Author: Jessica Wong

A Victoria, BC-based grocer is sending a strong message amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada — going 117-plus days without selling any U.S.-grown fruits or vegetables, according to Global News.

“We’re, you know, just really trying to promote the local farms,” Garth Green, general manager of Urban Grocer, told the news outlet. “It’s been very, very good for us. The customers have been very appreciative of it.”

Green says the store made the bold move to go cold turkey on American produce after Trump first imposed tariffs on Canadian goods in March.

“There’s people every day almost that come in here and say, ‘You know, we hear what you’re doing and we love it and we’d love to join on board with you and really shop here,’” Green said.

Despite the success of the project, Green says it has also brought challenges.

Supply challenges

Green says the grocer has taken a “Canada-first” approach to sourcing its products, but the reality is not everything can be found in Canada at all times.

At one point, Green thought they could only get cauliflower from the U.S., until he found out it was cauliflower season in Holland.

“So we reached out to a few suppliers and said, ‘Hey, can you get Holland cauliflower for us?’” he recalled. “We ended up finding some, brought it in, and you know it’s a little bit more expensive to bring in because you’re flying it in. But we just took a [lower] margin, [sold] it at a regular price and [were] able to give the customer something that they can buy until B.C. cauliflower was available.”

Supply is also an issue, and Green admits they’ve had to buy extra to maintain stock.

It’s all part of a cross-country trend of Canadian consumers avoiding U.S. products.

Canadians reject American-made goods

Sylvain Charlebois, a food researcher at Dalhousie University, says what’s happening at Urban Grocer reflects the way Canadians have been spurning U.S. goods lately.

“The boycott is absolutely real,” he told Global News.

A report by marketing research firm NielsonIQ shows, amid trade tensions, nearly half (45%) of Canadian consumers are avoiding U.S. products or opting for Canadian-made alternatives.

“What’s really interesting is that people haven’t really boycotted chains like Walmart or Costco, but they’re boycotting products,” Charlebois said.

Canada has traditionally been one of the biggest buyers of American agricultural goods. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2023, Canada made up 16.3% of U.S. agricultural exports.

It’s not known how long Canadians will maintain a boycott mindset, but Urban Grocer is leaning into the trend.

“Across the store, we are working towards trying to go all Canadian if possible,” Green said. “It’s going to be a lot harder, but we’ve started the process and started to weed out some of the suppliers that we don’t need.”

Sources

1. Global News: B.C. grocer avoids selling U.S. produce for 117 days in what expert calls a ‘real’ boycott, by Amy Judd & Kylie Stanton (Jul 14, 2025)

2. NielsonIQ: Made in Canada: The Retail Ripple of Patriotic Sentiment (Jun 9, 2025)

3. U.S. Department of Agriculture: USMCA, Canada, & Mexico – Canada: Trade & FDI (Feb 5, 2025)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Dylan Handy did everything right — or so he thought.

Two years ago, when he was 33, Handy tried to roll over his $114,000 401(k) after switching jobs. Instead of a secure digital transfer, Paychex sent paper checks.

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Unfortunately for Handy, those checks were intercepted and fraudulently cashed.

“This outdated and insecure method remains standard practice in the retirement industry,” Handy told The New York Times. The kicker? Handy wasn’t even told electronic transfer was an option. And more importantly, he may now owe taxes on a stolen account.

So why are retirement plan administrators still using physical checks? And how can you protect your money and avoid ending up in a situation similar to Handy’s?

The risks of paper-based rollovers

A 2024 survey by Capitalize revealed just how many people still deal with paper checks during rollovers — a whopping 43%.

Americans are running out of patience. More than 80% of savers say rolling over a 401(k) should be as simple as making a bank transfer. But for those stuck with the manual process, it often means phone calls, long wait times and a lot of uncertainty.

So why are plan administrators holding on to this outdated method?

Physical checks persist because of legacy systems, regulatory concerns and a lack of standardized digital options.

In Hardy’s case, he’s now in federal court suing Paychex after months of getting nowhere with banks and no reimbursement for the bulk of his lost savings. His lawyer argues Paychex is responsible.

Paper checks in 401(k) rollovers expose savers to serious risks, including:

• Fraud and theft: Physical checks are easier to intercept, alter or cash without authorization.
• Delays and inconvenience: Mailing checks, waiting for them to clear and making sure they reach the right hands can take weeks — sometimes months. Capitalize found that 42% of savers experienced rollovers that took two months or more.
• Lack of transparency: Tracking paper checks and resolving problems can be a nightmare. In fraud cases, figuring out who’s responsible and recovering money is often a complex, drawn-out process.

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Limited protections: How to stay safe

While protections like the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) exist, they are limited.

There’s only so much liability coverage. If a check is stolen and cashed by someone else, blame may fall on the issuer, the accepting bank or the account holder. Sorting that out can take a long time.

And even when a claim is valid, banks may take up to 90 days to respond. That you could be without your retirement funds for months.

With check fraud and scams on the rise, protecting your money during a 401(k) rollover is more important than ever. Here are a few smart steps to keep your savings safe:

• Work with a qualified advisor: Make sure any financial advisor you consult is a Certified Financial Planner™ who’s legally required to act in your best interest. The right advisor can help you avoid shady products and high-pressure sales tactics.
• Opt for direct transfers: Whenever possible, ask your 401(k) provider to transfer funds directly to your new retirement account. It’s faster and more secure.
• Use secure mail: If a paper check is your only option, request certified mail with tracking. This cuts down the chance of interception.
• Monitor your accounts: Check your accounts regularly for suspicious activity. If something looks off, report it immediately.
• Stay informed: New scams pop up all the time — from fake self-directed IRAs to bogus investment platforms. The more you know, the easier it is to spot red flags.

Check fraud isn’t going away, so it’s up to people saving for retirement to stay alert and take action. Even though some protections are in place, being proactive is your best defense.

Your retirement money deserves better than a risky, outdated process, it deserves your full attention.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

What started as a routine wildlife check turned into a multimillion-dollar legal bombshell.

A trail camera set up in Issaquah’s Grand Ridge Park to catch glimpses of local wildlife like bobcats and jaguars ended up catching something entirely unexpected: a tree hurtling down a hillside.

“To see a tree just flying down the hill like a javelin was pretty alarming,” Alex Brown, the homeowner who installed the motion-triggered camera, told KING 5. “Pretty much every day we see a bear coming by that camera, bobcats, cougars, the occasional mountain lions.”

Instead, what pinged Brown’s phone was a sliding tree and what he discovered when he hiked up to investigate would soon ignite a legal firestorm involving more than 140 felled trees.

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‘Serious and generational harm’

Brown said that he “found that quite a few trees had been cut up there within the park boundary,” adding, “A lot of them are still lying on that slope, which is alarming to those of us living down here.”

Many of the scattered stumps and fallen branches were inside a protected area of Grand Ridge Park.

King County has now filed a lawsuit seeking nearly $7 million in damages, accusing several homeowners of illegally cutting down 142 trees, many classified as “significant,” allegedly for the purpose of scoring a better view of West Tiger Mountain.

"This unlawful act caused serious and generational harm to a protected natural area," said King County Parks Director Warren Jimenez in a statement. He added that the cuts violated county codes, disrupted the wildlife habitat and damaged decades of public investment in conservation.

Jimenez said the county is going after civil penalties, treble damages and the contractors involved in what they call an environmental breach of trust.

Local resident Caitlin McNulty walks the trails daily with her young son Julian and said one of the falling trees landed just a few hundred feet from their home.

“It was just pretty scary because this is part of our regular little Julian loop that we come and walk most days,” McNulty said.

She suspects those responsible assumed they could get away with it.

“I imagine they thought there was a really low probability of anyone finding out. It would have been really hard for someone to have known this happened and I think the only reason we did is we had that wildlife camera there,” she said.

KING 5 spoke with one of the named homeowners in the lawsuit, who claimed the tree-cutting was done legally and for his family’s safety. But county officials aren’t convinced.

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Dos and don’ts as a homeowner

You have freedoms as a homeowner in the U.S., but those freedoms stop when they infringe on public safety, environmental integrity, neighbor rights, or zoning laws. Make sure you do your homework before swinging that sledgehammer or aiming that chainsaw.

What you can do

While you’ll want to research the specific laws pertaining to the project you want to carry out, these are general guidelines about what you’re typically allowed to do.

• Home improvements: You can remodel, add rooms, or build a deck, but “any project that goes beyond a simple repair or aesthetic upgrade” usually requires a permit from your local building department. If you skip this step, you can expect delays, fines, or even forced demolition.
• Rent your property: There’s no federal law stopping you from turning your home into a cash-flow machine but be sure to check local bylaws based on where you live, because every city, county and zoning board writes its own rules, so check before you list that spare room on Airbnb, or other rental services.
• Landscape paradise: Want a backyard oasis? Go for it, but watch water‐use laws in drought zones and be careful not to disturb wildlife habitats (especially in conservation landscapes).
• Install solar and eco‑upgrades: “Solar rights” laws in many states protect your right to go green. But you’ll still need permits, interconnection inspections and sometimes an HOA notice.

What you can’t do

Here are some things you shouldn’t do if you don’t want to get in trouble:

• Cut down trees without permission: Even if they are in your own yard, many cities and states require permits before removing trees. Fines and requirements often depend on tree size, species, or location.
• DIY without necessary permits: Building a fence, shed, or even a pool without pulling proper permits? Local authorities can issue a stop-work order, force you to tear it all down and slap you with a fine. It’s not just a slap on the wrist; it could be demolition day.
• Be a noisy neighbor: Constant noise, bright lights, or strong odors from your property? You could end up paying $20,000 to $50,000 in damages under local nuisance laws.
• Breaking HOA rules: Break HOA rules, like say, paint your house neon green or build an unapproved deck and you could face monthly fines, legal fees, or even foreclosure proceedings.

Some tips on being a good neighbor, in general

• Always consult your municipality before changing property and check for permits for everything from remodeling to major landscaping.
• Check HOA rules, submit plans for approval and keep documented records and communications of every step along the way.
• Hire arborists before removing trees, especially large, habitat-important or protected species.
• Be a considerate neighbor by limiting noisy tools, bright lights and strong odors.

While the case in King County is currently civil, the King County Prosecutor’s Office says criminal charges are still on the table.

As for Brown, he is still shocked by what he saw, “The fact that so much damage was done and consequently their view was improved raises a lot of questions,” he said.

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Virginia Loop is not giving up her 3,000 square-foot greenhouse without a fight.

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The Colorado-based Loop, who lives along Moss Rock Court on the northwest side of Divide, recently told KOAA News5 why she believes she doesn’t need a permit for the structure she has sunk more than $150,000 into.

‘I’m not giving up on my dream’

So, what happened?

In June 2024, Loop says a code enforcement officer showed up while she was excavating her property to install a greenhouse kit.

She says she told the officer she didn’t need a permit thanks to an exemption in the building code for agricultural structures. She sent him an email citing Colorado’s Farm Stand Act passed in 2019. She told Agweb the officer gave her a green light, "but said I’d need to get a permit for the electricity when I put in electricity."

Believing the matter was dealt with, she continued to construct the greenhouse and only got a permit for the electrical installations in May this year.

Unfortunately for Loop, soon after she was slapped with a stop-work order. It wasn’t for the electrical setup, but for constructing the greenhouse itself without a permit.

“I went to the planning and building department to file an appeal,” Loop told KOAA News5. “I brought the email from the code enforcement, and they said I needed to talk to the director. They pulled the first stop-work order so I could finish the electricity. We put $15,000 more electricity in the building. And then when that got inspected, they gave me another stop work order.”

Loop says she was building the greenhouse to grow produce for her neighbors and for her sons to sell at local farmers’ markets. She says the county is overstepping.

“I’m not giving up on my dream,” she said to KOAA News5. “It’s not just for my greenhouse. It’s for the rights of every person in Teller County. We have 27,000 residents in this county, and what I’ve experienced at your building and planning department is nothing but overreach and a bully.”

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What do the authorities say?

KOAA News5 obtained the official letter sent to Loop from the Teller County Administrator, which lays out the county’s position including the following:

• The property is located in a residential zoning district; a commercial greenhouse is not allowed.
• The greenhouse doesn’t qualify as a home occupation.
• The property is classified as residential by the Teller County Assessor, which disqualifies it from the agricultural exemption from building permits.
• The well is residential and may not be used for irrigation or commercial agriculture.

Had Loop sought a permit from the County Building Department, the county argues, “they would have learned that the size of their greenhouse far exceeds what might have been allowed and would have likely learned of the other problems/prohibitions on operating a commercial operation in her residential development in the R-1 zone.”

Loop says the Colorado Farm Stand Act supports her cause. According to the Act, a farm stand is defined as “a temporary or permanent structure used for the sale and display of agricultural products resulting from agricultural operations that are conducted on the principal use site on which the farm stand is located.”

Teller County officials disagree, writing to KOAA News5 that the Act “does not apply because her commercial greenhouse does not meet the definition of a ‘farm stand’ in CRS 29-[31]-102(2).”

But Loop isn’t budging. She told AgWeb, “my greenhouse is a dual farm stand — a place to sell and grow, and I’m protected by this very state law.”

The county’s letter laid out the next steps, instructing Loop to cease all commercial activity related to the greenhouse, remove the unpermitted structure and resolve water usage issues with the Colorado Division of Water Resources.

Loop says water isn’t an issue and that she trucks it in from a water fill station, not her residential well.

While no legal action has been taken yet, the county’s letter dated July 3 warns, “You should be aware that if you fail or refuse to correct the violations, the County could take formal legal action against you to correct the violations.”

Loop is gearing up for a legal and public battle.

Beyond zoning battles and legal gray areas lies a bigger issue: the sunk cost trap, and it could cost Loop everything.

Avoid the sunk cost trap

Loop’s situation is a textbook example of sunk cost, a financial principle where people continue to invest in a project simply because they’ve already sunk a big chunk of change into it.

Despite repeated county warnings and legal risk, Loop is holding her ground, but dreams typically can’t override local land use codes.

Demolishing the greenhouse would be costly. Combined with the initial investment and legal fees, the total loss could be in the hundreds of thousands.

Loop’s biggest mistake may not be building the greenhouse, but it could have been building before fully ensuring zoning and compliance.

If she’d applied through the proper channels for permits early on, her structure likely would’ve been denied.

If Loop wants to salvage her investment or prevent a total wipeout, she could consider quickly pivoting. She could sell her current property to fund relocation to an area with proper zoning.

If she wants to continue her dream of growing and selling food, she could figure out what is financially feasible for her and consider leasing greenhouse space or partnering with existing farms and agricultural cooperatives. This could offer lower capital risk, with direct access to existing markets.

Every month Loop spends fighting rather than selling is another month of sunk revenue. And if the county forces demolition, the entire $150,000 investment and anything else she’s poured into it may evaporate.

The best course of action if you’re in a similar situation is to get legal and zoning clarity before you invest. And if you hit a wall, run the numbers. Sometimes the smartest move is not to fight harder, but to pivot smarter.

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Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A wave of digital theft is hitting America’s most vulnerable families where it hurts most — the dinner table.

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“I wish this wouldn’t have happened to me,” Yolanda Berryhill, a mother to three and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipient in Harris County, Texas, told FOX 26. “I feel more of a failure as a mother than anything because I can’t really help my kids right now.”

Berryhill has lived with a disability since surviving a 1998 robbery where she was shot four times and suffered three aneurysms. SNAP is her family’s lifeline, but that lifeline was cut without warning earlier this month when she went to buy food.

“The cashier was like, ‘It’s not going through,’” she recalled.

Berryhill reported to the sheriff’s office that $730 vanished from her account within hours of her monthly deposit and was spent at a Walmart in Germantown, Maryland.

Benefits are being stolen from parents ‘trying to feed their kids’

Berryhill’s stolen benefits are part of a bigger problem.

Fraudulent SNAP transactions increased by a shocking 55% between the last quarter of FY2024 and the first quarter of FY2025, according to the USDA. The number of households impacted in FY2025 Q1 was 221,191, up from 143,903 in FY2024 Q4.

Even worse is that victims are no longer guaranteed help. Congress let the program to replace benefits with federal funds expire in December 2024, leaving millions without a safety net.

The USDA website says it replaced $322.5 million in stolen benefits from FY2023 Q2 to FY2025 Q1.

“Theft of funds on SNAP EBT cards has dramatically increased in recent years,” said the USDA in May. “In such cases, criminals steal funds loaded onto EBT cards that SNAP recipients rely on to buy food by surreptitiously installing card skimmers, and cloning point of sale terminals enabling them to steal publicly funded benefits. Recent investigations show that international criminal organizations are heavily involved and benefiting from SNAP fraud.”

“Our estimate is that something above $400 million is stolen every year from the pockets of low-income households — moms and dads trying to feed their kids,” said Justin King, the policy director at Propel, to FOX 26. Propel is a free app that helps SNAP users track their balances and detect fraud. “We see really negative outcomes when people are victimized in this way. People go deeper into debt, they fall behind on other bills.”

President Trump’s “big beautiful” bill has also made big changes to the SNAP program that the Urban Institute says will “widen the persistent gap between benefits and food costs.”

“Prices are just rising, but the SNAP benefits are going down,” Berryhill adds. She’s left to figure out how to feed her family for the rest of the month.

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How to protect your SNAP benefits:

As fraudulent SNAP transactions skyrocket, digital thieves are cashing in while families go hungry. So, how can you protect your benefits in a system not built for the modern fraud game?

Start here:

Secure your PIN Use a strong, complex PIN that doesn’t relate to your birthday, address, or any repeating numbers. Update it every month, ideally right before your benefits are loaded.

Monitor, freeze, repeat Your EBT card isn’t just plastic, it’s your paycheck. Lock your card when you’re not using it. For example, Texas allows you to freeze your EBT card via the Texas Benefits app.

Check your balance frequently. The Propel app sends you alerts for suspicious activity.

Watch for card skimmers Fraudsters are planting skimming devices, tiny readers that steal your card data, on self-checkout machines and store card readers.

Be vigilant at checkout and avoid suspicious card readers. Learn how to spot card skimmers by looking at the card reader for signs (bulky, off-center, loose parts) and checking the security seal.

Block out-of-state use Several states now let you block SNAP card use in other states, which prevents scammers from draining your funds 1,000 miles away. The Propel app also lets you do this.

If you believe your card has been compromised or benefits have been stolen, contact your state office to cancel the card and report it to the authorities.

As SNAP fraud hits crisis levels, one thing is clear: your EBT card isn’t just a benefit, it’s a target for thieves. For families like Berryhill’s, the damage is already done.

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In a heartbreaking scam that’s left a Naples couple reeling, two fraudsters tricked the 72-year-old couple into handing over more than $2 million worth of gold.

The ordeal has left the elderly couple shattered. The gold is nearly impossible to trace, making it unlikely they will get their stolen assets back.

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“They took money from their accounts and purchased gold,” Lt. Bryan McGinn of the Naples Police Department explained to Gulfcoast News Now, “Once they had the gold, the fraudsters sent a courier to pick it up, telling the victims that the gold would be safely stored and eventually returned to them.”

For several months, the couple was under the impression that the gold was being safely held and stored. Later, they discovered they had been duped and contacted local authorities for help. By then, the fraudsters had vanished with their precious assets.

Couple duped into believing gold was safely stored

According to McGinn, the scam began when the couple was contacted multiple times by the fraudsters.

The scammers claimed they had a warrant for the couple’s arrest and threatened they would be detained unless they purchased gold and handed it over. They were instructed to buy gold in coins or small bars, with the promise that it would be safely stored and returned later.

Authorities intercepted Soyeb Rana, one of the suspects, as he arrived to pick up gold from the couple. He faces several charges, including conspiracy, scheme to defraud, fleeing and eluding, and possession of marijuana.

“This is a sad situation,” McGinn said, offering advice to others who might find themselves in similar circumstances. “Law enforcement is never going to request money. There’s never going to be an exchange of assets for your freedom or anything like that in this country. Just take a second, take a breath, contact local law enforcement. And we don’t mind figuring out together whether something is legitimate or not.”

The arrest is a step forward in the case, but the recovery of the gold remains unlikely.

With precious metals frauds like this on the rise, here are some tips to keep your assets protected.

Top red flags to look for with precious metal frauds

The precious metals sector has become a magnet for scams. Gold, silver and other precious metals often bring out the worst in fraudsters who target unsuspecting investors. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just beginning to explore this market, stay vigilant so you don’t fall for scams. Here’s how you can spot the warning signs of potential fraud and take steps to safeguard your investments.

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Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics

If you’re being rushed into making a decision without time to think, that’s a huge red flag. You might hear phrases like “this deal won’t last long” or “you need to act now.” Legitimate dealers, on the other hand, will give you time to research and consider your options. Be wary of any dealer or salesperson who guarantees profits or pitches an investment opportunity that seems too good to be true. While precious metals can be an effective hedge against inflation and market volatility, no investment is risk-free, and no one can guarantee returns. If someone claims they can, it’s almost certainly a scam.

Avoid unlicensed or unregulated dealers

Before you buy, ensure the company or individual you’re dealing with is properly licensed and regulated by government bodies like the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Research the company thoroughly, check reviews on trustworthy sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and consult a financial advisor before you make big decisions.

Always ask for documentation

Every precious metals transaction should include a receipt, contract, or invoice. Be sure to read everything carefully and never sign anything you don’t fully understand. Some scams also involve too much focus on the physical possession of metals. While it’s common for investors to want to hold their gold or silver, some shady dealers push the idea that physical possession is the only way to safely store your investment. Legitimate dealers typically recommend secure, regulated storage options to ensure your assets are well-protected.

Steer clear of unsolicited calls

If you’ve received an unsolicited call, email, or social media message offering an "exclusive" investment opportunity, that’s another potential red flag. Scammers often reach out cold, offering deals that seem too good to pass up, or in the case of the Naples couple, scaring them into acting in a hurry. Scams like this are unfortunately on the rise, but the more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to avoid being a victim.

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• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

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