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Criticism flares around new Pa. graduation tests Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 1:30 pm, Saturday, May 18, 2013 (AP) — It seemed to hit the Capitol like a brick: a sudden groundswell of criticism over a move by Gov. Tom Corbett and the Pennsylvania State Board of Education to toughen academic achievement standards and tie them to graduation tests for the state's roughly 1.7 million public and charter school students. Senate Education Committee Chairman Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, seemed similarly surprised by the criticism, which came from teachers' unions to conservatives who back public school alternatives. The proposed Pennsylvania Common Core standards are currently in Corbett's office undergoing a policy and cost review before they are to be sent in the coming weeks to a five-member state government regulations board whose approval is necessary before they can take effect. Under the proposal, public school students in the 2016-17 school year must pass a set of three course-specific exams — algebra, biology and English literature — to graduate. Some Democratic lawmakers and public school administrators question the wisdom of requiring a graduation test in poorer school districts that struggle to afford smaller class sizes, updated instructional materials, tutors and counselors.

Ala. man shot in groin by hog hunter at camp Al.com reports (http://bit.ly/10EU8ZM ) the Tuscaloosa County sheriff's homicide unit is investigating the shooting early Saturday, which sent a 26-year-old man to a hospital for surgery. Investigators say the victim was shot by a 36-year-old old man who was hunting wild hogs, and they suspect the hunter believed he was firing his gun at an animal.

Are you a diehard Pope Francis fan? There’s an app for that. The Pope has propelled the Catholic church into the smartphone era with a fresh new mobile app. The Vatican’s Clementine Hall buzzed with excitement Friday as His Holiness used the Keys of St.    

Big screen stars enter the real world through a small frame. Amateur photographer Francois Dourlen, 30, looks for what his environment lacks and inserts it virtually for his ongoing photo series "Réalité Revisitée," or "Reality Revisited."    

Raha Moharrak, 25, was joined by 34 other foreigners and 29 Nepalese Sherpa guides who made the treacherous climb from the highest camp to the peak of the mountain, at 29,035-ft.