February 28, Â 2018
By Wayne Carter and Tommy Cummings
Good evening!
Here is a look at the top headlines of the day.
🔎 Prefer the online view? It's [here](.
Lupe Valdez, who stepped down as Dallas County Sheriff to pursue the Democratic nomination for Texas governor, greets supporters after casting her primary ballot in early voting on Feb. 27 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer)
elections
Storm warning: Democratic wave could wash away key GOP Texas Senate, House members
Political writer Gromer Jeffers Jr. looks at the possibility of a shift in Texas' political winds this election season.
The surge in Democratic primary voters for the March 6 elections has sparked renewed [talk of a great blue wave that will wash through Texas](, and the rest of the nation in November.
Such predictions have merit.
While it's still a bridge too far to predict that Democrats will sweep statewide offices or knock off Gov. Greg Abbott, Republicans are at risk for significant losses in the midterm elections. And even the race at the top of the ticket, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke's challenge of Sen. Ted Cruz, could be much closer than originally expected.
Abbott sounded the alarm with a fundraising email this week, saying the early vote totals from the first week should "shock every conservative to their core."
Sharing the wealth: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's fundraising prowess [is helping not only his re-election bid.](
U.S. Senate: Democratic hopeful Beto O'Rourke [promises to shore up the minority base]( in a trip to Oak Cliff.
Opinion:Â Texans, [don't let campaign money skew your vision]( when you go to the polls.
Sen. John Cornyn. R-Texas, President Donald Trump and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., listen during a roundtable discussion on gun control Wednesday at the White House. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times)
guns and safety
Trump wants to confiscate guns from mentally ill with 'due process' later, tells lawmakers not to fear the NRA
President Trump gave full-throated support Wednesday to Sen. John Cornyn's bill to beef up federal gun buyer background checks.Â
He also called for confiscating guns from people who are mentally ill.
"I don't want mentally ill people to be having guns," he said. "Take the guns first, go through due process second."
It was a startling stance, [and Trump reiterated it.](
Meanwhile:Â Dick's Sporting Goods announced Wednesday that it is immediately [halting sales of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines](.
Commentary:Â Dick's CEO to high school gun protesters: [We have heard you.](
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant tries to elude Oakland Raiders defenders after catching a pass durng the Cowboys' 24-20 win on Dec. 17 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. (2017 File Photo/Louis DeLuca)
sports
Cowboys' recent comments show releasing Dez Bryant is a real possibility
Despite Dez Bryant's decline in production over the past three seasons, the Cowboys are a better team on paper with Bryant than without him.
He's still clearly their No. 1 wide receiver.
When given an opportunity Wednesday to say he'd like Bryant to remain on the roster in 2018, [head coach Jason Garrett danced around the question.](
"You know we haven't had any specific personnel meetings about any of our players," Garrett said during a news conference inside the Indiana Convention Center.Â
Bryant, 29, had a career-high 12 drops last season as he posted 838 yards and six touchdowns on 69 receptions. He missed 10 games while battling multiple injuries during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Upper hand: Why the Cowboys [have so much leverage]( over Dez Bryant.
All about the money: The Rangers are [building up international bonus dollars](, with a Cuban outfielder in their sights.
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(Tom Fox/Staff Photographer)
Photo of the Day
Linley Wilson and Natalie Canavati share an umbrella as they arrive for the Texas Motor Speedway Media Day luncheon Wednesday at the Speedway Club in Fort Worth.Â
Former Indianpolis 500 champ Johnny Rutherford, NASCAR star Kurt Busch and Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Hinchliffe [were among the notable names on hand for the event.](
Around The Site
- Gardening: One fly's larvae may look hideous, but they're [good for compost and keep the bad bugs away](.
- Concert-dance scene: From classical to creepy, here are [five can't-miss dance events to see this month](.
- Centenarian fiesta: El Fenix, celebrating 100 years, will debut a new [margarita made with our favorite hipster mixer](.
- Proprietary brew: Country musician Robert Earl Keen's beers are [back on Texas shelves after a producer buyout](.
- Late-in-life venture: Interfaith efforts led this former United Methodist minister to a [new career with a Muslim women's group](.
- Before hitting Austin: Clear your schedule because [your favorite SXSW acts are coming to North Texas](.
Doesn't Instant Pot Chicken White Bean Rosemary Soup look delicious? (Rebecca White)
Finally...
Instant Pot recipes that are quick enough for a weeknight
When "instant" and "dinner" are used to describe weeknight cooking, it's hard not to get excited. So, here are three recipes that you an easily pull together after a long day. Pressure cooking takes a 2- to 3-hour slow cook or braise time and turns it into a quick, 15-20 minute cook time. [It's not instant by any means, but it is spectacular and fast.](
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