Good day, bad day: April 13, 2012

Prom vendors rake in big bucks, while big-box retailers are dogged by a hate-group association — and more winners and losers of today's news cycle

Walmart's low prices may lure thrifty shoppers, but the big box store may also be unknowingly attracting hate groups into their local communities.
(Image credit: CC BY: Walmart stores)

GOOD DAY FOR:

Unlikely hobbies

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Snoozing in Charlotte

The North Carolina city is ranked best in the country for quality of sleep, while Louisville, Ky., residents report the worst night's rest. [Discovery News]

The corsage-industrial complex

High school prom now costs a typical American family with a teenager an average of $1,078, up from $807 last year. [Newser]

BAD DAY FOR:

Walmart's rep

Researchers discover that communities with a lot of big-box stores are more likely to have a higher-than-normal number of hate groups. [Newser]

Mother Nature's peacekeeping

Homicide rates climb in several major cities, and criminologists suspect it's at least partly due to mild winter weather, since "there's greater opportunity for conflict than when it's cold and windy." [The Daily]

Chivalry

It's a myth that women and children are allowed off first when ships sink, according to a new study. Women and children are more likely to die than men, and captains and crew survive more often than passengers. [Discovery News]

For more winners and losers see: Good day, bad day: April 12, 2012