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Inflation Rises in June to Highest Level in Four Months; Opening Statements in Trial of Dentist Accused of Poisoning Wife; MLB All-Star Game to Feature Automated Balls and Strikes System. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired July 15, 2025 - 15:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[15:30:00]

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: Markets reacting to a new inflation report that shows the rate jumping to its highest level in four months. Consumer prices rose 0.3 percent in June that pushed the annual inflation rate to 2.7 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It comes as consumers have seen recent spikes in the cost of gas and also other key goods and services.

Let's go to our CNN business and politics correspondent Vanessa Yurkevich for more on this. And Vanessa, I know you have been tracking this. What are you seeing?

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, well, inflation moving in the wrong directions and the numbers really paint the picture for us right here. You see that inflation on an annual basis rising to 2.7 percent. In May it was 2.4 percent on an annual basis. So an increase there on the monthly basis up 0.3 percent. That is what we saw in line with May but June numbers staying about the same there.

Now the key sectors that have been leading the increases on inflation and in the month of June, food at home, that's the grocery store prices, still coming in at 0.3 percent increase there, led in part by beef prices which have seen a spike in recent months.

Shelter, the biggest overall contributor to inflation in the month of June, up 0.2 percent. And then gas prices, after falling in May by 2.6 percent, they rose in the month of June by 1 percent. That's because of that conflict that we saw in the Middle East between Israel and Iran which raised gas prices in the month of June. But overall on the year, gas prices still down 8.3 percent.

Also we're looking at key goods and items that we know we import a lot of. Furniture, apparel up 0.4 percent, toys up 1.8 percent because 80 percent of the toys that we import into the United States coming from China which has that 30 percent tariff. And then watching appliances up 1.9 percent because there is a 50 percent tariff on aluminum and steel, key components that make appliances.

These are items that we want to keep our eyes on over the next couple weeks and months to see if they increase even more. That'll be a sign, Brianna, that the tariffs are really starting to ingrain into the economy and that's where we'll start to see prices move even higher if these tariffs really pack a punch that economists are predicting.

[15:35:00]

KEILAR: And Vanessa, you have some new reporting on how importers were racing to get cargo into the U.S.

YURKEVICH: Yes, take a look at this. This is a live picture of the Port of Los Angeles. There are currently 10 cargo vessels loading and unloading here at the Port of Los Angeles which saw a record-breaking June. And that is because retailers raced to get goods into the United States through the Port of Los Angeles before that pause on the reciprocal tariffs was up on July 9th.

So we saw an 8 percent jump this June compared to last June. That is a record for the Port of Los Angeles. And then a dramatic increase of 32 percent in volume coming in in June compared to May when there was a pullback by retailers because the tariff rate on China was a hundred and forty-five percent.

And Brianna, looking ahead to the next couple weeks, we expect this port to be very busy because now that deadline for the reciprocal tariffs has been moved to August 1st. Retailers are restarting, trying to get cargo into this port as soon as possible to beat the higher tariffs that are likely coming on August 1st -- Brianna.

KEILAR: All right, we'll be looking toward that. Vanessa, Thank you.

Still to come, opening statements underway in the murder trial of a Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wife's protein shakes.

[15:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: We were watching opening statements today in the trial of a Colorado dentist accused of killing his wife by allegedly poisoning her protein shake back in 2023. Defendant James Craig also allegedly plotted a jailhouse murder against the case's lead prosecutor. As part of his defense, Craig's attorneys pointed out his multiple affairs through his 23-year marriage, trying to dismiss the prosecution's motive that Craig murdered his wife to be with his lover. We should point out the couple had six children together.

CNN's Whitney Wild is covering the trial for us. Whitney, what more did jurors hear in these opening statements?

WHITNEY WILD, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRESPONDENT: Prosecutors in the defense painted very different pictures of James Craig. Prosecutors painted this picture of a man who, as you pointed out, was intent on carrying out an affair with a woman that he had met professionally.

So what prosecutors did in their opening statements was they really kicked off these multiple timelines and showed how they believe they converged.

So the first is this timeline of this real whirlwind, very intense romance with a woman from Texas, again, that he had met professionally, and his attempt to murder Angela Craig. And basically what they say is that he wanted to bring this woman from Texas to Colorado to visit. He had told her he was getting divorced. That was not true. He was living with Angela Craig. He was living with their children as a just normal family.

And so what prosecutors said was he had gotten himself into a bind and he needed Angela gone. So this is how they say this plot began. And then, you know, further, Boris, they say that the key pieces of evidence here are internet searches about how to poison someone, lethal poisoning materials.

Further, they say that he purchased arsenic online. He purchased cyanide online. And then over the course of 10 days, continued to poison Angela Craig first through her protein shakes. And then finally, with her last hospital stay, they say he had filled a pill with cyanide and gave it to her while she was in the hospital. That, prosecutors say, ensured her death. Here's more from Arapahoe County Prosecutor Ryan Brackley.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RYAN BRACKLEY, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY: He didn't go into that room to fight for her life, to support her. He went in that room to murder, to deliberately and intentionally end her life with a fatal dose of cyanide.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILD: Boris, that is not what defense attorneys say happened. They say that this was a doting husband, that he cared very deeply for Angela. He was distraught when she was in the hospital fighting for her life over those 10 days and that what they're really leaning on are a couple of different things.

I mean, the first is that they say this was a really spotty investigation. They're blaming law enforcement for having blinders on, saying that they had assumed that he did it and thus didn't examine all of the possible alternatives to that theory. Here's more from his defense attorney.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASHLEY WHITHAM, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: You heard the prosecution lay out what sounded horrific in an open, closed case. It's not. He is innocent, and you have to maintain that presumption of innocence throughout the trial.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILD: Basically, what they're arguing, Boris, is that there were key investigatory steps that they did not take. There were key pieces of evidence that they didn't review. There were people that they could have interviewed, but they did not.

And so they say that this investigation was spotty. It was zeroed in from him on the start, and they failed to explore any other alternatives. And thus it wasn't a true and fulsome and honest investigation.

This case is ongoing. Opening statements concluded today. So now we enter a new phase of this trial, and we'll see what happens. Boris, we're expecting that this trial will take a couple of weeks -- Boris.

SANCHEZ: Whitney Wild, thank you so much for that reporting.

Still to come, Major League Baseball using automated technology for balls and strikes in tonight's all star game. We're going to break down how it works and why some pitchers are not pumped about this.

[15:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Tonight's Major League Baseball All-Star Game may look like the games that came before it, but this one will be historic for one big reason. For the first time, players will be able to use automated technology to challenge the umpires calls on balls and strikes.

SANCHEZ: It's a system that's been used in the minor leagues before, but this will be the first time it makes an appearance in a big league park. CNN's Coy Wire is in a big league park. Truist Park in Atlanta, and he joins us now.

[15:50:00]

Coy, looking sharp in those aviators, man. I know some pitchers don't necessarily love this idea. How do the umps feel about it?

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS: Yes, that must mean, right, that they feel they get away with some questionable calls. And now I'll tell you about some of those pitchers in a moment. Good to talk with you.

Listen, this is a huge technological leap here introducing ABS, the Automated Ball Strike Challenge System for the first time at the all star game. No full on robot umpires just yet. Instead, Hawkeye technology will track a pitch's trajectory and location.

And if the home plate makes a ball or strike call that a batter, pitcher or catcher does not like, they can challenge the call by tapping their cap or helmet. Each team gets two challenges. If successful and the calls overturn, the team gets to keep the challenge. If not, they lose it.

Now, fans, they seem to be in favor of it, having tested it out in spring training and such. Now, many players have voiced some strong opinions opposing it, like some superstar pitchers.

Tarik Skubal saying it takes the human element away from the game, while Max Scherzer said, Can't we just be judged by humans?

So keep an eye out for those players tapping their caps in the all star game tonight. Something tells me we might be seeing quite a bit of it because they get to run wild with it tonight for the first time in the All Star Game.

KEILAR: Yes, it's going to be really interesting. And Coy, last night we had a historic first in the home run derby. So what can you tell us about Cal Raleigh and his amazing nickname that I'll let you say. incredible story and an incredible nickname that I will say.

WIRE: Incredible story and an incredible nickname that I will say. And I can't not giggle every time I say it. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh becoming the first catcher ever to win the home run derby, showing everyone why he's leading the league with 38 home runs coming into the all star break.

He hit right handed. Then he switched up, hit left handed as he does during the regular season. And making it even sweeter, Brianna and Boris, his dad Todd was his pitcher.

His 15 year old brother T was the catcher cheering him on after every swing. A million dollar prize and some cool swag for the man with arguably the greatest nickname in all the sports right now. Cal Raleigh, aka Big Dumper. Yes, referring to his physique, particularly his backside given to him by his former teammate.

He and the team have embraced it and we asked some of the all stars, including Cal about his now famous nickname. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KYLE SCHWARBER, PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES DESIGNATED HITTER: No one really calls people by their name in our game, which is I think it's funny. Like no one calls me Kyle, right? Like this sounds weird.

AARON JUDGE, NEW YORK YANKEES OUTFIELDER: Big Dumper is a funny one that a -- I haven't asked him yet if he likes it or not, or where that even came from. I don't know if we can say that on TV where it came from, but it's great. I think it's good.

FREDDIE FREEMAN, LOS ANGELES DODGERS FIRST BASEMAN: Yes, Big Dumper. I like that one. I think it fits. I don't know what I was watching their day, but they zoomed in right onto it -- right onto it. And I thought it was pretty funny.

CAL RALIEGH, SEATTLE MARINERS CATCHER: I've always had a big butt and that's kind of been where it started. And then Jared Kelley, you know, tweeted something out.

Obviously, when I got called up and Seattle fans got to give them credit, they kind of took it and ran with it when I started playing well. So it was -- it was a unique nickname. Obviously not the one you would imagine, but it works. And as long as people like it, it's good with me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WIRE: Now, Brianna Boris, the Mariners have had Big Dumper jerseys in the team's store. Fans love it. And on his bobblehead giveaway, let's just say the figure was bottom heavy. Cal said that when fans asking to sign the bobblehead, they always want it done right there on the derriere. Got to love this.

And also got to love, that there are some players warming up right now. Take a look over here. Orly is going to pan over. Watch Edwin Diaz. Bring the heat. Golly, that's incredible. The catcher missed one just a bit ago, and it bounced right at my feet. So I'm kind of nervous.

Although if one of those fastballs hit me and my big old head, I don't know that would do much damage because you see this head, Boris, you know what I'm talking about, my bald brother.

Listen, MLB All Star is going to be awesome. Some of the players going to be two way mic. You'll be able to hear them speaking while they're on the field during the game. Should be lots of fun stuff to come tonight.

KEILAR: I love that he's owning that junk in the trunk. Just do it. That's body positivity, and it's excellent.

And Coy, you be careful. OK, you be very, very careful out there. It's a dangerous, dangerous assignment you have, and we're not jealous at all, at all.

Coy wire --

WIRE: Thank you, Mom. I love you, too, Mom.

KEILAR: We love you, too, honey.

All right, coming up bacon, chicken, ranch, egg rolls, hot chicken, mac and cheese pizza or maple bacon flavored cheese curds. We're going to take a look at some of the new food just unveiled for this year's Iowa State Fair, guaranteed to make you the big dumper.

[15:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Is the pinnacle of American culinary excellence known the world over for delectable morsels that both satisfy and excite? We're talking, of course, about the Iowa State Fair. In moments ago, officials just unveiled the finalists for the best new fair food set to make their debut next month.

How about a scotch-a-roo ice cream shake? Just follow us on this. That's a shake made with handmade peanut butter, butterscotch, scotch- a-roo ice cream swirled with fudge, packed with chewy chunks, topped with whipped cream, caramel, chocolate and a full slice of Iowa's famous scotch-a-roo.

SANCHEZ: That sounds amazing. Why not try something they're calling the three little pigs, a trio of oak smoked ham balls, honey mustard with cornbread crumbles, cherry soda with maraschino cherries and a vanilla glaze dusted with powdered sugar. Or perhaps something a bit more traditional.

[16:00:00]

This is a bacon chicken ranch egg roll, a crispy golden egg roll packed with chicken, bacon, white cheddar and drizzled with ranch.

Why not all three?

KEILAR: Sounds amazing.

SANCHEZ: They all sound good. You can try these and hundreds of other tasty treats, most of them on a stick when the Iowa State Fair opens on August 7th.

KEILAR: I once covered a story in Iowa and there was a crock pot and I wasn't sure what it was full of for my corn. It was butter, just a melted crock pot of butter.

SANCHEZ: We should pitch going back to Iowa for this.

KEILAR: Let's do it.

SANCHEZ: CNN NEWS CENTRAL hits the road.

KEILAR: Serious investigation.

SANCHEZ: Stay tuned. We'll find out if they approve it.

"THE ARENA" with Kasie Hunt starts right now.

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