Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Catherine Lagaʻaia’s live-action version of Disney’s “Moana” arrives on digital streaming this week after hitting choppy waters in theaters.
Your Medicare plan may cost more in 2027: What to check
Millions of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans will receive an annual notice of change this fall. It may be one of the most consequential Medicare documents they receive all year.
The notice compares a plan’s current costs and coverage with what it will offer in 2027. Those changes can affect premiums, prescription drug coverage, cost-sharing, and supplemental benefits.
Jae Oh, a certified financial planner and author of “Maximize Your Medicare,” said beneficiaries should not assume that a plan that worked in 2026 will remain their best choice in 2027. Even members who are healthy, take few medications, and have been satisfied with their coverage should review the notice before allowing the plan to renew automatically.
Below is a transcript of the interview with Oh, edited for brevity and clarity.
What is an Annual Notice of Change?
Bob Powell: What is the annual notice of change?
Jae Oh: Every person enrolled in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan receives an annual notice of change, commonly called an ANOC. Every carrier is required to send it.
It is easy to throw it in the trash, but I highly discourage that because the notice describes changes that can affect what you pay and the coverage your plan provides in 2027.
If I had to choose one document that every member should open, this is it.”
What should beneficiaries review first?
Powell: What should people examine in the fine print?
Oh: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires plans to provide side-by-side information showing what members incurred in 2026 and what they will incur in 2027.
Look for changes to the monthly premium, drug formulary, and other important coverage provisions. The formulary is the list of medications the plan covers.
The notice provides accurate information about the plan as a whole, but it cannot tell you exactly how much you personally will be affected. You have to determine whether each change applies to your medications, providers, and circumstances where you live.
How can drug coverage change?
Powell: What should people with Medicare Advantage drug coverage or a stand-alone Part D plan investigate?
Oh: Check whether your medications remain covered and whether they have moved to different tiers. Also examine changes in copayments, coinsurance, prior-authorization requirements, and step therapy.
The big issue for 2027 may be the end of additional subsidies that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been providing to Part D plans, including prescription drug coverage within Medicare Advantage plans.
That money will cease at the end of 2026, and plans will have to recover it in some form. That could mean higher premiums, higher copayments for certain medications, or different coinsurance percentages.
It is difficult to know how large those changes will be until the new plan terms are released.
Can doing nothing be reasonable?
Powell: Is there ever a case in which someone reads the annual notice and decides to do nothing?
Oh: Certainly. The plan may still be doing its job. You may be satisfied with its benefits, provider network, and supplemental offerings, such as dental, vision, fitness, or over-the-counter benefits.
If you do nothing, your 2026 plan will generally renew for 2027. But health care delivery is volatile. Pharmacies, doctors, hospitals, and insurers all face changing conditions.
You should reconsider your existing arrangement each year and determine whether it remains the best option for 2027. Doing nothing should be a decision, not an oversight.
How does the payment plan work?
Powell: What should beneficiaries know about the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan?
Oh: The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is designed to smooth prescription expenses across the year. Paying a large amount at once, including costs associated with a Part D deductible, can be difficult.
The program allows beneficiaries to spread anticipated out-of-pocket prescription costs over the year rather than paying the full amount at the pharmacy when a prescription is filled.
What do star ratings mean?
Powell: Have there also been changes involving Medicare star ratings?
Oh: The star-rating system has faced litigation, and carriers have been largely successful in appealing some decisions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The outcome can affect the money available to carriers and, indirectly, the supplemental benefits included in their plans. But those financial disputes are not particularly useful when an individual is choosing a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
For beneficiaries, the better approach is to focus on the plan’s actual costs, drug coverage, provider network, and benefits.
How have Medicare marketing rules changed?
Powell: What changed concerning the 48-hour waiting period for Medicare plan appointments?
Oh: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has long been concerned about how Medicare plans are marketed. Agents and brokers use a regulated form known as a scope of appointment to document what will be discussed with a beneficiary.
Previously, someone who contacted an agent could be required to wait 48 hours before an appointment. That waiting period no longer applies in the same way.
If you already know and trust your insurance agent, representative or broker, you should be able to work with that person much as you have in the past.
Why should everyone open the notice?
Powell: What deserves to be reemphasized?
Oh: The annual notice of change is the one document everyone should open, even if you are in good health, take only one or two medications, and have been happy with your Medicare Advantage plan for years.
The forces affecting Medicare involve every part of healthcare delivery, including pharmacies, doctors, hospitals, and insurance carriers. It is better to review the changes with your eyes wide open than to be blindsided by an unexpected cost or coverage problem later.
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Mexican restaurant chain closes original location after 43 years
A Mexican restaurant institution is closing one of its well-established locations, ending more than four decades of service at a site that has been part of the city’s dining scene since the early 1980s.
The closure is part of a broader series of changes for the restaurant operator, which has shut down locations across its portfolio this year, including the complete exit of another Mexican restaurant chain.
Pappas Restaurants opened the original Pappasito’s Cantina in 1983 in Houston, Texas. The Tex-Mex restaurant became known for its fajitas and margaritas and has since grown to more than 20 locations across Texas and Georgia.
Pappasito’s Cantina is closing its first-ever restaurant
Pappasito’s Cantina is permanently closing its original restaurant at 6445 Richmond Ave. in Houston, Texas, on Sept. 13, 2026, after 43 years of serving generations of customers.
“After careful consideration, we made this difficult decision based on the long-term outlook for this location,” Pappas Restaurants CMO Christina Pappas said in a statement reported by CultureMap Houston.
“Plans for the location following the restaurant closure are currently being evaluated, and no final decisions have been made at this time.”
The original Pappasito’s Cantina became a Houston destination and a favorite among regulars and first-time visitors alike.
The restaurant, referred to as “Sito’s #1” by employees and customers, is known for Tex-Mex dishes such as mesquite-grilled fajitas and hand-shaken margaritas, as well as its lively atmosphere.
While the exact number of employees affected by the closure is unknown, Pappas Restaurants said all employees are being offered positions at other restaurants within its portfolio.
Pappasito’s Cantina closes its original restaurant.FG Trade Latin / Getty Images
Pappas Restaurants closes locations
Pappasito’s Cantina is not the only restaurant in Pappas Restaurants’ portfolio to close.
Pappas Restaurants shut down all On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina locations in June 2026 after acquiring the brand from Chapter 11 bankruptcy the year prior.
The restaurant operator also closed Pappas Delta Blue Smokehouse in Plano, Texas, in 2024, leaving one remaining restaurant in Webster.
Pappas Restaurants closed all of its Hobby Airport locations in 2023, including Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, and Pappas Bar-B-Q, after the City of Houston awarded the airport’s contract to travel hospitality group Areas USA.
The move ended 20 years of Pappas Restaurants’ ownership at the airport. The lawsuit over the contract decision remains active.
Mexican restaurant chain closures
The latest closures come as several Mexican restaurant chains have faced financial challenges, closures, or restructuring efforts.
Here’s some of my previous coverage of Mexican restaurant closures:
Gringos Locos: Closed all of its Orlando-area restaurants in August 2026.
Fuzzy’s Tacos & Margs: Closed all of its remaining restaurants in the Houston area in September 2026.
Del Taco: Closed several restaurants and exited multiple markets following separate franchisee bankruptcies.
Taco Giro: Closed seven of its restaurants following multiple ICE raids across various locations in December 2025.
Related: Mexican restaurant chain closes all locations in major market
Amazon has a $25 waterproof lamp with ‘cozy hotel spa energy’ that glows for up to 40 hours
TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Why we love this deal
Creating a spa-like experience in your bathroom is easier to achieve than you’d imagine. Swap out the old towels with soft and fluffy ones, add refreshing aromatics like eucalyptus or sage, and lay down a plush bath mat you can sink your toes into. The lighting plays a huge role in the overall ambiance of your space, but changing light fixtures can require hiring a professional, and traditional lamps that require an outlet aren’t the safest choice where splashes are a concern.
These days, there’s a better solution for a lighting upgrade: rechargeable, battery-operated lamps. Some of these portable styles are even waterproof, so you can use them outdoors in rainy weather and even in the shower. That’s the case with the Saiweya Outdoor Waterproof Shower Lamp, and it’s 45% off at Amazon. The limited-time deal brings the original $45 price tag down to just $25. The cordless light is highly rated by shoppers, and it’s not just beloved for its ability to transform your bathroom into a dreamy spa escape. The lighting is a popular choice for brightening up the patio, reading before bed, or anywhere else that could use a little light.
Saiweya Outdoor Waterproof Shower Lamp, $25 (was $45) at Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon
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Why do shoppers love it?
This shower-proof LED lamp is smaller, measuring 11 inches tall and weighing just 1.2 pounds, so it’s lightweight and easy to carry wherever you need it. The lamp has an IP65 waterproof rating, so it’s dust-tight and safe against spraying water from any direction, allowing you to put it on the shelf of your shower or on your patio table in the middle of a rainstorm without worry. Since the portable lamp can be used safely outdoors, it’s also handy for the RV or your next camping trip. You also won’t have to bother with frequent recharging, as the lamp is battery-operated and runs for 12 to 40 hours on a single charge, depending on the brightness levels.
Related: Walmart’s bestselling 10-foot patio umbrella with interior LED lights is just $62
Incredibly easy to use, the lamp is built with user-friendly touch controls. Just touch the lamp to turn the light on or off, and hold down your finger to adjust the brightness. You can set the exact mood you desire, as the dimmable lamp’s output levels can be set from 10% to 100%. If you need a bright light for reading, set it to max brightness, but if you want a serene ambiance with low light, set it to a gentle glow. “My girls asked to put it in their shower because they wanted a warm ambiance,” explained one shopper. They reported it was “perfect lighting for a relaxing shower.”
Details to know
Dimensions: The lamp is 11 inches tall with a diameter of 5.9 inches.
Color options: The lamp comes in multiple base colors, but only the wood grain option is on sale for $25, with other styles discounted to $28.
Is it waterproof?: Yes, it has an IP65 waterproof rating.
Average shopper rating: 4.4 out of five stars.
The majority of shoppers have given this shower lamp a perfect five-star rating. “This little touch lamp completely changed the vibe of my evening showers and baths,” wrote one such shopper.
They raved that using the lamp “instantly gives cozy hotel spa energy.”
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The Saiweya Outdoor Waterproof Shower Lamp is an efficient way to upgrade your bathroom, but it’s also practical for all kinds of other needs. Score it for just $25 at Amazon by adding it to your cart now.
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Jim Cramer has a blunt message for Amazon stock investors
Amazon investors got a jolt on August 31 when federal regulators filed a new lawsuit against the company. The stock dropped almost immediately, and some shareholders started asking whether it was time to head for the exits.
Jim Cramer had a blunt answer for anyone thinking about selling, and it doubles as a lesson in how markets tend to overreact to legal headlines before the facts are even sorted out.
Jim Cramer calls Amazon selloff hysterical even as it faces a new FTC lawsuit
The Federal Trade Commission and 22 state attorneys general sued Amazon on August 31, alleging the company secretly and systematically overcharged approximately 1.2 million advertisers by manipulating its ad auction pricing. The lawsuit alleges the scheme generated more than $20 billion in additional revenue for Amazon over roughly seven years, according to NBC News.
The complaint is centered on three ad products: Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and Sponsored Display. The regulators allege Amazon told advertisers it was running a fair “second-price” auction while secretly adding a hidden markup internally referred to as a “soft reserve price,” starting in 2019.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Amazon stepped into its ad auctions to push up floor prices somewhere between 70% and 80% of the time in recent years, and the FTC alleged the strategy raised pay-per-click costs by 50% on major shopping days, Wall Street Journal reported.
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FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the impact reached far beyond the advertisers themselves. “Amazon has millions of advertising customers who were misled into paying significantly higher prices,” Ferguson said. “These higher costs were largely passed on to American consumers,” CNBC reported.
Amazon pushed back firmly in a public blog post, calling the lawsuit misguided and asserting there was no harm to consumers. The company pointed to its long-standing pricing guidance for advertisers and said it continues to offer competitive rates across its ad products.
Why Cramer isn’t worried about this lawsuit
Amazon shares fell nearly 2% following news of the suit. Cramer addressed the reaction directly during the CNBC Investing Club’s “Morning Meeting” livestream on September 1. He drew a comparison to the Justice Department’s antitrust case against Google, arguing that investors may be overestimating the potential impact of the Amazon lawsuit, according to CNBC.
Cramer argued investors dumping the stock over the suit were overreacting. “You’re not being historical. You’re hysterical,” he said, framing the sharp reaction as disconnected from how these large antitrust and consumer protection cases actually tend to play out over time.
Cramer’s charitable trust owns Amazon stock. He disclosed that alongside his comments. That is worth knowing not because it makes him right, but because it means he is talking about a stock he actually holds, not one he is watching from a distance.
His comparison to Google’s own antitrust ordeal carries real weight. The Justice Department’s years-long case against Alphabet’s search business produced modest results, but the court rejected the government’s proposed Chrome breakup, leaving Google’s core business intact.
Wall Street has seen this pattern before. When the FTC first sued Amazon over separate monopoly allegations in 2023, one analyst at Wedbush said the firm would be “buyers of Amazon shares on any weakness related to the headlines of an FTC case,” arguing that a materially disruptive restructuring of Amazon’s business was unlikely, Benzinga reported.
HJBC / Getty Images
Amazon’s business still looks strong heading into this fight
The lawsuit lands at a moment when Amazon’s underlying business is performing well by almost any measure. Second-quarter revenue reached $200.6 billion, up 20% year over year, marking the company’s first-ever quarter above the $200 billion mark, according to CNBC.
Advertising itself, the exact segment now under legal scrutiny, generated $19.8 billion in the same quarter, up 26% year over year. Amazon Web Services grew 37%, its fastest pace in 18 quarters. Shares jumped roughly 9% after hours following that report.
This is not Amazon’s first brush with FTC enforcement. The company agreed last year to a $1 billion civil penalty and a $1.5 billion consumer refund pool tied to separate allegations about its Prime subscription practices, TheStreet reported.
The settlement required changes to Amazon’s enrollment and cancellation processes but did not impose any structural breakup. Shares actually fell more than 3% when the FTC first sued Amazon over separate monopoly allegations back in 2023, and the stock went on to post strong gains over the following year.
There is also a separate monopoly case still working through the courts. That one targets Amazon’s marketplace practices rather than its ad business. It was originally headed to trial in October 2026 but got pushed to early 2027. Two major cases, neither close to a resolution.
What Amazon investors should watch next
For investors, the practical question is not whether the lawsuit’s allegations are serious, since regulators are seeking real penalties and structural changes to Amazon’s ad auction system. The more relevant question is whether litigation risk of this kind has historically moved Amazon’s actual earnings power, and so far the answer has consistently been no.
Cramer’s comparison to the Google antitrust case is worth taking seriously precisely because it highlights how long these cases typically take and how narrow their eventual remedies tend to be relative to the initial headlines. Advertisers affected by the alleged surcharges could eventually see refunds or rate adjustments, but a fundamental change to how Amazon runs its ad business remains a multi-year process at best.
Investors should watch how Amazon’s stock behaves over the next several trading sessions for signs of whether the initial selloff following the August 31 lawsuit announcement represents genuine repricing or the kind of headline-driven overreaction Cramer described. The company’s next earnings report will offer the clearest read on whether advertisers are actually pulling back spending in response to the allegations, which would be a far more meaningful signal than the stock’s day-one reaction.
Related: Jim Cramer has strong message for Micron stock investors
Amazon has a pair of waterproof noise-canceling earbuds for only $14
TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Why we love this deal
A solid pair of earbuds can turn any boring commute, long run, or grocery trip into a more palatable and fun experience. Whether you love to blast music, you’re catching up on your favorite audiobook series, or you need to block out surrounding sounds while making calls, nice earbuds are almost priceless. If you’re in need of some high-quality earbuds with noise cancellation and a convenient charging case, this great deal we found at Amazon has you covered.
The Xinwld Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds offer quality-of-life features for a 36% off at Amazon. Shoppers can upgrade their earbuds for just $14 on sale right now, saving a total of $8.
Xinwld Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds, $14 (was $22) at Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon
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Why do shoppers love it?
Equipped with Bluetooth 5.4 technology, these A97 wireless earbuds can pair seamlessly to any of your Bluetooth devices, offering a stable connection and lower latency, faster pairing, and a higher listening experience. They feature Hi-Fi deep bass stereo that brings your music to life with a 13-millimeter vibrating diaphragm. These noise-canceling earbuds offer environmental noise cancellation, which filters out background noise during calls, allowing the listener to hear you more clearly.
Related: Amazon’s highly rated over-ear headphones with powerful bass are now $20 ahead of Labor Day
The dual LED display lets you know what your battery is at for the case and each earbud, giving you peace of mind during your long commute or charging times. The earbuds offer up to eight hours of playback time on 80% volume, and up to 40 hours of playback time with a fully charged charging case. This means you can actively charge the case while you listen to your music! The touch control allows you to easily change songs, answer calls, and change the volume without using your device. Meanwhile, the ergonomic, waterproof design keeps out rain, dust, and other debris, making these earbuds a great option to use for long runs. Shoppers can choose from black, lake blue, rose gold, or violet for the biggest discount, but they also offer a rose colorway.
The pros and cons of this deal
Pros
Playback time: These earbuds boast a 40-hour playback time when using the charging case.
Waterproof and ergonomic: This design is great to wear while running or working out.
Bluetooth 5.4 chips: The updated Bluetooth technology allows these to pair quickly, prevent high latency, and offer smooth listening.
Cons
They only have mic noise cancellation: These earbuds do not have active in-ear noise-cancellation, only phone call noise-cancellation.
One shopper said, “They’re comfortable to use, lightweight, and hold a charge in active work for a very long time. The package includes everything, including spare ear cushions and an instruction manual with a cable.” Another reviewer said, “Ideal for everyday use, they offer a good combination of portability and functionality. Overall, a simple but effective product.”
Shop more deals
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The Xinwld Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds offer a long listening life, simple controls, and a clear, noise-canceling microphone. The LED screen is convenient for charge percentage, and the quick-pairing Bluetooth 5.4 technology allows a fast connection with any of your Bluetooth devices. Shoppers can save $8 right now, paying just $14 for these earbuds.
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Amazon’s $117 2-in-1 laptop and tablet holds 50,000 pics and 300 HD movies
TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Why we love this deal
There are a few different options when it comes to buying a laptop or a tablet. While full-sized laptops deliver impressive computing power, tablets tend to offer more portability, and they’re a bit more adaptable. Thanks to Amazon, however, you won’t have to choose one over the other. The online giant is currently selling a 2-in-1 laptop and tablet for a sale price that makes it a must-have.
The Relndoo 11-Inch Android 15 2-In-1 Laptop and Tablet is on sale for only $117. For a device of this caliber, that’s a great price to pay for what you’re getting. If you’re a techie who’s looking for a device that can do a little bit of everything, then this is the deal for you.
Relndoo 11-Inch Android 15 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $117 (was $130) at Amazon
Courtesy of Amazon
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Why do shoppers love it?
This is the type of all-around device that anyone would be pleased to use. It has an impressive 24 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and 256 GB of ROM. What’s more, the MicroSD expansion port allows for up to 2 terabytes (TB) of memory. That means you’ll have no trouble using multiple apps or programs at the same time without frustrating lags or freeze-ups. It’s also enough memory to keep 50,000 photos and 300 HD movies on the hard drive. What’s more, the Unisoc T615 Octa-Core processor gives this laptop the speed you’ll want for both work and play.
The 11-inch IPS 2K touchscreen delivers millions of colors and a smooth video display. Widevine L1 capability allows you to watch shows and movies on Netflix, Hulu, and almost any other streaming service without licensing limitations. It comes with a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels, so you won’t be wanting for good video quality. Also included are dual speakers, front- and rear-facing cameras, and 5G Wi-Fi. Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity allows you to stay connected to your other devices at all times as well.
Perhaps the most important feature of all when it comes to this tablet is its Android 15 operating system. This is one of the most advanced and intuitive OS releases ever, and it makes ample use of artificial intelligence. The computer includes AI-enabled theft protection, predictive app access, and the powerful Gemini AI assistant that can help you achieve almost any task in a split second. This machine also comes with a wraparound laptop case, a wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, and a stylus, so you’ll have everything you need to use it as a laptop or a tablet, depending on what the moment requires.
Related: Amazon’s $88 2-in-1 laptop and tablet comes with a 7-piece accessories kit
Details to know
Memory: 24 GB of RAM, 256 GB of ROM, expandable to 2 TB.
Processor: Unisoc T615 octa-core processor.
Screen size: 11-inch IPS 2K touchscreen.
Operating system: Android 15 OS.
Amazon shoppers were thrilled with this tablet. One called it “the best bargain I’ve found on Amazon,” adding, “It has been a total game changer for my household.” The same buyer described the laptop as “the perfect size” and “easy to use.”
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The Relndoo 11-Inch Android 15 2-In-1 Laptop and Tablet is everything you could want in a personal electronic device. It’s compact, practical, and offers a whole lot of tech for just $117. We recommend putting this in your cart sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out.