Latest news with #GretaCross
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Battling summer heat wave? Tips to manage those AC costs
AC units can be lifesaving, but there are other tips to keep homes cool. Millions of Americans are facing hot, humid temperatures at the start of summer. Across the Midwest and Northeast, over 40 million Americans are under extreme heat watches on June 20. Some states could reach into the 100s with high humidity. New York and Washington, D.C., could see temperatures surpass 90 degrees for up to a week. For people with air-conditioning, window units and central air will be humming for days on end. While staying safe and staying cool is paramount, people must also balance their bills. Here are tips to efficiently cool homes at the start of a scorching summer. Hot and humid: Heat advisory for millions as 'dangerous' temperatures kick off summer What's the best temperature to set AC? The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping temperatures inside comfortable and at a level that controls for humidity. People should also try to lower the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures to help save money. Energy Star, an Environmental Protection Agency program promoting energy efficiency, recommends setting ACs to 78 degrees for comfort and efficiency when you wake up. Energy companies, including in Missouri, Maryland and Florida, recommend thermostats at 78 degrees during summer months. Few Americans follow this recommendation, though. A Consumer Reports survey in 2021 said people with central air set their median temperatures to 72 degrees. No respondents selected temperatures warmer than 76 degrees. When sleeping, ideally when outdoor temperatures drop, people can set temperatures 4 degrees warmer. Thermostats that are programmable can regulate these temperatures, according to Energy Star. Meanwhile, installing thermostats further from areas that receive cool or heat, like a window with an AC unit that takes in sunlight, can help regulate temperatures. What about when I'm away? The energy department says keeping a house warmer when you're away can avert unnecessary energy use. Energy Star recommends setting temperatures 7 degrees warmer when you're away from home. Just a 7- to 10-degree difference, for about eight hours each day, can save as much as 10% a year on cooling and heating costs, the energy department said. Other ways to stay cool Climate and AC More people are using air conditioning in the country, EPA data suggests. That's in part because we experience more hot days due to a warming climate. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Greta Cross, USA TODAY; Steven Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal; Greg Giesen, Delaware News Journal; and Manahil Ahmad, The Bergen Record.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Kroger is giving away free ice cream on Friday: How to get yours
To celebrate the first day of summer, Kroger is giving away more than 90,000 pints of free ice cream. On Friday, June 20, the first day of summer, the grocery store chain is giving away 92,000 pints of Kroger brand ice cream for free – 1,000 pints for each of the season's 92 days. The campaign is a part of a promotion for Kroger's Summer in a Pint collection of ice creams. The grocery store chain started its Summer in a Pint collection last year, offering 45,000 pints of free ice cream (50 pints per minute of summer's 900 minutes of sunlight). "Last year, we were blown away by customer excitement for our free pint offer and this summer we are making it even sweeter," Kroger Group Vice President of Center Store Merchandising Mike Murphy said in a news release. Here's how to get that free sweet treat this year. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. How to get free pint of ice cream from Kroger Visit to download a single-use digital coupon, available exclusively on June 20, starting at noon ET, while supplies last. Customers can redeem the coupon on one of the new Summer in a Pint flavors or any classic Kroger Brand ice creams. The coupon is redeemable at participating Kroger stores from June 20 through Friday, July 4. The coupon is not redeemable at Kroger stores in California, Colorado, Louisiana, Tennessee and Nevada or at banner stores Mariano's, Metro Market, Pick 'n Save and QFC, according to a news release. What are Kroger's 2025 Summer in a Pint flavors? According to a news release, four flavors are available with the coupon: Italian Style Summer Fizz: Blood orange-flavored sherbet with popping candy clusters and a blood orange-flavored ribbon Blood orange-flavored sherbet with popping candy clusters and a blood orange-flavored ribbon Fireside Nights: Toasted marshmallow-flavored ice cream featuring s'mores pieces and a glittery swirl that resembles the orange hue of a campfire flame Toasted marshmallow-flavored ice cream featuring s'mores pieces and a glittery swirl that resembles the orange hue of a campfire flame Sandy Shores: Coconut-flavored ice cream with a sweet and salty pretzel crunch Coconut-flavored ice cream with a sweet and salty pretzel crunch Poolside Tan Lines: Swirl of vanilla bean, chocolate and coffee ice creams Where is a Kroger near you? To find the nearest Kroger, or banner store, near you, visit Kroger's website, Kroger banner stores include Baker's, City Market, Dillions, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, Pay Less Super-Markets and Smith's Food and Drug. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
7 Brew to open locations in 16 states this summer. See list
The ever-growing drive-thru coffee chain, 7 Brew, is expanding its footprint with new locations opening in 16 new states this summer. Known for its bright blue lights and loud pop music, 7 Brew got its start in Rogers, Arkansas, in 2017. With a menu that initially featured just seven drinks, the chain has expanded its offerings and opened more than 400 locations nationwide, a 7 Brew spokesperson told USA TODAY. While 7 Brew did not confirm the number of locations opening this summer, the spokesperson did say that new 7 Brew stands open each week nationwide. Here's what to know about the new 7 Brew locations. New 7 Brew locations will open in the following states this summer, the 7 Brew spokesperson told USA TODAY. The spokesperson did not provide further details about where the stands would be located within each state. Alabama Arizona Florida Indiana Iowa Kentucky Louisiana Minnesota Nebraska New York Oklahoma Ohio South Carolina Tennessee Texas Wisconsin A string of stands will open in the listed states by Aug. 1, the 7 Brew spokesperson said. To keep updated on the latest openings, check 7 Brew's social media profiles. To find the nearest 7 Brew stand near you, visit the 7 Brew website at Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 7 Brew opening stands in 16 states this summer. See list
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas-based retailer At Home to close 26 stores after filing for bankruptcy. See list
Texas-based retailer At Home will close 26 stores this fall, following its bankruptcy filing this week. At Home, a furniture and home decor retailer based in Coppell, Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, June 16, as a result of "broader economic and retail-specific market pressures," court documents reveal. At least 26 stores, from California to New York, will close by Sept. 30. According to court documents, At Home claimed that it's becoming increasingly harder to operate its stores. Their reasons were rising interest rates, "persistent inflation," and a growing concern over unsustainable customs costs resulting from increased tariffs that led to filing for bankruptcy. "Given the expenses associated with brick-and-mortar operation and the issues affecting the retail industry, a number of the (At Home) remaining stores are operating at sub-optimal performance levels," court documents reveal. According to the News release, At Home will be transferred to a group of hedge funds and investment firms based in New York City, New York and San Francisco, California. Court documents list the following locations as initial store closures for the year: 6135 Junction Boulevard in Rego Park, New York 300 Baychester Ave. in Bronx, New York 750 Newhall Drive in San Jose, California 2505 El Camino Real in Tustin, California 14585 Biscayne Boulevard in North Miami, Florida 2200 Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa, California 3795 E. Foothills Boulevard in Pasadena, California 1982 E. 20th St. in Chico, California 2820 Highway 63 South in Rochester, Minnesota 26532 Towne Center Drive Suites A-B in Foothill Ranch, California 1001 E. Sunset Drive in Bellingham, Washington 8320 Delta Shores Circle South in Sacramento, California 1361 NJ-35 in Middletown Township, New Jersey 2900 N. Bellflower Boulevard in Long Beach, California 720 Clairton Boulevard in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2530 Rudkin Road in Yakima, Washington 571 Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts 5203 W. War Memorial Drive in Peoria, Illinois 8300 Sudley Road in Manassas, Virginia 461 Route 10 East in Ledgewood, New Jersey 301 Nassau Park Boulevard in Princeton, New Jersey 300 Providence Highway in Dedham, Massachusetts 905 S 24th St. West in Billings, Montana 19460 Compass Creek Parkway in Leesburg, Virginia 3201 N. Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 13180 S. Cicero Ave. in Crestwood, Illinois According to court documents, At Home will close its 26 initial stores by Sept. 30, 2025. -USA TODAY Network reporter Greta Cross contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: At Home to close 26 stores after bankruptcy filing. See full list
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
At Home files for bankruptcy. Will 4 Kentucky locations be affected? Here's what we know
At Home is the most recent retail chain to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to media reports. The home decor chain has over 260 stores across the U.S. Here's what we know. The home decor store will continue to operate as usual, according to a report from CNN while the company navigates the Chapter 11 process. At Home will eliminate almost all of their approximately $2 billion debt and receive an additional $200 million to keep their business operational thanks to an agreement with their lenders. Prior to the bankruptcy filing, At Home announced plans to close at least 20 stores, The Wall Street Journal reported. It remains to be seen whether the bankruptcy will mean more closures. No Kentucky locations are included on the list of store closures in court documents at this time. There are four At Home stores in Kentucky. Lexington: 1996 Pavilion Way Jeffersontown: 11501 Bluegrass Parkway Florence: 4874 Houston Road Elizabethtown: 1811 North Dixie Ave. Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@ Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman. CONTRIBUTING: Greta Cross. This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: At Home files for bankruptcy. Will any Kentucky stores close?
