ICE Policy Shift, AI Data Center Ban & Stop Changing Clocks? - Wednesday, July 15, 2026

**Erica Mandy** (0:00)
Today is Wednesday, July 15th. We'll tell you about a major policy shift for immigration officers and how it's linked to two recent killings. Also, where air quality is becoming a concern because of wildfire smoke. And an unfortunate new record as the outbreak of a stomach illness continues around the country. Plus, all about a new push to end the twice-a-year clock change, which stages banned AI data centers, and how Starbucks is trying to turn some employees into TikTok influencers. Those stories and even more news coming up.
Welcome to The News Worthy. All the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.
New guidance is telling ICE officers to avoid making as many traffic stops. The change comes in the aftermath of two deadly shootings in less than a week. In both cases, the immigration officers shot the men after trying to stop their vehicles. One in Texas, the other in Maine. The Homeland Security Department says the agents who opened fire did so because they feared for their safety or public safety. Then yesterday, a third man died in an encounter with immigration officers. Authorities say he was hit by a tractor trailer while running from federal officers in Florida. So far, the Homeland Security Department has not publicly addressed the policy change, but the new guidance to avoid stopping moving vehicles removes one of the most common tools ICE agents use to make arrests. It could also make it harder for the Trump administration to meet its internal immigration arrest quotas. In recent weeks, officers have been ramping up arrests by staking out homes and workplaces of immigrants, most often catching them as they drive away.
But as enforcement has increased, so has the criticism and the protests, especially after these recent shootings. Reports say ICE will also now avoid sending officers out to make any arrests unless at least one person on the team is wearing a body camera. Plus, officials say they plan to re-evaluate training so officers are better equipped to de-escalate situations for immigrants to try to escape. For now, reports say if someone drives off or runs away, officers have been told to let them go and attempt the arrests later, except in cases involving the most dangerous targets. It's not clear how long these changes will last, but ICE says it's always evaluating procedures to help keep officers safe.
Just one day after declaring the US would tax all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump has changed his tune. He now says the US will instead guarantee safe passage to vessels from any Persian Gulf states that agree to invest in America. Though it's still not clear exactly how that plan is going to work. What is clear is that the president is not giving up control of the Strait. The US bombed more Iranian targets yesterday, saying it was going after Iran's ability to threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz. And Iran once again responded with new strikes on countries that are hosting American forces. Also, as promised, the US reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports over Iran's attacks on ships trying to pass through the Strait. These are considered the Trump administration's attempts at turning the tables on Iran in the nearly five-month-old war. Since the Strait of Hormuz is considered Iran's biggest source of leverage, needed to transport a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas during peacetime. Meanwhile, there are at least 19 US warships positioned in the Middle East and hundreds of military aircraft all waiting for their next orders. And President Trump is renewing his threats to attack Iranian bridges and power plants by next week, unless diplomatic negotiations get going again.
Last month's drop in gas prices helped inflation slow down in a big way. New federal data shows consumer prices posted their biggest monthly decline in more than six years. Specifically, the consumer price index fell by nearly half a percent last month after rising by the same amount a month earlier. Bringing the yearly inflation rate down to three and a half percent. And most of the decline can be attributed to lower energy prices. Of course, that's not expected to be the case this month, now that the conflict between the US and Iran has escalated once again. And all of this is weighing on the new federal reserve chairman, who testified before Congress yesterday for the first time since taking the helm at the Central Bank. Yesterday, Chairman Kevin Warsh told House lawmakers that the Fed had no tolerance for high inflation. But he didn't give any hints about what might happen next with interest rates, keeping with his view that the Fed should not be broadcasting its next move. One thing he did promise was to make decisions without taking politics into account. Warsh is expected to testify before a Senate committee today.