Consumer News: Potential tariffs risk turning Italian pasta into a luxury item

The average price at the pump is up more than 5 cents in the last week

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The nations average price of gasoline has risen 5.6 cents over the last week and stands at $2.94 per gallon, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

• The national average is up 7.8 cents from a month ago and is 10.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

• The national average price of diesel rose 5.4 cents in the last week and stands at $3.740 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has climbed for a fourth consecutive week, as seasonal factors and escalating fighting in the Middle East combine to push fuel costs higher heading into March.

According to GasBuddy, the steady rise in prices comes as oil markets react to heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly following U.S.Iran attacks over the weekend that have injected new uncertainty into global energy markets.

The national average price of gasoline has climbed for a fourth straight week, driven primarily by seasonal tightening and broader market dynamics, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Looking ahead, markets will now begin reacting to this weekends U.S.Iran attacks, which have elevated geopolitical risk premiums even in the absence of immediate supply disruption.

Core fundamentals remain intact

De Haan noted that while core fundamentals including inventories and refinery activity remain key drivers, the risk of broader instability, especially involving major oil transit routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, has added a fresh risk premium to crude prices.

In the week ahead, gasoline prices are likely to face heightened upward pressure as seasonal trends continue and markets navigate this evolving geopolitical landscape, with the national average poised to reach the $3-per-gallon mark for the first time this year, De Haan said.

Oil prices surge on geopolitical risk

Oil markets saw significant gains over the past week. In early Monday trading, West Texas Intermediate crude jumped $5.39 per barrel to $72.41, up from $66.85 per barrel a week earlier. Brent crude rose $6.42 to $79.29 per barrel, compared to $72.08 last Monday.

The increase follows escalating tensions between Iran and Israel and growing fears that a broader regional conflict could disrupt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that handles a substantial share of global crude shipments. Even without confirmed supply interruptions, traders have priced in the risk of further escalation.

Analysts say developments involving Iran particularly any threat to production facilities or shipping lanes are likely to remain the dominant force in oil markets in the near term.

Mixed supply signals from EIA report

The Energy Information Administrations Weekly Petroleum Status Report for the week ending February 20, 2026, showed U.S. crude oil inventories rose sharply by 16.0 million barrels. Despite the build, inventories remain about 3% below the seasonal average for this time of year. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve was unchanged at 415.4 million barrels.

Gasoline inventories declined by 1.0 million barrels and sit roughly 3% above the five-year seasonal average. Distillate inventories, which include diesel, rose by 0.3 million barrels but remain about 5% below the five-year seasonal norm.

Refinery utilization fell 2.4 percentage points to 88.6%, potentially limiting near-term fuel production. Meanwhile, implied gasoline demand the EIAs measure of retail demand slipped slightly by 15,000 barrels per day to 8.733 million barrels per day.

Price at the pump

The most common price motorists encountered over the weekend was $2.79 per gallon, up 10 cents from a week ago. Other frequently reported prices included $2.89, $2.69, $2.59 and $2.99 per gallon.

The median U.S. gas price stands at $2.79 per gallon, about 15 cents lower than the national average, reflecting a wide distribution of prices across regions.

The top 10% of stations average $4.39 per gallon, while the bottom 10% average $2.39 per gallon.

Oklahoma posted the lowest state average at $2.42 per gallon, followed by Mississippi and Louisiana at $2.51. California continues to lead the nation with the highest average at $4.58 per gallon, followed by Washington and Hawaii at $4.29.

Among states seeing the largest weekly increases, Wisconsin led with a 23.8-cent jump, followed by New Mexico (+13.5 cents), Michigan (+11.8 cents), Missouri (+11.0 cents) and Georgia (+10.2 cents).

With oil markets on edge and seasonal maintenance still affecting refinery output, motorists may soon see the national average cross the $3 threshold a level not yet reached in 2026 but increasingly within sight.

A 25 mg dose doubled the heart rate upon standing

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A single 25 mg dose of Adderall can significantly raise blood pressure and heart rate in healthy young adults without a prescription, according to a Mayo Clinic study.

• Researchers found the drug doubled the typical spike in heart rate when participants stood up.

• The findings highlight potential cardiovascular stress linked to nonmedical use of the stimulant.

A single dose of Adderall may place unexpected strain on the cardiovascular system in healthy young adults who take the medication without a prescription, according to new research from Mayo Clinic

The study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, examined how a 25 milligram dose of mixed amphetamine-dextroamphetamine salts affects blood pressure, heart rate and the bodys stress-response system in people without a medical reason to use the drug.

The primary objective of our study was to investigate how a single dose of Adderall acutely affects cardiovascular hemodynamics blood pressure and heart rate and sympathetic activity in young adults who do not have a medical indication for the medication, said senior author Dr. Anna Svatikova, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist.

Growing non-medical use

Adderall is commonly prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is considered safe and effective when used under medical supervision. But researchers say nonmedical use has increased in recent years, particularly among young adults seeking improved concentration or academic performance.

We have seen an increase in nonmedical Adderall use, but many users are unaware that it can place acute stress on the cardiovascular system, Svatikova said.

In the study, participants with no prior exposure to Adderall experienced measurable increases in blood pressure and heart rate after taking the 25 mg dose. The drug also activated the sympathetic nervous system often referred to as the bodys fight-or-flight response which plays a central role in regulating heart function and blood vessel constriction.

One of the most striking findings occurred when participants stood up. Normally, heart rate rises modestly upon standing as the body adjusts to maintain blood flow to the brain. Before taking Adderall, the average increase in heart rate upon standing was 19 beats per minute. After taking the stimulant, that increase doubled to 38 beats per minute.

A faster heart rate

The average heart rate increase on standing was 19 beats per minute before Adderall. After taking Adderall, that response doubled to 38 beats per minute, said first author Dr. Kiran Somers, a resident family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin.

Researchers said the findings demonstrate that even a single, supervised dose can produce significant short-term cardiovascular effects in people who are not accustomed to the medication.

These results demonstrate measurable, acute cardiovascular effects of Adderall used by those not regularly using Adderall prescribed for specific medical reasons, Somers said.

The authors emphasized that their findings apply specifically to off-prescription use and short-term exposure in individuals without ADHD or other medical indications. They cautioned that the results should not be interpreted as evidence against the long-term, medically supervised use of Adderall for ADHD, where the benefits are well established.

These findings should not be extrapolated to the long-term, supervised use of Adderall for the treatment of ADHD or other specific medical conditions, where the therapeutic benefits are well established and significant, Svatikova said.

Still, the researchers say the study underscores the importance of understanding the potential risks associated with using prescription stimulants outside of a medical setting particularly among young adults who may view the drugs as relatively harmless performance enhancers.

Heres what it means for your watchlist (and your wallet)

• Paramount is combining HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming service as part of its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

• Together, the new service will serve roughly 200 million subscribers worldwide, giving it more scale to compete with Netflix and others.

• Pricing, launch timing, and branding are still up in the air but the aim is more content and a simpler streaming experience.

Paramount Skydance the newly formed company after Paramounts merger with Skydance is planning to merge HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming service.

This transformation is part of Paramounts takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal worth around $110 billion that temporarily outpaced a competing offer from Netflix. Paramount CEO David Ellison shared the news during a recent call with investors.

"We will combine the streaming portfolios of the two companies into one stronger platform over the coming years," Ellison said during the call. "Across the two platforms, there are over 200 million DTC [direct to consumer] subscribers today and more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, positioning us to compete effectively with the leading streaming services in today's marketplace."

This would make the new streamer a competitor to Netflixs roughly 325 million paid users, and on par with some of the largest services like Amazons Prime Video.

Preserving brand identity

Right now, HBO Max and Paramount+ each operate as separate platforms with different apps, price tiers, and content.

The plan is to fold them into one unified service so subscribers can access both HBOs premium shows and movies and Paramounts deep library including sports, kids content, and major franchises all under one roof.

Ellison says that Paramount intends to preserve the HBO brand identity, even as it combines the technology and catalogs of both services.

What consumers should know

This merger isnt happening overnight, and many of the details still need to be ironed out.

Regulators will first need to approve the specifics of the Paramount-Warner Brothers deal, and the technical work of merging platforms will take time.

But heres what you can expect and think about as things unfold:

• One log-in, bigger library: Eventually, instead of juggling two separate apps and subscriptions, youll likely get access to all HBO Max and Paramount+ content in a single place.

• Pricing changes could be coming: Theres no official price yet for the combined service. Industry experts expect the options to mirror what other streamers offer consumers, including a range of tiered options, and possibly ad-supported and ad-free plans.

• Transition time: Even after approval, it may take months or longer to fully integrate everything into one service. Dont expect the apps to disappear immediately!

Expanded work requirements is at the center of the change

• Able-bodied adults ages 1864 without a child under 14 must work, volunteer, or train 80 hours per month to keep benefits. Some previously exempt groups may now be included.

• Up to 2.4 million people could be affected. The Congressional Budget Office estimates millions could lose eligibility under the expanded rules.

• Watch the three-month limit. If you dont meet the requirement, youre generally limited to threemonths of SNAP in a three-year period. The months dont have to be consecutive, and the clock doesnt reset quickly.

Millions of Americans are at risk of losing food assistance beginning March 1, as sweeping changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) take effect nationwide.

According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), roughly 2.4 million people in an average month could lose access to benefits under the new eligibility rules over the next decade.

At the center of the change is expanded work requirements.

What changed on March 1?

Under the updated rules, if you dont live with a child under 14, and are an able-bodied adult aged 18 to 64, you must now:

• Work
• Volunteer
• Participate in approved education or job training

Combined, you must do one of these three things for 80 hours per month (about 20 hours per week), to continue receiving benefits.

Groups that were previously exempt, including some veterans and people experiencing homelessness, may now be required to meet the 80-hour threshold unless they qualify for another exemption.

Valid exemptions still include:

• Pregnancy
• Receiving disability benefits
• Physical or mental conditions that limit ability to work

Any qualifying activity must be approved by the local social services agency.

Pro tip:Even if youre between 18-64, theres a chance you can qualify for an exemption due to a medical issue, pregnancy, disability, or if youre a caregiver. Donot panic. Instead call your local office and confirm your status before you immediately exit the program.

Who could lose benefits?

The CBO estimates the impact will break down roughly like this:

• 800,000 able-bodied adults through age 64 without dependent children
• 300,000 adults ages 1864 living with children age 14 or older
• 1 million adults ages 1854 who previously qualified for work-requirement waivers

Importantly, benefits are not automatically cut on March 1. Instead, individuals who fail to meet the requirements can receive SNAP for only three months within a three-year period unless they come into compliance.

For many households already living paycheck to paycheck, that time limit could have serious consequences.

Pro tip: If youre considering volunteering, or picking up more work hours, be sure to first get your hours pre-approved. Before you rely on a job-training class, side gig, or volunteer work to meet the 80-hour requirement, make sure your local agency confirms it qualifies in writing.

Why this matters

SNAP, which is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides monthly food benefits via an EBT card that can be used at grocery stores and farmers markets.

Benefits can be used for:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat and fish
• Dairy products
• Bread, cereal, and snacks

They cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, or nonfood household items.

The benefit amount depends on income, household size, and other assistance received.

Food banks across the country have warned they are already operating at capacity and expect increased demand if participation drops.

What recipients should do now

If you receive SNAP benefits and fall within the affected age group, here are some things to consider to make sure youre protected.

1. Confirm your exemption status with your local benefits office.
2. Document all work, volunteer, or training hours.
3. Make sure your activity is approved before assuming it counts.
4. Watch for official notices as changes are often enforced when you apply for recertification.

Because this is a federal change, similar rules apply nationwide, though enforcement can vary slightly from state to state.

Pro tip: Track every hour as if you were tracking a companys payroll. This means keep all your pay stubs, get your supervisors signature, create a volunteer-hours log, and hold on to any training certificates you earn. If theres ever a dispute, documentation will be the difference between keeping benefits and losing them.

The little-known SNAP time limit most people miss

Under SNAP work rules, if youre NOT meeting the 80-hours-per-month threshold, youre generally limited to the following:

Three months of benefits within a 36-month (three-year) period.

After those three non-compliance months are used up, your benefits stop.

Heres where it gets tricky:

1. The months dont have to be consecutive

In other words, you dont have to miss three months in a row. If, for example, you miss January, May, and October, that still counts as your three months.

Many folks dont realize theyve used up their months until its too late.

2. The clock doesnt automatically reset

The 36-month period is fixed by your states tracking system. This means:

• You cant simply wait three months and start over.
• The three-year window continues running in the background.

Some people assume it resets every calendar year. Be warned that it does not!

3. You can restart benefits but only if you comply

If your benefits stop after the three months, you can regain eligibility by doing the following:

• Meeting the 80-hour work requirement for 30 days, or
• Becoming exempt (for example, new disability status or caregiving change)

But its up to you to actively prove your compliant with the new work rules.

4. Why you shouldnt use up the months casually

Some recipients treat the three months as a short cushion while between jobs.

But thats risky. For example, if you face another job problem later in the same three-year period, you may not have any months left.

Also, be warned that once you get cut off, it could potentially take weeks to get reinstated.

From tech to healthcare, these roles are paving the way toward equal pay and putting more dollars in womens pockets.

• While women still earn less than men overall, some occupations are making big strides toward pay equity.

• Many of the highest-paying jobs with growing gender parity today are in fields where women are well-represented.

• From management to medical and skilled technical roles, a wide variety of well-paid careers are contributing to closing the wage gap.

Every year, Equal Pay Day reminds us how far women must work into the new year to earn what men earned the year before a symbol of persistent wage inequality.

In the U.S. today, women still earn roughly 82 cents for every dollar men make, and the figure climbs higher or lower based on race, occupation, and region.

But theres good news: in many careers, women are not only earning strong salaries but closing the pay gap with men and some are nearly at parity.

This Equal Pay Day, Resume Genius highlighted 10 high-paying jobs where the gender wage gap is smallest or shrinking significantly. These arent just traditionally womens jobs they span sectors from health care and business to technology and skilled trades, offering opportunity and strong pay.

How the list was built

Experts at Resume Genius analyzed Occupational Employment Statistics and data from theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify roles that meet two key thresholds:

1. Strong median annual pay Salaries typically above national medians, meaning these careers bring real financial impact.

2. Close or improving gender pay gap Fields where womens earnings are near or moving toward parity with mens, or where women represent a significant share of the workforce.

In the 10 roles the original research flagged for closing the gap, women in areas like marketing management and human resources have seen earnings climb closer to parity over the past decade, narrowing long-standing divides.

To build this extended list of occupations, reporters reviewed supplemental labor statistics and industry pay data for jobs that meet those pay and parity criteria across the labor market.

The top 10 list

Heres a closer look at the top 10 list:

1. Dentist

• Median annual salary: $179,210

• Proportion of women (2024): 39%

2. Surgeon

• Median annual salary: $239,200

• Proportion of women (2024): 23%

3. Software developer

• Median annual salary: $131,450

• Proportion of women (2024): 21%

4. Information security analyst

• Median annual salary: $124,910

• Proportion of women (2024): 19%

5. Architect

• Median annual salary: $96,690

• Proportion of women (2024): 27%

6. Airline pilot

• Median annual salary: $198,100

• Proportion of women (2024): 10%

7. Industrial engineer

• Median annual salary: $101,140

• Proportion of women (2024): 24%

8. Chief executive

• Median annual salary: $206,680

• Proportion of women (2024): 33%

9. Police and detective

• Median annual salary: $77,270

• Proportion of women (2024): 1214%

10. Mechanical engineer

• Median annual salary: $102,320

• Proportion of women (2024): 11%

Another top 10 list

In addition to the industries that are helping to close the gender pay gap, Resume Genius also put together a list of the top 10 highest-paying female-dominated careers of 2026.

"Health care continues to stand out as a pathway to both stability and upward mobility for women. Several of the occupations on our list arent just high-paying theyre expanding rapidly," says Eva Chan, Career Expert at Resume Genius. "Roles like physician assistant and medical and health services manager are projected to grow much faster than average, suggesting that women are well positioned in sectors that will define the next decade of workforce demand."

"Its also significant that financial managers and HR managers top the list," Chan added. "These are strategic leadership positions that directly influence company performance, culture, and profitability. Women holding a majority in these roles signals meaningful progress in corporate leadership representation."

Heres a closer look:

1. Financial Manager

   1. Median Annual Salary: $161,700

   2. Proportion of Women: 53%

2. Human Resources Manager

   1. Median Annual Salary: $140,030

   2. Proportion of Women: 76%

3. Pharmacist

   1. Median Annual Salary: $137,480

   2. Proportion of Women: 60%

4. Physician Assistant

   1. Median Annual Salary: $133,260

   2. Proportion of Women: 73%

5. Public Relations & Fundraising Manager

   1. Median Annual Salary: $132,870

   2. Proportion of Women: 70%

6. Nurse Practitioner

   1. Median Annual Salary: $132,050

   2. Proportion of Women: 88%

7. Veterinarian

   1. Median Annual Salary: $125,510

   2. Proportion of Women: 69%

8. Medical and Health Services Manager

   1. Median Annual Salary: $117,960

   2. Proportion of Women: 74%

9. Occupational Therapist

   1. Median Annual Salary: $98,340

   2. Proportion of Women: 88%

10. Speech-Language Pathologist

    1. Median Annual Salary: $95,410

    2. Proportion of Women: 95%