ICYMI: Maryland Bans Personalized Pricing, Best Sunscreens, Avoiding Fake Toll Texts

On April 28, Maryland became the first state in the U.S. to ban personalized pricing at grocery stores. But the law, championed by Gov. Wes Moore and influenced by a Consumer Reports investigation into the grocery delivery app Instacart, contains problematic exemptions.

One such exemption allows companies to "segment" customers into small groups and target them.

“Will this clamp down on predatory pricing?" asks State Sen. Clarence K. Lam, who ultimately voted for the bill. "Probably not.”

As summer approaches, it’s important to find a reliable sunscreen to prevent sunburn, aging, and skin cancer.

That’s why we test sunscreen ourselves. In addition to some great lotion, spray, facial, and stick sunscreens, we’ve found:

• No sunscreen blocks 100 percent of UVB rays
• Your sunscreen should have a CR Overall Score of 61 or more
• Broad-spectrum coverage is important, too

Scammers are trying to trick drivers into paying for fake unpaid tolls via text. CR’s cybersecurity experts say there are a few telltale signs:

• The text includes a threat
• The text asks you to reply “Y”
• The text has spelling errors

There are a few main ways to buy a used car, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

1. You can buy it from a person.
   Pros: Low cost
   Cons: Greater risk of mechanical problems
   
2. You can buy it from an independent used-car dealer.
   Pros: Low cost with financing options
   Cons: Lack of manufacturer backing
   
3. You can buy a non-certified used car at a branded dealership.
   Pros: Cheaper than CPO alternatives
   Cons: More expensive than other used cars
   
4. You can buy a certified pre-owned car. 
   Pros: Newer, with lower mileage, in good condition
   Cons: Paying extra

CR’s deals team works overtime to round up deals on the best kitchen appliances we test all year long—right now, there are some great ones available (think air fryers, toasters, blenders, and coffee makers).

For more deals, check our Deals hub.

Annual Deals Day Alert: Memorial Day is coming up, and “retailers often have more and better than usual sales around the holiday weekend,” writes deals editor Samantha B. Gordon.

We’ve also updated our articles on the best woks, dishwashers, frying pans, and refrigerator water filters. They may not be on sale, but our testing shows they’re worth the cost.

“Choosing the wrong [interior] paint can cost you in more ways than one,” writes senior home & appliances writer Tanya Christian. 

Paint prices have risen annually since 2020, increasing by roughly 25 to 30 percent overall, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data for paint and coatings. 

Not to mention, stores have tough return policies for opened cans of paint. So it’s important to choose the right interior paint from the start, like these highly rated interior paints from CR’s tests.

We’re constantly testing the latest products and retesting existing stock.

• We tested a few new TVs. Find our latest ratings.
• We added new diapers to our ratings. Read more about the best diapers and diaper bags of 2026.
• We assessed new home security cameras. For more, check out our ratings.