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Pope Leo To Recite Angelus Prayer Days After Lung Cancer Surgery; Trump Holds Rally In Deep Red Northern Kentucky; Ocasio- Cortez Campaigns For El-Sayed In Michigan; Ossoff, Bottoms Rally Supporters In Atlanta; Deadly Fire At Canadian Military Base Under Investigation; Florida Man Killed In Alligator Attack While Fishing; Building Torched And Over 1,000 Detained After Half A Million Protesters Sweep France; Tear Gas Deployed At Student Protest In Strasbourg; Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Hub In Massive Drone Attack. Child, Adult Killed After Woman Plows Car Onto Youth Soccer Field; Pope Leads First Sunday Prayers Since Lung Cancer Surgery; Sailor Deployed To USS Lincoln Reunites With Deported Father; Fast-Moving Wildfires Spread Through Southern California; Brewing Coastal Storms Brings Rain And Wind To Carolinas. Aired 6-7a ET

Aired October 18, 2026 - 06:00   ET

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

[06:00:34]

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to CNN THIS MORNING. Here's what's happening. Any minute now, we expect to hear from Pope Leo for the first time since he was released from the hospital. He'll lead the Angelus prayer at the Vatican. Of course, we will take you there live when it happens.

In politics, President Trump is stepping up his attacks on Democrats as the midterms approach. We will show you the moment Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed tackled a question about his faith during a town hall.

And new this morning, there's progress against a wildfire in California that has forced thousands of people to leave their homes. We'll take you there and tell you where it stands.

Also, a father was deported while his daughter was deployed overseas with the U.S. military. Now, she's back from her deployment and taking up a new mission to try and bring him back. That's all ahead on CNN THIS MORNING.

It is Sunday, October 18th. Good to have you along for a brand new week. I'm Victor Blackwell.

We're starting this morning with Pope Leo. He's delivering his first Sunday prayers since undergoing lung cancer surgery. Right now, the faithful have gathered in Saint Peter's Square to wish the pope well and greet him as he recites the traditional Angelus prayer.

The Pope made his first appearance, public appearance, yesterday after being discharged from the hospital. He had surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. That was on Tuesday. Let's listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO, LEADER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (through translator): Render unto Caesar what is Caesar is that this is purely money. And Jesus said this image and this inscription on the coins, who are they? It is Caesar. So, OK, if it is Caesar, give unto Caesar what is Caesar's and what unto God what is God's unto God.

We should not forget this story. On the contrary, we should own it. We must live without compromise. We must fight against injustice and proclaim the reign of God and justice. And the praise which people give unto God is particularly relevant here.

Master, we know that you teach the ways of the Lord, the disciple said. But we must not avoid the look of the other. Brothers and sisters, I insist, give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and give unto God what is God's. And we must do that without hypocrisy, free of prejudice. And we call upon the Lord to help us, and let us trust in the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

The angel of the Lord declared to Mary, Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

[06:05:03]

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Pray for us.

Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech thee, o Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the incarnation of Christ thy son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Delivering a message and a prayer. This is the first Sunday prayers the president -- the pope is leading since surgery on Tuesday.

Let's bring in now CNN's Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb. Christopher, the people have gathered there at Saint Peter's Square. They know they're watching a pope who is less than a week removed from lung cancer surgery.

But if you didn't have that context, is there anything that you see that is noticeable about Pope Leo that suggests he is in recovery? Because it was quite surprising he walked out of the hospital yesterday waving, shaking hands, accepting gifts. What do you see?

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Victor. The pope, I thought, speaking with a with a strong voice today, sounding much the same as he always does, greeting the crowd happy Sunday. People clapping for him here. Quite a big crowd has gathered here in Saint Peter's.

So, the pope sounding good after that surgery. He also looking well after he left the hospital on Saturday. And of course, I think he really does want to get back to work, get back to his duties. Of course, he had a phone call with Vladimir Putin on Friday from the hospital.

He is also, from what we can see, planning to make that trip to Latin America from the 6th to the 17th of November, a trip where he will be going to Peru. That's at least on the schedule at the moment. The surgeon for Pope Leo saying he is cleared to travel.

So it is quite a remarkable recovery, it seems. Of course, we don't know the long term prognosis for the pope. We don't know if the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes. We are waiting for that.

But, you know, Pope Leo sounds pretty good. He is now thanking the medical staff at the Gemelli who helped him and looked after him. And there's a round of applause for the crowd as he mentions them. And so he does seem to be getting back to his -- you know, getting back to his, you know, his work and his duties, Victor.

BLACKWELL: Let's pause and listen to that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO (through translator): The nearness of all those who suffer from this condition. Having overcome this sensitive period, the sensitive experience that I will continue on my way. Thanks to your support and prayers. I thank you once again. Thank you to everyone and enjoy a wonderful Sunday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Yes, I was -- Christopher is still with us. I was going to ask if there had been any reference to his recovery, but he just thanked the people who prayed for him, thanked the hospital staff, because as we were discussing in performance and appearance, there seemed to be no difference than a typical Sunday there at the Vatican. But we just heard the gratitude from the pope, a smile and a wave, and then retreating back inside.

LAMB: Yes, that's right, the pope sounding much the same. And he does have a very strong work ethic. You know, he's from the south side of Chicago. And I spoke to someone from there who said, you know, there is a strong sense to get back to work, a strong work ethic from that part of the U.S.

He clearly from this appearance now showing his determination to continue in his duties to get back to as normal as he can. Thanking the medical team, thanking people for their prayers.

[06:10:03] And, you know, expressing his closeness to those who also suffer from cancer. The pope, I think, really showing that he is back in action today with that appearance.

I didn't hear a specific mention of the trip to Latin America. As I said, the doctor, or the surgeon who operated on him, is saying that there's no clinical reason for him not to make that trip. However, it is a visit that is a very intense schedule. The pope's due to make 14 flights and take part in around 50 events.

He's due to go to the high altitude parts of Peru which, of course, people will immediately ask, how is that going to work with someone who has had lung surgery? But from what we can see today, Victor, a real determination by Pope Leo to continue with his work and get back to how he was before the surgery.

BLACKWELL: He looks good. Christopher Lamb, thank you so much. The pope, 71 years old, will be heading to Uruguay, Peru, and Argentina November 6th through the 17th. We'll talk more about the trip, his recovery, that work ethic, and his call with President Putin a little later in the show.

For now, President Trump is waking up this morning at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He is taking one day break from the campaign trail. The president held a rally in deep red northern Kentucky on Saturday in the same district represented by one of his top Republican critics, outgoing Congressman Thomas Massie. President Trump told the crowd to treat the upcoming election like it's the most important midterm in the history of the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't need to do this. I could sit home. I already won.

Somebody said, good luck with the election. I said, no, I already won. I don't need to do this, but I have to, because if they win the midterms, all of a sudden you're going to see a slide and all of the crap that we talk about, the incompetent stuff that we talk about is going to come back and we're going to go through the same process. And I don't think our country can handle it again. I really don't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: The president has a busy week of campaigning ahead. He'll be in Kansas on Monday, North Carolina on Tuesday, South Carolina Wednesday, Iowa on Thursday. He wraps up the week in Florida on Friday.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, she's spending a lot of time, also some money on getting Abdul El-Sayed across the finish line in Michigan. The New York Democrat spent two days on the trail with El- Sayed this week. She was canvasing the state with him. She also transferred $1 million from her campaign accounts to his.

President Trump has called the Michigan Democrat a jihadist and claims he is a member of the Muslim brotherhood. Well, here's how El-Sayed addressed that concern from a voter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABDUL EL-SAYED (D), MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE: I'm going to swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States. And that Constitution guarantees us all the right to practice whatever faith we want, or no faith at all.

And now you assume, you assume, Tommy, that because I am Muslim, that somehow I would have some allegiance to something that is not our Constitution. I'm not running to be a Muslim senator. I'm running for U.S. Senate and happened to be Muslim.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Now, if Ocasio-Cortez is considering a run for president, a win by El-Sayed would provide an enormous boost to the broader progressive movement in the Democratic Party. El-Sayed's opponent, Republican Mike congressman -- Mike Rogers, I should say, will speak with CNN's Dana Bash later this morning. You can watch that on "STATE OF THE UNION" at 9:00 a.m. right here on CNN.

Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff and former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, they were together at a rally in Georgia on Saturday. They were ramping up their attacks on the Trump administration one day after the president visited Georgia.

Ossoff is favored to win reelection next month, and Bottoms is locked in a very tight race for governor. Both delivered similar messages, make your voice heard on November 3rd. Here's Rafael Romo with more.

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Victor, good morning. Several heavy hitters in Georgia's Democratic politics showed up here at the rally for Senator Jon Ossoff to show their support, including Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta who is running for Georgia governor as a Democrat and spoke right before the senator. Other speakers include former Georgia state senator Jason Carter, the late President Jimmy Carter's grandson.

Ossoff's campaign is feeling very confident right now. The senator raised $33.1 million in the third quarter. Also, he's getting support from some Republicans, including Jeff Flake, the former Arizona senator.

[06:15:01]

Georgia's race for the U.S. Senate is so contested that President Donald Trump made a stop here in the state on Friday in support of Mike Collins, the Republican Senate candidate, who is waging an uphill battle to unseat Ossoff in a state that Trump narrowly carried in 2024 after losing it in 2020, also narrowly. Here at this rally, Ossoff once again not only blasted Collins, his opponent, but also President Trump and his policies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JON OSSOFF (D), GEORGIA SENATE CANDIDATE: Now, remember, they promised to lower prices on day one. Instead, under the failed President Donald J. Trump, it costs more than ever in American history to fill up your truck, stock your fridge, visit the doctor, or power your home.

They promised to drain the swamp. Instead, it's the most corrupt administration of all time, and everybody knows it. Everybody knows it.

Now, remember, they also promised peace. Instead, they plunged us into a war they don't know how to end or how to win. The biggest foreign policy debacle since Iraq, and another war based on lies

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMO: The other race generating attention is the one for the governor's office, where former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running against businessman Rick Jackson, a Republican.

Vice President JD Vance was also here in Georgia on Wednesday, campaigning for Republican candidates during a stop at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. President Trump is expected to return to Georgia later this month for a rally in the city of Macon.

Victor, now back to you.

BLACKWELL: All right. Rafael Romo, thanks so much. Tonight on a special Sunday edition of "LAURA COATES LIVE," we'll be answering your questions about the midterm elections. Scan the QR code on your screen right now to submit those questions. You can watch "MIDTERMS 2026 COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION NIGHT" tonight at 8:00 p.m. eastern and pacific, right here on CNN and streaming live on the CNN app.

Other headlines for you this morning, we're following several people are dead or injured following a major fire at one of Canada's busiest military airports. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with patients from CFB Wainwright. One emergency room doctor describes it as one in every 15 to 25-year disaster. Here's the defense minister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID MCGUINTY, CANADIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base. We will have more to say in the coming hours and days.

At this time, our thoughts are with the families and with everyone impacted by this tragic event. And I want to thank, in particular, the first responders and everyone providing assistance at a very difficult time.

I cannot recall such an incident in my short time for sure as a minister, but I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: CNN has reached out to the hospitals treating patients, along with the military base and local officials. And of course, as we learn more about what happened, we will pass that on.

In Florida, police are investigating after an alligator killed a 71- year-old man. It's nearly 12-foot alligator attacked Steven Hamilton. It happened on Friday. He was fishing along the shore of Lake Apopka, about 15 miles northwest of Orlando.

Officials say other alligators in the water made it harder for the crews to reach him. His body was recovered about two hours later. Trappers later captured and killed that alligator.

In France now, government buildings were torched. More than a thousand people were detained by police, and more than a half million people joined these protests across the country. Now in central France, a historic town hall burned, collapsed its roof as well.

The protests started with students who demanded better schools but have grown into a broader movement over the cost of living and frustration with the government. The police response is also under scrutiny as they fired tear gas at protesters.

Young activists across Europe held solidarity protests. This one is in Portugal. And despite pockets of violence in France, authorities said most people demonstrated their nonviolently.

Next, a massive drone attack on Russia targeted a major oil terminal. Why these strikes could put pressure on President Trump and his decision to waive Russian sanctions.

Plus, panic at a youth soccer complex in Kansas, a truck plowed into a field, killed two people.

[06:20:01]

What police are learning about the driver.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: There's been a wave of fresh attacks in Russia. In a massive overnight strike, Ukraine launched more than a thousand drones at Russia. A major target was one of Russia's biggest transportation hubs for oil shipments. And officials say that one person was killed, five people were wounded in the attacks.

[06:25:03]

Let's go to CNN's Nada Bashir in London. One thousand drones, talk to us about it.

NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And this comes, of course, after President Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would no longer halt its attacks on Russian oil and energy facilities despite, of course, that call from U.S. President Donald Trump last weekend calling for an energy ceasefire on both sides.

But in response to those continued attacks that we have seen over the last week by the Russian military targeting Ukraine's own energy infrastructure, it appears that Ukraine is now pushing back on the terms of that ceasefire announced by the U.S. president, as you mentioned, targeting one of the main shipment facilities for Russian oil, the Saint Petersburg Oil Terminal, according to the Russian ministry of defense and reports on state media. Again, more than a thousand drones targeting Russia's second city, according to officials in Russia.

And, of course, we have been also hearing on the Ukrainian side of yet again more overnight attacks carried out by the Russian military, targeting more than 20 regions in Ukraine. But according to President Zelenskyy, the focus of these overnight attacks once again was Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Again trading fire on both sides, targeting that core energy infrastructure that has long been a key battleground for both sides.

But we have had an updated statement from the Ukrainian president just a few hours ago, saying in a statement, that over this past week, the Russians have attacked Ukraine with almost 2,700 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs, and 66 missiles, most of them ballistic.

He goes on to say that the main targets of these strikes are Ukraine's energy facilities. And also adds that America should see that Russia is not taking any reciprocal steps in response to sanctions relief or agreements.

And, of course, this statement comes and these events come off the back of further announcements by the U.S. president of that intention to waive sanctions on targeting Russian fossil fuels. That, of course, was announced in an executive order on Friday and has really continued to widen the fractures between Ukraine and the United States.

We have seen that tension mounting over recent days, particularly following that announcement by the U.S. president of a deal alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, to allow for Russian diesel exports. And this all, again, of course, comes just ahead of the midterm elections as President Trump tries to pin those rising oil prices on the war in Ukraine and putting pressure on President Zelenskyy to come to some sort of agreement. Of course, this also comes as the war in Iran continues and as that continues to hike oil prices.

President Zelenskyy, for his part, has said his team has been in touch with American officials on Friday and that the hope on the Ukrainian side is that further talks can be held over the coming week. But the details of those talks are still being discussed.

BLACKWELL: Nada Bashir, reporting for us this morning, thanks so much. Breaking news. Pope Leo delivers his first Sunday prayers since having lung surgery on Tuesday. We got more about his message and his recovery next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:32:44]

BLACKWELL: A youth soccer game in Wichita, Kansas ended in tragedy on Saturday after a woman plowed a pickup truck onto that field. A six- year-old child and an adult were killed.

Fifteen-year-old Bryant Garza saw it. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

BRYANT GARZA, YOUTH SOCCER REFEREE: I was mainly just shocked, you know when you see a car driving over a bunch of people, you're just like you're just in shock. I was scared obviously, didn't know what to think, just ran out the way hoping didn't follow me hoping I didn't get hit.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

BLACKWELL: CNN's Mark Morales has more from Wichita.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK MORALES, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTER: 911 calls came pouring in after a truck drove onto the field of a youth soccer game and struck adults and children at a sports complex in Wichita. Paramedics and police arrived at the scene a short time later and actually found community members rendering aid to some of the injured victims.

Now tragically a six-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man both died in the ordeal. Neither one was related to the other. There was also 11 other injuries. They were taken to local hospitals. Ten of those had traumatic injuries. However, they are all expected to survive.

Now part of this also included the driver of the vehicle, she stayed on the scene. Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses gave a briefing and actually spoke about what investigators plan to do now.

Take a listen.

AARON MOSES, POLICE CAPTAIN, WICHITA: We are still working to determine how this happened and why this happened. Our investigators are here, they're at the hospital. They interviewed over 30 witnesses here at the scene. They've conducted additional interviews over the phone.

If you have video or photographs from what occurred today here that here at Stryker, even if you don't think it is related to the incident, please share it with us through that link on our social media pages.

MORALES: Now the driver of that vehicle. She's a 34-year-old woman. She had two juveniles in the car. She's cooperating with investigators. And as of right now, she's in police custody.

Mark Morales CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE) BLACKWELL: Minutes ago, Pope Leo made his first major public appearance since undergoing lung cancer surgery. He led the Angelus prayer just one day after being discharged from the hospital and he thanked everyone who wished him well.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

[06:35:02]

POPE LEO XIV, HEAD, CATHOLIC CHURCH (through translation): This experience made me experience the nearness of all those who suffer from this condition. Having overcome this sensitive period, this sensitive experience, I will continue on my way, thanks to your support and prayers.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

BLACKWELL: And the Pope is 71 years old. He had surgery earlier last week to remove what the Vatican says turned out to be a cancerous lung nodule.

Joining me now is Susan Reynolds. She's assistant professor at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She's also author of People Get Ready: Ritual Solidarity, and Lived Ecclesiology in Catholic Roxbury.

Thank you for coming back.

SUSAN REYNOLDS, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, CANDLER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT EMORY UNIVERSITY: Wonderful to be here.

BLACKWELL: So the first big surprise is that, again, he's 71 years old. He had lung cancer surgery on Tuesday, and I expected when he was released from the hospital he'd be in a wheelchair. He walked out, waved, shook hands, and is speaking today.

REYNOLDS: He's in incredibly good health. I think that's one reason why this diagnosis came as such a shock to people. This is a man who plays tennis all the time, who even just by appearances does not look like he's 71 years old.

When he walked out of the hospital, I think it came as an incredible relief to not only Catholics, but the world at large, where he's become this sort of incredible moral leader at a time of a lot of uncertainty and economic and political turmoil. I was talking to an Episcopalian friend of mine on Friday, and he said, I'm about to say something I've never said before in my entire life. I am praying for the Pope.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

REYNOLDS: And I think when we all saw that image of him walking out in incredibly good spirits, looking, you know, upright and healthy, it was a sign of consolation, really, to the entire world.

BLACKWELL: And it's an important symbol from and for the church as well. I mean, the first Pope I remember John Paul II of my lifetime, and we watched him work until, I mean the end of his life. And sometimes his messages we couldn't really understand. And then we saw Pope Benedict resign as well.

How much of this perseverance is driven by the individual, the man, or driven by the church?

REYNOLDS: That's a great question. I think the church learned a lot from the papacy of John Paul II. There was something powerful in the sort of humility of working up until the very end. At the same time, when you're really no longer in control of your ability to be a leader, a lot of things go undone in the church.

And a lot of things that should be addressed go unaddressed. And we paid the price for that, for example, in the way that cases of clergy sexual abuse really went unaddressed during those latter years of the JP II papacy.

Pope Leo, I think, is somebody who leads with a kind of authenticity, where he doesn't strike me as the kind of leader who's going to pretend to be stronger than he is. He's not somebody that's going to muscle through and power through, especially because so much of his message to the world is bound up in sort of respect for the vulnerability of the human person, embrace of our own humanity.

I think that he's just he's somebody who's really invigorated by this role that he's found himself in. And I think that's sort of given him a spirit of perseverance.

BLACKWELL: There's the trip coming up starting November 6 to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina. As the AP reports, a dozen flights to helicopter flights. Of course, anyone who's been to Peru or up into Cusco or Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu, you know, the elevation challenges.

Talk to me about the importance, the significance of that trip.

REYNOLDS: I mean, I'm from Denver, Colorado. And when I go home to a mile above sea level, I find myself panting.

It's papal trips in general are grueling. And I think many people thought there's absolutely no way he is going to be able to go through with this. And I'm thrilled to hear that he is. I mean, of course he is. Of course, he's from Chicago, but he's a naturalized Peruvian citizen. This is a homecoming for him. It's striking, too, that Pope Francis actually never returned to Argentina after he was elected pope.

So in a certain way, this papal trip to Argentina and Peru and Uruguay is kind of this beautiful papal homecoming on behalf of both of these modern popes who are the first elected from North and South America.

BLACKWELL: Of course, it will get additional attention this time because of his recent surgery.

Susan Reynolds, thank you so much for coming in.

[06:40:01]

REYNOLDS: Great to be here.

BLACKWELL: All right, next, a long-awaited homecoming without a happy ending.

After serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln, a sailor returns home to find out her father was deported. We'll hear from her next.

And if you're heading out, remember, we are always ready to go. You can take us, even in Casco, Maine. You can stream the show from anywhere in the U.S. right now on the CNN app. You can also go to CNN.com/Watch.

It's live look here at the Sun Rising Mare at Thompson Lake Marina. Good morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:45:18]

BLACKWELL: The USS Abraham Lincoln recently docked in California after nearly 11 months at sea, but for at least one sailor deployment did not have a happy ending.

Because while Jessica Martinez was halfway across the world, the U.S. government deported her father.

Here's CNN's Ed Lavandera.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I see her.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Jessica Martinez emerged from the crowd into the arms of her sister, months of emotion poured out. The 22-year-old Navy sailor spent more than 10 months deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln, which returned to California earlier this month. But this homecoming wasn't what she dreamed.

JESSICA MARTINEZ, U.S. NAVY: I feel a little disappointed. It's like a stab in the back.

I spend in the military, (INAUDIBLE).

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Two months into her deployment, Martinez learned her father was deported to Mexico.

He wore a U.S. Navy sweatshirt the day she headed out to sea, but he wasn't there to welcome her home.

MARTINEZ: When I got the news that my dad got deported, I just didn't want to continue anymore. My dad was all like, I've always taught you to keep going in life.

I didn't raise a quitter, and I had to keep going. It was for my dad.

This is my first time visiting Tijuana.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): The reunion happened a few days later.

MARTINEZ: You'd see dad (ph). He's right there.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Jessica Martinez and her sister Ana (ph)walked across the border from San Diego into Tijuana, Mexico. Waiting on the other side was her father, Humberto.

Humberto told us he's grateful his daughter returned safely, that it's been his dream come true to see Jessica become a sailor and go on to finish college.

(FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

LAVANDERA (voice-over): He says, I tell her that maybe someday we'll be able to reunite over there as a family. Hopefully, somebody is going to help me, and I can go back to my family.

But the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to CNN earlier this month, Humberto Martinez is, quote, never going to be welcomed back in the United States. The DHS statement goes on to say Martinez is a, quote, criminal, with convictions for DUI and drug offenses and arrests for false citizenship and human smuggling, and that he's been removed from the U.S. at least six different times.

When CNN first asked about Humberto Martinez's immigration record seven months ago, the DHS statement offered different details. The agency told us in March, Martinez had been removed from the U.S. four times, not six, and also included a conviction for unauthorized use of a vehicle. It did not mention the other crimes he allegedly committed.

In a public records search, we were only able to find the DUI conviction. Martinez told us it was a misdemeanor charge and that he completed the court-mandated classes and community service. We have asked DHS for clarifications on the details in these statements, but they have not responded to that request.

Humberto Martinez denies he was involved in any other crimes, but admits he unlawfully crossed the border multiple times, and that he hopes to find a way back to his family.

(FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

MARTINEZ: I don't care how many lawyers I have to go through. I have to pay. I'm going to find justice for my dad, for him to come back.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Ed Lavandera, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLACKWELL: Well, there's good news in the wildfire fight. Thousands of people who have been evacuated from their homes are now being allowed back into the neighborhoods. We'll get you an update on where things stand.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:53:24]

BLACKWELL: Let's take it to Southern California where a fast-moving fire has scorched more than 500 acres and destroyed several homes after it sparked in Orange County.

The Norte Fire is just one of several that have broken out in the region during these powerful Santa Ana winds. Evacuation orders have been lifted in some areas and crews are working through the night to attack the flames and strengthen containment lines. The cause of that fire is under investigation.

More weather for you now. We're tracking a system off the coast of the Carolinas that will bring a wet and windy start to the work week.

CNN's meteorologist Allison Chinchar's with me now.

This could be with us for a few days.

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, it's not going to move all that much and so that's really kind of the problem.

There's not a ton of moisture with it but when it sits for days and days at a time, it doesn't have to dump a lot of rain in a very short period of time because it has all the time it needs to dump that rain.

Here's a look at the radar right now. Again, you can kind of see we've still got some of those light showers there. Again, most of them are offshore. You're really just looking at the outer banks. Those are going to be the areas that are dealing with most of this rain.

When we push it forward, you'll notice again, some of it starts to creep closer to the coast. It's really just going to be those areas right there along the coast. This does not make it very far inland. But again, notice as we go into Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday, you still have that chance for some of those showers. The wind is also going to be strong.

Now, this is likely going to be felt in far more places than the rain likely will. Those wind gusts up around 30 to 40 miles per hour, those will continue as we go through the next 48 to even 72 hours. So it's going to be that constant wind.

Now, here's the other thing. That wind is going to take a lot of that water and push it inland. So you have roughly 40 gauges and various rivers, creeks, and streams up and down the coast that are going to reach minor or even moderate flood stage just simply from all of that water being pushed inland.

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So that's going to be another concern. Many of these do not even peak until Tuesday or Wednesday of this upcoming week. So it's more of a delayed effect for a lot of those areas.

It's also why you have the flood watches. This is truly more from the sense of rivers, creeks and streams rather than the rainfall coming down. But again, adding some more rain on top of that is just going to exacerbate the problem.

BLACKWELL: OK, Allison, thank you so much.

Coming up next hour, we'll take you back to the campaign trail. Our Manu Raju spoke to a Democrat who says the party's brand is damaged. You'll hear from him.

Stay with us.

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