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Tag: Walmart

  • Walmart customer orders delivery. Then she notices something strange about how the driver bagged her items: ‘Technically that’s against the rules’

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    Decorating a Christmas tree is a popular holiday tradition. When you think of this custom, lights, inflatables, garlands, and ornaments may pop into mind. Instead of the usual plastic or glass ornaments, some are resorting to online DIY methods and buying products for it from stores like Walmart. Across social media, people are turning to Grandma Betty to liven up the festivities.

    Who is Grandma Betty?

    Grandma Betty Conley (@bettyconley602) is a craft specialist with 45 years of experience and a Christmas enthusiast. Recently, her work has gone massively viral on social media for her homemade salt-dough ornament tutorial.

    Step by step, she demonstrated how to create her handmade gingerbread ornament bears using key ingredients such as polyurethane spray, ribbon, instant coffee, and flour. Because of its simple, long-lasting designs, social media users are rushing to their nearest stores to purchase the ingredients needed to replicate her holiday creations. 

    It appears retail workers are also catching on to this trend.

    What did this Walmart customer notice?

    “I just got a grocery pickup, and I think my Walmart worker knows about Grandma Betty’s Ornaments,” Stay-at-home mother Chelsea (@lifeofamother) begins her video, standing in her kitchen.

    What led her to suspect this? “I got normal groceries. Then, I threw in Polyurethane Spray, ribbon, and instant coffee. This was in a bag together with my flour,” she explains, unveiling each item.

    Those not actively on TikTok may not notice anything unusual about these product combinations. However, anyone who has viewed the viral grandma’s videos may recognize the iconic recipe. So, the content creator believes that all of the items bundled together aren’t a coincidence.

    “There’s no way out of all of the stuff that they bagged these items together. I think that’s so funny,” Chelsea explains. “Grandma Betty is taking over the internet.”

    What did viewers think of this Walmart bagging assortment?

    Chelsea’s video amassed 1.1 million views. Many found the arrangement of Grandma Betty’s Ornament ingredients in the same bag humorous.

    “That’s hilarious. I was going to try my hand at making some Grandma Betty ornaments too,” one viewer commented.

    “It was definitely intentional because those were separate pick walks altogether lol,” another stated.

    A Walmart employee echoed the same sentiment, writing, “As a Walmart digital shopper, we do know. I love seeing people buy stuff for TikTok crafts and meals!”

    On the other hand, some felt the opposite, stirring panic and condemnation of the bagging.

    “Technically that’s against the rules,” one commenter remarked. “You dont bag chemicals with food.”

    “They never should have put food with that spray,” a second echoed.

    Why shouldn’t chemicals and food be in the same bag?

    In a nutshell, it’s a lethal form of cross-contamination and a health hazard. If there are any leaks or spills from the chemical, they can contaminate the food, posing a significant safety risk. Instead, it must be sorted into different bags. Furthermore, it can violate a grocery store’s policies, including Walmart’s, which instruct associates to bag chemicals separately from food, according to the company’s website.

    @lifeofamother We’re about to be snowed in for the weekend so i had to grab supplies to make @bettyconley602 ornaments! #grandmabetty #christmasornaments ♬ original sound – chelsea | SAHM & TT finds

    The Mary Sue reached out to Chelsea via TikTok comment and direct message as well as Walmart via media contact form.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Melody Heald

    Melody Heald

    Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, The Daily Dot, and more. You can email her at: [email protected]

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    Melody Heald

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  • Mom signs up kids for Angel Tree gifts. Then she films them opening them. Now people are calling them ungrateful: ‘Young boys do not want Skechers’

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    What was supposed to be a heartwarming Angel Tree unboxing quickly turned into a comments-section bloodbath. A mom went viral after filming her kids opening donated Christmas gifts, but the video derails the instant her son clocked the Skechers logo and decided ‘absolutely not.’

    There are side-eyes at the Barbie dolls, an outright shoe rejection, and even slapping the pair of jeans out of the mom’s hands. This is where TikTok wasted no time weighing in on gratitude, parenting, and why maybe some moments don’t need to be content.

    What is the Angel Tree Program?

    Before we dive in, it’s important to know how the entire program works. As many know, the holidays are a tough time for low-income families who cannot provide gifts for their children. This is where the Angel Tree Program came to exist. Started way back in 1979, the program is “a holiday assistance program in which an individual or group sponsors a child ‘Angel’ and purchases new toys, clothing, shoes, or gift cards for children ages 0-12.” The Mary Sue has covered similar stories concerning Angel Tree, like the time a sponsor was flamed on TikTok because she got only “cheap” gifts for her ‘Angel.’ 

    This particular case, however, deals with the Prison Fellowship, a partner to Angel Tree, but for families with incarcerated parents. It is described as “reach[ing] out to the children of prisoners and their families, helping to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through Christ.”

    It is relevant to note the importance of “providing Christmas gifts to children on behalf of their incarcerated moms and dads.” In that case, it is safe to assume that the children in the TikTok video have an incarcerated parent, making them eligible for Angel Tree. It is also worth noting the importance of religion, as the mom in the video mentions going to church multiple times in the clip.

    What Actually Happened While Unwrapping?

    Mookie (@justMookiiee), who is the mom in the video, has already gained 1.6 million views and over 4,500 comments. The clip is a minute and 20 seconds long, with a preface from the mother at the beginning.

    She starts, “The kids, I let them open up the gifts they got from Angel Tree for incarcerated parents. So, this is what they received. I told them to be thankful caz they ain’t have to get nothing.” The video then cuts to the kids, one boy and one girl, holding up their gifts. 

    They start with the typical child-like excitement, shouting, “We got our presents!”  The mom tells them to unwrap it, and the girl is quicker to tear the paper as the boy struggles with the ribbon. Her first box–out of two that are attached together–is revealed. She side-eyes the mom and says, “A white Barbie doll.”

    The brother laughs at her. As the girl unwraps her second box, which turns out to be more Barbie dolls, the boy finally removes the wrapping from his gift. It is a shoebox from the brand Skechers. The mom takes the box and says, “You got some sports Skechers.” The boy’s face completely changes as he starts looking unenthused. The mom is removing the tape, and the boy says, “I’m not wearing Skechers.” The mom then replies, “These are comfortable, boy, what you talkin’ bout?”

    The Boy is Not Happy

    As the mom does what’s left of the unboxing, the boy grabs one of the Barbie doll boxes from his sister and says, “I need a new toy, this is mine.” The sister takes it away from him as the mother pulls out a pair of jeans from the box. She notes this verbally, and the sister laughs at the brother in the background. The mom says he’ll “use it for church in the morning” and holds it up in front of him. The boy promptly slaps it out of her hands and it lands on the floor. He says, “get the [expletive] outta here.”

    Next, he puts his head in his hands, and the mom pulls out the tennis shoes. She repeats that he can wear this to church in the morning. His reply: “I ain’t wearin’ those.” The mom then holds up the shoes to the camera and shows an all-black Skechers tennis shoe. The mom calls it “crispy,” and the boy simply repeats, “I ain’t wearin’ those.” 

    @justmookiiee Angel tree program from incarcerated parents #angeltreeprogram #angeltree #incarceratedlivesmatter #fyp ♬ original sound – JustMookiiee

    Viewers are not holding back with their opinions. While most make sure to comment on how ungrateful the boy is, others also take his side. One viewer says, “Ungrateful at its finest.” Another adds, “Well…you didn’t teach them very well that’s sad.” Mookie replies, “They are still growing lots to learn.”

    A viewer shares another perspective: “I’m a huge angel tree supporter and this doesn’t upset me in the least. Kids like toys. Clothes aren’t exciting.” Another says in the same sentiment, writing, “I think he was hoping for a toy instead of shoes. I don’t think he was ungrateful; I believe he was just upset because he wanted a toy like his sister.”

    However, viewers clapped back: “People saying his reaction is warranted, no. He can express disappointment without being rude. This is the problem. We are not teaching children gratitude. Those shoes cost 45.00 at target plus the jeans.”

    One viewer simply says, “I never would have posted this.” To which Mookie replies, “Why not?”

    Several others, however, pointed out that branding is significant for a boy his age. As one user put it, “Teacher here- I get why he wouldn’t wear sketchers. Kids can be so mean to each other.”

    Gen Alpha and overconsumption

    Indeed, in the age of Stanley Cups, Labubus, and general overconsumerism, kids take brand-name stuff seriously. In an article by Common Sense Media, research breaks out the psychology of Gen Alpha.

    “Trending products are creating potential for bullying and exclusion,” the article states. “The age-old pressure to fit in is compounded by the growing list of products that kids feel they need to be cool and connect with their peers.”

    It continues, “Viral products like these can create a ‘social hierarchy’ in middle and even elementary schools. One adult shared that her ’11-year-old niece was bullied by her classmates for bringing an off-brand version of the Stanley cup.’ The overwhelming pressure and popularity of these brands are persuading kids that without these exact branded products, their social lives will suffer.”

    The Mary Sue reached out to the creator via email.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Gisselle Hernandez

    Gisselle Hernandez

    Gisselle Hernandez-Gomez is a contributing reporter to the Mary Sue. Her work has appeared in the Daily Dot, Business Insider, Fodor’s Travel and more. You can follow her on X at @GisselleHern. You can email her at [email protected].

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    Gisselle Hernandez

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  • Recalled frozen dessert sold by Walmart, Publix and Target might have stones

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    The latest not-food-in-your-food recall comes from Danone U.S., which yanked pints of So Delicious frozen dessert because they might have “small stones and other hard objects, within the cashew inclusions.”

    While Danone’s recall notice said it has found the problem that added unwanted texture to So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts, the company didn’t say how this happened. Pints with best by dates before Aug. 8, 2027, are included in the recall from retailers nationwide.

    READ MORE: The reason a Publix store brand dessert got recalled in Florida, 7 other states

    Among those retail stores are Target, Walmart and Publix, each of which announced its involvement in the recall on their websites.

    Anyone with recalled pints should get a refund. Danone wants customers to reach out to the company online or at 833-367-8975, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. You should also be able to just return the frozen dessert to a store for a full refund.

    So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
    So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert FDA

    David J. Neal

    Miami Herald

    Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.

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    David J. Neal

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  • Recalled frozen dessert sold by Walmart, Publix and Target might have stones

    [ad_1]

    The latest not-food-in-your-food recall comes from Danone U.S., which yanked pints of So Delicious frozen dessert because they might have “small stones and other hard objects, within the cashew inclusions.”

    While Danone’s recall notice said it has found the problem that added unwanted texture to So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts, the company didn’t say how this happened. Pints with best by dates before Aug. 8, 2027, are included in the recall from retailers nationwide.

    READ MORE: The reason a Publix store brand dessert got recalled in Florida, 7 other states

    Among those retail stores are Target, Walmart and Publix, each of which announced its involvement in the recall on their websites.

    Anyone with recalled pints should get a refund. Danone wants customers to reach out to the company online or at 833-367-8975, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. You should also be able to just return the frozen dessert to a store for a full refund.

    So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
    So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert FDA

    David J. Neal

    Miami Herald

    Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.

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    David J. Neal

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  • Burbank Police Bring Joy to Local Youth at Annual Shop With a Cop Event

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    (Photo by Ross A Benson)

    On Wednesday, December 10, the aisles of the Empire Center Walmart were filled with more than shopping carts and holiday wish lists. The Burbank Police Department hosted its annual Shop With a Cop event, where 30 local children, selected through the Burbank Housing Corporation, were invited to take part in a holiday experience designed to create memories and give back to families in need of a little extra love and support during this time of year.

    Each child received a $198 Walmart gift card along with a $50 Handy Market gift card, giving them the opportunity not only to shop for themselves, but to thoughtfully choose gifts for friends and family. The kids were paired with members of the Burbank Police Department and the Burbank Police Foundation as they walked the aisles together, carefully checking items off their lists.

    For many of the officers, it’s one of the most meaningful days of the year. The event was made possible through the generosity of community partners and donors including Walmart, the Burbank Police Foundation, the Burbank Police Officers’ Association, Burbank Kiwanis, and Burbank Rotary. Together, these organizations helped turn a simple act of shopping into a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community shows up for its own.

    Shop with a Cop at Walmart 2025 (Photo by Ross A Benson)

    Burbank Police Lieutenant Brent Fekety shared how special the tradition is for the department.

    “The Burbank Police Department is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Walmart, Burbank Housing Corporation, Burbank Police Foundation, Burbank Police Officers’ Association, and our local service organizations to support families in our community,” said Lieutenant Fekety. 

    “The Department’s Holiday Shopping Event is one of our most meaningful annual traditions because it allows us to connect with local youth, share in the spirit of the season, and give children a holiday experience they truly deserve. We appreciate the generosity of our partners and the continued support of the community in making this event possible.”

    As carts filled and they made their way to the check out stands, what stood out most was the warmth of the interactions. Police offers donning Santa hats and smiles provided a memorable experience that the kids will always remember. City council member Chris Rizzotti was in attendance with Police Chief Rafael Quintero as they soaked up the excitement of the event.

    It is a season often defined by hustle and stress, Shop With a Cop offered a reminder that the heart of Burbank lies in its people, its partnerships, and its commitment to lifting one another up. For the children who participated, it was a day of joy, and for the officers, it was a chance to serve in a way that reaches beyond their duty to serve.  Just another example of how Burbank continues to show up with generosity, compassion, and holiday spirit…one shopping cart at a time. 

    BurCal Apartments8715

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    Ashley Erikson

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  • Use this hack to get a year of Peacock for $49 before Black Friday

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    Walmart is offering its Walmart+ subscription at half off for new sign-ups, and it includes a choice of either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential. The deal for new subscribers is just $49 for the first year, marked down from $98.

    The real value is in selecting Peacock Premium, which would normally run you $110 per year on its own. With the current discount on a Walmart+ subscription you are essentially getting half off on your streaming subscription for that year.

    Walmart

    A Walmart+ subscription is 50 percent off for new subscribers.

    $49 at Walmart

    Just about every major streaming service has raised its prices in the last year, including HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV and YouTube TV, so saving some money on one of them just might be worth the effort. Cord cutting is not nearly as affordable as it used to be, so finding a deal like this is pretty helpful.

    Walmart+ itself offers myriad additional benefits like early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping on orders over $35, discounts on gas, free online veterinary care and more. Earlier this year, Walmart+ subscribers got first dibs on the Nintendo Switch 2 at the retailer. You can also use that free shipping to take advantage of Walmart’s drone delivery program in a handful of select cities.

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    Andre Revilla

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  • Apple Black Friday deals are live: Some of the biggest sales we’ve seen this year on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches and AirTags

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    According to our reviews, Apple makes some of the best tech you can buy. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price for the devices. Now that Black Friday sales have arrived, we’re seeing plenty of discounts on iPads, MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watches and more. A few of the discounts are hitting all-time lows, and others are the best prices we’ve seen in months. So if you’ve got your eye on a new iPad for family, an Apple Watch for a gift or a pair of AirPods for yourself, this is the list to check out. Here are the best Apple Black Friday deals around.

    Editor’s note: Apple’s own website does not typically host sales. But now through December 1, you can get up to $250 in gift cards from that site. For pure discounts, however, you’ll need to shop Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, B&H Photo or other third-party retailers, which you’ll find linked below.

    Apple Black Friday deals: AirPods

    Billy Steele for Engadget

    In our review of the new AirPods Pro 3, we said they were Apple’s “most comprehensive update” to its Pro line yet. They feature live translation and heart-rate sensing, as well as improved overall sound, better active noise cancellation and a longer battery life. This is the lowest price yet on the new buds. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and Target.

    $220 at Amazon

    AirPods 4 (no ANC) for $69 ($61 off) at Amazon: You miss out on a few more features on the base-model AirPods 4: no live translation, no noise cancellation and no heart rate sensing, but you do get Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, like on the pricer models. We gave the entry-level buds an 88 in our review. The previous low price was $80. Also available at Walmart and Target.

    AirPods 4 (with ANC) for $110 ($69 off) at Amazon: If you just need moderate noise cancellation and prefer an open-wear fit (where nothing goes in your ear canal), you may prefer the new AirPods 4. They don’t have heart rate sensing or the hearing features the Pro models have. But we found the sound quality to be pretty good and appreciated Pro-level features like live translation. These hit a low of $100 earlier in the sale, but have since gone up to $110. Also at Walmart and $140 at Best Buy.

    AirPods Max for $400 ($149 off) at Amazon: These cans have been around for quite some time now, only getting the slightest upgrade with a new USB-C port in 2024. The hardware is otherwise the same as it was when the over-ear headphones debuted in 2020. Still, they’re comfortable, have good sound quality and the on-board controls are unique but good. This $400 sale price matches the all-time low and it’s good for most of the colorways, though a few hues are selling out. You can get the same deal at Walmart in for all but the orange model.

    EarPods for $17 ($2 off) at Amazon: For those who prefer a cord, here is the only Apple-branded wired earphone option. Also at Walmart.

    Apple TV Black Friday deal

    Image for the small product module

    Apple

    You can get six months of access to the Apple TV streaming service for only $36. That means you can catch Pluribus, the new show from Vince Gilligan (Better Call Saul) and other very good originals like Severance, Ted Lasso and Slow Horses. The offer is live through December 1 and is open to new and qualified returning subscribers but you have to subscribe directly through Apple (link below) and not through a third-party service.

    $36 at Apple

    Apple Black Friday deals: iPads

    Image for the small product module

    Jeff Dunn for Engadget

    The entry level iPad doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, but that didn’t bother us when we reviewed the new slate. We found the speed to be plenty for what most people need an iPad for: casual gaming, streaming, browsing, answering some emails. We wish the display was laminated and had some anti-glare coating. But this is the lowest-priced way to get your hands on a current-model iPad. Also at Walmart, Target and Best Buy.

    $274 at Amazon

    iPad Air (M3, 11-inch, 128GB) for $449 ($151 off) at Amazon: The Air is the Goldilocks Apple tablet. It strikes the perfect balance between price and performance, making it our overall pick for the best iPad you can buy. The build is lovely; it feels premium and the display is a big improvement over Apple’s base-model slate. The M3 chip is plenty fast for everyday use and can handle an average day of productivity no problem, particularly with its improved multi-tasking abilities. This matches the lowest price we’ve tracked. Also on sale at Target and Best Buy.

    iPad Air (M3, 13-inch, 128GB) for $649 ($150 off) at Amazon: A larger screen will make watching shows and playing games more expansive. And if you use your iPad more like a personal computer, you’ll appreciate the extra real estate for spreading out your work. Like the 11-inch Air, this has a powerful M3 chip and an excellent screen, as well as support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence. This matches the lowest price we’ve tracked. Also at Target, Best Buy and it’s $749 at B&H.

    iPad mini (A17 Pro, 8-inch, 128GB) for $399 ($100 off) at Amazon: The smallest Apple iPad is really meant for those who put a priority on the portability and palm-ability of an 8-inch tablet. It uses the A17 chip, which enables support for Apple Intelligence, unlike the base model iPad. We gave it an 83 in our review, praising the fact that you get the full iPad experience, just in a more compact package. We found it particularly suited to messaging, reading, watching video and playing lots of Balatro. It went as low as $379 in October. Also at Best Buy.

    iPad Pro (M5, 11-inch, 256GB) for $899 ($100 off) at Amazon: While we think this is an amazing piece of computing machinery, we admit that it’s overkill for most people. It’s got one of the best displays you’ll find on a tablet, the most recent M5 chip (the same that powers the base-level Apple MacBook Pro) and an almost impossibly thin and light build. We gave it an 85 in our review and had very few complaints — aside from the near-prohibitive price tag. Hopefully this Black Friday discount helps. This $100 discount is a new all-time low. It’s $927 at Walmart.

    iPad Pro (M5, 13-inch, 256GB) for $1,199 ($100 off) at Amazon: To get the most out of the excessive power of the M5 chip, you might want the biggest screen. Once you add in the keyboard and Pencil Pro, you’re looking at one pricey setup (and might be better off with a MacBook?). But if extreme portability and massive power is what you crave, you may as well save $100 with this Black Friday discount. Also at Best Buy and B&H.

    Apple Black Friday deals: Apple Watches

    Image for the small product module

    Cherlynn Low for Engadget

    Apple still makes the best smartwatch money can buy. The flagship Apple Watch Series 11 is not just a stalwart companion for an iPhone, it also offers comprehensive health monitoring and fitness tracking. There wasn’t a huge change from the Series 10 to this one — both have the same thin and light design, but now the glass is tougher and the battery lasts longer. This $60 discount is a brand new low. Also at Walmart and Target.

    $339 at Amazon

    Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) for $199 ($49 off) at Amazon: After a couple years, Apple finally updated its budget-model smart watch. And we were pretty happy with the results, awarding the new wearable a review score of 90. It’s got a smaller screen and thicker bezels than the Series 11 and lacks a few of the more advanced health monitoring features. It’s also made from slightly less-robust materials. But it has nearly everything that makes Apple Watches great for a lot less — particularly now. This is the lowest price we’ve seen since the watch came out in September. Also at Walmart and Target.

    Apple Watch Ultra 3 (49mm, GPS + cellular) for $700 ($99 off) at Amazon: The newest feature for Apple’s priciest smartwatch is satellite connectivity. The Ultra 3 has a titanium case, a large 49mm screen size and comes standard with cellular and dual GPS connectivity. It also has features for adventuring, like an on-board siren, depth gauge and up to 3,000 nits of brightness. The $99 discount within a dollar of the all-time low.

    Apple Black Friday deals: MacBooks and Macs

    Image for the small product module

    Apple

    As far as we’re concerned, Apple makes the best laptop overall with the M4 MacBook Air. It’s light and portable yet powerful enough to handle all but the most demanding media rendering. The keyboard and touchpad are excellent and the battery will get you through a full day of work and then some. It earned a 92 in our review. Also at Best Buy and it’s $100 off at B&H.

    $749 at Amazon

    Apple MacBook Air (M4, 15-inch, 256GB) for $949 ($250 off) at Amazon: The M4 chip is quite powerful, to take advantage of all the productivity it enables, you might want a little more room on your screen. When Apple first made a 15-inch option for the MacBook Air a couple generations ago, we were surprised at the difference it made. Also at Best Buy and it’s $100 off at B&H.

    Apple MacBook Pro (M5, 14-inch, 512GB) for $1,349 ($207 off) at Amazon: Apple’s most recent M-series chip is the M5, and only comes equipped on the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the iPad Pro. When the M5 MacBook Pro M5 came out last month, we promptly reviewed it and awarded it a 92. That new chip gives the laptop an impressive graphics upgrade that helps make it more suited to gaming — an area where Apple still lags behind PCs. Other than the chip upgrade, it’s mostly the same, which is a good thing. It’s sturdy, powerful and has an impressively long battery life — we clocked 34 hours in a video run-down test. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and B&H.

    Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 14-inch, 512GB) for $1,749 ($250 off) at Amazon: The M5 chip isn’t yet available in the Pro and Max variants. If Apple follows the same six-month gap that separated the M4 from the M4 Pro and Max chips, we may see the M5 Pro/Max in spring of next year. For now, however, those higher-specced chips can only be found in the M4-series lineup. The MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip is on sale and it’s our recommendation for creative professionals who need an obscene amount of processing power. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and B&H.

    Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 16-inch, 256GB) for $2,189 ($310 off) at Amazon: You sacrifice a little portability for the larger 16-inch screen, as it adds about a pound and a quarter to the weight. But you might appreciate the extra space for your work on the display. Also at Walmart and B&H.

    Apple 2024 iMac (M4, 24-inch) for $1,149 ($150 off) at Amazon: Apple just has one model of an all-in-one desktop computer and it has the M4 chip inside. We called the iMac more cost effective than ever, now that it comes with a minimum of 16GB of RAM. The M4 chip makes it capable for content creation, productivity and gaming.

    Mac mini (M4) for $479 ($120 off) at Amazon: Apple’s compact desktop computer got a rave review from us. We called it “shockingly small [and] incredibly powerful.” It also benefits from a bump to a minimum of 16GB of internal memory. It can play modern games at reasonable resolutions and handle most productivity tasks you throw at it.

    Apple Black Friday deals: Accessories

    Image for the mini product module

    Apple AirTag (4-pack) for $63 ($36 off) at Amazon: Even though they haven’t been updated in a few years, Apple’s AirTags are still the gold standard of Bluetooth trackers, and what most people think of when they think of trackers. We may get a new version soon, but they aren’t likely to be this cheap. Also at Walmart. A single AirTag is on sale too for $18 instead of $29.

    Apple Pencil USB-C for $49 ($30 off) at Amazon: If you have the new base-model iPad with the A16 chip, this is the pencil that will work for you. It’ll also work with current as well as slightly older models of the Air and Pro iPads.

    Apple Pencil Pro for $95 ($35 off) at Amazon: The Apple Pencil situation is a little messy, so you’ll want to double check which model is compatible with your particular iPad. The Pencil Pro is the most fully featured in the lineup with haptic feedback, barrel roll and squeeze capabilities, and a hover preview feature. It’ll work with the two most recent models of the Air and Pro iPads, as well as the latest iPad mini. This deal is $5 more than the all-time low and it’s also available at Walmart and Best Buy.

    Image for the mini product module

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    Amy Skorheim

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  • Walmart developer seeks Lake Norman town’s approval for a nearby restaurant

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    The developer of a Walmart Neighborhood Market in rapidly growing east Mooresville wants to add a restaurant and a gas station/convenience store nearby.

    Iredell Avenue Residential Development LLC will seek a rezoning from the Mooresville Board of Commissioners on Monday for a Wendy’s and a 7-Eleven in its Harris Crossing development on Coddle Creek Highway (N.C. 3) at Harris Crossing Boulevard, Mooresville Planning & Community Development documents show.

    At a neighborhood meeting held by the developer in May, residents raised concerns about traffic, safety, noise and potential pollution, according to the town documents.

    The developer said existing trees, a proposed berm and an eight-foot-tall wall with landscaping on both sides would create sound and visual barriers along the southern end of the nearly five-acre property.

    A proposed 50-foot-wide buffer of trees and other vegetation “would deter the possibilities of vagrants trying to walk through and get to the existing backyards of the adjacent homes along the east side of the property,” according to town planning documents.

    On May 27, the Mooresville Planning Board sided with residents in recommending the rezoning be denied by the town board.

    The Mooresville Board of Commissioners will consider the rezoning at 6 p.m. Monday at Town Hall, 413 N. Main St.

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Joe Marusak

    The Charlotte Observer

    Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news.
    Support my work with a digital subscription

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    Joe Marusak

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  • Labubus Are on Sale for Black Friday as a Little Treat

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    Labubus Are on Sale at Walmart—Shop Now





























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    Gina Vaynshteyn

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  • These two products sold at Walmart are being recalled over safety concerns

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    Two products sold by Walmart — one of which had also been available on Amazon.com — are being recalled over potential safety issues, according to joint notices published Wednesday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

    Ozark Trail Tabletop 1-Burner Butane Camping Stoves

    One of the recalled items is a tabletop camping stove from outdoor equipment brand Ozark Trail. The CPSC warned that the stove can explode or catch fire, posing burn and fire hazards to consumers.

    About 201,000 dark green Ozark Trail tabletop stoves that were sold at Walmart are being recalled. The items contain the model number BG2247A1 and have an orange “Ozark Trail” logo printed on the front. 

    The product was sold in Walmart stores nationwide and on Walmart.com from March 2023 through October 2025 for between $8 and $45 each, according to the CPSC.

    The government agency said the Taiwan-based manufacturer, China Window Industry Co, has received 26 reports of the camping stoves exploding or catching fire, 16 of which included injuries such as second-degree burns.

    Customers should stop using the product immediately and return it to Walmart for a refund, the agency said. The recall number is 26-120.

    Outdoor Master children’s helmets

    The CPSC issued a separate recall on Wednesday for about 24,300 children’s helmets because they don’t comply with certain safety requirements. The government agency said the helmets can fail to protect the user in the event of a crash, risking a potentially deadly head injury.

    Two models, sold online at Amazon.com and Walmart.com from June 2024 through February 2025 for between $20 and $32, are covered by the recall. 

    The first model, OM-TD BIKE, is a blue helmet with a dinosaur print and has black padding, black straps and a black buckle. That item was sold in children’s size small (S). 

    The second model, OM-KSKB, is described as “deep green” with black padding, yellow straps and a black buckle and was sold in youth size small (S).

    The recall notice says consumers should immediately stop using the recalled helmets and contact manufacturer Outdoor Master for a refund. The recall number is 26-122. No injuries associated with these products have been reported so far.

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  • 2 Chainz, Walmart deliver ‘Greens and Things’ to College Park Families 

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    While the rain poured, lines and lines of College Park families gathered to receive a Thanksgiving blessing. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Not even the rain and chilly weather could stop the College Park residents from lining up at their local Walmart. Turkey may be synonymous with Thanksgiving, but the holiday table is ready to be graced with an abundance of other healthy and flavorful food offerings.

    While the rain poured, lines and lines of College Park families gathered to receive a Thanksgiving blessing.

    Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Walmart partnered with the TRU Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Grammy Award-winning artist 2 Chainz and philanthropist Nakesha Epps, to serve the community in College Park with a new event called the “Greens and Things Thanksgiving Giveaway.”

    Inspired by 2 Chainz’s commitment to eating clean, this initiative with Walmart reimagines traditional holiday giving with a focus on wellness and community. It also marks the first time in a decade that 2 Chainz will be personally serving in his hometown.

    The first 150 families moved from station to station outside Walmart with individual tote bags and were treated to a bundle of greens, canned Thanksgiving staples, College Park Skyhawk ticket vouchers, and a $50 Walmart gift card to buy their protein and added ingredients of choice.

    Walmart also donated all the canned goods being distributed. Each SkyHawk ticket voucher is good for two people.

    Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    2 Chainz said they must lead by example for the community and the younger generation.

    “This is not only an experience to remember, but we are doing this for you all, for the community. With everything going in the world and in the community, this is about finding reasons to come together, where it is not something negative or bad,” he said. “We have to come together, and we just wanted to see families smiling and bring their families together, this right here is for the sake of good.”

    Epps said they started TRU Foundation in 2011 and have been giving back diligently every year to the east side and south side, places her and her husband, 2 Chainz, are from.

    “We just cater to all kinds of families in need, and we don’t take that lightly. This is what we started with, this is where we started, so we are more than happy to give back to the community,” she said.

    Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    One fan was star-struck and shouted, “Is that 2 Chainz?” The fan dabbed him up and was such in awe to have run into one of his favorite musical artists.

    College Park resident Bonita Johnson said she has been here since 12:30 a.m. Monday morning waiting for this event to start.

    “I wanted to be one of the first in line to receive all these Thanksgiving blessings,” she said. “I’m just so happy and grateful to the TRU Foundation and 2 Chainz for giving back to his community, it’s appreciated. Now, I’m able to make some food for my family this year.”

    Other residents, Carla Levinson and her sister, said they are so happy to have received their “greens and things” and be a part of this community event.

    “My sister and I were worried it would’ve been canceled due to the rain, but as you can see, this event is full of people. It’s so nice to see all the families come down to get their food and other items. We all will be eating good and together this Thanksgiving season,” she said.

    Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    The event also turned into a real block party, with a DJ and hot chocolate station for all to enjoy, with two southside McDonald’s restaurants providing 150 meals for attendees (Old National Highway and Virginia Ave. locations).

    The “Greens and Things Thanksgiving Giveaway” was also being supported by Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. and the A.J. Terrell Jr. Foundation, with a raffle taking place for game tickets.

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    Isaiah Singleton

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  • VIZIO 75” Class 4K UHD LED HDR Smart TV for $348 (Walmart+)

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    VIZIO 75” Class 4K UHD LED HDR Smart TV for $348

    This article contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

    Walmart+ members can get the VIZIO 75” Class 4K UHD LED HDR Limited Edition Smart TV V4K75X-08 for just $348. That’s a good deal if you’re looking for a cheap big screen TV. Shipping is free.

    The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Card earns 6% at select merchants, including Walmart. Also check your Amex cards for Walmart Amex Offers.

     

    Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking a link, I may earn some beer 🍺money, which I promise to drink responsibly. When applicable, you should always go through shopping portals to earn cashback. But when that’s not an option, your support for the site is always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!

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    DDG

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  • Get one year of Peacock for $49 for Black Friday with this hack

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    Walmart is offering its Walmart+ subscription at half off for new sign-ups, and it includes a choice of either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential. The deal for new subscribers is just $49 for the first year, marked down from $98.

    The real value is in selecting Peacock Premium, which would normally run you $110 per year on its own. With the current discount on a Walmart+ subscription you are essentially getting half off on your streaming subscription for that year.

    Walmart

    A Walmart+ subscription is 50 percent off for new subscribers.

    $49 at Walmart

    Just about every major streaming service has raised its prices in the last year, including HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV and YouTube TV, so saving some money on one of them just might be worth the effort. Cord cutting is not nearly as affordable as it used to be, so finding a deal like this is pretty helpful.

    Walmart+ itself offers myriad additional benefits like early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping on orders over $35, discounts on gas, free online veterinary care and more. Earlier this year, Walmart+ subscribers got first dibs on the Nintendo Switch 2 at the retailer. You can also use that free shipping to take advantage of Walmart’s drone delivery program in a handful of select cities.

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    Andre Revilla

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  • Recalled baby formula still sold by Walmart, Kroger, Target, others, FDA says

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    As the number of children in the infant botulism continues to rise, the company manufacturing the recalled formula admits third-party testing found botulism in its formula.

    And, the FDA says, some of the nation’s largest grocery sellers, including No. 1 Walmart and No. 2 Kroger, are still selling ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.

    Here’s an update on the recall and the outbreak.

    Who’s still selling ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula?

    Back on Nov. 11, after the FDA informed ByHeart that infant botulism sickened two more babies, ByHeart expanded its recall of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula from two lots to an everybody-out-of-the-pool recall involving all lots sold by all retailers.

    READ MORE: More formula recalled from Walmart, Publix, others. Botulism infects more babies

    That included Walmart, Publix, Meijer, Kroger and Kroger-owned chains, as well as Amazon.com. The FDA’s Thursday update said through Amazon sales, the formula went to Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Peru, the Virgin Islands, Brunei, China, Egypt, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand.

    But, that also said the FDA “has received reports that recalled formula is still being found on store shelves in multiple states, including at multiple Walmart, Target, and Kroger locations, and at one or more Sprouts Organic Market, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, and Star Market locations.”

    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula
    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula FDA

    If you have the formula in your home and have been giving it to your child, the CDC has some suggestions for you beyond stop using it right now.

    • “Take a photo or record the information on the bottom of the package,”
    • “Keep the container in a safe spot and label it as ‘DO NOT USE.’ If your child develops symptoms your state health department might want to collect your formula container for testing.”
    • If your kid doesn’t develop symptoms after 30 days, toss the containers.”

    ByHeart admits to botulism in the formula

    Even as it recalled the formula en masse and the state of California said it had found botulism in the formula, ByHeart insisted, “neither we, nor the FDA nor the CDC, have found clostridium botulinum spores or toxins in any unopened can of ByHeart formula.”

    That’s no longer the case.

    “After the FDA informed us of the infant botulism outbreak on November 7, we immediately partnered with IEH Laboratories & Consulting Group, a global leader in Food Safety testing, to test cans of ByHeart formula, and conducted a nationwide recall,” ByHeart now admits on its website. “We have just learned that those tests identified Clostridium botulinum in some samples of ByHeart formula.

    “We immediately notified the FDA of those findings, and we are working to investigate the facts, conduct ongoing testing to identify the source, and ensure this does not happen to families again.”

    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in bags and with single serve sticks.
    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in bags and with single serve sticks. FDA

    In 2022, ByHeart recalled five batches of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula on concerns of cronobacter contamination.

    READ MORE: Another baby formula recalled for possible cronobacter bacterial contamination

    Update on sick kids and lawsuits

    As of Thursday’s CDC update, the sick child count has risen by eight to 31, all of whom have been hospitalized.

    Those kids are spread over 15 states. Texas has the most illnesses, six. California has four. Arizona and Oregon have three each. North Carolina, Washington, Minnesota and Illinois have two each. Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey and Rhode Island each have one child with infant botulism.

    Symptoms of infant botulism, which can take weeks to emerge, include poor feeding, difficulty swallowing, loss of head control and less expressiveness in the face.

    At least three lawsuits have been filed against ByHeart on behalf of families in Eatonville Washington; Richmond, Kentucky; and Flagstaff, Arizona.

    David J. Neal

    Miami Herald

    Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.

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    David J. Neal

    Source link

  • Recalled baby formula still sold by Walmart, Kroger, Target, others, FDA says

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    As the number of children in the infant botulism continues to rise, the company manufacturing the recalled formula admits third-party testing found botulism in its formula.

    And, the FDA says, some of the nation’s largest grocery sellers, including No. 1 Walmart and No. 2 Kroger, are still selling ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.

    Here’s an update on the recall and the outbreak.

    Who’s still selling ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula?

    Back on Nov. 11, after the FDA informed ByHeart that infant botulism sickened two more babies, ByHeart expanded its recall of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula from two lots to an everybody-out-of-the-pool recall involving all lots sold by all retailers.

    READ MORE: More formula recalled from Walmart, Publix, others. Botulism infects more babies

    That included Walmart, Publix, Meijer, Kroger and Kroger-owned chains, as well as Amazon.com. The FDA’s Thursday update said through Amazon sales, the formula went to Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Peru, the Virgin Islands, Brunei, China, Egypt, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand.

    But, that also said the FDA “has received reports that recalled formula is still being found on store shelves in multiple states, including at multiple Walmart, Target, and Kroger locations, and at one or more Sprouts Organic Market, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, and Star Market locations.”

    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula
    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula FDA

    If you have the formula in your home and have been giving it to your child, the CDC has some suggestions for you beyond stop using it right now.

    • “Take a photo or record the information on the bottom of the package,”
    • “Keep the container in a safe spot and label it as ‘DO NOT USE.’ If your child develops symptoms your state health department might want to collect your formula container for testing.”
    • If your kid doesn’t develop symptoms after 30 days, toss the containers.”

    ByHeart admits to botulism in the formula

    Even as it recalled the formula en masse and the state of California said it had found botulism in the formula, ByHeart insisted, “neither we, nor the FDA nor the CDC, have found clostridium botulinum spores or toxins in any unopened can of ByHeart formula.”

    That’s no longer the case.

    “After the FDA informed us of the infant botulism outbreak on November 7, we immediately partnered with IEH Laboratories & Consulting Group, a global leader in Food Safety testing, to test cans of ByHeart formula, and conducted a nationwide recall,” ByHeart now admits on its website. “We have just learned that those tests identified Clostridium botulinum in some samples of ByHeart formula.

    “We immediately notified the FDA of those findings, and we are working to investigate the facts, conduct ongoing testing to identify the source, and ensure this does not happen to families again.”

    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in bags and with single serve sticks.
    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in bags and with single serve sticks. FDA

    In 2022, ByHeart recalled five batches of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula on concerns of cronobacter contamination.

    READ MORE: Another baby formula recalled for possible cronobacter bacterial contamination

    Update on sick kids and lawsuits

    As of Thursday’s CDC update, the sick child count has risen by eight to 31, all of whom have been hospitalized.

    Those kids are spread over 15 states. Texas has the most illnesses, six. California has four. Arizona and Oregon have three each. North Carolina, Washington, Minnesota and Illinois have two each. Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey and Rhode Island each have one child with infant botulism.

    Symptoms of infant botulism, which can take weeks to emerge, include poor feeding, difficulty swallowing, loss of head control and less expressiveness in the face.

    At least three lawsuits have been filed against ByHeart on behalf of families in Eatonville Washington; Richmond, Kentucky; and Flagstaff, Arizona.

    David J. Neal

    Miami Herald

    Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.

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    David J. Neal

    Source link

  • Recalled baby formula still sold by Walmart, Kroger, Target, others, FDA says

    [ad_1]

    As the number of children in the infant botulism continues to rise, the company manufacturing the recalled formula admits third-party testing found botulism in its formula.

    And, the FDA says, some of the nation’s largest grocery sellers, including No. 1 Walmart and No. 2 Kroger, are still selling ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.

    Here’s an update on the recall and the outbreak.

    Who’s still selling ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula?

    Back on Nov. 11, after the FDA informed ByHeart that infant botulism sickened two more babies, ByHeart expanded its recall of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula from two lots to an everybody-out-of-the-pool recall involving all lots sold by all retailers.

    READ MORE: More formula recalled from Walmart, Publix, others. Botulism infects more babies

    That included Walmart, Publix, Meijer, Kroger and Kroger-owned chains, as well as Amazon.com. The FDA’s Thursday update said through Amazon sales, the formula went to Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Peru, the Virgin Islands, Brunei, China, Egypt, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand.

    But, that also said the FDA “has received reports that recalled formula is still being found on store shelves in multiple states, including at multiple Walmart, Target, and Kroger locations, and at one or more Sprouts Organic Market, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, and Star Market locations.”

    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula
    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula FDA

    If you have the formula in your home and have been giving it to your child, the CDC has some suggestions for you beyond stop using it right now.

    • “Take a photo or record the information on the bottom of the package,”
    • “Keep the container in a safe spot and label it as ‘DO NOT USE.’ If your child develops symptoms your state health department might want to collect your formula container for testing.”
    • If your kid doesn’t develop symptoms after 30 days, toss the containers.”

    ByHeart admits to botulism in the formula

    Even as it recalled the formula en masse and the state of California said it had found botulism in the formula, ByHeart insisted, “neither we, nor the FDA nor the CDC, have found clostridium botulinum spores or toxins in any unopened can of ByHeart formula.”

    That’s no longer the case.

    “After the FDA informed us of the infant botulism outbreak on November 7, we immediately partnered with IEH Laboratories & Consulting Group, a global leader in Food Safety testing, to test cans of ByHeart formula, and conducted a nationwide recall,” ByHeart now admits on its website. “We have just learned that those tests identified Clostridium botulinum in some samples of ByHeart formula.

    “We immediately notified the FDA of those findings, and we are working to investigate the facts, conduct ongoing testing to identify the source, and ensure this does not happen to families again.”

    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in bags and with single serve sticks.
    ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in bags and with single serve sticks. FDA

    In 2022, ByHeart recalled five batches of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula on concerns of cronobacter contamination.

    READ MORE: Another baby formula recalled for possible cronobacter bacterial contamination

    Update on sick kids and lawsuits

    As of Thursday’s CDC update, the sick child count has risen by eight to 31, all of whom have been hospitalized.

    Those kids are spread over 15 states. Texas has the most illnesses, six. California has four. Arizona and Oregon have three each. North Carolina, Washington, Minnesota and Illinois have two each. Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey and Rhode Island each have one child with infant botulism.

    Symptoms of infant botulism, which can take weeks to emerge, include poor feeding, difficulty swallowing, loss of head control and less expressiveness in the face.

    At least three lawsuits have been filed against ByHeart on behalf of families in Eatonville Washington; Richmond, Kentucky; and Flagstaff, Arizona.

    This story was originally published November 23, 2025 at 12:50 PM.

    David J. Neal

    Miami Herald

    Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.

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    David J. Neal

    Source link

  • Founder of $100 million company never unplugs from work, but encourages her team to have work-life balance: ‘They didn’t sign up to be entrepreneurs’ | Fortune

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    Founders can find it hard to step away from work when their company rests on their shoulders. The concept of having “work-life balance” has sparked fierce debate among entrepreneurs, who question if it’s even possible to have the best of both worlds: scaling a multimillion-dollar business, with enough downtime to recharge. Two-time founder Nicole Bernard Dawes is a strong advocate of unplugging from the job—but only for her employees. 

    “I think I probably am a little bit of a hypocrite, because I don’t unplug. I never do,” Dawes tells Fortune. “I never want to be the person that’s holding up a member of our team.”

    The serial entrepreneur encourages her staffers to totally disconnect from work once they’re off the clock, but doesn’t give herself the same breathing room. Having scaled two companies to success, she’s assumed the responsibility of always being on for decades. Dawes first founded organic, non-GMO tortilla chip brand Late July in 2003, which currently lines the aisles of Targets, Whole Foods, Krogers, and Walmarts across the country. Campbell’s acquired a majority stake of the business in 2014, eventually buying the rest of the $100 million company in 2017. In 2018, Dawes broke into another consumer packaged goods (CPG) market again, this time with zero-sugar, sustainably packaged soda line Nixie. The brand raised $27 million in new funding earlier this year, with its products being sold in over 11,000 major grocery stores. 

    With more than two decades of entrepreneurship under her belt at Late July, Dawes had pushed through economic downturns and many sleepless nights. But the hardships didn’t stop her from returning to the startup scene as Nixie’s founder—having grown up in the business world, Dawes is not so easily deterred. However, she doesn’t want work to overtake her staffers’ lives.

    “I signed up for this. I am the entrepreneur, I did this to myself—a self-inflicted situation. [My employees] didn’t sign up to be entrepreneurs,” Dawes says. “I am very comfortable taking downtime, but also making sure I’m available.”

    Dawes says never unplugging is “my life”—and she grew up in it

    Many leaders out there, like Google cofounder Sergey Brin, expect their staffers to clock in more than the typical nine-to-five job. But Dawes doesn’t hold her her employees to have the relentless work-ethic of entrepreneurs who pride themselves on having no personal lives. 

    “I think that where a lot of [leaders] differ, is extending that to their team. I feel very strongly that it should not extend to the team,” Dawes explains. “But I also feel like that is how I grew up. My father missed a lot of stuff because he felt like that was what you had to do. So I was determined I wasn’t gonna do that. I wanted to be present at things for my kids, and I wanted [it] to be okay for our team to be that way, too.”

    Dawes witnessed the pitfalls of entrepreneurship as a kid growing up in her parents’ food businesses. She spent her childhood years working the front counter of her mother’s health-food store, and roaming the floors of her late father’s $4.87 billion snack empire: Cape Cod Chips. As a kid in a family running two businesses, Dawes says it could be difficult for her parents to step away from the job. So when she decided to follow in their footsteps as a two-time founder of successful CPG brands, she knew exactly what to expect. 

    “When you decide to become an entrepreneur, there’s a lot of people [saying], ‘It’s stressful, it’s lonely, it’s all these things.’ And that’s true, but this is where I was really fortunate: I grew up in this business, so I entered eyes wide open,” Dawes says. “That’s why it’s really important to be passionate about your mission, passionate about your products. Because you do have to sacrifice a lot on the other side.”

    Dawes still makes time for the important things

    While Dawes admits she has difficulty stepping away from the grind, she still makes time for the things that keep her sane. 

    “You have to choose what’s the most important thing in that moment. I don’t think as an entrepreneur—at least for me—I’ve never really, truly, been able to shut off completely,” Dawes says. “But I also make time to have family dinner almost every night. There were things that were priorities to me, and I still make them priorities, like going out for a walk every day or exercising.”

    The entrepreneur also loves hitting the beach, reading, and cooking—and despite it feeling like a chore to many, Dawes really enjoys going to the grocery store. She calls it her “hobby”: observing what new products are stocked on shelves, and what items shoppers are gravitating towards. It’s gratifying to witness people pick up a bag of Late July or a case of Nixie drinks to bring home to their families, something she feels immensely grateful for. While getting her brands into those grocery aisles has been no easy feat, it’s all been worth it in the end. Dawes says passion is what eases the weight of her work-life balance. 

    “Sometimes when I wake up in the morning like, ‘I can’t even believe I’m this lucky that I get to do this job,’” Dawes says. “And because I feel that way, it doesn’t feel like working. I’m getting to do something fun all the time.”

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    Emma Burleigh

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  • Best Apple Black Friday deals: Save up to 44 percent on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches and AirTags

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    According to our reviews, Apple makes some of the best tech you can buy. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price for the devices. Now that Black Friday sales have arrived, we’re seeing plenty of discounts on iPads, MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watches and more. A few of the discounts are hitting all-time lows, and others are the best prices we’ve seen in months. So if you’ve got your eye on a new iPad for family, an Apple Watch for a gift or a pair of AirPods for yourself, this is the list to check out. Here are the best Apple Black Friday deals around.

    Apple Black Friday deals: AirPods

    Apple

    In our review of the new AirPods Pro 3, we said they were Apple’s “most comprehensive update” to its Pro line yet. They feature live translation and heart-rate sensing, as well as improved overall sound, better active noise cancellation and a longer battery life. This is the lowest price yet on the new buds. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and Target.

    $220 at Amazon

    AirPods 4 (with ANC) for $100 ($79 off) at Amazon: If you just need moderate noise cancellation and prefer an open-wear fit (where nothing goes in your ear canal), you may prefer the new AirPods 4. They don’t have heart rate sensing or the hearing features the Pro models have. But we found the sound quality to be pretty good and appreciated Pro-level features like live translation. Also at Walmart and $140 at Best Buy.

    AirPods 4 (no ANC) for $80 ($50 off) at Amazon: You miss out on a few more features on the base-model AirPods 4: no live translation, no noise cancellation and no heart rate sensing, but you do get Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, like on the pricer models. We gave the entry-level buds an 88 in our review. The previous low price was $89. Also available at Walmart and Target.

    AirPods Max for $430 ($120 off) at Walmart: These cans have been around for quite some time now, only getting the slightest upgrade with a new USB-C port in 2024. The hardware is otherwise the same as it was when the over-ear headphones debuted in 2020. Still, they’re comfortable, have good sound quality and the on-board controls are unique but good. Amazon is selling it for $40 more.

    EarPods for $17 ($2 off) at Amazon: For those who prefer a cord, here is the only Apple-branded wired earphone option. This is a dollar more than the all-time low. Also at Walmart.

    Apple Black Friday deals: iPads

    Image for the small product module

    Apple

    The entry level iPad doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, but that didn’t bother us when we reviewed the new slate. We found the speed to be plenty for what most people need an iPad for: casual gaming, streaming, browsing, answering some emails. We wish the display was laminated and had some anti-glare coating. But this is the lowest-priced way to get your hands on a current-model iPad. Also at Walmart, Target and Best Buy.

    $279 at Amazon

    iPad Air (M3, 11-inch, 128GB) for $449 ($151 off) at Amazon: The Air is the Goldilocks Apple tablet. It strikes the perfect balance between price and performance, making it our overall pick for the best iPad you can buy. The build is lovely; it feels premium and the display is a big improvement over Apple’s base-model slate. The M3 chip is plenty fast for everyday use and can handle an average day of productivity no problem, particularly with its improved multi-tasking abilities. This matches the lowest price we’ve tracked. Also on sale at Walmart, Target and Best Buy for a few dollars more.

    iPad Air (M3, 13-inch, 128GB) for $649 ($150 off) at Amazon: A larger screen will make watching shows and playing games more expansive. And if you use your iPad more like a personal computer, you’ll appreciate the extra real estate for spreading out your work. Like the 11-inch Air, this has a powerful M3 chip and an excellent screen, as well as support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence. This matches the lowest price we’ve tracked. Also at Target, Best Buy and it’s $100 more at B&H.

    iPad mini (A17 Pro, 8-inch, 128GB) for $399 ($100 off) at Amazon: The smallest Apple iPad is really meant for those who put a priority on the portability and palm-ability of an 8-inch tablet. It uses the A17 chip, which enables support for Apple Intelligence, unlike the base model iPad. We gave it an 83 in our review, praising the fact that you get the full iPad experience, just in a more compact package. We found it particularly suited to messaging, reading, watching video and playing lots of Balatro. It went as low as $379 in October. Also at Best Buy.

    iPad Pro (M5, 11-inch, 256GB) for $900 ($100 off) at Amazon: While we think this is an amazing piece of computing machinery, we admit that it’s overkill for most people. It’s got one of the best displays you’ll find on a tablet, the most recent M5 chip (the same that powers the base-level Apple MacBook Pro) and an almost impossibly thin and light build. We gave it an 85 in our review and had very few complaints — aside from the near-prohibitive price tag. Hopefully this Black Friday discount helps. This $100 discount is a new all-time low. It’s $923 at Walmart.

    Apple Black Friday deals: Apple Watch

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    Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS only) for $350 ($49 off) at Amazon: Apple still makes the best smartwatch money can buy. The flagship Apple Watch Series 11 is not just a stalwart companion for an iPhone, it also offers comprehensive health monitoring and fitness tracking. There wasn’t a huge change from the Series 10 to this one — both have the same thin and light design, but now the glass is tougher and the battery lasts longer. This $50 discount is the steepest we’ve seen yet. Also at Walmart and Target.

    Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS only) for $200 ($49 off) at Amazon: After a couple years, Apple finally updated its budget-model smart watch. And we were pretty happy with the results, awarding the new wearable a review score of 90. It’s got a smaller screen and thicker bezels than the Series 11 and lacks a few of the more advanced health monitoring features. It’s also made from slightly less-robust materials. But it has nearly everything that makes Apple Watches great for a lot less — particularly now. This is the lowest price we’ve seen since the watch came out in September. Also at Walmart and Target.

    Apple Black Friday deals: MacBooks and Macs

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    Apple

    As far as we’re concerned, Apple makes the best laptop overall with the M4 MacBook Air. It’s light and portable yet powerful enough to handle all but the most demanding media rendering. The keyboard and touchpad are excellent and the battery will get you through a full day of work and then some. It earned a 92 in our review. Also at Best Buy and it’s $100 off at B&H.

    $749 at Amazon

    Apple MacBook Air (M4, 15-inch, 256GB) for $949 ($250 off) at Amazon: The M4 chip is quite powerful, to take advantage of all the productivity it enables, you might want a little more room on your screen. When Apple first made a 15-inch option for the MacBook Air a couple generations ago, we were surprised at the difference it made. Also at Best Buy and it’s $100 off at B&H.

    Apple MacBook Pro (M5, 14-inch, 512GB) for $1,444 ($155 off) at Amazon: Apple’s most recent M-series chip is the M5, and only comes equipped on the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the iPad Pro. When the M5 MacBook Pro M5 came out last month, we promptly reviewed it and awarded it a 92. That new chip gives the laptop an impressive graphics upgrade that helps make it more suited to gaming — an area where Apple still lags behind PCs. Other than the chip upgrade, it’s mostly the same, which is a good thing. It’s sturdy, powerful and has an impressively long battery life — we clocked 34 hours in a video run-down test. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and B&H.

    Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 14-inch, 512GB) for $1,749 ($250 off) at Amazon: The M5 chip isn’t yet available in the Pro and Max variants. If Apple follows the same six-month gap that separated the M4 from the M4 Pro and Max chips, we may see the M5 Pro/Max in spring of next year. For now, however, those higher-specced chips can only be found in the M4-series lineup. The MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip is on sale and it’s our recommendation for creative professionals who need an obscene amount of processing power. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and B&H.

    Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 16-inch, 256GB) for $2,189 ($310 off) at Amazon: You sacrifice a little portability for the larger 16-inch screen, as it adds about a pound and a quarter to the weight. But you might appreciate the extra space for your work on the display. Also at Walmart and B&H.

    Apple 2024 iMac (M4, 24-inch) for $1,149 ($150 off) at Amazon: Apple just has one model of an all-in-one desktop computer and it has the M4 chip inside. We called the iMac more cost effective than ever, now that it comes with a minimum of 16GB of RAM. The M4 chip makes it capable for content creation, productivity and gaming.

    Mac mini (M4) for $479 ($120 off) at Amazon: Apple’s compact desktop computer got a rave review from us. We called it “shockingly small [and] incredibly powerful.” It also benefits from a bump to a minimum of 16GB of internal memory. It can play modern games at reasonable resolutions and handle most productivity tasks you throw at it.

    Apple Black Friday deals: Accessories

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    Apple Pencil Pro for $99 ($30 off) at Amazon: The Apple Pencil situation is a little messy, so you’ll want to double check which model is compatible with your particular iPad. The Pencil Pro is the most fully featured in the lineup with haptic feedback, barrel roll and squeeze capabilities, and a hover preview feature. It’ll work with the two most recent models of the Air and Pro iPads, as well as the latest iPad mini. Also at Walmart and Best Buy.

    Apple Pencil USB-C for $69 ($10 off) at Amazon: If you have the new base-model iPad with the A16 chip, this is the pencil that will work for you. It’ll also work with current as well as slightly older models of the Air and Pro iPads.

    Apple AirTag (4-pack) for $65 ($34 off) at Amazon: Even though they haven’t been updated in a few years, Apple’s AirTags are still the gold standard of Bluetooth trackers, and what most people think of when they think of trackers. We may get a new version soon, but they aren’t likely to be this cheap. Also at Walmart. A single AirTag is on sale too.

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    Amy Skorheim

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  • Use this hack to get one year of Peacock access for $49 for Black Friday

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    If you’ve wanted to check out The Paper or any other new NBC show on Peacock, you can do so now while spending less thanks to this hack. Walmart, believe it or not, comes into play here: the retailer is offering Walmart+ subscriptions for half off right now, bringing the cost down to $49 for your first year. Thanks to a streaming benefit for subscribers, you can then sign up for Peacock at no extra cost.

    Walmart+ subscribers are able to choose between a Peacock Premium or a Paramount+ Essential subscription. Considering Peacock premium would run you $110 for the year on its own, signing up for Walmart+ while this discount is available gets you access to the streaming service for less than half the normal cost.

    Walmart

    A Walmart+ subscription is 50 percent off for new subscribers.

    $49 at Walmart

    Just about every major streaming service has raised its prices in the last year, including HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV and YouTube TV, so saving some money on one of them just might be worth the effort. Cord cutting is not nearly as affordable as it used to be, so finding a deal like this is pretty helpful.

    Walmart+ itself offers myriad additional benefits like early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping on orders over $35, discounts on gas, free online veterinary care and more. Earlier this year, Walmart+ subscribers got first dibs on the Nintendo Switch 2 at the retailer. You can also use that free shipping to take advantage of Walmart’s drone delivery program in a handful of select cities.

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    Andre Revilla

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  • 11/20: CBS Evening News

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    Watch CBS News



    President Trump accuses some Democrats of “seditious behavior;” Walmart beats earnings expectations.

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