David Lidsky's Blog, page 387

Seniors may get smallest Social Security cost-of-living increase in years as consumers still face inflation pains

News that inflation has cooled in July and August is bittersweet for Social Security beneficiaries, as it means their payouts are tracking to increase by just 2.5% next year.

For seniors on a fixed income, today’s news that inflation is continuing to cool is bittersweet. That’s because even as the rate of price increases is slowing down, the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security payments is likewise expected to be lower this year, too.

The presidential debate only gave 120 seconds to climate change

The climate crisis was essentially an afterthought in the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

It seems like climate always gets the short stick in presidential debates.

Novo Nordisk’s new weight-loss pill Amycretin beats Wegovy in early trial

The highly anticipated new obesity pill shows the potential for greater and faster weight loss than Wegovy.

There is a new chapter in Big Pharma’s billion-dollar war on obesity, as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly battle it out over the latest blockbuster drugs. 

The debate stage wasn’t glitzy—and it was bad news for Trump

Dark blues, civic symbols, muted mics: The presidential debate’s muted design put oratory skills front and center.

If there’s one word that could be used to describe the debate stage where Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump met on Tuesday, it’s demure.

Taylor Swift officially endorses Kamala Harris

In the immediate aftermath of her debate with Donald Trump, Kamala Harris just picked up what could arguably be the most important endorsement of the presidential race.

A few weeks ago, Donald Trump boasted (falsely) of winning a coveted endorsement from global superstar Taylor Swift. He even posted clearly AI-generated photos of Swift draped in clothing meant to show her support.

Truth Social was awash in bigoted attacks against Kamala Harris during Tuesday’s debate

Truth Social users repeatedly bashed Harris for what she was wearing, her attitude, and her speech patterns.

On Truth Social, the social media platform majority-owned by Republican nominee Donald Trump, Tuesday night’s presidential debate provided an opportunity to size up the candidates on both their speaking abilities—and their looks. 

Campbell Soup is changing its name and shifting focus to other packaged food

Campbell’s is focusing on 16 top brands across its meals and beverages and snacking division including Goldfish, V8 beverages, and Prego sauces.

Campbell Soup is dropping “soup” from its name to become “The Campbell’s Company,” CEO Mark Clouse said on Tuesday, a pivot symbolizing the company’s shift to its other packaged food such as jarred sauces like Rao’s and Goldfish snacks.

Americans’ median household income rose in 2023—the first time since before the pandemic

The latest data came Tuesday in an annual report from the Census Bureau, which said the median household income, adjusted for inflation, rose 4% to $80,610 in 2023.

The inflation-adjusted median income of U.S. households rebounded last year to roughly its 2019 level, overcoming the biggest price spike in four decades to restore most Americans’ purchasing power.

Trump Media shares jump ahead of debate with Harris

The bounce in shares of Trump Media, which owns the Truth Social app, follows weeks of declines that sent it to record lows last week as Harris narrowed or erased Trump’s lead in polls ahead of the November 5 election.

Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, majority-owned by former president Donald Trump, ticked up for a second day on Tuesday ahead of a debate between the Republican presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Chemicals in common personal-care products like soap and makeup could cause girls to start puberty early

New research from the Endocrine Society suggests that some compounds in items including deodorant and detergent could disrupt the body’s natural hormone system.

Puberty has been starting earlier for girls over the past several decades. In the mid-19th century, girls typically got their first periods at an average age of 16.5 years. Today, the average is anywhere between 10 and 13 years.