Consumer News: Appeals court OKs firing hundreds of CFPB employees

A Tufts University analysis links some sweeteners to higher fasting insulin levels

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A new Tufts University review finds growing evidence that artificial and other low-calorie sweeteners may disrupt gut bacteria and impair blood sugar control.

• Researchers say common sugar substitutes were linked to higher fasting insulin and HbA1c levels in an analysis of 21 randomized clinical trials.

• Experts stress the findings do not prove sugar substitutes are unsafe but suggest more research is needed into their long-term metabolic effects.

For decades, artificial sweeteners have been marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar, offering sweetness without the calories. But a growing body of research suggests those substitutes may not be as metabolically harmless as once believed.

A new review and meta-analysis by researchers at Tufts University's Food is Medicine Institute concludes that non-nutritive sweeteners including artificial and other low-calorie sugar substitutes may alter the gut microbiome in ways that negatively affect blood sugar regulation and metabolic health. The findings were published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports.

The researchers analyzed data from 21 randomized clinical trials involving adults. Compared with participants who consumed water or a placebo, those who consumed non-caloric sweeteners had higher fasting insulin levels and higher HbA1c, a measure of long-term blood sugar control. The analysis also found a trend toward reduced insulin sensitivity, an early marker associated with type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic harms

"What makes our analysis notable is that by focusing on non-caloric comparators, we better isolated the direct physiological effects of the sweeteners themselves, not the calories they replace," said lead author Meng Wang, a research assistant professor at Tufts' Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. "When pooling findings from individual trials, we see signals that these compounds may have metabolic harms."

Researchers believe one possible explanation lies in the gut microbiome. Unlike sugar, many non-nutritive sweeteners pass through the digestive tract largely unchanged, coming into direct contact with the trillions of microbes that inhabit the intestine.

Laboratory and animal studies suggest some sweeteners can alter the composition and activity of these microbial communities, potentially affecting glucose metabolism and inflammation.

Not all sweeteners are the same

The review examined a variety of sweeteners, including saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, stevia, and sugar alcohols. However, the researchers said evidence varies by compound, and not all sweeteners appear to have identical effects. They also noted that people's responses may differ depending on the makeup of their individual gut microbiome.

Despite the findings, the authors cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions. Most sweeteners approved for use in the United States have been deemed safe by regulators when consumed within recommended daily intake levels, and the new review does not establish that sugar substitutes directly cause diabetes or other metabolic diseases.

Instead, the researchers say the evidence highlights the need for larger, longer-term human studies to determine which sweeteners may pose risks, who may be most susceptible, and how gut microbes influence those outcomes.

"Our findings don't suggest people should automatically abandon all non-nutritive sweeteners," Wang said. "But they do challenge the assumption that these compounds are biologically inert and underscore the importance of understanding how they interact with the gut microbiome and metabolism."

Most of the hiring was in just three industries

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. employers added 57,000 jobs in June, a modest gain that kept the unemployment rate unchanged at 4.2%.

• Professional and business services, social assistance and health care accounted for nearly all of the month's hiring, while leisure and hospitality lost 61,000 jobs.

• The Labor Department also revised April and May job gains lower by a combined 74,000 jobs, suggesting the labor market has cooled more than previously reported.

The U.S. labor market continued to expand in June, but hiring remained subdued as employers added 57,000 jobs and the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The June gain was modest but roughly in line with the average monthly increase of 36,000 jobs over the previous year. However, nearly all of the month's hiring came from just three industries, while most major sectors showed little or no employment growth.

Professional and business services led all industries, adding 36,000 jobs. The sector has recovered steadily since reaching a recent low in October 2025 and has added 172,000 positions during that period.

Social assistance was another bright spot, adding 25,000 jobs, including 17,000 positions in individual and family services. Over the past year, the sector has averaged monthly gains of about 16,000 jobs.

Health care also continued to expand, adding 22,000 jobs in June. Hospitals accounted for 9,000 of those new positions. While hiring remained positive, the pace slowed from the industry's average monthly gain of 38,000 jobs over the previous year.

Leisure and hospitality posts biggest decline

The weakest performance came from the leisure and hospitality industry, which shed 61,000 jobs in June. The Labor Department attributed the decline to weaker-than-normal seasonal hiring. Despite the setback, employment in the sector has shown little net change so far in 2026.

Most other major industries were essentially flat during the month, including:

• Construction

• Manufacturing

• Retail trade

• Wholesale trade

• Transportation and warehousing

• Financial activities

• Information

• Mining and energy

• Government

• Other services

Labor market remains stable

The household survey showed little change in overall labor market conditions.

The unemployment rate remained at 4.2%, with about 7.1 million Americans unemployed. Jobless rates were largely unchanged across demographic groups, including adult men, adult women, White, Black, Asian and Hispanic workers.

Long-term unemployment remained elevated, with 1.9 million people unemployed for 27 weeks or longer. That figure is up by 286,000 compared with a year ago and represents 27.3% of all unemployed workers.

The labor force participation rate slipped 0.3 percentage point to 61.5%, while the employment-population ratio edged down to 59.0%.

Wage growth continues

Average hourly earnings rose 13 cents, or 0.3%, to $37.64 in June. Compared with a year earlier, wages increased 3.5%.

The average workweek for all private-sector employees remained unchanged at 34.3 hours.

The report also contained downward revisions to prior months' employment estimates. April payroll growth was revised down from 179,000 to 148,000 jobs, while May's gain was reduced from 172,000 to 129,000. Together, the revisions lowered previously reported employment by 74,000 jobs, reinforcing signs that hiring has moderated in recent months.

Heres how to file a claim

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Millions of current and former YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers may qualify for a share of Disney's $50 million antitrust settlement.

• The settlement covers eligible subscriptions purchased between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026, with claims due by Sept. 8, 2026.

• Payments will vary based on how long customers subscribed and the total number of valid claims filed, with money expected to be distributed after final court approval.

Millions of Americans who subscribed to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream over the past seven years could be eligible for compensation under a $50 million class-action settlement resolving allegations that Disney unlawfully drove up the price of live TV streaming services.

The settlement stems from an antitrust lawsuit accusing Disney of using its ownership of popular networks including ESPN to force streaming providers to carry expensive channel bundles, limiting their ability to offer lower-cost packages. Disney has denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle the case rather than continue litigation.

Who is eligible?

Consumers may qualify if they paid for:

• YouTube TV between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026

• DirecTV's streaming service during the same period, including subscriptions marketed as DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Now, or AT&T TV Now

• Customers who subscribed to both services may include both subscriptions on a single claim.

The settlement divides claimants into two legal categories based on where they lived during the class period because state antitrust laws differ. Residents of so-called "repealer" states will share 90% of the net settlement fund, while residents of other states will divide the remaining 10%. Individual payment amounts have not yet been determined.

How much could you receive?

No fixed payment has been announced.

After attorneys' fees and administrative costs are deducted, the remaining settlement money will be distributed on a pro rata basis. That means people who subscribed for longer periods are expected to receive larger payments, although the final amount will also depend on how many valid claims are submitted. Any money left over will remain in the settlement fund rather than reverting to Disney.

How to file a claim

Eligible consumers can file a claim in one of two ways:

• Online through the official settlement website

• By mail using a paper claim form

Many eligible subscribers will receive an email or postcard containing a Unique ID and PIN that can be used to complete an online claim. Those who do not receive a notice may still submit a paper claim. No receipts are generally required, although claimants must certify the accuracy of their subscription information under penalty of perjury.

The deadline to submit a claim is Sept. 8, 2026. That is also the deadline to opt out of the settlement if consumers wish to preserve their right to sue Disney separately.

A federal judge is scheduled to consider final approval of the settlement on Jan. 14, 2027. If the agreement receives final approval and any appeals are resolved, payments will be distributed afterward.

The deal is much smaller than the ill-fated Albertsons merger

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Kroger has agreed to acquire regional grocery chain Giant Eagle in a deal valued at $1.65 billion, marking its largest expansion since its failed merger with Albertsons.

• The acquisition would give Kroger nearly 200 additional supermarkets and pharmacies across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Indiana.

• The deal faces regulatory review but is expected to close in 2027, with the companies anticipating only limited store divestitures.

Kroger is one of the largest supermarket chains in the U.S., and its about to get bigger.

The company is expanding its footprint in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic after reaching an agreement to acquire privately-held grocery chain Giant Eagle in a transaction valued at $1.65 billion.

The deal, announced this week, comes less than a year after Kroger's proposed merger with Albertsons collapsed amid legal challenges and regulatory opposition. Rather than pursuing another transformative national merger, Kroger is buying a regional chain that operates in markets adjacent to many of its existing stores.

Under the agreement, Kroger will pay approximately $1.25 billion in cash and assume about $400 million in Giant Eagle liabilities, bringing the total transaction value to $1.65 billion.

What Giant Eagle brings to the table

Giant Eagle operates 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across western Pennsylvania, northern Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Indiana. The company generates roughly $9 billion in annual sales and employs more than 30,000 people, making it one of Pennsylvania's largest private employers.

Kroger CEO Greg Foran said Giant Eagle's strong reputation for fresh foods, pharmacy services, private-label products, and customer loyalty made it an attractive strategic fit.

"We evaluated the opportunity carefully, and the strategic fit is clear," Foran said in announcing the acquisition.

What Giant Eagle gets

For Giant Eagle, the transaction offers the opportunity to tap into Kroger's scale, technology, and supply chain while expanding opportunities for employees.

Giant Eagle CEO Bill Artman said the combined company will be better positioned to improve quality, value, and customer service while creating new growth opportunities for workers.

The acquisition also marks Kroger's return to the Pittsburgh market, which it exited in the 1980s. Giant Eagle has since become the dominant grocery chain in western Pennsylvania, although competition has been increasing with planned expansions by Wegmans and Meijer.

Unlike the proposed Albertsons merger, which would have combined two of the nation's largest supermarket operators, the Giant Eagle acquisition is considerably smaller and involves complementary geographic markets. However, Kroger and Giant Eagle said they expect to divest a limited number of stores to satisfy antitrust regulators.

The deal is much smaller than the ill-fated Albertsons merger

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Kroger has agreed to acquire regional grocery chain Giant Eagle in a deal valued at $1.65 billion, marking its largest expansion since its failed merger with Albertsons.

• The acquisition would give Kroger nearly 200 additional supermarkets and pharmacies across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.

• The deal faces regulatory review but is expected to close in 2027, with the companies anticipating only limited store divestitures.

Kroger is one of the largest supermarket chains in the U.S., and its about to get bigger.

The company is expanding its footprint in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic after reaching an agreement to acquire privately held grocery chain Giant Eagle in a transaction valued at $1.65 billion.

The deal, announced this week, comes less than a year after Kroger's proposed merger with Albertsons collapsed amid legal challenges and regulatory opposition. Rather than pursuing another transformative national merger, Kroger is buying a regional chain that operates in markets adjacent to many of its existing stores.

Under the agreement, Kroger will pay approximately $1.25 billion in cash and assume about $400 million in Giant Eagle liabilities, bringing the total transaction value to $1.65 billion.

What Giant Eagle brings to the table

Giant Eagle operates 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across western Pennsylvania, northern Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. The company generates roughly $9 billion in annual sales and employs more than 30,000 people, making it one of Pennsylvania's largest private employers.

Kroger CEO Greg Foran said Giant Eagle's strong reputation for fresh foods, pharmacy services, private-label products and customer loyalty made it an attractive strategic fit.

"We evaluated the opportunity carefully, and the strategic fit is clear," Foran said in announcing the acquisition.

What Giant Eagle gets

For Giant Eagle, the transaction offers the opportunity to tap into Kroger's scale, technology and supply chain while expanding opportunities for employees.

Giant Eagle CEO Bill Artman said the combined company will be better positioned to improve quality, value and customer service while creating new growth opportunities for workers.

The acquisition also marks Kroger's return to the Pittsburgh market, which it exited in the 1980s. Giant Eagle has since become the dominant grocery chain in western Pennsylvania, although competition has been increasing with planned expansion by Wegmans and Meijer.

Unlike the proposed Albertsons merger, which would have combined two of the nation's largest supermarket operators, the Giant Eagle acquisition is considerably smaller and involves complementary geographic markets. However, Kroger and Giant Eagle said they expect to divest a limited number of stores to satisfy antitrust regulators.