Former Huston-Tillotson University President Dies
John Quill Taylor King, Sr., the longest serving president of Huston-Tillotson University, died yesterday. King, 89, served as president of the school from 1965 to 1988. He began his career at Huston-Tillotson College as an Instructor of Mathematics and Business Administration immediately after earning his Bachelor of Science degree from the school in 1947.
Solider in Court for Planned Fort Hood Attack
The soldier accused of planning to attack a restaurant near Fort Hood is scheduled to appear in a Waco federal court this afternoon. The AWOL Private First Class Naser Abdo, 21, is charged withpossession of an unregistered firearm and is being held without bond. According to a statement released by the Justice Department, Abdo was in possession of enough materials to make two bombs, which he admitted planning to use at a restaurant popular with soldiers from Fort Hood.
City Council Reconsiders Downtown Parking Debate
When the city asked Austinites if they wanted to pay for downtown parking on nights and weekends, most people asked said "no." The city went ahead and extended downtown metered parking hours anyway. Item 30 on today's city councilagenda would postpone extending metered parking hours until January. In the meantime, it would also provide more opportunities for Austin residents to give their input on the plan. The city estimated that extended metered parking would bring approximately one million more dollars into the general fund for fiscal year 2012.
LCRA Tables Coal Plant Deal
The Lower Colorado River Authority has indefinitely postponed a vote that would route 8.3 million gallons of water annually to the proposed White Stallion coal-powered power plant, The Austin American-Statesmanreports.
A White Stallion official said changes to the contract were made after investors became nervous about the economy and wanted more time to assess the funding for the proposed $2.5 billion plant. "Things have changed over six weeks, and we asked for more time for our finances," White Stallion CEO Randy Bird said. He said he hopes to continue working with the river authority to reach an agreement.