Around the Nation

GEORGIA

Energy official to head state’s colleges

ATLANTA — Erroll B. Davis Jr., a first-generation college graduate and career energy executive, was named yesterday as chancellor of Georgia’s public university system, the University System of Georgia, becoming the first black leader to hold the position on a permanent basis.

The 61-year-old chairman of Alliant Energy Corp. announced months ago his plans to retire next year from the multibillion-dollar firm he ran for seven years as chief executive officer.

While he has much less experience in academia than his predecessors and he doesn’t hold a Ph.D., Mr. Davis “has the perfect combination of business acumen and people skills required to be successful in the chancellor’s post,” said J. Timothy Shelnut, chairman of the USG’s Board of Regents.

KENTUCKY

Brothers die in crashes minutes apart

LOUISVILLE — Sheriff’s Deputy Andy McDowell was forced to live a parent’s worst nightmare twice in a matter of minutes.

After he was taken to the site where one of his two sons died in a car crash early Wednesday, Deputy McDowell was driven past another fatal accident. Only later did he learn that the fiery wreck took the life of his only other child.

Rory McDowell, 23, lost control of his truck coming out of a curve and the vehicle struck a tree shortly before 1:30 a.m., authorities said. About 15 minutes after the first crash, the 1984 Porsche of Cory McDowell, 21, veered off another rural road, went into a spin, struck a tree and burst into flames, authorities said.

CALIFORNIA

Governor hears clemency case

SACRAMENTO — Lawyers for Stanley “Tookie” Williams yesterday took their case to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a last-ditch effort to spare the founder of the Crips gang from execution.

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