1 Go figure

In a shocking development, Polk County taxpayers learned last week that the Iowa Events Center will likely end up costing millions of dollars more than they were originally told.

2 'Ed Wilson Blows Goats!'

Or at least that's what a guy's T-Shirt at the Ingersoll Dahl's read recently. However, Wilson, who is merely the messenger in our book and unjustly accused for our state's unpredictable and often shitty weather, finally came through with a little fall weather last week - with the help of Mother Nature, Katrina, God and global warming.

3 Thoughtful government spending

Federal contracts for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts that were handed out with little or no competition by Bush cronies to other Bush cronies will be re-bid to prevent any waste or abuse, FEMA Chief R. David Paulison announced last week, leaving Carnival Cruise Lines and Halliburton in really tight spots.

4 What about the dog catcher?

A Dubuque man who had already been jailed seven years ago for threatening to kill President Clinton now faces new charges for threats against President Bush, former President George Bush, former Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad, Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry. Terrence Rooney Jr., 32, is scheduled for trial on Dec. 12.

5 Another ill-conceived Hollywood pregnancy

One could almost hear the collective groans that came with the news that Tom Cruise, 43, and his fiancŽe Katie Holmes, 27, are expecting a baby, crushing the hopes of those who had hoped the embarrassing (and very public) courtship was a mere publicity ploy. We can only imagine this will mean more of Cruise's couch-jumping antics on our television sets.

6 Harry Potter: gay?

A British cleric and top-selling author of children's books of the Harry Potter ilk was thrown out of a London school where he was delivering a talk after telling the pupils that Potter is "gay." Rev. Graham Taylor, who writes books that center on witchcraft and battling evil, was asked to leave after teachers accused him of being homophobic.

7 Breaking the ice

Eight thousand plus Central Iowans poured into Wells Fargo arena for the Stars opener last week, and were treated to pro hockey in Des Moines: a nail-biter full of fistfights that created scores of new fans practically overnight.

8 On the couch

Apparently, when it comes to being a passive couch potato in need of an afternoon dose of mass-marketed psychiatry, Iowans reign supreme. According to Nielsen Media Research survey results released last week, more Central Iowans tune in for "Dr. Phil" and "Oprah" than any other market in the entire country.

9 The sky is falling

A mere month after a hurricane decimated the Gulf Coast of the United States, some 42,000 people were killed in a massive earthquake in Asia, sparking more talk that Chicken Little might be on to something.

10 Streak snapped

Just weeks after beating in-state rival Iowa and prompting premature BCS blabber, Iowa State dropped its second straight conference loss and helped Baylor University snap a 37-game road losing streak. Lames. CV

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