This week the Trump Administration issued a new detain only policy for undocumented immigrants. This includes mandating detention without bond hearings. Paul LaGrone speaks with immigration attorney Susham Modi about this and whether illegal immigrants have rights.

Florida

Florida lawmakers are expressing concern about proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), particularly regarding the potential impact on hurricane prediction and preparedness. Congressional Democrats have warned that eliminating NOAA research labs, including one in Miami focused on hurricanes, could jeopardize public safety during severe weather events.

Additionally, attention has turned to the conditions at a state-run immigrant detention facility, nicknamed 'Alligator Alcatraz.' Lawmakers, including those previously denied entry, are being offered tours to assess the facility's safety and operations. While state officials maintain the facility is safe and well-equipped, immigration attorneys and media reports have raised questions about access to basic amenities and medical care. The state has denied reports of hospitalizations or deaths at the facility.

Trump Administration’s detain-only policy for undocumented immigrants

Welcome back. President Trump's NOAA cuts coming under increased scrutiny in the wake of the Texas floods, and the question here in Florida, are we really ready for hurricane season? I spoke with Forrest Saunders on what's at stake. It's tough to make sense of whatever story that's being reported in the news these days, whether it's the Jeffrey Epstein situation or even this tragic situation in Texas this week already was politicized right from the gate. I know this is connected to Florida politics because this week, and you're reporting on this, that Florida lawmakers and some who's who in politics are questioning the cuts to NOAA and whether or not that had something to do with the heads up on this flooding. Yeah, and so basically this coalition of congressional Democrats, they got together, they held a press conference, it was virtual. They were very, very careful not to point a direct finger at the Trump administration for what happened over in Texas. But basically what they said was that essentially these cuts, more that could be coming in the proposed Trump budget for the next fiscal year, could lead to further tragedies here in Florida. Of course, we are entering the peak months of hurricane season, and right now there is a budget plan from the federal government, the Trump administration, that would call for eliminating basically these research labs that NOAA has all across the country, including one here in Miami that is specifically focused on hurricanes. And the thought is that if you get rid of all of that research, which is largely contributed to the ability to predict very accurately these hurricanes and this damaging weather nationally or state by state, that you're going to, their words, play Russian roulette with the lives of Floridians and others who would benefit from this information, benefit from this research. So they're really sending up a warning flag here that that kind of thing should not happen. All right. So we talked about alligator alcatraz this week. I know there's been some trickle in of new reporting. There have even been some sort of whispers. There are already some growing pains at that facility, given how quickly it sort of popped up and how they had to throw everything together. But you're also hearing that lawmakers are going to get a chance to see it firsthand. And this is open to anyone, not just Democrats who have been protesting its very existence. Yeah. And one's got to wonder if this was all precipitated by Democrats trying to get into the facility last week and basically saying, hey, we were turned away because of safety concerns and then asking the question, if it's unsafe for us to be in there, how is it unsafe for anybody else? You've got a lot of lawmakers, whether they are on the right or the left, that want to see inside this facility, want to make sure that this is a a solid facility that is being operated by the state of Florida in partnership with the federal government. And so it looks like Florida Emergency Management is indeed going to allow lawmakers to do this. The plan is to give them a tour. It's not going to be for anybody outside of congressional or state lawmakers, but they do want to give them a a look at what's going on behind closed doors. The state says that they are safe, that they are effective and that they do have amenities like clergy, laundry, air conditioning 24 7. That's despite some of the stuff that we're hearing from immigration attorneys who are representing some of the clients in this facility saying that they don't have running water, they don't have easy access to medical care, they do not have access to the clergy that they want. So there are still a lot of these lingering questions, including a big story that came out from the Miami Herald that talked a lot about what's going on inside this facility, potentially even a hospitalization, though the DeSantis administration says that did not happen, emphatically denying that there was any kind of hospitalization or death. There was a rumor of that as well. None of that, they say, has happened. They continue to consider Alligator Alcatraz a very safe facility. Yeah, I tell you, at $450 million, I guess a year to operate this thing, although they're saying they're going to get reimbursed by the government. That's the next question is when is that check going to be in the mail from Uncle Sam? Is it actually going to happen? Forrest Saunders reporting from Tallahassee as always, appreciate your time. Next on Full Circle Florida, we dive deep with USF media professor Joshua Skacko on the war on truth. In this age of competing facts and endless spin, how do you find what's real?

Japan's ruling coalition is certain to lose control of the upper house in election, public broadcaster NHK reported, an outcome that further weakens Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power as a tariff deadline with the United States looms.

Tokyo

Japan's ruling coalition loses control of upper house

Iran's foreign minister has said the country France, Germany and the UK are looking to set a date for a meeting for nuclear talks, in what could be a step toward ending the protracted impasse over Iran's nuclear programme and Western concerns.

Tehran

Middle East Conflict

Iran and three European powers set to resume nuclear talks

The Trump administration said on Saturday (July 19) it will take action against Mexico under its "America First" policy, saying the Mexican government's earlier decision to cut flight slots in Mexico City, which affects U.S. airlines, violates a bilateral air agreement.

Washington

U.S. threatens Mexican flights over cargo, competition issues

U.S. President Donald Trump has sued the Wall Street Journal and its owners including Rupert Murdoch for at least $10 billion, over the report that his name was on a 2003 birthday greeting for Jeffrey Epstein that included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to secrets they shared.

Trump sues Wall Street Journal for $10 billion over Epstein report

Over 200 Venezuelans who were deported from the U.S. on allegations of gang membership earlier this year and detained in an El Salvador jail have arrived home to Caracas as part of a coordinated prisoner exchange. Ten Americans held in Venezuela returned to the U.S., officials said.

Caracas

El Salvador sends detained Venezuelans home in swap for Americans

Japanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday (July 20) in a tightly contested upper house election that could unleash political turmoil, with rising prices, immigration concerns and the emergence of a Trump-style "Japanese-first" party threatening to weaken Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power.

Japan heads to the polls for Upper House elections

The violent clashes between the Druze minority, Bedouins and other armed groups in the southern province of Sweida have left at least 900 people dead. Some reports suggest that fighting may have halted early on Sunday.

Damascus

Syrian interim president urges respect of ceasefire in Sweida clashes

The proposal comes as Russia continues to intensify its long-range attacks on Ukraine, often firing more drones in a single night than it did during some months in 2024.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy proposes new round of peace talks with Russia

Stacey Williams, a former Sports Illustrated model who briefly dated Jeffrey Epstein speaks with CNN’s Brianna Keilar and describes Epstein’s relationship with Donald Trump. She also alleges Trump once groped her in 1993, but he denies the claim.

New York

Epstein’s ex-girlfriend describes alleged incident with Trump

A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter an East Hollywood nightclub, injuring 30, seven of them critically, in Los Angeles on Saturday morning. Authorities say bystanders attacked the driver, who also sustained a gunshot wound.

West Hollywood

Driver crashes into line of people in Hollywood, police say he was shot

A boat full of tourists capsized during a storm in one of the country's most iconic tourist destinations, leaving at least 34 dead and eight missing. Rescue efforts continue as a new tropical storm approaches.

Hạ Long Bay

Dozens drown after tourist boat capsizes in Ha Long Bay

The agreement comes after intense clashes displaced tens of thousands of people and contributed to a worsening humanitarian crisis in a region still recovering from over a decade of brutal civil war.

As Suwayda

U.S. says Israel-Syria agree to ceasefire, clashes continue in Sweida

Ukraine has appointed a new prime minister, 39-year-old Yulia Svyrydenko, as part of a sweeping government reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy. This marks the most significant political shift since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Yulia Svyrydenko takes charge as Ukraine's new prime minister

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, currently on trial at the Supreme Court, has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor. Bolsonaro is accused of leading an alleged attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 election.

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle monitor

At least three deputies were killed after an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility, officials said. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents were at the scene.

Los Angeles

Three killed in explosion at L.A. County Sheriff's Department facility

The UK's Labour Party has passed a landmark electoral reform, aligning with Scotland and Wales in lowering the voting age from 18 to 16. The change fulfills a key promise by the ruling party but garnered criticism from the Conservative Party.

London

UK lowers voting age from 18 to 16 in historic electoral reform

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a rescissions package to slash $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, sending the bill to President Donald Trump's desk.

U.S. House passes $9 billion cut to foreign aid, public broadcasting

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday night ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to help facilitate the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein as the administration faces pressure to share more materials on the case.

Trump orders release of Epstein-related grand jury transcripts

The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's energy and financial sectors in a bid to tighten the screws on the Kremlin's war machine and force a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.

Moscow

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia's oil and banks

U.S. President Donald Trump denies writing a letter signed 'Donald' beneath a nude sketch in Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday album, details of which were published by the Wall Street Journal. The letter is now under review by the U.S. Justice Department.

Trump denies writing crude letter to Jeffrey Epstein

Following a call with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology, saying the only Catholic church in Gaza was hit by stray ammunition. The blast killed three civilians. Ramy Inocencio reports.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu apologizes for deadly strike on Catholic church in Gaza

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested that TSA may soon end its restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags.

TSA may eliminate liquid restrictions on planes

A Tennessee judge on Thursday set Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 27, 2026. Abrego Garcia is facing human smuggling charges. CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane reports.

Tennessee

Judge sets Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency

Black-box recording indicates that the flight's captain switched off fuel flow to both engines of the recently crashed Air India airplane, according to media reports on Wednesday, citing preliminary U.S. assessment of evidence.

Ahmedabad

Flight captain switched off fuel flow to engines in Air India crash

The Department of Justice has fired Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor and the daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey. This comes as the White House tries to mitigate demands for the Jeffrey Epstein files to be released.

DOJ fires Maurene Comey, who helped prosecute Jeffrey Epstein

The Senate approved a $9.4 billion rescissions request, sending it back to the House of Representatives for approval.

Breakdown