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CNN Headlines: FBI Affidavit Alleges Drugs Found In Van Of Man Fatally Shot By ICE Agent In Texas; Epstein Survivors: Acting AG Todd Blanche Should Not Be Attorney General; 100 Million-Plus In U.S. Impacted By Dangerous Air Quality From Canada Wildfires. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired July 16, 2026 - 05:30   ET

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

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[05:30:25]

BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It is half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories.

Tonight President Trump will speak to the nation in a rare primetime speech. He said that it will be "really big news." The president is expected to talk about multiple topics, but he says that his speech will center on election security ahead of November's midterm elections.

And take a look at this video out of southern Texas. You're looking at one of more than 100 roadways hit by life-threatening flash flooding yesterday. Deer are seen being swept away in the fast-moving waters. A rare level four threat risk -- the highest level of flood alert, by the way -- is in effect today. The flooding has prompted dozens of rescues across the state.

And on Capitol Hill an intense hearing for the doctor who President Trump picked to lead the CDC. Dr. Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, was pressed on whether she would follow policy or politics if confirmed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MAGGIE HASSAN (D-NH): So just to be clear, if the President of the United States instructs you to take an action that would break the law, will you follow the law or follow the president's instruction, Dr. Schwartz?

DR. ERICA SCHWARTZ, NOMINEE FOR CDC DIRECTOR: The president would never ask me to not follow the law, but I will always follow the law.

HASSAN: So I want to give you a chance to answer again. If the secretary ordered you to stop promoting the flu vaccine during a deadly flu season for children, would you carry out that order? Yes or no?

SCHWARTZ: So, Senator, I -- you know, I don't speak in hypotheticals but I --

HASSAN: This isn't a hypothetical.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: Dr. Schwartz is Trump's third pick to lead the CDC in two years.

Well, the FBI is making new allegations in the shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Now, the Mexican national was fatally shot by an ICE agent last week in Houston, Texas. And for more of the details around this CNN's Ed Lavandera has our reporting.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There were already questions swirling around the validity of how federal investigators described the shooting death of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo last Tuesday in Houston, and now there is renewed criticism of federal investigators and how they are handling this case.

In a federal search warrant obtained by CNN, investigators say they found four plastic bags inside Salgado's white van and that those plastic bags contained a white crystal substance consistent with methamphetamine. Now, we should be clear this warrant also -- does not say that definitively it is drugs of any kind. We have reached out to the FBI to ask and see if that substance has been tested. We have not heard back.

But already there has been intense calls and questions about the validity of what is in this search warrant. A Latino activist very close to the this who has been working with the family over the last week says this smells of a smear campaign and a coverup.

The ACLU put out a statement saying that the Trump administration and the FBI lacked the credibility to investigate itself in this case. They say that anybody that reads what is in the contents of this search warrant should be very skeptical of what they're reading. And they continue to call for a full independent investigation.

The Harris County district attorney's office say prosecutors were given access to the van by the local FBI office there in Houston. It's not clear whether or not they were able to watch the execution of this search warrant on this white van. That isn't exactly clear to us.

But a great deal of questions and accusations that perhaps the drugs were planted in the van, and a lot of criticism of the information detailed in this search warrant.

The Salgado family has not commented directly about the accusations and the allegations in this search warrant.

But we also did learn today that the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers -- the state authorities here -- they say that they will be conducting an independent and separate investigation into the shooting death of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo as well.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Dallas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SMITH: All right. Thank you, Ed.

Also now, President Trump is ordering traffic stops by federal immigration officials to resume. Sources say that Trump was furious about the pause announced by his Department of Homeland Security earlier this week. It was fueled in part by the outrage over those recent ICE-involved shootings that took place both in Texas and Maine. And in both cases neither victim was an actual target of an immigration enforcement operation.

[05:35:00]

The attorney representing the family of Nolan Wells says county prosecutors plan to take the case before a grand jury. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump says that will happen once the investigation into the teen's disappearance is complete. Police are still looking into the death of 18-year-old college football player, and his body was found off the Mississippi coast after a Fourth of July trip with friends.

An 18-year-old competitive swimmer drowned at a lake near downtown Dallas in April and two teens have been charged with evidence tampering in the case, sparking speculation from the teen's family. And attorney Ben Crump is now joining the family's team.

Here's what we know about that case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TAMEKA ERVING, DANIEL ERVING'S MOTHER: As a mother, I knew something was wrong on day one.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The death of an 18-year-old who drowned in a lake three months ago is being called into question as two teens who were with him have been charged with evidence tampering. Daniel Erving drowned at Lake Ray Hubbard about 15 miles from downtown Dallas in April.

An attorney for the family says the circumstances in his death don't "add up," citing that Erving was on the honor roll and a member of the swim team.

ERVING: So just imagine as a mother or a parent calling someone to help you -- save your child -- and they hang up the telephone in your face.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The new details in the Erving case are drawing comparisons to that of 18-year-old Nolan Wells who died following a Fourth of July boat trip off the coast of Mississippi.

According to an affidavit, 19-year-old Lucas Roper and another teen are accused of throwing out Erving's clothes and driving away from the scene, KTVT reported. It also said the two suspects were aware of the drowning, panicked, and fled the scene. They have not been charged with the death of Erving.

BEN CRUMP, ERVING FAMILY ATTORNEY: Two young white men come to his house to pick him up and they go fishing, swimming, and then they come back. But yet, Daniel doesn't.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The family's attorney said the family is launching an independent investigation.

CRUMP: We say justice for Daniel Erving. Justice for Daniel Erving.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Dallas Police Department said, "This was a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a young person."

The medical examiner determined Daniel Erving's cause of death was drowning and the manner of death was ruled accidental.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SMITH: This morning more witnesses are expected to testify in the confirmation hearing for acting attorney general Todd Blanche. He's seeking to replace Pam Bondi as attorney general but he's getting heavy pushback from Jeffrey Epstein survivors. Some of them attended yesterday's hearing and they say that Blanche's handling of the Epstein files should end his bid to win approval for the job.

Here's CNN's MJ Lee with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is potentially the chief law enforcement agent of our country that's not willing to investigate or prosecute a crime that happened to over 1,000 girls and young women -- a sexual crime? I don't how anyone can stand by that.

MJ LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jeffrey Epstein survivors were in this room for Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing today on Capitol Hill and they say he is not qualified to be attorney general based on his handling of all things related to Epstein.

TODD BLANCHE, ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL: I want to make sure the American people know that this administration, when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, has been more transparent than any past administration.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The biggest thing that specks to his competency and his ability to do the job is the fact that he would look at a sex trafficking case abusing minors with six million files and say that there's nothing here to prosecute. That's incompetency or unwillingness.

LEE: Blanche has been the point person for the Trump administration on all things Epstein, including the release of the Epstein files. The Justice Department has come under fire for redaction errors, including the information of victims being released.

Survivors are also frustrated that so far, only Ghislaine Maxwell has been prosecuted in the U.S. for crimes related to Epstein.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Todd Blanche, are you reading the same files that we are reading because you released them to the public? Have you taken the time to actually read them and see that there are names there who Jeffrey Epstein trafficked -- many victims and many survivors too? The next one is are you going to start investigating or are you just going to dance around the question?

LEE: Blanche told senators this about speaking with victims.

BLANCHE: We will never, never not talk to victims. We have spoken with over 30 representatives of dozens and dozens of victims of -- since this process started. Any victim, if they're here today, I would encourage them to -- or their lawyers to meet with the FBI.

LEE: But many survivors tell CNN that they have never met with Blanche despite their repeated quests.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Todd Blanche went around saying that he met with us and he had met with our legal counsel or our lawyers, and we have not yet come across who he has met with and what legal counsel.

[05:40:05]

LEE: Would you two welcome the chance to meet with Blanche?

SKY ROBERTS, VIRGINIA GUIFFRE'S BROTHER: I mean, we would welcome that opportunity to meet with Blanche. Would it do anything? I don't have a lot of confidence in that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SMITH: Our thanks to MJ Lee for that report.

Disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly is asking President Trump to cut his 30- year prison sentence short. CNN's Chicago affiliate WBBM reports that attorneys for the singer have formally petitioned the Justice Department for a commutation, citing safety concerns and a plot against his life in a North Carolina federal prison. Kelly was convicted of federal sex trafficking and child pornography charges in 2021 and 2022. If his sentence is not reduced, he is not expected to be released until 2045 when he will be nearly 79 years old.

Texas faces another round of life-threatening flooding today. The National Weather Service warns of dangerous conditions in the same region hit by last year's deadly Camp Mystic floods. Drone video from Boerne shows the fast-moving waters swallowing vehicles while at least six rivers remain in major flood stage. More than 75 people have been rescued statewide, including a child wearing a snorkel mask pulled from rising floodwaters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A child wearing a snorkel mask was seen being rescued by Texas game wardens. Flooding has hit Texas hard with roughly half a year's worth of rain already fallen in Uvalde County, one of the hardest hit areas. More than 75 people have been rescued from rising floodwaters across the state, according to Gov. Greg Abbott. Multiple locations at rivers and creeks are in major flood stage, the highest possible level, with more predicted to join them when they crest over the next 24 hours.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SMITH: It's time now for Buzz Express, the stories that have people talking.

And first up, the ESPY Awards highlighting the best in sports. The NBA champions, the New York Knicks, won Best Overall Team. And Knicks star Jalen Brunson took home the trophy for Best Athlete in Men's Sports. As for best female athletes, the WNBA's A'Ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won. She wasn't there last night but this is her second win. And Heisman Trophy winner and new Las Vegas Raider Fernando Mendoza took home Best Male College Athlete. And Gold-winning U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu won Best Breakthrough Athlete.

Tonight Flavor Flav making good on a promise. He's hosting the "SHE Weekend: in Vegas honoring female Olympians. MGM Resorts -- they posted this picture of him in front of the famous Vegas sign, saying "We are going full throttle into SHE Weekend."

The rapper has been a big supporter of U.S. Olympians, especially the bobsled and skeleton teams. But the idea for this SHE Weekend -- it came up after President Trump invited the men's hockey team to the White House. The president said the woman's team would have to be invited too or he'd be impeached. They didn't go because they said they had prior commitments.

But after that, Flavor Flav started rallying sponsors to help honor the women's team and other female athletes. And he said, "We're going to spoil them and give them the recognition they deserve."

The parade kicks off tonight along with a concert featuring Public Enemy, Sheila E., and others.

And Beyonce is doing something that she hasn't done in three years. She's back in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot R&B and Hip-Hop Songs chart. Her song "Morning Dew" landing the number seven spot for this week after its surprise release on July 4.

And Duchess Meghan is up for a Daytime Emmy. The Duchess of Sussex's Netflix show "WITH LOVE, MEGHAN" is nominated for Outstanding Lifestyle Program. It debuted in 2025 and features her cooking, gardening, and entertaining celebrity guests.

Congratulations to all of those in Buzz Express.

Well, next up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, smoke from the wildfires, rather, is blowing into the U.S. Just a remarkable scene here on your screen. It's affecting air quality for millions in the Midwest and the Northeast. We've got the full details for you.

And if you're in the market for a house, what you need to know about mortgage rates and where things stand right now.

Stay with us. Much more to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.

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[05:49:05]

SMITH: No need to adjust your television or any screen that you're watching us on. The smoke from wildfires burning in Ontario, Canada is drifting down into the U.S. and it's turning the sky a hazy shade of orange over 500 miles away in Boston. Today more than 100 million people in the Midwest and the Northeast are being impacted by dangerous air quality and it could last a few more days.

CNN's Reed Benyon has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My eyes are burning. My lungs are burning. I've got a splitting headache.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, wow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's brutal.

REED BENYON, CNN REPORTER (voiceover): People in Ontario, Canada are struggling under air quality alerts as heat and wildfire smoke come together to create unhealthy conditions. The skies over Toronto appearing nearly apocalyptic as daylight struggles to break through the smoky haze.

HOWARD SHAPIRO, TORONTO ASSOCIATE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH: It's kind of like the Earth is smoking a cigarette and we're getting the secondhand smoke.

[05:50:00]

BENYON (voiceover): And it's not just Canadian cities suffering. Dangerous smoke from the wildfires in Canada is causing problems in the U.S. too as it moves into the Great Lakes and the Northeast. The yellow-orange haze hanging in the air in central New York.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It reminds me of "STRANGER THINGS" -- the upside- down.

BENYON (voiceover): Health officials say the smoke is making air quality poor enough to pose risks to sensitive groups, especially people with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD.

DR. SUBRAT KHANAL, ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTH, PULMONARY DISEASE: Tomorrow, hopefully, it will turn around. If it's going to last a while, then mask up and go outside. BENYON (voiceover): Wildfire smoke pushing into the East Coast, clouding the skies in places like Boston where Massachusetts health officials had to issue an air quality alert. Some smoke over that city is also coming from fires burning in Minnesota where the governor has extended state resources to first responders.

GOV. TIM WALZ, (D) MINNESOTA: The motion carries. An extension of the peacetime emergency is approved for 30 days.

BENYON (voiceover): I'm Reed Benyon reporting.

SMITH: Thank you, Reed.

Let's go around the globe, starting in Brazil.

The Trump administration is slapping new 25 percent tariffs on most goods coming from that country, alleging that it took part in unfair trade practices. U.S. relations with Brazil have soured since the election of President Lula in 2022. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Lula and his government of having negotiated in bad faith. And President Trump was a supporter of the previous president, Jair Bolsonaro, but he was convicted of attempting a coup in order to overturn his election loss.

And just hours before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to arrive in Ukraine, Russian forces launched strikes in Kyiv. Government officials -- they say that two people were killed and some buildings and vehicles were set on fire.

Starmer is in the capital city now on his final trip abroad as prime minister. He is expected to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The world leaders are set to discuss Britain's efforts to support Ukraine, both militarily and diplomatically.

And take a look at this. A pilot in the U.K. was on a two-hour test flight when apparently, he got a little stir crazy. He drew this message across the sky, and it reads "I'm bored." The cheeky confession took about 20 minutes to complete. The pilot escaped a reprimand, and the plane was safely returned to its hangar. Quite a trip.

Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, too close for comfort. The famed Blue Angels -- they did their own aviation spectacle -- a low flyover sending tents and beach chairs just flying.

And you've heard of Dave & Buster's, right? So what is Rave & Buster's? We'll dive into what the adult arcade's new rave series is all about.

Keep it right here. You're watching CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.

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[05:57:10]

SMITH: In today's Money Express, mortgage rates moved higher last week, which is causing prospective homebuyers to fall back.

Maribel Aber joins us from the Nasdaq MarketSite with more of the details. What do we need to know, Maribel?

MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: OK, Brad. So mortgage rates reaching their highest level since last August, weighing on homebuyer demand. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly index, the average rate on a 30-year fixed loan with a balance of about $833,000 or less rose to 6.65 percent. Applications to buy a home fell seven percent from the previous week and refinance applications rose four percent as some homeowners look to save where they could find -- where they could.

Oil prices could keep climbing higher as the U.S. and Iran trade missile strikes for another day. The White House is weighing expanded military options, according to sources, while Iran says it has no plans to negotiate. Brent Crude is around $85 a barrel while U.S. oil hovers near $80. The national average for a gallon of unleaded jumped nearly a nickel overnight, up to $3.94, according to AAA.

Entertainment chain Dave & Buster's is leveling up from arcade games for grown ups to late-night dance parties. The Rave & Buster's tour will make seven stops in six states with secret deejay lineups at each of event spanning house, trap, dubstep, and other electronic music. Events promoter Brownies & Lemonade is producing the tour. The first rave kicks off July 30 in Honolulu. Tickets are available now. For more details check out brownies&lemonade.com.

Rave, Brad?

SMITH: Look, I can already hear "Sandstorm" way off in the distance coming to Rave & Buster's.

Maribel, thank you so much.

Let's get a check in on some of the other stories making news across the country.

We start in Florida. That's where video shows a Blue Angels jet flying very low over a beach. Witnesses say that the jet sent sand, tents, and chairs flying. The Blue Angels told affiliate WEAR safety is a priority and they're reviewing what happened to make sure pilots stuck to Navy and FAA standards. CNN has reached out to the Blue Angels for additional comment.

And this next video you're about to see is even more wild. The DoorDash driver was delivering food in Texas when she got hit by a car and still made her delivery on time.

Here's CNN's Jeremy Roth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY ROTH, CNN PRODUCER, WRITER (voiceover): Watch a DoorDash driver in Texas get hit by a suspect fleeing from police and then get right up and finish her delivery. A Houston area resident's security cameras captured the moment the DoorDash driver pulled up to a curb as sirens could be heard wailing.

Just as the driver exits her vehicle a suspect leading a police pursuit slams into the parked car, colliding with the woman and knocking her over. The suspect takes off on foot continuing the chase, and the DoorDash driver pops up seemingly unfazed and finished her job delivering the food to the customer's doorstep.

[06:00:05]

KTRK reports the suspect was wanted on a burglary warrant and was arrested. The delivery driver escaped the close call with only minor aches and pains. By the way, her name, appropriately enough, is Miracle.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SMITH: Oh, yeah. I would say we have a new entry for it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. What a story.

That does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.