RYAN BAKKEN: Test your memory with March news quiz

A March list named Fargo as one of the top-10 most romantic cities in the United States.

Fargo was ranked No. 8, just ahead of No. 10 Detroit and just behind No. 5 Green Bay.

Crime-ridden Detroit is romantic? Green Bay, other than man-crushes on Aaron Rodgers, is romantic? I realize that Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker is a hunk, but I otherwise don't see it there, either.

So why are they ranked highly? Here's why: The rankings are based solely on a city's volume of romantic comedies that were rented from Redbox, which peddles movies through its network of self-service kiosks.

So, if you're not a Redbox town, like cuddly Thompson, N.D., you don't have a chance to be deemed romantic.

Of the 10 least romantic cities, four are from Nevada and three are from California. This probably is because the weather in those states allows you to go outdoors for recreation.

In other March news, National Weather Service river-level predictions kept going up and Cassie Walder left WDAZ-TV, leaving Charley Johnson to take over the job of being the pretty face.

To test your memory of what else happened last month, proceed with the March News Quiz:

1. What was the big reason for the national unemployment rate dropping to 8.9 percent, a two-year low?

A) Companies are feeling more confident about the economy.

B) Huge jump in health care jobs.

C) Huge jump in manufacturing jobs.

D) Huge jump in money-counting jobs with North Dakota oil companies.

2. According to a national study, why are teens and young adults having less sex?

A) They're more aware of sexually spread diseases.

B) They're more aware of the chance of unplanned pregnancies.

C) They're more aware of the abstinence message.

D) They're distracted by video games.

3. What was the most-asked question after Blizzard Estra, which hit March 11?

A) "How dumb are those 800 people who were stranded on the highways?"

B) "When did we last have 70 mph winds?"

C) "How will the blizzard affect flooding?"

D) "Who's Estra?"

4. How has Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich attracted the votes of evangelical Christians?

A) By supporting abstinence education.

B) By opposing same-sex marriage.

C) By helping to remove state Supreme Court justices who voted for same-sex marriage.

D) By proving his heterosexuality with three wives and two mistresses.

5. The state's strategy in tobacco prevention is:

A) Restrict places where people can smoke.

B) Help smokers quit with nicotine patches.

C) Make smoking expensive through cigarette tax hikes.

D) Get smokers hooked on caffeine from drinking designer coffee, so they can't afford to buy cigarettes.

6. Why are the Minnesota Gophers leaving the WCHA to form a Big Ten Conference for hockey?

A) To play traditional rivals.

B) To get more media attention.

C) To get more revenue.

D) Because UND is leaving the WCHA for the NHL.

7. The month's biggest sports news was:

A) Fighting Sioux win WCHA regular season title in Grand Forks.

B) Fighting Sioux win WCHA playoff title in St. Paul.

C) Fighting Sioux win NCAA regional title in Green Bay.

D) Fighting Sioux win nickname battle in Bismarck.

8. How will Minnesota reduce its $5 billion deficit?

A) Cutting LGA.

B) Cutting state services.

C) Cutting health care.

D) Selling its 10,000 lakes to western North Dakotans who own mineral rights.

9. The month's least surprising news was:

A) Blizzards hit.

B) Floods threaten.

C) Gas prices rise.

D) A Thompson, N.D., woman wins $5,000 on Wheel of Fortune, once again proving the exceptional brainpower of that town's residents.

10. What is the most important job remaining for the Minnesota Legislature?

A) Finding ways to cut the budget.

B) Finding more revenue.

C) Finding money for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium.

D) Finding money for a new Minnesota Vikings quarterback.

Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .