Tuesday News Rundown (12-2-14)

By Emily Parma
Assistant Web Content Manager

The White House is one step closer to naming a secretary of defense. CNN reports that President Obama will select Ashton Carter to replace recently resigned Chuck Hagel. Carter has twice served as deputy secretary of defense, giving him experience in the bureaucracy of the Pentagon and displays “fine skill” when it comes to budgeting. If chosen, Carter, who has no military experience, will only be in office for the remainder of Hegel’s term which ends in 2016.

Michael Brown’s stepfather, Louis Head, is under investigation after he urged a crowd in Ferguson with expletives to burn the place down. CNN reports the incident came after the grand jury’s decision, and authorities are looking into whether or not this caused some of the riots in the city. Police have yet to speak to Head about his actions, but say they have plans to do so soon since there are multiple agencies involved with the investigation.

The Hays County Fire Marshall has released a list of holiday safety tips for residents to prevent fires. Tips include:

• Purchasing fire resistant trees
• Checking Christmas lights before putting them up
• Turning off all lights when going to bed or leaving the house
• and making sure smoke detectors work properly

Today is Giving Tuesday and many San Marcos and Hays County organizations are asking residents to take part. The day was created by the United Nations Foundation and is celebrated globally. Creators say there’s a day for giving thanks, a day for holiday deals, so why not a day for giving back? Organizations like the Hays County Food Bank, United Way Hays County, Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center and many other groups are offering help and asking for donations.

San Marcos Police are still searching for two suspects in connection with last week’s attempted armed robbery. The suspects were described as Hispanic males, possibly in their late teens or early 20s. People with any information on the suspects’ whereabouts are encouraged to contact SMPD.

More than four million undocumented people may not be able to gain legal access in the U.S., according to the Associated Press. Republican leaders in the House may vote this week to undo President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration ordered a few weeks ago. 

Traditionally, Girl Scout cookies are sold at booths or door to door. For the first time in 100 years, Girl Scouts of the USA will allow its young entrepreneurs to increase their profits online. Lucia Wienmiester, public relations executive for Girl Scouts of Central Texas, said these online platforms, which include mobile apps or personalized website, will allow easier access for customers in getting their Girl Scout cookies. However, Wienmiester said Girl Scouts of Central Texas is not participating in the online platform just yet.

Texas State Football Head Coach Dennis Franchione met with the media today about the university’s bowl game potential. Speculation has been running wild for what game the Bobcats might be invited to. The Sun Belt Conference has three bowl connections: the New Orleans Bowl, the Camellia Bowl, and the Go.Daddy.com Bowl. Coach Fran stated his case for his team. If the Bobcats don’t get invited to a Sun Belt bowl they can still get an at-large bowl bid, most likely from the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth. The bowl invitation won’t come soon, so Bobcat fans will have to sweat it out until Sunday, Dec. 7 to find out if the Bobcats are bowling for the first time in school history.