1) ISIS forces recently took what Syrian town?
c) Palmyra
Upon taking the city, ISIS executed over 250 of its residents.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/25/middleeast/isis-killings-palmyra-syria/index.html
2) Last week, President Obama issued an executive order prohibiting what?
a) The issuance of military equipment to police officers by federal agencies
The order comes in the wake of a number of police shootings involving unarmed African-American males.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/18/politics/bayonets-police-white-house/index.html
3) Last week, the Senate approved what bill that President Obama supports?
b) A bill giving the president “fast-track” trade authority
Giving President Obama this authority would allow him to negotiate trade bills with other countries and present them to Congress “as is”, removing Congress’ power to amend them. All modern presidents prior to Obama had this authority. Obama is seeking this authority now so he can finalize negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement between America and 11 Asia-Pacific countries.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/05/22/senate-trade-vote/27797579/
4) A massive oil spill occurred last week off of the coast of what California county?
d) Santa Barbara
Over 100,000 gallons of oil have spilled as a result of a busted pipeline.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/21/us/california-oil-spill/index.html
5) What city’s government has preliminarily approved a $15 minimum wage?
b) Los Angeles, California
If it passes a final hurdle this fall, the minimum wage in Los Angeles will gradually rise before reaching $15 an hour in 2020.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/19/la-minimum-wage_n_7336932.html
6) A fight between two biker gangs left 9 people dead in what city?
d) Waco, Texas
The gangs knew that police were in the area but fought anyway.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/18/us/texas-biker-gang-brawl-shooting/index.html
7) What state voted to abolish the death penalty last week?
d) Nebraska
The governor is expected to veto the bill but the legislature has the votes to override the veto. Thirty-six of Nebraska’s forty-nine legislative seats are held by Republicans.
8) What Louisiana governor announced that he is exploring a run for the presidency?
c) Bobby Jindal
Forming the committee allows Jindal to start raising money. Former Ohio governor John Kasich made a similar announcement last week.
https://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/05/bobby_jindal_presidential_comm.html
9) What country’s voters chose to legalize gay marriage in a recent referendum?
d) Ireland
The referendum marked the first time that voters of a country (as opposed to a governmental body) have chosen to legalize gay marriage. In fact, over 60% of Irish voters approved of the measure.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/05/23/ireland-gay-marriage/
10) What comedian hosted his final late night talk show on CBS last Wednesday?
b) David Letterman
Letterman started his Late Show on NBC 33 years ago before moving to CBS in 1993.