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‘Extreme’ hazing allegations force fraternity suspension, investigation at major US university

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‘Extreme’ hazing allegations force fraternity suspension, investigation at major US university

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The University of Colorado Boulder has suspended its Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity chapter after receiving what officials describe as a “credible report” of hazing, prompting an immediate halt to all chapter activities.

According to the university, the initial report was received on Dec. 1 and formally logged with campus officials the next day. Since then, at least two additional anonymous reports alleging “extreme or severe hazing” have surfaced, CU Boulder said in a campus safety alert issued Thursday night.

No other details on the allegations were available.

The fraternity will remain suspended while the investigation proceeds. In the meantime, the university is urging anyone with information related to allegations of hazing, whether involving Phi Kappa Sigma or any other campus-affiliated organization, to submit a report through Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, Safe2Tell, or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.

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The CU Boulder campus is seen as officials probe hazing allegations that prompted the suspension of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)

A CU Boulder spokesperson underscored that the credible report triggered the interim suspension, but said the additional anonymous reports are also being reviewed.

“I want to make it clear that the university has received one credible report of hazing involving Phi Kappa Sigma, which has prompted the interim suspension,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “CU Boulder has also reported this to and is in communication with the Phi Kappa Sigma national organization.”

“Additionally, the university has received at least two other, anonymous reports of extreme or severe hazing this week,” the spokesperson continued. “We are seeking information about any instances of hazing involving CU Boulder students, including Phi Kappa Sigma and the anonymous reports, and are asking people to report information to Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.”

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The University of Colorado Boulder said one of its fraternities was suspended Thursday after receiving a “credible report” of hazing. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)

The spokesperson added that privacy laws prevent the university from discussing case specifics, but emphasized that CU Boulder “takes all allegations seriously” and investigates them “to the fullest extent possible.” Hazing is prohibited under both Colorado state law and university policy.

Boulder Police also addressed the situation, noting that the department has no substantiated hazing reports in the city. A police spokesperson told Fox News Digital that since August, officers have taken three hazing reports involving CU Boulder fraternities on University Hill, all of which were investigated and either determined to be unfounded or closed.

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The University of Colorado Boulder announced it is investigating a “credible report” of hazing involving the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. (University of Colorado Boulder Police)

The department emphasized its ongoing relationship with the campus community, including assigning a liaison officer to every fraternity. Police encouraged anyone with information about possible criminal activity to contact Boulder Police at 303-441-3333.

Phi Kappa Sigma’s national headquarters also addressed the suspension.

“We will be partnering with the institution to investigate the alleged behaviors from our Chapter at the University of Colorado–Boulder. Phi Kappa Sigma does not tolerate hazing or hazing-like behaviors and will continue to strive to eradicate it from the Greek System,” the fraternity’s executive director said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Phi Kappa Sigma, known nationally as “the Skulls,” joined CU Boulder’s Interfraternity Council in spring 2022, according to the school’s website. The fraternity has described its values as centered on academic achievement, respectful conduct and strong brotherhood.

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The investigation remains ongoing.

CU Boulder said future updates will be posted on its alerts page. The safety alert also offered guidance to students on recognizing possible hazing, including coercion, unsafe or degrading activities, or tasks presented as mandatory for joining a group. The school encouraged students to trust their instincts, intervene only when safe and report concerns to campus authorities.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the school’s Phi Kappa Sigma chapter and CU Boulder Police for comment.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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Hawaii

Towering lava fountains of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano trigger park and highway closures

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Towering lava fountains of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano trigger park and highway closures


HONOLULU — The latest lava fountaining episode of an erupting Hawaii volcano reached 1,000 feet high Tuesday, prompting temporary closures at a national park and part of an important highway because of falling glassy volcanic fragments, including ash.

Kilauea, on Hawaii’s Big Island, has been dazzling residents and visitors for more than year with an on-and-off eruption that periodically sends fountains of lava soaring into the sky.

The fountaining that began Tuesday morning marked the eruption’s 43rd episode since it began in December 2024. A livestream showed two fountains of bright-red lava and smoke. It’s unclear how long the fountaining will last. Some episodes have lasted a few days and others a few hours.

This image from video by the United States Geological Survey shows lava erupting from Kilauea volcano on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii.USGS / via AP

Like other times, the molten rock was confined within Kilauea’s summit crater inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and hasn’t threatened homes or buildings.

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But the lava fountains were creating trouble for neighboring communities and a highway where the volcanic fragments and ash, known as tephra, was falling. The tephra prompted temporary closures at the national park around the summit and a partial closure of Highway 11, an important route around the island, on either side of the park.

Hawaii County officials also opened a shelter at a district gymnasium for residents and tourists impacted by the road closure or falling tephra. There were no people using the shelter soon after it opened, said Tom Callis, a county spokesperson.

The National Weather Service issued an ashfall warning.

Volcanic tephra can irritate eyes, skin and the respiratory system, according to county officials. Tephra also can clog and cause other problems with water catchment collection systems, which are common in some parts of the Big Island, officials said.

Ash fell so heavily during a previous fountaining episode that some communities needed help from county civil defense workers to clean up ash that coated their homes, Callis said.

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Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.



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Montana

Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries for March 11

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Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries for March 11





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Nevada

Smith’s employees pack 5,000 meal kits for Clark County students

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Smith’s employees pack 5,000 meal kits for Clark County students


LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Smith’s employees are packing 5,000 meal kits for Clark County students through a partnership with Move for Hunger and Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada.

The event took place on March 10 at Decker Elementary School.

About 270 leaders from across seven states are also participating in building the kits. The donation is valued at approximately $50,000.

Feed The Need: Helping Southern Nevadans fight food insecurity

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In the past year, Smith’s and its customers provided more than 16 million meals to nonprofit hunger-relief organizations throughout Nevada through donations.



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