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Author: Victoria Vesovski

  • ‘It’s just a little backyard’: Neighbors say this Florida home appears to be running an unlicensed restaurant out back — complete with propane tanks, industrial fans and cocktail tables

    ‘It’s just a little backyard’: Neighbors say this Florida home appears to be running an unlicensed restaurant out back — complete with propane tanks, industrial fans and cocktail tables

    It’s not exactly strange to hear noise coming from a neighbor’s home. Maybe they’re hosting a birthday party or firing up the grill for a family barbecue. That’s just part of suburban life.

    But what’s happening on Northwest First Court in Miami Gardens is something entirely different.

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    On an otherwise peaceful residential street, one single-family home has transformed into what appears to be a takeout restaurant.

    “There’s no drive-thru window, but the orders are flying out the door,” one neighbor, who asked not to be identified, told Local 10 News. “It could be in the early morning, around this time. It could be at night. It’s constant.”

    Those who spoke with Local 10 asked to stay anonymous, but they described the same thing: a steady stream of cars, takeout containers being handed off like clockwork and a home that’s more kitchen than living space.

    But is this just a savvy home chef cashing in on a side hustle, or could it pose a bigger problem for the community?

    Off the books but on the radar

    To get a better sense of what’s going on, Local 10 spent several hours outside the home and observed a constant flow of customers picking up food.

    One man, spotted walking around the side of the house, told reporters he wasn’t a customer — just a friend. Still, he admitted he was there to pick up food, listing off items like oxtail, rice and peas, as well as chicken. When asked if the house was operating as a restaurant, he denied it.

    “No, it’s not a restaurant. It’s just a backyard,” he said, adding that the food was not free when pressed by reporters.

    Starting a business or side hustle today isn’t easy. According to LendingTree, over 1 in 5 private sector businesses that launched in March 2023 had failed by March 2024.

    With inflation holding steady at 3.5% year over year, it’s no surprise some entrepreneurs are looking for ways to cut overhead costs — skipping storefronts altogether and finding more creative (and quiet) ways to keep the money coming in. Even if that means operating out of a backyard.

    But just because it makes business sense doesn’t mean it sits well with the neighbors.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Cooking up trouble

    With inflation squeezing household budgets, many Americans are turning to unconventional income streams — even if it means bending a few rules.

    Neighbors say the backyard setup includes propane tanks, industrial fans and cocktail tables — signs that this isn’t your average weekend cookout. Behind the house, there’s reportedly a shed that’s been converted into a kitchen, suggesting a much larger operation than what’s legally allowed in a residential area.

    According to Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, running a food business from a private home is prohibited. This property has never passed a food safety inspection and isn’t licensed for commercial use — a red flag for both consumers and the neighborhood.

    “If there is a fire, God forbid, my house is gone,” one neighbor said. “I’m very concerned. It is dangerous right now.”

    Property records show the home belongs to Mardelle Gitters, a former restaurant owner whose Opa-locka business has since closed. While several neighbors claim they’ve reported the issue to city officials, Miami Gardens Assistant City Manager Tamara Wadley said there are no official complaints on file with police or code enforcement.

    For now, the operation continues. But while side hustles can be a smart financial move, cutting corners on safety and legality can end up costing more than it’s worth.

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

  • Drivers across the US are hitting a dead end trying to get compensation for the paint flaking off their cars ‘in sheets’ — this Florida driver says it’s happened to him with 3 different cars

    Drivers across the US are hitting a dead end trying to get compensation for the paint flaking off their cars ‘in sheets’ — this Florida driver says it’s happened to him with 3 different cars

    Thousands of drivers across the country are discovering their car paint jobs are literally peeling away — and fixing it could cost them thousands out of pocket.

    For Ed Rinkowitz, a Florida Hyundai owner, the flaky paint job is a familiar and frustrating sight.

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    “My daughter’s hood basically just flaked completely off, probably maybe 10% of the paint was left on it,” Rinkowitz told 10 Tampa Bay. “Then my wife’s car started and that was probably 30 to 40% that was coming off.”

    Rinkowitz says it’s the third Hyundai in his family with paint issues — and he’s far from alone. A Facebook group called “Hyundai Paint Peel / Peeling” has grown to over 6,000 members, all sharing stories of paint jobs seemingly disintegrating.

    So what’s causing the problem, and what can drivers do to protect their cars and wallets?

    Paint problems, pricey fixes

    While the issue spans several Hyundai models and paint colors, Rinkowitz says two of his affected vehicles were white — a trend echoed by dozens of other drivers. News station 10 Investigates also spoke with owners of Kia, Toyota and Chevrolet vehicles reporting similar issues.

    Rinkowitz brought his concerns to the dealership, but hit a wall.

    “I’ve got two white 2015 Elantras, very similar models, and they said, ‘Well, it’s not under warranty,’” he told 10 Investigates.

    Instead, he was told to go to a body shop — a fix he didn’t feel should fall on him. And it isn’t cheap. According to Bankrate, repainting a car can cost anywhere from $300 to more than $20,000, depending on the vehicle size, paint type and finish. A typical paint job costs around $3,000.

    A class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Hyundai customers who say their paint peeled off prematurely. In response, some automakers have extended warranties and issued recalls.

    Hyundai announced a paint warranty extension for eight models, including 2017 and 2018 Elantras, Sonatas and Santa Fes. The coverage applies to peeling or bubbling white paint, especially around the hood, fenders and roof.

    Other drivers haven’t been as lucky. One Toyota Corolla owner told 10 Investigates that her dealership said the paint recall expired last year — even though her paint is now peeling off her car with just a spray from a garden hose.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    What can consumers do

    Whether the issue is a manufacturer defect or not, there are steps car owners can take to help prevent paint damage before it gets worse.

    Parking in a garage or shaded area helps. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, bird droppings, tree sap and hail can speed up peeling and cracking. UV rays, in particular, cause paint to fade and break down over time.

    If your car’s paint starts to peel, don’t assume you’re out of options. Attorney Charles Gallagher says a denied warranty claim isn’t necessarily the end of the road. He recommends asking the manufacturer for a warranty extension, especially if the issue stems from a known defect in the paint or its application.

    Automakers have their own processes for addressing paint complaints. Hyundai advises drivers to check their vehicle identification number (VIN) on the company’s website to see if they qualify for a paint warranty extension. Kia recommends starting with your local dealership, but if that doesn’t work, the company encourages contacting its customer care team directly.

    For now, many drivers are still trying to figure out what to do.

    “I’m 70 years old. I’ve owned cars since I was like 16 years old,” Rinkowitz said. “I’ve never had a car where the paint flaked off like that.”

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

  • ‘It doesn’t make any sense’: This Georgia homeowner’s HOA has been dinging her for years with fees of up to $2,700 — with no explanation. As foreclosure looms, legal help may be on the way

    Homeowners in Channing Cove, a subdivision in Conyers, Georgia, are pushing back — demanding answers about where their mandatory HOA fees are going.

    Michelle Bernard has lived in the neighborhood for nearly two decades, but says she still feels like she’s fighting to own her home. The business owner, wife and mother is one of five residents facing liens over unpaid fines, with charges ranging from $878 to $2,755.

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    “It doesn’t make any sense for any hardworking individual to go through these things that I have been going through and my neighbors also,” Bernard told Atlanta News First.

    The HOA has reportedly required homeowners to pay thousands of dollars in fines and fees, yet hasn’t provided any proof of where that money is going, Bernard alleges. Frustrated and out of pocket, some homeowners are fighting to keep their homes safe and accounted for.

    Small neighborhood, big fallout

    Channing Cove is a small neighborhood — around 40 homes — but the financial pressure residents are feeling is anything but small.

    Bernard told Atlanta News First that while homeowners continue to get hit with fees, the community itself doesn’t show signs of upkeep. The neighborhood has three common areas and retention ponds and for years, homeowners paid a $100 annual HOA fee — a rate Bernard called reasonable. Today, that fee has doubled to $200. But the dollar amount isn’t the issue.

    “They have forced people to pay thousands and thousands of dollars and have never provided proof they owe it,” she explained.

    Fines have reportedly been tied to things like pond maintenance or replacing garage doors without HOA permission. Homeowners allege they’ve repeatedly asked for receipts or bank statements showing where the money is going — but they’ve come up empty-handed.

    Former HOA president Orton Reynolds claims he wasn’t aware of any financial issues within the community and denies any wrongdoing or financial mismanagement.

    But the controversy isn’t going unnoticed. On May 7, 2024, Georgia state representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Sandra Scott (D-Rex), and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) announced plans to refile House Bill 1032 — the “Property Owner Rights and Accountability Act.” The bill would eliminate the ability for property associations to foreclose on homes over unpaid assessments, signaling growing political pressure to rein in unchecked HOA power.

    “The bill aims to protect property owners from losing their homes over association fees. This move seeks to address concerns about the potential abuse of assessment fees, which have, at times, been used to unfairly target homeowners,” according to a press release from last year.

    But for now, HOAs in Georgia still have the power to file liens — and if a lien exceeds $2,000, they can pursue foreclosure in court.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    High fees, low trust

    Buying into a community with a homeowners association (HOA) or condominium owners association (COA) usually comes with a string attached: recurring fees meant to cover neighborhood essentials like landscaping, snow removal, security, and upkeep of shared amenities.

    In 2021, more than 2.3 million Georgians lived in communities governed by homeowners associations, collectively paying over $3.2 billion in fees, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research. But despite the massive sums involved, the state provides little oversight into how these associations operate. If a homeowner falls behind, HOAs and condo associations can place a lien on the property — and once that lien tops $2,000, foreclosure becomes a real possibility.

    Still, Georgia homeowners aren’t entirely powerless. HOAs must provide financial transparency — including access to itemized receipts. Fines and fees must be “reasonable,” and late charges can’t exceed 10% of the original amount. Major changes to community rules or covenants require a member vote, and any amendments must be filed in court.

    At Channing Cove, those rules have allegedly been bent — or ignored altogether. Bernard has filed a lawsuit against the HOA, accusing it of issuing fraudulent charges and quietly altering bylaws without holding proper meetings or votes since 2011.

    She claims the HOA is now pressuring her to drop the case. Though her lien was for less than $3,000, Bernard says the association offered her a $40,000 settlement — a move she believes is less about fairness and more about making her lawsuit “go away.”

    “I told them bring the lien,” she said. “I’m bringing a lawsuit.”

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  • Kansas City woman, 71, paid $32K to get her home ready to sell — but says the contractor gutted her home, leaving it in ruins. Here’s her warning for other hopeful sellers

    Kansas City woman, 71, paid $32K to get her home ready to sell — but says the contractor gutted her home, leaving it in ruins. Here’s her warning for other hopeful sellers

    Getting a house market-ready usually means a few touch-ups, maybe a new coat of paint, fresh flooring or minor repairs. But for Felicia Safir, 71, what should have been a simple renovation turned into a nightmare.

    Safir’s home isn’t just any house — it’s been in her family for generations. Her aunt was once the first Black homeowner on the street. In 2023, the lifelong music teacher decided it was time to downsize and hired contractor David Lyman to handle some repairs.

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    Instead of fixing up the place, Lyman allegedly gutted it.

    “When I came into the house and saw what he had done. Stealing things and damaging the property. All I could do was sit on the steps and cry,” Safir told FOX4. The floors had been ripped out and swapped with flimsy plywood. Entire walls were gone, electrical wiring was stripped and even the chandelier had vanished.

    Here’s how her dream of a fresh start went off the rails and what you can do to avoid falling into the same trap.

    Right idea, wrong contractor

    Before listing her home, Safir took out a $40,000 loan and paid $32,000 to Lyman’s company for renovations. It wasn’t a reckless choice — renovating before selling can pay off.

    A November 2022 Zillow survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that 66% of recent home sellers completed at least two improvements before closing a deal. Nearly one-third admitted they could have sold for even more if they had made additional upgrades.

    Safir had the right idea, but everything went wrong. Her home was left in shambles, and even the access ramp she relied on because of a disability was gone. She now calls Lyman not just an incompetent contractor, but a thief.

    When FOX4 reached out to Lyman, he eventually answered on the third call, only to refuse questions. Instead, he pointed reporters to a new roof that, according to Safir, is already falling apart.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Lessons from a $40K loss

    Two years later, Safir is still trying to pick up the pieces. The botched renovations left her home in ruins, but there’s finally a sliver of hope. With the help of local realtor Danny Tipton, she’s in the process of selling the property to a rehabber. The sale — expected to close soon — will barely cover the $40,000 loan she took out for repairs, but it’s a start.

    Safir’s story is a cautionary tale: not every contractor delivers on their promises.

    And with home renovations on the rise, the risk is only growing. A 2024 Angi report found that 93% of homeowners plan to tackle home improvement projects in 2025, with nearly half looking toward larger-scale remodels like kitchens (31%) and bathrooms (28%) over the next five years.

    If you’re preparing for a renovation, it’s important to take a few smart precautions. Start by asking trusted friends, family or neighbors for referrals. Word-of-mouth is often more reliable than online reviews.

    Ask to see photos of a contractor’s previous work, or better yet, visit a completed project in person. Collect at least three quotes to compare pricing, timelines and scope. And remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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

  • ‘Why us?’: This NYC homeowner found a phone wrapped in duct tape buried in her lawn — and police say it’s part of a new tactic burglars are using to spy on potential victims

    ‘Why us?’: This NYC homeowner found a phone wrapped in duct tape buried in her lawn — and police say it’s part of a new tactic burglars are using to spy on potential victims

    A Queens woman found what looked like a phone buried in her front lawn — but it wasn’t just lost property.

    Mary Kehoe, who’s lived in her Forest Hills home for 35 years, spotted the strange device outside. It looked like an Android phone wrapped in black tape, with only the camera exposed — like it was made to watch, not call.

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    “Why us? I had lots of things going through my head as to why they chose our lawn but realized we are in the middle of the block,” Kehoe told KTVZ 21.

    Experts warn that these kinds of planted devices may be part of a growing tactic used by burglars to spy on homeowners, tracking their daily routines or scouting for valuables. And it’s not just an isolated case — similar incidents have popped up across the Tri-State Area.

    Here’s how to identify these devices and what to do if one shows up in your yard.

    Not just paranoia

    Discovering a hidden device on your lawn isn’t just unsettling — it’s a serious breach of privacy. And unfortunately, it’s happening more often.

    Police say covert surveillance cases like this are turning up across the country, including in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and even quiet neighborhoods like Scarsdale. And the tools being used aren’t high-tech spy gadgets.

    “It could be any type of camera that is digital and wireless. It could be cheap; it could be expensive,” Sergeant Vahe Abramyan of the Glendale Police Department told the Los Angeles Times. “You can go on Amazon or go to Best Buy to get one.”

    That’s exactly what happened in Garden Grove, where a resident discovered a camera hidden in a neighbor’s bush — aimed directly at her home. According to KTLA, the neighbor initially thought it was trash, but inside the bag was a camera and battery pack.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Staying safe

    With these surveillance tactics on the rise, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your neighborhood.

    “Put your alarms on, put lights on, and be aware. And we’re a nice little block here that we look out for one another, so when people do go away, they let us know so we can take a walk down their driveway and make sure everything is safe,” Kehoe said.“We are now watching.”

    In Kehoe’s Forest Hills community, neighbors are banding together — keeping a closer eye on their lawns, shrubs and anything that seems out of place.

    Police recommend trimming hedges to eliminate hiding spots, installing motion-detecting lights and staying alert for camouflaged devices that could be stashed in your yard. Burglars may also drive through a neighborhood or pose as salespeople to scout homes and monitor routines.

    If something seems off — even a strange light or an out-of-place item in your yard — don’t ignore it. Report it to your local authorities right away.

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

  • This Las Vegas mom says she feels like she was ‘deceived’ after buying what she thought were legal fireworks to celebrate the Fourth — sparking a $500 fine and leaving her smouldering

    This Las Vegas mom says she feels like she was ‘deceived’ after buying what she thought were legal fireworks to celebrate the Fourth — sparking a $500 fine and leaving her smouldering

    Nothing says Fourth of July prep like a last-minute dash for burgers, chips and a few fireworks to light up the night. But as Denise Huntsman and her kids stocked up for the holiday, they were hoping to keep the celebration budget-friendly.

    Huntsman and her two kids, Jace and Deegan, made a pit stop in Moapa, Nevada, to snag some celebratory fireworks. They spent under $150 on what they were repeatedly told were “safe and sane” fireworks and, more importantly, thought they were legal in Clark County.

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    “I said I only want to buy legal fireworks,” Huntsman told KTNV Las Vegas. “We also talked to the lady at the register when I was purchasing the fireworks, and she said, ‘Oh yeah, they’re totally legal.’ Three separate people told me that safe and sane are legal in Clark County."

    But barely a minute after driving off, sirens filled her rearview mirror. She was pulled over and cited for purchasing illegal explosives and slapped with a $500 fine due within 15 days.

    Fireworks are sparking confusion and fines

    Huntsman said she felt targeted, as if she was being watched and set up to fail. When officers pulled her over, she pleaded to return the fireworks, not realizing the purchase was illegal.

    “’Ma’am, you’re not going anywhere with these fireworks — these illegal explosive devices,’” she recalled one officer saying. “So I just gave them the fireworks."

    Under Clark County rules, the only consumer fireworks residents are allowed to purchase are those labeled “safe and sane,” and only during the designated sales period from June 28 to July 4. But Huntsman isn’t the only Las Vegas resident who says they were misled.

    Errol Aiken, a second-grade teacher, was cited after buying fireworks from a store in Pahrump — a store that had even sent him a promotional coupon. Minutes after leaving, Metro officers pulled him over, confiscated his fireworks and handed him the same $500 citation.

    “I was asking employees, ‘Is it legal? Is it legal? Is it legal?’" said Errol. "No comment to the police officer, but then I thought, why would they let me out of the store if I was clearly asking, ‘Is it legal?’"

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Here’s how to stay safe

    Following the complaints, Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill told KTNV he asked Metro Sheriff Kevin McMahill to stop sending undercover officers into fireworks stores in Pahrump.

    While families like the Huntsmans and the Aikens say they followed the rules and still got hit with steep fines, Clark County officials aren’t backing down. During a Thursday press conference, law enforcement and city leaders made it clear: if your fireworks cross into the county and aren’t explicitly legal, expect consequences.

    "The stuff that’s sold in other counties is not legal. Don’t bring it back," LVMPD Undersheriff Andrew Walsh.

    According to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data, there were an estimated 10,200 fireworks-related injuries in 2022, and nearly three-quarters happened within just one month of the Fourth of July. While it’s reasonable that fireworks need to be regulated, everyday Americans shouldn’t be misled when trying to purchase what they believe are safe, legal options to celebrate.

    When planning a light show for the next holiday, make sure you don’t come to an explosive end. Before buying anything, check the exact rules in your jurisdiction.

    If you’re unsure or if the rules are as hazy as the air after a finale show, skip the DIY display and head to your nearest public fireworks event. Cities often host free shows at local parks or fairgrounds, and they’re usually safer, stress-free and budget-friendly.

    For now, both Huntsman and Aiken plan to contest their citations, and Metro has agreed to review what happened.

    What to read next

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

  • Albuquerque business owner says people have used his back door as a bathroom or to do drugs for years — so he came up with a ‘humane’ way to deal with trespassers. But is it enough?

    Albuquerque business owner says people have used his back door as a bathroom or to do drugs for years — so he came up with a ‘humane’ way to deal with trespassers. But is it enough?

    Petty theft, vandalism and yes, even people treating your back door like a public restroom are headaches business owners know all too well. But one Albuquerque entrepreneur is proving you don’t need a big budget or a security team to fight back.

    Thierry Gonzalez, who runs a business in downtown Albuquerque, decided to take matters into his own hands after repeated incidents of people loitering, using drugs and relieving themselves behind his store.

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    “We’ve just had a lot of problems with people using our back door as a bathroom or a place to shoot up or whatever,” Gonzales told KOB 4.

    For less than $150, he built a high-impact deterrent using a Ring camera, PVC pipes, sprinklers and Wi-Fi solenoid valves to keep trespassers at bay.

    But is this DIY fix just clever or could it cause legal trouble in the long run?

    Spraying away trouble

    Gonzalez came up with a simple solution to the chaos outside his business. For three years, he’s dealt with unsanitary and unsafe incidents — part of a growing issue in Albuquerque, where homelessness rose to 2,394 people in 2023.

    Rather than wait for things to get worse, he took matters into his own hands.

    “If they don’t leave, then we spray them with water. That just seems to be the simplest way, and it’s a humane solution to getting someone to stop using our back door as a bathroom,” Gonzales said.

    Other business owners are now asking how they can set up similar sprinkler systems to protect their property. The problem isn’t new in Albuquerque. In 2023, KRQE Investigates reported that a business on Central Avenue was dealing with the same issues of homelessness, drug use and human waste — all threatening its survival.

    “I pick up out there the burnt tin foils that they’re doing the drugs with. I probably can clean up 100 a day,” said Michael Spaeth, co-owner of Southwestern Minerals. “The needles — I can probably pick up 25, 30 a week. It blows in from the alley. The whole yard is just covered with drug residue.”

    While local businesses are clearly struggling, questions remain about whether this approach is legal, and if it’s a sustainable solution or just a temporary fix to keep the lights on.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    The legal solution

    Gonzalez says his creative setup is already making a difference. What used to be a twice-daily issue now happens only every other day.

    “We can’t depend on somebody else to handle the problem for us, and we’re doing what we can to combat it on our own, but do it in a safe, you know, humane manner,” he said.

    Whether his method is legal, however, remains unclear. According to KOB 4, New Mexico law doesn’t explicitly address tactics like Gonzalez’s, putting it in something of a gray area.

    Mayor Tim Keller has acknowledged the challenges businesses face. In 2024, he announced the Metro Homelessness Initiative (MHI), a program aimed at addressing housing issues, connecting unhoused individuals with jobs and creating paths out of homelessness through its A Better Way Forward campaign.

    “We’re acting with urgency, but what the City can do alone is not enough. We are inviting service providers, the business community, and elected leaders to come to the table this fall, pool our resources and turn the tide on homelessness,” Keller said.

    Business owners dealing with similar problems are encouraged to reach out to local authorities or seek legal guidance. A little expert advice can go a long way in keeping things under control.

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

  • Dr. Oz and RFK Jr. are promising to cure chronic insurance headaches — but experts say no scalpel is sharp enough to cut through ‘prior authorization’ red tape

    Dr. Oz and RFK Jr. are promising to cure chronic insurance headaches — but experts say no scalpel is sharp enough to cut through ‘prior authorization’ red tape

    If your doctor recommended a test or treatment only for your insurance provider to demand more paperwork first, you’re not alone. That obstacle, known as prior authorization, has become a notorious bottleneck in the U.S. health care system, delaying care and frustrating both patients and providers.

    About 16% of insured adults say they’ve run into issues with prior authorization, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation. And it’s more than just an inconvenience — it’s part of a larger problem. Americans pay more for health care than anyone else in the world, but still face worse outcomes and declining life expectancy, even as premiums, prescription prices and hospital costs continue to climb.

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    Now, federal officials say help may be on the way. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that several of the country’s largest insurers have pledged to overhaul the system and reduce delays.

    While that sounds promising, some experts are urging caution.

    "I think the question is whether this is actually going to come to fruition," said Miranda Yaver, a health policy professor at the University of Pittsburgh, in an interview with National Public Radio (NPR). "We’ll have to see to what extent they make good on their promise, because right now, it is a pledge."

    Red tape’s breaking point

    Prior authorization has long been one of the most unpopular parts of the U.S. health care system.

    Despite years of promises from insurers to fix it, little has changed. At a press event on June 30, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz acknowledged that this isn’t the first time insurers have promised to streamline the process.

    So what’s different now?

    “There’s violence in the streets over these issues,” Oz said, referencing the 2024 killing of former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — a tragedy that shook the health care industry and sparked widespread outrage. The man charged with Thompson’s murder, Luigi Mangione, had long posted his struggles with insurance denials and mounting medical debt. He frequently wrote about living with chronic back pain and expressed anger over being denied the treatments he believed he needed.

    A survey by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago found that about 7 in 10 adults believe insurance denials or the profits earned by health insurance companies bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    What’s changing

    Federal health officials say the process should become faster, clearer and less frustrating by the end of the year. The Department of Health and Human Services, alongside AHIP, the main lobbying group for insurers, says the initiative includes six key changes:

    • Move prior authorization online, replacing outdated systems with streamlined digital platforms.
    • Cut red tape by reducing the number of services that require prior approval.
    • Make approvals portable so patients don’t have to start over when they switch insurance mid-treatment.
    • Boost transparency so patients and providers get timely updates on decisions and know how to appeal.
    • Fast-track the routine care by granting instant approvals for common treatments.
    • Require that licensed medical professionals review all clinical denials.

    Still, officials acknowledge this won’t be a simple fix. Even as agencies work to reduce bureaucracy, they’re facing their own obstacles. The Trump administration and some Republican lawmakers are backing proposals that would require certain Medicaid recipients to regularly prove they are working to keep coverage.

    Whether these reforms lead to meaningful relief or just more promises remains to be seen.

    What to read next

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

  • Living the dream, leasing the nightmare: Young renters are now paying over $6,000 a month to chase the ‘West Village Girl’ fantasy

    Living the dream, leasing the nightmare: Young renters are now paying over $6,000 a month to chase the ‘West Village Girl’ fantasy

    To her million-plus followers, Miranda McKeon isn’t just living in the West Village — she’s selling the dream. At 23, her mix of polished fashion posts and raw honesty about her breast cancer journey has built a brand that feels both aspirational and relatable, with her West Side Village lifestyle front and center.

    Long before she touched down in New York, McKeon knew exactly where she wanted to live. A student at the University of Southern California, she spent her final semester glued to StreetEasy, scrolling through listings and plotting her perfect postgrad landing.

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    But while the West Village has become a magnet for young adults chasing that fantasy, they aren’t the ones driving up the rents. The neighborhood’s luxury glow-up has been decades in the making — fueled by deep-pocketed buyers and commercial overhauls.

    Fantasies, after all, come with price tags — and, in this case, the occasional rodent roommate. The average one-bedroom in the West Village now rents for $6,182 a month, according to Zumper. For many recent grads, that’s a hard no.

    Even for those who can afford it, like McKeon, there’s a hidden cost to chasing the perfect zip code — and it’s not just the rent.

    A neighborhood built on fantasy and fortune

    It’s tempting to blame the West Village’s high prices on TikTokers and Instagram stars, but the truth is, this Manhattan hotspot has always drawn people in. Savannah Engel, a fashion publicist who moved to the neighborhood in 2009, remembers when the West Village still had a bohemian edge. “I’d wake up on a Tuesday and there’d be 10 people passed out in my apartment,” she told The Cut. Back then, her rent was $900 a month — a price that now feels mythical.

    But the vibe began to shift by the mid-2000s. Bleecker Street turned into a luxury shopping corridor, and soon after, wealthy buyers followed. Rupert Murdoch purchased a 25-foot-wide townhouse for $25 million in 2015. A year later, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick bought two adjacent townhouses for a combined $34.5 million. The New York Post even dubbed a section near West 11th Street “the real Billionaires’ Row.”

    By 2017, the tables had turned. Small businesses were forced out as commercial rents soared, leaving once-buzzing storefronts empty. “The landlords started jacking up the prices,” said designer Cynthia Rowley, who bought her building back in 2004. “That’s when everybody left.” So yes, influencers may be the latest faces of West Village gentrification — but the neighborhood’s transformation has been decades in the making.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Real Estate glow-up

    The West Village might look picture-perfect on Instagram, but renters say the experience isn’t always so glamorous.

    Polly (HuiWen) Milligan, a real estate agent at Douglas Elliman who’s called the neighborhood home for over eight years, says affordable finds are nearly extinct thanks to rent control laws and the high demand. “The price never drops,” Milligan told Street Easy. “Not even during the lockdown. The price never went down.”

    Even at premium price points, quality can fall short. McKeon, who was wowed by her apartment’s bright, spacious layout online, soon discovered the fine print that didn’t make the listing: cockroaches, leaks and strange brown liquid dripping out of a brick wall onto her roommate’s comforter. Yet despite it all, McKeon’s planning to re-sign.

    How to get the vibe

    We all know the siren call of a trendy neighborhood — the cobblestones and the indie cafés. But before you get swept up in the fantasy, ask yourself: are you chasing the lifestyle, or just the moment?

    Often, living just a few blocks outside the hottest zip code can cut your rent by hundreds, sometimes thousands a month — while still giving you easy access to the same brunch spots and boutique gyms. Expanding your search radius is one of the oldest tricks in the book, and it still works.

    If you’re set on living right in the thick of things, think strategically. Roommates can be a game changer, cutting costs and even providing built-in company. And while rare, rent-controlled or stabilized units are out there — locking one down can help stabilize your finances over time.

    Above all, keep your budget front and center. It’s easy to get swept up in the allure of a dream neighborhood, but nothing sours the experience faster than constant money stress. The ultimate dream is living somewhere that fits both your lifestyle and your bank account.

    What to read next

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

  • ‘We call it the stealthy wealthy’: These millionaires didn’t work on Wall Street — they built fortunes filling everyday needs. Here’s what you can learn from them

    ‘We call it the stealthy wealthy’: These millionaires didn’t work on Wall Street — they built fortunes filling everyday needs. Here’s what you can learn from them

    Some of the country’s top earners are building quiet empires — not on Wall Street or in Silicon Valley, but in ordinary places.

    “We call it the stealthy wealthy,” Owen Zidar, a Princeton economist who has studied the group with University of Chicago economist Eric Zwick, told The Wall Street Journal.

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    Forget IPO parties — these fortunes were built on floor mats and carpet strippers, not stock tickers.

    And it’s not just the founders who benefit. These unassuming companies are increasingly shaping America’s wealth landscape. Business ownership made up 34.9% of income for the top 1% in 2022 — up from 30.3% in 2014, according to Zidar and Zwick.

    Big money from ‘boring’ businesses

    You don’t need an MBA to make millions — just a knack for spotting a gap and filling it. Take Derek Olson, who found success by making machines that tear up flooring, such as the carpet in old elementary schools. With schools across the U.S. averaging seven miles of carpet each, Olson’s company stays busy, especially in the summer.

    “So elementary schools basically need their floors redone almost every summer. It’s this niche industry that no one knows about and everybody needs,” he told The Wall Street Journal. Olson now earns enough to land in the top 1% of U.S. income earners — that’s at least $550,000 a year, not including capital gains.

    Olson’s “boring” business has brought his family anything but a boring life. The family has two Range Rovers and month-long summer getaways in Europe — all funded by a midsize regional company most people would overlook.

    The Olson family isn’t the only case where “boring” turned into big bucks.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    David MacNeil built his fortune selling car floor mats. Before founding WeatherTech, he worked a string of blue-collar jobs, dropped out of college and even sold luxury cars. But it wasn’t until a 1989 trip to Scotland that inspiration struck: after renting a car with superior rubber mats that kept mud and water contained, MacNeil realized the U.S. market was missing out.

    Back home in Chicago, he cold-called the English manufacturer, struck a deal and took out a second mortgage to import a 20-foot shipping container of mats. He started selling them from his garage.

    Today, WeatherTech employs 1,800 people in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and manufactures nearly all of its products in the U.S. MacNeil expects the company to pull in about $800 million in revenue this year. Like Olson, MacNeil saw value where others saw something forgettable, and turned it into a manufacturing empire.

    The best business ideas are hiding in plain sight

    If you want to follow in the footsteps of some of these millionaires, start by looking around and asking yourself: What’s a small but persistent headache in your day-to-day life? What annoys your family, your friends or your coworkers? Maybe it’s the way your dog’s leash tangles, or how long it takes to clean grout.

    According to Smart Startups authors Catalina Daniels and James Sherman, those everyday gripes are ripe with potential.

    “You search for things that are interesting, trends, things you’re passionate about, whatever — but no lightbulb moment,” Daniels told CNBC Make It. In other words, great ideas rarely arrive with fireworks.

    And don’t overlook your own passions. If you’re a diehard sports fan, for example, zoom in on a specific sport you love. Is there a product, service or experience missing from the market? The sweet spot is where your interests and a real need intersect — that’s where niche ideas tend to thrive.

    And while oversaturated markets like fashion, tech or content creation might feel like the obvious place to start, they’re also the most competitive. Instead, consider carving out your own lane in an overlooked niche. The goal isn’t to go viral — it’s to be valuable.

    What to read next

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