Keene State Punishes 170 Students After Pumpkin Riots

Keene State College has disciplined 170 students for their involvement in riots that erupted in October during a pumpkin festival. Two students were expelled, one withdrew, and nine were suspended, The Boston Globe reported. The rest of the students are facing probation, fines, and payment of restitution. In October, police in riot gear used tear gas and rubber bullets to stop hundreds of students when the pumpkin festival -- celebrated annually in downtown Keene, New Hampshire -- got out of control. Authorities reported that students threw rocks and pumpkin parts at the police, and that many students refused to be orderly.