The use of QR (“Quick Response”) codes have grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years. Designed in 1994 by a Japanese auto employee working for Denso, the QR code was designed as a better way to keep track of the company’s millions of parts. With bar codes already established in ...

Last fall, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary declared war on drug commercials. He wrote a viewpoint published in JAMA (Sept. 12, 2025) titled, “The FDA’s Overdue Crackdown on Misleading Pharmaceutical Advertisements.” He went further with a guest essay in The ...

Spending time with grandchildren can make seniors feel young and valued. Grandparents are often asked to step in as caregivers to the youngsters they love. The U.S. Department of Labor reports 2.74 million children in the United States were being raised by a grandparent in 2021, the most recent ...

DEAR ANNIE: My best friend of 22 years recently started dating a man who “doesn’t believe in marriage.” She’s 41, has always wanted children and froze her eggs at 38. He’s 45, divorced twice and says labels are “a social construct.” They’ve been together eight months. She sold ...

PERI TO MEET: The Public Employee Retirees of Mahoning County Chapter 18 will meet at noon April 7 at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 Western Reserve Road, Canfield. Cost is $20. Reservations are due by Tuesday by contacting Carol at 330-758-5239, Diane at 330-547-9612 or Janice at ...

DEAR HELOISE: For the past 50 years, I have kept pairs of socks together by using safety pins. I don’t know where I read this tip. It could have been in a “Hints From Heloise” column since I have been a Heloise follower since forever. — Annette H., via email Annette, yes, this is ...