performance specs, range estimates, or charging details for the new pickup, Farley said the total cost of ownership over five years will be lower than that of a three-year-old used Tesla Model Y. The truck will be similar in size to todays Ford Maverick.

The news comes as Ford delays its full-size electric pickup successor to the F-150 Lightning until 2028 and pushes back its E-Transit van launch to the same year. Current production of the Lightning in Dearborn and the Mach-E in Mexico will continue unchanged.

ufts-led research shows calories from dollar store food nearly doubled from 2008 to 2020

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

The digital divide hasn't closed. What are the options?

AOL, one of the last major providers of dial-up internet in the United States, will soon retire its decades-old service. The shutdown marks the end of an era for the distinctive screech and hiss of a modem connection and leaves a small but significant number of Americans facing a tough question: whats next if you still cant get broadband?

Although the FCC says more than 90% of U.S. households now have access to broadband, millions still live in areas where high-speed internet is unavailable, unreliable, or unaffordable. For many rural residents, AOLs dial-up was slow but dependable, using the same copper telephone lines that power landline calls.

The end of dial-up wont directly cut people off from the internet, but it will force them to seek alternatives often at higher costs or with more complicated setups.

Alternatives to dial-up in 2025

1. Satellite Internet
Providers like Starlink, HughesNet, and Viasat can reach nearly anywhere in the country. Starlinks newer low-Earth-orbit satellites offer far better speeds and lower latency than traditional satellite services, but equipment costs can top $500 and monthly plans often exceed $100.

2. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)
Companies like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T offer home internet via 4G LTE or 5G networks. If your cell signal is strong, speeds can rival cable, with prices starting around $50/month. However, rural areas with weak coverage may not benefit.

3. Mobile Hotspots
Using a smartphone or a dedicated hotspot device, users can connect laptops and desktops to cellular data. This is a flexible option but can be expensive if your carriers data caps are low. It, like fixed wireless, may not work in rural areas or in more urbanized areas with lots of network congestion.

4. DSL and Fiber (Where Available)
Some regions still have DSL providers operating over phone lines much faster than dial-up but slower than modern broadband. Where fiber has expanded, its the gold standard, offering gigabit speeds.

5. Community and Municipal Networks
A growing number of towns are building their own broadband infrastructure or partnering with nonprofits to deliver affordable internet access, often with grant funding.

The loss of AOL dial-up underscores the ongoing challenges in bridging Americas digital divide. Federal and state broadband initiatives, along with private investment, are racing to expand access but for some, the transition may be bumpy.

Its getting harder to find employees, as well as customers

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Rising food and labor costs are squeezing profit margins for independent restaurants.

• Staffing shortages and high employee turnover continue to strain operations and service quality.

• Changing consumer habitswith more people dining out less often or seeking dealsare disrupting traditional restaurant business models.

Independent restaurants across the United States are fighting to adapt as cost pressures intensify, labor remains scarce, and consumer behaviors continue to shift.

While Americans' love of dining out hasnt waned, restaurant owners are reporting slimmer bottom lines and tough operational decisions. The past year has seen significant jumps in both food and labor costs for the average restaurant, each up 35% compared to five years ago.

Costs for staples like beef, chicken, coffee, and fresh vegetables have climbed, forcing operators to raise menu prices, sometimes by as much as 31% since 2020, to maintain viability. But these hikes risk pushing away price-sensitive customers who have already begun eating out less, seeking bundled deals, and prioritizing value.

The cost of everythings just going up, and weve got to figure out how to manage it right, Len Wade, a managing partner at Ikes Chili in Tulsa, told CNN.

Labor shortage

Staffing is another acute challenge. Even as the industry has added 200,000 jobs over the past year, independent venues are still short thousands of positions compared to pre-pandemic norms.

Operators cite persistent labor shortages, rapid employee turnover, and higher wage expectations among staff, increasing efforts to recruit and retain talent. Many full-service restaurants are especially strained, falling 3% short of pre-pandemic staff levels despite a steady rise in overall industry employment.

Against this backdrop, consumer traffic at independent restaurants has remained flat or even declined, according to national surveys. More than one-third of Americans now report dining out less in 2025, opting instead for affordable quick-service options or home-cooked meals. Independent restaurateurs trying to reignite customer loyalty are rolling out creative strategies: offering loyalty programs, value-driven combo meals, or using technology like AI-driven pricing and inventory management to control costs.

Other challenges

Extreme weather events, regulatory changes, and fluctuating supply chains, especially in ingredients subject to new tariffs, have only added to the unpredictability. In response, some restaurants are diversifying suppliers, simplifying menus to spotlight less costly domestic ingredients, and re-negotiating contracts to lock in stable prices.

Despite the challenges, a spirit of resilience persists. Many operators are reinventing their business models, embracing automation where possible, and promoting the unique qualities of independent dining. But with profit margins often less than 5%, the test for independents in 2025 is tougher than ever: managing costs and winning back customers, all while staying true to their culinary vision.