After it was learned the the ‘News Of The World,’ a popular tabloid newspaper in the UK, had been gaining information by way of illegal phone tap, two arrests and a media frenzy ensued. Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the newspaper, defected to his son for help. James Murdoch is the future heir of his father’s fortune, but he is viewed by many to be ill equipped to deal with the crisis.

Just days after the public learned that the ‘News Of The World’ had been intercepting phone calls and listening in on the voice mail messages of the royal family, politicians and other prominent figures, Scotland Yard became involved. Rupert Murdoch laid off more than 100 journalists, but many top level executives who would have had more information on the stories remain. The ‘News Of The World’ officially closed its stores on July 10th, however, Murdoch also owns other newspapers.

Investigators still have questions as to how employees from the ‘News Of The World’ were able to get access to the private lines of so many important people in the UK. Rumors of corruption have surrounded for several decades, with the last outward scandal occurring in 2007. It is clear that many former employees were aware of the fact that they were invading the privacy of their subjects, but it is not known if Rupert Murdoch himself played a hand in their crimes. The investigation will likely resort in more arrests and a possible forfeiture of assets in the future.

A loophole in Maryland in-state college tuition law has allowed illegal immigrants the opportunity to take advantage of the shortcomings. Now, residents of the state will have the chance to have their voices heard. College tuition discounts are funded by taxpayer dollars. Every time an illegal alien takes a discounted college course, the state deficit rises. Civil rights activists believe that all residents of the state have the right to further their education and benefit from current in-state tuition laws.

Delegate Neil C. Parrott wants Maryland voters to understand what will happen if they do not take action to prevent illegal immigrants from benefiting from the in-state tuition laws that are now on the books. Democrats are voting to keep in-state tuition laws in place, but they also know that costs will rise substantially.

Other states are currently working to revamp their in-state tuition and immigration laws. Because federal immigration laws do not take precedence over state statutes, lawmakers are permitted to change the rules as they see fit. Officials in Maryland believe that the new referendum will pass, simply because of the state of the economy. Although illegal immigrants regularly contribute by paying taxes, the money that state use to track their crimes and their burden on social services are also areas of contention. Individually, colleges in Maryland are not permitted to charge students different amounts for tuition unless they live under the poverty level. Some would like to see illegal immigrants banned from state run colleges altogether, but lawmakers have not yet addressed these issues.