Headlines

• A Brookings Institution study of the world's 150 largest metropolitan economies shows Austin leading the U.S. in its post-recession
recovery. The Top 25 slots are dominated by Asian and South American cities.

• City Council convenes a special-called meeting Thursday, Dec. 2, for a briefing on proposed economic development incentives for solar panel firm SunPower (see "Austin Reaches for the Sun"). It returns to the regular schedule Dec. 9 for its second-to-last meeting of the year.

• DeLayed Justice: Though former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay – convicted last week on two counts related to money-laundering – is scheduled for a Dec. 20 sentencing hearing, it appears he won't get his due till after the holidays thanks to a scheduling conflict on that day cited by his lawyers; see "Point Austin."

• The city has extended the deadline for feedback on the Austin Comprehensive Plan, now in its third phase of public input. Those who have not yet filled out the Imagine Austin survey have until Dec. 10 to do so. For more, see "In-Comprehensible? ANC Balks at Comp Plan."

• A decision on a proposed disc golf course next to Roy G. Guerrero Park is making its way through boards and commissions. Meanwhile, opposition is mounting from Montopolis neigh­bor­hood residents and others objecting to the use of 2006 bond money – intended for destination park acquisition – on disc golf.

• Travis County officials expect the recount in the House District 48 race to be completed by close of business on Dec. 2. Republican challenger Dan Neil requested the recount after losing to Democratic incumbent Donna Howard in the Nov. 2 general election.

• After eight months on the lam, Louanne Aponte was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing more than $300,000 from Family Connections, the now-defunct social services organization for which she once served as executive director.

• Feeling broke but lucky? Check out ClaimItTexas.org (starting Sunday and beyond) to see if you're eligible to tap into the state's unclaimed property fund, now totaling $163 million, according to the Texas comptroller.

• The Texas Education Agency has announced that more than 1,700 prekindergarten classrooms will be certified under the 2010-11 Texas School Ready! program. Unfortunately, pre-K funding will likely be slashed by legislators to help fill the state's predicted $28 billion deficit.

• This week's WikiLeaks dish had tongues wagging at the U.S. State Department after the unauthorized release of diplomatic cables exposed embarrassing details about international leaders and laid bare some of the workings of U.S. intelligence. So shocking!

Quote of the Week

"... because it was laundered."

– Assistant District Attorney Gary Cobb's oft-repeated retort to the ultimately unsuccessful argument – put forth by defense attorney Dick DeGuerin during the Tom DeLay trial – that "no corporate money went to candidates in Texas"