These Names Are Trending on the West Coast
They say the East Coast and West Coast differ in manners, culture, and even the way people look at life. Does this translate to naming babies, too? Well, the names Emma and Olivia reign…
All Work
John Harrington
This Month’s Good News
There is an old newspaper maxim that says, “If it bleeds, it leads,” which means bad news sells newspapers. This belief goes back at least to the turn of the 20th century, when lurid…
100 Most Popular Country Music Stars
Country and western music has come a long way from its stereotype of white male-dominated music that’s played on a fiddle to the rhythm of stomping cowboy boots. These days, women are also finding…
Best States for Dog Lovers
The phrase “it’s a dog’s life” referred to a hardscrabble existence. That’s because a dog’s life in older times was a life of subservience, of getting fed table scraps, living in harsh conditions, and…
Most Popular Girl Names Unique to Every State
For much of U.S. history, parents weren’t very creative when it came to naming their children. Many families chose religious names when naming their child. Immigrants seeking to assimilate in their new country anglicized…
Top Selling Beers in America
Beer is big business in America. The combined impact that brewers, distributors, retailers, supply-chain partners, and related industries had on the U.S. economy was more than $350 billion in 2016, according to the Beer…
America’s Most Patriotic Brands
Companies adopt different brand images to market their products to consumers. Some adopt the health-conscious idea; some label themselves as wholesome, family-oriented; while others take the cool and hip approach. As Independence Day nears,…
Animals Likely to Go Extinct Due to Climate Change
Industrialization has had a significant positive impact on the world, leading to many modern benefits. But with industrialization also came pollution, and the proliferation of carbon emissions has had a severe effect on the…
Happiest Countries in the World
In looking at the world’s 25 most content nations, happiness may be more than just a state of mind. The world’s happiest countries are likely to be more affluent, and citizens have greater personal…
50 Fastest Horses in Kentucky Derby History
Horse racing’s most prestigious event, the Kentucky Derby, will be run for the 144th time on Saturday, May 5. By the early evening, horse-racing fans will know if the winner of the annual Run…
The Most Popular National Park in Every State
Interest in the national parks of the United States is growing. The number of visitors who came to national parks in 2016 was 331 million, exceeding the total population of the United States. Just…
Each State’s Official Tree
If there is one thing all 50 states have in common, it is their zeal in designating official state symbols or icons. States assign their official imprimatur to plants, minerals, dinosaurs, pets, songs, and…
50 Worst Movies Based on True Events
True stories provide as the basis for some of Hollywood’s greatest films. Films such as “Raging Bull,” “All the President’s Men,” and “Dunkirk,” show that audiences often desire little more than to see the…
Most Notorious Criminal in Every State
Every state has been stained by the notorious acts of criminals. Whether they are serial killers, terrorist bombers, school shooters, assassins, fraudsters, or kidnappers, the American public has an insatiable curiosity to try and…
Weirdest Tradition in Each State
Each U.S. state has its own history, a history that helped create and mold the state’s culture. Whether it is because of past events or influential people, each state also has traditions particular to…
Worst Corruption Scandal in Each State
With a nearly daily barrage of stories questioning the ethics of the Trump administration, and a political campaign in 2016 that focused on the ethical lapses of Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, it is…
Best and Worst Crime Dramas
Americans watch television crime dramas because we are intrigued by issues involving crime, justice, and equality under the law. Crime dramas storylines often depict a crime and viewers often follow the persons who try…
100 Worst Sci-Fi Movies of All Time
Science fiction movies challenge the viewer to think beyond what we know about life on Earth, about the potential for space travel, and encountering other forms of life. The best science fiction movies fill…
30 Best and 30 Worst Spy Films
Unlike other movie genres, the spy movie never seems to go out of favor. Whether it’s battling Nazi spies, KGB moles, or narco-terrorists, films about special agents putting their lives on the line for…
19 Teams That Never Make the Playoffs
Reaching the postseason is the goal of every professional sports team, and a reward for a successful regular season. For fans, the postseason is an emotional thrill; for players, it can mean professional and…