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With all of the media available to us via television, smartphones and the Internet these days, reading books is still a favorite pastime. According to surveys, how much we read books has remained constant over the years and, in some cases, increased. In the 1950s, Gallup surveys show around 20 percent of Americans were presently reading a book. By the early 90s, the percentage jumped to 37 percent.
On Tuesday, California became the first state to ban single-use plastic bags like the ones used in Target and grocery stores across the country. The plastic bags will be phased out over the next two years, but people can still use them for vegetables and meats. Paper bags will cost 10 cents while reusable bags will be free to use.
Very few people say they like all the negative campaign commercials that hit the airways this past September. In fact, most people will tell you negative political ads turn them off. But, for decades, campaigns have spent millions using attack ads. Earlier this year, Kantar Media CMAG found spending on negative ads outpaced spending on positive ads 15-1 since 2010.
Amanda from Golden Valley and her husband have a standing argument. They asked for our help in resolving this important issue: Should you rinse your dishes in warm or cold water? According to University of St. Thomas nutrition expert Jeannemarie Beiseigel, hot water (110 degrees or higher) is recommended because it helps remove dirt and debris. It also speeds the drying of dishes.
On average, we send and receive more than 100 emails every day. One study found 28 percent of our work time is spent on emails. Even with all of that time, those messages can quickly pile up.
A new report suggests more and more people will never tie the knot. Pew Research found a record 20 percent of adults over the age of 25 have never been married. That's up from 9 percent back in 1960. The authors of the study also predict 25 percent of millennials will never say "I do," even though about half of them say they'd eventually like to get married.
With longer workweeks and busy kids' schedules, some of us feel like we aren't spending as much quality time with our families as we'd like. That's how Eric from Mounds View felt when he wrote to WCCO. He wanted to know: What happened to the 9-to-5 job? "It has changed dramatically," said Dr. Ernest Owens, a management professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Business.
Scorpion," a new television show based 0n a real person with an IQ of 197, made its debut on CBS Monday evening. That's the fourth highest IQ ever recorded. So, what is IQ?
Larye from Minneapolis wants to know: Why don't they fire the cannon off at Gopher football games anymore? This is something they did for years after every Gopher touchdown. Rod Wallace, the man who fired the cannon, retired after this past season.
Pizza, nachos, ice cream -- when it comes to food, we all have our favorites. And depending on the time of day, we may crave one type of food over another. "We are just descendants from cave men, so it was all about survival," said Christina Meyer-Jax, a registered dietician.
The Adrian Peterson case has opened up a national conversation about how to respond when a child misbehaves. On Monday, Peterson released a statement saying in part, "I'm not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser."
Now that the Vikings and Gophers both play at TCF Bank Stadium, grounds crews are working hard to make sure the turf is painted properly for the right game. Over the course of the season, they'll have to flip the field 17 times. Several people have emailed WCCO wondering how this even happens.
Why do so many people want to be first when buying luxury goods like the new iPhone?
James from Apple Valley asked: Why are potato chip bags so full of air? Frito-Lay, the largest of the chip makers, says the following: "Our chips are packaged by weight depending on bag size. Prior to sealing, we add air to the bags to cushion the chips and help prevent breakage."
We all know why food has expiration dates, but did you know car seats and bike helmets do as well? After Heather from Richmond had a baby, she saw the date on her car seat and wanted to know what it means.
