New Surge of Illegal Families Across Border:  The number of illegal immigrant families captured at the border increased in July, contrary to expectations that the surge would subside as the late summer heat intensifies.  Stephen Dinan of the Washington Times reports that the trend has been exasperated by Judge Dolly M. Gee's July 24 ruling prohibiting the detention of illegal immigrant families which has enticed Central American parents to bring their children on the treacherous journey as "shields to get them released" once they arrive.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials told Judge Gee that they need to detain families for at least a few days "in order to make their determinations and conduct necessary health screenings."  The Justice Department has asked for a hearing later this month of present more evidence in an effort to sway the judge to reconsider the order.  

Gunman who Killed Shreveport Officer Arrested:  The gunman accused of killing an on-duty police officer in Shreveport, Louisiana on Wednesday evening was arrested without incident Thursday afternoon as he sat in a garage.  Fox News reports that 27-year-old Grover Deandre Cannon, already wanted for a murder that occurred on July 15, shot 24-year-old (reported as 29-years-old in a previous article) honor graduate Thomas LaValley multiple times when the officer confronted him in response to a report of a suspicious person.  The last fatal shooting of a Shreveport police officer was in 2010.

Texas Sheriffs Oppose Federal Immigration Policies:  Texas Sheriffs have voiced their opposition to the federal government's creation of a sanctuary state for criminal aliens through its Priority Enforcement Program (PEP), which has "gutted the immigration system" by promoting dangerous catch-and-release practices.  Lana Shadwick of Breitbart reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) used to be able to place a 48-hour hold on illegal immigrants when they were wanted on immigration-related issued, however, that is no longer possible since the PEP program replaced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Secure Commissions plan, allowing criminal aliens free rein.  Under the PEP program, a criminal alien cannot be held until after a final conviction, so "these criminals bond out and disappear into the country."  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick promises that the senate will pass legislation to handle the problems of sanctuary cities in the next legislative session.

Officer's Attorneys Say Baltimore Prosecutors Hid Evidence:  Defense attorneys representing the six Baltimore police officers charged in Freddie Gray's death say prosecutors steered investigators away from allegations regarding Gray's behavior in past interactions with law enforcement.  The AP reports that defense attorneys filed a motion on Thursday alleging that investigators on the case had information on Gray's history of participating in "crash-for-cash" schemes in which people hurt themselves to collect insurance settlements, and that he once injured himself so severely while in jail that he required medical attention.  However, when they sought to probe the evidence further, they were told by prosecutors "not to do the defense attorneys' job for them."  Other allegations include the state's attorney's failure to provide the Chief Medical Examiner with a copy of a statement made by the man who was inside the van when Gray suffered his injuries.  Gray died on April 19, one week after suffering a spinal injury in the back of a police van, leading to the arrest and charging of six Baltimore police officers in his death.