What Turning 30 Really Means

If you said 'California,' pat yourself on the back

(NEWSER) - Americans are generally pretty positive, or at least indifferent, about these United States. Public Policy Polling asked 1,200 people how they felt about each of the 50 states, and only five were viewed more unfavorably than favorably. America's favorite state, by an overwhelming margin was Hawaii, while its least favorite was California. Here are the top and bottom five, along with their favorable/unfavorable split: Most popular:

1. Hawaii—54-10 (+44)
2. Colorado—44-9 (+35)
3. Tennessee—48-14 (+34)
4. South Dakota—42-8 (+34)
5. Virginia—45-13 (+32)

President turns 50 in August, and he's not hiding it: Politico

(NEWSER) - Listen to President Obama's speeches of late and you're bound to hear a familar refrain, notes Amie Parnes in Politico —self-deprecating comments about how he's getting older. “I don’t look that young anymore," he said in a recent conference call with reporters. "I’m grayer, I have bags under my eyes, but that core spirit is still there.” With his 50th birthday approaching in August, something similar seems to crop up in just about every public address nowadays, meaning it's no accident. More»

From reindeer fat ice cream to 2-foot-long hot dogs

(NEWSER) - Some states are pudgier than others—here's looking at you, Texas—but none escapes this list of beloved yet fat-filled dishes. Health.com tracked down the worst offender in each of the flabby 50:

• Alaska: Eskimo Ice Cream, a mix of blackberries and salmon berries—in reindeer fat and seal oil.
• Connecticut: The Hartford-area Doogie's hot dog joint serves one of the insanest franks known to man: a 2-foot-long pork and beef hot dog topped with a half-pound of chili, cheddar cheese sauce, bacon, and more.

Need proof? Take a look at Japan

(NEWSER) - Pessimists look at America's aging population and see nothing but doom ahead because of the strains it will put on Social Security, Medicare, and the like. They might cheer up by taking a look at Japan, where "America's future has already arrived," writes Dante Ramos. Nearly 1 in 4 Japanese are 65 or older, and those doomsday scenarios are nowhere in sight. Most seniors remain healthy, productive members of society, with entrepreneurs looking for new ways to tap into their expertise. More»

Based on projections and medals so far, US could edge out Canada

(NEWSER) - Based on an analysis of Olympics projections from across the board, the US could come out on top of the medal count at this year’s games for the first time since Lake Placid—in 1932. Nate Silver averaged medal projections from 9 sources; after two days the US has medaled 6 times, which is 3.3 more than was expected. That puts the final projection at 32.9, barely topping Canada, at 32.8. More»