(CONSUMER REPORTS) — Holiday shopping is in full swing, and a lot of us are turning to online stores because it’s quick and convenient.

But Consumer Reports says there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re getting a good deal and a safe product.

Here’s what to watch for when you shop

On sites like Amazon, Walmart, and Temu, you may be buying from third-party sellers rather
than the retailer itself. That can make it harder to hold the seller accountable for unsafe or
defective products.

Consumer Reports investigations have found that products sold by third-party sellers can be
fake, dangerous, and fail to meet U.S. safety standards.

If you buy a product at a brick-and-mortar store and it causes harm, the retailer can be held
responsible. But when you buy from a third-party seller on an online marketplace, that liability
isn’t always the same. Some third party sellers may be unreachable or unaccountable for the
harm caused by their products. And in many cases, the online platform can claim it’s just the
middleman.

Consumer Reports recommends sticking with sellers you trust. If the marketplace itself is listed
as the seller, that’s generally safer. If you’re interested in a product listed by a third party, stick
with well-known and reputable brands. Some products need the highest level of scrutiny: things
like toys, anything with lithium-ion batteries, or small enough for a child to swallow.

Here’s something else to consider – Badges like “Amazon’s Choice” or “Etsy’s Pick.” might
catch your eye but it’s not always clear how those products are selected. Keep in mind that fake
and paid-for reviews are common, so focus on detailed reviews especially if multiple people
mention the same issue.

And how do you know you are getting the best deal? Start with comparison sites like Google
Shopping, PriceGrabber, or Shopzilla. Or check deal sites such as DealNews and GottaDeal,
where you can even sign up for alerts on products or categories you’re watching.

Sometimes just leaving something in your cart can trigger a discount email. And it helps to join
store loyalty programs or follow brands on social media, because that’s where they tend to drop
coupons and promotions. And remember “sponsored” listings are paid placements – not
necessarily better deals.

Bottom line: a little caution online can save you money and help keep your family safe.

Consumer Reports says if you’re buying a big item, try to see it in person first and always check
the return policy. The bigger the product, the harder it is to send it back if it’s not what you
expected.

A winter system is expected to impact central Indiana on Saturday, with snow accumulation likely and travel issues anticipated.

Today:

Thanksgiving morning will begin with chilly temperatures mainly in the 20s, accompanied by west-northwest winds gusting up to 30 mph, resulting in wind chills in the teens.

By the afternoon, partly sunny skies will prevail as clouds thin, with high temperatures reaching the mid-30s north and around 40°F southwest. Breezy conditions will continue, keeping wind chills in the 20s.

Tonight:

Evening temperatures will remain cold as Arctic air deepens over the region. Lows will range from upper teens north/west to low 20s elsewhere, with wind chills in the teens and brief single digits possible near dawn Friday.

Black Friday:

Friday is expected to be cold but quiet, likely the “best weather day” of the holiday weekend, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the low–mid 30s. Winds will be much lighter compared to today.

Weekend snow:

Saturday morning will see snow arriving from the west and spreading eastward, starting as light snow. Saturday afternoon will bring increasing snowfall rates, with moderate to occasionally heavy snow possible, especially in the northwest half of central Indiana. The highest confidence for several inches of accumulation is northwest of the Indianapolis metro.

Saturday evening and night will see warm air moving in aloft as the system passes northeast, leading to mixing from southwest to northeast. Mainly rain is expected across south-central Indiana, with a mix of snow and rain along and near I-70, while mostly snow hangs on longer north of I-70, especially northwest. Totals of 4 inches or more are possible, with potential for 6 inches in the northwestern portions of central Indiana.

Sunday morning may see light lingering snow or rain showers on the backside of the departing low, with a gradual decrease in precipitation as strong high pressure approaches. Sunday afternoon is expected to be mostly dry, but widespread low clouds will stick around, with chilly conditions and lingering travel impacts possible from Saturday’s snowfall.

More snow next week?

Monday will bring brief, quieter weather early, with increasing clouds as our next system approaches. Cold temperatures will continue, with highs in the upper 20s to low 30s. Monday night into Tuesday will bring another system lifting into the Midwest. More snow accumulation is possible with this sytem.

The extended outlook for 8–14 days shows high confidence in a cold, active, unsettled early December pattern, with multiple chances for snow or wintry weather expected.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Westfield Mayor Scott Willis said even preemptive spending cuts aren’t enough to stave off the long-term impacts of the state’s new property tax law.

In an interview with News 8 for All INdiana Politics, Willis said his city’s 2026 budget, enacted last month, already makes cuts to every city department except police and fire. For now, he said the city’s rapid growth will help it stay ahead of reductions in property tax revenue. By 2028, however, he said his budget analysts estimate a net loss of revenue of $12.5 million. So far, he said estimates of the property tax’s impact have been accurate.

Willis said the city already plans to open two new fire stations over the next couple of years, each of which carries $5 million in annual fixed costs. He said that means the city already will have to spend an additional $10 million by 2028 against that loss of revenue.

“We’ve talked about stopping future growth projects, road infrastructure in particular,” Willis said. “We’ve got several roundabouts planned and street widenings planned in our city. We have a $180 million comprehensive plan over the next 7-8 years. We’re scaling that back. Those are things we can proactively do. We’re going to have to maybe cut staff as well if we fall off of that cliff. $12.5 million can’t all come from future projects.”

Willis said the changes to the state’s property tax law already cost his city a chance at a AAA bond rating because credit rating agencies are worried about the reduction in property tax revenue could impair cities’ ability to make bond payments on time. He said this means the city won’t be able to borrow money at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers, though he added Westfield likely will be able to achieve a AAA bond rating next year. He said his city will have to raise its local income tax rate to offset those losses, and he expects many other cities in Indiana to do the same.

All INdiana Politics airs at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WISH-TV.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court won’t immediately allow the Trump administration to fire the director of the U.S. Copyright Office, instead delaying a decision until after they rule in two other high-profile firing cases.

The justices’ Wednesday order leaves in effect for now lower court rulings that held that the official, Shira Perlmutter, could not be unilaterally fired.

The case is the latest that relates to Trump’s authority to install his own people at the head of federal agencies. The Supreme Court has largely allowed Trump to fire officials, even as court challenges proceed.

Justice Clarence Thomas said he would have allowed Perlmutter to be fired as her lawsuit proceeds. The court majority, though, decided to wait to make a decision until after they rule in two other lawsuits over Trump firings.

Arguments are set for December in the first case, over the removal of Rebecca Slaughter as a member of the Federal Trade Commission.

And in January the court will hear the case of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, who remains in her job despite Trump’s attempt to fire her.

Rulings are expected weeks or months after the court hears arguments.

Perlmutter’s case concerns an office that is within the Library of Congress. She is the register of copyrights and also advises Congress on copyright issues.

Despite the ties to Congress, the register “wields executive power” in regulating copyrights, Solicitor General D. John Sauer told the court.

Perlmutter claims Trump fired her in May because he disapproved of advice she gave to Congress in a report related to artificial intelligence. Perlmutter had received an email from the White House notifying her that “your position as the Register of Copyrights and Director at the U.S. Copyright Office is terminated effective immediately,” her office said.

A divided appellate panel ruled that Perlmutter could keep her job while the case moves forward.

Perlmutter’s attorneys have argued that she is a renowned copyright expert. She has served as register of copyrights since then-Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden appointed her to the job in October 2020.

Trump appointed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to replace Hayden at the Library of Congress. The White House fired Hayden amid criticism from conservatives that she was advancing a “woke” agenda.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — We’re gearing up for our coldest Thanksgiving Day in over a decade. Then, we’ll track a system that looks to bring snow accumulation potential this weekend.

Wednesday night: Cold and breezy with decreasing clouds. Lows in the mid 20s.

Thanksgiving Day: Cold and breezy with some sunshine. Highs in the mid 30s with feels like temps in the teens to 20s.

Black Friday: We hang onto the cold air through Friday with highs in the low to mid 30s. Feels like temps to be in the teens to 20s.

7-Day Forecast: The final weekend of November will be characterized by more active weather with snow accumulation potential. Details are still murky to an extent, but are gradually becoming more clear one step at a time. We look to start off with snow into Saturday afternoon before at least some of the state switches to rain. How much of the state switches to rain and how fast it does it is still uncertain.

Nonetheless, we do have enough confidence to give out an early snowfall forecast map. Right now, areas near and north of I-70 could see up to 1-3″ of snow, and this may be more of a sloppy type of snow accumulation. The higher end of that range looks to be to our north. Higher odds of 3″+ currently reside in northern Indiana. This will impact travel to a degree, and keep checking back into the forecast as we get closer. Do expect some changes to the map.

There could be some additional backside snow showers into Sunday afternoon with breezy winds.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A person was critically injured in a shooting on the city’s east side Wednesday, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Around 1:38 p.m. Wednesday, IMPD officers responded to a report of a person shot in the 2000 block of Kildare Avenue. That is a residential area on the city’s east side. Officers arrived and found a person with gunshot wounds.

The person was reported to be in critical condition.

Investigators did not immediately provide any additional information on this incident.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two National Guard soldiers were shot Wednesday near the White House and their conditions aren’t immediately known, according to two law enforcement officials not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area and at least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.

The Joint DC Task Force confirmed they were responding to an incident in the vicinity of the White House in the movements after reports of the shooting. However, the spokesperson wouldn’t immediately confirm or deny if any National Guard members had been shot.

The Metropolitan Police Department said they were responding to a shooting but didn’t immediately provide more information.

A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser said that local leaders were actively monitoring the situation.

President Donald Trump was at his West Palm Beach golf course when the shooting took place.

“The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The President has been briefed,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Hundreds of National Guard members from the district and several states have been patrolling the nation’s capital after President Donald Trump in August issued an emergency order in the capital, federalizing the local police force and sending in the guard from eight states and the District of Columbia.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A federal judge in September handed down three life sentences to an Indianapolis man found guilty of operating a “violent human trafficking enterprise.”

Kristopher McDonald, 37, was convicted in May on several charges:

• 2 counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
• 2 counts of travel act, a federal crime to engage in interstate or international travel, for the purpose of furthering certain “unlawful activities.”
• Murder in aid of racketeering activity.
• Brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
• Enticing an individual to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.

Prosecutors say from June 2023 through April 2024, McDonald recruited and exploited women for commercial sex in Indianapolis and other states. McDonald also used force, fraud, and coercion to control the activities of the women, limiting their access to the outside world and threatening them with physical violence.

McDonald also murdered a man at a hotel who “engaged in commercial sex with one of the victims.” McDonald came into the room, holding the man at gunpoint and demanding $200.

The man fired his own gun in self-defense, striking McDonald – but McDonald retreated, loaded his weapon, and shot the man 11 times in the back.

Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said in a release on McDonald’s sentencing that his “reign of terror is over.”

“Kristopher McDonald’s reign of terror is over, and our community is safer because of it. This sentence sends a clear message that those who exploit vulnerable individuals through violence, addiction, and fear will face the full force of federal justice,” he said.

Online court documents show McDonald will serve his life sentences in a Texas facility, but it was unclear which one.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — If you plan on hitting the roadways for Thanksgiving, make sure you pack you patience.

According to AAA, at least 73 million people will travel by car during the holiday period across the country, including almost 2 million here in Indiana. 

AAA says drivers make up nearly 90% of Thanksgiving travelers through the travel span from Tuesday Nov. 24 through Monday, Dec. 1.

 Beginning at noon on Wednesday, INDOT will lift existing road closures and restrictions on state highways, U.S. routes and interstates where it is safe to do so. Longer-term closures for ongoing construction projects will remain in place. 

“Motorists should be aware of increased traffic and potential delays early this week,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “We encourage drivers to leave early, practice patience, and allow extra travel time throughout the holiday season. We want everyone to make it to their destination safely.”

If you’re hitting the road, you can also visit 511in.org or download the TrafficWise app on your mobile device to see current closures and restrictions, view traffic cameras, and plan your route.  

INDOT construction and maintenance activities will resume Monday morning, Dec. 1.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis firefighters say no one was seriously hurt after a back deck collapsed, trapping two wheelchair-bound people in the rubble.

The call for help in the 1100 block of Newman Street came in around 1:37 p.m. Tuesday.

The Indianapolis Fire Department says when they arrived, they located the two adults and their wheelchairs stuck in the deck after the wood gave out from under them.

Firefighters rescued the man and his wheelchair “within minutes,” but faced a few more difficulties in rescuing the 71-year-old woman.

IFD says crews worked for around 15 minutes to secure the woman before moving her onto a backboard.

After safely removing her from the collapsed deck, she was taken to a hospital for a check out.

IFD did not say what caused the deck collapse or provide an update on the man’s condition.