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You are here: Home / Archives for Julie Watts

Julie Watts

Watts-New-Headshot-e1441384422739-243x300Julie is the consumer-investigative reporter for CBS in San Francisco. Her reports air nationally on CBS stations across the country and expose scams, privacy concerns, unscrupulous business practices and loopholes in consumer legislation. She also reports on pocketbook issues, resolves viewer problems and examines technology threats and trends.

Julie's work has  prompted recalls, federal investigations and new legislation. It has also earned Julie more than a dozen Emmy, AP and Edward R. Murrow awards and the National Press Club Award for Consumer Journalism.

OFF CAMERA: Julie is "mommy" to a feisty two year old  daughter and a ten-year-old dog-ter (who she refers to as her "first born"). Julie is currently surviving life with a toddler in the "city," attempting to successfully navigate apartment living, preschool applications and the elusive the work-life balance.

Julie is also the creator and managing editor of NewsMom.com. Her #NewsMom areas of expertise include Child ID Theft, Travel with Kids and Hidden Dangers in Consumer Products.  Check out some of her featured stories below.

And, as if her schedule wasn't packed enough, Julie is also the Emmy® Awards Chair for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Follow Julie Watts

Reporter’s Notebook

Investigating UPPAbaby Flame-Retardant-Free Car Seats

Turns out you can make a naturally flame resistant car seat that passes the federal flammability standard without retardants. ... Read More

The Cost of Baby's First Year

Quick, $1000, $5000, or $21,000? How much do you think baby's first year will set you back? The answer may ... Read More
Lead Found In Sippy Cup

Lead In Sippy Cups And The Moms Making A Difference

#ReportersNotebook I began following the blogger Natural Baby Mama a little over a year ago while investigating concerning flame retardants ... Read More

Should Your 10-Year-Old Use A Booster Seat?

Odds are, if you watch the news or follow car seat safety, you know that The Insurance Institute's for Highway Safety released ... Read More
NewsMom Julie Watts Investigates EpiPen Generic

EpiPen Alternative: The Investigation & Price Check

#ReportersNotebook I’m a Consumer-Investigative reporter who often covers parenting and health issues. Yet, until recently, even I had no idea there was ... Read More

In Depth: Blogs & Editorials

Child Credit Freeze Guide

A Step-by-Step Guide to Freeze Your Child’s Credit

A step-by-step guide to freeze your child’s credit with detailed summaries for each bureau outlining security concerns, hard-to-find contact information, ... Read More
Why Care About Chemicals Products?

"Chemicals Are in Everything, Why Should I Care?"

Chemicals are in everything! Overwhelmed by studies & reports that spread fear about harmful chemicals in everything? Why you should ... Read More
#Toxic Safety: Investigating Car Seat Chemicals

Investigating Car Seat Chemicals

To understand the issue of flame retardants in car seats, it helps to have a basic understanding of the history ... Read More
Virtual Kidnapping - A New & Terrifying Threat for Parents

Virtual Kidnapping - A New & Terrifying Threat for Parents

Scammers take virtual kidnapping to a whole new level, preying on a mother's love for her child. Read More
NewsMom Guide To When NOT To Buy Organic Produce

When to Skip the Organic Produce

Do I Really Need Organic Produce? We'd all love to feed our little angels an all-organic diet... but who can ... Read More
Party Politics Stall Child Credit Freeze Law?

Politics Stall Child Credit Freeze Law?

After years of reporting on child ID theft and struggling to freeze my own child’s credit, I was pleased to ... Read More
Orbit/Ergo Baby, Alba’s Honest: Why Green Companies Keep Getting Caught with Concerning Chemicals

Alba’s Honest, Ergo Baby's Orbit: Why Green Companies Are Found with Concerning Chemicals!

From Orbit Baby to Jessica Alba’s Honest Company, why do "green" companies keep getting caught with concerning chemicals in their ... Read More
A #NewsMom resource to help parents test for various chemicals at home.

Want to Test Your Home for Lead, Concerning Chemicals and Flame Retardants? Here's How.

A new friend recently asked me about testing her child's room for formaldehyde. That got me thinking about the various ... Read More
Child Identity Theft - NewsMom, News for Moms

NewsMom Blog Prompts Child Credit Freeze Legislation

Citing these NewsMom blog posts and KPIX reports, this week California Assemblyman Mike Gatto introduced the child credit freeze legislation ... Read More
The CPSC, American Academy of Pediatrics & many others urge parents NOT to use car seats as stroller seats or let babies sleep in a car seat.

Wake The Baby! Don't Use Car Seats as Stroller Seats

A growing number of experts are now urging parents not to use car seats outside of the car. All together ... Read More
Radiation-Blocking Cell Phone Cases

Q & A: Can Cell Phone Cases Reduce Radiation Exposure?

We recently received the following question in the comment section of "Why I Chose to Ban Cell Phones From The ... Read More
Concerning Chemicals Found in Orbit Baby and Other Car Seats

Concerning Chemicals Found in Orbit Baby & Other Car Seats

When we were picking out car seats two-and-a-half years ago, my husband and I spent a fortune on the Orbit ... Read More
BabyCenter Annual Baby Name Report

Instagram-Filter Baby Names & Other Millennial Trends

Ok, so you may have a favorite Instagram filter, but do you really love it enough to name your kid ... Read More
Use Pacifier Clips to Keep Toys & Cups off the Floor.

Parenting VineDeas

Vine videos with random ideas, info and tips for parents... in 6 seconds or less. Read More
Toxic Chemicals In Nail Polish Found In Women's Bodies

Nail Polish Chemicals "In" Your Body

Don't you hate it when you realize your dad was right? Here's a quote from mine last night when I ... Read More
How much radiation does your cell phone emit? Consumer Reports' reviews the data and NewsMom shows you how to check your phone.

Will Your Cell Phone Cause Cancer?

That's the question Consumer Reports attempts to answer. The magazine points out that the medical community is divided, but public ... Read More
The truth behind terms on the chicken label like Organic, Humanely Raised, Natural, Cage-Free, Free Range, Hormone-Free, Antibiotic-Free/No antibiotics administered.

Chicken Label Myths

Have you seen the new Foster Farms "skateboarding chicken" commercial that boasts "no added hormones"? As a mom, it makes ... Read More
NewsMom resources to investigate the sunscreen you're slathering on your kids from the EWG & Consumer Reports.

The Sunscreen Debate

Cancer If You Do, Cancer If You Don’t—The Sunscreen Debate Continues. First the Environmental Working Group released its annual sunscreen safety guide, ... Read More
Apartment Life Small-Space Hallway Nursery - NewsMom VineDeas NewsMom.Com

Small Space Nursery #ApartmentLife

#ApartmentLiving with a little one can take some "out of the box" ideas. As a first-time mom-to-be, I had to ... Read More
Arsenic In That Rice Cereal

Is There Arsenic in That Rice Cereal You're Feeding Your Baby?

Generations of moms in my family have sworn by mixing a tablespoon of rice cereal into a baby’s breast milk ... Read More
Experian Child Credit Freeze

Experian Child Credit Freeze Summary

The Experian child credit freeze process is by far the least consumer friendly; however, the bureau has made great strides ... Read More
Equifax Child Credit Freeze

Equifax Child Credit Freeze Summary

The Equifax child credit freeze process is by far the most consumer-friendly of the three credit bureaus; however, it presents ... Read More
TransUnion Child Credit Freeze

TransUnion Child Credit Freeze Summary

While the TransUnion child credit freeze process is relatively easy, especially if you live in a state that requires them ... Read More
The risks associated with giving out your SSN over the phone.

You Need My Social Security Number But You Won't Give Me Your Employee ID?

By now, most people know that their Social Security number is the key to their identity, so they need to ... Read More
Child, Protected Minor, Credit Freeze

How I Forced the Credit Bureaus to Freeze My Child’s Credit

When I first began covering credit freezes, I was shocked that the bureaus would not let me freeze my child’s ... Read More
NewsMom resources to investigate the sunscreen you're slathering on your kids from the EWG & Consumer Reports.

Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Kids' Sunscreen? Check Here!

So there I am, standing in front of the sunscreen aisle at a baby superstore with my 6-month old in ... Read More
Car Seat Safety Standards Leading to Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Cars

Car Seat Safety Standards Leading to More Child Deaths

Car seat safety standards meant to keep kids safe, may be contributing to more parents accidentally leaving them in hot ... Read More
Wireless Baby Monitor Concerns - NewsMom News for Moms

A Wireless-Free Bedroom - What About Baby Monitors?

Is A Wireless-Free Bedroom Enough? A Follow-Up to "Why I Declared Our Bedroom A Wireless-Free Zone" A couple weeks ago, ... Read More
Why I Declared Our Bedroom A Wireless-Free Zone - NewsMom News for Moms

Why I Chose to Ban Cell Phones From the Bedroom

Surveys find most people don't realize that according to manufacturer recommendations, their cell phones should be kept between .3" and ... Read More
Travel Products For Kids - NewsMom News for Moms

10 Must-Haves for Travel With Toddlers

We travel... A lot. At 21 months old, my toddler had logged over 60 flight hours and she continues to ... Read More
Toddler Travel Must-Haves - 5 in 1 Car Seat, Stroller, Booster

5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat Stroller

Thanks to veteran KPIX ‪#‎NewsMom‬ Kate Kelly for this recommendation! She used one of these for her (now college-aged) boys. Based on ... Read More
Toddler Travel Must-Haves - Baby BAir Flight Vest

Baby Flight Vest

#NewsMomReview The Baby Flight Vest is intended to keep lap children 'in' mom's lap during turbulence. Comfortable for Naps Belt Loop ... Read More
Unsponsored Reviews For Parents, Written By Journalists Who Are Also Parents

NewsMom Must-Haves for Parents

Here's a collection of must-haves for parents, from parents who report on products for a living. From bath, to travel, ... Read More
Navigating TSA with your Traveling Toddler - NewsMom News for Moms

Navigating TSA With Your Traveling Toddler

Tips for navigating TSA with your traveling toddler. The key to getting the stuff you need for your kid on ... Read More
Alternative Vaccination Schedule - NewsMom,News for moms

The “Other” Vaccination Debate - Alternative Vaccine Schedules

93% of Pediatricians Say Parents Ask for Alternative Vaccination Schedules As a #NewsMom, you'd better bet I bought the book ... Read More

Featured News Reports

Screen Shot: Eddie Scott

UPDATE: Girl Who Fed Homeless Vet in Viral Video Needs Your Help!

When this father allowed his daughter to give her dinner to an apparently homeless man, he likely had no idea ... Read More
KPIX Computer

Tech Savvy Kids Could Bring Malware Back Home From Public WiFi • CBS San Francisco

  Read More on CBSSF.com: SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- What your kids do on their gadgets when they're ... Read More
Environmental Working Group found that government regulations can increase those “potentially harmful exposures.”

Regulations Blamed for Higher Levels of Flame Retardants in Kids • CBS San Francisco

A new study demonstrates just how much chemical regulations can impact the health of our nation’s youth. Read More
Consumerist.com features a report from CBS San Francisco #NewsMom Julie Watts. You'll definitely want to check if this feature is enabled on your iPhone!

“WiFi Assist” Blamed for $2,000 Phone Bill

Consumerist.com features this report from CBS San Francisco #NewsMom Julie Watts. You'll definitely want to check if “WiFi Assist” is ... Read More
Julie Watts Reports Car Owners Try to Foil Criminals Hacking Key Fob Signals « CBS San Francisco

Car Owners Try to Foil Criminals Hacking Key Fob Signals « CBS San Francisco

CBS San Francisco's #NewsMom Julie Watts demonstrates how hackers are breaking into cars without actually "breaking" in. Electronic key fobs ... Read More
Pottery Barn Kids Perpetuates Gender Stereotypes - KPIX Consumer Reporter Julie Watts Reports

Is Pottery Barn Kids Perpetuating Gender Stereotypes?

According to Pottery Barn Kids, rocket ships, dragons, and skateboards are not for girls. As KPIX Consumer Reporter Julie Watts ... Read More
NewsMom News - Bargain Shopping ‘Compare At’ Prices

Are All ‘Compare At’ Prices Bogus?

CBS San Francisco ConsumerWatch Reporter Julie Watts put those "compare at" prices to the test. Off-price retailers like TJ Maxx ... Read More

Apps That Drain Your Battery & Data

You may not realize it, but those apps you never use could be running in the background draining your battery ... Read More
Xfinity Wifi Warning - Via Consumer Reporter Julie Watts

You May Be Accidentally Connecting to Xfinity Public Wi-Fi at Home!

Xfinity Public Wi-Fi may automatically connect you to its public network without your knowledge, even at home. Read More
Your Right to a Insurance Coverage for Breast Pumps

Do You Have the Right To a Free Breast Pump?

Julie Watts reports on your rights to insurance coverage for your breast pump and other nursing expenses under the ACA. Read More
Is the YouTube Kids App guilty of ‘Excessive & Deceptive’ Marketing to Kids?

Parents Shocked by Videos on YouTube Kids App

No-so-age-appropriate videos make it on to the YouTubeKids App. Consumer groups call on the FTC to take action. Should YouTube ... Read More
Amazon Home Services - Add a Handyman to Your Cart

Amazon Home Services--Add a Handyman to Your Cart

First books, then movies, then products and groceries. Now, Amazon Home Services lets you click and pay for real live ... Read More

Seller Beware! Before You Sell Your Phone/Computer...

Before upgrading an iPhone, many consider selling their old phones for cash to one of the hundreds of companies offering to ... Read More

Talking Barbie Spies on Your Kids for You

It's like Siri for kids... but this next-gen talking Barbie records everything they say and lets parents log in to ... Read More
A young family stranded on the side of the road turned to AAA for help. Instead of coming to the rescue, AAA sent an uninsured driver with the wrong type of truck and refused to pay when their vehicle was totaled during the tow.

AAA Warning! AAA Won't Cover Vehicle Totaled During Tow

A young family stranded on the side of the road turned to AAA for help. Instead of coming to the ... Read More

A Pet Insurance 'Gotcha' Revealed

If you pay for pet insurance for your "fur child", you'd expect it to pay out when you need it. ... Read More

Uber, Lyft or Cab During Storm #SurgePricing

If you’ve ever wondered which to call, this may make you say: Huh. KPIX Consumer Reporter Julie Watts put all three to ... Read More

Why Your Child May Be a More Likely ID Theft Victim Than You!

Your kids could be 50 times more likely to have their identities stolen than you are. Check out this story ... Read More

Student Debt Following Some Into Retirement

An estimated 2 million Americans age 60 and older are still carrying student debt—and learning too late that their Social Security benefits ... Read More

Dentists Worry About Effects Of Microbeads In Toothpaste

Dental professionals across the nation are sounding the alarm about microbeads in a popular brand of toothpaste, saying the beads ... Read More

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