John Ratcliffe, teen rapper reflects, Cowboys vs. Zeke: Your Tuesday morning roundup

Here is a look at the key headlines as you start your day.  [Morning roundup]( 07/30/2019 By Todd Davis Good morning! Here is a look at the top headlines as we start the day. 🌞 Weather: Go out and thank some shade today. High of 99, low of 78. 🔎 Prefer the online view? It's [her]( U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath, has been tapped as the next director of national intelligence. (Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Agence France-Presse) POLITICS [Who is U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, the North Texas Republican tapped by Trump to be next intel chief?]( Thirty-five minutes into the spectacle that was former special counsel Robert Mueller’s appearance last week before Congress, U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe of Heath took his turn at defending President Donald Trump against Mueller’s wide-ranging Russia investigation. The Texas Republican, a former federal prosecutor, did not mince words. "Donald Trump is not above the law — he’s not," said Ratcliffe, who tangled with the special counsel that day as a member of both the House judiciary and intelligence committees. "But he damn sure shouldn’t be below the law, which is where Volume 2 of this report puts him." Four days later, on Sunday, [Trump picked Ratcliffe to be his next intelligence chief](.  And: [Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen]( denies targeting fellow Republicans.   Also: [A congressman asked the Border Patrol chief]( clarify his testimony about a U.S. citizen held for weeks.  ADVERTISEMENT CRIME [He survived 8 years as a U.S. translator in Afghanistan — then got shot 5 times in Far East Dallas]( City columnist Robert Wilonsky writes: Mahir Ahmad Amiri is in a room at Baylor University Medical Center. He has been there since the end of last year, after he was shot five times while working along a dangerous stretch of Far East Dallas. Until recently he could breathe only with the help of a ventilator. His 28-year-old wife Zahra says her husband does not know why he is in the hospital. Mahir was born 32 years ago in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. For eight of those years, he risked his life as a translator for the U.S. military. Then he brought his wife and family to the U.S., believing he would be safe here. Today, he cannot move from his neck down, cannot hold the three young children who come see him at the hospital and will likely never walk again. "Heartbreaking," said Mahir's wife. "Heartbreaking," said his 53-year-old father Shir, a tailor from Kabul. They spoke through a translator, but they didn't need to at that moment. [The devastation was plain on their faces.](  And: [Police have arrested a man]( accused of shooting a 31-year-old during an argument in west Oak Cliff.   Also: [A family filed a wrongful death lawsuit]( after a security guard killed a man at a Dallas apartment complex.  SPORTS [Rushing titles may not win Super Bowls, but Jerry Jones needs Ezekiel Elliott]( Cowboys columnist Calvin Watkins writes: Jerry Jones is being disingenuous. On Sunday night, Jones told KTVT-TV (Channel 11) you don't need a rushing champion to win a Super Bowl. Of course, Jones is in the middle of a contract dispute with starting running back Ezekiel Elliott, who is holding out as he seeks a new deal. As the Cowboys held their first padded practice Monday afternoon, Elliott was on his way to soaking up some sun and working out in Cabo, according to a source. And while Cabo might be comfortable this time of year, [Cowboys fans have sour memories of the place](.  Also: Can't watch Rangers games? Dish Network and Sling customers no longer have access to [Fox Sports regional networks](.   And: While [the]( seek significant returns]( players deal with the 'roller coaster of emotions' leading up to the trade deadline.  ADVERTISEMENT EDITORS' PICKS - Fatality: [A good Samaritan]( was killed in a crash on I-30 west of downtown Dallas. - Shredded: [Chuck E. Cheese's parent company]( canceled the deal that would have taken the Irving chain public. - Elections 2020: U.S. Rep. Ron Wright of Arlington is still running for reelection despite [a lung cancer diagnosis](. Aman Hiremath, 17, put his rap career on hold after he questioned whether it was worth what it was doing to his mental state and self-esteem. (Kara Dry / Special Contributor) FINALLY [When popularity on social media exploded, North Texas teen had to rethink priorities]( Clad in basketball shorts, his favorite red hoodie and a pair of Nikes, Aman Hiremath looks like your typical high school student. But students and teachers at Lebanon Trail High School in Frisco know him by another name: Lil Wiz. Aman, 17, raps under the name on SoundCloud, a popular music platform. He produced two albums that received 25,000 views, enough to qualify for monetizing the account. His success led to newfound fame and popularity at school, including a spot on the homecoming court. [But he says it also lifted his feet too far off the ground.](  👋 That's all for this morning! 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 [newsletters@dallasnews.com](mailto:newsletter-feedback@dallasnews.com?subject=). 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