Good Question Reply All: Stadium Lights, Goose Bumps, And More
Heather Brown answers all your questions, from where did goose bumps get its name to where do bird go during a thunderstorm.
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Heather Brown answers all your questions, from where did goose bumps get its name to where do bird go during a thunderstorm.
Mary wrote to us this week out of frustration. In fact, many of you were quite angry in your Good Question submissions about the government shutdown. On Tuesday, we answered the GQ about Congressional members' salaries. I thought we'd use this space to answer Mary's question: Is there a recall option for Congress?
A few years back, Kathy Lesicka's Monticello home had hail damage and needed the roof replaced. Two months after the repairs, her homeowners' premium increased by $200. "That was the first time we ever claimed, and we were like, 'We've been with you for 20 years, are you kidding me?'" she said.
Last year, the flu virus showed up in Minnesota in October, so many doctors are recommending people get the shot now. That has Susie wondering: Can you get sick from the flu shot?
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers won't be getting paid for the foreseeable future. That had many of you emailing, wanting to know: Do members of Congress get paid during a government shutdown?
Many viewers of the Vikings game Sunday may have taken in some adult beverages; perhaps a beer or two. So, we thought this would be a good time to answer a question from Bruce in Blaine: How much does beer contribute to a beer belly? Allina Health cardiologist Dr. Courtney Baechler says beer bellies are a bit of a myth. "Culturally speaking, men tend to drink a little more beer than women, and it's the perfect nitus to get fat because it's a lot of carbohydrates," Dr. Baechler said.
Thanks to everyone who sent in Good Question suggestions this week! Please keep them coming! In the meantime, I wanted to answer a few that didn't make air. Rosy has a question I've never thought about before: Why do people put an "s" on the end of email, as in emails? We don't say we are going to pick up our snail mails from the post office. Good point, Rosy. I looked up the definition of email in the dictionary and found three definitions – two for nouns and one for a verb.
This weekend, the University of Minnesota, along with many other colleges and high schools, will celebrate homecoming. That had U of M senior Kelli Peterson wondering: How did homecoming traditions start?
It's a source of pride for many Minnesotans – the number of Fortune 500 companies that call Minnesota home. "We live in an amazing state, so I thought a big percentage were here," said Diane Anderson, of Minneapolis.
On Tuesday, Burger King released a healthier french fry: the Satisfry. The fast-food restaurant says it has 20 percent fewer calories and 25 percent percent less fat compared to regular fries. It's made with a different batter so less oil is absorbed.
After mortgage banker Alex Stenback of Alerus Mortgage helps people buy a new home, he sells off the mortgage. "We sell everything that we do here," Stenback said. "When we sell them, it's one by one." About 80 percent of home loans are eligible to be sold. Stenback says it can happen for a couple of reasons. "One is there is $10 trillion in outstanding mortgages right now in the country and there's simply not enough deposits in all the banks to make that many mortgages," he said.
It's Friday, and Heather Brown went to the mailbag to answer some of your burning Good Questions about the human body.
Thank you to everyone who sent in Good Question suggestions this week! So far, I've counted about 75 submissions and that's just from the emails. Please keep them coming! In the meantime, though, I wanted to answer a few that didn't make air.
In the land of lutefisk and Uff-da, it appears there are fewer Sven and Oles. According to new data released by the U.S. Census, the faces of Minnesota are changing.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released its "eat your fruits and vegetables" reminder. It used to be the experts suggested people eat between 3 to 5 servings of vegetables and 2 to 4 servings of fruits each day. But now the CDC says the number of servings depends on the person.
All across the state, workplaces, doctors' offices and drug stores have been offering the flu shot. For years, the Centers for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health have recommended people get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available, which is generally the middle to end of September.
According to AAA, the average cost of gas has been more than $3 per gallon for 1,000 days straight. It's the longest streak ever for gas prices at this level. Right now, the average in Minnesota is $3.50 per gallon, slightly lower than the national average of $3.54 per gallon. Bob Darbelnet, president and CEO of AAA, says kiss the days of cheaper gas prices goodbye. "Paying less than $3 per gallon for gasoline may be automotive history for most Americans, like using 8-track tapes or going to a drive-in movie," Darbelnet said.
Don from Eden Prairie and Linda from Roseville want to know: What happens to the money collected when NFL players are fined?
We've all heard that sound -- a motorcycle so loud it can hurt your ears. Some bikers say they do it to be safer on the road, but being too loud is against Minnesota law.
Almost all of us remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center 12 years ago. "I remember thinking, is this really happening, it's like an out of body experience," said Kristin Witte of Minneapolis.
In 2013, 91 percent of us own some sort of cell phone. Fifty-six percent own a smart phone. It wasn't until 2007 that we saw what's now considered the first smartphone – the iPhone. The iPhone 5 is now the top selling phone in US, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S III.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average Minnesota driver pays $125 per year to register his or her car. But some of us pay much more, and some of us pay much less. So, when Joel Tracy of St. Paul found out his daughter paid almost $400 her new minivan's tags, he was surprised. He had only paid $41 for his 2002 Tahoe. "I thought she stuttered," Tracy said. According to Bruce Gordon, the director of communications for the Department of Public Safety, the car tabs fees are set by the state legislature.
Mary from Eagan wants to know: Why do speedometers go so high? Her Honda CRV says 140 mph, but she, like many of us, would never go that fast. According to Larry Dominique, a longtime automotive engineer and current president of ALG, there are two reasons: 1) Consumer research shows that when people are driving on the highway, they like their speedometers to be between 11 and 1, like on a clock. That makes the needle easier to see at highway speeds. 2) Consumers believe that a car that says it can go 140 mph is better than a car that says it can go 120 mph.
It's estimated about 40,000 to 50,000 Minnesotans are Jewish. And on Thursday, many of them went to services or spent time with family to celebrate an important holiday – Rosh Hashanah. "It's our new year. It's the start of a new beginning," said Madeline Grolnick just after she attended services at Temple Israel in uptown Minneapolis.
Over the past few weeks, you might have been hearing a loud buzzing sound outside. It sounds like buzzing power lines, but it's actually an insect we usually start hearing in Minnesota in July. "All the buzzing is cicadas," said U of M Extension Entomologist Jeffrey Hahn. He said he heard from so many people about the cicadas at the U of M Extension State Fair booth that he decided to write an article about it.
Educators from across Minnesota on Friday demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stay away from school property.
The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe said Thursday that he's been "made aware" that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained four of its members in Minneapolis.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the creation of a new IRS task force and other measures to combat fraud, underscoring the Trump administration's focus on Minnesota amidst the immigration crackdown.
The Minnesota Attorney General and Hennepin County Attorney's offices announced a joint effort on Friday to gather their own evidence related to the fatal shooting of Renee Good, after state authorities said they were blocked from participating in the investigation.
The White House shared video showing a different angle of Renee Nicole Good's shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and the moments that led up to it, as the investigation continues.
Educators from across Minnesota on Friday demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stay away from school property.
The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe said Thursday that he's been "made aware" that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained four of its members in Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Attorney General and Hennepin County Attorney's offices announced a joint effort on Friday to gather their own evidence related to the fatal shooting of Renee Good, after state authorities said they were blocked from participating in the investigation.
Minneapolis is reeling after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman on the city's south side Wednesday morning.
Now that he's had an inside perspective, Connie Olson says he has one key takeaway: "No one knows what's going on."
Police in Moorhead, Minnesota, are asking for the public's help to find 17-year-old Neeshka Lafromboise, who has been missing since Monday.
Brian Pippitt, who had his sentence commuted after two and a half decades in prison, has been released from prison.
Some schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are delayed or closed on Tuesday as early morning rain makes the roads slick.
Leaders in Minnesota are reacting Monday morning to Gov. Tim Walz's announcement that he is dropping his reelection bid.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Monday reversed course by dropping out of the 2026 gubernatorial race amid intense scrutiny of his handling of the state's fraud scandal.
A Wisconsin man accused of sending the state Supreme Court's chief justice intimidating emails has been sentenced to probation.
Some schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are delayed or closed on Tuesday as early morning rain makes the roads slick.
A western Wisconsin town is reveling in the national spotlight.
When he's not playing zone or man, Hall is carving it up at local hills. He has qualified for multiple professional snowboard competitions.
Two people were killed and another hurt in a crash in western Wisconsin Tuesday afternoon.
Many people who serve in the U.S. military find it hard to ask for assistance when they've been trained to help and serve others.
Food Bank Eatery in North Minneapolis provides free meals for children, who may have little to eat after the pause of SNAP benefits for many in the community.
Firefighters are continuing a 44-year tradition that happens every year north of the Twin Cities.
It was a scary moment in the Twin Cities over the weekend, as a trailer hauling sled dogs turned over on Interstate 494 in Minnetonka.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the creation of a new IRS task force and other measures to combat fraud, underscoring the Trump administration's focus on Minnesota amidst the immigration crackdown.
Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Minnesota was going solo and holding its own probe.
The Minnesota Attorney General and Hennepin County Attorney's offices announced a joint effort on Friday to gather their own evidence related to the fatal shooting of Renee Good, after state authorities said they were blocked from participating in the investigation.
Ex-Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, a graduate of Roosevelt, visited his high school to talk about President Trump, ICE, a possible run for governor and more. Ventura called ICE "the draft-dodging coward's Gestapo" and said the U.S. is a "third-world country."
The White House shared video showing a different angle of Renee Nicole Good's shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and the moments that led up to it, as the investigation continues.
It's a business model picking up steam across the Twin Cities. For instance, all the major sports venues in town, like Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, no longer accept cash.
WCCO gathered data on core staple items from Aldi in Apple Valley, Target in Fridley and Cub Foods in north Minneapolis.
Minnesota drivers have something to celebrate this holiday — a price drop at the pump.
With costs still high and budgets stretched, getting smarter with money matters more than ever.
There were 584 vehicles towed during this week's snow emergency in Minneapolis. That number stands at 352 and counting in St. Paul, where parking restrictions are in place until 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the creation of a new IRS task force and other measures to combat fraud, underscoring the Trump administration's focus on Minnesota amidst the immigration crackdown.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz implored the federal authorities to allow state investigators to work alongside them as they launch a probe into the shooting death of a 37-year-old woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Wednesday.
CBS News watched bystander video of the deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis frame-by-frame with retired ICE agent Eric Balliet to discuss the tactics used. He raised a few key points that dispute the DHS narrative of what happened.
As conflicting accounts about what happened in Minneapolis swirl, state and federal investigators are now taking a closer look at Wednesday's ICE-involved shooting. WCCO looked at the Department of Homeland Security policy on the use of force.
Officials in Burnsville, Minnesota, say a 23-year-old man is in custody and faces criminal charges in connection to a New Year's Day assault against a 74-year-old woman.
Just one day after dropping his bid for reelection, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the state's paid family leave program is one of the most transformational bills the state has ever passed.
Roughly 12,000 Minnesotans have already applied for the state's new paid family leave program, according to an update by the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
It's a beauty technique that's exploding. Depending on your age, you might not have heard of it. It's called micro-needling.
The clock is ticking to snag a few more gifts and prepare for that holiday trip to visit family. As the pressure builds, so does the stress.
The Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association says of the middle and high schools they know of, only 49% have an athletic trainer providing some level of service.
Here are the significant books, films and characters joining the list of works in the public domain on Jan. 1, 2026.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Feeding America's CEO said the organization is "incredibly grateful" for Taylor Swift's large donation.
Anthony Edwards became the third-youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points when the Minnesota Timberwolves star swished a 13-foot fadeaway jumper from the baseline in the fourth quarter against Cleveland.
Mats Zuccarello scored off a feed from Kirill Kaprizov on a rush at 2:09 of overtime, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Thursday night to finish a two-week, seven-game trip.
Julius Randle had 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to help the Minnesota Timberwolves hang on to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 131-122 for their fourth consecutive victory.
Anthony Edwards scored 26 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Miami Heat for the second time in four days, 122-94.
Langston Reynolds scored 22 points and Cade Tyson added 16 and Minnesota held off a rally to defeat No. 19 Iowa 70-67.
The DFL race pits two prominent party leaders, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig, against each other.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for answers about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. She is also denouncing the president's attacks on the Somali community and herself. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy shows us how, for Omar, this is a familiar position to be in.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for clarity about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
Fear and uncertainty continue in Minnesota's Somali communities as ICE continues its intensified focus on the Twin Cities.
Opposition to ICE actions is widespread among Democratic elected officials throughout the state, though nowhere more than in Minneapolis, home to the state's largest Somali population.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Holiday lights are on full display across the state right now, and just south of the Twin Cities you'll find a Christmas light show that's been around for more than half a century.
The story begins years ago when the city acquired one of the T-38 Talon Thunderbird jets from the Air Force.
The holidays are upon us, and in the town of Kellogg, Minnesota, you'll find a toy store unlike any other.
With the holidays fast approaching, and lutefisk on the menu for many families, one Minnesota town has the distinction of being called the "Lutefisk Capital of the Country."
It's a business model picking up steam across the Twin Cities. For instance, all the major sports venues in town, like Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, no longer accept cash.
From the frozen ponds and lakes to the packed indoor rinks serving as community hubs, hockey is uniquely celebrated and cherished in Minnesota like no other state in the country.
Have you ever wondered how the actors memorize so many lines? A neurologist says everyone could strengthen their memories by taking cues from actors.
It's a beauty technique that's exploding. Depending on your age, you might not have heard of it. It's called micro-needling.
According to the Smithsonian Magazine and Britannica, eggnog has British roots.
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.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
Some incoming winterlike temperatures will halt the recent melting.
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.
A band of snow will move across Minnesota on Friday night, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Adam Del Rosso.
Another weak wave of energy will spawn a few isolated snow showers tonight into Saturday, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
Any leftover snow wraps up early Friday in the Twin Cities, with a few slick spots possible for the morning commute, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Joseph Dames.
Some incoming winterlike temperatures will halt the recent melting.
Members of Education Minnesota talked about how ICE activity near schools has incited anxiety and fear.
Barricades are no longer surrounding a memorial where the shooting happened.
Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Minnesota was going solo and holding its own probe.
Dr. David Nathan, Allina Health psychologist, shares some thoughts on how to manage mental health during difficult, even scary times.