radioNovo News for State College: August 13, 2026

RNN STATE COLLEGE 08/13/26          MORE THAN A DOZEN FLOCK LICENSE PLATE READERS ARE NOW ACTIVE ACROSS PENN STATE’S CAMPUS AND DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE. POLICE SAY THE CAMERAS HELP SOLVE CRIMES FASTER, BUT RESIDENTS AND A VIRAL TIKTOK VIDEO ARE RAISING MASS SURVEILLANCE CONCERNS OVER PRIVACY AND A LACK OF OVERSIGHT. A PUBLIC TOWN HALL ON THE TECHNOLOGY IS SET FOR THIS SUNDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE BOROUGH BUILDING.          FORMER PENN STATE TRUSTEE BARRY FENCHAK IS APPEALING THE DISMISSAL OF HIS FIRST AMENDMENT LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY. FENCHAK CLAIMS THE BOARD RETALIATED AGAINST HIM AFTER HE PUBLICLY DEMANDED FINANCIAL DETAILS ON PENN STATE'S MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR ENDOWMENT. A FEDERAL JUDGE PREVIOUSLY RULED THAT TRUSTEES FUNCTION AS UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES RATHER THAN ELECTED OFFICIALS, LEAVING THEIR SPEECH UNPROTECTED IN THIS CONTEXT.          LAWMAKERS GATHERED AT AG PROGRESS DAYS IN ROCK SPRING TO TACKLE KEY AGRICULTURAL ISSUES, INCLUDING A NEW NEARLY $10 MILLION STATE GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP PENNSYLVANIA FARMERS ADOPT RISING TECHNOLOGIES. THE CONVERSATION ALSO TURNED TO THE RAPID GROWTH OF DATA CENTERS, WITH CONGRESSMAN GLENN GT THOMPSON AND STATE OFFICIALS AGREEING THAT HIGH-TECH FACILITIES SHOULDN'T BE BUILT ON PRIME FARMLAND.