A central Minnesota eighth-grader this week is making his second appearance at the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C. Gopi Ramanathan, from Sartell Middle School, joins 53 other competitors in preliminary competition Tuesday. The top 10 move to the finals, which will be held late Thursday morning and will be telecast at 7 that night (CDT) on the National Geographic Channel. The moderator will be "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek.
Ramanathan, 14, represented Minnesota at the 2010 National Geographic Bee, but missed out on making the finals. Participants in grades 4 through 8 are competing for scholarship money: $25,000 for first, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third.
The contestants represent the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Atlantic Territories, Pacific Territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools.
Ramanathan qualified this year by winning the state-level bee on March 30 in St. Cloud, when he defeated 2011 state champion William Bogenshultz, an eighth-grader from Ramsey Junior High School in St. Paul.
PAUL WALSH
Bush 43 headed back to White House Former President George W. Bush plans to return to the White House for the unveiling of his official portrait on May 31, marking a rare visit by the two-term president who has largely shunned the spotlight since leaving office. Bush, who will be accompanied by his wife, Laura, has avoided politics since he left office in January 2009. The portrait ceremony will be his first visit to the White House in more than two years. Bush appeared with President Obama and former President Bill Clinton at the Rose Garden following the devastating Haiti earthquake in January 2010. Bush spokesman Freddy Ford said the couple is "looking forward to seeing a lot of their friends from the administration and they are grateful to the president and first lady for their hospitality."
CHARGES: Three young men were arraigned Sunday in the assault and carjacking of popular Detroit pastor and gospel singing icon Marvin Winans. They are charged with carjacking, unarmed robbery and conspiracy. The charges carry sentences of up to life in prison. Winans, 54, was attacked last week while pumping gas in Detroit. The robbers took his sport-utility vehicle, Rolex watch, cash and credit cards.
