Mexico elections, Jeffress slams Trump book, more winter weather: Your Monday morning roundup

January 08,  2018 By Nicholas Friedman Good morning! Here is a look at the top headlines as we start the day. 🌤️ Weather: Sunny and slightly cooler. High: 58. 🔎 Prefer the online view? It's [here](. Andrés Manuel López Obrador (left), who has run twice before and is now campaigning as the populist founder of the Morena party, is the early favorite in the Mexican presidential race. He is followed by Ricardo Anaya of the National Action Party, or PAN, and former Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade of the Institutional Revolutionary Party. (Agencia Reforma) texas Mexico holds presidential elections this year, and Dallas voters could hold the key Mexico’s presidential election this year is expected to be violent, dirty and fiercely combative, with [high stakes on both sides of the border,]( including in North Texas. Dallas has the second-largest number of Mexicans registered to vote in the July contest, trailing only Los Angeles and surpassing Chicago, Houston and New York City, according to Mexico’s National Electoral Institute, or INE. The number of registered voters (55,473) represents a surprising surge in the North Texas region, which historically has taken a back seat to Houston — and its vast energy sector — in terms of economic importance to Mexico. More than half a million Mexicans living in the United States have applied for the voter ID credentials that would allow them to vote in the July 1 presidential election. The deadline to register is March 31. More politics: ICE chief's 'outrageous' threat to arrest 'sanctuary city' leaders [met with shrug at Dallas City Hall.]( Bikes, bonds and big plans: [6 things to watch]( at Dallas City Hall in 2018. SPECIAL OFFER [special offer unlimited digital access]( The Rev. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas speaks on behalf of Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Fort Worth Convention Center in on Feb. 26, 2016. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News) politics First Baptist Dallas pastor Jeffress says Americans are glad Trump isn't 'normal' as he defends president from tell-all book When President Donald Trump is under attack, expect Dallas megachurch pastor [Robert Jeffress to rush to his aid.]( His latest defense of Trump came Friday during a Fox News appearance, when Jeffress slammed a controversial exposé by author Michael Wolff titled Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House. Jeffress, the head of First Baptist Dallas and an adviser to the president, disputed the book's account that Trump did not want to win the election and that his wife, Melania, was distraught about the victory. But he did agree with Wolff on one thing. "If there is a kernel of truth in this book, it is the charge that President Trump is not 'normal.'He isn't normal, which is why the American people put him in office to begin with," Jeffress told Fox News @ Night host Shannon Bream. Film flashback: When it comes to nuclear anxiety, 1964 [had the biggest button]( at the movies. Opinion: Republicans might salvage the 2018 elections [if they stand up to Trump's recklessness.]( Former Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) celebrates a touchdown by running back Ben Malena (1) as they played the Rice Owls during their NCAA football game at Kyle Field in College Station in 2013. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News) sports CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats confirm offer has been made to former Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel There has been a whole lot of nothing on the social media front in regards to former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. He sent three tweets since April 2017, including one congratulating Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield on winning the Heisman. He hadn't posted on Instagram since May 24, 2017. In the comments of a recent picture, Manziel responded to a rocket emoji with Canadian flag. The former Aggie legend [was recently given the green light by the Canadian Football League to sign a contract]( with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, if the two sides can come to an agreement. On Sunday, the Tiger-Cats confirmed that negotiations are underway. Maverick forever: From humble beginnings to elite talent, Derek Harper's [ride to the rafters had it all.]( Looking forward: Will Cowboys be part of playoff fun next year? Not [without these four things happening.]( Advertisement (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News) Photo of the Morning Democratic candidate for governor Lupe Valdez on Sunday called for a "new Texas," one that [would put residents ahead of controversial policies]( like the sanctuary cities law, proposed bathroom bills other proposals she said were on the fringe. "We should be lending a hand up, not tearing them down," Valdez, the former Dallas County sheriff, said during a speech at the Tyler Station in Oak Cliff. "We must be the type of state that helps people get a fair shot." Around The Site - In Fort Worth: A resident died early Sunday in a three-vehicle crash in Grapevine [involving a wrong-way driver,]( police said. - In Houston: Police and neighbors are looking for the person responsible [for shooting ducks with arrows in a Houston suburb,]( KTRK-TV reports. - Architecture: It's time for Dallas [to save Frank Lloyd Wright's crumbling Kalita Humphreys Theater.]( - Obituaries: Rita Clements, civic leader, [political trailblazer and Texas' former first lady,]( dies at 86. - #TimesUp: 24 stunning [all-black looks from celebrities]( at the Golden Globes. - Film for February: I swear, 'Black Panther' is about to make [every month Black History Month.]( - Technology: AT&T [will roll out its fifth-generation network]( to customers in a dozen U.S. markets later this year. Shoppers bundle against a cold rain in the Wheatland Towne Crossing parking lot on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News) Finally... Rain, breeze usher another cold front into Dallas-Fort Worth Sunday's weather was a prelude to [harsher weather coming later this week.]( Today and Tuesday are likely to reach seasonal temperatures — highs in the 50s and lows in the upper 30s or low 40s. The thermometer might even reach the upper 60s Wednesday before another cold front arrives Thursday and drops temperatures back to highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. There's a slight chance of rain Thursday, but nothing to worry about, said National Weather Service meteorologist Jesse Moore. "This is not a bad forecast — no severe weather and no wintry weather," he said. AdVERTISEMENT 👋 That's all for this morning! For up-to-the-minute news and analysis, check out [DallasNews.com](. 💖 Share the love! If you like this newsletter, please forward this email to a friend and [check out our other newsletters here](. 📧 Do you have feedback? 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