Metro briefs

Jaume Plensa, the Spanish artist who created the instantly popular water-spitting Crown Fountain in Millennium Park, has been named a professor at the School of the Art Institute. Next spring, Plensa will teach "Public Light & Space: Public Art Projects for the 21st Century."

The Rev. Al Sharpton joined some parents Monday calling on officials to help stop the violence at Fenger High School after an honor student was beaten to death. Sharpton stood with parents of Altgeld Gardens, whose children are staging a two-day boycott of the school over safety concerns.

Officials at First Student Bus Company confirmed Monday that a deal was reached with Teamsters Union Locals 179 and 673. A strike would have halted bus routes in Indian Prairie and portions of Naperville and Oswego school districts.

A Palos Hills bank tied to a federal pseudoephedrine trafficking case has agreed to plead guilty to charges that it failed to properly report hundred of thousands of dollars in cash deposits. Family Bank and Trust is at 10360 South Roberts Rd.