Cowboys roped into bathroom bill debate, gift cards as currency on Backpage.com: Your Monday evening roundup

Good evening. Here are some stories you may have missed today. [Good evening. Here are some stories you may have missed today.] July 24,  2017 By Wayne Carter and Tara Bryant Good evening! Here is a look at the top headlines of the day. 🔎 Prefer the online view? [It's here.]( Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and the Cowboys youth football team announce the Cowboys' sixth round draft pick during day three of the Dallas Cowboys' 2017 NFL Draft Party on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The Cowboys chose cornerback Marquez White. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)  cowboys New political ad pulls Cowboys, NFL draft into middle of 'bathroom bill' debate in Texas The Cowboys' efforts to land the NFL draft and how it could be derailed by the legislative push for a "bathroom bill" is part of [a $1 million ad buy that will begin to play on radio stations Tuesday](. The Texas Association of Business is behind the ads. The Cowboys aren’t associated with the campaign, but they are featured. A woman describes herself as a lifelong Cowboys fan and talks about how she’s thrilled that the 2018 draft could be in North Texas. She then says the NFL could reject the club’s bid to host the festivities, costing Texas “millions of dollars in lost revenue and leaving a lot of Cowboys fans angry" if the bathroom bill passes in Texas. He's out: The Dallas Cowboys have [cut WR Lucky Whitehead](, who has a warrant out for his arrest from June shoplifting charge. The 85th, and then some: [All you need to know]( about the Texas Legislature's special session. Advertisement Gift cards photographed in The Dallas Morning News studio on Monday.  (Rose Baca/Staff Photographer) investigations New trick of the sex trade: Pimps can use retail gift cards to buy Backpage.com ads For pimps and prostitutes, [gift cards have become a currency to pay for sex ads on Backpage.com](, anti-prostitution activists say. Dallas-based Backpage, a classified-ad site similar to Craigslist, is the leading online marketplace for sex, according to government investigators and federal prosecutors who have been struggling for years to shut it down. The U.S. Justice Department says more than half of sex-trafficking victims are under 18. Credit card companies stopped doing business with the website two years ago. People could still buy Backpage ads, but it became more difficult: They had to mail in checks or use complicated digital currencies like bitcoin. But now, a pimp could walk into any local grocery store and pick up a convenient and untraceable way to pay the site to post ads selling women, critics say. Murder trial begins: An Ex-Marine is [accused in the New Year’s Day 2016 drive-by shooting]( of a UNT student who was serving as designated driver for her friends. Killing in The Colony: The brother of a retired Army combat medic who saluted slain Dallas officers last year [has been arrested in connection with the man’s murder](. Reunion Tower is probably the most recognized landmark on Dallas' skyline. (Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer) real estate A look at Reunion Tower's roots reveals a little skyline envy and some interesting designs Reunion Tower technically isn't a skyscraper, but [you can't argue about the lasting impact it's had on Dallas' skyline](. The observation tower doesn't house hundreds of office workers or condo residents like other downtown high-rises. While later downtown towers were built taller and cost much more, Reunion Tower is a one-of-a-kind building in Big D. In for a Penney... The investor who shelled out over $350 million last year for the J.C. Penney campus in Plano is now [eyeing the old Parkland hospital property]( in Dallas. ‘The future of shopping’: Dallas company’s digital product displays [catch retail giant Wal-Mart’s eye](. Advertisement Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs up the field after the catch at the morning walk through during training camp in Oxnard, California on Monday, July 24, 2017. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News) (Vernon Bryant/Staff Photographer) Photo of the Day The Dallas Cowboys kicked off training camp with a Monday morning walk-through in Oxnard, Calif. Practice No. 1 is scheduled for a 6 p.m. (CT) start. Follow along live for [the latest updates from the Cowboys training camp](. Around The Site San Antonio smuggling: The driver of a semi-truck carrying dozens of immigrants has [denied knowing that anyone was in the unairconditioned trailer]( where several of the migrants perished. Funds at stake: Why some Dallas council members are worried about [the latest twist to $1B bond package](. Fightin' words in Washington: Texas congressman [suggests challenging female senators to a shootout]( over health care bill. Record-breaking: The blockbuster ['Mexico' exhibit is Dallas Museum of Art's biggest draw]( since King Tut. Finally... Justin Bieber has [canceled his the rest of his Purpose World Tour](, including a date in North Texas. The pop star was supposed to be at AT&T Stadium in Arlington this Saturday, July 29, but will no longer perform "due to unforeseen circumstances," according to a statement from publicity and marketing agency PMK BNC. Rappers Migos and Vic Mensa were slated to open the show. Advertisement 👋 That's all for this evening! For up-to-the-minute news and analysis, check out [DallasNews.com](. 💖 Share the love! If you like this newsletter, please [check out our other newsletters here](. 📧 Do you have feedback? 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