Beto O'Rourke's Decision, Texas Independence Day Quiz, Noncitizen Voters Ruling, Dallas Kids' Curfew

Good morning!Here are the top political headlines from the campaign trail, Austin, Washington and Dallas, as well as our new Texas Independence Day quiz.Points from the trail1. Beto O'Rourke has decided not to run for Senate next year against Republican incumbent John Cornyn and likely will announce a campaign for president soon, confidants close to the former El Paso congressman told The Dallas Morning News Wednesday. Numerous people close to O'Rourke said they expect him to announce his presidential campaign within weeks. For his own part, O'Rourke on Wednesday wouldn't reveal his future political plans except to say he has made up his mind."Amy and I have made a decision about how we can best serve our country," he said in an exclusive statement to The Dallas Morning News. "We are excited to share it with everyone soon."Todd's takeTodd Gillman is the Washington bureau chief for The Dallas Morning News. He has covered government and politics for decades, from Dallas to D.C., and is a White House Correspondents' Association board member. Here, Todd offers his take from Washington. If Beto O'Rourke does run for president, he won't be starting from scratch. Democratic activists in places like Iowa, whose early contests shape the nomination fight, know his name, even if he hasn't yet joined the growing list of Democrats stopping into their coffee shops and union halls. But he'll face a decidedly mixed reception, ranging from the ecstatic enthusiasm he generated at rallies during his bid to topple Sen. Ted Cruz last fall to outright irritation from Iowans overwhelmed by the sheer number of candidates in the race. Read more here about what Iowans said about O'Rourke's chances in a crowded field. Texas Independence Day quiz  Continue reading...