Latest news with #TidePods
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Spokane County defender accused of using charity as $40K slush fund
This story was originally published on John 'Sather' Gowdy, a Spokane County public defender and founder of Heal Spokane, has been placed on leave after allegedly misusing more than $40,000 in nonprofit funds. He currently faces eight money laundering charges. The charges stem from his alleged misuse of funds from the organization he founded to support people experiencing homelessness, according to The Spokesman-Review. Gowdy, 37, was charged on April 16 with first-degree theft and eight counts of money laundering. Detective Tim Schwering interviewed members of Heal Spokane's board, who claimed Gowdy used the organization as a 'slush fund' for buying candle supplies, energy drinks, toy guns, and gambling. The investigation began in July 2023, when an assistant attorney general contacted law enforcement after Gowdy was removed from his leadership role in March 2023 following concerns about financial misuse. Heal Spokane board member Katherine 'Kat' R. Bopp told investigators that an internal audit revealed a slew of alarming purchases. In one example, Gowdy claimed to have bought sleeping bags for children, but records showed the purchase was for toy guns. Heal Spokane is entirely volunteer-run; however, board members also discovered multiple withdrawals from a Numerica Credit Union account that matched the amounts Gowdy used to play slot machines at Northern Quest Resort & Casino. Gowdy also claimed he used some of the organization's money to purchase gloves and socks for people in need, but the audit showed he instead bought Tide Pods and molds for personal crafting projects. A summons issued Friday requires Gowdy to appear before Superior Court Judge Rachelle Anderson on May 9.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
CVS shopper reveals 'self-checkout trick' to slash total from $98 down to $11... and it just takes three steps
A CVS customer revealed the secret to saving around 90 percent on items in her shopping basket. The shopper, known as 'Kayla Koupons' on Facebook, showed off the 'self-checkout trick' in a recent reel. Because of the hack, Kayla managed to bring her shopping trip cost down to $11.80 from $98.98. The bargain hunter rang up all the products at self-checkout, which included things like soap, vitamins, and Tide Pods. However, once she scanned the items, Kaya applied a long list of digital coupons at the machine. Several coupons were dubbed 'ExtraBucks Rewards,' which are part of the pharmacy chain's ExtraCare loyalty program. The shopper ultimately saved $87.18 at CVS, and her March reel has received over 95,000 views and counting. Any customer who becomes an ExtraCare loyalty program member can receive various coupons for products at CVS. Shoppers interested in joining can sign up online, in stores, or on the CVS app. They will be asked to give their name, phone number, and email address when signing up. Once fans confirm the information is correct, the customer will receive an ExtraCare card, which can be accessed through the CVS app or other payment methods like Apple Wallet or Google Pay. Shoppers also have the option to sign up for ExtraCare+, which costs $5 a month. Both loyalty program options have the same benefits, including the $3 birthday reward and 2 percent back in ExtraBucks Rewards. However, ExtraCare+ members have the privilege of receiving free shipping and same-day delivery, 20 percent off CVS Health brand products, access to a 24-hour pharmacist helpline, and a $10 monthly bonus reward. Kayla did not reveal what loyalty program membership she holds, but she did receive 2 percent back on multiple coupons. CVS started installing self-checkouts in select stores in 2019 and expanded to more places in 2020. As of 2021, self-service machines were in nearly 5,000 locations. The machines have received mixed reviews from CVS customers over the years who either loved or hated them. It's also been a factor in the chain's increase in retail theft, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. CVS and other retailers, such as Walmart and Sam's Club, have even removed some of them to tackle the shoplifting problem. Stores that opted to keep them have instead implemented new security measures, including cameras at each machine. Besides the self-checkout area changes, select CVS locations keep products locked in display cases. Customers were furious about the new displays, but some locations allow shoppers to open them using the CVS app. CVS began locking its products in display cases as a way to tackle its increase in retail theft CVS recently completed a three-year strategy aiming to reduce store density and better position itself to meet customers' pharmaceutical needs. The company shuttered 900 stores between 2022 and 2024 and announced its plans to close another 270 stores this year. Despite the store closures, CVS earned $372.8 billion in revenue last year, which was a 4.2 percent increase from its 2023 total. CEO David Joyner revealed the company is positioning itself to have a strong financial performance this year, and aiming to deliver better care for shoppers while 'improving outcomes and reducing costs.'
