[EricH]

If you click on the logo at the top left, that will answer question 1.
Question 2--I think it started in the late 1990's (original) and early 2000's (current).
Answer to question 3--CD-Media. Left side of the Portal page, or the gray bar at the top (should be third from the left). You'll need to search the pictures.
More sites--see (probably) the bottom left of the Portal page. Also, under the announcements for "The Blue Alliance".
Game hints--none yet (not obvious), but this is where you'll see them show up first. CD is faster than the official E-mail Blasts on occasion.