Good morning. It's Monday, July 19, and we're covering the aftermath of deadly floods in Europe, the ongoing immigration surge along the US-Mexico border, and more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Death Toll Rises in Europe

More than 180 people have been confirmed dead, with hundreds still missing, as rescue crews worked through the aftermath of deadly flooding in Western Europe. The waters were preceded by historic rainfall in eastern Belgium, the Netherlands, and western Germany (see map), with the city of Cologne measuring more than 6 inches of precipitation in a 24-hour period. Meteorologists said the amount of rain equaled a full month's worth in a single day in many locations.

In a region that rarely sees such heavy rains, the situation was exacerbated by general unpreparedness. The European Flood Awareness System issued a warning early last week, but officials were reportedly slow to respond. Early models showed a low pressure system bringing precipitation from the Mediterranean Sea, trapped by two high pressure fronts (see breakdown, paywall, WashPo). 

See photos of the devastation here.

Border Encounters

More than 188,000 migrants were stopped along the US-Mexico border last month, according to government data, the highest June total in at least two decades. Border officials have reported more than 1 million encounters in the current fiscal year (which begins in October), the first time that mark has been passed since 2005. 

Of the June total, roughly 34% were migrants who had been encountered within the previous 12 months. Similarly, of the 1 million encounters since October, less than half (about 456,000) were newly encountered migrants. Officials said the large number of migrants who were expelled under pandemic-related public health orders and subsequently attempted reentry contributed to the high overall numbers. See the data here. 

In related news, a federal judge ruled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, referred to as DACA, to be illegal. The Obama-era program defers deportation of certain undocumented immigrants known as Dreamers—an estimated 700,000 children and young adults who were under 16 years old when they entered the US. Under the ruling, current recipients will not be affected and may continue to renew their status, but no new applicants will be allowed.

Bootleg Fire Grows

Oregon's Bootleg Fire grew to roughly 300,000 acres over the weekend, fueled by dry air and windy conditions. Expanding by 4 miles a day in the state's Fremont-Winema National Forest, the blaze has drawn more than 2,100 firefighters to help contain the flames, while forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands. The fire is roughly half the size of the state's worst fire in history, the Long Draw Fire, which burned through nearly 560,000 acres in 2012. As of this morning, the fire was 25% contained. 

The blaze is one of nearly 80 wildfires currently burning across 13 states in the western US, including the Snake River Complex fire along the Oregon-Idaho border, which has consumed more than 100,000 acres and was 44% contained as of this writing. 

It is unknown what started the fire, which was sparked July 6. See photos here.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar wins second straight Tour de France (More) | Milwaukee takes NBA Finals game five over Phoenix 123-119 for their third straight victory, can clinch championship tomorrow night (More) | American Collin Morikawa wins British Open, his second major championship (More)

> Pioneering rapper Biz Markie, best known for "Just a Friend," dies at 57 of complications from diabetes (More) | Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Danish Siddiqui killed while covering clash between Afghan forces and Taliban militants (More) | See Siddiqui's photos here (More)

> French filmmaker Julia Ducournau becomes second female director to win the Palme d'Or, the top prize at Cannes Film Festival, with "Titane" (More)

Science & Technology

> Amazon founder Jeff Bezos set to enter space tomorrow morning aboard his company Blue Origin's inaugural crewed mission (More)

> Study shows cannabis was first domesticated roughly 12,000 years ago in East Asia (More)

> Archaeologists provide findings on dig into Roman fort found near the UK's North Yorkshire; discoveries shed light on Dere Street, one of Britain's oldest roads (More)

Business & Markets

> US stock markets fall Friday (S&P 500 -0.8%, Dow -0.9%, Nasdaq -0.8%); all three indices end the week lower for the first time in four weeks (More)

> US retail sales increased 0.6% in June versus expectations of a decline (More)

> Oil prices reach three-year high; OPEC and allies agree to increase oil production in August until pre-pandemic output levels are reached (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> New US COVID-19 cases surpass 30,000 per day, with daily deaths hovering around 250; see data here (More)

> At least five Texas Democratic lawmakers test positive for COVID-19 after leaving the state in an attempt to block an election and voting reform bill (More)

> First person facing charges related to the Jan. 6 storming of the US Capitol set to be sentenced; prosecutors asked for Paul Allard Hodgkins, charged with obstructing an official proceeding, to serve 18 months in prison (More)

ETCETERA

A retrospective on former sports anchor Stuart Scott.

The website that helps kids run a real business.

The 25 best bars in America.

Heading to space? Make sure you have insurance.

The Eiffel Tower reopens for business.

MIT's newest robot wants help dress the elderly.

The pandemic's easiest photo trend.

When $10M in cocaine lands on your roof.

Clickbait: How not to scare away bears.

Historybook: Inventor and businessman Samuel Colt born (1814); First US Women’s Rights convention held (1848); Sports journalist Stuart Scott born (1965); First GPS signal transmitted (1977).

"Our life's journey is really about the people who touch us."

- Stuart Scott

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