CBS News
China frees David Lin, American pastor who U.S. government says was wrongfully detained for 18 years
China’s Mid-Autumn Festival holiday typically sees families reunite and give thanks, much like Thanksgiving in America. This year, Chinese-American pastor David Lin will have much to be thankful for when the holiday is marked on Tuesday. In a surprise move, Beijing freed the 68-year-old Sunday after he spent nearly 20 years in prison in a case the U.S. government and his family have always dismissed as baseless.
Lin entered China in 2006 and attempted to establish a Christian training center in Beijing. China‘s Communist Party disapproves of such activities and routinely roots out underground Christian churches, seeing them as a threat to its power. Only officially-sanctioned, closely monitored churches are permitted under the Communist Party’s rule.
Lin was detained the same year he arrived, then in 2009 he was handed a life sentence after being convicted of fraud. The charge is often applied to home church leaders who try to raise money for expansion, according to the Dui Hua Foundation human rights group.
The U.S. State Department, which always maintained that Lin was wrongfully detained by China, confirmed his release on Sunday. The Chinese government did not make any public comment on Lin’s release during the long holiday weekend.
The Bring Our Families Home campaign group posted a message attributed to Lin’s daughter Alice on social media in April, in which she was quoted as saying that she had been diagnosed with cancer and “we don’t know how much time either of us has left,” given her father’s age, and adding: “We can’t afford to wait.”
“This was a long time coming. A lot of people worked on this over the years, different administrations,” John Kamm, executive director of Dui Hua Foundation, told CBS News.
The group had helped to keep pushing for Lin’s release, submitting more than 30 queries to Beijing since China incarcerated the California resident. “We’ve had members of Congress out there. You’ve had [California] Governor Newsom bring it up with the Chinese government. But you know, frankly, I think the person who gets the most credit is David Lin’s daughter.”
While Lin was in detention, he missed his daughter Alice’s wedding and the birth of his grandson. In April, she wrote a letter, published by the Wall Street Journal, saying she dreamed of her father “meeting my husband and my 8-year-old son for the first time.”
“No words can express the joy we have,” Alice was quoted as saying by Politico on Sunday. “We have a lot of time to make up for.”
Lin’s release came nearly three weeks after a visit to Beijing by U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in late August, when he met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
TREVOR HUNNICUTT/POOL/AFP/Getty
“I was starting to get indications two or three weeks ago that this might happen,” said Kamm, adding that his “first reaction was to tell Alice.”
More than 200 other U.S. nationals are still being held in China, according to the Dui Hua Foundation. Family members of three of those Americans — Dawn Michelle Hunt, Kai Li and Nelson Wells — are scheduled to give testimony at a Wednesday hearing of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which focuses on detained U.S. citizens.
“Mr. Kai Li has had a stroke and Nelson Wells (has) serious medical issues,” said Kamm. He said another American, Mark Swidan, a Texas businessman currently on death row in China for alleged drug trafficking, “is quite ill.”
Swidan’s mother Katherine told CBS News in April that she feared he might take his own life after more than a decade behind bars.
“We are very concerned and afraid that Mark will end his life,” she told “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan after U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns visited her son in prison, adding an urgent call for President Biden to ensure his release.
All forms of early prison release require court approval in China, except for medical parole, he added.
“It doesn’t have to be approved by the court. It can be approved by the prison. So, I’m hoping that the prison in each case will take some mercy — they’ve suffered long enough — and release them on humanitarian grounds,” he said.
CookUnity
Looking to save some money on your weekly food budget this fall? Meal kit delivery services are already a budget-friendly alternative to grocery shopping or ordering delivery, but we here at CBS Essentials have found even more ways to save with the best deals on meal kits this month.
Unless you’re brand new to meal kits (in which case welcome to your new nutritious, affordable and hassle-free lifestyle!), you’ve probably seen a meal kit company offer up an enticing deal for first-time subscribers. These deals, which typically translate to price markdowns on one or more weekly deliveries, can be fleeting — there one week, gone the next.
To help you find the best deals that won’t slip through your metaphorical fingers, we’ve researched the absolute best deals on meal kits that are available this month.
The best deals on meal kits this month
We rounded up the best deals you’ll find on meal kits and listed our favorites below. These deals are definitely available through the end of September, but beyond that, who’s to say? Don’t wait around to see these big discounts and fun freebies vanish after this month ends — find the best meal kit delivery deal for you and sign up today.
Interested in saving money on your first meal kit delivery? How about discounts that last for several week’s worth of orders? Whether you’re looking for a great deal on first time meal kit subscriptions or simply want to hook yourself up with freebies like ButcherBox’s offer of free ground beef and wings for six months, we have the best deals you can find on meal kits this month below.
Save 50% off your first order with CookUnity
CookUnity via X/Twitter
Based in New York, CookUnity is a chef-to-consumer meal delivery service that pairs families with the works of local talented chefs. It isn’t available nationwide quite yet, but CookUnity is rapidly expanding its reach, covering most of the continental U.S. with the exception of West Virginia, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and parts of Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado.
If you’re interested in signing up for access to CookUnity’s 70+ weekly recipes, now is the time to act. For the rest of this month, CookUnity is offering a whopping 50% discount for that first weekly delivery to new subscribers.
Free ground beef and wings for six months when you try ButcherBox
ButcherBox
Sometimes you know exactly what you want in a meal delivery service, and if that’s grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork or chicken, then ButcherBox is right up your alley.
This delivery service replaces the wide variety of meals and sides that most other meal delivery services offer in place of a curated selection of meats. You can then use these as the base for your own cooking.
ButcherBox works with a group of family-owned farms and cooperatives to source its meats. ButcherBox deliveries are priced per meal. ButcherBox always offers free shipping.
All month long, first time subscribers can enjoy an impressive bonus: free ground beef and free wings each week for six months.
Enjoy 50% off your first four weeks with Blue Apron
Blue Apron
During our in-depth review for Blue Apron, we found plenty of reasons to sign up for the popular meal delivery service. Among Blue Apron’s +70 weekly recipe options, there are more than a few diet-friendly options for people to choose from.
Blue Apron also offers subscribers a choice between build-your-own meal kits that take as little as 20 minutes to whip up in the kitchen and a new line of prepared and ready meals. These nutritious offerings take no time at all to prepare, with most prepared and ready dishes ready to go in five minutes or less.
This month, Blue Apron is offering new subscribers an impressive 50% discount that is spread across their first four weeks.
Save 10% on orders over $100 with Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest has a refreshing menu full of dinners, lunches and snacks that are made from whole fruits and vegetables. If you want certified organic meals, Daily Harvest is worth considering.
Daily Harvest is extra worthy this month thanks to a simple yet effective discount: new subscribers can save 10% on orders with a total over $100.
Deliveries are put together one item at a time, so you have the freedom to build your own meal plan each week. Pick anywhere from nine to 24 items each week. Prices for Daily Harvest typically start at $7 per item.
Want half off your first box? Sign up for Factor
Factor
If you want fresh, ready-made meals that take little to no prep time, then Factor has a number of nutritious and satisfying meals for you to try out this month. Each fresh, never-frozen dinner is designed by one of Factor’s gourmet chefs.
If you’re interested in Factor’s selection of diet-friendly options — Factor serves up more than 30 dietitian-approved meals each week — then now is the time to sign up.
All through September, first time subscribers can save 50% off the price of their first box.
Get discounted meals as low as $3 per serving with EveryPlate
EveryPlate
One of the most affordable meal kit delivery services available today just got a little bit cheaper thanks to this month’s discount. EveryPlate offers a good selection of nutritious and hassle-free recipes each week, which you can enjoy for a fraction of the normal price by signing up during September.
Normally available starting at $5 per serving, EveryPlate orders are currently available to new subscribers for as low as $3 per serving.
Save $260 off your first five boxes with Marley Spoon
Marley Spoon
Marley Spoon is a meal kit company that’s all about the cooking experience. Each box contains quality ingredients and recipes based off of Martha Stewart classics, which have been pared down to be even more accessible to the average home chef.
If you’re ready to make the switch to meal kits, Marley Spoon has the perfect long-term offer. Right now, anyone who signs up for Marley Spoon can enjoy $260 in savings, spread across their first five boxes.
Get 50% off your first box, while supplies last, with Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot offers delicious, frequently low-calorie, meals each week. Every plant-based meal kit or pre-made meal is packed with nutrients — a perfect choice for vegans, vegetarians or anyone who just wants to eat healthier.
All through September, Purple Carrot is offering a 50% discount on that first weekly box for first-time subscribers.
How much do meal kits cost?
One of the biggest benefits to meal kits is the cost. Let’s face it: grocery prices can easily get out of hand, no matter how thrifty you are. The average two-person household typically spends between $450 and $800 per month at the grocery store.
Meal kit prices essentially boil down to the price per serving for each delivered meal kit. Most meal kits cost between $8 and $12 per serving, with prices going up if you choose fewer meals or servings each week (and vice versa). These prices are laid out for subscribers building their meal plan.
The good news is that first-time subscribers can usually find impressive sign-up bonuses and discounts. If you’re looking for the best deals, circle back to our list above for the best meal kit deals available through the end of September.
How do meal kits work?
Put simply, a meal kit is a subscription food delivery service that’s all about convenience. Meal kits are shipped right to your door, with ingredients prepped and pre-portioned to save you as much time as possible in the kitchen. Most meal kits leave the cooking steps up to you: Simply follow the included instructions (typically printed on recipe cards that you can save) to whip up dinner for you or the whole family with ease.
Weekly recipes change weekly so there’s always something new to look forward to. And if you ever want a break from meal kits, most meal kit delivery services make it easy to pause or cancel your subscription.
What is the best meal kit for large families?
In many ways, meal kits are one of the best solutions for anyone struggling to come up with new and nutritional dinners each night for a full house. They can help to cut down on expenses and save you time with pre-portioned meal kits that take a fraction of the time to whip up over a traditional home cooked meal.
One standout benefit that some meal delivery services offer is the option to personalize your meal plan. EveryPlate is one meal delivery service that has a meal plan perfectly tailored for larger families. EveryPlate’s kid-friendly family plan comes with dozens of weekly meal options.
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Former President Donald Trump regularly criticizes President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris over what inflation is costing families, citing one figure in particular.
At a Las Vegas rally on Sept. 13, Trump blamed Harris for causing “the worst inflation in American history, costing us and the typical family $28,000.” He also highlighted the $28,000 figure at recent rallies in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Arizona.
Under President Biden, year-over-year inflation — or the pace of price increases — peaked at 9.1% in June 2022, the highest monthly figure in about 40 years, but it has since cooled considerably. In August, inflation hit a three-year low of 2.5%.
Lower inflation means the rate of price increases has slowed, but not that prices themselves have decreased. CBS News’ price tracker shows the cost of everyday household expenses remain higher compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Economists told CBS News that Trump’s $28,000 figure is largely correct. Citing the figure on its own, however, ignores the crucial context that inflation led to income growth, not just price hikes. Data indicates that over the last three and a half years, many Americans have seen a net positive increase in their finances.
Where the $28,000 figure comes from
The estimate that inflation has cost the typical American household $28,000 since Mr. Biden took office is consistent with an inflation tracker from Republicans on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee.
The tracker is based on government data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis of state-level personal consumption expenditures — one measure of spending on goods and services.
The study tracked monthly costs for the average American household in each state since January 2021. From that point through July 2024, the average cumulative increase in household costs among all 50 states and Washington, D.C., was $27,950, due to inflation. In an update for August 2024, the increase rose to around $29,000.
Economists told CBS News the estimate for the total increase in household costs in the last three and a half years is likely in the correct range. Experts generally agree that household costs have increased since January 2021, although the precise number differs depending on the specific metrics used.
Comparing price increases under Trump and Biden
The Republicans on the Joint Economic Committee told CBS News they did not do a similar analysis of how household costs changed under Trump’s administration.
Government data shows prices also grew under Trump, but by much less. The Consumer Price Index for all items increased by around 8% over Trump’s four years in office. By comparison, the total increase in consumer prices thus far under Biden is around 20%.
Of course, the two faced markedly different economic circumstances during their time in the White House.
While Trump’s administration enjoyed low inflation and healthy job growth for much of his time in office, the pandemic leveled the economy toward the end of his term. Early in the Biden administration, inflation reached modern highs as the economy recovered from employment and global supply chain disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many other countries around the world also saw high inflation due to the pandemic — in some cases far higher than the U.S.
The Federal Reserve believes keeping inflation at a low, stable rate of around 2% year-over-year is best for a well functioning economy where people and businesses can plan financially. It’s typical for prices to grow throughout a presidential term. A reduction in prices, or deflation, is generally not thought of as desirable by economists, and price increases are considered a feature of a healthy economy.
How incomes have fared under Biden
Economists say price increases should be compared to income increases to fully understand how inflation is affecting people’s finances.
Mark Zandi of the independent Moody’s Analytics told CBS News that due to inflation, the median American household spent $905 more in August 2024 to purchase the same goods and services than they did in August 2021. However, the median household made $1,073 more in August 2024 than it did three years ago.
Cumulatively, the Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee told CBS News that their calculations show the average family earned $35,390 in additional wages and salaries between the start of Mr. Biden’s term and July 2024 — a figure that’s more than $7,000 greater than the total increase in household costs over that time period estimated by the committee’s Republicans.
As of last year, Americans’ incomes had rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census, in 2023, median household income rose a healthy 4%, to $80,610, on par with earnings in 2019 on an inflation-adjusted basis.
Another way to measure the financial health of Americans is to look at government data on real disposable personal income, which reflects after-tax income adjusted for inflation. This income figure includes not only wages and salaries but also income from investments and government subsidies.
Disposable personal income has been higher on average during Mr. Biden’s term than it was in December 2020, Trump’s last full month in office. According to Gary Burtless, an economist and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, real disposable personal income per person has been above $49,407 — where it was in December 2020 — for 30 of the 43 months of Mr. Biden’s term so far.
“Given that Americans’ actual real incomes have increased over the course of the Biden administration, it’s a little hard to see the basis for claiming that ‘inflation under Biden has cost the typical U.S. family $28,000,'” Burtless said.