Lifestyle

46% Think Media Overhypes Weather Events

Slightly more Americans are going online to check weather reports, but fewer believe the media overhypes bad weather.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of American Adults get most of their weather updates from local television news. That’s down from 53% in late 2010.  Twenty-seven percent (27%) say they usually check the weather on the Internet, up from 20% three years ago. Thirteen percent (13%) get their weather news from cable TV, while nine percent (9%) prefer the radio. Four percent (4%) get news about the weather primarily from newspapers. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 26-27, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

36% Text Rather Than Phone to Reach Someone

When is a phone more than a phone? A lot of the time these days, it seems.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults use a cell phone at least several times a day to make calls, send text messages and emails and use the Internet. This includes 15% who say they use their phone every hour and 11% who use it constantly. Twenty-one percent (21%) use their cell phone just once or twice a day, while 14% who own a cell phone rarely or never use it.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 901 Cell Phone Owners was conducted January 24-25, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

62% Say Winter Has Been Worse This Year

As much of the United States continues to endure frigid temperatures and surprising amounts of snow, most Americans say winter weather has been worse in their area compared to past years. But they're evenly divided over whether global warming is to blame.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 62% of American Adults think winter has been worse in their area this year than it has been in recent years. That’s nearly double the number of adults who said the same at the end of December 2010 but little changed from sentiments measured the previous winter season. Thirty-one percent (31%) say this winter in their area hasn’t been worse than past years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted January 26-27, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

25% Will Vacation This Winter

Despite the cold that's gripping much of the country, Americans say winter is still their least favorable season to take a vacation in.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 12% of American Adults pick winter as their favorite time to vacation. A plurality (41%) still prefers summer as their favorite season for a vacation. Seventeen percent (17%) choose fall, while 14% favor spring. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted January 26-27, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

58% Think Americans Need to Cut Back on Cell Phone Use

Most adults think their fellow Americans need to cut back on their cell phone usage but don't think the problem applies to them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of all American Adults think Americans in general need to cut back on how much they use cell phones. Twenty-six percent (26%) disagree, while another 16% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 901 Cell Phone Owners was conducted January 24-25, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

66% Pick Denver Broncos to Win Super Bowl XLVIII

With less than a week to go before the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks battle it out in the frigid temperatures of New Jersey, Super Bowl viewers already have a clear favorite.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 66% of American Adults who plan to watch the Super Bowl believe the Broncos are the team most likely to win this year. Twenty-three percent (23%) think Seattle will emerge victorious. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 595 Adults Who Will Watch the Super Bowl was conducted on January 22-23, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

30% Less Likely to Use Postal Service Because of Stamp Price Hike

The price of a first-class postage stamp will rise from 46 cents to 49 cents on Sunday to help the U.S. Postal Service fight its continuing budget losses, but a sizable number of Americans say the price hike is likely to reduce their use of the post office.

Forty-three percent (43%) of American Adults believe the cost of postal stamps is too high, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just as many (44%) think the price of stamps is about right, while seven percent (7%) say it is too low. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 20-21, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

34% Rate U.S. Race Relations Good or Excellent

Americans don’t share an overly optimistic view about race relations in this country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults rate race relations in the United States today as good or excellent. Nineteen percent (19%) consider race relations poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

20% Consider MLK Day One of the Nation's Most Important Holidays

An overwhelming majority of Americans continue to hold a favorable opinion of Martin Luther King, Jr., but just over one-in-three think we have reached the day of equal opportunity for all races that he envisioned.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of American Adults have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of King. Just 10% hold an unfavorable opinion of the assassinated civil rights leader. This includes 55% with a Very Favorable view and four percent (4%) with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here).

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

72% Say Their Light Bulbs Are None of the Feds’ Business

Americans strongly believe that it shouldn’t be up to the government what kind of light bulbs they use. That helps explain why 60% still oppose the ban on traditional bulbs that took effect on January 1.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% of American Adults believe it is the government’s job to tell people in this country what kind of light bulb to use. Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree and feel it is not the government’s job to make that call. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 2-3, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

60% Still Oppose Government's Light Bulb Ban

Only one-in-four Americans support the ban on conventional 40- and 60-watt light bulbs in the United States that went into effect January 1, and the same number say they or someone they know stocked up on the old bulbs beforehand.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults still oppose the ban on traditional light bulbs ordered by the federal government in the name of improved energy efficiency. That's down only slightly from 67% in July 2011 when the government first announced the new regulations. Twenty-five percent (25%) now support the light bulb ban, up from 20% two-and-a-half years ago. Fifteen percent (15%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 2-3, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

6% Consider New Year’s Day One of the Most Important Holidays

Most Americans don't consider it a very important holiday, but many plan to keep the New Year’s Eve celebrations going right on through New Year’s Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of American Adults rate New Year’s Day one of the nation’s most important holidays, while 34% view it as one of the least important. Most (55%) see it as somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Americans Will Ring in 2014 at Home

There certainly is no place like home for most Americans on New Year's Eve. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of American Adults are more likely to go out on New Year's Eve, while 72% think they're more likely to stay home. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 26-27, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Are More Pessimistic About 2014 – And About Their Health

2013 turned out to be worse than Americans predicted this time last year, and they’re slightly less optimistic about the year to come than they were back then. They’re more pessimistic about their health, too. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults expect 2014 to be a good year at the very minimum, with three percent (3%) who think it will be one of the best years ever, eight percent (8%) who say it will be an excellent year and 30% who predict it will be a good one. Twenty-three percent (23%) expect next year to turn out poorly. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

25% Used Postal Service Less This Holiday Season

One-in-four Americans used the U.S. Postal Service less this holiday season compared to past years, although the vast majority still rely on the post office to handle their holiday gifts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults used the USPS about the same amount this holiday season as they did in previous years. Just 14% used the Postal Service more, while 25% used it less than they have in previous years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 28-29, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

53% View Marriage As A Religious Institution

Most voters now see marriage as a religious institution rather than a civil one and still overwhelmingly believe in the importance of marriage before having children.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters now view marriage as a religious institution, up from 48% in October.  Forty percent (40%) consider marriage a civil institution, a five-point drop from 45% in the previous survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 22, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

60% Consider Christmas One of the Most Important Holidays

Most Americans continue to see Christmas as one of the nation’s most important holidays and will be spending it at home or with family.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults consider Christmas to be one of the nation’s most important holidays, while just six percent (6%) consider it one of the least important. Thirty percent (30%) see it as somewhere in between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 21-22, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

68% Celebrate Christmas As A Religious Holiday

Americans overwhelmingly celebrate the Christmas holiday in their family, and for most it is a religious holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 87% of Americans celebrate Christmas in their family, and 68% of these adults celebrate the holiday primarily as a religious one. That’s up eight points from 60% a year ago. For 27%, Christmas is chiefly a secular holiday. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

22% Still Have Not Started Their Holiday Shopping

There’s nothing like waiting until the last minute for some.

One-in-five American Adults (22%) still have not started their holiday gift shopping as of the last weekend before Christmas. Seventy-four percent (74%) have now started, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

24% Will Travel This Holiday Season

One-in-four Americans is planning on traveling this holiday season, and most of them will hit the road to do so.

Twenty-four percent (24%) of American Adults plan on traveling away from home this holiday season, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-one percent (71%) don’t plan on traveling. Five percent (5%) haven't made up their minds yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1000 American Adults was conducted on December 17-18, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.