Pa. college editors speak out after newspaper disappearance

After copies of The Beacon disappeared from newsstands last month, editor Jake Cochran said he was left asking: "Who would have an interest in not having that news there?" But with no witnesses and no similar incidents since the March 22 disappearance, pinning down an answer to that question has been difficult.

Temple student arrested for photographing traffic stop sues police

Two years ago, a Temple University student’s attempt to complete a photojournalism assignment by taking pictures of a police traffic stop ended in arrest for both him and his girlfriend, who was accompanying him at the time. The pair was acquitted on charges of obstructing justice later that year, but the issue is back in court this month — this time, in a civil lawsuit filed by the pair against the two Philadelphia police officers who made the arrest.

Supreme Court won't hear 'boobies' bracelet case; Third Circuit ruling siding with students stands

Pennsylvania students Brianna Hawk and Kayla Martinez won’t have to worry about removing their “I <3 boobies! (KEEP A BREAST)” bracelets anytime soon, as the nation’s highest court declined to hear their school district’s latest appeal to ban the accessories

Penn State’s silence on Clery report shows need for public records reform

Last week, the Department of Education issued its preliminary report, part of its investigation into whether Pennsylvania State University violated the Clery Act in its handling of allegations of sexual abuse by former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. It will likely be years, though, before the public learns what the department uncovered in its far-reaching review of campus safety practices at the school since 1998 — one of the largest and most high-profile investigations ever.The reason for the secrecy is two-fold. A federal law requires the Department of Education to maintain the confidentiality of any program reviews until the final program report is issued.