$68 million mystery: Who’s the donor giving a fortune to colleges led by women?

It’s the question on everyone’s lips in philanthropy: Who is the mysterious donor giving away millions of dollars to at least a dozen colleges across the country?

Report finds state budgets hammered by national recession

NEW YORK — The national economic recession has hammered state budgets nationwide, with at least 43 states projecting deficits totaling more than $121 billion next year, a new report found.

Obituaries in the news

Obituaries in the news

James Armstrong

Who’s in charge? NASA faces deadline for tough decision on shuttle, but agency lacks a boss

WASHINGTON — NASA is facing a critical deadline to make its biggest decision in a generation: whether to go forward with plans to retire the space shuttle fleet and replace it with a new mode of space travel. But the agency still has no chief to make the $230 billion call.

Ex-professor in NYC school noose case sues for $200 million, calls firing ‘academic lynching’

NEW YORK — A professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College who was fired over plagiarism allegations is suing the graduate school for $200 million.

Religion News in Brief

PITTSBURGH — State House officials say they have been inundated with protests about a policy that barred a clergyman from using the word “Jesus” in a prayer that was to open one of the lawmakers’ daily sessions.

Ex-Columbia professor in noose case sues for $200 million, calls firing ‘academic lynching’

NEW YORK — A Columbia University professor who was fired over plagiarism allegations is suing the school for $200 million.

Study: More undergrads take out pricey private student loans to pay for college

BERKELEY, Calif. — A study finds the number of college students taking out private student loans has risen sharply in recent years.

Puff, puff, ponder: Marijuana advocates celebrate unofficial 4/20 holiday, reflect on movement

OAKLAND, Calif. — Cannabis advocates weren’t just using their high holiday of April 20 to light up — they were throwing fundraisers for medical marijuana clubs and planning their next steps to legalize the herb for medicinal use.

Mystery donor keeps handing checks to colleges; only common denominator is a woman president

The mystery college donor has struck again — this time at Binghamton University in New York, whose financial aid office phone started ringing off the hook as word of an anonymous $6 million contribution spread across campus.

Group of colleges urges Congress to offer tuition aid, citizenship to many illegal immigrants

WASHINGTON — Wading into the politically charged immigration debate, a group of colleges and universities is urging Congress to give illegal immigrants tuition aid and a path to citizenship in light of efforts in several states to block them.