Headlines

Deborah Alemu, 23, leads chants during the Austin 4 Admin. relief rally at the Texas State Capitol last Friday, Nov. 21. Protesters show support for President Obama's recently signed executive order that is expected to bring relief to millions of undocumented immigrants. (Photo by David Brendan Hall)

City Council meets again in two weeks, Dec. 11, its final meeting of the year and last of the seven-member, at-large era. Last week's meeting (Nov. 20) left unfinished, much contentious business, including a potential decision on the proposed Decker Lake golf course and disputed zoning cases. Happy Thanksgiving?

Holiday lights are blinking on around town: the Domain Christmas tree ignited last Saturday, the Zilker Holiday Tree blazes Sunday night (Nov. 30, 6pm), and the Mueller Tower "NOEL" lights will be lit Tuesday. Fire up that holiday spirit!

A grand jury declined to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the Aug. 9 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. The announcement triggered massive peaceful demonstrations in many major cities, but initial TV coverage concentrated on the isolated violence in areas of Ferguson.

As the Chronicle went to press a day early this holiday week, a protest in nationwide solidarity – Austin Response to the Ferguson Grand Jury Decision – was being organized to take place outside the Austin Police Department, beginning at 6pm Tuesday. APD was already on "tactical alert" – on Monday, more than 300 officers participated in a surprise drill to prepare for possible protests.

Meria Carstarphen, former superintendent of AISD, could oversee a massive reform of the Atlanta Public Schools after the APS board voted earlier this month to ask the Georgia Dept. of Education to grant them charter system status.

No charges for a Bastrop sheriff's deputy who Tasered a 17-year-old high school student in 2013. Noe Niño de Rivera suffered permanent brain damage when he fell to the ground after being Tas­ered in the hallway of Cedar Creek High School.

Fran and Dan Keller are seeking exoneration from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. As we reported last year, the Kellers were released from prison after serving over 20 years each "for a crime that few believe actually happened." A declaration of innocence from the court would allow the Kellers to be compensated for the years they lost.

A.G. Greg Abbott's to-do list before he leaves office includes suing President Obama for violating the Constitution by taking executive action on immigration. At a press conference on Monday, Abbott said Obama is "endangering the constitutional structure."

The couples who sued to lift Texas' same-sex marriage ban have returned to court to ask for immediate enforcement of Judge Orlando Garcia's earlier decision that the ban is unconstitutional. Garcia had issued a stay on his ruling; plaintiffs argue that the Supreme Court's recent actions denying and even lifting stays in other jurisdictions means Garcia should reconsider.