Erin Jones
WLTX
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Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Erin:
Yes, the $126K Oscar gift bags are taxable
People who accept gift bags at awards shows have to claim the gifts on their federal income tax return. The Oscars 2023 gift bag is valued at $126,000. → Read More
Yes, African midwives successfully performed C-sections before it was common in Europe
In 1879, British explorer R.W. Felkin witnessed Ugandan healers and midwives performing a cesarean section. The mother and baby both survived the procedure. → Read More
Yes, presidents are legally required to turn over all presidential records when they leave office
Here’s what happens to any documents or records created or received by a president after they leave office, according to the Presidential Records Act. → Read More
Yes, you can develop myocarditis after having a cold
A VERIFY viewer asked if the common cold can cause myocarditis, a serious but rare condition that occurs when the heart muscle becomes inflamed. It can. → Read More
Dental fillings that contain mercury are generally safe for most adults and children
Dental amalgam is considered a safe cavity-filling material for most adults and children over the age of 6. But certain people should avoid getting fillings with it. → Read More
Yes, stamp prices are going up in 2023
The price of Forever stamps will increase from 60 cents to 63 cents starting on Jan. 22, 2023. USPS says the price hike will offset the rise in inflation. → Read More
Yes, warming up your car before driving in cold weather can damage the engine
Warming up your gas car in the winter can damage your engine's pistons and cylinders. It can also decrease your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and hurt the environment. → Read More
Businesses aren’t legally allowed to sell your email after you unsubscribe from their mailing list
The CAN-SPAM Act prohibits businesses that send commercial emails from selling an email address after a person has requested to opt out of receiving future emails. → Read More
Debunking 3 common cold myths
Despite popular belief, cold or rainy weather cannot make a person sick. VERIFY asked the experts to weigh in on this old wives’ tale, and more common cold myths. → Read More
The flu is an epidemic in the US, and that normally happens each year
Flu season usually ramps up in winter in the U.S. But this year, health officials said the country “crossed the epidemic threshold” for the flu in early November. → Read More
Yes, USPS will deliver mail-in ballots with insufficient postage
The United States Postal Service will deliver a mail-in ballot even if it has insufficient or unpaid postage because of a USPS policy that prioritizes election mail. → Read More
No, legitimate reports of contaminated Halloween candy are not common
Experts say legitimate reports of children being harmed by Halloween candy contaminated with drugs like rainbow fentanyl are best understood as urban legends. → Read More
No, Home Depot did not donate directly to Herschel Walker’s Senate campaign
FEC filings show Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus contributed to Herschel Walker’s campaign, but there’s no record of a direct donation from the company. → Read More
No, Dawn dish soap should not be used as a regular flea treatment for pets
Although Dawn dish soap can kill fleas, it should not be used as a flea treatment for pets because it could irritate their skin and coat, or be harmful if ingested. → Read More
Yes, the tax deadline for people who filed extensions is coming in October
You have until Oct. 17, 2022, to file your 2021 income tax return if you requested an extension. The IRS encourages taxpayers to file electronically ASAP. → Read More
Many hospitals are required to provide an itemized bill upon request
A viral social media video claims hospitals are required to provide an itemized bill upon request. But this requirement varies from state to state and by hospital. → Read More
Yes, you can get a refund if you paid federal student loans during the payment pause
Borrowers who made payments during the pause can get a refund, and the government will include that in the student loan forgiveness, the Dept. of Education said. → Read More
No, the dial on a toaster does not indicate minutes, like viral video claims
A viral Instagram post claims the dial on most toasters measures minutes but it actually indicates the shade of brownness a slice of toast can reach. → Read More
No, there isn't a COVID variant named 'Centaurus'
A Twitter user nicknamed omicron subvariant BA.2.75 “Centaurus” on July 1, but BA.2.75 has not been given an official name by the World Health Organization. → Read More
No, Sriracha hasn’t been discontinued, but production is suspended
Sriracha hot chili sauce production has been suspended until September due to a “severe” chili pepper shortage. The product has not been discontinued. → Read More