Good Question: How Long Should We Keep Financial Documents?
This time of year, many of us talk about getting our finances in order. A WCCO-TV viewer named Rachael from St. Joseph wrote us asking how long she should keep her financial documents.
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This time of year, many of us talk about getting our finances in order. A WCCO-TV viewer named Rachael from St. Joseph wrote us asking how long she should keep her financial documents.
About 40 percent of us will make New Year's resolutions for 2014. But,according to research by University of Scranton psychologist Dr. John Norcross, those lofty goals fall by the wayside after six months for more than half who set them. In his study, success rates were 71 percent for two weeks, 64 percent for one month and 46 percent for six months.
Every year, billions of people spend time with friends and family on December 25th to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But, there's no mention of Jesus' birthdate in Bible, so why do we celebrate on the 25th? Good Question.
It's that time of year when we might not even be able to see the real color of our car. When that familiar shade of dirty whitish-grey appears, it seems the cars themselves are screaming for a soapy brush. Nick Burlow, owner of Isles Auto Repair, says it's probably not a bad idea to wash your vehicle at least once a week.
Sara from Bloomington, Katie from Savage and Elisabeth from Owatonna asked: Why do we decorate with lights at Christmas?
During the holidays, many of us thank the people who have helped us throughout the year. According to a Consumer Reports survey from the 2011 holiday season, a little less than half of Americans tip during the holidays -- sometimes, it's with cash, gift cards, home-baked cookies and gifts.
Christmas is one week away, but the National Retail Federation says about half of us haven't finished our shopping and 14 percent haven't even started. "I'm just lazy," said Mohammed Abdelfathah of Fridley. "I say I'll do it in another hour, then another hour, then tomorrow."
We know Christmas must be close when we see poinsettias decorating offices, public spaces and homes. "I like them because they're pretty and last long," said 8-year-old Abby, who was buying one for herself and one for her mother at Bachman's on Tuesday night.
The new Weather Watcher sign atop the WCCO building has been alerting TV viewers and passersby to changes in the air since the day after Thanksgiving. That has prompted several Good Questions from WCCO viewers, including one from 10-year-old Alex of Glenwood City, Wis. He wanted to know: How do we decide when to change the color? For example, flurries were in the forecast for Monday night, but warmer weather is on the way. The Weather Watcher was shining red. "I was watching the news and it was showing red on the thing, and I looked at it and said snow is coming, too," Alex said.
There's no denying winter has arrived in Minnesota. Many of us have sent us questions about our recent blast of frigid air this week. So we thought we'd answer your cold weather Good Questions in this week's Reply All.
Every holiday season, thousands of Minnesotans will eat lutefisk dinners in church basements, restaurants and VFW posts across the state. On Friday night, Minneapolis' Mount Olivet Church will hold one of the largest in the state with 1,600 people.
Among our weapons to fight winter is an ingredient that's also on our kitchen table. Salt gets rid of the slick spots on our driveways and sidewalks. But how does salt melt ice? Good Question.
We all know Minnesota winters aren't easy, especially driving through all the ice and snow. This week's weather has reminded some of us it's time to change our tires. But who really needs snow tires? Good Question.
On CBS' 60 Minutes, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced a plan to deliver packages within 30 minutes by unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones. Amazon's "Prime Air' service could be used for packages which weigh less than five pounds, and can only be sent to destinations that are within 10 miles of an Amazon distribution center. Bezos said he hopes the service could be ready in four years. "I know this looks like science fiction," Bezos said. "It's not." So, how realistic is this idea?
James from Apple Valley and Anna from Sartell wanted to know: When did Black Friday start? According to BlackFriday.com, the term "Black Friday" was coined back in the 1960s, but it was really 1924 - the first year of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - that the day after Thanksgiving became the unofficial start to the Christmas shopping season. Early on, when the term was coined in 1961, it had a negative connotation because Philadelphia Police used it to describe the traffic jams and clogged sidewalks of that day. But, by the 1980s, the idea of the Friday after Thanksgiving putting the retailers back in the black (or profitable) started to take hold.
Thirty-one years ago on Thanksgiving Day, a massive fire in downtown Minneapolis robbed the Northwestern National Bank of its iconic weather ball. But on Friday, a new twist on the weather ball concept was shining over Nicollet Mall.
f turkey sandwiches, turkey soup and turkey a la king are on your menu over weekend, it's good to know long it's safe to eat Thanksgiving leftovers.
After all of the Thanksgiving cooking comes the cleaning as garbage disposals get a major workout. "The day after Thanksgiving is usually our biggest day for drains, especially kitchen sinks," said Jason Kuehn, a plumber with Dean's Professional Plumbing and Heating.
If you were to listen to the headlines, "Nature threatens holiday happiness," you wouldn't be crazy to think no one will be getting home for the holidays.
Imagine having to dress up an almost five-million-square foot space for the holidays! The daunting task is a reality for Brett Baudette, design manager at MOA. He says they "kick in to holiday gear" in mid-September, contracting out to about 100 workers who normally build inside the stores. "It's a team of construction workers," Baudette said. "It's kind of a fun change for them." They'll spend $250,000 on new decorations and labor, with most of the work executed in the middle of the night.
Caroline Kennedy was sworn in as the ambassador to Japan on Tuesday. So, that had Wendy from Eagan wondering: What does being an ambassador entail? According to the U.S. State Department, a U.S. ambassador is the president's highest-ranking representative to another country. That person's main role is to coordinate the Foreign Service office and the staff that serves under him or her. An ambassador is nominated by the president, but must be approved by the Senate. Some ambassadors are long-time diplomats, and others have been political friends or allies. In this case, Caroline Kennedy is a well-known person from prominent political family who will fill a high-profile ambassadorship.
The rules for car and booster seats can be confusing for any parent. Car seat laws vary by state. So what are the car seat laws and how do you know when your child should switch from a car seat to a seatbelt? Good Question.
For the first time since 1888, the first day of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving will overlap. Experts say that might not happen again until 79,811.
"One of the principles of the Affordable Care Act is that everybody has good insurance," said Dan McLaughlin, director of the Center for Health and Medical Affairs at the University of St. Thomas. "When you start pulling apart the insurance, all of the sudden you have inadequate insurance."
Every year, the average American family spends more than $100 on energy costs to power appliances that have been turned off. These "vampire appliances" - like televisions, cable boxes, DVD players, etc. - continue to use power once we turn off the power switch. According to the Department of Energy, this vampire power accounts for 4 to 5 percent of the energy use in a home. As is the case with almost all appliances, when we turn something "off," it's still usually "on" in standby mode.
The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a new contract with quarterback Carson Wentz to bring back the 11th-year veteran for more depth after a problematic season at the vital position.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says non-citizen voting is extremely rare. He cited a University of St. Thomas study that found only three instances of non-citizens voting in Minnesota between 2014 and 2024.
Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman, who was shot multiple times by an assailant impersonating law enforcement testified in favor of making it a felony to masquerade as an officer.
Minnesota lawmakers say they will introduce a bill to repeal Cesar Chavez Day after multiple women accused the late farm union and civil rights leader of sexual abuse.
At a hangout spot off Washington Avenue in Minneapolis, it's pure anticipation.
Minnesota lawmakers say they will introduce a bill to repeal Cesar Chavez Day after multiple women accused the late farm union and civil rights leader of sexual abuse.
At a hangout spot off Washington Avenue in Minneapolis, it's pure anticipation.
The people of Minneapolis-St. Paul are being honored with a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for their response to the federal immigration enforcement operation this winter, the JFK Library Foundation announced Wednesday.
Sacramento-based Sutter Health announced plans to acquire Minneapolis-based Allina Health, promising a $2 billion investment in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but healthcare unions say workers weren't consulted.
In Columbia Heights, a small city that made national headlines after ICE detained a five-year-old during Operation Metro Surge, community groups are working daily to keep up with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of need.
Authorities are investigating an alleged incident involving the Rogers High School boys' basketball team that occurred during travel to and from an away game.
Some Minnesota lawmakers want ticket resellers to face the music for charging exorbitant prices on the secondary market.
Comedian Bert Kreischer is without a tour bus after his caught fire in Minnesota.
A mother who was blackmailed by a Minnesota sheriff is speaking out for the first time in a WCCO Investigation. Darcey Duncan recently received a multi-million-dollar settlement for the abuse she endured. The former Chisago County sheriff pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct in 2023.
Three townhomes in Lusten, Minnesota, were damaged in a fire on Monday afternoon, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office.
Wisconsin lawmakers are taking a shot at expanding sports betting in the state.
A Wisconsin legislator has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct in connection with a bitter feud with her caucus over resolutions honoring Hispanics.
As the war in Iran evolves, National Guardsmen from Wisconsin are being recognized for what they are doing in the Middle East.
It's the season for booking those spring break getaways, and if you're looking to skip the airport this year, take a page out of the Condé Nast Traveler.
A judge has sentenced a Wisconsin man who forged threats against President Donald Trump as part of a deportation scheme to 16½ years in prison.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections says 95% of all incarcerated individuals will eventually be released from prison. The DOC says it does all it can to help people transition back into the community as productive citizens.
Minnesota native and World War II veteran Les Schrenk died earlier this week. He was 102 years old.
People from across the nation are traveling to the Twin Cities, but not as tourists. Many want to learn in person from Minnesota protestors to bring that knowledge back to their own cities.
The Edina wife and mother of three said she felt called to go and protest in south Minneapolis after learning that Alex Pretti had been shot and killed by two Border Patrol agents.
Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 people gathered on the Highway 62 bridge between Minneapolis and Richfield after a small protest sparked a confrontation there last week.
President Donald Trump has called the bill his number one priority and says it would prevent non-citizens from voting in the 2026 midterm elections.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says non-citizen voting is extremely rare. He cited a University of St. Thomas study that found only three instances of non-citizens voting in Minnesota between 2014 and 2024.
Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman, who was shot multiple times by an assailant impersonating law enforcement testified in favor of making it a felony to masquerade as an officer.
Minnesota lawmakers say they will introduce a bill to repeal Cesar Chavez Day after multiple women accused the late farm union and civil rights leader of sexual abuse.
The Minnesota Senate Rules Committee on Thursday afternoon will hear a proposal to change a rule that would allow young children on the chamber floor and allow breastfeeding and formula feeding.
Xcel Energy wants to increase rates for 492,000 natural gas customers in Minnesota. Customers can weigh in on the proposal during public hearings in April and May.
As fraud remains in focus in the Minnesota Legislature, the House on Monday unanimously approved a bill to repeal from state law a problematic program that prosecutors said was the target of a massive fraud scheme.
Delta is canceling flights at Midwest airports, including its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub, ahead of expected significant snow and winds starting Saturday evening through Sunday, the airline said Friday.
Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered in their home in June 2025. On top of grieving the sudden, tragic loss of his parents, Colin Hortman says the cleanup of his childhood home was a headache.
Data show that catalytic converter thefts are on the rise again in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman, who was shot multiple times by an assailant impersonating law enforcement testified in favor of making it a felony to masquerade as an officer.
The people of Minneapolis-St. Paul are being honored with a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for their response to the federal immigration enforcement operation this winter, the JFK Library Foundation announced Wednesday.
A rising number of threats against schools has the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension pushing for more resources to help people who may be on a pathway to violence.
According to police, one person was shot and killed on the 1500 block of Edmund Avenue.
A 29-year-old man from St. Paul, Minnesota, is in custody in connection to threats that led to Wednesday's closure of all public schools in neighboring South St. Paul.
Sacramento-based Sutter Health announced plans to acquire Minneapolis-based Allina Health, promising a $2 billion investment in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but healthcare unions say workers weren't consulted.
Hennepin County lawmakers plan to urge state legislators Wednesday morning to save Hennepin Healthcare, the state's busiest Level 1 trauma center, which officials say could close this year without immediate action.
Hennepin County lawmakers plan to urge state legislators Wednesday morning to save Hennepin Healthcare, the state's busiest Level 1 trauma center, which officials say could close this year without immediate action.
A northern California health nonprofit is planning to acquire Allina Health in a deal that was announced Tuesday.
The hit HBO Max series "The Pitt" is getting buzz for how real it feels, and there's a Minnesota doctor making sure it stays that way.
Afroman spoke to CBS News after he won the case, which tested the limits of parody and the license artists can take in social commentary directed at public figures.
Spring break does not have to mean big travel plans or big spending for families who head to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, where a new exhibit invites children to climb, crawl and create as part of the art experience.
Comedian Bert Kreischer is without a tour bus after his caught fire in Minnesota.
The film follows CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp through their seven-year journey to document the toll of America's school shooting epidemic.
The acclaimed filmmaker, who died in February at age 96, revolutionized the art of documentaries with such films as "Titicut Follies." In an interview recorded last year, the pioneering Wiseman talked about his unusual production methods aimed at capturing life.
The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a new contract with quarterback Carson Wentz to bring back the 11th-year veteran for more depth after a problematic season at the vital position.
Authorities are investigating an alleged incident involving the Rogers High School boys' basketball team that occurred during travel to and from an away game.
Grace Zumwinkle and Kelly Pannek scored 11 seconds apart during a four-goal first period and the Minnesota Frost routed the Ottawa Charge 5-0.
Ayo Dosunmu scored 23 points and had nine rebounds in his second straight start in place of the injured Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves took charge in the second quarter to cruise past the Utah Jazz 147-111.
Wisconsin lawmakers are taking a shot at expanding sports betting in the state.
President Donald Trump has called the bill his number one priority and says it would prevent non-citizens from voting in the 2026 midterm elections.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says non-citizen voting is extremely rare. He cited a University of St. Thomas study that found only three instances of non-citizens voting in Minnesota between 2014 and 2024.
The U.S. Senate has begun debate on a controversial elections bill that would require voters to show proof of citizenship with a birth certificate or passport. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says non-citizen voting is extremely rare. He cited a University of St. Thomas study that found only three instances of non-citizens voting in Minnesota between 2014 and 2024.
Talking Points is tracking a partisan push to end surveillance pricing this legislative session.
This session, a bipartisan bill to end surveillance pricing is moving forward at the Minnesota Capitol. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Minnesota DFL Rep. Erin Koegel about the push and how the ban could protection your personal data.
The Nuss Collection is home to a lot of vintage trucks.
Denis Doyle was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. He emigrated to the U.S. and in 1856, Doyle traveled to Le Sueur County. Other Irish immigrants joined Doyle and the town was born.
One of the oldest operating theaters in the Midwest is in danger of closing its doors for good.
In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, there's a place where you can find radio and television technology that's nearly a century old — and it still works.
One of the best views in Minnesota is at the top of a Bloomington hill. But 15-year-old Jacob Larson isn't here for the scenery. He's here for the jump.
Heavy snow followed by bitter cold hit Minnesotans with a double whammy of winter. The good news is spring-like weather is right around the corner, but its quick arrival could spell trouble for homeowners.
Minnesota lakes remain frozen. The people walking on trails around them remain bundled up. After a warm start to March, the seasonal shift is sputtering as it often tends to do.
Drivers are bracing themselves for higher prices when they pull up to gas stations. But the pump isn't the only place you can expect to pay more in the weeks ahead.
A push for stricter gun laws in Minnesota is not new. However, this session comes on the heels of a devastating mass shooting last summer in which the target was students in prayer at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.
The military strikes against Iran have sparked intense debate in Congress. U.S. lawmakers are not only split on whether to support the operation but also on whether President Trump should have sought congressional approval in advance. WCCO investigates how the Constitution defines declarations of war.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
We're looking at a possible 70-degree day this coming Saturday, WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer reports.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
We will see areas of fog again overnight with our rapid snowmelt kicking moisture into the air, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
It's warming up and there are signs of spring as temps could reach the mid-50s on Thursday.
Temperatures flirted with 50 degrees Wednesday, and Thursday will remain mild with highs in the 40s to low 50s, though lingering fog and low stratus may hold temperatures down in a few locations, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
We're looking at a possible 70-degree day this coming Saturday, WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer reports.
Deputy Marshal Shawn Johnson, 61, taught firefighters across Minnesota through the Minnesota Fire Service Certifications Board.
As March Madness is underway, the debate over whether or not to legalize sports betting in Minnesota is once again a hot topic at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Hoffman's bill would make impersonating an officer in Minnesota a felony instead of a misdemeanor. On Thursday, he recalled the horror of the night he and his wife were shot by an assailant.
Representatives for Liam Ramos and his father said the family entered the U.S. from Ecuador and used an official app to start the process of asylum, but DHS said that it has no record of that.