(CNN/CBS) - Consumer Corner
Shoppers in Portland, Oregon, won't be asked 'paper or plastic' any longer. A city ban on those thin, non-reusable plastic bags at checkout counters took effect over the weekend.
Mayor Sam Adams says the ban has strong support, but naturally, some shoppers will be unhappy with the new rules.
"You know, changing habits is always hard, I want everyone to be really nice though to the cashiers at the checkout lines. You can be grumpy with your mayor; don't be grumpy with the cashiers."
Stores that fail to comply with the ban could face a $500 dollar fine.
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Wal-Mart is undercutting the competition on holiday toy prices. A new analysis shows Wal-Mart has lower prices than Target, K-mart and Toys 'R' Us on many of the season's best-sellers.
Overall, consumers are expected to spend less this holiday shopping season than last year.
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Virgin Galactic is the world's first built-from-scratch commercial spaceport. Spaceships will soon begin taking off from the desert in Southern New Mexico.
More than 450 people have purchased tickets to fly with Virgin Galactic.