Good Question 'Reply All': Christmas Edition
Sara from Bloomington, Katie from Savage and Elisabeth from Owatonna asked: Why do we decorate with lights at Christmas?
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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.
Every fall, we have to do something with the leaves that cover our yards. That's so the grass can freeze, we prevent snow mold and make sure little critters can't destroy our lawns.
Whether it's at work or in our personal lives, it seems some people just tend to get sick more often than others. Most of us work with someone who's never taken a sick day, while others use all of them up every year.
The Minnesota Wild has a brand new Zamboni – it's first new ice resurfacer in 14 years. It'll be a few weeks before the 8,620 pound machine is in "game shape," but that had us wondering: how do Zambonis work?
One of the biggest things couples fight about is money. A recent study by Harris Interactive for the American Institute of CPAs found the three biggest money-related arguments: wants vs. needs, unexpected expenses and insufficient savings. So that had us wondering: Should men and women have separate bank accounts? According to Nicole Middendorf, financial analyst and CEO of Prosperwell Financial, the answer is usually 'yes.' "Because, otherwise, I tend to find people fight too much," she said. "We are generally so busy in our lives that we don't take the time to communicate, especially about something that's not fun to communicate about."
As Delta Air Lines works to get back on track after it canceled hundreds of flights over the weekend, customers are left wondering how they can get reimbursed if they are left stranded at the airport.
Mike Lindell's MyPillow may dodge eviction from another one of its Twin Cities buildings after a virtual court hearing on Tuesday morning.
These portable chargers can keep your phone, laptop and other devices ready to go, no matter where you roam.
Senator Tina Smith announced two Native communities in Minnesota will receive federal funding to support small business development.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle stepped down from her role after facing calls to resign after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
As Delta Air Lines works to get back on track after it canceled hundreds of flights over the weekend, customers are left wondering how they can get reimbursed if they are left stranded at the airport.
Mike Lindell's MyPillow may dodge eviction from another one of its Twin Cities buildings after a virtual court hearing on Tuesday morning.
Gov. Tim Walz spoke to WCCO on Monday evening about the Democratic nominee for president process, if he'd like to be the vice presidential nominee and more.
Valleyfair's Fourth of July fireworks show, which was canceled due to flooding, has been rescheduled for the end of summer.
Troy Haro says he mostly feels in the dark about what investigators are up to in the disappearance of his sister, Nikki Anderson.
Gov. Tim Walz spoke to WCCO on Monday evening about the Democratic nominee for president process, if he'd like to be the vice presidential nominee and more.
A scientist warns that the effects of climate change could ultimately drive Minnesota's state bird out of the state entirely.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says that 17-year-old Kaydence Johnson ran away from a residence in Sartell on June 22 with another girl.
County fair season is in full swing in Minnesota, but things are different this year for kids looking to show dairy cows.
Police are investigating after a driver in northern Minnesota hit two pedestrians who were walking on a highway early Monday morning.
A scientist warns that the effects of climate change could ultimately drive Minnesota's state bird out of the state entirely.
The Dunn County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened around 10:46 a.m. at 710th Street and 240th Avenue in Spring Brook.
A group of farmers is changing how they use their land by working with nature to improve their animal's health, along with the soil and water.
A faculty committee has recommended that a former chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse be removed from his tenured position over his involvement in adult entertainment.
"I was like, okay we got to do something about this. We have to write a story that actually talks about what it's like to have a disability and that you are just a normal person," said writer Katie Mettner.
City and community leaders in Minneapolis on Monday detailed an ordinance that they hope will reduce the amount of hazardous vacant buildings.
Lisa Ishchenko is in the U.S. for the first time – away from her family, away from her life as a medical student, away from the war that still makes itself known daily in her home country of Ukraine.
The Minnesota Vikings are sponsoring girls flag football leagues across the state in an effort to give everyone a chance to play the game.
Spike Moss spent decades fighting for his community, much of that time along Plymouth Avenue.
Veterans who had been living on the street now have a new home in St. Paul as part of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans' effort to end homelessness.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle stepped down from her role after facing calls to resign after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Gov. Tim Walz spoke to WCCO on Monday evening about the Democratic nominee for president process, if he'd like to be the vice presidential nominee and more.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle repeatedly refused to answer questions about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, enraging lawmakers.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who CBS News estimates is now the likely Democratic presidential nominee, is heading to the key battleground state of Wisconsin to give a speech in Milwaukee.
The vice president will be in Wisconsin for the first time as a 2024 presidential candidate. Meanwhile, the Trump-Vance campaign is sharpening its line of attack against a new likely opponent.
As Delta Air Lines works to get back on track after it canceled hundreds of flights over the weekend, customers are left wondering how they can get reimbursed if they are left stranded at the airport.
A North Carolina woman is still trying to get home after last week's CrowdStrike outage waylaid her at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
The global Microsoft outage is causing mass flight cancellations and delays nationwide Friday, including at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Whether you plan to hit the water, savor the treats or maybe just stay indoors, Minnesotans are in for a hot summer weekend.
A 2019 blue Hyundai Elantra has given Erin Walters the freedom to travel across the country. That all changed a week ago after she tried renewing her car insurance with State Farm and was denied.
Bodycam video of the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey was released Monday afternoon. The video shows the chaotic scene after a sheriff's deputy shot Massey, who is Black, in the face during a tense moment over a pot of water in her home.
Police said they have "limited information" about what happened, but they are investigating.
Authorities suspect several garbage fires on Minneapolis' West Lake Street Monday morning were intentionally set.
A standoff with an allegedly armed suspect in southern Minnesota shut down traffic on Interstate 35 for hours Sunday afternoon.
Children's Hospital reported that a 5-month-old child had unexplained bruising and they believed the abuse occurred at Small World Daycare Center in Blaine.
It's the height of July and primetime in America for swimming, fishing and, in some cases, sunburns. This is the time of year when it's easy to get too much sun.
For two years, three simple numbers have helped countless people struggling with mental health: 988, the national suicide prevention lifeline abbreviated from its original 10 digits to three.
An anti-abortion group in South Dakota is appealing a judge's dismissal of its lawsuit to remove an abortion rights initiative from the November ballot.
Minnesota health care systems are working to recover after a technical outage overnight caused Microsoft systems to go down globally.
Energy drinks have been around since the 1940s, and in recent years, they've become all the buzz — especially with young people. But studies have shown they may not be as popular with our hearts.
Organizers were looking for a new location that had the infrastructure to host the festival and support its growth.
Bob Newhart, who starred in the long-running sitcoms "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart," has died at age 94.
From major floods to a major festival — work is underway to transform St. Paul's Harriet Island into an oasis for festivalgoers.
Minnesota's largest Black-sponsored festival will ring in its 42nd year this weekend with performances from two of hip hop's most legendary artists.
Nominations for the 76th annual Emmy Awards were announced Wednesday, with "Shōgun," "The Bear," "Hacks," "Only Murders in the Building" and "Baby Reindeer" all earning multiple major nods. See the full list of nominees for the 2024 ceremony here.
Minnesota starter Bailey Ober rebounded from Bryce Harper's two-run homer for Philadelphia in the first to settle in for seven innings, and the Twins beat the Phillies 7-2.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson was placed on the physically unable to perform list as expected on Monday for the beginning of training camp.
Joe Mauer has had just as big of an impact on the baseball diamond as he has off of it.
Training camp is typically a buzzy, hopeful time of year for an NFL team, but for the Minnesota Vikings, the kickoff to camp took a more somber tone Monday.
Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer, Todd Helton and Jim Leyland have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
There has been so much attention on the developments with the presidential candidates that some local races have not gotten as much attention.
There has been so much attention on the developments in the presidential candidates that some local races have not gotten as much attention. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is running for her fourth term in the US Senate. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy looks at the unusual journey Republicans are taking to find the opponent to run against her.
A presidential race like no other seems like a farfetched fiction novel after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy explores the future of the race amid calls for unity and Trump's gaining momentum in Democratic stronghold states.
A presidential race like no other seems like a farfetched fiction novel after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy explores the future of the race amid calls for unity and Trump's gaining momentum in Democratic stronghold states.
A presidential race like no other seems like a farfetched fiction novel after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy explores the future of the race amid calls for unity and Trump's gaining momentum in Democratic stronghold states.
Instead of watching old, classic cars leave the state, a museum in Wright County is trying to keep them around at the Veit Museum near Buffalo.
When Belgian immigrants settled in Ghent, they brought along rolle bolle — a sport that's sort of a cross between curling and lawn bowling — but you don't play with a ball, you play with a bolle.
The town of Remer is surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods and marshes. A perfect place for squirrels, deer, bears and maybe even Bigfoot.
Native Americans, Swedish immigrants and even cattle thieves have all taken shelter in a little spot along the St. Croix River.
Claws, scales, teeth and tails: There's a place in Medford where alligators and snakes have taken over.
It's the height of July and primetime in America for swimming, fishing and, in some cases, sunburns. This is the time of year when it's easy to get too much sun.
Energy drinks have been around since the 1940s, and in recent years, they've become all the buzz — especially with young people. But studies have shown they may not be as popular with our hearts.
The sounds of summer wouldn't be complete without the familiar tune of mosquitoes buzzing. But did you ever wonder: Why do mosquitoes buzz? Good Question.
The funny bone is anything but funny. So why does it hurt so bad when it gets hit? It turns out there's a "humerus" answer.
It's an age-old question that's been studied for years: When is the best time to exercise? Good Question.
The Minnesota State Fair has announced its new offerings for 2024, and they include plenty of fried foods, plenty of dairy, and plenty of sweet corn. See the full roster of new items here.
Thousands lined the streets of Hennepin Avenue on Sunday for the Twin Cities Pride Parade.
Many Minnesotans will be cleaning up Thursday from a storm system that brought sizable hail, heavy winds and possible tornado touchdowns.
Minnesotans were delighted by an otherworldly light show Friday night that was on a level the state hadn't seen in nearly two decades.
Many Minnesotans were treated to a stunning double rainbow on Thursday.
WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames is tracking the latest rounds of heavy rain falling in parts of Minnesota Tuesday morning.
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.
Parts of Minnesota are dealing with storms Tuesday morning, and that rain will eventually make its way to the Twin Cities.
A storm system moving slowly across Minnesota on Tuesday will mostly miss the Twin Cities.
Some parts of the state are seeing storms Tuesday morning, and they'll make their way to the metro later on.
Hackamore's Olympic Summer Fest will be held this coming weekend, explains Zac Gleason of Hackamore, along with hip-hop artist Nur-D.
Author Teresa Peterson discusses her new book "Perennial Ceremony," and will be signing books at Four Sisters Farmers Market this Thursday.
Financial expert Dustin Smith talks about whether you should consider investing in property beyond your own primary domicile.
Believe it or not, but plans for what toys manufacturers are expected to push hard this coming holiday season were already well in the works late last year.
On average, single people spend $273 more to go to a wedding than those in a relationship.