Author: Jessica Wong

There are more food-insecure families in Texas than any state in the nation. The problem is acute in Dallas-Fort Worth, where one in seven — a third of them children — face hunger.

"In North Texas, things have been tight,” Anne Readhimer, Chief Impact Officer for North Texas Food Bank, told CBS News. “Everyone is just needing a little bit more help these days.”

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That’s why the axing of the USDA’s Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) hits hard.

Readhimer said the food bank and schools in North Texas relied on these programs to get fresh produce to those in need.

"We’re still waiting to get a better understanding of how we’re going to make up for it.” she said.

The impact on families, food banks and farmers

In 2020, Readhimer’s food bank [received] $9.2 million through the LFPA program to buy fresh produce and meat from Texas farmers.

That money isn’t there anymore. Readhimer said without it, the cuts impact local farmers, too.

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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller defended the USDA’s budget cuts in a press release,

"These changes also provide an opportunity for states to assume greater responsibility in shaping their own programs," he said.

Miller said Texas would continue to run its Farm to School and Farm to Food Bank initiatives, with less reliance on federal funding.

Local leaders and food advocates note that the loss of USDA funding will definitely make it harder for schools to provide meals to the 250,000 children who rely on them for their daily nutrition.

Improve food security in your community and at home

The Trump administration’s cuts to federal food assistance programs highlight the challenge families across the U.S. face in eating nutritious meals on a budget.

Here are some strategies to keep your food budget on track at home.

Meal planning is key. Streamline your grocery list and avoid impulse buys by creating a weekly menu based on affordable, healthy recipes.

Keep stock of what you have at home. Knowing what’s in your pantry and fridge and using it will cut down on food waste and unnecessary purchases.

Be smart at the grocery store. Compare prices, buy in bulk, and choose store brands over name brands.

Meanwhile, you can support your neighbors with their own food security by contributing to local food banks, whether by donating money, non-perishables or time as a volunteer.

Business owners can partner with local farmers and suppliers and donate excess food.

Companies that give employees access to nutritious food contribute to a healthier, more productive workforce overall.

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

Over a million Canadian snowbirds go south when it gets cold every year, and many of them choose to spend winters in Florida.

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But the current political climate is changing that.

Gulf Coast News recently reported on “a mass exodus” of Canadians from Southwest Florida as new travel regulations are imposed and the trade war escalates.

CNN also recently reported on snowbirds considering alternative destinations or selling their properties. “Some of the clients I have been dealing with want to sell at any cost, even at a loss,” said Share Ross, a realtor based in southeast Florida.

“More home purchases in the U.S. are done by Canadians than any other country — 13% from April 2023 to March 2024, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says,” reported CBC News. “Half of all Canadian purchases were vacation homes, and roughly 41% of sales were in Florida.”

This will likely have a ripple effect on the tourism industry and local businesses.

“If we travel at all, it won’t be here”

Many Canadians are rethinking their plans to return to Florida, with some even considering putting their properties on the market.

"I’ve lived here six months. This is my home, but I’m leaving April 2," said Susan, a Canadian speaking with Gulf Coast News. She was not comfortable sharing her last name for fear of becoming a target amid the growing political divide between the U.S. and Canada.

For the Presement family, regular winter residents in Fort Myers, the political landscape has left them regretting their decision to visit Florida. “The truth of the matter is if I hadn’t prepaid everything and wasn’t here and your weather wasn’t so damn nice. I’d go home now,” said Barry Presement to Gulf Coast News. He and his wife Ruth have no plans to return next winter. "If we travel at all, it won’t be here," Ruth said. "For sure, it won’t be here. We’ll go elsewhere."

Their son Brian had even considered retiring in Southwest Florida, but now says Mexico is looking like a better option. "We thought about buying a home in Florida, but now we might reconsider that," he said.

Local businesses are probably going to feel the strain of Canadians avoiding the U.S.

“It’s not only having a negative impact on the tourism market, but business as a whole,”said Cole Peacock, owner of cannabis cafe & CBD marketplace Seed and Bean to Gulf Coast News. “You need those extra visits to kick that profit margins to another level.”

"Not only have Canadians been electing to divest from their vacation homes and investment properties in Florida, they have also been canceling their trips to the area which is having a negative impact on our vacation rental market," Robert Washington of Savvy Buyers Realty told Realtor.com. "We have heard from several of our vacation rental property owners that they have experienced multiple cancellations from Canadian guests due to the tariff battle. Hopefully the tariff situation is resolved soon, or it could have a lasting impact on our tourism industry."

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What Americans can expect with tariffs

The U.S. Travel Association has said Florida is among the top five most visited states by Canadians and it “could see declines in retail and hospitality revenue, as shopping is the top leisure activity for Canadian visitors.”

In addition to losing business from a lack of Canadian visitors, Florida businesses and consumers are also facing another blow, the implementation of tariffs on imports from Canada and the rest of the world.

These tariffs are set to raise the costs of imported goods, raw materials, and even locally produced items that rely on imported components.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports, 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, and 10% tariffs on other countries could raise consumer prices on everyday retail purchases such as food and beverage items and general merchandise, covering about a quarter of the total consumption basket, by 0.81% to 1.63%, assuming the costs are fully passed to the consumer.

So what can consumers do to protect their budgets?

A good place to start is to review spending habits, since cutting costs could provide some relief. Consider buying essentials in bulk before the tariffs drive prices higher. That way, you can lock in current prices and shield yourself from immediate price increases.

For those willing to shop around, you can consider products from countries not affected by tariffs, or choose items that are produced locally to avoid the extra costs.

Above all, staying informed is critical. As tariffs and related policies continue to evolve, consumers who stay up-to-date should be better equipped to make smarter financial decisions.

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

With rent prices soaring and longtime residents being forced out, Rockville, Maryland tenants are demanding urgent action from city leaders to stabilize housing costs before their community becomes unrecognizable.

Renters, who make up 50% of Rockville’s population, have shared their frustration with 7News about how increasing rents are driving long-time residents out of the community.

“Rent stabilization is incredibly important at this moment,” said Grant Samms, head of the Reed Tenant Association. “The neighbors that I’m surrounded by are quite different than the neighbors that I had two years ago … watching people move out of my apartment, watching them get evicted in many cases.”

In July 2024, Montgomery County implemented a 6% ceiling on rent increases, providing relief to renters. However, Rockville has its own housing authority, making it exempt from this law. As a result, residents are now pushing for rent control measures to be extended to Rockville as well.

“When rents go up that high, people have to move out,” Samms added. “These are teachers. These are firefighters. These are EMS. That erodes the stability of our community.”

‘Outrageous rent increases’ hard on seniors

For many Rockville residents, these rent hikes have become unbearable.

Chris Madden, the leader of the Huntington Tenant Association, expressed concern for seniors, especially those on fixed incomes, who are struggling to keep up with the steep increases.

“I hate to see my neighbors have to leave this great community because of these outrageous rent increases,” Madden told ABC 7 News. “For seniors, especially, it’s very hard because they’re on a fixed income and moving is very difficult.

“This neighborhood, specifically, this apartment complex has seen up to a 30% increase.”

Renters like Madden say such steep hikes are forcing people to leave. As of March 14, 13,000 federal workers and contractors in the DMV area had filed for unemployment, adding to the financial strain for many Rockville residents.

“We have had renters here who are federal workers that are currently feeling a lot of uncertainty with the layoffs,” he said. “They need some semblance of certainty, at least about where they live.”

One of the residents’ biggest concerns is the potential impact of rising rents on the area’s diversity.

“I am concerned about what this means for diversity in the area,” Adams said. “This is one of my biggest concerns as someone who has seen minority communities get pushed out because of high rent prices.”

7News spoke with Councilmember Zola Shaw, who has expressed support for the tenants’ push for rent control.

“I think that my constituents are doing a great job talking to them directly and coming to City Hall,” Shaw said. “We’ve had hundreds of renters, landlords — all types of residents — coming and sharing their story. It’s time for Rockville to have the same equal protections as the majority of our housing market.”

As the pressure grows on city leaders, Rockville residents continue to demand protections that will help maintain the stability of their community and ensure affordable housing options.

Pros and cons of rent control

Rent control policies, like those that the Rockville tenants are pushing for, can make housing more affordable and provide more stability for tenants.

The benefits of rent control include predictable rent increases and allowing tenants to budget effectively. It also helps increase affordability for low- and moderate-income earners by making keeping units accessible.

However, there are also potential impacts on rental prices and the broader housing market.

One challenge of rent caps is that they put a burden on landlords, potentially reducing their ability to provide upgrades or repairs. As a result, while tenants’ rental costs are protected, buildings may suffer from deferred maintenance.

Rent control could also shrink the rental market if landlords decide to convert units into non-rental properties or withdraw them from the market altogether.

Additionally, rent control policies can create a gap between capped and unregulated units, driving up rents in the non-capped segment when demand shifts to those properties.

When implementing rent control policies, policymakers must weigh the pros and cons to strike a balance between protecting tenants and maintaining a healthy housing market.

As for Rockville, the call for rent stabilization has gathered significant support, with many residents urging the City Council to act.

“The city council of Rockville desperately needs to consider and pass this legislation,” Samms said.

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

What seemed like an ordinary house in Boston’s Roslindale neighborhood is set to become a historic landmark, thanks to an intriguing discovery by its current owner, Adam Shutes.

The house at 318 Metropolitan Boulevard caught Shutes’ attention in 2016 when he noticed something unusual about its layout.

“It just looked odd,” Shutes told CBS News. He couldn’t make sense of the unusual design, so he did some research and discovered that the house, originally a single structure, had been cut in two in 1941.

Determined to preserve this piece of Boston’s architectural history, Shutes applied for the property to be designated a historic landmark.

But where did the other half end up?

Maintaining it for future generations

The other half of the house was the back of the building — and it didn’t go far.

“It clicked when I realized that the house just down the road — two doors down — looked very similar,” Shutes told CBS News. "The back half was the kitchen, the storage area for the butlers, servants’ quarters in here. And there’s actually another staircase, a little staircase, a service staircase which is in the other house,” Shutes explained.

In a recent vote, the Boston Landmarks Commission unanimously approved advancing Shutes’ application. The final decision rests with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the City Council, who must give their approval before the property is officially granted landmark status.

The home would become Roslindale’s first historic landmark if the application is approved.

“This was the spur. ‘Maybe we should just do something about this and try and maintain it for future generations,’” said Shutes about his decision to apply.

If you’re a homeowner or potential buyer eyeing a historic property for restoration, there are some important factors you’ll want to consider to make sure the project is both financially smart and true to the home’s heritage.

How to avoid costly mistakes when renovating a historic property

There can be a lot to consider when renovating a historic property. It requires careful planning to preserve the home’s unique character while at the same time making sure you know what to expect financially.

Here are some mistakes you’ll want to avoid and what to consider doing instead.

Underestimating the cost of materials

It’s a good idea to always overestimate material and labor costs, as they can fluctuate. Some government programs offer financial assistance to help make renovations more affordable. You can check your eligibility to see if any aid applies to your situation.

When it comes to working on a historic building, there may be other financial incentives that you can explore that are specific to older buildings, like Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits, which are meant to help preserve historic buildings.

You can also shop for materials in bulk to get the most value for your dollar and set up a contingency fund of around 10% to 20% of your total budget to account for unexpected costs.

Overlooking hidden structural issues

Structural issues, such as outdated plumbing or mold (which can skyrocket renovation expenses) may be something you run into. To avoid this, do a thorough inspection before buying a property.

For homes built before 1978, like Shutes’ home, there could be lead-based paint. The Environmental Protection Agency provides guidelines on how to safely renovate a property with this type of paint to avoid lead exposure.

Depending on how many issues you face, you may need to prioritize the upgrades that are most crucial before considering purely superficial changes.

Failing to account for delays

Renovations take time. If you have a historic home, there may be certain precautions you have to take before making modifications.

For example, you’ll want to make sure to check in with the National Park Service to see if there are guidelines around rehabilitation, preservation and restoration of the building that you’re thinking about.

Next, you may want to check if there are best practices for upgrading any windows, lighting or HVAC systems in the home. The General Services Administration provides resources and recommendations for this type of technical work in historic buildings.

Having renovations overlap can make it difficult to inhabit a home, so you may want to consider a phased renovation approach, rather than doing it all at once.

Upgrading a historic home can be a smart investment, letting you preserve its charm while adding modern comforts. But steering clear of these mistakes can make all the difference when ensuring it’s a straightforward project rather than a costly surprise down the line.

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

James McCaffrey was blindsided when found out his Social Security benefits were suspended. The 66-year old received no warning or explanation — just a bill.

“It said that I needed to pay $740 before the 25th of this month or I was going to lose my Medicare,” McCaffrey told Oklahoma KFOR.

The Oklahoma City retiree, who was born on a U.S. Army base in Germany, suspects that his birthplace may be the reason his benefits were terminated, after recent comments from Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk.

With nearly 69 million Americans expected to rely on Social Security benefits in 2025, McCaffrey’s experience highlights the growing uncertainty for retirees facing potential cuts.

"They could be out of the house. They could be out of food.”

It all started when McCaffrey received a Medicare bill demanding payment. Medicare premiums are usually deducted from his Social Security check, so this was the first sign something was amiss.

After contacting Medicare, a representative hinted that his Social Security might have been suspended. McCaffrey immediately reached out to the Social Security Administration, and was shocked to discover his benefits had indeed been suspended.

McCaffrey received an email the following day indicating that his benefits would resume in April, but there was no mention of the March payment he had missed.

When he checked his bank account, McCaffrey saw that the March payment had been deposited, but the lack of explanation left him uneasy.

Changes in eligibility can impact Social Security benefits, like a change in work status, unreported income or a marital status change. But none of these applied to McCaffrey.

Earlier, Elon Musk, who heads up DOGE, suggested cuts to Social Security, referring to the program as a “Ponzi scheme.”

Musk also claimed, without evidence, that illegal immigrants are fraudulently collecting benefits, calling for their removal from the system, in addition to 150-year olds.

“[Federal entitlements] is also a mechanism by which Democrats attract and retain illegal immigrants, by essentially paying them,” Musk said during the March 10 interview on Fox Business. “If we turn off this gigantic money magnet for illegal immigrants, then they will leave.”

McCaffrey remembered Musk’s comments and wondered if his foreign birthplace was the reason for his benefits being suspended, even though he is an American citizen and has a legal birth certificate. So far, McCaffrey has not received an official explanation from Social Security.

In the meantime, McCaffrey worries that others could be dealing with similar Social Security benefit cuts, "I’ve been a diligent Boy Scout type, I prepared," he said. "But, no, I shouldn’t have to," McCaffrey notes that losing Social Security benefits, even for a short time, could have serious consequences for those living paycheck to paycheck. "They could be out of the house. They could be out of food. I don’t know," McCaffrey says.

How to handle a cut in Social Security benefits

For McCaffrey, like many seniors, retirement was supposed to be a time to enjoy more family time and travel with his wife.

But instead, the uncertainty surrounding his benefits has put a damper on those plans. "I’d hate to have to turn around and say, ‘Well, I have to worry about my next check,’" he said.

Former Social Security administrator Martin O’Malley appeared on NBC News and warned that proposed DOGE cuts could impact Social Security benefits for millions of Americans. Here’s what you can do if your benefits get terminated.

The first thing to do if your benefits are cut is contact the Social Security Administration to find out the reason for the suspension and ask if there are actions you can take.

If you don’t agree with the decision, you can file an appeal. You have 60 days to file an appeal from the date you get your termination notice. You can also ask for a reconsideration.

You could also consider getting temporary financial assistance if your benefits are cut if you’re in immediate need.

Finally, if you need to, seek professional help to navigate the system.

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

Recent changes to Social Security are leaving many recipients scratching their heads, as unexpected lump sum payments and overpayments are showing up in bank accounts — all without much explanation.

Brooklyn resident Elizabeth Miller, 65, was shocked and confused when she noticed a large amount of money in her account. “I didn’t know what it was. I had no idea who sent me this,” Miller told News 5 Cleveland “I thought they’d take it back right away. It’s not mine. It was a mistake,” Miller added.

Miller’s situation comes at a time when significant changes to Social Security are affecting people’s payments and she’s not the only one.

Mixed messaging baffles recipients

Different Social Security reps gave her conflicting explanations about why her account balance had suddenly increased. But things didn’t stop there. As more payments and letters arrived, Miller was told the extra funds were actually overpayments she was owed.

Still, Miller remains baffled by the large amounts showing up in her account. “I don’t understand why you would put that much money in my account,” Miller said.

The Social Security Fairness Act was recently passed and aims to eliminate two rules that cut Social Security benefits for certain retirees: The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduced benefits for individuals who worked in jobs not covered by Social Security, like many state and local government workers. In addition, the Social Security Fairness Act ensures these workers receive the full Social Security benefits they’ve earned.

This means that people like Jeff Olds, who received a lump sum payment for his wife, are now eligible for the benefits they missed out on originally.

Olds, a 72-year-old from Brunswick Hills, said after 10 years of normal payments of about $1,600 a month, he received a lump sum of more than $14,000 from Social Security. “I was shocked at first… this never happened before,” he told News 5 Cleveland.

“It’s pretty scary for somebody who doesn’t deal with this every day,” April Roberts, a Social Security expert and CEO of AARIA, told News 5 Cleveland. She noted that lump sum payments will start arriving on March 27. Thereafter, in instances where there was an error, Social Security will recoup legitimate overpayments by withholding 100% of subsequent checks until the balance is repaid.

In some cases, changes to benefits may also follow new income thresholds or changes in the beneficiary’s work status. The problem? Social Security has been sending lump sums before recipients receive letters explaining the amounts. This lack of communication can leave people confused about why they received a deposit, or whether it’s even theirs to keep.

What to do if you spot changes to your Social Security payments

With all the confusion, navigating the changes can be frustrating, so here’s what you can do.

To start, regularly review your statements and make sure your personal information is up-to-date. Set reminders if you need them. If you notice an unexpected deposit from Social Security, call your local office for clarification, but be prepared to wait. “They have access to more detailed information about your specific situation,” Roberts explained.

If you feel that the explanation or payment amount is incorrect, you can file an appeal. If you owe money, you can file a waiver form or arrange a payment plan.

While changes roll out, stay informed and proactive to ensure your Social Security payments are accurate and handled correctly. You can set up alerts to be notified about any new updates to Social Security.

As for Miller, she is still waiting for confirmation letters to explain the lump sum payments in her account. “I think the letters should come before the check to explain that you’re going to be receiving something… for sure, so you don’t have to panic when that much money is placed into your bank account,” she said.

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