Dallas, TX
Letters to the Editor — Dallas budget, Sen. Mark Kelly, Trump’s voting comments, Cowboys
Recreation cuts a mistake
Re: “Budget could dry up pools — Community facilities are one possible target as city works to tackle $38 million shortfall,” Saturday news story.
To help deal with a $38 million shortfall in the next fiscal year budget, Dallas city officials are considering closing community pools, reducing city funding for the Dallas Zoo and Arboretum, and having less frequent mowing of parks and medians. These cutbacks would be a serious mistake.
Amenities available to Dallas residents are already inferior to those offered by most suburban jurisdictions. Better to increase taxes than make the city of Dallas even less competitive with its suburbs.
Bernard Weinstein, Far North Dallas
Not the pools or zoo
Oh, come on! Of all the things that could be cut, our city pools should not be touched. With our hot Texas summers that are getting worse from climate change, we need summer relief for all of our citizens, especially those who can’t afford backyard pools!
And asking partners like the Dallas Zoo to cut back is terrible.
I challenge all of Dallas (and those in Dallas County who enjoy these city venues) to send in money to meet the budget deficit. All we need is Parks Director John Jenkins to tell us where to send the money!
Gail Hill, Garland
Not ‘silly,’ catastrophic
Re: “Washington’s Rent Cap Plan Is Silly — Biden proposal would stall housing construction and cause economic disaster,” Monday editorial.
Thank you for this honest evaluation of a “politically cynical election year sop.” Unfortunately, the headline’s use of the word “silly” is biased — either intentional or accidental. The editorial explains the plan will: stall housing construction, make the affordability crisis worse and cause economic disaster. Nothing short of “catastrophic” is the correct adjective.
Vince Huston, Plano
A fan of Kelly for VP
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., seems to have impeccable credentials to be vice president or president. He’s a proven man of great courage as a former Navy combat pilot with his 37 missions, and as an astronaut with his four missions.
He is intelligent, receiving a bachelor’s degree with highest honors and a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, and he is the author of several books.
Kelly is an accomplished Arizona senator, a devoted family man lovingly supporting his injured wife, Gabriella Giffords, and he grew up in a middle-class family. In other words, the polar opposite of Donald Trump.
Kelly casts himself as a moderate. He has national name recognition and he is from a swing state. I believe the Harris/Kelly ticket would be an unbeatable one.
Mary Clark, East Dallas
What does Trump mean?
I’m a longtime subscriber and regular reader of the Letters to the Editor section. For the last eight years, I’ve read letters from readers fawning over Donald Trump and extolling his virtues, and, while I disagree, those are valid opinions.
But I’m curious though how those writers feel about Trump’s recent statements that if he’s reelected, Christians “won’t have to vote anymore” because “It’ll be fixed” and “It’ll be fine.”
What do you think he means by that? What will he fix so that their votes won’t be needed anymore?
I know what I take from his statement. For me, I don’t disagree with Trump on politics because I understand he’s in favor of any policy that advances his personal goals, money, power, whatever. I disagree with Trump because he’s a morally and ethically bankrupt person who lies with every breath, who cheats and steals at every opportunity, insults and demeans regularly and who clearly wants to become a dictator.
He understands that the Supreme Court handed him a get-out-of-jail-free card and he intends to use it fully if given the chance. At what point do his apologists say enough is enough? This man is a clear and present danger to our democracy as we’ve known it for the last 248 years.
Keith Jones, Dallas/Knox-Henderson
A fan of VP nominee Vance
I didn’t know much about J.D. Vance until I read his book that was then made into a movie, Hillbilly Elegy. This man learned at a very young age how to deal with a sad and deprived childhood through perseverance, kindness and honesty. For the first time in my 71 years, I’ll be voting Republican.
Judy Webster, Plano
Cowboys, move on
Re: “How mighty have fallen — Cowboys fail to crack top 25 list of elite players for 21st century,” by Tim Cowlishaw, Wednesday SportsDay column.
Thanks to Cowlishaw and the other Dallas sportswriters for continuing to call out the laughable, unserious franchise known as the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott has worn out his welcome here. When asked about his disastrous performance against the Packers and how he felt about the fans’ frustration, he said “be a fan or don’t.” And then he said fans should “move on.”
The thing we all loved, despite the poor postseason performances, was how great a human being and hard worker Prescott is. But with his dismissal of fans’ feelings, I’m not sure about the human being part anymore.
Dak, take your bad attitude elsewhere and see how long they put up with zero playoff success. Yes, we need to move on — from you.
Blake Edwards, Garland
It’s time to step aside
The leader of the second most powerful organization in the world finally accepted that at the age of 81, he must step aside. Joe Biden did the right thing. Now it’s incumbent for the leader of the most powerful organization in the world, who is also 81, to step aside as general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.
John Webb, Frisco
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
Dallas, TX
25,000 free Dallas teen passes available June 29 for museums, zoo and more
Dallas Parks and Recreation will distribute 25,000 all-access passes that give Dallas teens free admission to cultural and recreational attractions across the city throughout July.
Passes will be available beginning June 29 on a first-come, first-served basis at City of Dallas recreation centers.
The program, now entering its fifth year, is open to Dallas residents ages 13 to 17. City leaders say the initiative, which launched in 2021, helps promote positive engagement opportunities for teens and reduce crime during the summer months.
Teens must register in person and provide proof of Dallas residency to receive a pass.
The city says the program is made possible through partnerships with local cultural, recreational, and entertainment organizations.
Participating attractions include:
- African American Museum
- Bahama Beach
- Bath House Cultural Center
- Latino Cultural Center
- South Dallas Cultural Center
- Oak Cliff Cultural Center
- Dallas Museum of Arts
- Community Art Pop Up Cultural
- Dallas Arboretum
- Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
- Dallas Park and Recreation Summer Fitness
- Dallas Zoo
- Frontiers of Flight Museum
- Golf Dallas
- Reunion Tower
- Shakespeare of Dallas
- State Fair of Texas
- Southern Skates Roller Rink
- Texas Discover Garden
- The Sixth Floor Museum At Dealey Plaza
- Trinity River Audubon
A full list of participating attractions and recreation centers distributing passes is available at DallasParks.org
Dallas, TX
At least 4 injured after vehicle drives into Dallas crowd, driver arrested
At least four people were injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd of people in Dallas on Thursday evening.
Dallas police responded to an “Assist Officer call with an Ambulance” at approximately 7 p.m. in the 300 block of West Davis Street.
Authorities learned that a vehicle drove into a crowd, injuring multiple people. At least four have been taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police said no one was in critical condition.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene, police said. Authorities are still working to determine if this driver could have been drunk or if this could have been a medical episode.
According to police, there is no indication that the crash was terrorism related.
The investigation is ongoing.
This story will be updated as we learn more.
Dallas, TX
FOX’s Kasper Schmeichel compares England to Dallas Cowboys, so who are their other sports analogs?
Scottish World Cup fans reportedly drink Boston dry
Dana Perino announces that Scottish World Cup fans have caused an unprecedented beer shortage in Boston, emptying bars and liquor stores. Jesse Watters playfully observes that Europeans visiting America seem to “love it,” despite negative media portrayals, while Greg Gutfeld adds a satirical comment about “liberal mayors” and local resource management, contrasting Boston’s beer woes with LA’s water and Chicago’s Bears.
FOX Soccer analyst Kasper Schmeichel came prepared for this year’s World Cup on American soil.
The former Danish goalkeeper may not be from around these parts, but that didn’t stop him from dropping an eerily accurate comparison between two overconfident but long-suffering sports programs.
With England and Croatia warming up inside AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, Schmeichel decided he would roast two fanbases with one stone, comparing the Cowboys to the Three Lions with a hilarious one-liner.
Funny, but also painfully true if you’re a supporter of either team.
COWBOYS LEGEND DIGS DEEP INTO THE TEAM’S MISSING ‘FIBER’ THAT’S RESULTED IN SUPER BOWL DROUGHT
I made a comparison last week between the English national team and Notre Dame, but Schmeichel got me thinking, who are the sports analogs to England from the four major North American leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA)?
Today, I will be doing exactly that, including giving a slightly better NFL comp than the Cowboys (shocking, I know).
Without further ado, let’s piss off our neighbors from across the pond.
FROM 4 STRAIGHT SUPER BOWL LOSSES TO JOSH ALLEN’S PATRICK MAHOMES PROBLEM, BILLS MIGHT BE CURSED
NFL – Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears helmets are displayed before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev., on Sept. 28, 2025. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
While the Dallas Cowboys are a fine comparison for the English national soccer team, I think I can do one better.
Schmeichel mentioned that England “won it once and have never stopped talking about it,” and although the second part of that statement applies to both, the Cowboys are five-time Super Bowl champions, having won it most recently in January 1996, a good three decades after England.
If you really want a team that more accurately mirrors the hard luck of the English, it would have to be the Chicago Bears.
3 HISTORIC NFL FRANCHISES FIND THEMSELVES IN SAME BOAT SINCE TURN OF THE CENTURY
They have one Super Bowl win to their name, which came 40 years ago, and really don’t have much else to show for it.
Also, having lived in the DFW area for the better part of a decade, I can confidently say Cowboys fans are a little too arrogant and cocky to be compared to the English.
Sure, England will say things like “it’s coming home,” but they are far more self-deprecating and aware of their faults, even nihilistic in some cases.
The Bears hang onto their history because they know things will inevitably go bad for them on the biggest stage.
Speaking of which…
NHL – Toronto Maple Leafs
Spencer Carbery, assistant coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, looks on from the bench during the third period against the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ont., on April 14, 2022. (Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Toronto Maple Leafs actually line up with England more closely than either fanbase would like to admit.
While the Leafs have a litany of Stanley Cups to their name, their most recent win was back in 1967, less than a full year after England won their first and only World Cup.
As far as expectations go, both constantly go into their respective tournaments with the weight of the world on their shoulders, only to come crashing down in the most horrific ways imaginable.
For the Leafs, it comes in the form of blowing big leads in the playoffs, while English fans and players alike can’t even hear the words “penalty kicks” without having a mental breakdown.
England and Toronto are both long-suffering cities, but their fans keep showing up expecting a different outcome.
Insanity? No, just sports fandom.
NBA – New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates a three-point basket with Karl-Anthony Towns during Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
This one would have been an even better comparison if the New York Knicks hadn’t gone and won the whole damn thing this year, but these two sports teams are still eerily similar.
WHY THE KNICKS, DISRESPECTED BUT CLAWING BACK, TOUCHED A RAW NERVE IN NEW YORK CITY AND ULTIMATELY THE COUNTRY
Think of the Knicks’ 2026 NBA Championship run as a window into what it would look like if England captured a World Cup (on American soil, no less).
Before this year, the Knicks famously had not won a Larry O’Brien trophy in over 50 years, yet they were still considered one of the “blue bloods” of the NBA.
Decades of heartache didn’t change that; it only made their fans more insufferable, but their triumph earlier this month in the NBA Finals exorcised all those demons.
THE ATHLETIC BEWILDERINGLY CELEBRATES ‘ZOHRAN MAMDANI SPORTS SUMMER’ AFTER NEW YORK KNICKS WIN NBA FINALS
A win in the World Cup Finals would probably do the same for England fans, as you could probably feel that sigh of relief from the other side of the Atlantic.
MLB – New York Mets
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto reacts after scoring a run on an RBI double by infielder Bo Bichette against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on April 2, 2026. (Robert Edwards/Imagn Images)
Hello again, New York.
The Big Apple certainly has its fair share of winners, but it also has plenty of franchises that are aching to make a trip back down the Canyon of Heroes, none more so than the Mets.
Year after year, the Mets are near the top of MLB in terms of spending, with little to show for their efforts.
WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE
They won a World Series back in 1986 and have been chasing that high ever since.
The common thread between England and the Mets (along with all the other teams on this list) is expectations relative to results, and it seems like the Mets are sort of a Schrödinger’s baseball franchise in that regard, expected to both compete for a World Series with their high-priced talent and flame out in spectacular fashion all the same.
FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE
England always has flashy players heading into World Cup play, but the results haven’t been there, and they’ve often been sent home in brutal fashion, offering a great parallel to the Mets’ clockwork-like midsummer swoons and late-season meltdowns.
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