Good take

Re: “Dallas Charter Plan Is a Progressive Mess — Proposed amendments have money for the council and division for the rest of us,” Wednesday editorial.

Bravo. What a refreshing change to read your outstanding opinion on amending the Dallas City Charter. I think I will keep my subscription.

Edward Walker, Dallas

Look at bail bond companies

Re: “Bail Charities Need Closer Scrutiny — State should confirm groups properly assess risks,” Monday editorial.

We agree with your recent editorial advocating for better pretrial data to inform policymaking. Transparency is essential for a fair and effective justice system. And we are pleased to see the Office of Court Administration taking steps toward this goal.

However, when it comes to charitable bail fund reporting in particular, there is a troubling double standard in the level of scrutiny applied compared to bail bond companies, which profit from struggling families without similar oversight.

To make a real difference, robust data collection must cover the entire pretrial landscape, including the bail bond industry’s practices as well as the effects of pretrial detention on those who cannot afford bail or bondsman’s fees.

Without quality data, policymakers rely on anecdotes, hindering effective, fair and informed decisions. Meaningful pretrial reform can enhance public safety while protecting the presumption of innocence and addressing racial and economic disparities in our justice system.

Systemwide data collection is indispensable for achieving this delicate balance. Only with consistent standards and transparency can we ensure that our pretrial practices are fair and effective.

Erin George, Philadelphia

national director of policy, The Bail Project

Undocumented values

Re: “Walking a thin line on border,” by Gromer Jeffers Jr., Monday Metro column.

I want to believe Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez’s statement that “Most Americans support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants that have worked and lived in our communities for years.” Over two decades, I have been a friend to such a family whose children (all American citizens) have grown up. Everyone worked and supported Texas the same way I did — through sales and property taxes. One child serves in the military.

While undocumented, the parents have not tried to vote, although I hope their children, who have been educated in Dallas ISD, will vote at the right age.

Also, it’s an insult to associate their status with the transport of fentanyl, which has been reported to be smuggled largely by U.S. citizens.

Paul Halebian, Dallas

State electric planning lacks

Re: “Lines aren’t ERCOT’s,” by Charles E. Jackson, Tuesday Letters.

I think that most of the Texas public really doesn’t care about the details of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the Public Utility Commission, the free market of generation or the Legislature’s action or nonaction. What they want is reliable electric power no matter what the source or how it gets to their home.

Unfortunately, the state of Texas does not have an overall integrated plan to accomplish that. Investors in supplying electricity I think are hesitant to invest hundreds of millions of dollars with the uncertainty of return on their money.

Recently, we have had an excess in wind turbine generation off the coast of South Texas without adequate lines to get the power where the demand is. The state of Texas continues to attract data centers and crypto mining firms, which use a lot of power, without an overall plan on power supply.

Some states, to avoid shorting home power demands, have made it mandatory for new high-power-demand firms to show a supply. Before homeowners can feel comfortable about reliable power in summer and winter, there is a lot more work to be done and it is not evident the state is leading the way in planning.

Robert A. Munroe, Dallas

Rethink abortion issue

Re: “Medical board tweaks rules — Abortion guidance clarifies practices for doctors, but Legislature holds power,” June 22 news story.

The “action” or lack thereof by the Texas Medical Board to clarify the existing abortion laws in Texas, while disappointing in its results, is not surprising. The board simply lacks the authority to rewrite, add to or eliminate the laws. Those laws were not only poorly thought out, but the long-term impacts on Texas women and doctors were simply not considered at all. The only consideration was saving fetuses.

These laws put women at risk of losing their lives or future fertility, and doctors at risk of extreme civil and criminal liabilities. In addition, many people of faith do not believe that life begins at inception.

Why is a woman’s right to life and religious freedom put below that of a fetus? Since the board was not able to provide meaningful guidance, it is now up to the state Legislature to modify the laws.

The legislators who support the ban do so because they say they want to protect life. Why is the life of a woman less important than any fetus she is carrying? I challenge the Texas Legislature to rethink this issue and make it safe for women in Texas to be pregnant again.

Marilee Hayden, 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

MIAMI (WISH) — After one year with the Indiana Hoosiers, center Kel’el Ware was welcomed to Miami Friday morning as the Heat’s only first round selection in this week’s NBA Draft.

“It’s been crazy, but I’m enjoying it,” Ware said in his introductory press conference. “I’m definitely going to use this year and next year and however long I’m here to soak everything up like a sponge and learn from (Heat President Pat Riley) and from Coach (Erik Spoelstra).”

The former Hoosier was picked at No. 15 after averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Ware started in 30 games for IU, helping fill the void that All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis left after being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2023.

“We never ever deviated from where he was on the board,” Riley said. “I hope he’s a player who will have a career of a lifetime right here in Miami.”

“This is an organization that loves to compete and loves to play,” Ware said. “This is the best spot for me to be able to push me past my limits, to push me past that wall, to be the best player I can be on the court.”

Despite only being in Bloomington for a year, Ware gained a lot from Indiana head coach Mike Woodson — all of which he’s taking into the Association.

“There’s always more in the tank that I can always, you know, push past and to always give more,” Ware said Friday. “He always told me it’s never where my skillset stops at. There’s always more that I can improve and more that I can put on the floor and to be able to perform better.”

Ware will hit the floor for the first time as an NBA player next month in Las Vegas. The Heat’s Summer League schedule begins against the Golden State Warriors Saturday, July 6.

The Atlanta Braves have already had an injury-plagued 2024 season, from Spencer Strider, to Ronald Acuña Jr., and many in between. There are several players, though, who now come with positive updates regarding their recovery status.

Michael Harris II, who suffered a hamstring strain on June 14, has begun hitting and throwing. He has not yet been cleared to run, but his return may not be too far away.

Tyler Matzek has been crow hopping from 90 feet, after he was placed on the injured list on May 7 with elbow inflammation.

As for A.J. Minter, another rehab start is coming up on Sunday, which will set him up to be activated early next week. He hit the 15-day injured list on May 30 with left hip inflammation.

And lastly, the road to recovery continues for Ian Anderson, as his rehab assignment was transferred to the Augusta GreenJackets.

More Braves News:

Charlie Morton was stellar and the offensive was explosive as the Braves downed the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-1.

In his Double-A debut, Lucas Braun fanned nine. More in the minor league recap.

MLB Pipeline’s latest mock draft has right-hander Braylon Doughty to Atlanta.

Carson Benge’s name has come up in plenty of mock drafts. He was originally projected to land with the Braves, but his draft stock has gone up to 12th overall.

The Athletic proposes four trade scenarios and how they could work in Atlanta’s favor.

Braves Podcasts:

MLB News:

Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda passed away at age 86. The 1967 NL MVP spent the majority of his career with the San Francisco Giants.

The San Francisco Giants placed two infielders on the 10-day injured list in Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores. Estrada suffered a wrist sprain and Flores has knee tendinitis.

New York Mets reliever Drew Smith will likely require Tommy John surgery but is headed to get a second opinion.

The Philadelphia Phillies placed Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber on the 10-day injured list. Harper suffered a hamstring strain, while Schwarber goes down with a groin strain.

The Washington Nationals will reportedly call up top outfield prospect James Wood on Monday. The 6-foot-7 21-year-old has put up some ridiculous numbers in the minors.