Consumer News: 'Cage-free' eggs may not mean what you think—Here’s how to avoid overpaying

The smart way to support local businesses and still save

• Consumers, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are spending more at local businesses, with groceries and dining leading the way.

• The top reason is supporting the local economybut costs can add up quickly if youre not careful.

• A few simple strategies can help you shop local without blowing your monthly budget.

New data from OnDeck shows that Americans are making more purchases at independent businesses, with the average shopper spending a meaningful portion of their budget locally. This is especially the case with local grocers, which accounts for about 37% of local spending.

Younger shoppers are leading the charge, with Millennials and Gen Z making 25% more purchases from independent stores than older generations. Also, nearly half of consumers say they shop local primarily to support their local economy.

While shopping local can feel good, and often delivers better quality, it can also get expensive if youre not careful. The key is knowing where it makes sense to spend local and where to pull back. Heres how to do it smarter.

Focus on the categories where local gives you the most value

If youre interested in trying to buy more local, consider not shifting everything overnight, as your costs will likely jump quite a bit. Instead, start with categories where local businesses tend to compete well on quality and price.

Your best places to start:

• Fresh produce
• Meat and dairy
• Local restaurants
• Specialty or handmade items

These are areas where youre often getting:

• Fresher products
• Less supply chain issues
• More unique options

Its a good idea to start by shifting just one category, and see how it works for you, before expanding to others.

Mix local shopping with big-box stores

The smartest approach isnt "all local"or nothing at all. You dont need to choose between local shops and major retailers.Instead, you can use both strategically.

Try this split:

• Buy staples (paper goods, pantry items) at larger stores
• Buy fresh or specialty items locally

This will help you:

• Keep overall costs down
• Still support local businesses
• Get better quality where it matters most

Plan ahead (this is where most savings come from)

Convenience is where big retailers win, as they have more selection and sometimes lower prices.

If you dont have a plan when shopping local, youre more likely to:

• Make extra trips
• Overspend on impulse items
• Fall back on expensive last-minute options

What to do instead:

• Try to plan meals a few days (or a week) in advance
• Make a shopping list before heading out
• Allow some extra time to shop local

Treat local shopping like a scheduled trip, not necessarily a last-minute stop where youre likely to overspend.

Watch for hidden markups

Some items, especially at local boutiques, restaurants, and artisan shops, can carry a premium price.

Watch for the following:

• Smaller portions at higher prices
• Specialty labels with big markups
• Impulse buys you wouldnt normally make

When possible, the smart move is to compare unit prices just like you would at a grocery store.

Take advantage of the sidebenefits

Many shoppers tend to overlook that shopping local isnt just about price, its also about the value created.

Youre often getting:

• Better customer service
• Higher-quality or fresher products
• Unique items you cant find elsewhere

And perhaps, even more importantly, the money you spend local tends to stay within your community.

Overall, the industry recorded gains in the latest J.D. Power survey

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Overall passenger satisfaction with North American airlines rose eight points year over year despite widespread flight delays, cancellations and higher ticket prices.

• JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines ranked highest in customer satisfaction in their respective travel segments.

• J.D. Power warned that rapidly rising airfare and baggage fees could threaten future customer satisfaction gains.

Despite crowded airports, rising fares and the occasional close call, consumers seem to be fairly pleased with the flying experience. North American airlines improved customer satisfaction scores in 2026, according to the latest J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study.

The study found overall passenger satisfaction increased by eight points on a 1,000-point scale compared with 2025, with gains recorded across first/business, premium economy and economy/basic economy classes.

J.D. Power said the biggest gains came from premium cabins, where satisfaction among first and business class passengers climbed 17 points. Premium economy satisfaction rose 14 points, while economy and basic economy passengers reported a six-point increase.

Returning to basics

Despite many challenges, the airlines returned to basics of passenger communication, friendly service and providing slightly better value for money compared to past years, said Michael Taylor, senior managing director of travel, hospitality, retail and customer service at J.D. Power.

Taylor cautioned also said that airlines could struggle to maintain those gains as ticket prices and baggage fees continue to rise sharply in 2026. He noted that airfare on some routes has tripled in recent weeks due to higher fuel costs.

According to the report, improved passenger experiences were driven largely by stronger scores for onboard service, smoother day-of-travel experiences and better perceptions of value for the price paid. J.D. Power said airlines focus on customer service and communication helped offset frustration caused by delays and higher costs.

The winners

In the rankings, JetBlue Airways topped the first/business class segment for the second consecutive year with a score of 759. Delta Air Lines ranked second at 750, followed by Alaska Airlines at 720.

Delta Air Lines led the premium economy segment for the fourth straight year with a score of 736. Alaska Airlines placed second at 720, while JetBlue ranked third at 701.

Southwest Airlines ranked highest in the economy/basic economy category for the fifth consecutive year with a score of 670, narrowly edging Delta Air Lines at 667. JetBlue Airways ranked third at 655.

J.D. Power noted that only three points separated Southwest and Delta in the economy/basic economy category, signaling intensifying competition among carriers serving budget-conscious travelers.

The study surveyed 10,914 passengers who had flown on a major North American airline within one month of completing the questionnaire. Research was conducted between March 2025 and March 2026.

The move addresses a major pain point for both doctors and patients

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• UnitedHealthcare says it will eliminate prior authorization requirements for a range of tests, therapies, and outpatient procedures, cutting review volume by nearly one-third.

• The insurer plans to use AI-driven analytics to identify unusual billing patterns instead of broadly requiring approvals for routine care.

• The move comes amid mounting criticism of prior authorization practices from physicians, patients, and policymakers concerned about delays in treatment.

One of the biggest criticisms of health insurance companies is the requirement to get prior authorization from the insurance company before undergoing some medical procedures. In some cases, that authorization is denied.

UnitedHealth Group has announced that it will significantly reduce the number of medical procedures requiring authorization.

The company said UnitedHealthcare, the nations largest health insurer, will stop requiring advance approval for a range of services, including echocardiograms, some chiropractic treatments, certain outpatient surgeries, and select outpatient therapies. The changes are expected to reduce prior authorization reviews by nearly 30% later this year.

Source of frustration

Prior authorization has long been a source of frustration for both patients and physicians, who argue the process can delay treatment and add significant administrative burdens. Insurers, however, maintain that the reviews help prevent unnecessary or overly expensive procedures.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Tim Noel said the company is attempting to strike a balance between safeguarding patients and reducing barriers to care.

Prior authorization is an essential safeguard but should only be used when it truly protects patients and improves care, Noel said in a statement.

Why the change

Eliminating these requirements is one more way we are working to make it easier for patients to get the care they need when they need it, and ensure doctors can spend more time with their patients. We are committed to further improving and refining our processes to make reviews quicker, simpler, and more efficient, the company said.

The insurer said it currently requires prior authorization for only about 2% of medical services, with roughly 92% of requests approved within 24 hours.

A key part of the initiative involves expanded use of artificial intelligence and data analytics. Rather than applying broad authorization requirements across categories of care, UnitedHealthcare said it will increasingly use AI tools to identify providers whose billing or utilization patterns appear unusual. Executives emphasized that AI would not be used to deny claims automatically.

The announcement is part of an industry shift. Health insurers, including CVS Healths Aetna and Cigna, have also pledged to streamline prior authorization processes following growing public backlash and scrutiny from healthcare providers and regulators.

Affected consumers could receive between $25 and $95

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a lawsuit alleging it misled consumers about AI-powered Siri features that were heavily promoted but delayed or unavailable.

• Eligible U.S. customers who bought certain iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models could receive between $25 and $95 per device if the settlement is approved.

• The case highlights growing scrutiny over how tech companies market artificial intelligence features before they are fully ready.

Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of misleading consumers about the capabilities of its AI-enhanced Siri assistant. If approved, it would be one of the largest consumer-related settlements in the companys history.

The lawsuit centered on Apples rollout of Apple Intelligence, the companys artificial intelligence platform introduced alongside the iPhone 16 lineup in 2024. Consumers alleged Apple aggressively marketed a more advanced, personalized Siri experience that was not actually available when the devices launched.

Court filings show the settlement would apply to U.S. consumers who purchased eligible iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 models between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.

Depending on how many claims are filed, consumers could receive payments ranging from $25 to as much as $95 per device.

Apple denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle the claims to avoid prolonged litigation. In a statement reported by multiple outlets, the company said it wanted to remain focused on delivering the most innovative products and services to customers.

Why consumers sued

The complaint argued that Apple created unrealistic expectations by advertising Siri features that either arrived much later than promised or had not yet launched at all. Plaintiffs claimed they purchased expensive new iPhones, believing the AI functionality would be immediately available.

The lawsuit also cited findings from the Better Business Bureaus National Advertising Division, which reportedly concluded that Apples marketing language including claims that Apple Intelligence was available now could mislead consumers into thinking the upgraded Siri experience was already active.

Apple did release some AI features over time, including Genmoji, writing tools, and ChatGPT integration. However, the more ambitious Siri overhaul remained delayed, frustrating some customers and fueling criticism that the company announced capabilities before they were ready for users.

What it means for consumers

The settlement could become an important test case for how technology companies market artificial intelligence products.

Consumer advocates say the lawsuit demonstrates the need for clearer disclosures when companies advertise future AI capabilities. As AI becomes a major selling point for smartphones and other electronics, regulators and courts may increasingly scrutinize whether advertised features are fully functional at launch.

For consumers, the case is also a reminder to treat coming soon technology claims cautiously. Many AI tools are still evolving, and companies sometimes announce features months before they are ready for widespread use.

The proposed settlement still requires court approval before payments can be distributed.