Investigation of Family Dollar and Dollar General prompts lawmakers to double penalties for retailers that repeatedly charge more at checkout than prices listed on shelves

My stories rarely spark immediate tangible reforms. So it was gratifying when our investigation of the dollar-store industry, published by @theguardian.com, led the Utah legislature to pass a new law cracking down on chronic overchargers. With @jocelynzuck.bsky.social, @michaelwhudson.bsky.social.

Ten years after the Panama Papers, enablers and tax cheats are still being brought to justice www.icij.org/investigatio...

[email protected]'s judges: "These stories...go deep into a topic that impacts thousands of people and bring out details that could make a difference to the lives and households of people who have little power to protect themselves." Here's the story, edited by @michaelwhudson.bsky.social. (2/2)

Chronic pain remakes you - it can make you a smaller, more fearful version of yourself. At the same time, it can also make you more present and connected and grateful. I spoke to Darcey Steinke, whose book details her encounter with that very strange beast www.theguardian.com/wellness/202...

I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Only once I did when I had an autoimmune disease. Gratefully an Rx for 2 years cured it. I can barely imagine having to deal with that pain indefinitely. I hope you can find some answers or ways to manage it.

I’m in the same boat when it comes to pain. I have arthritis and I have to have both shoulder joints replaced. I used to do needlework but my hands hurt so bad that I can no longer do that. Many days I just hurt so bad. My main comfort is my kitty. I’m sorry you are suffering.

One of the things my chronic pain journey has taken from me is the ability to sit and read like I used to. Nonetheless, Steinke is one of my fave authors, I loved Suicide Blonde. Anyways, I gotta get this book to read soon. www.theguardian.com/wellness/202...

From @thefern.org and the Guardian: ‘Big Four’ meatpackers under fire as beef prices soar McDonald’s and other food industry players accuse the big beef packers of collusion and price-gouging. The packers deny these allegations. www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i... 1/

Trump says everyday Americans deserve a chance to buy higher-risk ‘alternative’ investments. Critics say this could lead to big losses for small investors

oh right should probably also promo the actual thing I wrote for my job about this www.amediaoperator.com/news/new-yor...

LETTERS FROM LOVE — With Special Guest Darcey Steinke! open.substack.com/pub/elizabet...

RFK Jr said during his Senate confirmation hearings that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a devastating measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines." Documents obtained by @us.theguardian.com and @apnews.com undermine that testimony. Details here, by me and @aliswenson.bsky.social ⬇️

In 2023 @enirenberg.bsky.social & I wrote about RFK Jr's role in the deadly measles outbreak in Samoa (time.com/6289037/robe...) Turns out, Samoa was a trial run for the horrific, deadly anti-vaxx activism he's now inflicting worlwide 😔 Thx to @bymichellersmith.com & colleagues for their reporting

The Guardian and the AP: Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

Video shows ICE leaving behind an infant and broken glass after arresting a man with no criminal history. “There was a car seat in the back... There were broken glass shards all over it... There was just this tiny peanut of a baby. He was crying.” My latest: www.pressherald.com/2026/01/28/i...

Five of the six cases were charged as assault on a federal officer. One of the cases was charged as theft of government property, after a man towed an ICE vehicle during an immigration arrest.

Federal prosecutors have lost yet another immigration protest related trial in the Central District of California. This is the sixth trial that’s ended in an acquittal. By my count, they have yet to secure a guilty verdict from a jury. Feds had charged Isaias Lopez w/ assault on a federal officer.

Tuesday morning: New CBS boss promises “huge emphasis on scoops.” Tuesday evening: CBS Evening News anchor interviews his mom. www.yahoo.com/entertainmen...

Journalists, please remember that repeating obviously false statements is not balance or fairness. It is actively participating in deception.

The headline writers at The Guardian are having quite a night.

If you want to know what American mainstream media should be reporting, read the Guardian. @theguardian.com

It feels especially good to pay them because it’s optional! Since they don’t have a paywall.

The Guardian has become the US paper of record. I really need to start paying them.

One court decision, two different headlines. Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?

Why did CBS delete this promo and cancel this from airing in full?

"I've arrested dozens upon dozens of human traffickers, human smugglers, child molesters, you name it. I've never dragged a suspect one-handed across a street," Eric Balliet told @wcconews.bsky.social

Guardian dollar-store investigation sparks Congressional inquiry Lawmakers demand answers on overcharges/price disparities at Dollar General and Family Dollar -- questioning questioning ‘how seriously’ the two national chains prioritize ethics and affordability www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... /1

MY LATEST: Dollar General will pay at least $15 million to settle claims that it overcharged shoppers at many of its 20,000 stores. Earlier, @jocelynzuck.bsky.social and I reported that the chain failed 4,300+ price-accuracy inspections over four years. @theguardian.com @michaelwhudson.bsky.social

Our @us.theguardian.com investigation of widespread overcharging by Dollar General and Family Dollar has caught the attention of 30 members of Congress, who have written to the CEOs requesting documents and demanding answers. @jocelynzuck.bsky.social @michaelwhudson.bsky.social @budzinski.house.gov

Guardian dollar-store investigation sparks Congressional inquiry Lawmakers demand answers on overcharges/price disparities at Dollar General and Family Dollar -- questioning questioning ‘how seriously’ the two national chains prioritize ethics and affordability www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... /1

This happens at non-"dollar store" places as well, like Kroger-owned chains. There's currently a class action lawsuit about it! www.consumerreports.org/money/questi...

Here's a jaw-dropping story from @barryyeoman.com and @jocelynzuck.bsky.social on how dollar-stores are quietly overcharging customers who can ill-afford it. Not on just occasional items, either: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Dollar stores overcharge cash-strapped customers while promising low prices Guardian investigation reveals Dollar General/Family Dollar stores often fail to honor their shelf prices – charging more at checkout for everything from frying pans to Frosted Flakes 1/ www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

"Dollar General stores have failed more than 4,300 government price-accuracy inspections in 23 states since January 2022, a Guardian review found."

A Guardian investigation reveals Dollar General and Family Dollar stores often fail to honor their shelf prices – charging more at checkout for everything from frying pans to Frosted Flakes.

Thanks to The Sunday Long Read for including our investigation of the dollar-store industry in today's newsletter. @thesundaylongread.bsky.social has long been my go-to nonfiction curation source, so I feel honored by the mention. @theguardian.com @jocelynzuck.bsky.social @michaelwhudson.bsky.social

Dollar stores overcharge cash-strapped customers while promising low prices Guardian investigation reveals Dollar General/Family Dollar stores often fail to honor their shelf prices – charging more at checkout for everything from frying pans to Frosted Flakes 1/ www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

It’s a long article but worth reading. Shocking but not surprising. Seems like it amounts to electronic pickpocketing. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Journalist Mario Guevara has been detained for over 100 days — for covering a protest. He's the only known journalist in ICE custody on U.S. soil. @attorneynora.bsky.social of @freepress.bsky.social breaks down why this is a chilling warning for immigrant reporters.

a new mRNA therapy apparently can cut the rate of Huntington's disease progression by ~75%. yet more miracle shit www.bbc.com/news/article...

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... “We have witnessed these ongoing harms and can provide evidence and testimony of their impacts....Facilities may be forced to close & veterans may be forced into costlier, often overburdened community health systems ill-equipped to meet their specialized needs”

Trump Has Dismantled Anti-Human Trafficking Programs and 'Repeatedly Sided With Sex Offenders' www.commondreams.org/news/trump-b...

Today in the Guardian US Revealed: Trump administration retreats on combating human trafficking and child exploitation Experts say decades of progress are under threat; Trump officials say administration remains committed to fighting trafficking and sex abuse www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... 1/

Trump administration retreats on combating human trafficking and child exploitation www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Important story from @voosen.me on FY'25 cuts to NOAA's climate, weather research programs that bring spending below what Congress authorized. Hints at the bigger research cuts to come in FY'26. www.science.org/content/arti...

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... Donald Trump’s attacks on the Federal Emergency Management Agency risk exposing the US to another Hurricane Katrina, agency staff warns Congress in a withering.

Dozens of studies in recent years have linked ultra-processed fare to health problems such as high blood pressure and heart attacks, and also to some problems that one might not expect: cancer, anxiety, dementia, and early death.

A federal judge ruled construction must temporarily stop at “Alligator Alcatraz” as hearings challenging the Everglades-based detention center’s environmental impact continue.