"Not only are we losing the fossils themselves from North Dakota, but we're also losing the scientific information."

- State paleontologist John Hoganson, talking about learning that a 65-million-year-old triceratops fossil is offered at auction in Paris. The fossil was unearthed in North Dakota four years ago. It was sold to a German collector, who now is offering it on the block.

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"I may be a lot of things, but I am not dumb."

- New York senator and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saying that she only was mistaken in her recollection of a landing in Bosnia in 1996, which at one point she said had been under sniper fire.

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"I'd still be honored even if he did just put it in a room full of all his exotic gifts that he receives from the edges of the Earth. But I'd be happier knowing that he actually uses it once in a while if he goes on walks."

- Colby Gannon, a resident of the Spirit Lake Sioux Reservation, who was among a group of young people who traveled to Washington to attend Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday. Gannon made a walking stick from diamond willow driftwood, and his mother wrapped its handle with beadwork. The group also brought a birthday present for the pontiff, who turned 81 Wednesday - a star quilt.

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"We have never been less secure about the near term future of wheat. With over 75 percent of wheat acres planted to varieties that are highly susceptible to (African stem rust), the threat here at home is real, and it is urgent."

- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, speaking to a gathering of food aid groups Wednesday in Kansas City. The plant disease, now confined to Africa, could conceivably be transported to North America, said the former North Dakota governor. He added that global wheat stocks are at their lowest point in 30 years, and the U.S. wheat supply is at a 60-year low.

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"If you're a football player, (college scouts) will find you. If you're a shooter, you contact them. Part of the reason (Jennifer Garbina) is going to (the University of Tennessee at Martin) is its pre-med is highly ranked. That's what she wants to major in."

- Shooting coach Tom Thompson, of the Bismarck-Mandan Rifle & Pistol Association, talking about Jennifer Garbina, 18, of Bismarck. The St. Mary's High School senior will attend the Tennessee university on a partial scholarship for competitive shooting. She shoots air rifle and small-bore rifle.

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"Perfect."

- Characterization of the recent World Men's Curling Championship held in Grand Forks. Craig Brown, skip of Team USA, offered that opinion, even though the U.S. team was eliminated. Canada won over Scotland.