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Used-car prices have decreased by about 11 percent compared to last year, making it a good time to buy a used car. There are several options for purchasing a used car, including buying from a private seller, an independent dealer, or a manufacturer-branded dealership. Certified pre-owned (CPO) cars are among the highest-quality used cars and come with factory-backed warranty protection. People who purchase CPO cars report 15 percent fewer problems compared to those who purchase non-CPO vehicles. It is important to thoroughly inspect any used car, ask for maintenance records and a vehicle history report, and have the car checked by a trusted mechanic. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Consumer Reports offers advice on car repairs and stresses the importance of regular maintenance for cost savings. It shares a personal story of a car failing a safety inspection and receiving an expensive repair estimate, but finding a more affordable option through a second opinion. The article discusses different types of repair facilities, including dealership service departments, independent repair shops, and chains, highlighting the pros and cons of each. It concludes by recommending finding a trusted repair shop for consistent and reliable service. According to a Consumer Reports survey, chain repair shops, particularly Goodyear Auto Service, received high ratings for overall satisfaction, making them recommended for basic services. However, for complex repairs, independent repair shops are generally preferred due to their experienced technicians. The article also provides tips on saving money, maintenance checklists, and services that may not be necessary. Independent mechanics had the highest overall satisfaction ratings, followed by auto repair chains and dealerships. [Extracted from the article]

William Mulholland began his career in 1878 as a zanjero, or ditch tender, for the City of Los Angeles, one of an army of men tasked with minding the network [...]

"Just like drivers in other age groups, aging motorists can save money on insurance by reassessing their needs and switching carriers if they can get a better deal", he says. ROAD REPORT LIKE MANY AMERICANS, you've probably watched your car insurance premiums go up hundreds of dollars over the last two years. Based on average annual insurance costs from Bankrate, a consumer financial services company, premiums for 70-year-old drivers are about 8 percent higher than for drivers who are 60 years old. An umbrella policy added to a homeowners policy extends liability protection to $1 million or more, and depending on the insurer, fills whatever gaps may have been left by auto and homeowner policies. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Environmental justice policies have grown in prominence over the past several decades. However, few studies have sought to characterize the perceptions of organizers and policymakers across U.S. cities engaged in implementing contemporary environmental justice policies and investments. Methods: We conducted 19 in-depth interviews with municipal policymakers and organizers to understand how communities experience and understand the root causes of environmental injustices in U.S. cities, the characteristics of existing and proposed policies intended to address environmental injustices, and perceptions and lessons learned for equitably engaging communities and overcoming barriers and unintended consequences. Results: A range of municipal policies are being implemented to address injustices in U.S. cities, including grant-based programs for targeting green amenities and infrastructure toward communities most in need and requirements for land use decisions and industrial activities. These efforts are broadly consistent with Justice40 goals. Respondents shared key lessons for implementing environmental justice policies in U.S. cities, including emphasis on procedurally just and meaningful engagement, building trust in government and self-efficacy, procedural and distributional equity in program design and implementation, anticipating and addressing unintended consequences such as green gentrification, and balancing environmental justice improvements with other quality-of-life interventions. Conclusion: This article fills a critical research gap and provides insights for Justice40 implementation by focusing on the perspectives of policy implementers and organizers working in urban communities with histories of discrimination and neglect and identifying opportunities to inform environmental justice policy implementation by examining the root causes of environmental injustices. To achieve progress, more must be done to help communities build support for environmental justice policies, target and allocate resources, facilitate meaningful engagement, and avoid unintended consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even the most high-tech automobile is, at its core, a machine. And machines break sooner or later, sending most owners into a dealership or independent garage for service. But lately, [...]