FRANKFORT, Ky. -- By this fall, Americans who don't have either one of the new "REAL IDs" or a valid passport won't be able to fly within the US or visit military bases and federal facilities. Kentucky is urging its residents to take the change seriously.

Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission to set higher standards for state-issued driver's licenses. Sarah Jackson, REAL ID project manager for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, said documentation requirements for obtaining a REAL ID are stricter than those needed to apply for a regular driver's license.

"The REAL ID license is a form of identification that will be required for air travel beginning Oct. 1," she said, "or entry on military bases, in federal buildings, that would require ID."

The state is rapidly opening up REAL ID offices where residents can obtain the new identification. They're already open in Bowling Green, Paducah and Somerset, among 12 initial regional offices planned statewide. More information is online at drive.ky.gov/confidentky.

Jackson said a REAL ID also can be used as a driver's license.

"You will have an option going forward when you renew of either getting a Kentucky regular driver's license or a REAL ID," she said, "and they will look very similar; the REAL ID will have a star up in the right corner and, of course, they'll serve different purposes."

Currently, Jackson said, the REAL ID offices only can process applications from residents of the county where that office is located - except at the office in Frankfort.

"We're rolling out offices every few weeks or so," she said. "Frankfort, currently -- at Metro Street, the Transportation Cabinet's headquarters -- is serving people from all counties."

She stressed the importance of getting online and carefully reviewing the documents required for the REAL ID before showing up at a REAL ID office. She said the documentation can vary, especially for married women whose birth-certificate name doesn't match their married name.

More information is online at TSA.gov/realid and drive.ky.org/confidentky. The REAL ID Act is at dhs.gov.


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Consumer groups are accusing major grocery retailers - like Amazon, Kroger and Walmart - of price gouging, both during and after the pandemic.

The allegation of corporate greed comes after a new report from the Federal Trade Commission found profits for grocery chains jumped sharply, at rates that could not be justified by supply chain disruptions.

Angela Huffman is president of the nonprofit Farm Action.

"It's one thing to raise your prices to cover higher expenses, but what these companies did is use the pandemic as an excuse to exploit the American people who needed to put food on their tables," said Huffman. "And the FTC report shows that they're still doing it, here in 2024."

The report found that retailer profits rose to 6% over total costs in 2021, and 7% in the first three quarters of 2023 - compared to 5.6% in 2015.

According to a report from Help Advisor, California households pay the highest grocery costs in the country, averaging almost $300 a week - about $27 more than the national average.

The Food Industry Association blames today's high prices on high labor costs and credit card payment fees.

Huffman said she thinks the feds should take anti-trust action to increase competition - and consider forcing the grocery behemoths to break up.

"That would be the ideal outcome is to take away their excessive power," said Huffman. "But other than that, these companies can be fined for this kind of price gouging. And that's another action we would support. There needs to be some kind of consequences."

The FTC staff report recommends "further inquiry by the commission and policymakers," but doesn't propose specific remedies.




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Air travelers could face fewer obstacles in securing a refund if their flight is canceled or changed under new federal rules announced Wednesday.

The moves are being praised by watchdog groups. The Department of Transportation said airlines are now required to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when they are owed one.

Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, said some carriers have not adhered to standards, leaving passengers in a bind.

"They would drag their feet, and they would say, 'Well, you bought your ticket from a ticket agent, so we don't know where your money is. Or, here, have a voucher,'" Murray explained.

Amid higher complaint volumes, companies will be forced to act quickly. The new rules, which are being phased in, provide clearer definitions for travel disruptions, including delays of at least three hours on a domestic flight and six hours on international flights. A key industry group responded to the announcement by touting transparency efforts among carriers.

Murray acknowledged most people are not frequent flyers, and it is hard for them to keep up on all the least practices and policies among airlines.

"The average person only flies once every 18 months," Murray pointed out. "This will just bring transparency to that process and it kind of evens the playing field."

Murray added it could come in handy for Midwestern customers when a winter storm wreaks havoc on air travel. The new rules also require refunds for baggage fees when a piece of luggage is delayed by 12 hours or more for domestic flights. And there must be upfront disclosure on fees for first and second checked bags and carry-on bags.


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Wisconsin lawmakers recently debated reforms for payday loans. Efforts to protect consumers come amid new research about financial pain associated with cash advances offered through smartphone apps. The Center for Responsible Lending is out with findings that detail how "earned wage advances" from digital platforms come with extra costs disguised as things like tips. Traditional payday lenders are often criticized for charging excessive interest rates on loans that are usually around $500.

Lucia Constantine, a researcher with the Center for Responsible Lending, said customers are usually seeking smaller amounts from the apps, but she warns they can be just as costly.

"They are trapping consumers in a cycle of borrowing that is similar to that of a payday loan, " she said.

The report said after using these financial products, customers are seeing overdrafts on their checking accounts increase by 56% on average. Industry leaders deny they're barraging consumers with hidden fees, stressing that features such as suggested tips are optional. More broadly, a bipartisan payday loan reform bill in the Wisconsin Legislature failed to advance this month.

Constantine said like longstanding payday lenders, these cash advance apps can be hard to regulate. Meanwhile, she urged those in a bind to explore other options.

"[They should] try talking to their friends and family as a first source. The other option which I would recommend is reaching out to their credit union or banking institution to see if they can get some sort of small-dollar loan," she said.

She noted places such as credit unions typically provide more transparency on loan costs. According to the report, three-quarters of consumers took out at least one advance on the same day or day after a re-payment was posted.


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