Letter opposes Cruz's take, O'Rourke drops out, J.C. Penney has new look: Your Friday evening roundup

More than 2,000 parents and advocates say they oppose Sen. Ted Cruz’s comments  [Evening roundup]( 11/01/2019 By Wayne Carter Good Evening! Here is a look at the top headlines of the day. 🔎 Prefer the online view? It's [here.]( A spokesperson for Cruz said the letter is further proof the left is using the child 'to promote an ever-increasing radical agenda.' (Manuel Balce Ceneta/The Associated Press) POLITICS [More than 2,000 people sign letter opposing Ted Cruz on Dallas transgender custody case]( More than 2,000 parents and advocates say they oppose Sen. Ted Cruz’s comments calling a Dallas kid’s gender transition "child abuse," according to a letter from the Human Rights Campaign to the Texas Republican. The letter, written by the Human Rights Campaign, states that Cruz’s remarks in response to the custody case of a Dallas 7-year-old whose mother says is transgender [are "harmful and medically unfounded."]( Dropping out: [Beto O’Rourke announced Friday]( that he is ending his run in the Democratic presidential race. Hanging on: Julián Castro said Friday he hit his $800,000-in-10-days goal to keep his Democratic presidential campaign alive, but [he still isn't registering in any of four polls required for inclusion in the next debate.]( Commentary: History tells us that one year ahead of a presidential election, [it’s anybody’s game]( writes Carl P. Leubsdorf. ADVERTISEMENT  BUSINESS [J.C. Penney creates the store of its wishes in Hurst, settles on using it as a lab]( The store branded Penney’s, a name many already call the 117-year-old retailer, is open for all to see at North East Mall in Hurst. The two-level classic mall anchor built in 1971 has been transformed into a clean, open, uncluttered department store [with experiences that retail experts say are needed to get people back into the store.](  Start 'em young: The next American Ninja Warrior champion might [just be training in Frisco.](   Posh peek: See the houses in the 43rd Lakewood Home Tour, [including a 1930 "Spanish Eclectic" gem.](  FOOTBALL WEEKEND [Whether Cowboys admit it or not, there’s a problem with rookie DT Trysten Hill]( From Cowboys beat writer Calvin Watkins: The Cowboys have a problem with their 2019 second-round pick Trysten Hill. He’s not reliable enough to play on a full-time basis and despite the organization saying he’s doing the necessary things to compete, it would appear he’s not doing that. [This entire season is turning into a wasted year]( for the defensive tackle from Central Florida.  Memphis moment: With more than just the Cotton Bowl at stake, [SMU has a chance to make its biggest splash in decades]( writes Kevin Sherrington.   High schools: We've got previews and predictions for notable Week 10 football games, [including teams pushing for final playoff spots and seeding.](  ADVERTISEMENT (Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer) PHOTO OF THE DAY The Baylor band took a bare-bones approach Thursday night, dressing in matching skeleton costumes for the football team's game against West Virginia at McLane Stadium in Waco. The No. 12-ranked Bears [survived an "ugly, sloppy game" against the Mountaineers]( to remain atop the Big 12. EDITORS' PICKS - Major bust: [A Plano officer]( is among 10 indicted in an opioid ring after a deadly overdose[.]( - They've got hops: Here's your guide to the [17 new breweries]( that opened in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2019. - Stray bullets: A 79-year-old woman [was killed in her home in a drive-by shooting]( South Dallas, police say. FINALLY... [Catching up with Miranda Lambert, whose new album ‘Wildcard’ lands today]( In her songs, [Miranda Lambert seems as tough as old boots](. But in reality, the singer from small-town East Texas is a bit unsettled by life in New York City. "It’s a world of difference, being from Lindale," the singer says of her adjustment to the Big Apple, where she’s spent lots of time since marrying Brendan McLoughlin, an N.Y.P.D. officer, in January. "After three or four days, it's over-stimulation. I can't live in it all the time." 👋 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 [Unsubscribe]( | [Free newsletters]( | [Dallasnews.com]( | [Subscriber login]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Contact us]( Copyright 2019 - [The Dallas Morning News, 1954 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75201, United States](