diff --git a/foodie_utils.py b/foodie_utils.py
index 8f755b3..68803bf 100644
--- a/foodie_utils.py
+++ b/foodie_utils.py
@@ -38,12 +38,13 @@ IMAGE_UPLOAD_TIMEOUT = 30  # Added to fix NameError
 
 IMAGE_EXPIRATION_DAYS = 7  # 7 days, consistent with foodie_automator_rss.py
 
-def load_json_file(file_path, expiration_hours=None):
+def load_json_file(file_path, expiration_hours=None, default=None):
     """
-    Load JSON file, optionally filtering out expired entries.
+    Load JSON file, optionally filtering expired entries and returning default if invalid.
     """
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-    default = []
+    if default is None:
+        default = []  # Default to list for posted_rss_titles.json and used_images.json
     
     if not os.path.exists(file_path):
         logger.info(f"File {file_path} does not exist. Returning default: {default}")
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ def save_json_file(file_path, data, timestamp=None):
     try:
         # If timestamp is provided, append as a new entry
         if timestamp:
-            current_data = load_json_file(file_path)
+            current_data = load_json_file(file_path, default=[])
             new_entry = {'title': data, 'timestamp': timestamp}
             if new_entry not in current_data:  # Avoid duplicates
                 current_data.append(new_entry)
@@ -1134,31 +1135,32 @@ def check_author_rate_limit(author, max_requests=10, window_seconds=3600):
     rate_limit_file = '/home/shane/foodie_automator/rate_limit_info.json'
     rate_limit_info = load_json_file(rate_limit_file, default={})
     
-    if author['username'] not in rate_limit_info:
-        rate_limit_info[author['username']] = {
+    username = author['username']
+    if username not in rate_limit_info:
+        rate_limit_info[username] = {
             'remaining': max_requests,
             'reset': time.time()
         }
     
-    info = rate_limit_info[author['username']]
+    info = rate_limit_info[username]
     current_time = time.time()
     
     # Reset if window expired
     if current_time >= info['reset']:
         info['remaining'] = max_requests
         info['reset'] = current_time + window_seconds
-        logger.info(f"Reset rate limit for {author['username']}: {max_requests} requests available")
+        logger.info(f"Reset rate limit for {username}: {max_requests} requests available")
         save_json_file(rate_limit_file, rate_limit_info)
     
     if info['remaining'] <= 0:
         reset_time = datetime.fromtimestamp(info['reset'], tz=timezone.utc).strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')
-        logger.info(f"Author {author['username']} is rate-limited. Remaining: {info['remaining']}, Reset at: {reset_time}")
+        logger.info(f"Author {username} is rate-limited. Remaining: {info['remaining']}, Reset at: {reset_time}")
         return True
     
     # Decrement remaining requests
     info['remaining'] -= 1
     save_json_file(rate_limit_file, rate_limit_info)
-    logger.info(f"Updated rate limit for {author['username']}: {info['remaining']} requests remaining")
+    logger.info(f"Updated rate limit for {username}: {info['remaining']} requests remaining")
     return False
 
 def get_next_author_round_robin():
@@ -1178,6 +1180,7 @@ def get_next_author_round_robin():
             return author
     
     logger.warning("No authors available due to rate limits. Selecting a random author as fallback.")
+    import random
     author = random.choice(AUTHORS)
     logger.info(f"Selected author via random fallback: {author['username']}")
     return author