In brief: Sen. Marco Rubio backs off immigration reform

WASHINGTON – Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, one of the architects of the Senate’s immigration plan, is reverting to his original preference for a piecemeal approach.

Support for legislation is simply not there, said spokesman Alex Conant, citing a lack of allies in the House of Representatives.

The Senate passed a comprehensive plan this summer that would provide many of the 11 million immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally with a path to citizenship. But the House GOP leadership has refused to take up the bill.

Penn State victims paid $59.7 million

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Penn State has paid $59.7 million in out-of-court settlements to 26 men claiming they were abused by former football coach and convicted pedophile Jerry Sandusky, the university said Monday.

Pennsylvania State University reviewed claims brought by 32 men, and 23 of those have been signed, the university said. Three settlements in principle remain; documentation will be finalized soon.

The other six claims were rejected because they were found to be “without merit,” the university said.