College campuses are basically their own towns and produce just as much waste.5 million students are participationg in one competition dedicated to going green.

With busy class schedules, part time jobs and homework it can be hard to motivate college students to do just about anything. Recycling is one of them.

One UND student says, "I don't recycle and yeah I could recycle everything more."

The University of North Dakota transports 170 tons of trash to landfill every month. They recycle about 40 tons.

Debbie Merrill, UND recycling coordinator says, "UND recycles about 23% to 24% of its reduction, of its waste but our goal is 35%."

But UND isn't the only college trying to increase recycling. Many schools are participating in one competition that is inspiring students to recycle more.

Another student stated, "Recyclemania is a friendly competition between colleges all around the US"

Heather Morgan, ARH recycling chair explains, "Basically what happens is each week each school will measure the amount of recyclable material they have."

Colleges are taking on the challenge and coming up with creative ways to gain attention about recycling.

A student explains, "We put up posters, a poster campaign, called take off your top. It's aimed at taking off plastic bottle tops because a lot of times if you throw them into the recycling they won't be recycled."

Recycling increases about 5-8% during the competition. In the long run Recyclemania hopes to have more students turning to recycling bins rather than trash bags. Recyclemania started in 2001 as a friendly competition between two colleges in Ohio. It's expanded to over 600 campuses. This year almost every state has a school participating.

Empty fridges are just one of many consequences of the current economic crisis. One of America's safety nets for the hungry is being tested as never before.

Being hungry is another problem that Americans face during these tough times. Many people think North Dakota is economically better off than the rest of the United States. But officials say even the number of North Dakotans getting assistance for groceries are increasing.

Ed Christ, Assistant County Director, Grand Forks County Social Services says, "Part of it, I think, are people coming here from other parts of the country, because our economy is doing so well."

In the past, food stamps have been looked down upon by some as 'welfare'. This discouraged those who needed it from actually signing up for it. But now, the government has made applying for food stamps easier than ever. The recession has given new meaning to the program and reduced the stigma surrounding it.

A Hugo's Grocery shopper says, "Well, I think it's a good thing because I just...totally believe that with everything going and everything, people need help."

This has resulted in record high enrollment. Now, one in nine Americans receives the aid.

Rachel Buening, a Hugo's grocery cashier states, "Probably every other person or more that's coming through is using food stamps."

In the face of economic hardship, America has come to accept the necessity and usage of food stamps.

Christ says, " There will always be a need for it because there are always people who, for one reason or another, aren't able to support themselves and their family."

For the future, there does not appear to be a decrease in food stamp usage, unless the economy improves. Eight percent of North Dakotans receive food stamps every month. Nationally about eleven percent of the population receives food stamps

The sport of roller derby was near the brink of extinction in the late 1970's. Thanks to a hand-full of die hards--this pastime has found its way back into venues across America.

They're rough. They're tough.

Messi Jigler, derby girl agrees, "The last bout I got a concussion."

And some may say they're down right crazy. What was once one of the trendiest sports in the 40's and 50's is smashing its way back into popularity.

Messi Jigler, derby girl says, "Roller derby is just an amazing game that's played with a group of women."

The sheer spectacle of watching these women battle it out is enough to put shock and awe onto anyone's face. Not to mention the fishnets and face paint that go with it. There's also the names like, Messi Jigler, Haka, Reddenator, and Rosie Bruz-her.

Rosie Bruz-her, Derby Girl exlains, "I Own my own floral shop so rosie and I'm pretty much a blocker so I figured I'm going to be putting some bruises on people."

These are the Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls. Not only has roller derby surprised the sporting world with its comeback but many who are a part of it have surprised themselves.

Bruz-her says, "I just turned 40 this last year so I wanted to see if I could do it or not, and here I am."

Being a derby girl takes more than skirts and skates.

Jigler tells us, "It takes a lot of drive. A lot of people will show up and they think they're just going to strap on skates and be awesome their first time."

But for those women who have that drive--the feeling can be--electrifying.

Haka, derby girl agrees, "It's just an adrenaline rush and you're just excited, you can't help but smile from ear to ear the whole time you're out there skating."

With the adrenaline pumping--sweat dripping--and a sellout crowd it looks like roller derby isn't rolling away any time soon. The Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls are also involved in community outreach. All of the money made from each home bout is donated to charity.

People sometimes daydream at work. Meet a man who has taken absent minded thoughts to a whole new level.

"Oh, Yeah, we can get that fixed for ya," says a man on the phone.

The North Dakotan winter is often cold and quiet. One Man breaks this silence every day. Ray Nay, a furniture restorer, speaks little yet carries his emotion in his work.

Nay says, "I love doin' this, say it's enjoyable"

Ray's can-do attitude has resulted in a prolific career.

Nay explains, "Actually, a friend of my wife saw a bench one day and didn't wanna pay the price. She came over and said, "You make me that"

Ray did a good job on that first bench he says. And many pieces of furniture later, he says it's the unpredictability of the job that keeps him coming back.

"It's really interesting, by the time you think you've seen every antique there is, somebody'll bring something in you've never seen before."

However, Ray's skillful hands are used for more than just repairing old furniture.

Nays says, "I think just about every day I'd write a poem or something"

Ray's toolbox includes a love for poetry. He says most of his thoughts center around poetry as he works and his topics hit close to home.

Nay tells us, "Get most of it from the kids, wrote one to my son in Iraq"

Whether it's in his furniture or in his poetry, Ray's attention to detail makes any winter a little bit warmer.

Ray has been published in magazines in his city. He also says his poems have made it to military bases across the globe.

Many cities have debated whether to use salt or sand on winter roads. Each has their own unique way of improving road conditions.

Salt is more effective in removing snow and ice, but can be worse for the environment and harder on cars. Sand is more environmentally friendly, but only creates friction, which makes cars start and stop easier.

Many factors are needed in order for salt and sand to be effective, but temperature plays the biggest role.

Mark Aubol, street superintendent says, "If it is above zero salt works real good. If it stays into the high twenties into the thirties freezing at night sand would work to an extent to help you with traction and abrasion, but salt actually cuts the ice".

A city's budget may also play a part in what they decide to use on their roads. On average, salt is more expensive than sand and this could be the deciding factor for a city. These two techniques work well separately, but act even more efficiently when mixed together.

Aubol says,"The more salt you add to your sand the faster it activates and the faster it will start to work as a de-icing agent".

Another factor to consider is location. If a city is located within a hilly area where runoff would occur, salt and sand would be more likely to pollute lakes and streams, harming the surrounding environment.