[ MUSIC ] >> KELSEY: Hi, and welcome to KET's "News Quiz"!

I'm your host, Kelsey Starks.

Welcome to April!

I hope you're ready to finish this school year on a strong note.

Let's get back into action with today's Challenge Question.

Washington D.C.'s cherry trees were originally a friendship gift from what country?

This country had a blooming relationship with the U.S. in the early 1900's, but during World War II, that relationship changed.

It's an island nation in the northwest Pacific Ocean near the Korean peninsula.

Can you name it?

Washington D.C.'s cherry trees were originally a friendship gift from what country?

While we were on spring break, the Suez Canal in Egypt became a clogged focus of international trade.

The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway that cuts through Egypt's Isthmus of Suez which divides Africa and Asia.

It connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and is an important shortcut for ships carrying all sorts of cargo to the Middle East and other areas.

On March 22nd, a massive container ship called the Ever Given turned sideways in the canal and became wedged across the waterway.

It blocked the canal for other ships that needed to pass through.

Tugboats and dredgers worked for more than a week to free the skyscraper-sized cargo vessel.

During that time, other ships had to be rerouted away from the canal on a much longer route to their destinations.

Investigators are still trying to figure just out how the Ever Given became stuck.

They've ordered the ship to stay parked in a wider area of the canal until they can determine exactly what happened.

In other news, the environment is affecting the economy in many ways.

even fruits and vegetables.

Michigan is known for cooler temperatures because it sits in the northern U.S. For farmers there, refrigeration for some crops hasn't been necessary in the past.

Potatoes, for example, were kept in naturally cooled storage facilities until needed each year.

But with global warming, potato farmers and others in Michigan are now purchasing refrigeration units to keep their products from ruining.

That added cost will likely show up in the cost for consumers.

And in one Spanish city, an over-abundance of oranges is finding new life as a power source.

Seville is home to very bitter oranges.

While thousands of the fruits are sent to England and become marmalade, thousands more usually rot on the ground.

Well this year, Seville is trying something new.

The city water company is using methane gas from the orange juice to power purification equipment.

The clean energy could also be used to power city transportation.

Now that's a reduce...reuse...and recycle plan that you probably didn't expect!

Well here's our plan for the first part of today's Quiz.

Questions 1 and 2 are trying to keep those ships moving.

In Kentucky news, the state General Assembly has wrapped up the 2021 legislative session.

The session gaveled to a close on March 30th with numerous bills becoming law in the state.

Several of them involve schools and education.

One bill called for in-person schooling to begin again by March 29th.

That's part of the reason many of you are back to school, in person, right now.

Another bill will allow students to retake courses that were interrupted by the pandemic - if needed.

Senators and representatives also passed bills regarding health care for Kentuckians diagnosed with diabetes and colon cancer.

And, after overriding several items that were vetoed by Governor Andy Beshear, our state congress also passed a budget, or spending plan, for the upcoming year.

Here's something you may not think about when using your personal protective equipment, or PPE items - if you don't dispose of them properly, they can hurt the environment.

Yes, we want to keep ourselves safe from COVID-19 by wearing masks, gloves and using disinfecting wipes.

But California beach patrols are finding hundreds of these items lining the sand every week which means they often end up in the ocean.

Most PPE, gloves in particular, are made of non-biodegradable materials.

So please, dispose of them properly to keep yourself and our environment safe.

And from the entertainment world, the Library of Congress has chosen more songs to add to the National Recording Registry.

The registry preserves music and vocal recordings that hold cultural and historic importance in the American soundscape.

Titles must be at least 10 years old.

Usually a couple dozen recordings are chosen from hundreds of nominations.

The 2021 inductees include Janet Jackson's album, "Rhythm Nation 1814;" Louis Armstrong's jazzy version of "When the Saints Go Marching In;" and even Kermit the Frog's recording of "The Rainbow Connection."

And it isn't just music.

The National Recording Registry also now includes a World War II radio broadcast from U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt; And a professional baseball play-by-play radio call of a record-breaking homerun.

Well, here's our call on the second part of today's Quiz.

Question 5 is new in Kentucky's law books.

Back to the news.

In Iceland, volcanic eruptions have become a picnic party for some audiences.

Since March 19, more than 5,000 people have visited the eruption area near Iceland's capital city.

Rescue services have set up safe areas for tourists to watch the bubbling lava.

They ensure the volcanic gas emissions aren't harmful in the air.

If the situation becomes too dangerous, of course, the crowds are evacuated.

Did you enjoy an Easter egg hunt, or a holiday dinner with family this year?

Some members of the Catholic faith in Nicaragua took a holiday tradition onto the water for a virus-safe celebration.

Nicaragua is a Central American country that sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

It is also bordered by Honduras and Granada.

Managua is the capital city.

The aquatic Via Crucis, or Stations of the Cross, depicts the day of Jesus Christ's crucifixion.

Nicaragua's version takes the story by boat to various islands to share with others in their area.

Meanwhile, in Hungary, the country's "Queen of Egg Decorating," said the craft should be especially important this year after months in lockdown.

Zsigoné Kati says the activity can bring families together and make memories.

She is one of a few people who still create intricate designs on eggs for the holidays.

Kati is also known for egg 'shoeing'.

A centuries-old art that attaches miniature horseshoes to eggshells.

Well create your answers in the final part of today's Quiz.

Question 8 is a hot attraction!

Let's think about another question now.

Our Opinion Question!

While we were on break, many of you were busy sending us your answers about hometowns.

Lydia is a 5th Grader at Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary in London, Kentucky.

She says, "The thing I like best about my hometown is the Chicken Festival.

It celebrates Colonel Sanders' fried chicken and they have the World's Largest Skillet that is 10 feet, six inches in diameter."

Wow!

"They also have lots of rides and games and a big parade..." Several 6th graders at St. Thomas More School in Illinois wrote about a local eatery there.

Marcus sums it up saying, "I like the Portillos in my hometown because their hot dogs and their chocolate cake are the best.

When I go there for dessert, I choose nothing but the chocolate cake."

Back in Kentucky, Sonny is in the 7th Grade at Henderson County North Middle School.

He enjoys a breakfast buffet...of sorts!

"My favorite thing about Henderson, Kentucky is our 'pancakes in the park.'.

It is usually in the summer and you can connect with the people in your hometown."

Sounds great!

And south of Henderson is Bowling Green, Kentucky.

That's the hometown for 6th Grader Ashton, at Alvaton Elementary.

"...the Corvette Plant and the Corvette Museum are here.

We also have a large amusement park that is very enjoyable.

Lastly one of my favorite things is the people.

Most in Bowling Green are very nice and kind!"

I can attest to that.

And heading west to South Dakota, Kaylyn is in the 5th Grade at the Deuel Midway School.

She recommends a favorite hometown event.

"...in Clear Lake, South Dakota.

my favorite thing is the Crystal Springs Rodeo.

It is fun to see the barrel racing.

The CSR has had up to 5,000 spectators during a single performance."

Wow!

You all have some fun hometowns!

If you haven't sent your answer, now's your chance: What's your favorite thing about your hometown?

Why?

Email your letters to us at: NewsQuiz@ket.org.

Or use the form at KET.org/newsquiz.

Be sure to include your name, grade, school, and teacher's name in your response!

And don't forget the name of your hometown and send us a picture if you have one!

Time to get a look at today's answers!

Let's jump back to the Challenge Question first.

Japan is the country that first gave Washington D.C. its beautiful cherry trees and blossoms.

The gift came from Tokyo City's mayor in 1912.

Now, both locations celebrate the fragrant blossoms with a spring festival.

Tokyo's trees reached their peak bloom in late March.

This year, many are enjoying a personal view of the white and pink flowers known as sakura in Japan.

Last year's festival was virtual, of course, thanks to the lockdown.

And here are the rest of today's answers.

And finally today, another signal that life is starting to get back to normal.

MOvie theaters are putting new releases on the big screen.

And that includes Disney's "Raya and the Last Dragon."

Actress Kelly Marie Tran voices Raya, the movie's heroine.

She helped celebrate theater re-openings in Los Angeles, California.

The Disney hit quickly reached the top of the charts with movie-goers, even with limited seating.

That wraps things up for us today.

We'll be back on the charts next week with more "News Quiz."

Bye!

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