Houston Going Green?
When it comes to "green" cities, Houston may not be the first city to come to mind. But as our political reporting partner, the Texas Tribune reports, the oil capital is embarking on several environmentally friendly initiatives. Houston has opened a weekly farmers market, is the nation’s largest municipal buyer of green power, and has a competitive program to encourage businesses to save water and energy.
Trial to begin for Former Pedernales Chief
The Austin-American Statesmanis reporting Pedernales Electric Cooperative's former chief executive will go on trial today in Fredericksburg. Former General Manager Bennie Fuelberg was indicted in 2009.
Fuelberg, who ran the nation's largest member-owned electric utility for more than 30 years, is charged with misapplication of fiduciary duty in excess of $200,000, theft of property in excess of $200,000 and money laundering between $100,000 and $200,000. The first two charges are first-degree felonies that carry a penalty of up to 99 years in prison if convicted; the last charge is a second-degree felony that carries up to 20 years.
Fuelberg has pleaded not guilty.
Retailers Hoping to See Big Boost in Online Sales Today
Black Friday is over but Cyber Monday's just begun. Online retailers will be offering sales and free shipping offers. Cyber shopping no longer just means shopping from home, but from anywhere with smart phones and shopping apps.
MSNBC has posted some tips for safe online shopping. One of them is to beware of "phishing" That's when scammers try to get personal information by emailing people that there was a problem with an order or an account.