Consumer News: Employers pull back on GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage as health costs climb

Stanford Medicine researchers identified brain activity patterns associated with Alzheimers risk years before memory problems appear.

In more than 1,300 cognitively healthy adults, the patterns helped predict later cognitive decline and Alzheimers diagnoses.

The experimental scoring system is not a diagnostic test, and researchers have not established whether changing these patterns can prevent the disease.

A new Stanford Medicine-led study suggests that patterns of brain activity could offer an early warning of Alzheimers disease, years before people develop noticeable memory problems.

Published in Science Advances, the research examined how different brain regions function together during rest. Scientists developed a score that distinguished patterns associated with exceptional memory in old age from those associated with Alzheimers.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs

The IRS has raised federal income tax bracket thresholds for 2027, allowing taxpayers to earn more before moving into a higher bracket.

The standard deduction will increase to $16,600 for single filers and $33,200 for married couples filing jointly.

The seven federal income tax rates remain unchanged, ranging from 10% to 37%, and the new amounts generally apply to returns filed in 2028.

The IRS has announced new federal income tax brackets for 2027, increasing the income thresholds at which higher tax rates take effect and raising the standard deduction.

The changes are part of annual inflation adjustments affecting nearly 70 tax provisions. They generally apply to income earned during 2027, reported on tax returns filed in 2028.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs

Little Giant is recalling about 3.66 million ladders that can retract unexpectedly if their Rapid Locks are not fully engaged.

The company received 25 reports of retraction, including 19 involving injuries.

Owners should stop using affected ladders and contact Little Giant for a repair kit.

Little Giant has recalled approximately 3,662,000 ladders, according to a November 5 notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Reported injuries include traumatic brain injury and fractures.

Affected models are Adjustable Fortress 2.0, Conquest 2.0, Dark Horse 2.0, Epic, King Kombo XT, Leveler, MegaLite, MegaLite+, Multi, Quantum, and Vector. Only ladders lacking an orange rectangular QC sticker above a Rapid Lock are recalled.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs

The FDA has assigned its highest risk classification, Class I, to recalls involving two Starfish Seafood smoked fish products over Listeria concerns.

The affected products are cold smoked Norwegian salmon and a seafood trio containing salmon, halibut, and trout.

Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers and return recalled packages for a full refund.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified two Starfish Seafood recalls as Class I, its most serious designation, because of concerns about contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The classifications, assigned November 3, cover Cold Smoked Norwegian Salmon and Cold Smoked Trio Salmon Halibut Trout distributed by Brooklyn, New York-based Krasnyi Oktyabr Inc. The voluntary recalls began October 6 and remain ongoing, according to recall records.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs