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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.
At the Cherokee Tavern in West St. Paul, four fantasy football leagues conducted their drafts. "I'm very excited," said J.J. Kurtz of Lakeville. "I got the Bears defense." Over the year, 36 million people will play fantasy sports. That's up from nine million in 2005. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA), a player spends three hours per week managing a team and spends $467.60.
Judy from Minneapolis wants to know: Why do MLB games start at 10 minutes after the hour instead of on the hour? According to Twins spokesman Kevin Smith, the start time are to accommodate radio and television networks that come on the air at the top of the hour. It gives them time to set up the game, welcome everyone and sometimes take a commercial break.
With school starting again, many parents will be sitting along the sidelines for their children's games, meets or matches. Experts say how we act could affect how they do.
Fifty years ago today, Martin Luther King gave a speech that's still considered one the greatest of all time.
Watch the USMNT try to make their first Olympic knockout stage since 2000 when they face France today.
A settlement has been reached between a private Minnesota university and a former professor who alleged religious discrimination.
Here's our hands-on review of the 2024 Roku 65-inch Pro Series smart TV that's ideal for living rooms and bedrooms.
Now see this: Big savings can be found when purchasing back-to-school prescription eyewear from GlassesUSA
Learn about the Samsung Galaxy Ring, a new fitness and health monitor you wear on a finger like jewelry,
A settlement has been reached between a private Minnesota university and a former professor who alleged religious discrimination.
The police union's complaint, filed with the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board Tuesday, alleged Moriarty and her office "violated several of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct" in charging Minnesota State Patrol trooper Ryan Londregan.
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.
Former President Donald Trump and his running mate in the 2024 election, Sen. JD Vance, are set to visit central Minnesota this weekend.
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.
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.
Iowa's strict abortion law will take effect Monday, banning most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant.
Vice President Kamala Harris has already secured the endorsements of a majority of the Democratic delegates who will vote on her presidential nomination.
Former President Donald Trump and his running mate in the 2024 election, Sen. JD Vance, are set to visit central Minnesota this weekend.
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.
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.
Iowa's strict abortion law will take effect Monday, banning most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant.
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.
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.
Temps today will hit the high 70s, overnight we drop back down to the 60s. Wednesday we see temps back in the low 80s and those temps will climb throughout the week. Lisa Meadows breaks down the timing and shares when we might see another 90 degree day.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames is tracking the latest rounds of heavy rain falling in parts of Minnesota Tuesday morning.
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.
Temps today will hit the high 70s, overnight we drop back down to the 60s. Wednesday we see temps back in the low 80s and those temps will climb throughout the week. Lisa Meadows breaks down the timing and shares when we might see another 90 degree day.
Vice President Harris is on the campaign trail. In a single day the campaign broke one day fundraising records
Travelers at MSP airport are still seeing major delays and cancelations with their flights. The U.S. Department of Transportation has opened an investigation into Delta who has had a majority of the issues.
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.