Restaurant Ratings for Oct. 16, 2026

5 On Your Side: Appliances that won't hike your utility bills

If you’re shopping for a new appliance, checking the Energy Star and EnergyGuide labels is a great place to start, but there’s more to know before you buy, says Consumer Reports.

Company tells NC State football fans they'll wait even longer for Brazil game refunds

Athlete Advantage is still in the process of refunding thousands of dollars back to NC State and UVA fans.

5 On Your Side: Clothing steamers to replace your iron

Consumer Reports tested 10 popular handheld steamers as well as wrinkle-release sprays and even steam mops with clothing steamer attachments to see if they can stand up to the good old iron.

5 on Your Side: Triangle homeowners deal with damage from tornadoes. What to do after the storm.

Stopping further damage is one of the most important steps immediately following the initial contact for loss to your insurance.

Baby bath seats recalled over drowning hazard

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the "On the Wei" baby bath seats violate mandatory standards, citing how they are unstable and can tip over while being used. The affected seats were sold on Amazon in April of this year for between $40 and $60.

5 On Your Side digs into Gen Alpha spending habits

A new survey finds 86% of kids ages 7 to 14 earn their own cash, and they’re spending it on food, clothes, toys and gaming. 5 On Your Side's Ashley Rowe explains how parents can turn young spenders into smart money managers.

Some packaging promises high protein, GLP-1 friendliness. Which frozen meals actually pass the test?

Consumer Reports tested 30 frozen meals from 10 popular brands. CR’s nutrition experts looked for whole-food ingredients, lower levels of sodium, saturated fat and added sugars, and fewer additives.

5 On Your Side: Buy now, pay later debt is on the rise

Buy Now, Pay Later is becoming an increasingly popular way to borrow, especially as many consumers look for ways to stretch their budgets.

Uncertainty looms despite $1.7M judgment in favor of Holly Christina Photography customers

A $1.7 million judgment against Holly Christina Photography has brought some relief to customers who never saw the photos, but many remain unsure whether they will ever recover the money they lost.

Parents: Avoid this style of bassinet, which poses a risk for babies, Consumer Reports says

Consumer Reports tested eight models of bedside cantilever-style bassinets and found they pose a risk.

Best deals in October before and after Prime Day

October has become the unofficial kickoff to the holiday sales season. Consumer Reports has advice on what to buy this month and how to make sure that the big sale is actually a good deal.

5 On Your Side: What to buy in October

October has become the unofficial kickoff to the holiday sales season. Consumer Reports has advice on what to buy this month and how to make sure that the big sale is actually a good deal.

Explaining the FCC ban on robovacs, routers and drones

The Federal Communications Commission has banned certain new foreign-made drones, WiFi routers, and home robotic devices, including robot vacuums, from being sold in the U.S.

Restaurant rating: Anchor's Alley, Subway, and Island Caribbean

In this week's restaurant ratings report, Keely Arthur highlights several serious health violations found in local eateries. Anchor's Alley in Fayetteville, Subway on East Street in Pittsboro and Island Caribbean restaurant in Goldsboro.

Holly Springs homeowners dispute Duke Energy claim denials after power surge

Holly Springs homeowners say a June power surge damaged appliances and electrical systems in at least 30 homes, but Duke Energy has denied reimbursement claims after concluding it was not responsible for the outage.

Raleigh apartment balcony collapse raises safety concerns

Tonight in Raleigh's North Hills, a balcony failure at the Lassiter apartments has left residents anxious and uncertain about their safety. Reports surfaced of a fourth-floor balcony collapsing over the summer, but the city was only recently made aware due to investigative inquiries.

'Funflation': People are spending on hobbies, leisure even as prices rise

Funflation is real, but it’s not stopping Americans from shelling out money for a good time.

Lawsuit alleges companies mixed contaminated fuel into clean loads, sold it at 130 NC gas stations

Workers at two North Carolina fuel companies conspired to mix contaminated fuel into clean fuel loads, and sell it to drivers who had no idea what they were pumping, two North Carolina residents allege in a lawsuit. The companies say the lawsuit is meritless.

Missing wages, bonuses or vacation pay? How to get your employer to pay up

The North Carolina Department of Labor recovered $3.7 million in unpaid wages for more than 2,000 workers during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2026, according to officials. Here’s how to seek help getting your own money back.

Higher oil prices, higher housing costs

Oil prices are stressing consumers, shaking markets, and making homeownership more unaffordable. Marybel Gonzalez reports.

Consumer watch: Consumer confidence dips amid inflation

Americans still feel worse about the economy than at almost any point in modern history.

Testing reveals contaminants in baby food

Consumer Reports tested nearly 50 baby foods, and the results are more reassuring now than they were two years ago.

What’s in your food packaging? Study finds thousands of chemicals, major unknowns

More than 1,200 chemicals associated with food packaging have known health hazards. Here’s what researchers found — and what consumers can do.

Man steals, forges 75-year-old woman's money orders from mail. Fayetteville Police investigating

A 75-year-old Fayetteville widow says $800 in money orders were stolen from her mail and cashed by a man now being sought by police. Western Union denied her claim for reimbursement.

Suspected bad-fuel complaints jump 23% in North Carolina, and the evidence can disappear

New numbers obtained exclusively by 5 On Your Side show more drivers are reporting suspected contaminated fuel, but state testing does not always tell the whole story.

McDonald’s plans an $8.5 billion global restaurant makeover

McDonald's is investing billions over the next decade to modernize its restaurants globally. In addition to physical upgrades, McDonald's is also shifting its menu strategy by introducing more protein-based options.

Where can I find the best prices on grocery staples this week?

Each week, we'll post a new weekly table of prices for 11 staple grocery items to help you compare across multiple Triangle area stores.

NC meat company recalls 150,000 pounds of products over fake USDA inspection marks

No illnesses have been reported, but officials say Star Meat Delivery products bearing a false “EST. 1363” label are unsafe to eat.

Frozen fettuccine sold at Walmart recalled due to potential Listeria contamination

Though no illnesses have been reported, distribution of the Bettergoods product has been discontinued as investigations continue.

E-scooters no longer recommended by Consumer Reports

After testing 13 e-scooters, Consumer Reports is not recommending any of them.

Buying a car? 5 On Your Side has how to get the best car loan

Buying a car? Consumer Reports says comparing loan offers before you head to the dealership can help you find a better deal.

Bad fuel at the pump: State records reveal confirmed problems at 37 North Carolina stations

A 5 On Your Side review found more than 100 fuel-quality complaints since 2022, including reports of water, sediment, and the wrong fuel being delivered into storage tanks.

Classic car shop accused of exploiting customers - including disabled, elderly

A classic car dealer and repair shop is accused of exploiting customers, charging massive fees to store their cars then trying to take possession of customer's cars when they dispute the bills.

5 On Your Side: How to keep kids safe during fall yard work

Fall cleanup can be a lot easier when you get the whole family involved. But jobs like mowing, mulching and blowing leaves require powerful—and sometimes heavy—equipment.

Children's fire truck toys recalled due to choking hazard

A Melissa & Doug fire truck activity board sold exclusively at Target is being recalled because a hose port can detach and pose a choking hazard.