The search for a missing University of North Dakota student and the callup of state soldiers to duty in Iraq top the list of North Dakota news stories this year.

The top 10 stories are chosen each year in a survey of print and broadcast members of the Associated Press.

The search for Dru Sjodin, 22, a University of North Dakota senior, was voted the state's top news story. She disappeared Nov. 22, after leaving her job in a Grand Forks shopping mall.

Members of the National Guard joined hundreds of volunteers from North Dakota and Minnesota in searching for her, but came up empty. Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., of Crookston, Minn., a convicted rapist, is charged with kidnapping Sjodin.

The war in Iraq came home to North Dakota with the callup of its National Guard members, and that story was voted a close second among the year's top 10.

The Fargo-based 142nd Engineer Battalion and Bismarck's 957th Multi Role Bridge Company are on duty in Iraq as the year draws to a close, and about 475 Guard members from other units are preparing to leave next year. Hundreds packed a Dickinson church in July to mourn Guard Spc. Jon Fettig, 30, a volunteer with the 957th who was killed by a grenade attack.

Voted third among the top 10 news stories was the spread of the West Nile virus.

The Health Department reported more than 600 cases of the mosquito-borne virus, and four deaths in the state from the disease.

Ranked fourth among the top news stories was North Dakota's new lottery. After winning approval from the Legislature, state officials say they hope to start selling tickets in April for the Powerball game.

Violent crime was in fifth place, making headlines in two major shootings this year. Daniel "Scrubby" Jantzen, of Valley City, is awaiting sentencing for killing three people and wounding another in an April shooting rampage at a mobile home park.

In Bismarck, a West Fargo man, Brandon Keller, was convicted of attempted murder and other charges in a 14-hour standoff and shootout that left one suspect dead and a police officer wounded.

Water issues finished sixth in the balloting. Arguments over the management of the Missouri River and a Devils Lake outlet continued throughout 2003.

Hunting was in seventh place. Legislators approved new restrictions on out-of-state hunters, leading to objections from Minnesota's governor and others.

Three issues tied for the final spots on the ballot: The raising of state speed limits; Gov. John Hoeven's clashes with the Republican legislative leadership, and sexual harassment allegations against Public Service Commissioner Leo Reinbold and District Judge Michael McGuire, of Fargo.