DPS 'mega centers' keep drivers waiting, Trump expands DNA testing at U.S.-Mexico border| Your Monday evening roundup

Hours-long waits continue to frustrate Dallas-area drivers hoping to renew their licenses at the state's  [Evening roundup]( 08/19/2019 By Wayne Carter Good Evening! Here is a look at the top headlines of the day. 🔎 Prefer the online view? It's [here.]( Autumn Bright works on her laptop while waiting outside in the summer heat on Aug. 16 at the Texas Department of Public Safety office McKinney. She said she arrived at 11:30 a.m. and was advised that she faced about a three-hour wait. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor) TEXAS [DPS 'mega centers' keep drivers waiting despite extra funding, political pressure]( Hours-long waits continue to frustrate Dallas-area drivers hoping to renew their licenses at the state's "mega centers," a year after additional manpower and other resources were devoted to the problem. The centers, run by the Department of Public Safety, opened in 2012 to help reduce wait times at smaller offices. Besides the southern Dallas center, there are three others in North Texas, in Carrollton, Garland and Fort Worth. Long lines are also the norm at smaller offices in Plano and McKinney. Last year, DPS added 100 employees to its mega centers. The announcement came days after a Dallas Morning News story about customers at the Carrollton center who reported up to eight-hour wait times. In the meantime, state [legislators have repeatedly called out the agency for ongoing problems at the centers]( and Gov. Greg Abbott went so far as to call its efforts "despicable." Secret meeting: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says the scandal involving Speaker Dennis Bonnen, if not resolved, [could "play a part in" Republicans losing seats in the Texas House.]( Cost of care: The Texas legislature's fix for surprise health-care bills [still leaves millions vulnerable.]( ADVERTISEMENT POLITICS [With Beto O'Rourke, Julián Castro staying in presidential race, Democrats seek champ to face John Cornyn]( From political columnist Gromer Jeffers Jr.: Texas Democrats longing for Beto O'Rourke or Julián Castro to abandon their presidential aspirations to run for Senate need to accept that it's not happening. Both candidates have made it clear that they are running for president — for better or worse — and won't shift gears to take on Republican incumbent John Cornyn in 2020. When he rebooted his presidential campaign last week, O'Rourke said he wanted to take the fight "directly to the source," President Donald Trump. That same day Castro told The Dallas Morning News that he would also remain in the presidential race. [That's not good news for many Texas Democrats.](   On the trail: Beto O'Rourke took his retooled message to Oklahoma on Monday, [urging unity against Trump's "racist" demagoguery.](   Immigration: As President Donald Trump expands DNA testing at the U.S.-Mexico border to root out child trafficking, [privacy questions grow.]( SPORTS [Ezekiel Elliott found 'Zeke who?' comments from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones disrespectful]( Cowboys owner Jerry Jones found time to joke about Ezekiel Elliott's holdout following the Cowboys' win over the Rams Saturday night. Running back Tony Pollard got the start again Saturday night in Elliott's absence, and he produced. Pollard finished with 42 yards and one touchdown rushing on five carries in the Cowboys' 14-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams. When Jones was asked if Pollard is his best negotiator for Elliott, Jones quipped: "Who? Now Zeke who?" After reporters started laughing, a smiling Jones motioned at a television camera and said in a message to Elliott, "We're having some fun, not at your expense." [The running back's camp apparently was not amused.](  Hard lessons: What can the Rangers learn [from being swept by the Twins?](   On fumes: As end of disappointing 2019 season draws closer, [the Dallas Fuel is on the verge of a "devastating" 0-7 stage.](  ADVERTISEMENT (Vernon Bryant/Staff Photographer) PHOTO OF THE DAY Rex and Renny greet Jeanne Marie Boyne, a volunteer for the Senior Pet Assistance Network, as she arrives with dog treats and food at the home of 83-year-old James Evans in Dallas. The SPAN program started about 10 years ago, when caseworkers at The Senior Source noticed that many seniors rely on pets for companionship. In some cases, [low-income seniors were having to give up beloved pets]( because they could not afford the cost of food and veterinary care. EDITORS' PICKS - Still in business: Is the historic El Fenix restaurant in Dallas closing? [Its owner says it's safe, for now.]( - White-collar crime: A Fort Worth defense contractor has been charged with a felony [for using cheap, substandard parts for U.S. tanks and other weapons.]( - Fresh food: Here are our nine favorite local farm-to-table finds, [from butter cakes to tamales.]( FINALLY... [Dallas is transforming school playgrounds into city parks — and it couldn't come at a more crucial time]( From The Dallas Morning News' Editorial Board: Through an agreement between Dallas ISD and the city, five schools in park-poor areas around Dallas saw their playgrounds and campuses transformed through the work of the Texas Trees Foundation and the Trust for Public Land. Those playgrounds were then opened as public parks when school was out. An average of 80 trees were added to each campus, from oaks to ornamentals. Updated park equipment was installed, and things like loop trails and embankment slides were constructed. If you don’t follow Dallas’ struggle to improve parks access, [you might not understand how important this is.]( 👋 That's all for this afternoon! 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? Send your thoughts, questions, praise and corrections to [newsletter-feedback@dallasnews.com](mailto:newsletter-feedback@dallasnews.com?subject=). STAY CONNECTED WITH US [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [Tumblr]( [Reddit]( [OTHER FREE NEWSLETTERS]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Dallasnews.com]() | [Subscriber login]() | [Privacy Policy]( | [Contact]( You received this message because you signed up for this Dallas Morning News newsletter or it was forwarded to you. Copyright 2019 - [The Dallas Morning News, 1954 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75201, United States]()