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Mississippi is the most obese state in the nation. That's not something top-ranking state officials like to boast about, so they've decided to take matters into their own hands. A group of state lawmakers has begun an effort to shed hundreds of pounds. It's hoped their weight loss will spur others on.

Dreamgirls is nominated for eight Academy Awards, but not for Best Picture. Babel, which is among five nominees for the top film, earns seven nominations.

Rising prices are a top concern for voters in this year's midterm elections, outpacing abortion, crime and defending democracy. Prices in September were up 8.2% from a year ago.

West Virginia will soon hold its annual Liars Contest. Last year, college professor Adam Booth won. He's been a contender five times according to West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This summer, the former House speaker's campaign seemed to bottom out when most of his staff quit. Now, the 68-year-old finds himself in the top tier of candidates for the Republican presidential nomination. He credits his rise in the polls to his "serious, substantive approach" to the issues.

Despite penguins, lions and gorillas battling for Hollywood supremacy, 2005 will go down as a box office disappointment. But NPR critic Bob Mondello says the year's films were high on quality.

While six retired military generals have come out in the past weeks calling for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to step down, no active generals have followed suit. Time magazine reporter and commentator Douglas Waller offers some historical perspective on speaking out against a senior official.

The winners of the Newbery and Caldecott children's book awards will be announced Monday. Host Debbie Elliott and children's literature expert Eden Ross Lipson discuss the world of children's publishing.

A new book explores California's giant redwoods — some of the largest living organisms in the world. Devoted naturalists are climbing to the treetops to learn more about the "green ocean" overhead in the redwood canopies.

NPR Film Critic Bob Mondello presents his annual list of top ten films of the year. He says he really could only justify putting nine on the list this year.