West
‘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.
FRAT HOUSE WHERE STUDENTS WERE ELECTROCUTED IN ALLEGED HAZING HAD LAUNDRY LIST OF KNOWN RED FLAGS: REPORT
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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San Francisco, CA
San Francisco hotels see steady World Cup business, but fall short of Super Bowl surge
Bay Area bars and restaurants are packed for World Cup watch parties this week, but San Francisco hotels are not seeing the same sell-out crowds experienced during the Super Bowl earlier this year.
While the Super Bowl brought a concentrated week of events that sent hotel prices soaring into the thousands, the World Cup spans more than a month. The extended timeline has resulted in a slower, steadier trickle of out-of-town soccer fans booking rooms.
The Bay Area has several exciting matches on the schedule at Levi’s Stadium, but none feature top-seeded teams or the mega-star power seen when “Messi mania” previously swept the region.
“We knew we weren’t going to get any of the first-place teams. We weren’t going to get Brazil, or Germany, or any of the teams carrying big fan bases — Messi, Ronaldo,” said Alex Bastian, CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. “But that being said, this is still such a great thing, because people are coming here from around the world.”
Bastian noted that the city’s hospitality industry is still in a strong position for the summer.
“We have a great convention calendar for the month of June, and because we were prepared, we’re doing much better compared to our colleagues across the country,” he said.
A significant surge in hotel bookings could still happen if Levi’s Stadium secures a match featuring Team USA. That possibility grew stronger following the U.S. team’s 2-0 win over Australia on Friday.
“I’m really excited about Team USA. I’m USA all the way,” Bastian added. “I’m hopeful that when that game is played here, the world will come check out San Francisco as well.”
Denver, CO
Rockies ride Kyle Freeland’s gem, Braxton Fulford’s double to 4-3 win over Pirates
The night belonged to Kyle Freeland, who joined the 1,000 K Club. The moment belonged to Braxton Fulford. The ninth inning — and a big sigh of relief — belonged to closer Antonio Senzatela.
Fulford hit a two-run, two-out, pinch-hit double in the eighth inning off Mason Montgomery to lead the Rockies to a 4-3 win over the Pirates at Coors Field in front of a Friday night crowd of 33,596.
Fulford drove in Tyler Freeman and Cole Carrigg, who scratched out back-to-back two-out singles off Montgomery.
“I had been warming up in the cage for that at-bat for a couple of innings, so I felt pretty prepared,” Fulford said. “I got an advantage count (3-1) and I knew he was going to come with the heater and I was all over it.”
Fulford caught Montgomery for three seasons at Texas Tech, so he knew the left-hander’s tendencies.
“It’s kind of unfortunate for pitchers that you catch, because you kind of get to see their stuff,” Fulford said. “You kind of understand more of who they are. So I do feel like I had the advantage there.”
In the ninth, the Pirates loaded the bases against Senzatela with no outs on a single by Marcell Ozuna and an error on a groundball by shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. But Senzatela struck out pinch-hitter Tyler Callihan and induced Jared Triolo to ground to Tovar, who started the game-ending double play.
“It was kind of a crazy ending to the game — bases loaded and no outs,” Freeland said. ” ‘Senza’ got a big punchout in that situation, picks up Tovar. Then Tovar gets another opportunity to turn a double play, and he gets it done.”
Before all of the late-game drama, Freeland pitched his best game of the season: 7 1/3 innings, two runs allowed on four hits, no walks, and eight strikeouts. It marked the fourth time in his career that he pitched 7 1/3 or more innings.
“Tonight, I thought he was absolutely exceptional,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “I thought his body language was impressive. He attacked the strike zone — relentlessly. His heater had good ‘vert’ tonight. The breaker was good. It seemed like he was in control all night.”
“Gritty” is the word often used to describe Freeland. Dominant was a more apt description on Friday night. History-making works, too. Freeland’s eight Ks gave him 1,001 for his career, joining right-hander German Marquez (1,069) as the only two pitchers in franchise history to eclipse 1,000. Freeland struck out Marcell Ozuna in the seventh for No. 1,000, and then promptly fanned Brandon Lowe for 1,001.
The hard-core Rockies fans behind the dugout gave Freeland a standing ovation.
“I’m very grateful for the fans always supporting me, and for making it this long in my career to reach some of these milestones, especially with one ballclub,” said Freeland, who struck out eight and walked none for the second time in his career. “I definitely hear those fans when I pop out of the dugout after every inning.”
The 33-year-old Denver native blanked the Pirates for the first seven innings, giving up just two hits. Pittsburgh finally got to Freeland in the eighth, putting up back-to-back doubles by Esmerlyn Valdez and Triolo to cut Colorado’s lead to 2-1. Up to that point, it looked as if Freeland had the juice to throw a complete game, especially since he threw just 81 pitches.
Freeland was pulled in the eighth for right-hander Jaden Hill, who gave up an RBI single up the middle to pinch-hitter Bryan Reynolds, tying the game, 2-2. Then Hill hit leadoff hitter Spencer Horowitz, and Nick Gonzalez scorched a triple off the right-field wall, scoring Horowitz and giving the Pirates a 3-2 lead.
Colorado staked a 1-0 lead in the third against hard-throwing right-hander Bubba Chandler. Willi Castro’s single scored Ezequiel Tovar, who reached on a bunt single.
The Rockies extended their lead to 2-0 in the fourth on rookie first baseman TJ Rumfield’s leadoff homer. He sent Chandler’s first-pitch slider 427 feet into the right-field seats. It was Rumfield’s 11th homer and his 38th RBI.
Pitching probables
Saturday: Pirates RHP Paul Skenes (6-6, 2.85 ERA) at Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (7-4, 4.54), 7:10 p.m.
Sunday: Pirates RHP Jared Jones (1-1, 6.23) at Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-8, 7.13), 1:10 p.m.
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
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Seattle, WA
Suarez’s no-hit try ends on Naylor double in seventh, but Boston still tops Seattle
Ranger Suarez carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 6-2 on Friday night.
Suarez (3-3) struck out five and walked three in 6 2/3 innings. His no-hit bid ended with Josh Naylor’s one-out double in the seventh.
The 30-year-old lefty earned his first win since April 27 against Toronto.
Caleb Durbin put the Red Sox ahead with a second-inning solo homer, his fifth of the year. Durbin had his second three-hit game this season, with his first coming against Tampa Bay on June 10.
Ceddanne Rafaela scored on a wild pitch in the seventh, and Marcelo Mayer drove in two more runs with a bases-loaded single.
Carlos Narváez added a sacrifice fly before Seattle finally escaped the inning on a diving catch by Dominic Canzone in right field.
Suarez issued a two-out walk that loaded the bases in the seventh on his final pitch of the night, but Justin Slaten ended the threat by striking out pinch-hitter J.P. Crawford to preserve a 5-0 lead.
Mayer added one more insurance run with a ninth-inning RBI double. The Mariners got on the board thanks to Julio Rodríguez’s two-run homer in the ninth.
Seattle starter Bryce Miller (3-1) struck out seven in five innings. He allowed three hits and one run.
Luis Castillo, who has started in all but three of his 258 career appearances, gave up five runs in four innings of relief as the Mariners revived their “piggyback” rotation.
Up next
Red Sox LHP Connelly Early (5-5, 3.81 ERA) starts opposite Mariners RHP Emerson Hancock (5-3, 3.28) on Saturday night.
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