JUDY WOODRUFF: In the day's other news: The Federal Reserve gave the strongest signal
yet that an interest rate cut is coming, likely later this month.
It would be the first since 2008.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell testified today before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.
He suggested growing economic concerns make the case for a rate decrease.
JEROME POWELL, Federal Reserve Chairman: We think that uncertainty around trade policy
and also global growth, that uncertainty is, we think, weighing on the domestic economy.
JUDY WOODRUFF: As Powell gave his opening remarks, a screen behind him showed a running
list of President Trump's criticism of the Fed and its rate increases.
Committee Chair Maxine Waters and other Democrats cited reports that the president has talked
of firing Powell, but he said he means to serve his full four-year term.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency reports a sharp drop in unaccompanied migrant
children being held by the Border Patrol.
The agency said today the number has fallen to 200 from as high as 2,700 last month.
It credits an infusion of funding from Congress.
The report follows a storm of criticism over children held in crowded, unsanitary conditions.
California will be the first state to give Medicaid benefits to young adults living in
the U.S. illegally.
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill Tuesday.
It makes all low-income residents under 25 eligible for Medicaid, regardless of immigration
status.
California already covered everyone under the age of 18.
Communities along the Gulf of Mexico, from Mississippi to Texas, are bracing for days
of downpours from a tropical weather system.
New Orleans was hit by flooding today from a storm that dropped up to eight inches of
rain, and another foot could fall by Monday.
Louisiana's governor says the already swollen Mississippi River could overflow levees guarding
the city.
GOV.
JOHN BEL EDWARDS (D-LA): We don't know yet where this storm is going to land, but we
know it's going to be a big storm, a significant rain and storm surge event.
Wind is possible, however, not just with respect to possible tornadic activity, which we have
been advised about, but straight-line winds could potentially be strong as well.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Forecasters say the tropical system could grow into a hurricane by this
weekend.
The United Nations warned today that climate change is hurting efforts to end extreme poverty
and to prevent hunger.
In a new report, the U.N. blames world governments for not doing enough to address planetary
heating.
It says leaders have not been -- quote -- "ambitious enough to deal with rising temperatures, ocean
acidity and the loss of species."
In Puerto Rico, the FBI today arrested two former senior officials for allegedly steering
federal funds to unqualified contractors.
They are a one-time education secretary of the U.S. territory and a former head of its
health insurance administration.
Just a month ago, Congress approved new hurricane relief funds for Puerto Rico.
A federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit that charged President Trump is illegally
profiting from his Washington, D.C., hotel.
The city and the state of Maryland had argued that Mr. Trump is violating the constitution's
ban on taking benefits from foreign governments because foreign officials pay to stay at his
hotel.
A three-judge panel ruled today they lacked legal standing to pursue the issue.
The U.S. women's national soccer team celebrated a World Cup victory today with a parade in
New York City.
Fans lined the route, confetti fell and air horns blared as the players' floats passed.
Both players and fans called for pay equity with men's soccer teams.
We will look at the team and its potential legacy later in the program.
On Wall Street today, stocks made modest gains on the news that the Federal Reserve does
appear ready to cut interest rates.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 76 points to close at 26860.
The Nasdaq rose 60 points to a new record high.
And the S&P 500 added 13.
And veteran TV, stage and movie actor Rip Torn has died after a seven-decade career.
He gained his greatest fame in the 1990s, winning an Emmy as a bombastic TV producer
on "The Larry Sanders Show."
He also played Agent Zed in the first two "Men in Black" movies.
Rip Torn was also an outspoken advocate for civil rights.
He was 88 years old.
Still to come on the "NewsHour": the forces within British politics that may have brought
down a top diplomat; marijuana on the mind, what neuroscience can tell us about pot's
effect on brain activity; and much more.