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NATIONAL NEWS I

10 pt- The unemployment rate in the United States fell to a 5 1/2-year low in October. Is that rate now; 1.3 , 2.8, 4.4, or 6.1%? (4.4%)
20 pt- Scientists cheered when NASA announced last week they would use a space shuttle mission to repair what Greyhound bus-size telescope? (Hubble)
40 pt- Florida is considering taking what animal off a state-protection list, allowing homeowners to kill them if they become a nuisance? (alligators)
80 pt- The Rush Limbaugh-Michael J. Fox dispute of last week has once again showed how little most Americans know about what disease? (Parkinson’s)
100 pt- The midterm elections in America is all about gaining a majority in the U.S. Congress. How many seats are a majority in the two houses in Congress? (House of Representatives-218 and Senate -51)
EXTRA!! As the American voters entered the voting booths this week, all polls are indicating that this is the No.1 issue on the minds of voters? (war in Iraq)

NATIONAL NEWS II

10 pt- When Netcraft first counted the number of websites on the Internet back in 1995, they tallied 19,000. How many Internet sites did they recently announce exist today; 10 million, 100 million, 500 million, or 1 billion? (100 million)
20 pt- The National Park Service announced a campaign last week to give the National Mall what most consider a much-needed face-lift. The National Mall is home to monuments and museums on the grassy expanse between the Capitol and what memorial? (Lincoln)
40 pt- In the journal Natural last week, researchers say they have discovered a way to offset the unhealthy, high-calorie diet thought to underlie the rising toll of obesity in the United States and elsewhere. According to the Harvard Medical School study, the natural substance found in what drink counters counters the effects of a bad diet? (red wine)
80 pt- A Georgian jury found an Ethiopian immigrant guilty of genital mutilation of his two-year-old daughter, thought to be the first criminal case in the United States of its type. Why did 30-year-old Khalid Adem, who could serve up to 40 years in prison, feel he wouldn’t be convicted for removing his daughter’s clitoris in his Atlanta-area apartment? (because its an ancient African religious custom)
100 pt- While the Senate could come down to a recount, the U.S. is now clearly run by divided government. What political party now controls the following areas of government; House of Representatives, State Governors, White House? (House- Democrats, State Governors- Democrats, White House- Republicans)

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

10 pt- In 1980, the number Americans who walked to work was 5.6 percent. Within .5 percent, what percent walk today? (2.9)
20 pt- “No sex without marriage”. The government is now targeting a new group as part of their abstinence-only program that receives millions of dollars in federal money. Some considered it odd, but what group are they now targeting; men 14 to 18-years-old, men 18 to 21-years-old, women 16-22, or men up to 29-years-old? (men up to 29-years-old)
40 pt- Actor Ben Affleck and college basketball coach Jim Calhoun showed up at a political rally in support of congressional candidate Joe Courtney last weekend. Courtney is running against GOP Representative Ron Simmons in what state’s Second District? (Connecticut)
80 pt- When a dangerous disease breaks out in America, the government will act quickly to kill the animals to stop its spread. This week, the government approved the use of firefighting foam to kill what animal as an alternative to killing them with the traditional carbon monoxide? (chickens, to prevent the bird flu)
100 pt- The results of three key states in the U.S. Senate election hung in the balance when most Americans went to bed Tuesday night. Match the state with the two candidates that were in tight Senate races: Virginia, Montana and Missouri,. Talant v. McCaskill, Allen v. McCaskill, and Burns v. Tester. (Talant v. McCaskill-Missouri, Allen v. Webb- Virginia, Burns v. Tester-Montana)

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

10 pt- There have been two months of protests by scientists and school children since the several hundred members of the International Astronomical Union voted to redefine what constitutes a planet, booting what planet in the process? (Pluto)
20 pt- What sentence did the judges in Baghdad give their former president, Saddam Hussein, after the long trial ended Sunday? (death by hanging)
40 pt- Rising affluence and worsening diets have changed the health of people in this country. What country now has 60 million of its people obese while 24 million people still suffer malnutrition and live in poverty. (China)
80 pt- Last week, the citizens of Mexico observed the two-day holiday called Dia De Los Muertos, also known as what? (Day of the Dead)
100 pt- Guatemala and Venezuela have been in a power struggle over a seat on the United Nations Security Council. The U.S. had backed Guatemala. After 47 ballots, a compromise was reached with neither winning the seat. Instead, what Central American country was elected to the seat? (Panama)
EXTRA!! First Lady Imelda Marcos once made headlines for her vast shoe collection. She’s now embarking on a new project- a fashion line. Imelda is the 77-year-old widow of Ferdinand Marcos, the former dictator of what Pacific country? (Philippines)

10 pt- Hunters beware! What state hosted Vice President Dick Cheney on a hunting trip this week, his first hunting trip since he shot a fellow hunter with his 28-guage shot gun? (South Dakota)
20 pt- Thanks to a court case in the state of Minnesota, the federal government has until February to decide if what animal will be taken off the federal endangered species list? (bald eagle)
40 pt- On the list from Minnesota are Canada lynx, Gray Wolf, the Minnesota dwarf trout lily and the Leedy’s roseroot. Five proposed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are the sheepnose, specaclecase, the eastern massasauga, Dakota skipper and slender moonwort. What is that federal list? (Federal Endangered Species List)
80 pt- One of the strangest twists in the campaign for Minnesota governor came in the last week of the campaign. Mike Hatch’s running mate and Lieutenant Governor candidate Judi Dutcher had a lot to explain after she was asked about something and she said she didn’t know what it was. What was she asked about that she later claimed that she just had a mental block? (E-85 gasoline)
100 pt- Candidate for Minnesota governor Mike Hatch has a reputation for having quite a temper. That might have got him in a little trouble in the last week of the campaign. Although he said he called an aggressive reporter a “Republican hack”, the reporter, Scott Wente, says Hatch called him a what? (a “Republican whore”)
EXTRA!! They are undisputed champion in Minnesota when it comes to offering low rates with excellent customer service. Employees of what airline is now under new ownership and they plan to grow by offering more deals to Minnesota customers? (Sun Country)
EXTRA!! Once the mandatory 6-day drying period has passed, the buck shot by a 38-year-old Minnesota mother of two may be one of the biggest bucks ever killed with a bow and arrow. Deb Luzinski of Woodbury bagged a nontypical white-tailed deer that had how many points? (24)
EXTRA!! 32 people will lose their jobs in Fargo, North Dakota’s Hector International Airport as what airline is considering transferring 32 jobs to a Texas-based company? (Northwest)

10 pt- “I think we’re both pains in the neck. That’s probably why we get along”. That is what director Ridley Scott had to say about working with what actor on “Gladiator” and now on “A Good Year”? (Russell Crowe)
20 pt- What country duo not only hosted the Country Music Association award show but also won the best single, song of the year and the best music video award? (Brooks & Dunn)
40 pt- Not normally a runner, what athletic legend was among those who run in the New York City Marathon last weekend? (Lance Armstrong)
80 pt- Who was back in the news last week for saying, “Education-if you make the most of it and study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq? (John Kerry)
100 pt- Some conservative Republicans are nervous after the Reverend Ted Haggard resigned this week as president of the National Association of Evangelicals and as the pastor of his 14,000-member megachuch in Colorado Springs. Haggart, with strong ties with the Bush Administration, had championed the fight against gay marriage. His resignation was prompted by two allegations, one of which he has admitted to. Name one of them. (having sex with a gay escort over the past 3 years and buying meth, he admitted buying meth but he said he didn’t use it)
EXTRA!! In the crowd was rocker John Fogerty and actors Jamie Lee Curtis and David Spade. Who held a rally in Beverly Hills to raise money for his foundation, “Stand Up for Skateparks”? He’s trying to raise money for youth skate parks? (Tony Hawk)

10 pt- What NBA star began the season on the sidelines because of soreness in his surgically repaired right knee? (Kobe Bryant)
20 pt- What NFL running back was placed again this week on the physically-unable-to-perform list, a move that could end his career and leave him as the No. 4 career rusher? (Curtis Martin)
40 pt- Among several other charitable endeavors, he gave $1.2 million to Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network to build 24 homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina. For his efforts, what NBA star was given the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship award by Basketball Writers Association last week? (Kevin Garnett)
80 pt- What NBA player released his debut studio CD last Wednesday, “My World”? On it, he takes shots at NBA commissioner David Stern and “Today” show host Matt Lauer. (Ron Artest)
100 pt- Tony Stewart won the race at the Texas Speedway Sunday but what racer moved into first place in the “The Chase for the Cup”? (Jimmie Johnson)
EXTRA!! There was a sigh of relief in the Windy City this week when the MRI came back on this defensive player and it showed that he has only a sprained big toe on his left foot and not the major injury the team had feared? (Brian Urlacher)

MISCELLANEOUS SPORTS

10 pt- Who got the Gold Glove award in the American League at the center field position, the sixth of his career? (Torri Hunter)
20 pt- On the night they were awarded their championship rings, what NBA team promptly went out and got beat by 42 points by the Chicago Bulls? (Miami Heat)
40 pt- Named after the first pitcher to successfully have the surgery, Minnesota Twins rookie pitching sensation Francisco Liriano underwent what surgery this week? (Tommy John)
80 pt- It was announced by Major League Baseball last week that New York Mets reliever Guillermo Mota has tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Baseball’s toughened drug policy now means those who get caught for the first time are suspended for how many games? (50)
100 pt- What college football team was he was the big winner in last weekend as their 44-34 victory moved them into third place in the BCS standings and a shot at a national title? (Louisville)
EXTRA!! What college football coach broke his leg and damaged his knee after being hit by one of his own players while standing on the sidelines Saturday? (Joe Paterno)

10 pt- Who is back playing the jolly red man in “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”? (Tim Allen)
20 pt- Who said this week that the incident last year that ended with him pleading guilty to third-degree assault for throwing a phone book at a hotel clerk would be downplayed in his home country of Australia and would have been, “satisfied with a handshake and an apology”? (Russell Crowe)
40 pt- What Colombian singer dominated the Latin Grammy awards last week as she won a leading four trophies, including album of the year honors for “Fijacion Oral Vol. 1” and record of the year for “La Toutura”? (Shakira)
80 pt- In in a tirade riddled with expletives , he said he should have won the prize for his video “Touch the Sky” because it “cost a million dollars” and Pamela Anderson was in it. “I was jumping across canyons. If I don’t win , the awards show loses credibility”. Despite being named Best Hip Hop artist, what rapper crashed the stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Copenhagen last week, upset over the awards he didn’t win? (Kanye West)
100 pt- 33-year-old actor Patrick Harris said he was motivated to disclose that he was gay because of recent “speculation and interest in my private life and relationships”. He stars on the CBS comedy, “How I Met Your Mother”. Harris started on television as a teen, playing what brilliant teenage doctor? (“Doogie Howser”)
EXTRA!! Despite cocaine allegations that cost her millions of dollars in modeling contracts, who was named Great Britain’s “Model of the Year”? (Kate Moss)

How “Low” can you go?

10 pt.- Slang for the whole truth. (low-down)
20 pt.- What a sinker pitcher wants umpires to call? (low strikes)
40 pt.- Spiritual about a low-flying conveyance “comin” forth to carry me home. (“Swing low, Sweet Chariot”)
80 pt.- The bottom person on the Indian effigy? (low man on the totem pole)
100 pt.- Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. (the “Low Countries”)
EXTRA!! What Clancey did every time he “got his dander up”? (“Lowered the boom”)
EXTRA!! Though deaf and in poor health, she managed to found the Girl Scouts. (Juliette Low)
EXTRA!! A baseball pitch over your head. (low bridge)

WWW.CURRENT EVENTS CHALLENGE “Nov. 2-8” WWW.CURRENT EVENTS CHALLENGE
source of all questions include the GRAND FORKS HERALD , FARGO FORUM or MINNEAPOLIS STAR & TRIBUNE